Just Peach and I and Baby Cal while you two are off on your date!

Tonight was a double date as Maddy and Daddy went out to see Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center this evening, and Pita, Baby Cal and I were the trio that hung together. I remember thinking while I was pregnant about this evening and how far off it seemed, and that by the time it comes I will have a new baby in my arms while Pita and I have our time together. That time is now. Seeing how quickly time passes makes me think of this song. We had a very nice evening together. I took Pita out to Chick Fil-A and dinner was nice as Little Cal ate while snuggled in the Moby and Pita took in the surroundings and people-watching. She loved playing afterward in the play area, and wow, she was really climbing and getting around while 5 year-olds and 9 year-olds bustled around her. Afterward we headed to Target to run some errands there, and Pita wore her back pack in to the store. She has been carrying it around all evening-- the one from Pa-Pa. So cute. She even put her dollar and a bit of change in it, and was insistent on paying the Target bill at check out. (What a great date she makes!) I know Daddy and Madge are having a great time too, because Madge called me around 9pm to tell me that she almost fell asleep during the show, that it is snack time, that she is eating licorice, and everything she had to tell me was interspersed with, "Guess what!?" What a handsome looking pair you and Daddy were tonight, Madge. You got your shower and all dressed up to step out and then you put on your bracelet from Uncle Matt and Aunt Sayeda at Easter time. You came downstairs with your peep-toe shoes all stunning and white, ready to go! You quietly sat on the step and waited for your date-- the best in town! I am so glad that you, two, are enjoying this time together. We had a blast here at home too. (Some pre-date pics below)

He is 4 weeks old!

Cheers to our sweet boy Caleb! He is now 4 weeks old and growing like a champ. He is a wonderful eater and sleeper, an all around easy baby-- oh so similar to his big sisters. Thank you, Lord! Caleb, you are loved beyond words and your sisters just cannot hold and kiss you enough (neither can Dad nor I!). This evening, Pita sat on our bed, put a "choo-choo" burp rag over her shoulder and in her tones and words, she asked if she could hold him. So beautiful to see how much love is all around... a real resemblance to God's love that knows no bounds. We love you, Little Cal! Here's to four more healthy weeks and so much more time and happy days ahead.

Pita's Newest Words

Beebee = Baby (Baby Caleb brought this one on)
Mawhhl = Mall (well, we might have been there before...once or twice this week)
Moo'ie = Movie (at least she's not saying Netflix or Hulu yet)
Anduhl = Angel (this is how she asks for us to sing her the Angel of God prayer, typically before bed)
Chu-chu = Choo Choo Train
Oh Yeah = Oh Yeah (I ask her, "Are you ready, Little Petey?" She replies, "oh, yeah".)

Keep the vocab coming, Little Guadalupe. We're understanding more and more as you use more and more real words. (Though, we like your words, too.) We love you!

"Dad, I Stayed in My Bed"

This morning at 5 something, I was in our walk-in bedroom closet picking out a suit and tie for the day, when the closet door opened. There was my Madge-Pie. She had little bags under eyes and puffy eyes. She had a big, blond bed-head. She was standing there in her little undies. With an excited look on her face, she quietly announced to me the good news, "Dad, I stayed in my bed through all the night!" I gave her a pat. "Good job, Madge. Now, let's get back to bed." Off we stumbled through the dark, she to her bed and I to work.

Ahhh: the little victories of parenting.

"Different Strokes for Different Folks"

It's funny what sticks and what doesn't. Over the weekend while we were at the zoo (I forget the exact context now), we used the phrase "different strokes for different folks" in front of Madge. We ended up giving her a brief explanation and mentioned that it's one of her grandpa's (Beeba, my dad) favorite lines. (Believe me: my dad has many, many, many favorite lines! He's the best!)

Anyhow, fast forward 3 days. We're doing our typical after-dinner routine: we put on kids' praise and worship songs on the stereo so the girls can play their musical instruments and dance around while I am washing the dishes. At one point, she comes careening around the corner of the kitchen in one of her small cars and sings (in a deep, gruff voice) "different strokes...for different folks."

It gave us a laugh. Madge, we love you. Thanks for being our girlie!

NYT Article: Breast Milk Sugars Give Infants a Protective Coat

Interesting article on newly discovered boon of breast milk:

A large part of human milk cannot be digested by babies and seems to have a purpose quite different from infant nutrition — that of influencing the composition of the bacteria in the infant’s gut.

I always marvel at breastfeeding--its dual function of nutrition and bonding is remarkable. (Now, one can argue that it has a triple function!) I feel like Mary's breastfeeding experience has been different for each of our kids since the circumstances have been different. Each time, however, I marvel. I admire her so much for doing it--her devotion, consistency, patience and love.

Family Time

My dad and sister Mary Theresa drove through the night Friday night/Saturday morning from Michigan and arrived just in time for the baptism on Saturday. What troopers, what dedication, and what love. It was very nice to be able to introduce them to our friends in the area: for a few moments, two special spheres of our lives combined.

Madge and Peach loved spending time with Beeba and Aunty Mimi. Of course, they spent a lot of time loving Baby Caleb. He's our cutie! Some highlights included music and dancing thanks to the guitars of Beeba and Aunty Mimi, meals together at home and at Ikea, Mass and the baptism, Pictionary and cards (below is picture of Baby Cal's first card game!), and hanging out together inside (since the weather on Saturday reached 107F).

We love you, Dad and Mary T! Thanks for making the effort to come out and visit us. It was such a special blessing to have you share Baby Caleb's baptism.

[As I type this, Baby Caleb is lying on my chest. He's looking up at me and saying, "where is my grandpa and Aunty Mimi? I told him that we'll see you again in just a couple weeks!]

Some Pics from the Baptism Party and Sister Pictures

The Little Guy is Now a Part of the Family

On Saturday, July 24, 2010, Caleb Ross Jr. was baptized into the Catholic Church. We were very blessed to be surrounded by family and so many friends. Fr. de Rosa presided over a private baptism ceremony for us at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. In line with Pope Benedict's July 2007 motu proprio announcement, Fr. de Rosa celebrated the baptism in the old rite, but in English so that all could understand. It was a most beautiful ceremony. Caleb Ross Jr. is now a member of the family of Christ.

My dad and sister Mary Theresa drove in from Michigan to join us and Mary's mom was with us too for the baptism.

Baby Caleb Posing as Moses

Nothing But Madge Pie

Madge and Peach: Meet Your Brother

1st Post Birth Pics