Another snow day!

No school in Boston, so I took Preston with us to Nicholas' Sea Squirts Preview (baby fish school we call it) at the Aquarium. Miss Ashley was very happy to see Preston and it was fun to have both boys in the same class (a vision of things to come- I'm sure they'll be in many of the same activities, sports teams,etc). Pip was there, too, because Olive is also in the class. Those girls are so adorable and Meghan (their mom) and I are good friends, so it's fun when we all hang out together. After the class and a visit to the aquarium, we all went to Umberto's to get pizza. Olive is such a bright little girl and she asked everyone, "What do you wish for?" I was curious to what Preston would say and his response was, "I wish for a bee in my house." He had everyone at the table cracking up, and then he and Pip started saying funny answers. Preston said, "I wish I had one eye." And Pip said she wished for funny teeth. And then Preston took a straw and said it was a snake with wings. They were so adorable together and it made me really cherish the moment.

The Blizzard of 2013 (aka Nemo)

After a snow-free winter last year and a relatively mild one so far, we were hit with a big one! Blizzard Nemo dumped about 27 inches of snow onto Boston and most of the state. The boys had never seen so much snow before, and we had a great time playing in it! On Saturday morning, we got the boys bundled up and all went outside. The snow was still coming down pretty fast, but the world was so white and the city sounds were muffled to a magical quiet and stillness. These are the moments when I especially love living in the city. There was a mandatory ban on driving, so the streets of the North End become pedestrian walkways and the crazy ones that were out on Saturday morning with us all smiled at each other and we kind of felt this camraderie. Now, the part I don't love about living in the city is digging out our car! THere is just nowhere to put the snow! Can't put it onto the sidewalk, and if you throw it onto the street, it will just get re-plowed onto your car. Alex and I spent about two hours shoveling out our car. Thank goodness for Auntie Jenny, who was over at our apartment watching the boys. It was a nice weekend, all hunkered down and cozy inside and then spending a few hours each day out in the snow. Our upstairs neighbors gave us an inflatable snow tube, so we had fun taking the boys for rides in the snow. When we were inside, Preston and I made up a game called "The Krill and the Whale." Preston pretended he was krill and I was the whale trying to eat him. And then it evolved to us both hiding on the "sea bed" (my bed) from the sharks. I liked it because it was an excuse to cuddle with him on the bed! He is such a little snuggler. I love that he is still little enough to hug me and to give me a kiss each time I ask for one. And to respond, "I love you too, Mommy" every time I tell him I love him (which is often). Nicholas is getting so big and is really starting to talk. He loves reading books and wearing hats (especially the straw one, which he thinks is a cowboy hat and says "hee haw" when he wears it). He wants to be big like Preston and loves to sit on his Elmo potty, but has yet to actually pee or poop. I've been trying to get the boys to tone it down with the football play, but they love it. Especially Preston. He loves Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens, and of course, Tom Brady and the Patriots. Sometimes he gets into trouble at school for tackling other boys, so I'm trying to discourage the football play at home, but it's like it's in their blood and they can help but tackle each other. Oh, life with boys...

Happy New Year!

2013 is here and I am reminded how quickly time is flying by and how fast my little boys are growing up. In an attempt to capture these moments before they all go by in a blur, I am hoping to be more faithful to my little blog this year. I only wrote one, single post in 2012, so here's a quick month-by-month review: (of course, as soon as I finished typing that paragraph, I hear Nicholas waking up from his nap!)...to be continued....

Poor, abandoned blog

Sorry it has been SO long since I've written. I try to keep photos, etc. up to date on facebook, but it's nice to have a place to record stories, day-to-day life, etc. Preston is now 2.5 and Nicholas is 10 months old. Nicholas is crawling and cruising around, and causing mayhem wherever he may roam! It's amazing how much faster the second child grows up. Nicholas needs to be quick on his feet (knees?) to avoid Preston's "hugs" which are more like tackles. Although he has gotten much better about not throwing his brother to the ground every opportunity he gets.

Preston is so grown up now! He is talking so fluently and is becoming quick an imaginiative, outgoing little guy. He cracks me up daily and I am amazed at how smart and observant he is. He loves his little brother so much and loves making him laugh. He also loves his "Mama" and likes to check in a few times a day with me by asking, "Mama, are you happy?". So cute. We have decided on a preschool, finally! What a process it is here! You have to apply and then many schools require that you come in for an observation. Crazy. We applied to four schools- two in downtown Boston and two in Charlestown. Amazingly, St. John School in the North End announced they were starting a preschool program starting next September and we have decided to send Preston there. It is only a few blocks away from where we live, and a few of his little friends from the neighborhood will also be going. I can't believe he will be three years old soon. And Nicholas will be 1 next month! This year has flown by.

Happy 4th of July!

Sick baby

On July 4th weekend, Nicholas was very sick with a high fever and vomiting. Between Thursday evening and Saturday morning, we had made three trips to the ER at MGH. By our third visit on Saturday morning, they decided to admit him because his fever was not going down. He was poked and prodded (blood test, inserted IV, catheder for urine test, spinal tap)and all the tests came back negative for any signs of a bacterial infection. It was just a nasty virus, apparently. Nicholas and I got to stay in our own private room overlooking the city for Saturday night, and by Sunday afternoon, his fever has disappeared and he was no vomiting, so we were allowed to go home. Since then, he has been improving greatly. Thank goodness the worst has passed, it's so scary when they are that sick at such a young age!

"Get me out of here!"



He managed to smile even though he was feeling bad...

Nicholas- One Month Old

Granny's visit

At the end of June, Granny came for a quick visit on her way back to New Zealand from London. It was great for her to be able to meet Nicholas when he was just a newborn. Preston was happy to see her and to show her all the new words he learned and new things he could do since she saw him last December.

Nicholas at Two Weeks Old

My little bean...

The Story of Nicholas

Tuesday, May 17, 2011
(Four days before due date)

2am- I wake up to slight cramping and convince myself that this couldn't possibly be "it". The baby isn't due for another four days!

5am- After being awake for a few hours with mild contractions, I think I feel my water break. Not sure if it really did, since this didn't happen with Preston. Call the doctor and they advise me to come into the hospital to be checked out. We call Mimi and Grampy in for reinforcements!

6am- Mimi and Grampy arrive. I am feeling fine, no contractions. Was it a false alarm

7:30am- Contractions are back! Alex and I head to the hospital with our bags packed. Mimi and Grampy take Preston back to Framingham

8:00am- Am examined by a midwife in the triage area of the maternity ward at MGH. I am four cm dialated, but they seem to think I am not ready to be admitted. They tell us to walk around, go get something to eat and come back in two hours. I am feeling OK, contractions are painful but bearable.

10:00am- I am re-examined and no change. The midwife sends us home as she thinks I'm not quite ready yet. I am discouraged, but exhuasted and just want to get home and go to bed.

11am-1pm- Home in bed and contractions are getting stronger. Then, POP! my water definitely breaks this time. Contractions are so painful I cannot speak. Back to MGH.

1:30pm- I am admitted and quickly given an epidural. The pain is intense. Nothing like I felt with preston, as I have been on the epidural overnight before I started pushing. As I am getting the epidural, I feel like I have to start pushing.



2:30pm- The epidural has been in for about 15 minutes and it is numbing the contractions, but they are still painful. I feel an intense urge to start pushing. The nurse tells me to try and wait until the Doctors can get scrubbed in. Easier said than done.

2:36pm- The doctors are ready and I start pushing.

2:42pm- Nicholas Patrick arrives into the world! Alex lets me know that we've had another boy, even though I knew it all along! Welcome, gorgeous baby! They put him on my chest and he starts nursing almost immediately. I am still kind of in shock at how quickly it all happened. An amazingly smooth, but painful, labor and delivery.

That afternoon, Bobby and Jen, Mom and Dad and Preston come to visit.




Uncle Ronnie and Auntie Kathy were coincidentally at MGH that day for a dr's appointment, so they were also able to come and meet the little guy. I am tired but feeling good. We stayed in the hospital until Thursday morning and then took baby Nicholas home to begin our life as a family of four!

Carys and Preston

We babysat for Carys last Saturday night and we all had a blast. Preston and Carys are still best friends and love hanging out together.

On the carousel...



Next stop, visiting the sea lions at the Aquarium...


Dinner at Legal Seafoods, where they charmed all of the waitresses...


Home for tubby time...



Ending the night with a dance party, of course.

Catching up...

Wanted to remember some events in Preston's life that I haven't yet recorded here.

Feb 2010- First plane ride! Went to London to meet his cousin, Honor, Auntie Suzannah and Uncle Olly.


July 16, 2010- First birthday!! We celebrated with a family party at Mimi and Grampy's...





...and a joint birthday fiesta with Carys at Columbus Park for all of his friends.






August 2010-Rented a house on Martha's Vineyard with Liz, Martin, Carys and Gareth, Sara and Ellie. Mimi and Grampy happened to be staying on the island that week as well. It was a wonderful vacation!








Halloween 2010- Went to a neighborhood party with Carys and Ellie. My friend Nicole bought him the sheep costume. So adorable!





December 2010- We spent Christmas and New Year's in New Zealand with Alex's entire family. It was an amazing trip, Preston did so well on the flights and just loved getting to know his Horan side of the family. We had some professional photos taken while we were there...