September 2024
We have pretty much stayed close to home this month, soaking in the last warmth of summer and lots of fun family moments. I have spent a lot of time on the couch, feeding Jack. I often talk about this being a difficult time, waking up in the middle of the night to feed a new baby, then doing it again two hours later. But really, I’m learning that I secretly love these quiet moments. My whole family is asleep, safe and peaceful in our little cottage. And Jack and I are the only ones awake, snuggling in the quiet dimly-lit living room.
Of course, a few more hours go by, and morning brings the opposite vibe. If it’s a weekend, I will have slept in with Jack, and Bud will be making pancakes in the kitchen while River and Eleanor run around the kitchen table, fully engaged in whatever make-believe play they have created that morning. Bud will have coffee ready for me, and Jack and I will emerge into the joyful chaos. And then the day goes by in a blink, between diaper changes and meals and naps, it’s like being on one of those playground merry-go-rounds that are probably all banned now. And only after all the kids are asleep, and all the cleaning up and prepping has been completed, do you get to step off of the merry-go-round, feeling slightly dazed, tired, but also very happy.
The second week of October, I pass the Jack baton to Bud. I return to work, and he starts his paternity leave. I am not ready, but then, I have never been ready to leave my little babies to go and care for grumpy eighteen year-olds. At least this time, although Jack will not yet be two months old, I have the comfort of knowing that I am leaving Jack with someone who loves him as much as I do. And in a couple years, these days of sitting up nights with Jack and then reluctantly leaving him in the morning for work will all be bitter-sweet memories to be dreamed about while there are three silly kids happily running around the kitchen table on a Sunday morning.
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
River doing his signature "River Dance." 9/1
Bud and Jack. 9/1
Bud and Jack. 9/1
River examines Uncle Nate's tattoos. 9/1
River examines Uncle Nate's tattoos. 9/1
Making root beer floats to celebrate Memere's birthday. 9/1
River examining the instructions for his lego set. 9/1
Eleanor building with legos. 9/1
Bud and Uncle Nate comparing Ancestry notes while River looks on. 9/1
Making root beer floats to celebrate Memere's birthday. 9/1
Memere and Eleanor. 9/1
Pepere and Jack. 9/1
Bud and Jack. 9/4
Bud and Jack. 9/4
River and Eleanor cuddling Grogu before bed time. 9/8
River and Eleanor cuddling Grogu before bed time. 9/8
Walk to the Beach. 9/8
Walk to the Beach. 9/8
Walk to the Beach. 9/8
Walk to the Beach. 9/8
Walk to the Beach. 9/8
River looking like Paul Pfeiffer from The Wonder Years in his goggles. 9/9
River and Elles preparing for a "hike." 9/9
River and Elles preparing for a "hike." 9/9
Eleanor. 9/10
Jack returning home from his doctor's appointment. He was a perfect patient, staying calm and curious during his check up. He is in excellent health, and weighs 10 lbs 5 oz. 9/10
Eleanor. 9/10
River being an acrobat. 9/10
River. 9/10
Eleanor. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
River and Elles practicing on their balance bikes. 9/10
Eleanor wearing her sunglasses. 9/12
Shipyard Park. 9/12
Shipyard Park. 9/12
Jack and Aly preparing for a walk. 9/13
Jack all ready for a walk. 9/13
Jack and Aly preparing for a walk. 9/13
Jack enjoying a concert for one. 9/14
Jack enjoying a concert for one. 9/14
Jack enjoying a concert for one. 9/14
Jack being adorable. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Beach Day. 9/15
Eleanor and Jack. 9/20
Jack. 9/20
Jack. 9/20
Eleanor having just woken from her nap. 9/21
Eleanor having just woken from her nap. 9/21
Eleanor having just woken from her nap. 9/21
Eleanor having just woken from her nap. 9/21
Eleanor having just woken from her nap. 9/21
Who's under the mask? 9/21
River revealing his secret identity. 9/21
Jack wants to be like his brother and sister. 9/21
Spider Jack. 9/21
Spider Jack. 9/21
Spider Man Sibs. 9/21
Spider Man Sibs. 9/21
Spider Man Sibs. 9/21
Spider Man Sibs. 9/21
River and Eleanor being their silly selves. 9/21
River and Eleanor being their silly selves. 9/21
River and Eleanor being their silly selves. 9/21
Eleanor showing off "CPO and D2." 9/21
River. 9/21
River and Eleanor reading about Star Wars. 9/21
River reading up on his favorite subject- Star Wars. 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
It's been one year since Dad measured their height! River is now 41" and Eleanor 34.75". 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River and Eleanor enjoying a rain storm. 9/21
River, who dresses himself now, looking sharp. 9/23
River, who dresses himself now, looking sharp. 9/23
River and Elles make a fort with Jack's play mat. 9/24
River and Elles make a fort with Jack's play mat. 9/24
Jack enjoying a cuddle with Nana. 9/26
Jack enjoying a cuddle with Nana. 9/26
Jack enjoying a cuddle with Nana. 9/26
Jack and Mom walk on the bike trail. 9/27
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
River looking just like Bud as a kid! 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
River shooting spider webs at Shipyard Park. 9/28
More battle poses. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Family walk to Shipyard Park. 9/28
Eleanor sharing her headband with Jack. 9/28
Eleanor playing with Jack. 9/28
River and Pepere play trains while Cece looks on from the couch. 9/28
Jack is happy to be snuggled by Memere. 9/28
Jack is happy to be snuggled by Memere. 9/28
Jack is happy to be snuggled by Memere. 9/28
Jack is happy to be snuggled by Memere. 9/28
Jack is happy to be snuggled by Memere. 9/28
Jack is happy to be snuggled by Memere. 9/28
All three sibs on Jack's play mat. 9/28
Jack relaxing with his Dad. 9/29
Jack relaxing with his Dad. 9/29
Jack relaxing with his Dad. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Visiting with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/29
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30
Hike to see the fairy houses with Pop Pop and Nana. 9/30