Playing Together

Jack didn't know I was watching let alone taping him while he played with Luke yesterday. I didn't want to interrupt such a sweet moment between the boys. I stood back and watched with my heart in my throat. This is what having a brother is all about. 

Luke Lately

Jack does so many cute things at his age that Luke doesn't get much attention on the blog. Here's a few photos I've taken over the last couple of weeks. Our little guy is growing VERY fast. I was astonished that his 0-3 month Christmas pajamas didn't fit his chubby little body. I must admit that I absolutely love the little fat rolls on his arms and legs. His smiles and coos make my heart happy too. 

Christmas Day- Family Pictures

Our family of four on Christmas Day 2010

The entire Seaton family- Christmas Day 2010

Jack's First Bike- The Mom Edition

Jack wasn't the only one who got new toys for Christmas. Daddy got a video camera as you may have already guessed from the last couple of posts. Being able to replay moments like Jack getting his first bicycle will be something I'll treasure forever. So, Daddy has become our family's videographer. I'll remain in my current position, photographer. 

From the moment Jack saw his first Christmas lights, this holiday season has been special. Christmas Day was no exception. We woke up at Grandma and Grandpa's house to find that Santa had visited. He was good to Jack this year. I guess he knew that becoming a big brother wasn't easy even though Jack made it look that way. 

We ate a breakfast sent all the way from Maine by one of Grandpa's business associates. Annie couldn't resist letting Jack open one of his presents while he waited for everyone to finish eating. She has a soft spot in her heart for Jackie Chan, as she calls him. Finally everyone finished and the big reveal took place. Grandpa brought out Jack's new bike. You saw Jack's reaction when you watched the video. Here's a few pictures I caught of the moment. 

Christmas wore both boys out. Jack slept from 7:30 pm-9:30 am on Christmas night and followed it up with a 3 1/2 hour nap. Luke took a 5 hour nap although that was only to catch up with sleep after he was up SEVEN times on Christmas night. Little stinker. 

Now we're enjoying having Daddy home for the week and playing with all our new toys. This really turned out to be the best Christmas ever, and I look forward to experiencing many more through the eyes of the boys.

Sledding in Tennessee

It is rare that we get snow in middle Tennessee, and this Christmas was the first white one in 19 years. Jack and I spent the morning outside exploring the woods on our hill and sledding in the front pasture.

Here's how we did things last year....

Grandpa got a sled for us this year, and we have been able to use it twice. Here is a video of Jack descending the hill from our driveway to the front pasture. At the bottom, Jack insists that I pull him back up which makes this activity quite a workout for me.

Jack's First Bicycle

Here's a video of Jack discovering that his grandparents were giving him a balance bike for Christmas.

Daddy's Birthday

John's birthday was last week. Jack and I spent the morning making a cake. He had a really hard time with the we-have-to-wait-for-Daddy-to-eat-it concept. All day long he asked, "Cake now?" The candles were a big hit when they were finally lit. John and I grinned at each other when we finished singing Happy Birthday and Jack asked, "Gin?" Translated- Again? We sang three or four times before Jack was satisfied. Actually, Jack wasn't truly satisfied until he'd finally had a piece of that cake he'd been thinking about all day.

This photo of the boys with John melts my heart.

By the looks of Master Jack, the cake was good. 

Annual Christmas Shirts

Once again this year Ross's grandmother, Gigi Merc, made Ross and all of his friends Christmas shirts. Last week, we got the kids together to try to get a good picture for Merc as a way of thanking her for her kindness. Even with two cameras flashing we didn't succeed in getting a picture with all three of the older kids looking at the camera at one time, but we did get some cute shots anyway.

My favorite of all three four... right up Luke's nose

Jack checking out what his friend thinks of this picture business

Smile from Luke

Decorating cookies

Hard at work

Smile from Jack

Snow Day!

I'm certain that Jack doesn't remember last year's snow even though he experienced piles of snow and bitter cold in Minnesota last Christmas. He was too little to remember the cold so biting that he refused to open his mouth even for a brief smile at the camera. This year, snow and cold have made quite an impression even if they cannot compare to the snow and cold of Minnesota. 

When John took Jack outside on Sunday after he woke up from his nap, Jack just looked around in disbelief. Our yard had been transformed into a snowy wonderland while he was sleeping. 

Jack waved at Mom before getting on the sled that Grandpa bought him the night before the snow started falling. As you can see, Jack thought it was lots of fun! John took him up to the top of the hill and let him sled down many times before they both got cold. Only the promise of hot chocolate could convince Jack that he should get off the sled and warm up inside. 

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

A year later it still cracks me up to see this photograph from our visit to Santa in 2009. Jack was terrified. Santa expected the same reaction this year. As soon as he saw Jack he started talking strategy with me; something about taking Jack out of the room and telling him Santa was going to feed the reindeer and then Santa popping out from behind the chair. To me that sounded scarier than what I had in mind. With a little coaxing from Mom and his brave little brother going first, Jack was fine saying hello to Kris Kringle. 

Jack even informed Santa that he should be saying ho ho ho. Meggie taught him that last night on Skype. When Santa asked Jack what he wanted for Christmas, Jack's answer was his infamous, "hmmm..." Luke had even less to say. All in all, I think Jack and Luke showed Santa that they have indeed been good little boys this year.

Outsmarting Mom

Jack only gets his pacifier in his crib for naps or bedtime... unless he outsmarts his mom. To prepare for a day at Grandma's, Jack packed his backpack with all his favorite things. Blankie, stuffed cow, pacifier. When I saw him put his pacifier in his backpack, I attached it to the backpack strap so he wouldn't get it out while he waited for Grandma to arrive. I walked away for a bit and came back to see this. He outsmarted his mom this time. 

Kiss, Kiss

Jack spent the day with his grandma yesterday. I know he had fun, but I do think he missed his baby brother.

Good Grief!

I think I'm going to start a new thing on my blog where I title any event that makes me just want to shake my head Good Grief! We seem to be having many more of those events as we get deeper and deeper into toddlerhood. This was one of those moments last night. I started the bath water and went into Jack's room to get it set up for bed. When I came back two seconds later, this is what I found. Good grief!

Redneck Christmas Parade

I'm sure you can figure out why I am calling the College Grove Christmas Parade by a new name! Check out the first two photos. :-)

Yes, those are antlers!

John should have taken his tractor!

Waving to Santa

Santa doesn't use a sleigh in College Grove!

Night Night, Christmas Lights

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Seaton house. We did not intend to put a tree up this year because of our concern that Jack would find the low hanging ornaments too tempting, but somebody changed our mind. After seeing how Jack enjoys seeing his Grandma's Christmas tree and his insistence on pointing out every house decorated with lights, Ellie and I decided to put our Christmas tree up while he was napping. We will never forget Jack's delight upon discovering a Christmas tree in his very own living room.

When Jack first saw the tree he said, "Grandma." We were reminded again that his grandmother is associated with many of the things that make Jack happy. Then he walked over to get a closer look. 

Ellie has always loved Christmas ornaments. Her students at school often gave them to her and the last couple of years she has collected some that Jack and Luke would love. Many of those play music or talk. Those ornaments are now hanging on the lowest branches where Jack can see them.   

It didn't take Jack long to find this bike ornament. Bikes are one of Jack's favorite things right now. That ornament was added to the tree when Ellie gave me a new road bike for Christmas a few years ago.

It's a tradition in Kathy's family that she buys her kids an ornament every year. We've adopted that tradition in our home too. Jack enjoyed opening his first gift of the year, and the train inside the package brought him delight too. Ellie and I had to laugh as Jack struggled with the wrapping paper. He ran to the kitchen and came back with a baby fork, apparently the perfect tool to help with stubborn wrapping paper.

Ellie couldn't resist getting Jack TWO ornaments this year. She wanted to remember Jack's love of trains, reading, and Curious George this year. 

Luke wasn't left out. Pooh's first year ornament is Luke's first one on the tree. 

This expression leaves no doubt in our minds that the Seaton house will always have a Christmas tree at this time of the year and that this truly is the most magical time of year. And if that expression didn't say it all, Jack yelling "Night night, Christmas lights" as he went to bed last night certainly would. 

Look Who's One Month Old!

Today Luke is one month old. His first month was one of transition for all of us. I think it was more of a shock for me to become a parent of two children than it was becoming a parent for the first time. Luckily, Luke spent most of the first month asleep! 

Before writing this post, I looked back and read Jack's one month post. I was wondering if Jack was really smiling in that post. There is absolutely no question that Luke is smiling. He figured out that trick that tugs at his mother's heart on Thursday and uses it often. 

Luke is starting to sleep a little better at night. I am pretty much guaranteed a wake-up call between 2:00 and 3:00. We do our business, and Luke settles in until around 5:30 or 6:00. I cannot wait until he sleeps through the night. It's sure to be cause for celebration in this house. 

I can't share Luke's weight and length with you since Luke doesn't visit the doctor until he is two months old, but I am betting he is around 9 or 9 1/2 pounds already. I've been making fun of his double chin lately. I tell him it matches Mommy's! 

I'm looking forward to sharing our weekend with you. We had a terrific one! I hope to post about Christmas lights at our house, our first College Grove Redneck Parade, and taking the boys to see Santa in the next couple of days. Stay tuned!

Christmas is Coming

I saw the cutest picture on Facebook last night. I tried to copy it, but it turns out there is a reason why people pay professional photographers to take their baby's picture. This was my best attempt. I love it because I love the baby in the picture, but it looks absolutely nothing like the inspiration photograph. Oh well.

Our other little guy is certainly excited about the coming holiday. I hear a constant chant of, "Christmas lights," every time we get in the car. He was so busy playing with Christmas decorations at Grandma's house yesterday that he never got out his toys. And, finding where Buddy, our elf on the shelf, has hidden has become a favorite activity every morning. This Christmas is so much more exciting than any other I've ever experienced because I'm seeing it through the eyes of an excited child. Now if only I could get in mood for Christmas shopping...