End of the year...

We can't seem to post enough pictures fast enough to meet the requests of family and friends. I figure I might as well load up now before I am back in school and back to the once a month update. Anyway, we'll start off with a few of Brendan opening some Christmas presents. Unfortunately, the pictures I took don't even begin to explore the fun that he had opening his presents. The expressions on his face were priceless. How badly I wish I had the ability to vividly remember those expressions!

This one shows B's love for camaras. Every time he see's a camara he blurts out, "Cheese!" He loves to watch the videos through the little eye viewer thingy, which happens to be what he is attempting to do in this picture.

This one shows Brendan in one of his favorite past times...carrying around his "up" and seeing things from a new point of view. He also loves to turn on the stereo you can see in the background and dance (which consists of pumping his stomach in and out while simultaneously bouncing up and down).

Mel catching some Z's after a long night. Some nights are better than others. Actually, sweet little Rylie slept six hours straight. Not bad for a 1.5 week old.

Aside from the nasty neck hair on el jefe, and the beginnings of a wailing on Rylie's face, it's a cute one. You'll notice my left shoulder is significantly lower than my right---lil' B isn't so little anymore. In fact, holding him and then holding Rylie has been quite a slap in the face to Melanie and I. We simply can't believe what happened to our little baby. Yesterday, when Brendan woke up from his two hour nap, I could tell that he was still tired. I offered to lay down with him, but he wasn't buying into it. So I picked him up and took him to the most uncomfortable rocking chair in the world and started rocking with him. Before long, he was asleep with his head on the boppy and his legs hanging off the other arm. So badly I wish I had a camara to capture the moments that are quickly changing from naps in the arms to t-ball in the basement.

Brendan with his new garage. He loves to play with his truck. The cutest is when he says, "Beep, beep, beep" while raising the little gate to go down the slide.

Yeah, somebody has fun playing dressup with a certain little girl...

We have ourselves a thumb sucker!! i'd be a liar if I didn't admit that her thumb/hand was a life saver sometimes.

Well, as the year comes to a close in a little less than two hours Melanie and I wish that all who read this have a great start to a new year. I have had a great time updating this blog, although it has been far too infrequent. We have also really enjoyed reading the many different blogs/websites/Christmas cards/etc. over the last few months. Alright, this is getting a little cheesy...later.

More cute pictures

Alas...pictures of "Ra, ra" (as Brendan calls her)

Our newest addition...

Okay, so I have been promising many of you photos for two days now and just haven't had time until now. However, the camera is at the hospital with Melanie. So I guess you'll just have to imagine what she looks like until tomorrow.

Rylie Noelle Jones was born at 3:44 PM, Thursday, December 21, 2006. She was 7 pounds 6 ounces, 19 inches. She is fairly bald on top with dark hair on the sides and back of her head. She has the sweetest little spirit about her and thus far Brendan has absolutely loved to hold her, kiss her and give her loves. We still need to work on the whole "being gentle" part of big brothering. Dad's rough housing everyday has formed some interesting habits in terms of newborns being in his (Brendan's) arms.

Both Melanie and Rylie are doing well and will be home tomorrow for any who wish to call and chat. Melanie had a "good" labor (if labor can ever be called good). Things went smoothly and quickly with no complications. Oh,and in case anyone cares, I'm doing good too although I'm not sure that anyone who designed those "beds" for Dad's to sleep on at the hospital actually slept in them--they're awful!! But that's a whole different conversation--probably once the pains of labor, delivery, and recovery have worn off. I can't really complain much at this point, an uncomfortable board for two nights just doesn't seem to compare to 10 months of sleepless nights ending with...well, I think you see where this is headed.

Check back soon for pictures.

December update

So after nearly a month and a half, I figured it was past time for an update. I have been busy finishing up finals for the semester and now get to enjoy a month off to be with my family. I'm not sure who's more excited me or them!? Additionally, the timing couldn't have been better for us. We are waiting any day now for the birth of Rylie--the due date is Tuesday, December 19th. Melanie has been very, very patient. If you can all remember, Brendan was 3.5 weeks early. So comparatively speaking, she feels long past due.

As for Brendan, he is doing well. We're amazed at the things he is learning. So many times, Melanie and I will be talking and all of a sudden he steps in and somehow knows exactly what we were talking about. It's so much fun to see him growing. We can't believe how tall he is now. Just tonight we both kind of looked at each other and said, "What happened to our 5 pound 9 ounce baby?" It's crazy!

Brendan--January 9th, 2005

This one is classic--he carries his "Up" with him all over the house and thinks he is one top of the world because he can make himself 8 inches taller. I think it's actually quite humurous, but then again, I am not the one that is home making sure he isn't grabbing kitchen knives out of now reachable drawers. Yikes!