Visit to the country

We went to my grandparents' lake house yesterday to visit with the family. When we used to go my grandparents always has projects for us. Painting the house, repairing a fence, building a walkway...anyway Bryce decided to carry on the tradition. He kept himself very busy sweeping, mowing, clearing the yard of sticks. It's hard work but someone has to do it.

Also-he had his first visit with a horse. There is a horse next door to my grandparents' house. When Papa was walking the dog he patted the horse. Russell saw this and decided to take Bryce over there. Check out this video:

Can never resist a few stills either...

Meet the Teacher

Bryce is starting a Mother's Day Out program on Tuesday. Today we went to meet his teachers and classmates. I've been talking about school fora few weeks now and Bryce has been fairly negative, "no school", "no meet new children", "no learn new songs". You get the idea. I had low expectations for today. Bryce did great though. He liked the room and played very happily for 45 minutes. He actually didn't want to leave. Let's hope Tuesday goes as smoothly.

I don't have any pictures related to my comments so here are some of the kids doing what they do best: Bryce playing golf and Ivy lying around.

A new toy

A new toy for the kids is hardly newsworthy. Seems like something new shows up daily and thankfully Bryce's favorite activity is still playing golf. But this time, the new toy that showed up was for me. For my birthday, mom got me a neat little video camera. Not much time to start my bid for an Academy Award...or America's Funniest Home Videos for that matter (does Bob Sagat still host that show...because I just saw a rerun of Full House and...well, nevermind).

Anyway...the software that comes with it seems to suck so I'll have to figure something else out (like buy a Mac). So far I've figured out how to add a title and credits and slam an MP3 over the top...but there is very little in the way of artistic control...and after all, I am an Arteeste!



Oh...and I can also extract pictures from the video...which if you've ever tried to get a 2 year old to look at you & smile on command is about as likely as me not having to sit next to a 400 pound, hegiene challenged woman every time I fly. I can't speak to the quality of the pictures...this is sort of a test, but I thought they were fun.

Tin Roof...Rusted

What the hell did that line from the B-52's mean anyway? If you ask them...they said that it really meant nothing. For those of us in attendance at Spencer & Julie's wedding this past weekend, it took on a whole other meaning. Well...in my mind 2 meanings.

The first thing that will come to most people's mind was the absolutely OUTSTANDING karaoke version of Love Shack that Spencer's buddy JR did. Truly priceless schtick that I can only hope will somehow make it to YouTube via cell phone video or hidden camera. I don't think I can do it adequate justice except to say that if you imagine Curly from the 3 Stooges with a microphone, 12 Red Bulls, and a fist full of crystal meth...you might have an idea of what JR was putting down....TIIIIINNNNNNN ROOF...rusted!!! (it's even fun to type).



The other meaning of "tin roof...rusted" that I was referring to is the transformation I've seen in my brother. I saw a version of him this weekend that I've never seen before...calm, laughing, dancing, smiling...total enjoyment. Don't get me wrong...we've had our share of laughs & good times; he's cracked the occasional joke; I've even seen him dance (he did after all stay in my room at the fraternity house when he was 16...if you smell what I'm cooking)...but I've never seen the whole package...until Sunday. I asked myself what happened? Clearly...only one conclusion...his Tin Roof...Rusted. How else can you explain it? I think Kevin Costner fixed his problem in a similar way:






See...his tin roof rusted. And for Spencer, I think the same thing happened. He found a great wife...got the job he wanted...found some breathing space, and just hit the damn ball up the fairway. And for that...I'm pretty darn proud of him.

So congratulations to Spencer and Julie on your wedding...I hope you have a great time in Aruba, and while your there, try not to get your White Butt...Toasted.

Visit with family

My grandparents were at their lake house so we went to my parents' house for the weekend to visit.

Ivy loves napping on Mimi's shoulder.

Bryce taught Papa how to play golf.

Mimi and Bryce reading.

Ivy watching the fan. Her new favorite activity.

Sitting Pretty

I was curious if Ivy could sit in her bumbo yet and...she can! She is 7 weeks old and doing great. Still eating like a pig and starting to sleep. She slept 7 hours in a row for the past few nights. We go to the doctor next Friday so I'll have a growth update then.

Party

We had Bryce's birthday party in our backyard on Saturday. I was worried about it being too hot but the backyard was surprisingly comfortable. I think everyone had a good time hanging out and playing in the sand. When Bryce took a bath last night you would have thought that he went to the beach, sorry to my friends who had to clean up their kids. Ivy was excited about the party and was awake pretty much the whole day...less than ideal...


After the party, Myra and Bob babysat and Russell and I went to see the new Batman movie. I haven't been to a movie theater in ages. Anyway, both kids went to bed before we left and stayed asleep while we were gone for the most part. Ivy only needed 1 bottle while we were out and was nice enough to do it rightbefore we got back so I was able to go to sleep before her next feeding.

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Happy Birthday Bryce!

Bryce turned 2 today. You don't quite understand what it means to have a birthday at 2. You really don't understand why people call and sing on the telephone...it's kept me entertained though. My mother was in yesterday so we celebrated with a cupcake. Cupcake is Bryce new favorite word...

Here's Ivy

I've been meaning to post a picture of Ivy since July 12 (her due date) to show the world what she would have looked like if she popped out when planned. I'm terrible at taking pictures so here's my best attempt.

This Backyard Brought to you by Re/Max

So you've read us blogging about Bryce and his golfing ability. He smacks the ball around the yard...occasionally getting a hold of one (his outside club is the blue one shown above...or "bew cub" as he calls it). He likes to congratulate himself on a good shot..."big hit" he says...or "big BIG hit" if he really cranks one (he can hit the ball probably 30 feet in the air). Sometimes he'll land one on the lid to the irrigation system (a backyard hole in one) and he yells "HOOOL" (not sure if this made the Brcye-tionary...but that translate to hole, as in, it's in the hole).

Well...we've reached a crossroads in our backyard golf. Bryce can now hit the ball over the fence. I can see this going one of a few ways. We can opt to erect a driving range quality net around the perimeter of the yard. The only problem is when we were members at Great Hills Country Club, the neighborhood association sued the club to take the net down. Ultimately the net came down the poles were used to construct a barbeque smoker. Now, while I enjoy slow cooked meat as much as the next guy, that seems like a long way to go to get a smoker (I have a birthday coming up...that seems like a more direct route).

The other option is we raid the Academy and buy them out of the little plastic wiffle golf balls Bryce enjoys so much and start training for the under 3, under 3 feet, under 30 pound, toddler division of the Re/Max Long Drive championship (this must exist...right?).

As step one, I've started showing B the video below of Jason Zuback from the 2007 championship.

While we're a long way from teeing it up in this event, I think Bryce's 3rd birthday party next year will be a long drive contest. I think if we start training now, he could hit a ball from our patio to the fence...which I estimate at about 25 yds with about a 5 foot decline in elevation. I'll have to get Paige working on sponsors and I'll start working on equipment? Do we think Little Tykes makes a toddler launch monitor? Is there a multi-piece wiffle ball out there to maximize his launch characteristics? Well, good thing we have a year...for now we'll just have to start working on short game so we don't lose as many balls.

July 4th

We went to my parents' house to celebrate the 4th because my grandmother and great aunt were able to meet us there. Bryce and Ivy loved all the extra attention. Dede was very impressed with how well Bryce can hit a golf club. Ivy was her usual cooperative self. We had a great lunch.

In exchange for unlimited golf, Russell is required to help my father with life threatening activities when we visit. Todays task was moving a very large tv out of the house and into the garage. I wish I had a picture of the 2 of them, support belts on, balancing the tv on the dingo. Quite a picture...you'll have to use your imaginations and take a look at them reprogramming the new remote. TV was working in plenty of time for Bryce to watch Elmo.

Visitors

My grandparents were at their lake house so they decided to come visit. They were nice enough to bring lunch and a few presents for the kids. Bryce is a big help in the yard and Papa got him his very own shovel.

Also-Russell has been wanting to post this so here it is. Bryce likes to sit on the potty and as a reward he gets a pretzel. He used to get them when he got off the potty but lately he just snacks while he sits there. Must be a guy thing to need an activity while in the bathroom.

Like Brother, Like Sister

Apparently this is how my kids sleep when they are 2 weeks old. Just thought it was kind of funny...

Bath time

Ivy's umbilical cord fell off the other day so Bryce and I gave her a bath today. Ivy seemed to enjoy the experience and Bryce was a big help.

Happy Father's Day

Before we knew Ivy was going to show up a little early, we had planned to go to my parent's house for Father's Day so that Russell and my dad could play golf. I'm feeling great so we kept the plans and took Ivy on her 1st road trip. Bryce had a great day playing and Ivy slept through it all.

Is Bryce's world upside down?

Even though this picture reflects otherwise, the answer is no. Bryce is doing great. Everyone was sure that my little mama's boy was going to fall to pieces when Ivy arrived but I wasn't worried. He tells me what she's doing, baby sleep, baby eat, etc but otherwise life has not changed for him. Let's be honest newborns eat and sleep a lot. When Ivy is awake, Bryce picks the activity. Russell went to work for most of the day on Friday and I had no problems taking care of 2 kids. Let's hope the kids continue to cooperate!

Ivy and the magic poop

Everyone poops. It's a fact. It's a book. Everyone poops...except Ivy. Well, at least for the first 24 hours. There hasn't been such controversy about pooping since that famed day at Bushwood:






Andy Dufrane went through less agony and frustration over poop than we did:

But..."in the end"...everyone poops. Since this is a medical lesson for everyone, apparently there's a mucus plug involved with the first poop.

Once you pass that plug, you're free to leave the hospital...sort of. Since it took Ivy a little longer than most for her first BM, they kept us an extra day for jaundice observation. So...Paige got some sleep and Ivy got a tan. And, in case you're curious why I'm writing so much about my daughter pooping, I figured there was no time like the present to start on the first (of many) embarassing tales to tell the host of young suitors that I'll kick out of my house when the come to pick her up for a date.

So...we're all home now and away we go...

LET ME OUTTA THIS PLACE ALREADY!!!!!

I get to go home?!? WHOOOHOOO!!!!!!

I think I'll rest on the way...

Editor's note: how ridiculously cute are those giant socks on her bitty feet? Had to do a closeup.

Home at last :)

Live and in color...

A Few Stills for download purposes...

I'm the worst dad ever...or am I?

I have to confess. I missed the birth of our second child. Not like, I had to sneeze, I turned around and there she was....like she was 5 weeks early and I was on a trip and didn't make it back in time....AAAGGGHHHHH!!!!

In the grand scheme of things...now that I'm here and have held my baby girl and seen for myself that everything is OK I think I'm over it. I mean...what does she care...she's just wants to know why she now has to work to eat and where the Yanni like ocean noises went. But for a while, I was carving myself atop the Mount Rushmore of worst parents. From left to right...Travis Henry, Lynn Spears, Michael Jackson, & Me.

But then I got to thinking, as I'm sitting there thanking the good people of American Airlines for doing everything within their power to stop me from returning to Austin, including not letting my row of the plane board until it was 2 minutes before takeoff because it was dirty (I'm not making this up)...there had to be at least 5 things worse than missing the birth of your daughter...right?

1. Showing up to the father daughter dance as drunk as Shooter in the movie Hoosiers yelling random Harry Carry quotes...twice.
2. Attending parent teacher conferences in nothing but a yellow polka-dot thong
3. Tatooing "daddy's girl" backwards on her forehead so every time she looks in the mirror she'll know how much I love her.
4. Pretending to have a British accent for the first 13 years of her life and then during her Bat-Mitzvah speach, switch cold turkey and tell her we're actually from France, not England.
5. Call Jose Canseco and have him swear that I was at the birth and then accuse Ivy of "mis-remembering" when she questions me about it later.

So...now I feel better. The whole world...or at least the 3 people (including my mom) who read this blog...know what a terrible father I am. But just think about how much worse it could be...and if anyone thinks it can't be...watch out for me wandering in from right field at your daughter's softball game...with no pants on.

Ivy Grace Newman

Ivy Grace Newman joined the rest of the family today at 10:45 AM. While still a few weeks from her actual due date, she decided she was ready for action. And, not unlike her mother, when her mind is made up...watch out!

Ivy weighed in at a petite 5lbs 10oz and was 18" long.

And, also like her mother...she's a bit cranky before dinner...so she's eating like a champ.

Mom, Dad, Bryce, & young Ivy are all doing great.
Stay tuned to the blog for pictures once we get home.

Neighborhood Party

Our neighborhood had a summer kick off party on Saturday. Russell is in New York so my mom came in to play. Bryce hated the clown, to be honest, he was pretty bad but loved the snow cones.

Watching the clown show

Grape snow cones are the best!

Throwing the ball to Gabby

Playdate at Central Market

We met up with Missy and Avery on Tuesday to play at the Central Market playground. After Bryce warmed up to the new place he had such a good time. We had such a good lunch too. It's not easy for me to go out these days and find things to eat that won't make my blood sugar get too elevated. Missy was nice enough to share this picture. I had my camera but just didn't have the energy to take it out :)

Memorial Day

Every Memorial Day weekend we go to my aunt and uncle's house in Port O'Connor. It's a mini family reunion. I think that there were around 40 people this year. Bryce had fun playing with his cousins. I had fun letting other people take care of Bryce. In case you're not currently 9 months pregnant and living in Texas, let me tell you, it's hot and I'm tired!

Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, Bryce decided to take over the housework. Here he is doing a great job sweeping the patio.

Round Rock Express

We took Bryce to a minor league baseball game on Sunday. He hasn't been since last year. He was less content to sit still this time around so Russell worked hard entertaining Bryce. I think we lasted about 2 hours before Bryce pulled us up and marched out towards the gate.