Two Birthdays, Two Parties

I like to have a party. I enjoy the planning,the coming up with a theme (rarely does a party of mine not have a theme), the inviting, the anticipation, the day of,and the aftermath isn't too bad, either. What I really like is the gathering of all the people we know and love to celebrate the important, and sometimes not-so-important, moments in our lives.

We have been blessed with two birthdays on one day. This first year that this has occurred (other than the actual birth) we had two parties, but from here on out Benny and Charlie will have the unique opportunity to share their birthdays and parties.

Their birthday was on Friday, Charlie's party on Saturday, and Benny's on Sunday. "Fun-filled weekend" does not begin to describe these past few days...and we're still recovering!

I'll keep the narrating to a minimum since I tend to be a bit wordy, and just fill in the details of what's going on in the pictures.

Charlie had a Jungle Party and is wearing a Tarzan costume, something Aunt Cassie taught me how to sew a few weeks back.

I made this cut-out board for part of the decorations and Charlie got a kick out seeing his brothers as an elephant and giraffe.

I couldn't convince him to put his head through the back because, as he saw it, there was nothing on the back side. All the good stuff was on the front!

Charlie and his monkey cake, an adorable creation by Aunt Cassie.

The big people are joining in the fun (starting from the top row, left): Grandpa R., Uncle Hog, Aunt Jane, Uncle John)

Uncle Paul, Grandma R., Katie, Grandpa M.

Godparents, Uncle Nate and Aunt Erin

Benny had a Christmas birthday--he loves Santa and couldn't wait to dress like him!

Introducing "The Christmas Bush": my awful attempt at a cute cake that everyone ate anyway. I thought that I could get the green colored rice crispie treats to look like a tree, but they only amounted to a bush that I glue candy to with icing.

They know what the boys like--baseball hats!

At the end of a good birthday party (he fell asleep watching the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Christmas Special).

Charles Thomas is One Today

The Story of How Charlie-Bear Came Into This World:

On July 17th, 2007, I was having lunch at a friend's house and her cousin would be coming over to join us. Her cousin was my bestest friend when we were in grades preschool-4 (when she moved away) and she now lives in Albany, New York, so I never get to see her. I was very excited. My due date was the 22nd and even though I was overly pregnant, the day before my doctor had scheduled an induction for a few days later because he thought I wasn't even close to going into labor.

I've come to find out that in my Fabulous OB's Wisdom, he knew that if he said those words that I'd relax and the baby would come flying out into this world. I just wish he would have warned me in some way.

I discovered my water broke just before we were about to have a delicious lasagna lunch; I called the office and they said to head straight to the hospital; the boys stayed with my friend until my mom picked them up; Kevin met me at home; we grabbed the suitcase and headed down there; we checked in at the triage; and...we waited.

There were 22 babies born at that hospital that day and because I was not having serious labor they had me hang out. For the rest of the day. Kevin and I both had books with us (he had Crosley and I had The Memory Keeper's Daughter) so that took care of some time, and then we saw that the TV in the room (still in triage) had a VCR and a dubbed tape of '80s movies.

It wasn't until 7:00pm that they moved us to a room where I could begin pitocin. We watched the end of the Reds game in there, then finally there was a labor and delivery room that opened up and I was moved there. I kept telling the nurses that I needed to have this baby before midnight, and they said it would probably be about 5am the next day.

Well, I knew it wasn't going to be that long but I couldn't convince the nurses of that so they slacked on calling my doctor and the baby was coming! They said that I could go ahead and have the baby without my doctor but I thought that was crazy so I did nothing of the sort.

My Doctor walked through the door a bit after midnight and Charlie was born at 12:42am.

There was still the problem of finding a room for us because of the mass amounts of babies born that day. It wasn't until 3:30am that we were taken from Labor and Delivery and put in a room with another couple...who probably wasn't too excited to smell Kevin walking in a little later with some White Castle--the only thing open at that time of day.

Charlie was such a good baby from the moment he entered this world, and he continues to be. Happy 1st Birthday, Bear!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BENNY!

Here is a picture of the lil' guy when he was about three months old. Don't need to say it, but time sure flies...

3 Lil' Monkeys

I forgot to include these from last Sunday--pictures of mis tres hijos doing what they love best, and that is act like monkeys! Charles didn't appreciate the mask as much as his brothers, but he certainly thought it was funny that everyone around him looked like a chimp. Personally, they're really creepy because they are not exactly cartoon faces...they look real and then you have real blue eyes behind them blinking and looking around. I kept saying , "That's so scary--I MEAN CUTE! Yes, you guys sure are funny!" I didn't want them to think I didn't like them in their masks, but boy, I couldn't control my mouth when my brain was thinking that this is perfect fodder for some wacked-out nightmare.

Here are some pics of my creepy--I mean super-cute chimp boys:

One Child

Kevin's parents offered to take Lou and Ben on Wednesday and keep them until Charlie's party on Saturday. This is a big help, as having all three of them deters me from preparing for the boys' birthday parties. We meet about 1/2 way between our homes, which is usually about 45 minutes. This time was no different on the way up there, but coming home we hit stand-still traffic.

Charlie slept the whole way up there, so I knew he wasn't going to rest on the way back. He finished his bag of snacks in no time and then launched his sippy cup somewhere. I rolled down the windows because I didn't want to waste any more gas than was necessary and he soon was getting antsy in his car seat. When the crying came I poppped in the SpongeBob soundtrack and he rocked out. It's pretty amazing to watch. My plan is to get it on video so I can share how this CD can change his mood instantaneously.

So, the normal 45 minute drive took 1 1/2 hours, but in the end we were able to meet Daddy for lunch at a little Mexican place by his office, so it all worked out! It's so weird being out and about with one kid. I'm used to being on edge, making sure I have everyone, making sure no one is breaking anything or hurting anyone. It'll be nice for a couple of days, but then I'll be happy to have the two other monsters at home.

You could say I'm a bit bored.

So happy to hear "Goofy Goober."

I saw someone take a picture like this in their car. Theirs turned out better.

So much traffic...

Future Musicians?

This past Saturday our maid-of-honor (Joanie) and the best man (Jeff) put together a gathering of our wedding party to celebrate our 5th Anniversary. It was held at the restaurant where we had our rehearsal dinner--Mecklenburg Gardens in Clifton--and I think everyone had a great time. Especially the boys.

We had tables reserved out in the biergarten, under twinkling white lights and grape vines. There was a two-man band playing on the stage near our group and they certainly were entertaining! I had never heard of them before, but I guess they play at the Blue Wisp and other bars and restaurants around town. Their keyboarder describes them as, "an improvisational ensemble that is as esoteric as it is eclectic. We are a pop-jazz-fusion experiment that bubbles over into sensuous vocal arrangements and explodes into blues and free jazz frenzy." I found that on a website for local awards.

At one point Benny was using his utensils to join in the fun of their song and kept playing after the song was over. The vocalist/percussion guy heard a little of Ben's ditty and created a song at that very moment based on Benny's jibberish. It was pretty amazing. They played to and off of the crowd and the boys loved that. They even gave Ben and Lou hand-held instruments to play with the group. It was so much fun.

The boys rocking out on the instruments.

They had their own solo in the song.

Taking it all in...they were mesmerized by Eugene and Billy.

Here is a shot of Eugene, and Billy is behind the other mic.

Isn't it amazing what can happen in five years?

These boys are such good friends...maybe Charlie needs a buddy, too.

Top 10 CDs the Boys Like

There are a lot of CDs we listen to in our house and in the van, but some win out more than others. We have some great CDs that have been burned for us (thank you, Uncle Joe), but I wanted to put a list together of ones that you might be interested in for your family or maybe to give as a gift, because one of the best gifts you can give is music!

10. Garden State Soundtrack : it's a very soothing mix of songs that do a very good job of relaxing the boys--especially during long car rides! A favorite track: (4) "Blue Eyes"
9. ESPN Presents Jock Jams, Vol. 1 : Unfortunately, this CD is no longer with us, but when Kevin and I think back to all the fun we had playing it when Lou and Ben were younger, we laugh. I had to include it on the list. As soon as they heard "Let's Get Ready to Rumble!" they stopped what they were doing and started running around the house giving high fives and whatnot.
8. Disney's Children's Favorite Songs : A great collection of "old fashioned" songs sung by a guy and some kids. A favorite track: (9) "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More"
7. Sharon, Lois, & Bram, Mother Goose & More : Another compilation of old tunes, but this is sung by the famous trio. A favorite track: (31) "If All the Rain Drops"
6. Baby Einstein Traveling Melodies : I put this particular CD, but we do have a couple of the ones BE makes and honestly I can't tell the difference between them, but they do their job: settle a crying baby! I am not sure why it does, but pop this into the CD player when you're driving and can't calm the screaming tot in the back and all of a sudden there's peace and quiet...and it calms you so you don't wreck.
5. Laurie Berkner, Under A Shady Tree : Anyone (having kids or knows kids) who hasn't heard of Laurie Berkner needs to find out who she is and listen to her music. Mainly made up of original songs, she has a funny view of life and sets her thoughts to catchy tunes. A favorite track: (4) "Drive My Car"
4. Johnny Cash, The Essential Johnny Cash : Little kids like Johnny Cash? They sure do. His voice, his guitar, his stories--you can't go wrong. A favorite track: (1 on disc 2) "It Ain't Me Babe."
3. Laurie Berkner, Victor Vito : Another great compilation of her songs. It gets the boys up and dancing around and I think they really like singing they funny lyrics. A favorite track: (8) "BOOTS"
2. Paul Simon, Greatest Hits : An awesome CD, overall. There are so many great songs, and it flows so well, between upbeat and mellow tunes. A favorite of ours: (17) "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard"
1. Jack Johnson, Curious George Soundtrack : This one will be our top CD because about 8 times out of 10 it will be played to everyone's (including Mommy & Daddy) liking. The songs are fun, and like Paul Simon's, they flow well and so it is easy to listen to the whole CD over and over again.