The "Finnster, et al."

Sam has started to smile.  He smiles more at Michael than he smiles at me so it makes it easier to catch his smile on camera.   Finn showing Sam how it's done.  Finn specifically asked me to take this picture.      As cute as Sam's smile is, this may be my favorite facial expression. Last night (February 28, 2012) was Sam's first night in his crib.  For the past six weeks we have been sleeping in the den; me on the couch and Sam in the pack-n-play.  He did just fine in his own room.  He woke up at 1:00 and then again at 4:30.  I did pretty good too - I didn't feel all that nervous to leave him alone in his room.

Well, maternity leave is officially over.  Luckily I never took a real one so I was not at all behind on any of my work.  This morning I got both of the boys up and got them ready to go to Victoria's.  Everything was going really smoothly until we got in the car.  Finn decided that he did not want to go to JT's house.  He started to cry and asked me to stay home with him.  I felt awful.  He wasn't just doing his typical fussing routine - he was genuinely crying. When I dropped the boys off Finn clutched to me and cried.  I passed him off and he reached and cried.  I was heartbroken. I thought that I would have a hard time leaving Sam, but that was easy compared to Finn.  Victoria emailed me during the day and told me that Finn was fine within approximately two (2) minutes after I left.  She also told me that Sam was really good.  First "full day" picture.  I guess this is tantamount to first day of school pict...

Sunday was Sam's first day at church.  Before leaving we took a few pictures to mark the occasion.  The first thing we did when we got to church was drop Finn off.  Sam rode in the Bjorn and Finn held my hand.  I wasn't sure how this would work out because usally I have to pick Finn up and hand him to his Sunday School teacher.  In otherwords, he doesn't go willingly.   Well this time Finn walked right up to the gate and then walked right through into his classroom.  Then he turned around and asked for a kiss and hug.  I gave him one and he said "bye mom."  His teacher told me on the way out that Finn is the sweetest boy and that she loves having him in her class. Next Sam and I went upstairs to my class.  Sam was good as gold.  He didn't disturb his Father's teaching one time.  He generally slept in the Bjorn.  He took a small bottle and then went straight back to sleep. He seemed to be doing prett...

Thursday was an exceptionally and unseasonably warm day.  In fact, it was in the 70s.  Michael and Finn went outside to soak up the sun in shorts and t-shirts.  At one point Sam and I went outside to check the mail.  We arrived outside just in time to see Finn run top speed, all the way down the hill to the stop sign, unaccompanied.  Michael was chatting with our neighbor while the Tasmanian Devil went tearing down the street. There was no way that I could run after him so I watched  as  Michael took off after him.  Thankfully he stopped at the stop sign and didn't run into the road.  As the seconds past I grew more and more nervous.  I guess all that "if you go in the road you will be in big trouble" talk paid off. These next pictures of Michael and Finn playing in the backyard.   Pictures of Finn doing his favorite thing - "being fast." On Friday Nana came to keep the boys while I was scheduled to be in c...

 Meet our newest member of the family - Shu Todoroki.  Shu Todoroki was Finn's "prize"  for going "poo-poo on the potty"  Here's hoping that he will continue. Yesterday was President's Day meaning we were all off of work and at home hanging out.   It was a very relaxing day.  Michael and Finn walked two miles around the subdivision and Sam and I rocked.  He was a little needy but I certainly don't mind holding him. Sam is starting to hold is head up on his own.  Since the first week we brought him home he has been trying to get that head up.  He would struggle with all of his might to lift his head off of my shoulder to look at me.  Well he is finally getting to a point were he can lift his head independently and hold it for several  seconds at a time.  These pictures are of Sam watching none other than Rocky IV.  One of the cable channels has been showing the Rocky movies v...

Yesterday was my first day back to Sunday School and church.  The nursery will not take babies until they are six months old so I have been home with Sam.  Gran stayed with Sam and we went to church.  I was pretty miserable at the end of the service, but overall it was nice to be back. When we got back from church we ate lunch with Gran and Chelsea and then we spent the rest of the day vegging.  It was freezing outside, overcast and the perfect day to sit around and hold a baby.   Phraseology of the Finnster : 1. On Vanity:  Last night before going to bed I turned on Mickey Mouse.  We hadn't let Finn watch a whole lot of television that day so he was very excited about watching Mickey.  He jumped up on the couch, gave me a big hug around the neck and yelled, "take our picture Daddy." 2. On Learning Modesty: Yesterday Brandon came over to the house to run with Michael in the backyard.  On his way in the door he handed me a box ...

These are Sam's newborn pictures.  They were taken on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Sam was four weeks and one day old. The pictures were taken by Michael Foster, a very talented and patient photographer located in Nashville, Tennessee. The pictures were taken in our living room.  Thank you Gran for this wonderful gift.   We love you, Erin, Michael and Sam.