Family Visits

Auntie Anna came for a visit over the weekend

and we had a lot of fun. She was my "Anny / 

Nanny" and changed SO many diapers and 

played fun games with Jackson. She even 

stayed the night! Papa came to visit

on Saturday and we went for a walk into 

town and had lunch alfresco. Jackson

had fun playing with his new camera. Thanks for

the birthday gift, Burdick Fam! Elise will be

6 weeks tomorrow. Can't believe how fast she

is growing!

More pics from the visit

A fun hike

Visit from Grandpa Rick & Grandma Carol

Elise is now 4 weeks and doing great. She slept

a record 7 hours straight last night but I think that may

have been a fluke. It was nice though! Grandpa

Rick and Grandma Carol came for a visit and we had

a lot of fun with them. It was so great to have the extra

help and lots of fun to see them.

Spring Weekend

This weekend I ventured out on my own

with the two kiddos for the first time. In 

between feedings we headed to the park.

Elise cooperated brilliantly and just slept

so I could enjoy some play time with Jackson.

We are hoping the spring weather is here to stay!

 

Birthday Fun

Following the excitement of Easter, we got

to celebrate Jackson's 3rd birthday. It was a

beautiful day and Bill had the day off so we spent

some time at the park. Jackson got some great

gifts and a special after-dinner treat from Crumbs, 

a yummy bakery in town that specializes in

cupcakes. Yesterday he had his annual well visit

at the pediatrician and is in the 80 percentile

for both height and weight. He did get one shot

and was so brave. The Bugs Bunny band-aid

and lollipop helped to ease the pain...  

These cupcakes are amazing!

Check out the other flavors:

http://www.crumbs.com/

Taking calls from from his many "fans"

(i.e. grandparents & Aunt Anna)

A new Geo Trax train from Nana

Happy Birthday Jackson!!

I can't believe our baby boy is 3!! 

We love you, buddy!

Easter Weekend 2009

Easter was pretty low key this year. Bill went back

to work and Nana came to help out with the kids while 

he is gone. Thanks, Nana! You're the best!

 Papa also came for a quick visit on his way to 

Pennsylvania on Saturday and brought some great 

Easter baskets for the kids. Earlier in the 

week, we took Jackson (and Elise) to an Easter Egg

Hunt, which he loved. After Jackson found enough eggs,

he sat down with his buddies, Jacob and Ethan, to check

out the stash. While I was busy chatting with the

other mommies, he proceeded to eat about 40+ jelly 

beans in one sitting. Then he turned into a crazy

maniac. We stayed at the park a little longer to let

him run out the sugar high. Ah...holidays! Elise 

did some more sleeping and eating and grew

a 2nd chin. She is staying awake more and more and 

its nice to see her with her eyes open! 

The sugar high is kicking in...

Cuddle time with Daddy

Check out her chin(s)!

1 Week Old!

Elise was a week old on Friday and

is settling into life as part of our family.

Mostly, she eats and sleeps right now and

seems pretty happy doing those things. 

Jackson is getting used to his little sister 

and now only half covers his ears when she cries.

He seems to enjoy her company and is enthusiastic 

about helping mommy & daddy care for her. 

He is learning to be gentle with her and other 

important things that a big brother should know. 

Its been a pretty big change in his little life and he 

certainly is testing his boundaries with his poor, tired 

parents. We are doing our best to let him know that 

we are still the same parents who love him so much, 

and that we also have enough love for baby Elise.

 First car ride

On the way home from the hospital

Baby Elise is Here!

Elise Michelle Dowden was born on Friday, 3/27/09

at 1:02 PM. She was 6 lbs. 9 oz. and 20" long.

We got lots of visitors the first day including

Nana & Jackson, Grandma Bernie & Papa and

Aunt Anna & Uncle Nick. Its nice to be home

and we are all getting used to the newest member

of the family. She is pretty cute and we are

excited that she is finally here!! 

Not Long Now!

I am pretty sure this will be my last post before

any baby news. My due date is tomorrow so it 

shouldn't be long now! We enjoyed some beautiful

weather the other day and played some tennis

at the park in hopes of helping to move things

along with starting labor. It must have been hilarious

to watch me play...I suck when I am not pregnant!

 Jackson was our "ball boy" and loved all of the open

space to run and chase the balls around. 

We are all excited to meet Baby #2 and will post

when we have news!

Fun Visit

Last weekend Papa and Grandma Bernie came to

visit us in NJ. It was a warm day so we headed to 

the park and then went home for some ice cream.

Getting silly...

Taking a break on the bench

Let's Bowl!

In early March we celebrated Jackson's 

Grand-Nana's 82nd birthday. She is an active

senior and loves to bowl so that is what we did!

"This thing is heavy!"

Mommy trying to help Jackson get some pins

down. We only got gutter balls but he knocked

some down with Daddy!

The birthday girl. She kicked most of our butts!

Picking a ball with Nana

Sweet shoes!

Visit to PA

Playing some catch-up here! In mid-February

we visited Jackson's great-grandparents, Noni

& Big Papa in Pennsylvania. Papa and Grandma

Bernie met us there for the weekend visit.

Please ignore the milk spill on Jackson's shirt...

Reading with Papa - a favorite thing to do!

Another favorite - eating Noni's cookies!