From Bellies to Babies

Brad took a great picture of Erica and me just before he left for Hawaii

Here's a look at the changes 6 months brings.

From big bellies...

to big baby boys!

and two TIRED mamas!

Loooong Overdue

Dad/David finally made it home. Well, as I write this, he's been home for almost two months, but we have a LOT of pictures to catch you up on.

Last time David got to feed Marshall, he was in the NICU with electrodes stuck to his chest, alarms going off if they came loose and we were in a tiny little cubicle (number 23, David always likes to point out!).

What a change several months brings! This time, instead of having to wrestle with wires and IVs, keep his tiny head supported and wake him to drink his milk, David just handed Marshall his bottle and he grabbed it gulped it down!



Ok, so that is a slight exagerration. Still, I had no idea that Marshall could hold a bottle for himself. While David was feeding him for the first time, he let Marshall hold onto it and do most of the work himself. Sure surprised me!



How does this thing work?



Oh, the milk comes out here.
OK, Dad, you just hold up the back end and I'll do the rest. I'm SO big now!




I got it. Now, you just relax, Dad, and have a root beer with Grandpa Tom.


Later, McKenna got in on the act. She's had lots of practice feeding Baby Doll so she seems to be a natural at this. Still, it is a good thing Uncle David is there to lend a hand.




One last afternoon of playtime for the cousins before Marshall heads south for a awhile.



More SOON.....

From Giraffes to Bears and Puppies

Since Marshall learned to grab his giraffes he's been working on holding on to more and more animals. Below are pictures of him holding/eating his Carolina bear (a gift from the Baddours) and his soft puppy (a gift from Aunt Erica). He loves them both and if I put either within reach, he will grab them and shove them up to his face and start chewing on any part he can get in his mouth.

Watch out! I think he looks like one tough baby munching on his puppy's ear in his hand-me-down hoodie! Is that a pit bull on his shirt? Mom says it is, but I'm not so sure.

Flying Giraffes

About three weeks ago Marshall started reaching out and grabbing for a few of his toys. The first time I really noticed it was with the giraffes that hang on the bar in front of him in the bouncy chair. The bouncer just got a lot more fun. These pictures are from the day after I first noticed him hitting them and looking like he meant to do it. It didn't take long to progress from hitting to grabbing.










Now he will sit in the bouncer and have fun playing with his giraffes for a pretty long time. Several times, I've put him in the bouncer on the floor in the kitchen while I made dinner and it worked out pretty well. I know Grandma likes it too 'cause it means I am helping with dinner more now!

McKenna & Marshall

Here are a couple of photos I took of these two cousins in late March. McKenna is making a lot of comparisons lately. She is recognizing things that are alike even if they aren't exactly the same. For example, she might see a giraffe in a magazine then go and get two of her toys that are also giraffes and show them to us. It is so fun to watch her learn and make connections.

Here she is doing that with Marshall. On this morning, she was showing us that he has feet and so does she and in this picture she's noticing that he has hands and fingers like hers.

Easter

Well, this is being posted a little after the fact, but I still wanted to make sure I put up some photos of Marshall's first Easter. We had a family dinner on Saturday evening at Mom and Dad's house with the Suttons and the Riveras. Only Brad and David were missing. Mom made a great meal - ham, potatoes, fruit salad and a really tasty coconut cake. Erica's crew spent the night and we all went to church on Sunday. Joaquin and Marshall did well during the service - Marshall slept through most of it while Joaquin tried to speak with all the passersby. When we got home, it was sunny and relatively warm (even though it had snowed on Good Friday) so I asked Mom to take some pictures of Marshall, me and the girls out on the deck. It was a bit too sunny for Marshall so he kept his eyes closed in most of the shots. Here are a few.

Fado is a little more interested in Marshall

than Daisy who mostly is interested in her comfort - in this case basking in the sun!

Marshall also enjoyed playing in the vicinity of his cousin. He and Joaquin haven't quite figured out how to play together yet, but their moms love to put them side by side to play - making sure Marshall is just outside of Joaquin's arm reach, of course.

Dog Kisses

Since Marshall was down on their level all alone for a moment, the girls took advantage of the opportunity and gave him some little kisses with their big noses.