He's not really a wild child...well, not yet!
This has to be the best feeling in the world!

Daddy making Baker smile. Sometimes he does this and Baker really will smile!

The Blackmon boys.

Love this outfit! Thanks again Cristie, Angela and Cathy!

Happy President's Day:

So today is 70 degrees and sunny and we are going to head out with Baker for a stroll. Nicole took some pictures of Baker today that I thought some of you would want to see. Have a great day!

Brad

Anna making Nicole smile on her left side since it's not fully functioning just yet! :o)

Laughlins visit DC:

Jeff, Anna, and Charlie Laughlin were in DC this past weekend. Anna had to work at a local school and Jeff came to look at apartments for their move here in May. Oh - if you don't know, Jeff has been accepted as a resident at Children's Medical Center in DC in their Pediatric Dental department. They are moving to Old Town and Nicole and I are so excited. Also, her sister Sara and fiance Rod are moving to Old Town after they are married in September and Jeff's sister is moving to Old Town this summer - it is going to be a family affair for sure!! We can't wait and look forward to everyones arrival. Here are some pictures of us together! There are no pictures of Charlie for some reason - Nicole and I LOVE that kid and he calls Baker - "Baby Baker" and he also calls Bleeker that - but the names are close!

Brad

Our little bull hornet

Chick Magnet...when read the other way. Thanks Cristie for the cute socks!

We love it when he yawns!

Smiling while asleep...one of those moments where you have to have camera in hand

in order to catch the shot!

Chubby cheeks

Our playboy - he's not posed either! He does his own tricks!

Baker is 3 Weeks Old!

It's hard to believe that today is his 3 week birthday!! Time really is flying by, but then again, sometimes it feels like it's creeping by. Regardless, every second we get with our precious baby is amazing. This week we set up a webcam that Brad's parents got us as a surprise and last night we had our first webcam call...it was so neat! They really wanted to be able to see Baker and the changes he'll be making since they live in TN, this way they don't feel so far away. It's great for us too as we get to see them more often now! Today is also Baker's first Valentine's Day so we got him his 1st V-day card and some really adorable Trumpette socks that look like little trainers with laces....so cute! We can't wait to celebrate more V-days with him! Bleeker even got his V-day gift too...some yummy peanut butter treats from a bakery in Georgetown...he's so spoiled! Anyway, enjoy the new pics of Baker. They all seem to be of him sleeping I guess because that's what he mostly does these days. I feel like I work at Sears studio because I keep setting up these photo shoots with him...ha! Enjoy!

This onesie ("My Mom's A Fox") was given to Baker as a gift...I happen to love it!
Our little rapper
Daddy spending quality time with his boy.

BIG hug!

Pics From Today and the Past Few Days

The past few days have continued to be an adventure for Brad and I. We learn more and more about Baker everyday and we love it! Today, he had his 2 week pediatrician appointment, though he is 18 days old. It's so hard to believe that he is already that old and has been home with us for over 2 weeks...wow, has time flown by yet at the same time, so slowly! His appointment went very well. Baker now weighs 8 lbs 1 oz (meaning he gained almost 2 lbs from his very first appt) so we were very proud that we have been feeding him okay! He also has grown 2 inches...he is now 21 inches long! Dr. Fleming said that he is going to be long and thin like his parents...ha...and that he was in great health. We were relieved to get good news. Baker made us so proud as he laid there on the examining table, stripped of all his clothes except his diaper, and just seemed so content. Not one cry came from him! What proud parents we were! So, all in all, we as a family are doing great and learning more everyday. We do know that we are totally in love with this new addition to our family!

Our little man!
Daddy trying to get a burp out of him!

In deep concentration with his furrowed brow...like his mommy!

Sweet profile

Little hands

Sweet dreaming

More Pics From Earlier This Week

In the Hotel Monaco

Baker's first time on his floor play gym!

First Day Out!!

Today was Baker's first day out and about. Nicole had severe cabin fever, being locked in for the past 2 weeks, and because it was unusually warm and sunny, we hit the streets of Old Town. Being the paranoid first time parents that we are, we didn't want to take him into public places around a lot of people but we did want to get out for some fresh air and just stroll around outside. We went to the new Hotel Monaco that opened down the street and took some pics in their lobby. It's also a dog friendly hotel so Bleeker got a dog treat. We found out they have a Doggy Happy Hour on Tues and Thurs so we'll have to check it out sometime! We then strolled down King Street to the river and overall had a GREAT day!! Nicole said that she felt like a normal person for the first time today so that's awesome. We also found out that the Le Pain Quotidien (one of our fave restaurants) down the street opens up in March and Nicole and I are so excited!!

Enjoy the pictures!

Another Baker Update:

So, today was our 2nd day at home by ourselves and we are all still in one piece - yeah!! Baker will be two weeks old on Thursday and my is the time flying by. Tomorrow is my first day back at work and I am already having mixed feelings about leaving Nicole and Baker at home alone - but I have instructed Bleeker to guard them! I took a few images of Baker today while he was sleeping. I think that the flash woke him up and he was not happy about that!

Here are some things that we have learned as new parents...

• 1. Avent bottles suck. No matter what - they leak!
  
• 2. The munchkin line at Target rocks! Their disposable products make life so much easier!


• 3. Breast pumps are odd contraptions - who the heck invented these things?


• 4. We love our friends - they have ROCKED! And Nicole's MOPS group is providing dinner for us until Feb 18th!


• 5. Accept help no matter how proud you are!


• 6. Boys pee on you almost every time you change them


• 7. Pacifiers rock - no matter what some may say.


• 8. Let your baby sleep through the night - trust me, they will wake you when they want to be fed.


• 9. The Boppy memory foam sleep positioner is th BEST!


• 10. Bleeker thinks that Baker will play ball with him by dropping the ball at his Moses Basket.
  Enjoy...
  

Brad

We are all alone!!

Today was the first day that Nicole and I had Baker all alone, and suprisingly - we all survived! The night was a bit rough, but Nicole and I made it with about 5 to 6 hours sleep and you really can't ask for more than that with a newborn. Today was transition day as we are trying to prepare Nicole and the house with my return to work on Wednesday. Luckily I don't have to go out of town until the end of March, so we should be old pros by then. I made a last minute trip to Babies R Us and to Target to make sure that all of our bases were covered. Tomorrow we only have one outing planned and that is to visit Nicole's neurologist for a follow up on her Bells Palsy - And thanks for all of the kind words to Nicole for this, it is still a big worry for her. Here are a few images of Baker from today. He and Nicole had some tummy time today. I am not sure what tummy time is, but I hear that it is important!

Brad

Baker says goodbye to Nana and Papa:

So today is a very sad day for everyone. Nana and Papa have to go home and we are all not happy about it. But they will be up again sooner rather than later and we have promised to send pictures often or mom has threatened to take us out of the will. Before Mom and Dad left, we gave Baker his first tub bath - and I don't think that he liked it much - I will let you see for yourself!

Brad

He loves this position!

Bleeker and Baker get cozy

Blackmon's and Acara's eat BBQ

Carolyn, Ed, and Noah Espinoza - born 6 days after Baker

Family picture before Date Night!

Baker at Day 9:

So... lets see. It seems like the days have all blended together. First, we have a great annuncement - Baker's umbilical cord fell out yesterday!! Yeah, we felt like breaking out a bottle of bubbly to celebrate. Have I mentioned how great mom and dad have been to us? They let us go out on a date night last night, so we walked down the street to Momo Sushi to have a little night out. They also allowed us to go visit our friends Ed and Caroline Espinoza, who just had their little baby Noah. When we got back home, our friends the Acara's came over and brought bbq for us for dinner. We had a great time and really enjoy their company and their little boy Sam. Now we are getting ready for Nana and Papa to leave tomorrow and nobody is happy about that. Enjoy the pictures!

Brad

He has his daddy's toes
Baker relaxing in the living room

The Blackmon Boys

He loves his Moses Basket

Our little Pirate

He loves his mommy

Talk to the hand!

Update on Baker and Nicole:

Baker and Nicole are doing great. I am not sure if you know but Nicole has a mild case of Bells Palsy that was triggered right after her delivery. She is on steroids and antibiotics and the neurologist says that Nicole should be fine in a months time. You can imagine that this has bothered Nicole and has added to the extra stress of being a new mom, etc. So please keep her in your prayers - but she is doing awesome!!! Baker continues to grow day by day and we are learning that he loves to eat, pee, poop , and sleep. My parents have been amazing and are letting us sleep through the night so that we can be completly rested up by the time they leave on Sunday. Enjoy the pictures!

Brad