Raphael at four months

Check out this hair..it is getting wild!

At his four month check-up Raphael weighted in at 12 lbs 10 oz (10%). However, he is 26 inches long (90%). He's long and lean! I wish at times that I could freeze frame Raphael how he is at this moment. He's cuddly, smiley, almost always happy and a little bundle of pure joy!

We're teaching Raphael how to roll!

He is on a fairly consistent schedule. He wakes up around 7ish, takes an hour nap after he's been awake an hour and then takes a 2-3 afternoon nap. Before dinner he'll put in another short nap before he's down for the night around 7:00. He does still wake up 2-3 times at night, but he usually always goes right back to sleep after eating, so there's no complaints here!

I like this picture...even though it's blurry!

Jacob is finally getting comfortable in his role as the big brother. He enjoys it when I put Raphael in his crib in the morning so they can spend some brother time together..it's very cute. I need to get a picture of this..it's priceless! I hope the boys will always be best friends!

Here's what is new with Raphael:

-he can roll from his tummy to his back

-he's eating rice cereal along with a few veggies (he seems to enjoy it!!)

-he can grab any toy within his reach

-he can talk...really loud!

Aunt Mary and Ed surprise visited this past weekend...they're awesome!

In other news, Stephanie got married! We roomed together at JCU for four years. We probably broke a record since virtually no one had the same roommate for all four years! She was so happy on her wedding day and she looked gorgeous! Congratulations Steph and Chris!!

Raphael has been to two weddings in four months!

We miss Aunt Maria

Aunt Maria is in Malawi. This is an African country on the Eastern coast. She's been here since August 4th. We have been able to periodically email and chat on gmail, but we have yet to hear her voice...it has been too long. We mailed her a package over a month ago and she has yet to receive it. In fact, she has yet to receive any mail that anyone has sent...I wonder where it is all hanging out...or if she will ever get it.

So far Maria seems to be doing well. I don't know all the details, but she's been working with mothers and children to ensure that they have a healthier future. She's assisted a sick dog who was almost poisoned to death, had dinner with some locals and has been driving on the "roads" (this scares us all...especially mom). She just came back from a week in South Africa, where she was at a conference. I can't wait to hear more stories and to give her a big hug. She's coming home for Christmas so that time is just around the corner! I admire her passion and zest for life!I found this picture of Malawi online..I want to be there...it looks heavenly.

We love and miss you girl, stay safe.

The great pumpkin farm

Early fall is one of my favorite times of year. The air is crisp, but the afternoons are still warm and sunny. It is cool enough for a light sweater or jacket, but not so cold that you need three pairs of mittens, a scarf, a winter parka and boots. In early fall, the leaves are just beginning to change color and I begin to crave apples (especially empires...although this year I'm loving galas) and baked goodies from the oven. Last year we took Jacob to Becker Farms, where we went apple picking and introduced Jacob to his first pumpkin patch. This year we decided to check out the great pumpkin farm in Clarence. We had never been and decided to see what it was all about.

Our first stop was the tractor display. Jacob loves lawn mowers and tractors although he's looking pretty serious and unsure in this picture, maybe he's wondering why it isn't moving like Poppy's lawnmower.
Jacob sat perfectly still while a pumpkin was painted on his face.Raphael slept most of the outing, but here's our little cutie when he was awake. Lately he's been talking more and it often sounds like he says "ho ho ho." It is so adorable!

We saw our friends, the Fordhams, and heard from them about the pie eating contest for children 12 and under and decided to have Jacob join in on the fun. The first kiddo to eat a piece of pie without his or her hands was declared the winner. At first, Jacob did not seem to understand that he couldn't eat the pumpkin pie with his hands, but he still had fun and enjoyed his jack-o-lantern necklace that he received as a prize.

Jay and I joked that every year until the boys are 18 we will take them to a pumpkin patch, since it's becoming a family tradition. I can just hear it now; "no mom I am not going to the pumpkin patch so you can take my picture next to the cheesy pumpkin growth chart."

We're looking forward to Halloween. Jacob is going to be Bob the Builder and Raphael a pumpkin!

It's difficult to get a picture with both the boys, this is the best one we took! And sorry the pictures favor Jacob, soon before we know it Raphael will be moving around just as much as Jacob!

All about Raphael

Excuse the red eyes please!

In case you think I forgot about Raphael here is a post completely dedicated to him! On the 9th of September he turned 3 months old (happy birthday Grandma). It is hard to believe that three months have already flown by! Wow!

He has more hair than me!

Raphael is discovering his hands! He loves to put his entire fist in his mouth and watch his hand intently while he's sitting in his chair.

Poppy and Raph

He still hasn't lost any of his amazing hair! In fact it is getting quite long and our baby shampoo supply is quickly dwindling (just joking). Raphael loves to make eye contact with us and when he does he flashes us his amazing smile. He is very content, most of the time, and enjoys watching Jacob play and run around all day long. Soon, very soon, he'll be joining in with his brother's daily festivities!

He is truly a little angel and we can't imagine our family without him!

The Cottage: 2009

At the far corner of this picture my Dad is doing his daily swimming laps! Go Dad!

This year, unfortunately, Jay was unable to go the cottage. However, my sister was gracious enough to assist me with driving the boys over the border to the Bass Lake cottage. This year celebrated the 40th year that the cottage has been in the Keating family! I was a little worried about crossing the border, since I didn't have a birth certificate for Raphael. We did get pulled over, but it took less then five minutes for our paperwork to go through! Poppa is Jacob's best friend!

Acting tough, but really only looking tired!

Aunt R. and Raphael sleeping in!

Jacob wearing his Jamaica t-shirt from "ecca"
The weather was gorgeous when we first arrived! It was sunny and in the 80's. Rebecca and I thought the electricity went out...this is a long and funny story. We ended up talking to the neighbor who had the electric company come out only to show us how to properly turn it on!! Needless to say we felt a littlestupid since we were sure that the electricity had been knocked out (we were only pushing up the wrong lever the entire time). The boys slept really well every night and we enjoyed swimming every day! I love the cottage and can't wait to go back next summer!

All about Jacob

Jacob is a little spit-fire! Each day he wakes up full of energy and ready to take on the world! He doesn't require a lot of sleep (which has been evident since day one) and is constantly on the go. He is learning a new word virtually everyday and isn't afraid to tell you what is on his mind. However, he can be very polite since he's learning how to say please, thank you and sorry. He also likes to cuddle, pray to Jesus and give hugs and kisses. Lately he has been asserting what he'd like to wear, eat, etc. As soon as he wakes up he puts on his shoes and usually picks out a hat. The past couple of days he's insisted on wearing a baby bib as well! He's trying to eat his dinner with chopsticks, since this is what Mommy was doing! He also had to keep his hood up on his sweater ALL day long!

Making a tower with blocks!

Anniversary Party

Jay and his siblings hosted a 30th wedding anniversary party for his parents. The party took place at the Six Mile Creek Winery in Ithaca.Jacob enjoyed playing bocce ball and dancing. Raphael was held the entire day by different family members! I hope in 30 years Jay and I can celebrate with all of our family and friends! The day was beautiful and lots of fun was had by
all! Uncle Rick, Uncle Mike, Dad and Aunt Val
I had to include this adorable picture of little Raphael!

Raphael's baptism

Raphael was baptized in a little church in Trumansburg, NY, the day after Rebecca's wedding. My grandfather, who is a Deacon, baptized Raphael. Welcome to the faith little man!

Ed and Aunt Maria: the godparents.

Here is Raphael with his proud grandparents (an excellent example of what it means to be a Catholic)

Rebecca and Jim's wedding

The beautiful Ithaca waterfalls were the backdrop for many of these photos.


My gorgeous little sister is now married! She joined the wonderful Donovan family on August 1st. It was the perfect idyllic summer day. The mass was beautiful (and emotional) and the reception included seasonal cuisine and lots of dancing. We are all very happy for Rebecca and Jim!


I love my sisters! (this is taken by Cayuga Lake, which surrounds Ithaca)

These gorgeous photos were taken by Pano K. (Aunt Maria's boyfriend). At the wedding, there was a wedding crasher who got really drunk and left a present from the dollar store. He proudly told everyone that he didn't know the bride or groom. He told one of Jim's relatives that he thought the bride was hot and that he was at the wedding to meet girls. He also was quite rude to me at the end of the night since he kept insisting that he could help me throw out garbage bags, which I explained to him were full of dirty linens and NOT trash. He insisted a couple of times and thought I was being rude when I said they couldn't be thrown away. Needless to say he was a little out of it...looking back it was pretty funny and will be one of the memories to laugh about!

Congratulations Rebecca and Jim we love you both!

2 months old and counting!

Great-Uncle Mike and Raphael

Raphael is perfect! He is easy going and loves to smile and coo! He takes long naps and is very calm. He doesn't mind having his hair pulled by his big brother and he loves being held and rocked! We love you baby boy!