Why we love summer

 Living in Buffalo is perfect in the summer time. It's not too hot and the breezy evenings are perfect. The waterfront has made great strides in improving its image the past few years. 

 The Buffalo zoo and all the great parks are fabulous this time of year.  We've been frequenting quite a few of the parks this summer and the boys love them all!

 Our newest addition to the family is perfect and beautiful!

 Jay started his second year of residency! The first year was rough at times but we made it through. Here's to a great second year and our seventh year of marriage.

 I love looking at all the gorgeous gardens this time of year. Right now the tiger lilies are in full bloom and they are stunning!

 Our vegetable garden is taking off.  Here is our cucumber plant (Thanks Nancy) and basil in the background and peas in the forefront.

 We've been blest to spend time with lots of family this summer. The boys especially love their grandparents. Here the boys are being imaginative with Grandma K.

 The Harlem Rd. playground is one of our favorites. Here are the boys playing pirate ship.

 My Jacob and me, he's getting to be so grown up.

 Here is some of the family by the Father Nelson Baker statue near the waterfront (this is prior to Theo's birth...when I was days overdue!).  The tree behind us makes it look like it's fall...I just noticed.

 Summer crocs and slip on shoes are the best!

Grilling and enjoying food outside is another one of my summer favorites. Granted with three kids under four, I do not always get to sit that much and savor the food....We are also loving our CSA share from Native Offerings farm. The cherries have been awesome this year!

Flowers always make me smile.

The past week

 We've been wanting to fence in the yard for a while. Uncle Dean and Poppy came up to do the work last week.  We have to special order the gate, but other then that it is complete!

 Three generations

 Jay and Poppy took Jacob to his first Buffalo Bisons game. They rode the subway to the game.

 I adore this picture!

 Our little Theo. So precious...

 Our attempt at a family picture before mass.

 This picture turned out well I thought.

Pictures of the garden.

 If you click on this photo you can see a bee in flight!

 We ate pork ribs the day before the 4th. Jay and Poppy worked on the preparation and they grilled all afternoon. They were delicious!

 Working in our gravel pit outside! We hope to seed this spot and plop down a shed.

 Poppy is listening to the Yankee game on his iPhone.

Theo is just sleeping outside on the beautiful 80 degree day!  We had a great weekend with Grandma and Poppy. Thank you so much for visiting. All the extra hands made for light work!

p.s. Thank you to all the family and friends for your cards, gifts, money and prayers! We really appreciate all of it and can't wait to see you soon.

Introducing Theodore James

After his much anticipated arrival, Theodore James finally joined our family on Thursday June 23rd! We chose James, after my great-grandfather James Paul Keating and Theodore because we like Theo and the fact that there is a St. Theodore.

I was scheduled for an induction since the baby was going on a week past his due date.  Jay and I went in on Wednesday night, to Sisters of Charity Hospital, to get things rolling.  I was given some cervidil to help me dilate (I was already 1-2 starting out) and a sleeping pill.  I was contracting on my own, but only every 10-12 minutes.  Jay was a trooper and slept on the chair next to me the entire night. 

In the morning I was 3-4 cm dilated and the doctor decided to wait a while before giving me pitocin. This ended up being a good plan. The contractions started picking up throughout the morning until they were 3-5 min. apart and getting more intense.  I asked for an epidural and then I started feeling like I was near the end of labor.  The epidural certainly did not ease all the pain since I felt a lot of pressure and pain still.  The doctors broke my water and then the contractions started progressing even more.  I pushed for about 15 minutes and then out Theodore came.  The doctors were shocked at his size! Everyone who checked me told me he'd be between 6-7 lbs! Man were they wrong.  He came out weighing 9 lbs 3 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. Jacob and Raphael were only 19 1/2 inches long!

He has beautiful dark hair and skin and very long fingers.  So far he is an excellent sleeper and eater! His brothers are transitioning.  Jacob is very curious about everything from breastfeeding to his umbilical cord.  Raphael doesn't understand why he can't sit up or slap him five. 

My parents visited for a week followed by Jay's parents for a few days. This really eased our anxiety! Thank you for the love and support of our families. Jay's parents are coming back up for the 4th of July weekend, which we are very excited about!

 Hanging out in the nursery. Since he was so big they had to check his sugar levels, which were fine.

 It was a sunny afternoon!

 Poppy and grandbaby #4!

 Big brother Jacob, who has been fascinated by everything!

 Grandma A. and Theo

 Poppa, Raphael, Jacob and Theo!

 Family!

 Smile big boy!

 Playing/wrestling with Poppy at home.

Raphael playing baseball, his favorite pastime.

Mr. 2!

Raphael turned two on the 9th!! Where has the time gone? I remember his birth like it was yesterday...oh and all that dark hair!

What a cutie.

 Raphael didn't want to get up the day of his birthday (although it was almost 8:30).  Jacob, however, was excited to get him up and show him his presents.

 Two of his presents, a brand new basketball hoop and a Curious George shirt.

 Balloons are always a big hit.

 Raphael looks so grown up in this picture.

 Time for birthday cupcakes! Yeah!

 Delicious!

Don't forget to lick those fingers!

Overall we had a low key day, but Raphael seemed to enjoy it all. We love this little man to pieces and can't imagine our lives without him.

Garden update

This past week I have been a little crabby and mopey. Since it has been hot and I'm 39 weeks pregnant (I think I was hoping to miss this milestone)this is probably the contributing factor. Oh and I haven't been sleeping...but enough about me.   My garden makes me happy! This year with all the rain it has really taken off. I enjoy weeding it and the boys love to help water! I've been reading up on the different types of perennials and have found it all to be rewarding.

 Our garden box made by Jay!! He did a fabulous job!

 You can see our strawberries, beans and cucumber plant.

 My back garden.  Most of these plants I transplanted from our apartment or family and friends.  On the far left if our herb garden (cilantro, chives, thyme, sage and lavender).

 The peony bush really took off this year and it smells amazing. The purple flower, salvia has also grown. 

 Coral flower (heuchera) from my mother-in-law's garden.

 The peonies.

 I think these are wild carnations, I'm not sure? They bloom all summer and are a pop of color.

 Another smaller garden made up of mainly hostas since this is a shadier spot.

 This is a new garden that I'm hoping to have take off in the next few years. The soil isn't great so it needs some extra care.

A sedum telephium that I bought at the Buffalo Botanical Gardens perennial sale. It should have gorgeous red flowers in the fall.