The first two weeks at home

So I actually uploaded these pictures like 2 weeks ago, the day after Halloween, I think. But I got kinda busy with the whole mom-gig going on 24 hours a day, and I forgot to come back and write in some captions and post them. Oh well. Better late than never. 

So of course, the pictures of James are a couple of weeks old, but he hasn't changed tooo much. I'll get some more recent ones up soon too... maybe. 

When Gmom is here, Seth is forever attached to her tablet. He is super good at matching and puzzle games, and also loves angry birds. 

From his first week at home.

Showing off the princess snowboots she got.

And Lightning McQueen for Seth of course.

Some shots of the littlest man in the house. Such a cute little boy. He smiles now too! But of course, I don't have a picture yet.

Ellie is much more convinced now that James is not so fragile that she can't touch or hold him. She is super sweet and helpful with her baby bro.

Getting to know Gmom.

Seth always crashes in fun ways.

He spends much of his time pushing trucks and things around on all the furniture in the house. 

Ellie and I got some pretty roses, a teddy bear, and some chocolates from Pa in Mexico. She told me they are "for mommy and Ellie TO SHARE", even when I offer for her to have the teddy for herself.

Scary Dino.

Seth no longer ignores the baby's existence. But he's not pushy with him either, luckily for us. 

Who eats fruity pebbles and manages to get them stuck between their eyes? Only this kid. 

They really do play so well together most the time. Such cuties. 

Yet, such troublemakers.

Ellie cooked her own scrambled eggs. She loves to help in the kitchen.

Checking out James.

Little man was 7 lbs 6 oz as of his last check at 4 weeks. Still has little chicken legs, but the numbers are going up! :)

No matter how many different ideas were suggested, Ellie absolutely insisted on being a construction worker for Halloween. And I must say, she was adorable. 

And it looked like a Beastie Boys video when the little dino-monster showed up. :)

Seth surprised us by actually enjoying his costume and keeping the hat part on all night.

Ferocious!

Dad took them to the houses, while I followed in the car to stay warm with James. Ellie was a pro, and Seth didn't seem to care about the actual trick-or-treating, but was super excited to go to new houses and see new people, jumping happily and saying hi to everyone excitedly. 

Then they came home, and Ellie sorted her candy, while Seth chose to munch an apple instead. 

James Pietro

James Pietro Roggia 

arrived last night, Oct. 13 at 9:22 p.m.

6 lb 12 oz

19 inches

and cute as can be.

Only 2.5 hours after arriving at the hospital, we had our new little man in out arms. We are doing well and should be headed home sometime Monday.

 All cleaned up just after making his debut.

 Sleeping the day away today.

He has a little more hair than Ellie or Seth did, brown and possibly wavy, but hard to tell yet.

He even got to meet Pa before he flies back to Mexico.

September

Realized this week that I haven't updated this blog in a while.... and that I better get myself up-to-date before  we are attacked with new baby pictures and what not (I am due next week and can hardly believe it). Luckily, I have been bad about taking pictures this last month, so there weren't too many to overwhelm me. Here goes.

 One of our regular evening dace parties... the latest usually featuring the angry dance scene from Footloose (which is odd since neither Adam nor I have ever watched the movie, but it's a funny scene, and Seth likes the gymnastics-type parts), Beastie Boys, Carrie Underwood (Ellie's fave), etc.

 Of course, out of order. But our Ellie did turn 4 last month! Crazy! This was actually a mini, second birthday party she got to have when we were at G-mom's the same weekend as Pa, who had a cake and presents waiting since he missed the actual party the week before. 

Ellie was so excited to have Pa here and not "so far away in Metzatoh", as she says. He brought her a huge, pretty shell that she listens to the Ocean from each day, and a cool shell necklace and bracelet from one of his many trips around Central America. She LOVES them all. 

 Borrowing my glasses in the car.

 And this happened! My amazing husband has a real business card and his name is even on the door at the clinic. So proud of him.

 One of those odd posing-with-toys pics Ellie always asks for.

 She loves being a teacher to Seth and will sit and write letters with him regularly. They are so cute. 

 That little A in the corner was drawn by Seth, then he brought it to me and kept showing me. Sometimes he doesn't get the angle at the top, then he just says it's an H. Funny little smartie pants. 

 And our big girl showing off her own skills. 

 Seth's smile is always infectious.

 I pretty much gave Ellie free reign on her birthday cakes. Luckily, she was pretty easily pleased and happy to decorate on her own... which is good, since I wasn't exactly feeling up to the task at the time. She decorated this little cake of hers on her own, and then we had some purple cupcakes to go with it (with dinosaur sprinkles). :)

 Excited about her stash... who wouldn't be?

 Notice the hands as she poses with a new dress from G-mom.

 Even Seffy got a new train and an alphabet puzzle.

 Animal Doctor Barbie from Uncle Jake! So excited!

 And, among other things, a caboodle stuffed with card/picture making supplies like stickers, markers, crayons, paper, etc. Heaven for Ellie who makes cards for people every day.

 And a new bike! Super cool, but mostly anxiety-inducing in her so far. Hoping that after Adam's licensing exams are done, he can help her get over her fears of being too little for it. 

 Cake time, sitting with her favorite person! 

 "Dad is so silly!" Ellie yells as I post this.

 I also let her decorate a wall in the kitchen for her birthday. Of course, it is still up. Not out of laziness though, but because I don't have the heart to do it when I see how sad she looks whenever we mention taking it down.

 Making cards and watching movies.

 Seth's attachment to G-mom isn't too subtle either. He was happy for some cuddle time while she visited. 

 His frequent nap spot.

 Being silly out on the front porch one evening.

 So proud of Ellie for finally being willing to write her name on her own, and with the right letters. For the longest time, she insisted her name had an O, a W, an R, etc.... any letters that she thought she liked better. This is a cute "delivery" she made a couple of weeks ago. 

 More "teacher Ellie" time.

 And last Saturday, we went to Lynchburg for the Virginia 10-miler. It was a really big and fun race. This is Adam a short way from the start, looking awesome. Love that man.

 Following which, the kids and I found a field to play in until it was time for Dad to finish.

 He is very two and makes me CUH-RAY-ZEE, but goodness is this little man cute!

 This one just made me laugh.

 Yeah, don't think you're going to reach that branch, girlie. 

 And then coming into the finish.  

1:04:27, I think. Such a stud.