Happy New Year!

If anyone's still paying attention, thank you. Two kids turned out to be more time consuming than we would have thought! In the last nine months much has happened, as you can well imagine. Rather than describe it all, I'll put up an incomplete sampling for this installment, then try to fill in some of the gaps in the next.

We've reconfigured our home computers and moved to a whole different platform (which is part of the reason for the lapse).

So, moving forward...

More Ketchup, Please! Father-Sonny Excursion.

Hmm. What's better than a day playing with Thomas the Train? A day out with Thomas the train! Apparently, Sonny wasn't the only one who felt this way...

This kid was fully decked out in all Thomas gear -

down to the socks and shoes!

Where is he??

The pictures don't do justice to the intensity. Perhaps this will help. A better parent might not have let his child dance in the aisles while the train is moving.

I'm not that parent.

More trains... starting to lose steam.

A total mad-house in western Jersey - right on the river.

Lopatcong, I believe.

Nice little town.

Parking in Lopatcong on Thomas day - $10

Ticket to ride - $12

Excitement induced coma - priceless.

A quiet 2 hours in the car after this insanity - truly priceless.

The most priceless, almost.

Okay, this is the one.

Coming soon - many, many pictures of Sydney.

Soon, I promise.

Part 2 - Ketchup, Remember?

And now for just a few of the visitors... who we've seen recently not only catch up, but to introduce the lovely Sydney Jane (such a little sweetie).

Grand-pop Bob seems to have a soft-spot for his new grand-daughter!

Local favorites Aunt Hillary & Uncle Kofi, naturally.

Aunt Sal, surely starting to teach Sydney that "Sal great!"

Grandma Chris teaching Sydney some vowels (video).

Sydney paid the One Block Inn (nice name!) a visit, hosted by the Greeleys, who facilitated a meeting with the Corbett clan.

Mom & Sydney in the dining room.

Maggie holds onto Sydney... under the supervision of Lee... in the parlor.

I swear we weren't playing Clue.

Kieran supervises Sonny in a game I'm not sure either knew how to play.

Janay, Steve, and Ocean visit from the West Coast... hey, I thought it was our turn to visit!

Sonny & Ocean watering the lawn, which needs it.

Jen & Scott pop by for afternoon Buds and burgers.

Sonny steals the show (and Jen's sunglasses).

"Peanut meet pumpkin. Pumpkin, peanut."

Mom & Sydney taking in the yard.

Sonny & Jacob in the pool. No swimsuits?

Sonny & Jacob in the tub. Who the heck is that other guy?

Sonny & Jacob ready for bed. These two are gonna be inseparable.

Part 3 coming soon! Sonny meets Thomas the Train.

I thought his little head was going to explode.

Ketchup: Part 1 of 3

It would seem we have some catching up (ketchup reference) to do. So, in the interest of keeping these entries somewhat 'sticky' - we'll start today and add another installment in a few days - so many pictures!

We've been getting to know each other a lot over here. I must say, having a newborn around in the summer is dramatically different than in the winter. Moreover, it's even more dramatically different having a toddler around!

"Sonny, meet Sydney. Walter, you're #3 now."

"Hi little sister!"

Sonny shares one of his favorite toy cars with Sydney. These two might get along after all!

A little quality ketchup time for Sonny & Mommy.

A lot of quality time for Sydney & Mommy. A lot.

The littlest snuggler.

The loudest snuggler.

She's shy, but coming around. So far, so good. It's a pretty happy time.

Next entry, we meet a few of the visitors. I'll take this opportunity to thank everyone for the unnecessary, but much appreciated, generosity. Sydney will be well-outfitted (for all occasions) until she's about 4. Thanks, really.

Stay tuned...

Welcome Sydney Jane!

Well, it's happened!  Another miracle has been added to the mix.  Sydney Jane was born at 5:12 in the morning this past Thursday 6/10, weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 oz., and screaming her little head off.  She has since settled down, way down.

Mom was, once again, amazing throughout.  I remain in awe of her strength and resilience.  Sydney was born less than 1-1/2 hours after we checked into the hospital - quick, but I wouldn't say painless!  All are well and we're home now.

Nothing compares to this feeling.

Proud mama.

Sonny came to visit the day Sydney was born.  They exchanged gifts and pleasantries - no competition yet!

Thanks to everyone who helped out - and who will be helping out!  

We couldn't do it without you.