McKay

My parents make me wear this hat.

Here are some pics of the little guy -- thanks for the congratulations!

I'm taking this a step at a time. I really do want to talk about the whole labor story (probably more for my "journaling" sake than for you, although you'll be welcome to read it if you're interested), but I'll do just pics for now.

Here he is!

He looks a lot like Cory's baby picture. Just a couple of hours old.
Father?

Oh!

Oh, and his brothers really do enjoy him.

A BIG week

Between Christmas and the arrival of the newest Martin, it's been a big week!

McKay Cory Martin arrived December 26 at 12:40 am weighing 7 lbs 7 oz and 20 1/2 " long. He looks a lot like his daddy's baby picture. Do we finally have a little Cory?!

He came quickly...well, after 3 days of "prepping" labor, I'll call it. I had been contracting since Monday night, but nothing regular or strong or long; they were just letting me know that baby would be here soon. And, he came at 38 weeks, just like my other 2. Once I went into active labor on Christmas night, it was only about 3 1/2 hours before he was born. Most of that laboring was spent at home, because he was born within an hour of arriving at the birth center.

It was an awesome experience. Honestly, the day was full of miracles. More details to come for those who want to know the whole story. For those who just want the basics, here it is! We're excited to have him here and are recovering well.

Oh, and pictures are forthcoming; dealing with computer issues. Just imagine a really adorable baby for now.

Christmas in DC

There are lots of fun things to see in DC at Christmas time...and while we haven't gotten to all of them, here's our afternoon trip to the Botanic Gardens and Union Station a couple of weeks ago.

Every year, the Botanic Gardens does a Christmas train display. Emmet and Gabey watched this one over and over and over...
Major DC buildings made out of nature. Pretty!

Gabey in front of one his favorite DC icons...The Washington Monument!
This was Gabriel's favorite train -- Caterpillar.


The Union Station Christmas Tree. The kids' favorite part about this was the piano playing itself at the base of the tree. Magical!

Meeting the President-Elect. What Cory would REALLY love for Christmas.

And, finally, a "Barack in the Box".

BEFORE AND AFTER

Before....(at 25 weeks)

After...(36 weeks)BEFORE

AFTER

Lucas slipped in the bathtub and gave his head a good wack on the way down. These pictures of his colorful eye were taken the day after it happened, after a lot of ice. It had swelled up to a lovely size. We were wary to send him to school with a black eye, but, well...what are you gonna do?

BEFORE

AFTER

The room that is going to be the nursery was a "sickly green". Cory worked hard over Thanksgiving weekend to transform it to a much brighter "nectarine fizz". Thank you, Love!

BEFORE

AFTER

Cory finished putting up our Christmas lights just in time for the first snowfall of the year (with some help)!

Of course, it was only a slight dusting and was gone the next morning, but enough for the boys to enjoy the first snowball fight of the year with Daddy!

BEFORE

AFTER

We started off the Nativity at our church Christmas party with 2 happy sheep. Gabriel and Lucas were in fine form. At one point, I sneaked over to snatch a video of them singing "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" (proud that they were both participating and grateful that Gabriel was doing so well -- you never know with him). Gabey saw me and wanted to "see the picture", to which I motioned him to sit back down and I'd show him after.

That was my mistake. It was over from there.

He came whimpering over to us and took off his sheep costume, refusing to put it back on. We couldn't coax him back up. Finally, I told him he'd get his treat if he went up with the other kids on stage (yeah, so I used bribery. Judge me). He went -- not in his sheep costume, but went nonetheless -- and walked onto the stage, wandering around in front in his bright red shirt before plopping himself down. People -- including us -- were already chuckling at this point.

It gets better.

He saw us and we waved, at which point he turned on the drama. He prostrated himself on the stage. One of the adults helping with the pageant came out and picked him up (probably a bit overresponsive), so he flailed and cried as she carried him off stage. Incidentally, she had to step over his good friend, Emmet, who was in the wings of the stage refusing to participate (bosom buddies, I guess). He came back to us and said, "I just want a treat without going on stage."

Everyone got a good chuckle, and I wish I'd been quick enough to video the whole 2 minute ordeal.

Happy Christmas season to all!

Spiderman Turns 4!

*Blogger is doing funky things with my pictures, so you get pics first then words.*
Gabriel -- who still sports his Halloween Spiderman costume now and then -- celebrated his fourth birthday on November 23!

I don't think Cory and I have a day go by that we don't look at this little boy in amazement and incredible gratitude for the miracles we've seen in his life.

We celebrated his special day by going to the Air and Space Museum on Saturday the 22nd -- a favorite. We've visited a lot of museums since living here and I love to hear Gabey tell me, "Mommy, I love museums!" Music to a mother's ears. I don't know that I would've said that at his age...or even now.
On Sunday we had some friends over for cake and ice cream. Of course, the cake was "Gabey cake", meaning it was dairy, soy, gluten, peanut, and egg free. I made "regular" cupcakes for everyone else...but everyone tried the Gabey cake! It wasn't bad. And he loved it.

Just had to say how glad we are for Gabriel and to celebrate another year of his life!