News From the Trenches

Hello everyone,
Things here are going well. Jonah ignores Eli on a regular basis and really is adjusting well to being a big brother. Uncle David B. is home from school for his holiday break and Jonah loves to play with his legos with him. Eli's bris went well and it was nice to see so many people I don't get to see a lot. Overall, Eli's demeanor is pretty good. Unfortunately, he gets cranky in the evenings and has a lot of gas bubbles that seem to be painful. I'll try to add pictures to the site as soon as I have a free moment.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy New Year from us!

ELI PAYTON IS HERE

Hey folks. I don't have much time because it's 12:30 a.m. and I actually have to go to work tomorrow. Well as most of you know, Eli was born Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at 6:35 p.m. CA time. I've sent around an e-mail with the basic info and if anyone did not get the e-mail, I whole heartedly apologize. I've added some pictures to our photo website (there's a link at the bottom of this blog I believe) and we would be happy if you look upon them at your leisure. In case you can't find the link (or it doesn't exist) the photo's website address www.jonahandsascha.com. I also wanted to let people know that he bris will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at Candice's parents home. We don't have a specific time yet but as we do, we'll post it here as well as e-mail a bunch of people too.

Candice is doing great and will be home on Saturday with Eli. We hope everyone is doing well and we will be talking to you all at some point in the not too distant future. I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed.

It is my pleasure to introduce my newest son, Eli Payton. May he grow up healthy and not be bald like his father.

Back to "Normal"

Can you really say that? Is there ever normal with a 17 month old? Not really. It is Rob's first day of work today and we took Jonah back to day care. At first he was looking around like he knew the place, but why was he there. I waited for Irma to arrive (the lady he knows best) and told her all of the things he'll be trying to say while signing. I sat on the couch [while waiting] and Jonah saw another little boy go into the playroom. He followed and that was the last I saw of him. He found toys and companionship and mommy was a thing of the past. I will say that he spent the entire time I was there looking for Sascha. He would say "Snatcha" over and over and over and over...They thought it was cute, I just can't wait to hear what they think when I go pick him up. Yet again Jonah proved to me that the changes in his life are far more traumatic to me then to him. I hope he takes to Eli as well as he did to returning to day care.

As for me: I'm officially done with the pregnancy, now if only Eli would realize it and come out. ;) This has been physically draining, even though newborn life is hard, at least my body will be my own. This is my last week at work and I look forward to not having to stuff my sausage feet into shoes acceptable for a work environment.

We hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Rob & I have a lot to be thankful for, but mostly for the support of friends and family such as yourselves. Stay tuned more to come...

FINALLY!!!

I haven't had much to say lately because not much has changed in my day-to-day routine over the last few months. But something amazing happened yesterday which finally gave me inspiration to say something...............I GOT A JOB!!!!

Yes it's true. Rob finally got off his ass and got a job. The last few weeks I've had more interviews than I did in the previous 6 months so I thought November was going to be a good month. I went on the interview this past Monday and when I left it, I thought I had scored the job but I didn't want to get my hopes up too much. Well my instinct was right on because the firm called me yesterday to offer me the job. I start working on Monday the 28th (right after Thanksgiving) so I have about 2 1/2 weeks of free time to spend with Jonah and Sascha because now that I'll actually be working again, I won't see them as much as I'd like.

The firm I'll be working at is named Calendo, Puckett, Sheedy & DiCorrado, LLP. They are located in Glendale (about 25 minutes from the house) and the people I've met seem very nice and hard working. I think I'll fit in (from what I've seen so far) and I'll make sure to start off on the right ass kicking foot in hopes I never have to be unemployed (against my wishes) again.

I know I'll miss being with Jonah and part of me already feels like I'm not going to spend enough time with Eli but I'm hoping I can at least keep some part of their day for myself. I'm sure things will work out fine so I'll try not to worry.

That's it for now. Now that I've got "things" to look forward to, I hope to post a more frequently to let you know what's going on with me without having to hear it from Candice too much (have I mentioned how much I love my wife yet?)

I hope everyone is well and that you all have a great upcoming Thanksgiving too (just in case I forget).

New Fun Jonah Stories

Here are some cute stories for you:
On Saturday we were all at my mom and dad's (Norma & Isaac's) place and Jonah was walking around. My parents have a baby gate, but it wasn't in use, so it was carefully leaning against the wall in the kitchen doorway. Of course, Jonah is curious and has to touch it. We were all in the living room and heard a crash. We wait to hear if he cries but nothing. At that point my dad gets up to see what is going on and watches from the living room. I said to my mom that I was surprised we hadn't heard an uh-oh yet. Well, he starts walking away from the scene of the crime back to the living room when he looks up and sees my dad. He then says in a very low voice "uh-oh". When he reaches my dad he tries to give him a kiss. Can we say bribery? My dad goes to pick up the fallen gate and when he does Jonah says "dek ooo" (thank you). At this point my mom and I can't stop laughing at the fact that he was very aware of the bad thing he did and how he used his cuteness to get out of trouble. :P

Yesterday, Rob picked me up from work and was telling me all about the interview he had been on earlier. We are having a discussion and Jonah is in the backseat saying in a very rushed tone "dada ee yi ee yi oo" over and over.
I said to Rob that I thought Jonah was trying to get his attention.
So, Rob stops in mid-sentence and sings "Old McDonald had a farm".
Jonah responds "ee yi ee yi oohhhh".
Rob turns to me to get back to our discussion and starts talking again when we hear, "dada ee yi ee yi oh" in a very rushed tone.
Again Rob sings "Old McDonald had a farm"
Jonah responds "ee yi ee yi oohhhh"
"And on that farm he had a Jonah"
"ee yi ee yi oohhh"
We never did get back to the conversation until we got home, but it was too cute to not share. In between singing though, Rob did point out that now I had an understanding of what his day was like.

That concludes my episode of cute Jonah stories. Stay tuned there will definitely be more...

P.S. if anyone is looking for Chanukah gift ideas for Jonah please e-mail either Robert or myself for the '05 list.

Another Appointment to Report

Today I went to visit the OB as our standard appointment (at this point we're every two weeks). I've unfortunately gained more weight then I would like, but what can you do? The doctor says I'm doing great. We heard Eli's heartbeat. My stomach is measuring at 33 weeks and I'm 32+ weeks, so basically he's growing right on target.

Last night I had Rob feel the pounding that he does. He couldn't believe it. It was like a boxer who is just continually punching. Not only was it continuous but he'd only take a break for like 2 seconds and go back to pounding. This all happened for at least 10 minutes. He's quite active. He's definitely going to give Jonah a run for his money.

Jonah is doing extremely well. He is signing more words and his walking is becoming more fluid. Rob has had to hide a few of our toy storage boxes because Jonah would rather climb them then actually use the toys inside.

Finally, I want everyone to know that we have an official date and time for the c-section. It is scheduled for December 14th at 9:30 AM. If Eli stays put until this day, then the Bris will be December 21st around 10 AMish. The location is still up in the air, but right now we're thinking my parents place (Isaac & Norma's in LA). That is the closest I can come to give anyone definitive dates. Also, for now we are asking that those family and friends in town to not come to the hospital for visits until 12 PM on the 14th. More info will come as we know more...

Taking a Stroll

Yesterday, before dinner Jonah really wanted to go outside and walk around. So of course how could we say no. We took Sascha and Jonah out front and did a little walking. I've posted pictures of Jonah walking around for your viewing pleasure on our photo site, just click here to go straight to the page.

Jonah's ability to sign is getting better everyday. He signs bird all of the time while saying "tweet tweet". It is so cute. Yesterday while outside he heard the birds in the trees and turned to Rob and signed bird while saying "tweet tweet". Everytime he does it we just want to eat him up.

To say he gets into everything is quite the understatement. He loves to help daddy do the dishes. So much so, that we need to block the kitchen off when the dishwasher is open. I think he really just wants to help clean up.

On Wednesday, Tata (Isaac) came over for dinner and brought us chili burgers from Tommy's. Well, Jonah didn't like his dinner of a turkey dog. I dipped his pieces in chili and low and behold he was super happy with his dinner. Jonah liked his fries plain, but his hot dog with chili.

Full Moon

Hello everyone,
Today is a full moon, so expect that things will get weird. I highly recommend reading your horoscope at Astrology Zone to see how this will affect you.

Friday, was our last monthly OB appointment. We are now going to every two weeks. My OB Dr. Pelino is the absolute best. She's also pregnant with #2 and is due 3 weeks after me. She promises to deliver this baby for me. Every appointment is like going to visit a friend. She's knows how much I research EVERYTHING, so she will only buy products I'll buy. It's so funny. She wants to know exactly what I'm buying for #2 so she can buy it too. I'm going to print out my wish list (I will try to post here asap) because she asked me for a list of things to buy. She's so great! My weight doesn't please me, but everytime I see her she tells me not to worry. It's funny being pregnant at the same time as your OB because not only do I tell her my symptoms, it seems she has the same symptoms too! Rob sometimes hears things he sure he shouldn't but, oh well. He intends to inform his boys of all of the things about women he didn't know until he got married.

Enough about my pregnancy. Jonah is toddling along and is just too cute. He's been saying "thank you" all weekend. I never thought my son would be so polite. He's definitely eating solids, but only if he can feed himself. So, nothing with a spoon or fork, because he can't figure out how to use them yet. He has quite the appetite. He's got about four more teeth emerging, so he's not sleeping as well as he was before. I can't complain too much because for the most part he sleeps 12 hours a night. He's signing more words now: He signs "bird" and "milk". I swear those Signing Times vidoes are worth every penny. He's learned to say more words just from watching them. He so funny when he says "eat" while signing "eat".

That's all for now...

The Beginning...

Hey Family & Friends,
After all of this time we've found we just don't keep you up-to-date enough. So, here I am starting our own family blog.

Here's what's new at home:
Candice: Heading into my 30th week of pregnancy and just hoping I'll survive this pregnancy. I'm having a lot of aches and pains, but overall it's been pretty normal. I'm starting to get really tired again and holding Jonah is getting more difficult everyday. How do you say no to the most adorable boy in town? So, I hold him and suffer. Isn't that what Mommies do?
Robert: Still looking for a job, but had two good prospects last week. Cross your fingers. Meantime he's the "daddy nanny" or "daddy day care". Jonah's home with daddy for now and having a ball pushing the limits of daddy's patience.
Sascha: As sweet and loving as ever. She started bringing Jonah her toys so that they can play together. It's so cute how much she loves him
Lastly...
Jonah: He started his walking on Tuesday. He's still crawling as his main mode of transport, but quite honestly we're in deep doo-doo over at our place. In day care he was learning with the big kids whenever it was "flash card time". So what does that mean? Well, Jonah can count to 10. Now I should say that some numbers are not in real English only jibberish, he doesn't do all of the numbers and he doesn't always do them in order. But we can definitely tell that they are numbers. It's super cute, and he repeats them over and over and over...His ability to say a new word a day is constantly amazing us. He has signed "more" and "eat", but we're working on others to help his communication.

Picture was taken with Jonah wearing his Tata's shoes.