Bridget's Christening [November 2012]

A special thanks to Erin for planning Bridget's Christening and the brunch following the the big event.  It was a great time.

Bridget getting ready for the big moment in the back of the church.

Thanks Aunt Maureen and Sean for being Bridget's Godparents!

Thanks Mom and Dad for flying halfway across the country for the Christening.

Thanks to Nora and Al for flying in from the other half of the country.

Noreen hosted another great Thanksgiving.  She even let her son-in-laws fry up a turkey in her backyard.  It’s was Al’s first time and I think it’s safe to say, he’s now hooked.  He might choose a different apron next time, but he loved the end result.  Thanks for the help Al. 

Gobble gobble Bridget.

Bridget’s Grandmothers can’t get enough of her. 

I guess Grace misses her jungle.  She tries to seek in there every time we put Bridget in there.   

 

Why doesn’t everyone eat cupcakes like this?  It reminds me of  the scene from the Christmas Story. 

 

Tea Party!  Everyone there:  Abbey Kadabby, Tehgee, and Mok-a-mok. 

 

Erin’s friend’s 4-year-old son, Eddy, couldn’t get enough of Grace.  He even showed her how to do the Gangnam style dance. They got out of sight for a moment behind a table and I found the two of them standing a little too close to each other for my tastes.  However, to my surprise Grace had her finger up Eddie’s nose.  I’m not sure what you call that.  It’s not first base, but I guess it’s close.    

This was by far Gracie's favorite part of the Children's museum.  She could have spent hours at the miniature grocery store.  

Halloween 2012

Erin decided this is probably the last Halloween she'll get to pick Gracie's costume, so she went her favorite costume: Wonder Women.  Grace loved it.  We had to top off the costume with a Abbey Kadabby hat because it was so cold outside. 

 Bridget seemed too thrilled with the whole Halloween thing.  

Erin hooked Gracie up with a couple of cute Halloween outfits.

Gracie takes very good care of her little sister.   She even gives a kiss from time to time.  

The Pumpkin Patch

[October 2012] On a rainy October weekend, Erin had a great idea to head up to a pumpkin patch / petting zoo.  One word sums up the trip.  Dud.  It rained almost the entire time, Grace didn't seem interested at all, and Erin spent the entire time feeding Bridget in the car.  On the plus side, we did have the place to ourselves.

Grace didn't care for the sheep.

 

This was the most exciting part of the trip for Grace. 

Grace picked out he Charlie Brown sized Pumpkin.

 

The next generation of Bears fan. 

 

All my ladies and Grandma

 

Fancy shirt.

 

I’m not sure how this idea was hatched, but Grace loved it. I mean who doesn't want to push a shopping cart while in a stroller being pushed your self?

 

Grace is looking for a sous chef position.  Looking good so far.

 

She didn’t get the job, but she seems fine with it. 

Our New Rig!

Thank you to my Aunt Colleen & Ansel for our new Stroller!!! It is such a sweet ride, the girls love it and it is SO easy to push! Makes cruising around town (while talking on the phone and drinking a coffee) a breeze!!!

Thank you Naunie and Nora!

My mom stayed with us for 4-nights on the couch after Bridget was born and she was a Godsend.  She took the night shift so Erin and I could get a little more sleep.  When she wasn’t helping with Bridget, she started her own little projects around the house.  She cleaned our sliding glass door gutters and she really got after defrosting and cleaning out the freezer.  Thanks a ton Mom for all your help.

Papa lays eyes on his latest Grandchild.  Bridget was in good hands.

Naunie and Papa and their Grandchildren and me

Grace loves Dad’s La-Z-Boy and will even push me out of it when I’m sitting it.

Grace loves to shower her little sister with kisses.  So far, she’s been a great big sister.  She wakes up every morning and asks for Bridget.  After I get her out of her crib, she runs straight for Bridget’s crib to say good morning.

The day my parents left, Nora came into town and slept on our couch for a couple of nights.  She was tremendously helpful.  Thanks Nora.  On a side note, Nora stared in a children’s video earlier this year and is currently the lead in a sitcom pilot that hasn’t been aired yet.  Grace is learning the ropes on how to be celebrity.  Lesson #1 – celebrities always wear their sunglasses indoors.  See below.

Bridget and Grace got a nice visit from their cousins (from left to right – Mary Cate, Joey, Bridget, and Grace).

Bridget’s first bath!  Unfortunately, our new camera brings out the hair on my arms a little too much.  I’m sure my brother will have a great gorilla joke for me after he sees this picture.  Bridget wasn't thrilled with the whole bathing process.   Grace was the same way.

One of my vendors at Hyatt is called HotSOS and their logo is a Chili pepper and they sent me this great outfit for Bridget.  She was passed out, but mom and dad thought it was pretty cute.  I sent the picture to the vendor and Bridget is now on their Facebook page.

Bring it on Jacksonville Jaguars!  The Jags didn’t stand a chance against the Bears with their #1 cheerleader cheering them on.    The Bears produced beating the Jags 41 to 3.

Who else likes to color?

My two passed out ladies.

Tea Time!  Grace loves her tea time set and she’s very good about ensuring everyone gets a tea cup.  If you look closely, even Bridget got one (on top of her head).

The girls had a good time with Grandma and GiGi.

It only took 20-months, but I now have Grace pulling my finger.  Afterwards she points at my nupsie and says toots, toots.  Yes, I am a proud father.  Next up in my white trash book of tricks is to teach Grace how to get me a beer out of the fridge.  Ah, the joy of having children.

The Stockham’s invade Navy Pier

My sister’s family was into town for my Grandma’s 103^rd birthday and we all decided to head down to Navy Pier. 

Anna, Andrew, and Shane checked out the famous Navy Pier Ferris Wheel.  Your Cliff Clavin little known fact of the day, the original Ferris Wheel was designed and constructed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. as a landmark for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The term Ferris wheel later came to be used generically for all such structures.

Anna, Andrew, and I rode the flying swings ride and it was a lot of fun.

 Gracie had a good time riding the Merry-go-around with Nonnie.  

Andrew, Shane, and I played 18 holes of miniature golf and the match went down to the last hole.  Shane had an incredible 4 holes-in-one, but one blow-up hole allowed me to squeak out the win on the last hole.  I captured Andrew’s highlight reel moment on film (see below). 

Below is a nice father and son picture.  

The putting stroke

The one-in-hole and post celebration!