Monday, October 15, 2012

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!!!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

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.




Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Stockham’s invade Navy Pier


My sister’s family was into town for my Grandma’s 103rd 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!

Day 3 – Time to leave the hospital


After two great nights in the hospital, Erin and I got to take home the newest Mogensen.  Erin had mixed emotions about leaving the hospital, but she was anxious to see her Gracie. 

A professional photographer came by and took some “free” pictures Bridget and Grace.  They were so good that we had to buy the CD of pictures.  Yes, we are suckers.  Below are a couple of my favorites:






As luck would have it, Erin’s friend Monica gave birth to a baby girl at 5:45am on our final day so we got to visit them in the recovery room before we left.  Below is a picture of the proud papas. 


Bridget made herself right at home.

The close up. 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Time to meet Big Sister!


Bridget was so nervous to meet her big sister Grace she started biting her fingernails….


It was so great to see Gracie!  We missed each other so much – not only did she look so cute, but she seemed SO big!  She is already a great Big Sister – she can already say ‘Baby” and “Bridget”.  Hard to believe 20 months ago today she was the brand new baby in this bassinet! 


Mark with his adoring ladies


Gracie walked into the room and instead of seeing her new little sister, she was focused on the computer and all she could say was, “type”.  Maybe we should have named Bridget “Type”. 


Gracie soon warmed up to little Bridget and was just as smitten with her as we are.  

Gracie was showering her with kisses before the afternoon was over.   


Day 1 – Bridget Maren Mogensen


We welcomed Bridget Maren Mogensen into the world yesterday (9/19/12) at 12:36pm.  She weighed in at an even 8 pounds and stretched out to 20.5 inches.  Erin inherited some good genes as was blessed with another very short delivery.  Almost too short.  I was out to lunch and had to sprint the 4-blocks back to the hospital and Bridget was born 10 minutes later.  After her birth, I was still out of breath from sprinting to the hospital and in shock Bridget was a girl.  Everyone predicted Erin was having a boy.  I was reminded by many fellow dads in following hours that I better start saving my pennies as wedding are not cheap.  This is not to mention that Grace is already into expensive shoes & purses.  Boy, I'm in trouble. 
 
Anyhow, all initial tests are that Bridget is a healthy baby and she really only cries when she’s hungry (just like any Mogensen).  Erin and I may have to start a “swear jar” for every time we call Bridget, Grace, but I’m sure we’ll get the hang of soon.  Below are some pictures of Bridget’s welcoming committee on her birthday.  

30 seconds old!


Snuggle Time with Mom


The Ryan Ladies


Grandpa and Bridget

Grauntie Maureen / future Godmother and Bridget 



Proud mama getting ready for the move to the recovery room


Mom and Dad and the new edition to our family


The leprechaun hat is a little too big




Monday, September 10, 2012

Fancy Slippers


Gracie loves purses, necklaces & shoes. I have no idea where this comes from!  Ha! 

Gay Pride Parade

The Gay Pride Parade changed the parade route this year and it now comes within a couple of blocks of our place so we decided to check it out.  I imagine next year there could be some interesting questions after the parade from Grace.  Until then, she loved the beads, the music & colorful floats! 


Treat


“Treat”: this is Gracie & Mommy’s favorite word.  Once Mini Mogy #2 is born I think Dairy Queen will miss us.  Thank you DQ for all the great memories & Chocolate blizzards this summer!


Sharing her ‘treat’ with Dad