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!

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. 

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

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

Boise

We spent a week in Boise visiting my family and we had a great time.  It was in the 100’s a good portion of the time and Grace found the best spot in the house – right on top of the AC vent.  

Bath time at Naunny’s house

Someone is itching to get a big wheel.

Hi Ho Silver!

Grace was very trendy with Mom’s new hat on.

Like I said, it was pretty very hot out and I think Kyle has the right idea.  I think he pulls off the diaper only look quite well. 

Look out for the Land Shark and the ballerina!

Spending some time with Dad.

The Plane Trip to Boise

Grace wasn’t interested in sleeping so it made for an extremely long 4 hour flight to Portland.  Luckily the seat in between us was empty so Grace was able to crawl all over the place.  

 Of course, she felt asleep on the last 5 minutes the flight on the decent.  The stinker. Erin’s facial expression pretty much says it all. 

Mark decided not to wake her during our 45-minute Portland Layover.

4th of July

4^th of July with the Ryan cousins. It must have been 200 degrees!  Too hot for these Irish babes to be outside.

Gracie loves her purses.  

Dad's surgeon like sausage fingers haven't quite been able to master the tying pig tails yet, so Grace always get the oompa loompa lone pig tail on top when dad's in charge.  

Gracie and her Best Buddy – GG (Great Grandma)

It was so hot on the 4^th our BBQ was mainly inside.