2012 has turned out to be a banner year for babies in my
family – first we had Eli in April, then his cousin Josiah made his grand
entrance in May! Not only that, but
THREE of my cousins are also pregnant!
When Josiah came, we just knew that we had to make sure that the cousins
met. So we booked a flight to
Massachusetts and tried to wrap our mind around the logistics of packing for an
airplane trip with a newborn – not to mention getting through the actual flight
without our fellow passengers hating us!
Eli was pretty fussy on the plane – pretty much the only time he slept
was during take-off and landing, which was the opposite of what we were told to
expect! I was also struck with how
different it is traveling with a child – before, we just had to make sure that
we got ourselves from point A to point B in one piece with the majority of our
luggage. It now seems that the amount
of things we need has tripled!
Uncle Dave picked us up from the airport in Providence and
got to meet a very sleepy Eli for the first time. All that crying on the plane wore him
out!
We arrived on Cape Cod just as Sarah was waking up from her
nap. She recognized Mike and I right
away (although she seems to think we’re both named Uncle Mike). Then she got to meet the baby – as soon as
she saw him she said “Baby Eli!” What a
smart girl.
I have to wonder what Sarah is thinking in this picture- she
already has one new baby in the house, then we brought in another!
Elijah
underwent a thorough inspection, toes included.
He seemed to meet her high standards :)
Meeting beautiful Aunt Emily for the first time!
It was so much fun to interact with Sarah as she interacted
with Eli!
Sarah is talking up a storm and is such a smart girl! It’s neat to see her grow up because we can
get a glimpse of what the different stages of childhood bring – good things
like watching her solve a puzzle by herself, and challenging things like temper
tantrums!
And then, THIS little lovey woke up from his nap!
What a joy it was to hold little Josiah in my arms for the
first time!
Josiah is such a cute little guy. He has a super sweet smile and the most
adorable little giggle.
I also discovered that Josiah and I have a very special connection
– he has a birthmark on his stomach, just like I do! My grandfather, who passed away over 20 years
ago, also had the same mark. It’s
amazing how certain things get passed down from generation to generation!
The babies take some time to talk about baby stuff.
Sarah was glad to offer some “help” during tummy time –
although Eli doesn’t seem to appreciate it at this moment…
She loved “showing” them how tummy time is done!
Now that we both have kids, spending time with my brother
and his family is even more special. It
was such a blessing to watch the cousins get to know each other. We hope they will be close, especially since
they are so close in age!
This picture cracks me up because Dave and baby Josiah have
the exact same look on their faces.
Sweet Sarah girl.
One of three babies dressed in this picture. Hey, it was June!
I’ve never thought that Dave and I look much alike, despite
being siblings, but I can see some resemblance in this picture.
The cousins, wearing matching outfits sewed by my mom. Way too much cuteness in this picture!
I’m so glad that my brother had the good sense to marry this
girl!
Dave showed off his master grilling skills.
That would be a s’more pizza – thank you, Pinterest.
Picture taken by me, and edited by Dave. Doesn’t Josiah look like a little angel?
While Elijah did NOT enjoy the cold Cape water (he’s a
Florida kid like his mom!), Sarah had a ball!
We had to practically drag her out of the water!
I think I have the
cutest niece ever.
We visited a small aquarium in Wood’s Hole, and Uncle Mike
walked around with Sarah while baby Josiah was being tended to. I think he really enjoyed seeing it through
her eyes.
Lots of stuff to see!
Sarah loves her Uncle Mike!
Any time she would hear someone around a corner she would say “Uncle
Mike?” And if it was him she would just light up! Can’t blame her…
At the beach, riding in Auntie J's backpack and borrowing Uncle Mike’s hat and sunglasses.
She seemed to enjoy being carried around in the backpack.
And this is how I spent the vast majority of the three
and-a-half hour plane ride, afraid to move him at all for fear that he would
wake up and start screaming again! What
a change from the days when a plane ride meant listening to music, reading a
bit, and enjoying a ginger ale…