Mel & Jon's 3rd Anniversary

We had grand plans to go into the plaza and had a room booked at the Fairmont...but sometimes Plan B just creeps up on you. Ethan was in his 2nd bout of meds to treat a lingering ear infection and we did not feel comfortable leaving him for that long.

Daisy and the "baby stuff"

I really would love to know if it is jealousy...but Daisy has found new uses for the ever popular Boppy and Baby Papasan chair.

All of Ethan's things are COVERED in dog hair. I guess I should be thankful that she wants to snuggle in his things instead of pee on them!



I mean, seriously - what dog does this?

Aunt Courtney and Cousin Ty fly in to meet the newest member of our clan

Courtney and Ty came to visit for a long weekend to meet and help take care of Ethan. Courtney wanted to make sure that Ty was able to see Boston before we moved away - and they sure did check out the city. From Duck Tours, Fenway, Fanuel Hall, Downtown Crossing, Backy Bay, South End, North End, Charlestown, the Bunker Hill Monument (which I think Ty may have climbed faster than his Mom) - they did a lot of sight-seeing. BUT, even better - they did a lot of helping in our house too. You see, Ethan feel in love with his Aunt, in fact I think Courtney may have been the favorite person he met...which I guess makes a little sense given our similarities.

Ethan's first trip to Fenway...

On the last night, Courtney and Ty stayed in to babysit and Jonathan and I had date night. It was wonderful!!

We loved having them to visit, and got some insight into life when we have a 4.5 year old someday!

Kristin comes to town

May - 2007
One of my very oldest and dearest friends, Kristin (Hahn) came to town for Memorial Day Weekend. I gave Jonathan the weekend off, and he headed to the Jersey shore.

Kristin and I did some shopping, walking, and catching up. She did mention that nursing looked awfully time consuming...coming from one girl who can't sit still to another, watching I might agree but when it is you and your baby it does not feel like that.

Jonathan came home on Sunday afternoon, and Kristin and I had a proper girl's night out and enjoyed some adult time, we were home though, by about 10 pm.

It was fun to see Kristin and have her bond with Ethan. Now, we just need to get her thinking about little ones..... :)

1 1/2 - 2 Month Pictures of Ethan

Ethan had his first shots at a little over 6 weeks, he spiked a fever and Daisy stood vigil during this time. Isn't that about the sweetest thing you have ever seen?










The little guy is getting big, he is getting "tall", although it is hard to tell b/c he still likes to lay all scrunched up froggy style.

My First Mother's Day

My two boys took me out to brunch....and then we all napped on the couch...and then we all enjoyed a family walk around the Monument.

The little guy is 2 weeks old

Ethan at two weeks...he is getting so big and alert.

A Mother's Work Is Never Done

Need I say more...speaking of more, anybody have an extra hand to lend as I am still explaining to the dogs why I can't pet them both at the same time when holding Ethan?

Happy Easter - 2007

Easter was Ethan's first holiday, we bought the bunny hat just in case...I am certain he is thankful he arrived early so that he was able to wear it!

Ethan's first visitors (part 2)

Nona and Poppy were next in line to meet Ethan! It was great to have them, and we appreciated the shopping, cooking and cleaning...and best yet, we went out to lunch one day by ourselves! :) Grandparents are wonderful!!

The new parents and Ethan start to bond...

Dad still could barely move, so Ethan spent many naps on Dad's legs. Mom brings her new baby in for a snuggle.

Venturing out with the baby - April 2007

After a week of staying in the house, except for a walk down to the Navy Yard - we were ready to try going out. We did not go far, just to Legal Seafood over in Kendall Square with my parents the night before they left. The outing went well, and Ethan was a doll.

Ethan's first visitors (part 1)

My Mom arrived into Boston the day after Ethan was born, and a couple of days later my Dad joined in. They were very happy to meet grandson #6! Papa (Dad) probably ended up giving Ethan a bruise on his chest as he kept pointing to himself and saying "Papa" and then to Ethan "Ethan". Mom cooked for us several nights, and they helped walking the dogs, and entertaining the little guy. It was great to have them in town to celebrate Ethan's birth!

Time to leave the hospital

My Mom arrived on March 27th, which was a big help to Jonathan (not being able to move and all!). After 1 full night at the hospital, I decided I had enough of us being there and I just wanted to get home to all of my familiar things and show Ethan his home. So, we packed up and headed home on March 28th. He looks SO little!!

Welcome to the world, little Ethan Lee

Our tiny bundle of joy arrived at exactly 10:48 pm. He was 20 inches long and weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz. He came out with fists clenched and a healthly wail.

There was a little bit of brownish hair and the dreamiest little baby face you have ever seen.

Now, we had the chore of selecting from our "secret" list of names. We both decided on Ethan for his first name, which means strong (the clenched fists kinda sealed the deal) and Lee, a Benjamin family tradition for his middle name.

It is finally BABY time

March 26, 2007This picture was taken at about 8 am, I felt my first contraction about 2:15 am. My due date was April 1, but I knew this baby was coming early. I did not wake up Jonathan until about 4:30, b/c he was sleeping in the guest room. The night before he had been walking the dogs and reached down to pick up a leash and heard a pop in his back. He could barely walk up the stairs and into the house and spent the whole next day laying on the floor. I thought I was going to have to take HIM to the emergency room on Saturday night, but he said he would hold out and call the Dr. first think on Monday morning. I (or should we say baby) beat him to that!

So, we waited until the contractions were fairly regular and I was past the point of comfortableness. We had both showered, the dogs were walked and fed, the house was neat, everything was all ready to go in the car - just as planned. We made the 10 minute drive to MGH, parked, walked in (which was not pretty) and up to the maternity/birthing floor. I was hooked up to the monitor and given an exam to discover that although I was contracting, they were erratic and I was not any further along into the process than 3 days before and they were not 100% positive I was in labor. So, even though I swore I would not be one of those women that goes in and gets sent home - that was me...

Meanwhile, I am still having contractions - and they are now coming long and fast. The dogs are freaking out watching and listening to me and Jonathan can't stand to see anything in pain so things are going swell. He volunteers to get me food and by the time her returns I am shaking, sweating, and throwing up. He calls the hospital to tell them he is bringing me back, no less than about 2 hours later... Everything was not so orderly this time...and now he is driving like a mad man to get me back to the hospital. The walk is even less pretty this time, people are stopping, staring, asking if we need help, etc.

Well, come to find out I am actually in labor (as I told them about 2.5 hours earlier) and have "progressed quite nicely". I can't think of anything but the prospect on an epidural and about hug the Anesthesiologist. Now, I know why one of Jono's friends Tim does this job. Women LOVE you. I do seem to remember that my husband did ask that given his back situation, if we could be the first husband/wife team the epidural. I didn't find it very amusing at the time.

The labor lasted all day and into the night, but the baby was doing great and Mom had turned back to herself once the pain started to dull.

8 Months and counting....

That baby is getting big!! At around 36-37 weeks, I had an ultrasound b/c the Dr. was worried that I was measuring "small" (does not look that small to me!). Everyone was surprised to see that baby was already measuring about 6lbs, 12 oz.

A little past 7 months.....

There is no real hiding this baby bump any longer...and I tell you, this is the squirmiest baby ever! My stomach always looks like an alien has taken over with fists and feet pushing out...and of course...he always has the hiccups!

NYE in NYC

December 31, 2006

We drove to Stamford, CT with the dogs and left them at hotel while we took the train into Manhattan. Jonathan's friend Jimmy and his brother throw a party every year at the Mandarin Oriental hotel. It was really cold that night, but somehow the trek into the city reminded us of living in Stamford from years ago so I think we actually enjoyed it.

We met up with Tim, Kay, Ian, Eric and Shannon at the bar before heading up the party. I would say that being the only sober person on a night where drinking is highly encouraged was interesting, but thankfully Shannon was my partner in crime in documenting the evening.

6 months down, 3 to go....

The belly is continuing to grow, but I am loving every minute and feel a bit like a science experiment.

Christmas Day - 2006

I woke Jonathan up on Christmas morning at about 3:00 am to tell him that I thought Buddy was coming down with Aspiration Pneumonia again and that I was going to take him to the emergency vet. Of course, he was not going to let his 6 months pregnant wife go out in the middle of the night alone...so we wrapped up Buddy and headed out. We were pretty tired by the time we got home a couple of hours later, so thankfully we had not planned to go anywhere for the day.

Buddy, although loving his new sleeping ball - was not up for much else but to snuggle with his sister.

Our friends, Tom and Pauline and their little girl, Lily did come over on Christmas night for a couple of hours and that was fun to catch up with them and meet Lily.

Kennebunkport, ME

October 2006

Well, we did not see GW, but we did in fact see the Bush compound. My parents came in from Chicago, and we all (Buddy and Daisy too) went to stay up in Kennebunkport, ME for the weekend. Kennebunkport is a very quaint New England town. We walked along the rugged coast and into town to shop/browse around. We ate lobster and other local treats and played cards/games in our room.














Unfortunately, we woke up about 2:00 am to a very sick Buddy. He was shaking, nose dripping, and laboring to breathe. We called local animal hospitals but nothing was open - so we waited until about 6:30 am to wake up my parents to head back to Boston to get him into the Vet. Poor Buds, he had Aspiration Pneumonia and we uncovered that he has Mega Esophagus (condition where the esophagus is enlarged, and food/liquid sit and don't quickly move into the stomach). On the posts about the dogs, you can see his special eating chair - we call if the Buddy Box. We know our time with him is limited - and we are thankful for each and every day with him.

And Buddy makes 4....

So, the day before our new dogs arrives we find out we are expecting a baby next spring. We are quickly making additions to our family!!

We adopted Buddy through a local Boston Terrier rescue group, they found him in OK and had him shipped up to Boston. We did not know much about him except that he had been "sold" from a house where they suspected he was not treated well and that he was really sweet. I picked him up and meet Jonathan and Daisy at the park near our home so the dogs could meet on "neutral turf". Buddy was shy and clingy, and Daisy is a freak so I was curious how this would all go down.

So, the basic story is: dogs sniff, Buddy has diarrhea (and it is all over him), then Daisy promptly rolls in it! Gotta love dogs. :)

A Georgia Trip - Baby on way

July 2006

We had an "event"(yes, let's just call it that) in Jekyl Island, GA and we were there 7/20-23 with all of my girlfriends.

On the day of the "event", I discovered that I was pregnant. I had a feeling that I was for nearly a week, and looking back all of my girlfriends said I was acting funny all weekend long. Finding out you are going to have a baby is a wealth of emotions - you are so excited, but on the flip side you think - oh my gosh.. I am going to have a person! I think Jonathan was in shock most of the day, but he was cute - worrying about my standing up in the heat of the afternoon with no water and ensuring that somebody have water for us. That night he hugged me so hard and told me we had to take good care of me b/c I was carrying his son. He called it right from the beginning.

Colleen's husband, Eric is 6'4. And for some reason, we look great taking as a couple when we take a picture! (And take pictures we do, I remember that someone thought that Eric was the groom at my wedding) But, on this particular evening Colleen and Jonathan were bound to out do us as they think they look like the better couple - from their dirty dancing and photo hogging....however, photos are attached...you be the judge!!

Nephews all around

My brother and sister-in-law (Brenden and Michele) welcomed a baby boy, Ryan Nicholas on July 22, 2005.

My sister and her husband (Courtney & Eric) welcomed twin boys, Mason and Luke on September 15, 2005.

Party at Court & Eric's

Our gift to our guests was to host them for a party at my sister and brother-in-law's house in Palm Springs. It takes some pretty great people (family or not) to respond enthusiastically to my request "Can I host a part at your house/yard for 100 of my friends"? But they made it happen, and I am quite certain that Courtney was more stressed about it than I was. We brought in catered Mexican food, beer, and margaritas and Courtney spent weeks making paper flowers for the decorations. Their backyard is the ulimate party set-up, an outdoor bar, fire pit, illuminated pool, and plenty of room. All of our guests had a great time in this low key atmosphere, and we were able to spend a little quality time with our 100+ out of town guests.