Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Ryan really started singing lately. Favorites include Happy Birthday (thanks to Allyson's birthday video on their blog), Baa Baa Black Sheep, The Alphabet Song, Jingle Bells, and more.

Recently, he's started singing Twinkle Twinkle. He learned this and a few other nursery rhymes during his time with Nana Lokey who would watch videos of songs with him. This continues to be a favorite computer activity for Ryan.

Merry Christmas 2009!

Merry Christmas, Ryan & Evan. Mama and Dada love you so much!

Family in NY for Christmas

We were lucky enough to have my family in town for Christmas this year.


My parents made Christmas dinner for us. See what I found on my plate? Ryan's "cool cars."

Evan's First Christmas

Evan slept through most of his first Christmas. Here is a moment of alertness. He's sitting on Aunt Christine's lap, practicing tracking with his eyes. Do you like his cute Christmas PJ's?




What do you buy a 3 1/2 week old baby for Christmas? Here's what he got from Mama & Dada. I'm sure Evan's Christmas experience will be much different next year!


My Lokey boys

Ryan's Christmas

When we got him from his crib, he immediately investigated the new toys under the tree.

Here is his with his new shopping cart - complete with pretend ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper.


He also got a case to hold all his "cool cars."



He has learned to smile when you point a camera at him and say "smile."


Here's a video of Ryan playing with the music features of his new "computer" from Grandma & Grandpa Ponka. He's clapping along with the drum beat. It's funny...he seems to prefer the music buttons on the computer. He pushes them the most.

Sweet Evan Moments

Here's a picture I took today. He dozed off for a little bit with his hands up like this. We thought it was cute because usually we swaddle him up to sleep and don't see his hands land in this type of position.

I took this video this evening when Evan was being super sweet. He was practicing tracking his toy with eyes. Big work for a 3 week old baby.

Big Snow

We got our first big snow on Saturday night (December 19). On Sunday we took Ryan outside to check it out.

Ryan is trying to step through the snow. He needed a little help.


Digging in the snow. Actually, he was more like hesitantly, lightly touching it.





Our little family - Evan was inside staying warm with Grandma Ponka.

Brotherly Love

With Burke's mom gone, it has been more challenging to keep Ryan's routine in tact.

I normally read him a few books before his nap. The last couple days, I had to bring drowsy Evan into the story reading routine. He stayed quiet while I read to Ryan. However, instead of lying down next to me while I read, Ryan wants to look at his brother, keeping his hand on Evan most of the time. His attention is now split between Evan and the books. That's fine with me. I'll take what I can get. I swear, Evan turned and looked at Ryan and smiled. I don't think that's developmentally possible yet, but that's sure what it looked like.

It was a special moment. I ran to get the camera and Ryan seemed pleased that I wanted to document this. This was on Wednesday. We were able to repeat the calmness of pre-nap stories on Thursday. But today, Evan cried for most of it, so I had juggle holding him and reading to Ryan. Ryan was cool with the chaos, thankfully.

O Christmas Tree

Burke's dad, Ryan, Burke and I went to the tree lot this evening to pick out a tree.


Ryan had a blast running around the lot.


Lolo and Ryan


Ryan helping Burke set up the tree.

New Brothers

Ryan "held" Evan for the first time this morning. He was so proud and sweet about it.

p.s. Notice Ryan's wearing Nana's watch. He loves clocks and watches.

Evan's First Bath

Yesterday, Evan got his first bath. He seemed to enjoy the warm water. There was no protesting. Only thing is that his umbilical cord may have come off slightly prematurely. It's off, but there's a little scab and some bleeding. We have to keep an eye on it... Otherwise, the bath was a positive experience for all.

Walking in Daddy's Shoes

A recent fun game for Ryan... He likes to carry around our shoes. He brings them to us and insists we put them on. Or he may just slip them on his own little feet, like in these pictures. We hear "Mama's shoes" and "Dada's shoes" a lot. I also like when he says "slipper shoes."

Ryan likes to imitate his daddy. He likes to wear Burke's school ID badge clipped on to his shirt, just like Burke wears it. He also likes to wear a watch, just like Burke. It's pretty super cute to see him emulate his daddy.

Webcam

Ryan & Evan visit with "Lolo" (Burke's dad) in Arizona via webcam. We've been lucky to have Burke's mom here in NY with us since November 19. His dad arrives today, December 9.

Ryan & Max

Sarah, Nathan and Max came over to meet Evan. Here are a couple shots of Ryan & Max playing. It's totally cute that Ryan now says, "Baby Max" when he sees him/pictures of him.

One Week Old

More pictures from Evan's first week...

Here's Evan relaxing, all swaddled and reclined in the Boppy pillow. We have similar shots of Ryan in the same exact situation.

Mama & Baby Evan

Dada & Baby Evan

Evan's Third Day - Homecoming!!

We got Evan all dressed up to come home on Thursday, December 3.


I couldn't wait to get home to be back with my family.


I was sitting on the couch with Evan. Ryan comes over and sits with us. He says, "hug, hug." That arm thing is him hugging the baby.


Proud big brother!

Evan's Second Day

These pictures are from Wednesday, December 2. We were still in the hospital, missing home. I wasn't able to see Ryan. The hospital doesn't allow visitors under the age of 18 because of the flu scare. So, Evan and I hung out at the hospital and bonded. Daddy, Nana, & Julia (a friend from the library) visited us.

Our Newest Little Miracle

WELCOME EVAN GEORGE LOKEY!

BORN TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009 @ 4:34 A.M.

20 INCHES - 8 LBS. 5 OZ.

One of Evan's first pictures - getting cleaned up by the nurse.


Mom and Evan - I am amazed that labor was only 4 hours long and that we were in the hospital only 30 minutes when Evan was born. I was so close to pushing when we arrived, there was no time for drugs. I am surprised with myself that I was able to do it, although I feel I lacked dignity and grace with all the hootin' and hollerin' I did.


Thank goodness for Nana! She's been here taking care of us all. Here's a picture of her meeting Evan later on Tuesday.


Burke and Evan getting to know each other.