Bye Bye Crib!

Benjamin,


Daddy has been really bad at getting these letters out to you and your brother. So bad in fact that you've now had your big boy bed for over a month and Daddy has yet to write about it! And that's a major life changing event for you because no longer are you protected by bars... what Daddy tries to pass off as protection for you, is actually peace of mind for Daddy. Now you're free to roam the bedroom whenever you please, and the first couple of nights you did. Occasionally we will still have to go in your room and lay you back down, but for the most part you've adjusted nicely to the big boy bed and have been going to bed every single night without any trouble. So let's start at the beginning!

Mommy and Daddy had been showing you pictures of the Lightning McQueen Cars bed that you would be getting in time. You finally figured out how to climb out of your crib so it really was pointless to keep it because it's sole purpose was to keep you locked up when you were sleeping, but now that you had figured out how to lift your leg over the top, then your other leg, it was really all down hill from there...or down to the floor! We finally got you your big boy bed after weeks and weeks of checking Toys R Us and it never being in stock!

When it was time to put your bed together Grandpa Kevin came over and helped put the pieces together. In the mean time Mommy took apart your crib. While Grandpa was putting your bed together you couldn't help but stand inside of it and play with your toy cars. You were content with just sitting in the middle of the bed with no mattress or supports and Daddy thinks you would have preferred it to stay this way if you had your say of the matter. Jonathan joined you in the middle of the almost completed bed, and when it came time to do other things Jonathan went inside of his crib. Daddy can only imagine the terror it will cause when the two of you are roaming free!

When your bed was finally completed Mommy took out your Cars bedset and made your bed for the first time. You were so excited that you jumped into your bed and laid down, shortly after you were joined by your brother! He wanted the big boy bed too! That night you didn't go to sleep right away, instead your cried at the gate we placed in the doorway to keep you locked up. When you finally went to sleep we tucked you back in and wished your goodnight. It's been over a month now and the only real problem that has happened is every morning you wake up bright and early, venture into Mommy and Daddy's room and wake Mommy up to watch Mickey Mouse. Who needs an alarm clock when you come walking in every morning at the exact same time? We're getting ready for another life changing event soon... so it was good to get this one out of the way.

Just Realized Jonathan Will Need A Big Boy Bed Soon,
Scared...Daddy

The Past Few Weeks

Dear Boys,

Over the past few weeks Daddy has not been keeping up with the letters to the two of you. We had some exciting times over the last few weeks. We went to IHop and Jonathan you ate more food then your big brother, we baked a cake that was shaped like a heart for Mommy for Valentine's Day, and Benjamin you picked out a Mickey Mouse holding a heart stuffed animal for Mommy as well. Jonathan you've learned how to feed yourself (almost anyway), and Ben you've become a little parrot mimicking everything you hear out loud. Daddy has not been keeping up with these letters though. Daddy doesn't need to get into details why, but hopefully we can get back on track.

Daddy will try his best to continue to write letters to the both of you that way when you get older you may not remember that time we went to see Disney on Ice, or that time witnessed the Patriots win the AFC Championship, but lose the Super Bowl (still stings, some wounds never heal). But at least you will have these letters to read to know just what the two of you were feeling, and how great Mommy and Daddy felt to share these experiences with the both of you. Even though at times they weren't the best of days like that time you cut open your eyebrow Ben, or that time you cut open your forehead Jon. Someday, hopefully when the two of you are old and have family's of your own you can continue to read these letters and remember just how much you were loved.

Will Write More,

Dad

Super Bowl Sunday

Boys,

Well, this was it. This was going to be one of the greatest games of football and it was hopefully going to end with the New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl for the fourth time in ten years and give or take a few extra days. In the days leading up to the big game Daddy was very excited and that excitement rubbed off on you Benjamin because every single time a commercial for the game would come on you would stop what you were doing, smile, and say "Daddy! Football!". Daddy couldn't wait to watch the game with his two favorite little guys. So finally the day arrived. Mommy and Daddy had bought you guys a Patriots balloon and you each had on your Patriots gear. Jonathan you had on your Tom Brady jersey that you wore for the AFC Championship game, and Benjamin you got a brand new shirt celebrating the Patriots AFC Championship win.

Earlier in the day Nana and Grandpa came over to visit and they brought Uncle Dennis. Grandpa had on a Patriots shirt as well showing his support for the home team! Even though Grandpa loves New York and has actually lived there before he was rooting for the Pats! They stayed with the two of you for a little while before heading home themselves to watch the game. The two of you were sick the past few days and are actually doing a little bit better as Daddy writes this, but you both do have small colds. This wasn't going to stop the two of you from watching the game though!

The game was on and the Giants took on the Patriots for the second time since the tragedy that happened in 2008. Luckily for the both of you neither one of you were around yet to witness that travesty. During the game the two of you heard Daddy say some words that you should never repeat. Benjamin you're saying new words every day so Daddy has to be more careful, but the problem was the Patriots weren't playing as if this was the biggest game of the year and this was upsetting Daddy!

To make a long story short, and because Daddy just wants to write you guys this letter and move on from this whole ordeal. The Patriots lost for the second time to the Giants. What should have went down as Tom Brady's defining moment as one of the greatest, if not the greatest quarterback of all time was ruined by a couple of dropped passes, and missed plays. When the two of you get older you'll hear the bitter people of the world mention something called "Spygate". This is something that if had it not happened these people wouldn't have any valid reason to hate the Patriots, but we don't focus on that. At the end of the day the Patriots have made it back to the Super Bowl an additional two times, and that's two times more then some teams have ever made it. Before the game was over Mommy got the two of you ready for bed and laid you both down in your cribs. The good thing is the two of you did not get to witness this disappointment.

Daddy was very sad when they lost. Even though Daddy didn't have anything to gain win or lose, but still Daddy was very sad that the Patriots had lost the Super Bowl. There is always next year, but to be this close, within reach of the win and to not get it was heartbreaking. Daddy is writing this letter a day later because he wanted to know just what to let you boys know about what happened and did not want to write it when he was sad. Daddy can tell you with a clear mind that he is happy for the Giants. They played a great game and were the better team this time around. Daddy is also happy for the Patriots because they made it to the Super Bowl. It made for a great game, and great memories with the two of you with each game that came and went this season. There is always next year, but that doesn't mean we have to forget what happened this year. The Patriots might not be the Super Bowl Champions, but at the end of the day they are our favorite football team, win or lose, and we've got to stand by them! They will make it back there some day, and when they do, things will hopefully be different.

Go Pats!,
Daddy

Cole's Birthday Party!

Boys,

Tonight was Cole's Birthday Party! When Daddy got home from work we all got ready to head out to Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian's house to celebrate Cole's third birthday! Benjamin in the days leading up to today we asked you how old Cole was going to be and you'd say "Three!", then we'd ask you how old you were and the majority of the responses were that you of course were three as well, but eventually you'd say your right age. You silly boy! So, once we were all ready and in the car we headed over to Cole's for his party! When we arrived Cole was originally going to have a Thomas the Tank Engine party, but he changed his mind and switched to a Pirates party! Daddy didn't mind the change one bit! On top of Cole's birthday cake? None other than Captain Jack Sparrow! There were balloons with the number "3" on them and a large skeleton balloon as well! Uncle Brian and Auntie Amanda were already there with Cole's uncle Chris! Cole wasn't there yet, he showed up a little while after and we all yelled "Surprise" when he walked in... but Daddy said "Happy Birthday" instead.

Jonathan, you at first were very shy and wanted to stick with Mommy and Daddy, but after you got over this you joined Cole and Benjamin inside of Cole's play room to play with toys. Cole's Auntie Julie was playing with you boys as well, or as Cole calls her Auntie Judy! Cole has such awesome Cars toys that the two of you enjoyed playing with, and Jonathan you played with Cole's drum set even using the drum sticks to hit it with. No one showed you how to do this, so maybe there's some musical talent in you somewhere! The next Justin Bieber? I'm sure Mommy would prefer you to be a Doctor someday, but hey being the next Justin Bieber isn't that bad either. We waited for Cole's Pépé to join us before we all had Domino's Pizza! There were many different pizzas, but every one came together to give Chris their crusts because he didn't want to eat pizza... but between Daddy and you boys Daddy saw Chris eat a couple of slices!

After we all had some pizza the three of you with Julie played some more before Cole started bringing his presents into the living room so he could open them. Benjamin you helped Cole with his presents and Jonathan you were too antsy to sit in one place for long so Daddy held you on his lap for a little while before you joined the boys on the floor around the presents. Cole got so many cool things! He got some awesome train tracks for his Thomas toys, he got a cool Cars Finn McMissle toy, and a few other awesome things! Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian are going to be moving soon and Cole has so many train tracks that Uncle Brian wants to set it up to go from one room to the other. How awesome is that going to be to play with!

When it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" and have Cole blow out the candles on his cake we were getting ready to do so and Benjamin you went over to the cake and stuck your fingers in it! We had to pull you away from the cake and of course this upset you because all you wanted to do was eat it! We were singing "Happy Birthday" and you were crying with your head down because you couldn't stick your fingers in the cake. You were very naughty! Cole blew out his candles and the moment you were waiting for finally came Benjamin... you received your piece of cake and ice cream! The three of you sat at the table and had your cake and ice cream!

Afterwards some of the grown ups that came to see Cole on his special day started to leave and once they did Uncle Brian took the Pirate Skeleton pinata and brought it into the living room. This was a pinata which you pulled ribbons out of the bottom to make the candy fall out, not like the ones were you hit it with a stick or a bat. So Cole pulled a ribbon first, then Benjamin after trying to convince you to pull a string you did, then Julie pulled a string. This cycle went one more time before Jonathan you crawled into the room and Uncle Brian brought the pinata over to you and let you pull a ribbon. Once you pulled the ribbon all the candy started to fall out. Daddy pulled his sweater out to catch all the falling candy, but Daddy ended up dropping it to the floor. Uncle Brian sorted the candy into goody bags for you guys after it had all dropped from inside the pinata.

The three of you played together with the new Thomas train tracks and other toys Cole had received for his birthday party. Daddy wanted to get a picture of the three of you together on Cole's very special day, but no one thought it could be done. They all had good reason to believe this as well because to get three kids to take a picture all looking at the camera at the same time would be rather difficult, but Daddy had faith! We sat the three of you down on the chair first because we hoped it would keep the three of you together long enough to take a picture. Cole and Jonathan did a great job looking at the camera, but you Benjamin wanted nothing to do with it! You were squirming and trying to wiggle your way out and finally the three of you were let out of the chair. Daddy wasn't going to give up though and he sat the three of you down on the couch. After a few pictures were taken and none of them coming out good Daddy decided it'd be best to bribe you guys with the hopes of M&M's. Finally a picture was taken with the three of you looking!

Love Always,
Daddy

Football! Football!

Boys,

Today we watched as the New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens to become the AFC Champions, and secure their place at the Super Bowl! Benjamin, for the past few days Daddy has been asking you what we would be watching on Sunday and at times you'd say "Mickey!", but for the most part you would say "Football! Football!", so nice you'd say it twice! Daddy would even say "Benjamin, are you ready for some..." and you would say "Football!". Grandpa Edwin came over earlier in the day and as usual Benjamin you were so excited to see him because you knew inside one of his pockets he was holding some M&M's for you. He gave you some M&M's and stayed for a little while. Nana had to stay at home because she wasn't feeling well, and because of the snow on the ground she just wanted to stay behind today. We did call her on the telephone though and the two of you got to speak to her for a little while.

Grandpa stayed until the beginning of the game, but then he had to be on his way. The two of you watched the game with Daddy for a little while. Jonathan you wore Benjamin's old jersey and Mommy actually stopped at the store to buy you a new shirt Ben on her way home so you wouldn't be left out. We have to find you a jersey before the big game though! Grandma and Auntie Sara came over to visit for a little while too. After they left the two of you had to go down for your naps because if you didn't you would have just been completely crazy for the rest of the night. So you both took a quick nap while Daddy continued to watch the game.

When it was time to get up from your naps, Mommy's beef stew was all done and we all had some nice supper. The game was still on and it was very stressful because it was a real close game! Daddy was on the edge of his seat the entire time! We got to see Tom Brady dive over a bunch of other players to score a touchdown. He looked like a fish jumping into the water it was so silly! By the time the game was over there were a lot of close calls that almost made the Patriots lose, but due to some stroke of good luck (and the Ravens kicker missing a close field goal) they were able to win the game and will be heading to the Super Bowl to face the Giants.

When the game was over Grandpa Kevin had come over to see you boys too. We had a lot of visitors today. At the end of the game Daddy picked you up Benjamin and ran around the living room as we celebrated the big win. After Daddy put you down Benjamin you clapped your hands and ran around the living room saying "Football! Football!" once more. Football season is going to be ending soon and hopefully it will end with the Patriots being the Super Bowl Champions. Daddy was able to see them win three Super Bowl's already, but not one of them would mean more then watching them win another one with the two of you by my side!

Love Always,
Daddy

Boo Boos and First Snow Day!

Boys,

Today we had some fun in the snow! It had snowed a few days ago, but not as much as it did today. The morning started with a bit of some panic because Jonathan, you hit your head off of the box shelves that hold your toys. The sad part about it was that you slipped and hit your head when you were chasing Daddy into the kitchen. Your cut did bleed quite a bit, before settling down. Daddy took a picture of it and asked some friends on Facebook whether or not we should take you to the Hospital for stitches.

Grandma also came over to check out your cut to give her opinion about it. Across the board people said that we shouldn't take you because it wasn't that bad and that we should just tend to it on the home front. Daddy was glad that it wasn't as bad as he thought because that meant we didn't have to go out in the snow storm and take a chance driving on the roads, but if we did have to then that's what we would have done because nothing is going to stop your Mommy and Daddy from making sure you're okay. At the end of the day you're a little boy and this is what happens to little boys. Daddy is just going to have to find a better way of dealing with things, but he still remembers when your brother Benjamin hurt his eyebrow on the entertainment center and we spent the night in the ER. Not something we want to do again any time soon! Too stressful!


So, once we knew you were going to be okay we decided to get bundled up so we could venture outside and into the snow! You both got to wear your new CARS snow boots that Mommy got for you! Last year it snowed quite a bit, but Jonathan you were still too small to play and Benjamin you didn't really play outside in the snow either so today was a first for the two of you. Jonathan you didn't really know how to balance yourself in the snow, and with these new boots weighing you down you didn't have a chance to run through it all and kick your feet around. Instead you spent the majority of the time sitting down in the snow licking the snow off of your gloves.

Benjamin you slapped the snow around, kicked the snow around and even at one point took the shovel and tried to shovel some snow yourself. It was almost like the broom inside of the house when you take the broom and want to help sweep and clean, instead this wasn't dust and dirt it was nice fluffy snow! As we were playing outside the snow continued to come down and within seconds the porch was covered in a sheet of snow again. The walkway Daddy had shoveled up was covered up as well. The snow kept coming down and coming down as we continued playing.


Daddy laid down in the snow and made a snow angel! Benjamin you thought this was very funny, but when Mommy laid you down in the snow to make one of your own you quickly jumped up and didn't want anything to do with the snow angel! Mommy and Daddy wanted to get a picture of the two of you together in the snow so Daddy put you Jonathan down near the tree. We knew that you wouldn't get up not only because you couldn't, but because you were just having a blast sitting down eating snow from your gloves anyway. Benjamin, you on the other hand when Mommy sat you down you wanted to jump right up, but the problem was the snow wasn't as light in the area we placed you so instead of getting up you got stuck! You sat down and kept trying to get to your feet, but all you kept saying was "I'm stuck! I'm stuck!", we did manage to get a few photos, but one after the other the two of you took turns looking at the camera while the other looked away.


When it was time to go inside Benjamin you didn't want anything to do with this. You started to cry because you wanted to stay outside in the snow and continue playing, but we had to come in for some nice warm soup for lunch! There should be at least a few more snow days left in the year before Spring time so it wasn't that bad to come in! Daddy is sure the snow will be out there tomorrow anyway so we can always go back out and play tomorrow. We all had a very good day today playing in the snow and spending time with one another in the house. The two of you are sleeping now, Jonathan you refused to nap earlier so right now you're out like a light! Benjamin, I believe you're actually still awake talking up a storm in there. Earlier tonight you said "I Love Daddy" for the first time! Daddy is very proud of the both of you!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow,
Daddy