Little Boy, BIG Bed!

Mommies always get a kick out of how small us babies look on their big bed, so they just had to capture a couple of shots of me sprawled out on their bed.  As soon as Mommy looked at the picture, she remembered they had done the exact same thing with my sister Maggie, so she had to go back and find that picture for comparison! 

Can you find me?

This was a picture Mommies took of Maggie back in January of 2010 on their bed!  Looks pretty similar!  :)



Tommy Time!

Hi!  This is Tommy again!  I thought you might interested in an update from me to hear what I've been up to!  So, where to begin?  Well, I've been sleeping a lot.  And I eat a lot.  And sometimes I poop.  :)  THE END

Just kidding!  I do much more than that!  Mommies are just amazed each day by how sweet and cuddly I am.  For the most part, I'm a really content little guy, other than the occasionally fussiness that Mommies are pretty sure is due to gas 99% of the time.  They haven't weighed me in a while, but based on how heavy I feel when they hold me, they're pretty sure I'm growing like a week.  And my cheeks are definitely filling out too!  At about 5 weeks I graduated out of newborn clothes and into my 0-3 clothes, and I'm just finishing off my newborn diapers, so I should be out of those soon too.  Mommies thought time went fast when Maggie was a baby, but they feel like it's going even faster with me!!  As a result, they're trying to make sure they enjoy every second of this cuddly baby phase before I become a squirmy bigger baby and eventually a wild toddler/little kid like my sister!  :)

Taking a snooze on Mommy Susie.  I always sleep with my mouth open!  :)

This is my "fat and happy" smile that I usually let out right after I eat as I'm falling back asleep.

Stretching out!!

Such a sweet Little Brother!  (PS - this was my first time ever wearing pants - Mommies always put me in one piecers!  Mommy thought it made me look so old!)

More snoozing.  Check out those cheeks!

I'm starting to do really well on my tummy time mat, and as long as I've been freshly burped, I can  hang out there for a pretty long time!

Mommy Tina and I have been going out for a run almost every single day.  Here I am in my carseat inside of the stroller.  Bundled up for the cold!

Here's a shot of me in the carseat before a jog.

Mommies just love my sweet little face!  They think I'm looking like Mommy Tina more and more every day!



So Much Kindness and Generosity!

Mommies have been blown away by all of the kindness and generosity we've experienced since Tommy was born.  We have been so blessed by having so many friends and family who want to come meet him, and they've been incredibly generous with gifts for not only Tommy, but also for me!  (this is Maggie writing this one, in case you couldn't tell!)  :)  Many work friends and other friends that mommies have had for a long time have made a point to come see us and meet the newest member of our family!  Here are some pictures of a few of our visitors and some of the kind gifts they've given to me and my brother!

Mommy Tina's friend Jason from work meeting Tommy for the first time.



I was at school when Mommy met Jason, but he sent her home with some amazing big sister gifts for me!  This is a picture of me opening some Hello Kitty stickers!

Checking out my new Dora microphone from Jason.

Later that week, Mommies' friend Kim came over to visit and she brought me some special princess gifts!

It's hard to tell in the picture, but this container had all of the different Disney princesses in it.

The princesses wouldn't be complete without a mode of transportation, so she brought me a carriage that turns into a pumpkin!

I spent the rest of the night and the next morning toting the carriage and princesses all over the house!  :)

Lance's mom Jeannie made bibs for me when I was younger, and now she's made some adorable ones for Tommy!  She also got him the cutest monkey outfit!  We can't wait to try out the bibs!  (Mommies both LOVE the John Deere one ... so cute!) 



Fun With the Nelsons

We've been lucky enough to get together with the Nelsons several times over the past few weeks to hang out and for me (Maggie) to play with Aftin and Bailee.  We always have such a fun time together!  A few weeks ago we went to their house to hang out and eat dinner, and Mommies are pretty sure they only saw me once or twice the whole time we were there because the three of us girls were off playing the whole time!  (which left lots of cuddle time for Lance and Melissa to spend with Tommy)  Mommy and Melissa also took us girls to the Giggle Factory in Hudson one cold Saturday morning so we could play and burn off some of our 2 1/2 year old energy.  (and it worked - I was ready to pass out by 11AM!)  We also made a trip to the pool in New Richmond to test out the new turtle slide and go down the big slide.  (which we did MANY times)  Unfortunately, Mommies didn't get any pictures of us swimming because you're not allowed to bring cameras to the pool.  You'll have to take my word for it - it was F-U-N fun!  Can't wait for more fun times with Team McNelson!

Tommy, Lance and 3 Princesses!

Taking a break to read a book about princesses in my princess dress.  (yes, I'm going through a major princess phase right now!)

Being silly at the Giggle Factory.

Goofing around with Aftin!



Fall Program at Trinity

On October 13th (Mommy Susie's b-day), my school was having their annual fall craft fair, and this year, they added performances by each class to jazz it up a little!  (Mommy's convinced it was just a tricky way to lure more people to the fair ... and it worked!)  My class sang the Acorn Song, and Mommies were impressed by how well I did!  The only thing that's NOT impressive is the video Mommy Susie captured of it.  She didn't have the best view.  You can still see pretty well though!  This performance got Mommies really excited for the holiday program that's happening in December.  I was really into that already last year, so Mommies can only imagine how excited I'll be this year! 

I loved being up  on the stage!  (or "cage" as I kept calling it)

Stopping to pose with the scarecrow!

The performance!  Most of my classmates weren't there since it was on a Saturday, but a few made it!

My First Bath!

Hi! This is Tommy.  Mommy Susie taught me a new word today - it's called "hiatus" as in "we took an extremely long hiatus from blogging!"  But we're back now with lots and lots of updates.  One thing Mommy knows for sure is that she's never going to give anyone a hard time about not keeping their blog up to date ever again!!!

So, several weeks ago, Mommies gave me my first bath.  They were curious to see (or better yet "hear") how this bath would go because my sister Maggie was quite vocal when she had her first bath, and I did not disappoint.  I made all kinds of noises.  Mommies weren't sure if I was screaming because I didn't like the water or if I was screaming because they were making me bathe in a pink tub.  Either way, I was mad, so it was a quick bath, then they wrapped me up to calm me down.  (but before they were able to get me out, I did manage to pee on them ... you're welcome)  Much like my sister, Mommies are hoping I'll learn to love the tubby, but it seems like that won't be happening for a long time!

Washing my hair.  I realize I look calm in this one, but Mommy must have just captured a quick shot between screams.

I quieted down pretty quickly once they wrapped me up in a warm towel.  At least Mommies were kind enough to get me my own blue towels.



Maggie's Special Day At MOA

On Tuesday mommies picked me up from school and surprised me with a special trip to Mall of America to go on rides. It was such a treat!! Mommies got me a day pass and basically let me go on as many rides as I wanted. My favorite was by far the Wonder Pets ride. Mommies lost count, but they're thinking I probably went on it about 15 times. I loved my special day and I really love when I can get one on one time with mommies!!

Going on the Wonder Pets ride ... again.  :)

 

Popcorn break!

Taking the carousel for a spin.

This video cracks Mommy up.  After my first time on the Wonder Pets ride, I decided I didn't need to wait for the ride operator to pick me up and put me on the ride - I just grabbed a step stool and took care of it myself.  Such a go-getter!  :)

Trip to Glenwood Orchard

Now that Mommies are back home and fall is in full swing, we decided to head out to Glenwood Orchard and give Mommy Tina a little break at home.  (by the way, this is Maggie again ... it's my turn to write!)  I've been asking Mommy for a pumpkin for a couple of weeks, so today was a perfect day for me to get my pumpkin fix and for Mommy to get her apple fix.  We also decided to make an apple pie, so we picked up some extra apples for that.  (and for the record, it was DELICIOUS!!)  First we went in to pick out our apples, then we headed outside to get four pumpkins to represent our new family of four.  After all of that, we decided to walk around and explore the rest of the orchard.  We went through the corn maize, pet a donkey, and even played on a little train.  The orchard is still relatively new, but it's growing and they have some pretty cool stuff!  Mommy couldn't help but remember the last time we were there.  I was about 10 months old and was terrified of the pumpkins.  I would scream every time mommies tried to get me near one.  My how times have changed.  :)  It was an unusually nice, warm day out, and I'm so glad I got to spend it with Mommy, Grandma, Papa and Tommy.  Oh, and the pumpkins look great on our front porch.  Can't wait for Mommy to carve them!!

I was so excited to be there I was literally jumping up and down when I got out of the car!

Walking through the corn maize with Grandma and Papa.

Having fun with the cut-out boards at the orchard.

Driving the school bus.

Tommy came too!  He slept through most of it.  :)

Climbing up the mountain of hay.

Crawling through the train.

 Being silly.

Driving the train.

Sitting on the train with Grandma, Papa and Tommy.



Mama I'm Comin' Home!

After two days and two nights in a tiny hospital room, Mommies were thrilled when we were given the "ok" to go home on Saturday at around noon.  Luckily, Grandma and Grandpa Morawitz agreed to stay an extra day, so when we got home, mommies handed me off to Grandma so they could take a much needed nap before Maggie got up from her nap.  As soon as they got up, Maggie was so happy we were home!  (I think she missed us!)  Mommy Susie headed outside with Maggie while Mommy Tina and I hung out inside and got to know each other.  (i.e. practiced nursing ...  I'm getting REALLY good at it!!)  Saturday night Grandma and Papa picked up Papa Murphy's and we all just got to relax and hang out.  As far as sleep is concerned, I did pretty well my first night at home.  Like most babies, I definitely sleep more during the day than at night, but I did give mommies a really good streak from 3:00-7:00.  Doesn't sound like much, but compared to what they were expecting, they felt like a million bucks!  I think we were all happy to be home and to have more space.  And Mommy Susie asked that I mention how happy they were to have their bed back.  Sleeping in uncomfortable beds for 2 nights in a row makes you appreciate what you have.  :)

Mommy took this picture of me right before we left the hospital.



All loaded up and ready to go home.

When mommies woke up from their naps, this is where they found me, on my sister's lap!

Maggie had a few surprises waiting for her when we got home.  Several of our visitors had brought gifts to her too.  This is a picture of her opening a gift from Aftin & Bailee!

Leyton and Cal bought her a Daisy Duck toy last week when they went to Disney World. She's on a huge Disney kick right now, so she was pumped!!  (you just can't tell by her face because she refused to let mommies put her hair up)

Maggie's such a good big sister.  Here she is reading to me a book about what big sisters can do that little brothers can't do.

Here I am hanging out with Papa watching football.



I Am One Lucky Boy!

Hi!  This is Tommy again!  Maggie and I discussed it, and we've decided we're just going to tag team the blog depending on which one of us has something to say.  Right now, I've had a crazy couple of days, so I'm full of things to write about!  The first topic - all of these great people in my life!  I am one lucky little boy to have so many people who love me and who wanted to come see me at the hospital!  Thursday night ended up being a long one, so all of the visitors held off until Friday.  I had lots of visitors on Friday (including meeting my sister Maggie for the first time!), and I also had several on Saturday before we headed home.

Aunt Kelly stopped by on Friday morning on her way to work to say hello.

My big sister Maggie visited on Friday morning too.  She immediately bounced into the room (she has a lot of energy!) and wanted to hold me and kiss me right away.  She's so sweet!  I hope I always feel that way about her.  ;)

So happy!

Grandma Morawitz looks very proud to be holding her 3rd grandbaby.

So glad Grandma and Papa Morawitz could come see me.  (and mommies were thrilled to have the extra help with Maggie and the home cooked meals once we went home!)

I bought Maggie a doctor's costume as her "big sister" gift.  I think she liked it.  :)

Hanging out with Grandma.

After Grandma & Papa and Maggie left, Grandma McNamara came to visit.  She looks pretty happy to see me.  :)

Grandma and Ella.

The Weimert family came with Grandma McNamara.  Here I am with my cousins Ella and Lauren.  Mommies are certain Aunt Jessie held me, but they didn't get a picture.  I know she was there though ...  Uncle Dan and Luca came too!

On Friday night, our friends Lance and Melissa came to visit.  I'm not sure what "camping" is, but mommies said we go a lot, and the Nelson family are their favorite camping buddies.  Lance and Melissa even brought me my own "Team McNelson" onesie.  :)

Cuddling with Melissa.

On Saturday morning, Aunt Kelly came back with my cousins Grace and Lucy.  Here I am with Grace and Aunt Kelly.

Posing with Aunt Kelly, Grace & Lucy.

Me and Lucy.  (and Aunt Kelly!)

Aunt Becky also came to visit on Saturday morning!