Giant Steps

This must have been the kind of picture Coltrane was thinking about when he named that album.

From the YiaYia Archives

Just found this blast from the past. When Annabelle is a cheerleader at UGA we will all look back and say "We knew this would happen."

Adventures in Babysitting

Annabelle really wants to help with Jay. Jay is not sure he needs this kind of help.

The Middle Kid

Annabelle has been, shall we say, "challenging" as of late. However, given a little direction, her energy that would otherwise be focused on disaster, destruction and attempted fratricide (of both the big and little brother variety) seems to have produced some impressive results.

Quatro de Mayo

Jay, upon finding out he gets to drink margaritas (filtered through Mom of course) tomorrow.

Jay - Week 3

Jay is not an Oompa Loompa; we are currently trying to calibrate our monitor at home so that our edited pictures don't come out so orange on other folks' computers. Nonetheless, folks are crying out to see his constantly changing mug, so here are some current shots of the lil' Jay O Lantern.

Day 9 for Jay - Year 5 for B

Our pictures don’t represent the biggest event of the weekend – B turned 5 on Friday. But he had already had a party a few weeks before the arrival of Jay, and another at school on Thursday, so Friday was low key. There are a few good pics on YiaYia’s camera, but we did not download any before she headed back to Roanoke this afternoon for a well-deserved sleep.

Kind of a lame shot of Jay, but there are so few so far with his eyes open. But there is a nice (though dark) shot of A, playing the new game she made up: Blanketscotch.

Day 6

Jay has received countless (because Jay can't count to 3) requests for pictures of his ever-changing face. However, photography is low on the priority list for caretakers who actually have to go through such self-reflection as "Do I have time to go to the bathroom right now, or should I attend to the almost 5 year old who somehow just cut his lip with Legos, or the 3 year old who has a penchant for poking Jay in his posterior fontanelle?"

Trust us on this, Jay is cuter than he was yesterday or the day before. But here is a picture from Day 1, just because.

New for Spring: Joseph Patrick Chambers

Named after a man from Arimathea, and a man currently between leases in Manhattan and Delray Beach, we call him Jay for short. Mom and Jay are fine. B and A are jacked up, as Barritt now officially qualifies as a mob boss and Annabelle is officially a big sister. The triumvirate is now complete, and the co-emperors are officially concerned about balance of power issues.

Some pics below. Bear in mind, newborns are only cute to parents and close relatives, and even then, not all the time. So we'll keep it brief for now, until he comes into full blossom of cuteness.

Back by Popular Demand

In anticipation of the new addition, the kids have really been ramping up their performances.

Pizza night

 

Breakfast of Champions

 

Lately B has been excited to fix his own snacks or even bring us breakfast in bed, like he did this morning. He fixed three plates just like this, making sure Annabelle's was on her favorite pink plate, somehow balanced them in his arms and brought them all upstairs for us to enjoy. I usually prefer a healthier breakfast, but who could refuse oreos, frosted shredded wheat and fruit snacks once in a while?

Breakfast Club

A little something for all you lovers out there - Happy Valentines Day!

 

 

 

 

Annabelle: The Big Bed Tapes REVISED

OK - movie issue has been fixed:

Birthday Shenanigans

As many of you know, A turned 3 yesterday. As you also know, with 3 year old presents also come 3 year old responsibilities. For example, A is now responsible for putting out fires and sleeping in a non-cage bed.

New Pics

It has been a busy month preparing for and purveying Christmas to a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Here are some belated pictures (more to come once we get home).

Leafpeeper

Annabelle, getting the most out of the Barnhardt's oak tree on an unseasonably warm November Saturday. There were leaves in her hair, pockets, shoes and the turtle part of her turtleneck. Fortunately for her she insists on wearing two pairs of underpants these days, and the leaves were only able to permeate the first layer.

Barritt's New Best Friend

is, naturally, Caramel Corn.

Late Harvest

After a long night...

...this little vampire just wants to take off her lipstick and get to bed.