2nd Birthday BBQ

Today (a mere 3 weeks late) we had friends over for a birthday BBQ for Benjamin. He was mostly willing to share his toys, and the party was a blast for kids of all ages (including Grandpa Freeto!)...that is, until Benjamin put out his birthday candle with his finger instead of blowing it out. Oops! Super-Mom I am not, though after 15 minutes of distraction and hugs from Daddy, he recovered like a champ. And, maybe he learned a lesson about fire in the process?! He really liked the CARS-themed cake though, and is still coming off the sugar high...hopefully it will end soon.

Cake!!

Emily really enjoyed the party!! (she slept here most of the time, when not being passed around for baby squeezing time!)

Very slow motion response of Mommy to the 2 year old putting out the 2 candle with his finger (note the look of horror on my face!)

Follow-up to the fire feeling experience and "scary fire" accompanied by the birthday song


Hand in the water, "blowing" out the candles (the ones not put out with Ben's hand)

Mostly recovered at this point - Daddy's juice on the front of my shirt and all...cool hat, huh!? (aka the Drunken Cowboy)

Emily - 1 month old

Emily is now one month old. She has proven to be a mellow, "go with the flow" kid of girl (which is good being the little sister of Benjammin!) and gets more beautiful and cheeky every day (though she is still pretty little! We spend a lot of time eating, changing diapers, and hanging out at home or in the car. She is looking forward to being able to keep up with the "white tornado" as her brother has been dubbed by his grandmother) once she has grown a bit.

At her last check-up, she checked in at 7 pounds, 5 ounces (that at 3.3 weeks of age - not too shabby!) Her sleeping is getting a little more sporadic overnight (unfortunately for Mommy), but she is a napper (Perry genes for sure!!)

Is this cute or what!?

Hanging (literally) with my handsome daddy!

This swaddle blanket is no match for me!!

It is tough being 1 month old!

Benjamin is 2!

Benjamin turned 2 on August 26th. We celebrated with family in town (even Uncle Mike and Auntie Jill were here!) and are planning a little BBQ with Ben's friends later in September (once Mommy can get it together to throw a party...)

He had a great time - is fast on his way to becoming a major league baseball sensation or a PGA professional...we will see. He now has backpacks for school or travel, and is such a big boy. I feel like if I blink long enough, it will all pass me by...can't believe it has been 2 years already!

A very happy birthday boy with an amazing smile!

Mostly-naked line dancing!

Already proficient with the iPad (probably even better than Grandpa Ben...)

pening presents in Cars wrapping paper - his new favorite movie (and toy cars too!)


He really really loves pineapple upside-down cake! (Amazingly, not much of a frosting guy...more Freeto/non-Perry genes, I guess!)


Here are a few of Benjamin's "Greatest Hits" with his new T-ball set

At home

Emily and Benjamin are having a good time getting to know one another. Benjamin loves to get close to "see Emily" and has only 2 or 3 times tried to "touch Emily's eyes". He is concerned and empathetic when she cries, and he tries to make her laugh (a little early still) when she is chilling. He has some patented "show-off" moves, and can be quite proud of himself, saying "silly Emily" and "silly Benjamin" and laughing hysterically.

We have enjoyed a mild summer in Napa, and are gearing up for some heat in the next few weeks. Benjamin is starting school (a toddler program, "pre" preschool) at the end of August, 2 days a week. He is repeating absolutely everything, so here's hoping some of the more choice words don't make an appearance at school!!

Some shots from around the house the last couple of weeks.



First ride in the "Swing of Neglect"


Ben revisiting the bassinet from the stroller (he is a little bigger than the last time he was in it!!)
Snuggled up in the Moses basket for a catnap
Vibrating away in la-la land
Mostly ambivalent still

Showing off for Emily (this is "open" which often ends in a near split)

Pensive baby girl

Emily's first bath

Now Ben likes to "see Emily"

Super girlie tutu from a photo shoot with a local photographer

Emily Katherine Freeto

Our big news of the summer arrived on Monday, August 2nd. Emily Katherine was born at 7:39AM and weighed in at 6 pounds, 6.5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Her arrival was relatively uneventful, and once we got home, her addition to the family seemed perfectly natural. Big Brother Benjamin is continuing to adjust to having a sibling, giving lots of smiles and a few kisses here and there.

Warming up with Mommy and a cute little hat from the hospital


There she is!


Ben isn't so sure about this...


Snuggled up on my blanket from Grandma Perry


Heading home from the hospital

She has been a good little eater and sleeper, and we are all hoping that lasts for a while. She is mellow enough to put up with all the chaos at home (thus far) and has managed to remain so despite lots of screaming and tantrums around her.