new kid no more

My sister-in-law gave birth to her second child a week ago.

A boy.

On one hand, this new addition thrills me to no end because Malcolm will have a little "partner in crime" for the rest of his life. He will have someone to hang out with during family functions and vacations ... Someone with whom to make memories ... And tell secrets ... And play games ... And have sleepovers. Ultimately, when they are big enough, he will have an instant friend, one that (unlike a sibling) won't have to compete for parental attention.

On the other hand, seeing this new baby makes me equal parts sad and nostalgic.

For one thing, just look at how gigantic my baby currently is!


At only a week old, the new guy is obviously a tiny, little peanut ... Yet he is already bigger than Malcolm was at this exact same moment a year and a half ago (in fact, he's got him beat by a full pound and a couple of inches!).

Was Malcolm ever really that small?!

It's hard to remember ... And now he seems like a full-fledged giant by comparison.

As if that biological clock wasn't ticking loud enough already ...

spring fever

The singular day of gorgeous weather at the end of last week did not go unappreciated in our household.

Instead of moping around the house (as is usually the case), Malcolm and I spent a good hour or so exploring the backyard.

Onesie (short-sleeved!): Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
Hooded sweat shirt: Circo (gift)
Fleece pants: Baby Gap (gift)
Socks: Circo (gift)
Shoes: Stride Rite (thrifted for $3.00)

There's nothing quite like a warm, spring day to boost your mood!

mr. technology

And we keep telling ourselves that he is absolutely NOT going to have a cell phone ...

baby's first crush

This is the face of a boy in love:


Those big, sparkling eyes.

That dopey grin.

(His father used to look at me like that!)

And here is the object of his affection:


Her name is Candice Night.

She is part of the "Renaissance Rock" band Blackmore's Night.

My husband put in a DVD of their concert months ago (more to amuse himself during an evening alone with the boy), and Malcolm just took to it ... He loves "dancing" to the music, clapping his hands with the beat, and, of course, gazing at the loveliness that is the lead singer.


I'm in trouble when he becomes a hormonally-charged teenager!

blooming recklessly

Someone had a little extra spring in his step on Sunday, even though he "lost" an hour of sleep the previous night ...

He was rolling around the floor like a dog (something he's never done before).


He was struggling to escape the Tickle Monster (AKA Dad).


He was running from the one end of the house to the other (with Spot in tow).

Polo shirt: Old Navy ($1.95)
Onesie: Old Navy ($1.50)
Pants: Faded Glory (thrifted for $1.50)
Socks: Circo (gift)
Shoes: Stride Rite (thrifted for $2.50)

That is, until the time shift (and all that activity?) suddenly hit him like a ton of bricks and he settled in to read a good book ...

Before taking a two hour nap.

(If only I could be so lucky!)