Hi to Tommy's fans. This is his mum. I read something in a book yesterday that confimred my wariness of having this site public. I've been wanting to make it private for some time, but the site we built 3 years ago doesn't have that technology. Anyhoodles, I am going to take the site down soon and will have it invite only, so please write to me if you want to be "invited" onto the private blog.
This is the car that your little brother, Joseph, called this morning. He had taken the phone from you and then figured out 911 all by his little self. It's a good thing he wasn't screaming like he does in the background or it might have been a little more difficult to explain to the officer that it was an innocent childhood goof. Ah, Tommy, so much to be grateful for. You are in school now.
These are just a few of the many fine young Boy Scouts we met at Mt. Vernon today. They are here for the annual jamboree (100th Anniversary). These boys are from Cape Cod. The one in the middle is name Sean. He is 14 and already an Eagle Scout. The man on the left helped get Scott Brown elected. We met them in line to get into the mansion, you see. A family of 4 from Austin, TX and Auntie Angie and I were sandwiched in between two very large groups of scouts. The one in the front with sunglasses invited us to come up, but I think he thought that we were with the pretty teenager who was in the sandwich with us. See how naive you get when you're an old lady! They were really neat young men, though, and it made me hopeful of the future. I hope you'll want to be a Boy Scout one day too, my little prince, but it's OK if you dun't.
I don't have a picture of it, 'cos it would have spoilt the whole thing, but you and your Auntie Angie boogied tonight. She had the gee-tar. On your own, you picked up your tamborine and played along with her with perfect rhythm. It sounded GREAT from upstairs where Joey and I were getting ready for bed. Very cool.
Joey eatin' toes with Auntie.
Joey crackin' himself up.
Feeling the music with Auntie A.
ummmmmmmm ummmmmm good vibes.
Content with music:-)
I think that Joey's Godmother might really be his mother. Look at their eyes, Tommy! This is after Mass at the National Shrine where Auntie had never been ever.
Buds
Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Brother Joey discovered his godfathah this week. This is him looking up to him. He would scream and scream when U. Evan was, say, in the next room reading a book, eating breakfast, taking a potty break and not paying attention to him. And then he would laugh and laugh when he had his full attention. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but he was fast asleep when we dropped him off at Union Station to say bye. When he woke up, he cried a little when he realized who was gone:'-(. You were at school.
Sir Thomas, it was this very Sunday one year ago that we had to rush you to the hospital and you had to go through all that trauma. It seems like yesterday, but to look at you now, you'd never know that that'd happened to youz. Well, except when someone lies you down to take blood or clean your nose or give you medicine.
Here you are getting out on the 4th of July. Joey's still in shock, as it is quite a bit hotter outside than it was in the garage. For you, rubbing your eyes is a mere comforting mechanism.
We passed Mr. George's friends along the way. They said, "George is l-a-t-e late!" when we asked for him.
This is you, my little prince, waving at your favorite thing in the whole world--the camera. No, I know, I know, you're not waving at me--hehehe.
Did I mention that you have a certain infatuation with the camera that makes it difficult for me to take pictures of you from a good distance and also of other stimuli?
And here we have Joey flirting with the pretty lady who was first flirting with him.
Pretty cool how Joey can handle a drink that's half his size, eh! It was really hot today. The weather here has been lovely all spring and summer with few bugs and relatively low humidity. Hot indeed but your old lady's muscles feel a little better in the heat! Maybe I'll be able to be a good mommy for you if this keeps up!
This is the tiny fair in our town. People were beginning to get their blankets out for fireworks when we got there about 530. You and Joey don't much like them, so we are going to watch them from your bedroom. Last month, you guys were afraid of 'em. We'll see what happens tonight!
This is you enjoying a swing. Joey was too scared to go. But not you; you love it!
And here you are in the shade.
I never get tired of looking at you.
Your little blue-eyed brother is 19 months as of this afternoon.
Joey and Stella are good friends.
They like each other a lot!
Joey's already discerning his vocation! Stel-laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
It was three years ago today that you were born again into your Christian family, so Happy Birthday (again)! And Daddy is on vacation and you started "home school" with your teacher, Miss Neecie. You love Miss Neecie and you both did really well together!
Tommy, you saw doc for 3-yr tonight. He said you're in the 60% percentile for height and the 20% for weight (that is up 5% from your 30-month visit)! You are putting on weight--yahoooooooooo! You've had a ravenous, I mean ravenous, thirst of late so the doc also check you for diabetes and you came out healthy as a horse. We loved hearing good news, eh!
Well, child, you finally got your very own vacuum cleaner! And look at that mess you can clean up with it!
Very nice form you've got, eh!
And a close-up.
Little bro likes to clean too!
Tommy: Thank you Gramma & Grampa for sending me this super-cool birthday gift!
This is what you and your brudder look like when you're sitting nicely at your new table together. Imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw this!
You and your brother are starting to play on the same team, so to speak. You even let him sit on your lap the other day!
"Hello? This is Joe."
"Oh, hi Gramma, I have to go where it's quiet...."
"...so, how's all my cousins? How's Viv?"
"Well, you see, I don't have a car, silly gramma, I can't just go see her!"
"Pooey! Maybe you could talk to my daddy about this. I'm confuzed!"
"Daddy, it's Gramma. She wants me to fly to her house to have dinner tomorrow. You talk to her!"
Dear Tommy, I'm going to use your blog to ask you and our family and friends to pray for your little brudder's little heart. He found out at his 18-month that he has a heart murmur that needs the attention of a cardiologist. We already knew he had an "innocent" one, but this is new. Now I know why his little lips have been turning blue. The ped is also concerned about his bowed legs and will be going to Children's for that too. I keep forgetting to ask for prayers and am so tired to call. Surely he'll be just fine, but PRAY, Tommy! God always wants us to ask for His help. Even in the smallest of things. Like, "Dear God, how are you? By the way, can you help me find my other shoe?" He loves that. Keeps the relationship going, you see. Just like if you never talked to me. I've be so sad and would wonder if you liked me. Altho this is bigger than finding a shoe! Mommy
You were very excited to wear your guitar to school on your first day back since your big 0-3! You like to pluck the strings of your new shirt and are noticably disappointed when no sound results. THANK YOU, BECKY & GEORGE FOR your thoughtfulness!
Happy Birthday from Auntie Kazz & Uncle Ken! Here you are on your new hopscotch puzzle for the first time ever in your whole life. Auntie Kazz & Uncle Ken sent it after Auntie Kazz did lots of research. That's how much people love you! You love the cushie feeling on the bottom of your little feet in addition to all the obvious wonders of it.
This is one of your gifts--a triangle.
You got off the bus this afternoon sporting some pretty groovy new pants. Capris, in fact. It was a perfectly sunny day, too--no need for highwaters! I guess you got your shorts dirty so the teachers found these for you! Size 12 months! That's right; your nice little physique fits into 12 monthers! They just don't quit fit in the length! Even though you turned 36 months today, you still wear 24 months, but those are getting a little short. You can wear 2T if they have a belt thinger inside, though! And of course you're a 4 on top!
Whatchu talkin' 'bout?
You got a new table. This is where we eat dinner now. It's fun. And funny.
These pictures are from Twilight Tattoo at Ft. McNair in DC. This is where you get to hear the fife and drum corps on Wednesdays!
Waiting for your bus.
There's you getting off bus.
Bus leaving.
BroJoe asks, "More joosh please?"
Joey and Mary bein' silly.
Auntie Karen and Cousin Mary at the basilica with us.
You boys itchin' to knock over candles.
Joey and Auntie squeezin' each utter.
Tommy, your brother was so excited to try on his "Jeejush" shirt when he first laid eyes on it this morning that I thought he was going to hyperventilate. In order...
"Look at me, I'm with Jeejush!"
"I'm so happy!"
"Bless you, dear Madre."
Joyful priesthood. "I think I'm going to explode with joy!"
"Mom, could we put me in some pants that go better with my Roman collar?"
Laughing with the old ladies at coffee and donuts.
"I am a priest, aren't I?"
National Catholic Register: How Young Is Too Young To Be Thinking About Holy Orders?
Time Magazine: Are Parents Applying Too Much Holy Pressure? Part 1 of a 3-part examination inside this issue
Tommy, I think the weather's not going to cooperate, as thunderstorms are in tomorrow's forecast. If the weatherpeeps are wrong, we're going to go see your favorite band tomorrow night--The Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. If not this week, next. This will be part of your therapy and we can all go:-). Don't cross your fingers; that's superstitious, ya know.
UPDATE May 21 - Your mommy's been too sick to take you to any concerts, but we'll get there some day,kiddo.
Tommy, Joey doesn't quite get fingerpainting the way I hear you do at school. No paint on paper--just face.
In case you and Joey aren't always "Mama's Boys", I would like to take this opportunity to record that you were when you were little. Your brudder is screaming in these because I had to run downstairs to get the camera. He doesn't like his mama to leave him alone, you see. Not even for a second or two!
I read on the paint that fingerpainting is recommended for people over the age of 3. Whooooopsi!
Gramma wanted to see your new chairs but only if there were boys in 'em, so this is Joey posing in his.
And this is you posing in yours. Nice hair do. Yeah, we hadda cut your hair. We thought there was a bird nesting in it and that you might therefore be uncomfy.
Surely we'll be in trouble from some of your girlfriends, but they'll get over it, eh.
All four of us are in this photo; can you see it?
Your brother always knows where I am. This is me (trying to) sneak candids of you all! It was so humid out today, but you loved it.
Daddy loves Joey's crazy hair, but I put my foot down (and my other foot) and stood there and cut it. This is his "before" shot. Cousin Emma turned 8 earlier in the day.
You and Joe were wearing your matching outfits from Gramma V.H., so I forced you to pose this morning. These pictures indicate how well the photo shoot went--hehehe.
It's Grampa G's 36th birfday. Weird that he's younger than Daddy, eh.
I took you for a bike ride tonight and had zero issues getting your helmet on probably 'cos you saw me put mine on! Later, you didn't want to take it off, so you didn't. This is you and your tired old mom.
WAAA WAAA - Many people have told me that they don't like this picture of me because I look tired, but I'm not going to take it down, because this is what I look like these days. When you're old enough to read, I'm sure I'll look better. Gramma says she wants more pics of her baby since she misses us all. Lay off, Jack! ;-)
Dear Tom, Life is a little nuts at home these days, because we are trying to get our home-based business up and running so that we can pay for all your therapy. We love to work our buns off for you, don't worry. It's just nuts right now and I'm sorry, kiddo.
Your cousin, Emily Jo is visiting you for her Easter break. She loves you and Joey like an auntie, so we call her "Auntie Em." We wish she could have stay for the rest of our lives, as she is one fine houseguest and a huge help to you and Joe and Daddy and me! We never even have to ask her (to help); she just does. I wonder if she is a Natural Helper at high school! She ought to be.
And there you can see you're at the Capitol with her.
This side of the Capitol is now open; we'd never been able to visit until today.
This is Auntie M. takin' it easy at the Supreme Court buildin'.
I think you look like that Winnie the Pooh's pal, Christopher.
Joey likes to wear your helmet, but his little noggin is so big that it barely fits him. Do you know that this little guy knows how to blow his nose? Yes, and with a Kleenex and everything!
This is you running to your mommy. Either that, or you're running to your camera. I think it's the latter, but I'm going to pretend it's the former. Hey, nices bruises!
Brother Joey like the ca-ca-ca computer now too. He likes it so much he has to stick his tongue out when he works on it.
Daddy's big birthday! Does't he look cute! Auntie Angie is celebrating her birthday today, too! She's even OLDER than Daddy, if you can imagine!
These are some of Daddy's party-goers, like Miss Becky, Miss Denise, and Blake.
This would be the best picture Georgie got of the little fam. I think we're all at least looking at the camera.
Today, you went to a rally at the Capitol to help save our country from the government trying to gain all kinds of control over our lives.
There were a lot of people there. George Washington is crying. He would hate to see what Congress is trying to do, because this is what he fought against.
Mr. Jon Voight is speaking here.
Tommy, it's St. Joseph's Day, as you well know, since he's the patron Saint of our family 'n all. While you were at schoolo, Joey was very busy. With his girlfriend, Becky, he walked down our street, up Grace, down Vine, down Main and back to our street without huffing or puffing. Daddy and I had to go to a meeting about you, you see, so Becky played with Joey in the 70 degrees. Then I pulled Joey in the wagon up to St. Joseph's church and prayed with him. He was very good (without your being there.) I think he likes to show off to you. I thought for sure he'd fall asleep in the wagon, but nope! he was too excited. Next, we came home, and he fell into a deep sleep with little struggle. Now you should be getting off the bus...gotta go!
I took Joey to the grocery store yesterday, and some lady told me I had a "pretty little girl!" He was wearing the boyest clothes, too. I think she was a little "off" maybe.
This is a picture of you two brothers smiling at the same time in the same picture. Miraculous photography, really.
Joe Cool. I've gotta get your hairs cut but am scared, so you looks like two scruffy dudes right now.
This is what you look like after school on St. Paddy's Day 2010: just precious.
My three handsome green fellas.
I like this picture of your daddy and your little brother. Do you?
All righty then. This is what happens when it's mommy's turn to have pictures taken with her boys. Suddenly, the camera isn't so interesting.
Do you know what a 'mama's boy" is, Tommy? Well, I think you 'n Joe are two uvem!
This is what Joey and I did whilst you were in schoolo. Open gym, baby, for babies! You can go when schoolo gets out. You'll love it! I think.
This is the bus that comes to get you in the morning. I took it through the window, because if I didn't, you'd be really upset and would probably cry all the way to schoolo.
Tommy! Tommy! I got pictures of you today with hardly a struggle! Amen! Praise the Lord! And look how proud you are of your fossils. Today you turned 33 (months).
You are such a big boy goin' to schoolo 'n all!
You made this all by your self (and with Teachers L, A, and J--hehehe)
Joey thinks he's a dinosaur.
This is Joey looking for treasures.
My little sweet potatolove, Teacher Linda sent these great pics of your fingerpainting session from last week.
Oh, uh, how come you ain't comin' after their camera like ya come after mine? Just wonderin', punkin. Is it 'cos you're busy finger paintin' er somethin'?
Well, my little prince, you are in schoolo right now. It has been very very very difficult to get any new pictures of you due to your wanting to play with the camera. It's not your fault but you do have an obsessive personality. Having such an attribute can be a very good thing for whatever God wants you to ultimately do with your life, so I'm not criticizing you my any means. It just makes for extremely difficult photo sessions. When I put the camera away, you pretty much freak out and don't stop freaking out for a long time. So that I don't miss a beat of your little life, I've been sneaking videos with the ipod nano (which looks like a Skor candy bar and you don't know what a Skor bar is yet). Still, life is too crazy for me to have time to upload them on demand. Perhaps I'll get some still shots of you while you are sleeping tonight. I am writing this for you but also for your fans out there who get sad when there's no new pics of you and Brudder Joe.
Oh, while you were at schoolo today, Joe figured out how to climb the pub table. He rolls the kneeling chair to the pub chair, climbs the kneeling chair and then the pub chair and then up to the table. You never did any of this, so it's new to Daddy and me. He's very fast, and I'm a nervous wreck. Be nice to Teacher Linda if you can read this!
This is you after getting home from school. Do you want to be an investigative reporter?
Ah, there's your happy face! I saw an Olympian with a similar hat and found this one for you so that the sun won't bother your little eyes so much.
