The End of 2010

This us your status update drawing 2010 closed. You are such a sweet boy, you love to laugh and playband to check out everything around you. When people see you their typical comments are, "his eyes eyes are so blue ... And those eyelashes!" or "he is so attentive!" or "what a beautiful baby" or "what a happy boy". You make Mama and Daddy feel so proud.

On Wednesday, December 29th (Mam and Daddy's 9th anniversary) you sat up on your own while laying on your back on the changing table! You were trying to grab my necklace so you could put it in your mouth! We haven't seen you do it while playing yet though.

You tried Cream of Wheat for the first time today. You were unsure of the texture the first few bites, but ate a whole serving! You have tried most veggies now, you love sweet corn that we froze over summer(we do too!) and sweet potatoes. You not too keen on peas or green beans. You are eating 3 meals a day now plus nursing.

Last night was the first time you threw up solid food. The flew has been nasty this year, everyone has gotten in the family now. You had your flu booster shot though so maybe that had something to do with it. ( you didn't cry at all for your shot! What a big boy!)

Your hair is starting to get longer now, especially on the top- back of your head. There is even a spot where a piece hangs over your ear and we have to tuck it behind!

You still want to be cuddled at night so we are up several times a night with you. We are working on it!

We are looking forward to the new year as a family. There are so many things to look forward to! We love very much little man!

Your First Christmas

You turned 7 months old on Christmas Day, you are getting so big! You were able to sit up and help open your gifts. You love paper (you will play with a Post-It note for 10 minutes!), so the wrapping was a big hit! We had to watch that you didn't eat the paper, but you snuck some in your mouth and gagged a couple of times on it!

We had our Christmas celebration and cookie day at Great Grandma Phyllis' house early this year because she went to Florida. There was so much to look at and so many people to see! You got a savings bond and a Lenox first Christmas gingerbread boy ornament from Grandma Phyllis. Aunt Vonnie got you a shape sorting bucket, vibrating strawberry teether, board books, baby toiletries. Aunt (cousin) Melissa got you a toy that you pound with a hammer and an outfit. Aunt Lisa got you a Mountaineers t-shirt and a toy. The labels are blurring in Mama's head so I know I forgot some things, but you had a very nice Christmas. Grammie brought a book about cookie baking, a Rudolph book, a little wreath with a gingerbread boy and a tiny Christmas tree for you.

We went to mass on Christmas Eve with Daddy's family (and your uncle-to-be Pat! He proposed to Aunt Lauren in November) and Grammie at the Mercyhurst Chapel, where Mama and Daddy got married. Next year maybe you can go to the alter when the priest calls for the children to come forward. After mass we visited baby Jesus in the Nativity. After mass, we made dinner at our house and opened gifts with the Eighmys and Skyped with Uncle Patrick, Aunt Pamela, Charlie and Sebi. We sang a few songs together and the boys opened their gifts from us so we could watch. Everyone was so generous! You got Mega Blocks, outfits, and a taggie blanket and book from Grandma, some spending cash from Grandpa. Aunt Lauren and Uncle Pat added to your gift (Gap sweater romper that we had your Christmas picture taken in and sweater outfit with a corduroy cap) and got you an argyle vest and driving cap with ear flaps like Daddy's!

On Christmas Day we opened presents at home as a family! We always start with stockings in the living room and then have breakfast. Santa stuffed your stocking with finger puppets, Mother Goose board books and FAO Swartz ornaments. You and Mama made white chocolate, macadamia nut scones. Then we opened presents under the big American tree in the back room. Santa brought you a big radio flyer wagon with a sun canopy, Daddy can't wait to take you to the zoo and pull you around in the wagon! Mama and Daddy got you a baby toboggan, little people school bus, books, a Christmas glow worm and some teething toys. You napped while we got ready to head to Grammie and Grandpa's house.

On our way to Corry, we stopped at the Donoghues to see Auntie Nellie and Sidney! They finally made it home from England. You and Sidney checked each other out and we gave Sid part of his gift. It was so nice to snuggle with Auntie Nellie!

Uncle Ryan and Kristy were already there with Riley and Zeva when we arrived! Grammie and Grandpa got almost 90 inches of snow this winter! Grandpa is looking forward to building you guys a giant snow slide when you get bigger! Mama and Uncle Ryan had a blast doing that together when we were little! There were so many presents under the Christmas tree that Riley was climbing over top of them. Soon you will be crawling everywhere too! Uncle Ryan and Kristy got you a little ride on car and a talking kitchen! Grammie and Grandpa bought you a first Christmas ornament, lots of books (Mama Llama Holiday Drama, Owl moon and the entire bag of Mama's Golden books with a buyer's guide and the ValueTales collection of stories)a toy remote control and a buffalo plaid outfit(now you can be just like Grandpa!), a Semester at Sea onesie and a toy TV with Paula Dean's picture on it (you LOVE to watch FoodNetwork!) and so much more that the Pilot was FULL of stuff! We created hand prints in clay and added pennies to Great, Great Grandma Lewis' pickle jar. You and Riley had such a blast wading through the wrapping paper, watching the festivities and playing together that you passed out cold and cuddled with Grammie.

Mama and Daddy have begun a new tradition reading the story The Spirit of Christmas by Naney Tillman to you. "Remember, this all began with a child. Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it. ...And so then, my darling, wherever you roam, may you always be safe... may you always come home. For as long as the world still spins and still hums, wherever you are, and no matter what comes, the best part of Christmas will always be... you beneath [our] Christmas tree."

You are our greatest gift, we love you baby Eoin!

Five Months

You turned 5 months old this October! You have started to do so many new things!

You are able to sit up on your own, but you still tip over and backward unless there is something interesting right in front of you. When you sit in your Boppy, you tend to lean forward so much that you end up on your belly! You have only rolled over once but you did it! You were playing on the floor in your playgym while Mama and Daddy ate dinner and you reached over to grab the arm and whap, over you went!

You are much more giggly now. You think Daddy is really funny. You laugh when he says "stinky feet," gives you raspberries on your bellies, points his finger at you and says, "What are you doing?". We never really know what you think will be funny!

Your teeth have been bothering you more, some days are worse than others. You have teething rings and OraJel but you would rather knaw on a knuckle or your fingers.

Your first Halloween was a nice day! We went to church with Grammie and then had lunch at her house. Uncle Ryan, Aunt Kristy and Riley were there and you boys played and changed into your Bills outfits (even though they lost their 7th game this season in overtime). We got you dressed for some costume pictures. You were a dinosaur because you sometime roar at us so we will take you seriously (we think!) We drove up to Aunt Lauren's and Uncle PAt's for dinner and handing out candy with Grandma and Grandpa Eighmy. Grandma Phyllis joined us as well.You were one tired dinosaur that night!

Mama went back to work on Oct 4 (we were in Harrisburg that week) and you and Daddy have been spending the day together. You often go on walks for some fresh air and to relax. Often Grandma comes up after work to give Daddy a break. Mama misses you very much while I'm gone, but it is so good to see you, especially when you smile at me! It was so hard to go, but I wasn't "leaving you."

First time flyer

You went on your first airplane ride this week. We went to Kansas to see Uncle Pat, Aunt Pamela, Charlie and Sebi. You did wonderfully! All the ladies oggled over your outfit, your blue eyes and long eyelashes. Daddy worked with Uncle Pat learningto drill balls. You and I walked around target and went to the book store. We had cousin pictures taken at JCPenneys- we got one of all of you at least. That night we went to dinner at a 50s diner. We have been living in a hotel for the past two weeks so we are ready to get home.

Three months

You have changed so much over the last few weeks!
Your tummy seems to have settled down. What a relief for all of us!
You have developed an internal alarm, somehow you know exactly when it is seven o'clock - it really is amazing. We were in target the other night and you were fast asleep in your seat riding in the cart and suddenly you just chirpped and fell back asleep! Daddy and I laugh right out loud,
You are reaching for things now, we have to watch our plates and sharp objects. When you get ahold of something it goes right into your mouth! And boy, you have some strong jaws! After gnawing on our knuckles they are red.
You are drooling more, but it goes in spurts.
The best change is that you will smile all day now, not just in the morning.
You have also started to object when getting dressed, especially getting your arms into an outfit.
You traveled with us to Harrisburg for a week while mama went to LETRS training. The first day, becUse daddy was tired from driving you did not want to sleep! The rest of the time you were a very good boy! The ladies at breakfast fussed all over you! They would have taken you home if we would have let them
You love to play with Ollie the octopus when you are in the car.

Crunch Time

You have just started to crunch your tummy muscles to try to sit up. When you are holding our hands you can almost pull yourself up to a sitting position! When you are laying on your changing table you pull your legs up to your belly and have snagged your toes a couple of times with your little hands. Your trunk and your legs are so strong you will be sitting up sooner than you know it!

Monitor

Mama and Daddy finally got a monitor so we are able to let you nap in your swing in the AC and watch you and hear you when you wake up. We have been able to get a bit more done while you nap without worrying about waking you up.

12 weeks

You are now 12 weeks old! We can't believe you are almost three months old! You are now smiling throughout the day and striking up conversations with us. You are cooing and on the verge of giggling and laughing, but not quite. You love to suck and chew on your hands, making a slobbery mess!

You love to be outside! When you are fussy and we take you outside you look around and settle right down.

You have been in our pool several times! It seems a little chilly to us, but if we ease you in, you love to glide through the water and will stay in for quite a while. As the water gets up to your chin, you kick your legs.

You are still having explosions, but now are sneaking in more silent poos! Everyone who spends time with you comments are your ability to fill your diaper!

You love to push with your legs, when you are nursing it is a bit of a challenge to keep you still. But, when you are being held, you love to "stand up." You will even stand up when I am getting you dressed to help Mama get your outfit on! Everyone is impressed by how strong you are! You hold your head up so well that Daddy even put you into the Jumperoo that we put together for Sidney when he was here. You did great, not one flop over! We need to get you a Bumbo to practice sitting in. Oh, such a big boy already!

You are starting to outgrow your small Gdiapers and most 0-3 month clothes. Mama had to pack up all the newborn and start adding 0-3 clothes to the bin. :( That was tough! You are finishing up your size 1 diapers and we need to move you into size 2s. You have to be almost 15 pounds by now but we don't go back to the doctor for another month.

Your eyes are still a deep navy blue and we hope that you keep them because you are gorgeous. We still look at you are in awe that you are our son. We love you so much and you are our joy!

Summer 2010

You have had a busy summer! So many firsts I don't know where to start!

You were baptised on August 1, 2010. Uncle Pat and your cousin Sebastian flew in so that Uncle Pat could stand up to be your godfather. Auntie Nellie is your godmother and she was home as well. You wore your great, great, great grandfather McCarthy's (Leo) gorgeous baptismal gown. It is over 200 years old! You slept all through mass and then were a complete angel during the ceremony, AND the gown remained unsoiled! After the baptism we all celebrated at Ruby Tuesdays with brunch. Grammie fed you a bottle for the first time! You got so many lovely gifts and we had a lovely time.

On August 3rd we set out for the Outer Banks to stay with the Wade family, your first road trip! You did so well in the truck! When you got hungry, we stopped at a rest area where we all stretched (and most times changed your outfit!) and then we were back on the road and you were napping. We stayed in Frederick for the night. You weren't too keen on dinner at the Macaroni Grill so Daddy and I ate in shifts. We found some good deals at Gymboree and then took Starbucks back to the room. Your belly was hurting and you were really upset for about an hour but, fell asleep and did well sleeping in the pack and play for the first time. In the morning Mama gave you a bath in the sink because you christened yourself - that was tough! The second day we hit a lot of heavy traffic but you were so good! Once we arrived, we got settled and then went for dinner. You were a little out of sorts but finally fell asleep during dinner (probably because it was SO hot and sticky!). The next day we relaxed at the house and went to the pool, your first time. You did well with the water up to your belly but then got splashed and you had had enough. Daddy took you out and held you on the chaise and you fell asleep - cutie! Daddy and Mama went to the Harris Teeter for groceries for a salad and salsa verde enchiladas. On Friday the girls and kids went shopping at the little shops in Duck. You rode in your stroller without your car seat for the first time. You loved looking around and kicking your legs! Daddy got things prepared for our dinner and then we went back in the pool. While we were waiting for dinner time, we drove to the 4x4 beach access road. Daddy was nervous about getting stuck but he and the Ridgeline did fine! Your first trip to the ocean! We put your feet in the wet sand but the water was too cold to dip you in. You liked the breeze on your face and it was very peaceful as the sun was getting low. Everyone raved about Daddy's dinner and we packed up for the next morning's early departure. Saturday we stayed at the George Washington hotel in VA. We walked around an outdoor mall, mostly restaurants, and saw a crooked house. We ate a little brewhouse while Mama and Daddy took turns rocking you. We tried to go to the pool, but it was too cold! We all watched Pretty Woman on TV until you fell asleep. We met Aunt Lauren, Uncle Pat, Grandma and Grandpa Eighmy at the Grove City outlets and then had dinner at the Springfield Grille in Mercer. We were all glad to be home Sunday night.

Check it out!

You are so alert now! You love to look around, especially at lights and at faces. You will even follow our faces as we move. You have started to wake up happier, smiling at us during your morning diaper changes. We have gotten out your toys because you are interested in looking at the colors and listening to the different sounds. Your favorite perch is on a shoulder so you can hold your head up and look around.

The heat seems to bother you a bit (as it does Mama!), you rest much better in the air conditioning. The weather has been very hot and humid, in the high 80s and 90s-whew! We have spent a lot of time in the bedroom with the AC cranked.

You have officially grown out of ALL the newborn clothes and even some of the 0-3 months outfits! You are getting so long!

7 weeks

You have been a lot of fun this week. You started to smile at us, especially in the mornings. We love seeing your all gums smile! Daddy bounces you on his lap and you look out the bedroom window at the sunlight coming through the window. You have very strong legs and like to "stand up." You have begun to sleep longer stretches through the night, last night you slept for 4 and a half hours- wow! You also have shown more interest in your toys and the toys dangling from the activity gym and the bouncy seat.

We can't believe that you have been here for almost two months, it seems like you have always been here. We love you, our sweet, sweet baby!

Claytopia (7 photos), by erin eighmy

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Big Blue

Daddy sometimes calls you "Big Blue" because your eyes are a deep rich blue. You are spending more and more time awake taking in everything around you. You love to watch the fan spin around and track the light. When we are changing you, you love to look out the window and listen to the birds. You also can find our faces and stare at us. Soon, you will be smiling all the time! We love you!

Smile!

Momma's claiming the first smile! I was talking to you while you were sitting in your Boppy waiting for Momma and Daddy to get ready for church and there it was-a big ear to ear while awake. Yay! We can"t wait for more...

One Month Checkup

Your one month doctor appt was today. We were anxious to see how much you had grown since your one week appt. You weighed in at 10 lbs, 11 oz - Wow! You gained 2 pounds, 2 ounces and grew 2 inches! 2-2-2! Maybe that is your lucky number? You are in the 83%tile for weight, 75%tile for height and 54% for head circumference. Big boy! Everything looked good. The red marks on the back of your neck are "stork bites" and you have a little dermatitis but nothing major.

Jill Donoghue watched you this morning (your first babysitter other than grandmas) while momma was at her hair appointment. Then after your dr. appt we took Jill to a late lunch at O'Charley's. You slept through the whole meal and for almost an hour after we got home!

You are dozing again now as we wait for daddy to get home from the driving range. It was a beautiful sunny day. We love you!

What We've Learned about you so far.

• When you are hungry, you are inconsolable and don't want to wait! As Auntie Nellie says, "0-60" in one second flat!


• When you yawn, a wail is right behind it


• You sleep with your mouth open most of the time.


• You smile in your sleep after you've just eaten
• Your hungry cry is rhythmic grunting
• When you don't want your NUK you make a sour face and sometimes gag!
• You love to be cuddled
• You like to be in the bath now that you can sit in the water
• You love it when daddy swings you in the carseat (future roller coaster rider?)
• You sneeze in the sunlight just like Momma, Uncle Ryan and Grandpa Boutwell
• You shake your leg when you yawn, just like Daddy

So much more to learn about you, we can't wait!

First Day of Summer

We met Daddy for lunch today at Panera and made a trip to Babies R Us. While Momma was changing you today, I thought you were going to smile at me. I think that it will be soon now!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day daddy! Today we went to mass at Blessed Sacrament and then to brunch at Bob Evans Grandma and Grandpa Eighmy. You wore your polo short romper and daddy wore his Polo shirt. You both looked dashing! You were awake through the meal and daddy held you as you looked around.

Eoin's first days

So much has happened in the first days of Eoin's life!


May 25th, 6:37pm -


Welcome to the world Eoin Patrick! 8 lbs, 8 oz; 20 in. The doctors were worried that you were too big and suggested that we might have to investigate inducement and/or C-section but, you decided that you were going to come on your own the night before Momma's 40 week doctor appointment! We did it, you came with no complications. We are so blessed!


*Your first bath





May 26th


We spent the day at St. Vincent's getting to know you and introducing you to your first visitors. Grammie (Michele), Grandma and Grandpa Eighmy, aunt Kristy, uncle Ryan and Riley, aunt Lauren and uncle Pat, Melissa, aunt Vonnie, Great-Grandma Phyllis, aunt Lisa, the Moffett family and the Carucci family all came to welcome you!





May 27th


You had a tough day at the hospital, hearing retest, circumcision, and hospital pictures! We were able to leave the hospital after we passed the carseat check. It was a very warm day, in the upper 80s. We brought you home in Daddy's Honda Ridgeline and you slept all the way home. Aunt Lauren and Uncle Pat helped us unload all of our stuff and bring it in the house. You were so tired you slept most of the day!





May 28th

May 29th

The Wade family came to visit today and brought dinner for us. Addy had a good time snuggling you and Lincoln thought you were so cute! They loved your little fingers and toes. Thank you for our cute outfits!

May 30th

Today was your due date but you've already been in this world for 5 days!

Introducing our baby boy!

Here in this blog we will create a record of the first years of Eoin's life, from his major milestones to his tiny little quirks. We have been captivated by our precious little boy, always discovering something new. We would like to share these moments with all of you because you are an important part of his life.
Eoin, you are so loved!