Cowlicks and Firecrackers!

Happy Birthday, America! Win, Grandma, and Martin show off their coordinating patrioticy.

Since Win's arrival, Martin has continued to go to see Ms. Gina and the rest of his friends at Tree Tops a couple days a week. On Fridays in the summer they have Splash Day, which involves bathing suits, popsicles, sprinklers, and fun in the sun. Martin seems to like it (especially the popsicles!), so we've made sure to bring him on Fridays. He's there now and Win is sleeping off a particularly uncomfortable trip to the pediatrician for his two week check up, so I have some peace and quiet to write.

Two weeks old on the 4th of July. Doesn't he look HUGE?

First things first - Win is growing well and eating heartily. Today at his checkup he weighed a mighty 8 lbs 6 oz, which meant he crushed his birth weight by two weeks, which is a big deal. This puts him in the 50th percentile for weight, which is just fine with me. He's also grown a 1/2 inch since he was born, and this puts him at the 75th percentile. In keeping with both the Roach and D'Andrea genes, his noggin circumference is also good enough to get him into the 75th percentile. Which brings me to my next point...

This is a category 5 hair challenge.

...Cowlicks! At last count, we had identified 5 different cowlicks on his head, including not one, but TWO full swirls on the top of his head. His scalp and hair look like a radar image of the Atlantic Ocean with 5 hurricanes and tropical storms spinning out of control at once. More likely than not, these cowlicks are going to cause us grief for the rest of his life, or at least until he loses his hair like his dear old Dad. Where Martin has his blond shaggy surfer dude locks, Win is probably bound for crew cuts for a few years. I'm just thankful he's not a girl because the thought of battling these cowlicks with long hair sounds frightening.

Trying to burn off some energy on a rainy 4th of July.

Martin, meanwhile, has earned a new nickname, The Firecracker. Just when I thought his energy level had topped off, he dug down deep and found a new zenith of toddler energy. Believe me when I say he goes to 11. I am thinking of contacting my congressman to suggest tapping into the vast wealth of toddler energy reserves to fuel our country's growing thirst for power. There is no way cow farts or fuel from corn could compete with what Martin's throwing at us these days. The Firecracker now rises early at 6:15 and wants to go outside RIGHT NOW! I am endlessly thankful to Grandma and Grandpa for getting up with The Firecracker every day and managing his might for another hour or two while I feed Win one last time and get myself ready to go. The Firecracker runs, jumps, plays, naps hard for two hours, runs some more, sings, plays, jumps, and then sleeps for 11 hours. We are all completely amazed by his energy. He's such a merry little boy and keeps us entertained and abiding by the rules. He puts on his bossy pants each morning and keeps us all in line like a little lifeguard enforcing all the rules of the house. It's pretty entertaining, although I do have to reign him and his demandopants in from time to time.

It's harvest time! Daddy's been growing a lovely garden and Martin gets to try the very first crop. What a delicious matato!

Grandpa and Win catch up on some sleep after try to keep up with Martin all morning.

Through it all, Martin has really fallen in love with his little brother. He loves to hug him and cuddle him, and shares his toys and treats with Win. He's very proud of the little guy, and was so excited to show him off to his friends at Tree Tops this morning when I dropped him off. It's totally adorable, and such a relief.

I've rambled long enough for today. Enjoy the pictures and check back soon for more!

My ever-growing pile of laundry took on a whole new meaning one day.

It's Pippy Longstocking!

Win, wide awake. Later, everyone!