Jules' and Her "GG's"

While back east, Jules got the chance to meet her great-grandparents (Lauren's maternal grandparents) or "GG's" as we called them. GG Sid and GG Flo were over the moon and Jules was the belle of the ball with all of the residents in the GG's housing. Many tears were shed, but all in joy as 4 generations got the chance to meet and enjoy each other's company.


4 generations- Jules with GG Sid, GG Flo, mom and grandma


4 generations of Brock women


Jules giving GG Sid a kiss (with mom's help)


GG Flo getting some solid Jules "cute time"


GG Sid and Jules hanging together

Shuffle Off To Buffalo

Everyone has returned safe and sound from a visit back east to see Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa David in Buffalo. There were parties, and family gatherings galore as Jules got introduced to the Brock and Katz side of her lineage! Here are some great photos of her first visit to Buffalo...

Three generation of Brock women!


Grandpa takes his turn trying to soothe.


There are better lights and colors in Buffalo.


Mother and daughter gussied up for a big party


Sweet sweet baby

The First Mother's Day

While it may be a holiday created by Hallmark to sell more cards, there is still something rather special about the first Mother's Day (or Father's Day, I hope). I got such a kick out of actually buying mother's day cards for Lauren (one from me and one from the little angle...who surprisingly had some profound words for her mother). The day was nice a mellow, as to expected since there isn't much craziness that we could get in to with the little one. But mom was able to enjoy a wonderful brunch at her favorite spot (free endorsement for Canoli Cafe, maybe we should get them to sponsor the blog), and Jules slept right through lunch, and later in the day the family took a quite time walk to the local park and enjoyed the setting sun.



Actually content in the car seat during the walk, go figure!

While we are never sure what each day will bring, yesterday was one of those that I will treasure for quite some time. Despite the difficulties of life with a new born, I couldn't help but smile (and maybe well up a tear or two- shocking I know) all day as I got to watch Lauren and Julia together...and to realize that I am now really a parent and really a husband. While I was always sure somewhere in the back of my head that I wanted a family, I never really knew what that meant until now. Mother's day, and father's day, is different when you are the kid. You know that you have to thank your parents for what they've done for you, but like some much of becoming a parent, it isn't until you are on the other side of the coin that you truly understand the meaning and importance of celebrating your family. I like to think that as we spend more time as parents, we may also become more understanding children to our parents. There are very few, if any, moments of pure joy like the ones spent with my wife and daughter. I count myself among the lucky ones in this world to have my family, and so while it may have been a cheesy holiday created to make money, for me it was another chance to celebrate the good life.


My ladies, the loves of my life.


I mean really, c'mon does it get any better than this...

Vaccination Time

Well, little Jules has hit the 2 month mark, and all we can think is, holy crap we haven't killed her yet! Ok that's not all we're thinking because the two month mark also means the start of Jules' vaccinations which meant last Monday was filled with good times for all. As you can see, Jules was as nervous as her mom before we started the whole thing...

Nervous anticipation on Jules' face, or as we like to call, the "what the hell are you two doing to me now!" face

...but we can report that all in all she did well. There was some loud crying after the initial needle pricks, but after some good old fashion TLC from mom (and a bit of nursing) Jules settled down and basically slept the day and night away. Plus she got those really cute band-aids, although we are in agreement that our little girl really isn't the Barbie or Care Bear band-aid type. Maybe next time we'll ask for the the wahine surfer girl or Led Zepplin band-aids.


Jules' is NOT a Barbie girl, living in a Barbie world.


The little angle sleeping it off on mom, the human pillow.

I think in the end we were a bit more traumatized that she was, as she seems none the worse for them. Regardless of your opinion on vacinations, you never like seeing your little one in tears, no matter what the reason is. It is really incredible the depth to which we as parents internalize our childrens' pain. And now we understand why parents are so reticent sometimes to let their kids run free. Although I guess in the end that is the real trick to parenting, understanding the balance between protecting your child and letting them explore and be themselves. Sadly we found out she might be suffering a bit from thrush so there is a lovely oral medication that we have to subject her to every day, which she loves to spit back up. Jules does an amazing recreation of the vomit scene from the Exorcist, although thankfully hers is white and not pea green! So, one round of scary needles down, many to go. The next hurdle will be the grand voyage back east to see the great-grand parents. Yet again, something tells us we're more nervous about this than her...ahhhh the joys of parenthood!