4th of July weekend

We had such a fun and relaxing 4th of July weekend. It started off with a visit from our great Cincinnati friends Michael and Emily Munoz, who brought their two boys over to play. We had breakfast together, watched the boys play and spent time catching up with each other -- not to mention swapping parenting stories and advice!

Later in the day, we took the boys on their very first train ride on the Three Rivers Rambler. It was a quick trip around the downtown area. Noah's gotten into trains over the past year and loves to say "choo-choo" whenever he sees a train or hears one nearby. The train conductor gave Noah a pretend ticket and even punched it for him.  He also gave him some Thomas the Train stickers. He didn't let go of either the entire trip and was very well-behaved. Brenton slept the entire trip and we managed to get a family photo, too. That same day, we went to a cook-out at one of Eric's co-worker's home. We took the boys and wondered how Noah would do since it started at 7 and he's usually asleep by 8 p.m. To our surprise, he was perfectly fine and had such a great time. He even stayed awake the whole ride home (they live 30 minutes from us) and loved looking for the moon outside his car window.

On the 4th, we relaxed outside and spent some great quality time together as a family. We got Noah a slip 'n slide and grilled out. There was such a nice breeze that Brenton got to nap outside while the rest of us played in the water. This is the same onesie Noah wore on his first 4th of July. Noah's former school made the nursery kids onesies that said, "My first 4th of July." Of course it was a little baggy on B, but he looked quite cute anyway!

Noah LOVED the slip 'n slide...almost as much as Eric :) Here are some photos of our little camera ham!

A Jumpin' June

Summertime in the Haag household has truly flown by. Brenton is 7 weeks old now and Noah seems to be getting "older" by the day. We've spent lots of time outside (on the deck mainly) and being together as a family. Eric recently turned this cardboard box into a fort for Noah. He loves to take his Sesame Street "friends" into it and play, put on puppet shows or sing. Super Grover is still VERY much his go-to pal of choice though. Gigi came up from Florida to help out the first week of June and spolied us with home cooked meals, cleaning and watching the boys. Aunt Susie (ZaZa) and Uncle Steve came to vist on June 3 after a fun weekend in Pigeon Forge riding motorcycles.  

Grand Don turned 66 on June 18, so he drove up and spent some good time with the boys. Noah and I made him chocolate chip cookies. Noah loved to help by counting the cups of flour, scraping down the bowl and most importantly tasting the batter :)

Father's Day was extra special this year with the addition of our sweet new son. It was a great day spent at church, watching golf and relaxing around the house. Last week, the Chapmans came over to meet Brenton and play with Noah. They used to live across the street, but moved last summer. Noah ADORES Caroline and Coleman.

We also tested out our new double stroller. Noah loves going for walks around the neighborhood or at the mall and feels like such a big boy riding up front. Sometimes he likes to pretend he's flying.

Since Brenton's arrival, Noah has been quite motherly lately. Yesterday, he asked me for a diaper for Grover, put Grover down for a nap and carried him around in the baby carrier. Today, he borrowed Brenton's paci and blanket and put Grover in his bouncer to take a nap.

Brenton and I went to an engagement party for our friends Katie and Nathan. Eric had to work and Noah was at our house with JenMommy. She also came up to help out the last week of June. It was great having our moms come up at different times in June so that we had an extra set of hands with the boys -- something we're always thankful for. As you can see, Brenton decided to work on his tan during the party. Eric is a groomsman in the soon-to-be newlyweds' ceremony in August and we couldn't be happier for them!

Here's Brenton getting to meet Aunt Holly and Uncle Lakon. Noah had a blast with his cool older cousins Aidan and Dylan. He was a wild man, too -- either bossing them around or trying to keep up with them.

On June 27, Eric got to feed Brenton a bottle for the first time. Grandmommie Penny also helped out. Lots of family got to spend good time with the boys, too. Uncle Tim, Aunt Christine, cousin Crystal and her husband Greg, along with Aunt Amy, Uncle Guy, cousins Leah and Benjamin, Momette and cousin Karen. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends that love us and love our boys because we certainly love them!

And last, but not least, Eric and I went to one of the best birthday parties -- an 80s theme 30th birthday celebration for our friend Julie. In college, Julie, her husband Scott, Eric and I would go to 80s cover band concerts. A few years ago, Julie said she was going to have a big 80s party for her 30th. We were so glad we could go and had so much fun. The decor was perfect, but Eric's costume was my favorite part!  

Our Entertainment

Noah has really started turning into a showman, most recently putting on mini-concerts for us, singing his favorite songs and also acting out Sesame Street episodes with his many Sesame Street stuffed animals, especially Grover. He'll mimic what the characters are doing on TV and have his stuffed animals do the same. Since he's into "Super Grover" so much, almost everything in our house can be labeled as "Super ____", such as Super Soap, Super Crocs (shoes), Super Blankie, etc...Here is a brief snippet of him singing the "I Love You" song (from Barney) that I shot on my phone. We got a great 7 minutes worth of video from one of his recent concerts, and we'll try to post that one soon so that you can hear such classics as Rocky Top, Jesus Loves Me, and the Buzzing Bees song.

4 week check-up

Brenton had a great check-up today! Weight: 10 lbs. 6 oz. (62nd percentile -- up from 8 lbs. 13 oz. at 2 weeks). Length: 22 1/2 in. (79th percentile)

Happy one-month birthday to Brenton

Our little man is one month old today!

The boys

Noah had a great time with Eric while he was home for the first two week's after Brenton's birth. They got to spend lots of quality time together. Here are some photos of their trip to World's Fair Park for the Knoxville Children's Festival of Reading. Noah loved the storytellers and watching a superhero parade. He came home with a tattoo and superhero cape :)

Above is a picture of Brenton at just 12 days old. He's wearing a TN outfit for the first time, so we had to document it! He's such a good baby and is just as content as he can be, except for when he's hungry, tired or gassy :) Noah still loves to give him lots of kisses and hugs, but we constantly have to remind him to "be gentle" and "use your inside voice."

The other day, Noah napped on the couch. He rarely falls asleep on the couch and if he does, we'll pick him up and put him in his bed. This time, I decided to let him sleep on the couch. When he woke up, he had a look on his face like, "What just happened?" Noah's also into being a "helper" lately. Last weekend, he "helped" Eric with yard work and likes for us to tell him "Great job!"

I can't believe Brenton will be one month old tomorrow. It has certainly been a big adjustment having two boys, but it's the best life we could ever ask for. We still haven't posted Brenton's birth story and will do so tomorrow, along with his one month picture.

Comparison Pictures

See any resemblances? (same outfits/ages)....

Noah...

Brenton...



Noah on the way home from the hospital...


Brenton on the way home from the hospital...

Sunday Funday

With the hot weather this weekend, we brought out Noah's little pool for him to splash around in. After the pool fun, he came inside and went pee-pee in the potty for the first time ever! Party time!

Brenton has been an absolute joy so far...and has been a nearly perfect baby. He sleeps so well, rarely gets fussy, and is eating like a Haag. Noah adores him and can't stop giving him hugs and kisses.

Here are some pictures from the afternoon fun...

Happy Sunday! I'm 10 days old already

Brenton Russell Haag!

Praise God from who all blessings flow! Brenton was born on May 13th at 6:13 p.m., weighing in at 8 lbs, 4oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He and Tyra are doing great, and we are overjoyed with having a new son. He looks like Noah we think. Noah and Brenton met each other for the fitst time this morning, and Noah gave him lots of hugs, kisses, and love...along with leaving some cookie crumbs in Brenton's hair after he left.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We will post more details about the delivery and more pictures soon. Until then, here are a few...