Christmas Morning

Declan is into anything super hero and he has been asking for the "bad guy Joker" for weeks so he was beyond excited to open it up Christmas morning.
Thank you Mom and Dad for hosting Christmas this year and for sticking around to be with us.

Steve thought he was just getting clothes for Christmas so he was shocked when he opened this gift up.

Declan's 1st shave with his Spider man shaving kit.

A Declan Christmas

This year it was just my parents, Steve and I, and the kids. So, Christmas was all about Declan this year. We missed all the cousins and family but hope that next year it will be a Washington Christmas and we will all be back together.

Lochlan Smile

I got a Flip for Christmas from the parents. Thanks Mom and Dad. Here is my first video post...

Claire and Phil

Steve and I love Modern Family, especially Claire and Phil because their relationship is a lot like Steve and I. Enjoy this family Christmas clip.

A Goodale Christmas Tree

Here is our tree. The picture doesn't do it justice. It seems that everyday there are new ornaments being added. Check out Declan's contributions to the tree (I guess it is better that he is adding as opposed to taking ornaments off)...

Declan Has Joined Local Law Enforcement

So, we have been letting Declan open up a few presents early for good behavior. Look what he received from my work. He actually took his nap inside of it.

My Boys

Here is a few pics of my boys just relaxing...
I love that Lochlan is smiling now. I will try to post a big grin soon.

Merry Christmas from the D-man

Declan received a suit from Grandma Hutchman in the mail and the first thing he wanted to do was try it on and pose for pics (what a good son). Later that afternoon he scrubbed the whole outfit except for the tie which he clipped to, you guessed it, his batman outfit.

Bath Time

Here are some super cute pics of Lochlan taking a bath. He loves the bath and even gets excited with anticipation of getting in but he hates to get out.

Does he look like Steve or what....?

Bro Time

Declan is always wanting to hold his brother. This time when he held Lochlan all he could say is, "brother is so heavy". Lochlan is packing on the pounds and we are more than happy about it because when Declan was a baby we were always worrying about his weight because he spit up everything he ate.

This is Declan's Favorite Pirate Song...

Declan the Big Bro

So, Lochlan was crying because I was busy putting away dinner and he wanted to be held and not left in his bouncy seat. I turned to put something in the fridge and he suddenly stopped. I turned around to find Declan showing Lochlan different toys and singing and dancing for him. I raced to get my camera to snap this magic moment (you know the one when you are bursting with pride that this is your child). Declan has been doing really well with Lochlan he is a little needy with me (which is expected) but all in all he is an amazing big bro.

Look at his pudgy cheeks...

Halloween

Declan trick-or-treating with his neighborhood pals...

Oh, and with his girlfriend Mia as well...

Lochlan and I made a cameo appearance. It is the first time anyone in the neighborhood had seen him...

I wonder what Lochlan was thinking about all the costumes (he actually never took his eyes off me it was adorable).

Halloween Comes Early

We let Declan pick out his costume this year and to our surprise he went straight for the spider-man. He got to wear his costume today because all the kids dressed up for his art class. In the picture below he is webbing Steve as he tries to take a picture.

Of course I had to add a pic of our newest addition...

Big Brother Moments

So, it has been all about Declan for the last three years and Steve and I were curious how he would react to handling having to share the spotlight. Below are some moments we have experienced with Declan so far. As you will see we are blown away by how he is handling things and attaching to Lochlan.

1. Lochlan was crying because he was having trouble eating and was all worked up. Declan came in touched Lochlan's head and said,"it's okay Lochlan, it'll be okay". Lochlan stopped crying and we praised Declan for being such a good helper and he said touching his heart, "My hearts so big, my heart got bigger"

2. Lochlan is just staring at Declan and Steve and I said, "look your brother is watching you". Declan got close to Lochlan and said, "Ahh, I love Lochlan".

3. On several occasions (a couple after he was supposed to already be in bed) Declan has come running in when Lochlan is crying to check on him and find out what happened. It blows us away because he is genuinely concerned and wants to help if he can. He will ask Lochlan whats wrong and then pet or kiss his head or just talk to him calmly telling him it will be okay.

4. In the above pictures we let Declan (with support) hold Lochlan for the first time. You can tell how proud he was. After holding Lochlan Steve and I said, "wow, you held your brother". Declan responded by striking a muscle man pose and stating,"I am so strong I can hold my brother. He is little but I am strong"

Lochlan Comes Home

We brought Lochlan home on Friday. He is such a good baby...

My boys...

Big Brother Day A.K.A. Lochlan is Born

Lochlan Elijah Goodale was Born 10/14/2009 at 8:05am, 19 inches and 7 pounds 4 ounces. My c-section went better than any of us had hoped; so thank you for all your prayers. My doctor said that I am lucky that Lochlan was breech and that we did not try for a normal birth because my uterus was thinned out so much that I would have hemorrhaged during the delivery. So, again thank you God for unanswered prayers!

Lochlan has so much hair and he looks like a little mini Steve...

Declan meets Lochlan for the first time in the Post-Op room...

Paka brought Declan to the hospital and then that night they had a slumber party and Paka's house. We tried to make Lochlan's birth special for Declan, calling it Big Brother Day. He got lots of gifts from Paka, Grandma and Lochlan...