Seamus and finn who?

(At wedding in NJ sans kids)

More...

And Some More...

Thank you for ALL your fabulous treats - Seamus & Finn think its Christmas morning!

The Birthday Photos...

We all had a lovely day yesterday (except maybe for Finn who got shots). We had a special lunch at Snuffy's - which is Seamus's favorite place on the earth. We went to one of the St. Paul fire departments to meet real firemen and see a truck up close. Seamus thought that was so cool (although we all know that Seamus thinks police officers are much cooler...).

When we arrived home the back porch was stacked with four enormous presents - all from the Dougherty Clan. He got into uncle Tom and aunt Andie's presents while I was on the phone with Aunt Katie - it's supposed to be a beautiful day so I think we'll get a lot of use out of the pitching machine (I'll add more pictures this afternoon). After his nap, Seamus got into one of Grandma & Grandpa Dougherty's presents (I was changing Finn) so before Dad even got home he'd opened a lot of his goodies.

We celebrated last night with Cousin Eric, the Winsor's and Grandma & Grandpa Schneeman. Seamus got his chocolate cake - which was in fact all he said he wanted for his birthday. He got to have dinner with the grown-ups and sit at the head of the table. He was a little gentleman the whole night - being polite and eating all his food. Seamus & Finn both got new bikes to keep at Grandma & Grandpa's house - thank God there still here because Seamus was asking about them at 6:30 this morning. All these new treats have made for quite a nice morning - Finn is still sleeping and Seamus has been building with Bob the Builder for about an hour.


And today is music class - so Seamus's head is probably going to explose with all the good stuff!

Happy Birthday, Seamus!

It's amazing to me that three years ago today, we were in a hospital delivering Seamus into the world. I've been trying to figure out how to upload a little 4 minute clip I put together of Seamus's first 72 hours - tech support will be home around 6 to help - so check back later and hopefully we'll have it opperational.

Seamus, Seamus, Seamus (or Batman as he now likes to be called). When I have a few minutes to think about how quickly babies become toddlers and toddlers become preschoolers, I am absolutely amazed at how fast these kids develop. In three years, Seamus went from 8 pounds and no tricks to a lively boy who can get his own snacks, use the bathroom, do chores, tell me what he wants (and doesn't), what he likes (and doesn't), and how he feels about just about everything. Maybe it doesn't sound like such a miracle, but Lord, it is. Maybe it's because they're your own and you held them before they hardly were able to open their eyes, or maybe it's because some days seem like a lifetime when kids are sick or crabby, but I think mostly it's because you don't want to miss a second and you know that you don't ever get to go back and hold the newborn baby, or the one year old, or the three year old. We only have the moment we're in and it's over in a blink.



Well, Seamus (or Shea-Buddy another favorite nickname), what can I tell you about your three year old self? In the mornings, you crawl in bed with Dad and I, and sleep a little, sing alittle, and usually let us know when it's time for cereal. You are great at giving vitamins (huge hugs and kisses) that fill us up in the morning. You love going in to say good morning to Finn (some times before Mom is ready to get Finn up), but I've learned to let it go because I know that Finn loves seeing you first thing in the morning too.

You say the funniest things to us. For example when you're really having fun with something or enjoying a food a lot, you often ask if you can "save some for later". You tell dad and I all the time that "you're my best dad/mom". That always makes us feel good. Some times I hear you telling Finny stories "Once upon a time..." Another thing I love hearing, is when you tell Finn that "I so proud of you Finny" when he walks or does something new. It makes me proud of you.


You're taking a music class that you LOVE. You sing a lot - let's hope you get your musical ability more from the Dougherty's than the Schneeman's. Every time we drive by the building where your class is, you say "there's music class, I go Tuesday!"

You are very into saying prayers before meals and at bedtime, which is lovely, but true to your heritage, you are a little long winded and virtually no one gets left out (even before lunch when its just the three of us). Your new Dougherty cousin is going to be the best prayed for baby in all the world.

You're energetic, compasionate, curious (like George), sometimes you're silly, sometimes you're sad, sometimes you're mad; but all of the time, you are ours, our loving, wonderful Seamus, and we wouldn't be a family without you. Happy Birthday to our big boy, every day you remind us how blessed we are. We love you so. XOXOXO

Batman on birthday eve

Grandma's Boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA D!

Your wild little boys are thinking about you and love you so! Can't wait to give you all the birthday hugs and kisses that we're missing today!

I can't get pictures to post! Will try later today!

All our love!

the one, the only, the original Nativity County Fair

strongman competition....

the one, the only, the original Nativity County Fair

Seamus and Bode relaxin' after a busy day at the fair. Corn dog, anyone?

Finn and Pumpkin Man

You or I might find pumpkin man a tad eery. Finn and Seamus, however, love him dearly. PUMPKIN MAN!

Warm and dry - heading home

'Cationing in 'Sconsin

Seamus and James are roadtripping to cheer Charlie on at the Wisconsin Ironman this weekend. From the sounds of it, they are both having the time of their lives. When they left yesterday morning, Seamus was yelling "Go Irish" out the door. Dear Lord. I stayed in town for a friend's wedding last night and so Finn and I are also having a little quality time together.

I talked to Seamus when they got the the hotel yesterday, and he sounded like he was about 12 years old. "Going to the bar to watch football mom. I'm gonna have a burger." James said he went without a nap all day and was just an angel - watched the whole game which is a feat for an (almost) three year old. It's just amazing how fast he's growing up. James sounded very proud last night - he also said that Seamus got into bed and was asleep in about two minutes.

More Later.

Cows

Seamus' road tripping