Silent Night

We told Ryan we were setting up the tree this evening, and he couldn't stop talking about it all day long - he was so excited! He needed no explanation for the ornaments...the boxes were opened and he was on the case!

I honestly don't know where he gets this "hand in the pocket" thing...

Our little cheese...

The end of a long day - we have much to be thankful for. A wonderful 4-year old who never stops trying to help and a beautiful 3-week old...both are loved by all!

Grunwald Men

This was a cameo shot of Carter and Ryan while we were trying to take their Christmas Card photo - they still like each other!!

Ryan and Dad were playing around in the kitchen having a great time!

A sweet moment in our room - Heidi and Carter were hanging out and Ryan came out of bed and we got this breat picture!

Carter in an outfit his Uncle Bryan and Aunt Julie got him.

Ryan absolutely loves to decorate his pirate ships with his flags...all fifteen of them!!

If you look carefully, you might spot our little pirate behind his ship.

Omi and Papa Grunwald Visit

Omi and Papa showed up early Saturday morning and spent a week with us - a whole week for Ryan and Carter to wrap them around their little fingers...let's be real...it took less than 5 minutes for that to happen!!

Papa and Ryan played "hide and seek" in the closet...

Omi and Ryan played the day away in the kitchen...

Or spent time on the chair...

Being woken up by our 4-year old...

Playing "High Hoh Cherrios"

Making a young Jedi...

Or having the best seat in the house for the annual San Antonio Riverwalk Christmas Festival.

Anyway you slice it, they had a great visit!!

Those Grunwald Boys

Two brothers. Four feet. Four hands. Two hearts. All our love.

Ryan was trying to teach Carter the finer points of Diego, but his little brother wasn't terribly interested...

Ryan has been such a great big brother to Carter. We're incredibly proud of the way he's handled this change in our family. He's eager to help (he doesn't mind throwing away the occasional used diaper...for now) and the first thing he wants to do when Daddy wakes him up in the morning is go kiss Carter and Mommy good morning.

This picture is priceless!! While we were taking these pictures, Ryan started holding Carter's hand...Carter turned towards Ryan...I prayed the camera held the focus! This one is now our background on our computer. Those cute Grunwald boys!!

Bath Time!!

Well, it happened. Carter's first bath at home. Just like in the hospital, his enthusiasm for the event was south of angry and just north of absolutely ticked off. We do have to say, however, that his second bath last night went world's better...

Oh how I wish you could have heard the sounds that accompanied the picture below. Think angry. Think very, very angry.

Poor thing was now wet and cold. Tell Mom to stop taking pictures and have Dad dry me off!!

The calm after the storm (and one of the few times he'll accept a binkie...normally he wants nothing to do with them).

That cute little boy

Babies have a way of changing your lives. Gone are the days of staying up until 10:30 or 11:00 at night -- we now LOVE being asleep by 9:00! Late night feedings, multiple diaper changes, slow to update the blog...

Carter had his two-week check up today and is doing great! Our little man has put on over a pound since he was born and everything is going as we would hope. He certainly is a cutie this one!!

Oma and her Grandsons

Oma was so in love with her grandsons - she had a great time hanging out with the boys. We were grateful for the help when we had dueling doctor's appointments and being there for Ryan when we were in the hospital. We were sorry to see her go home yesterday (and she was too...she said more than once she missed having the little guy in her arm!!).

Here's Carter in his standard position for the past week - safely nestled in his Oma's arms. We had to strip Carter down for a few hours a day to get his billi count heading south (it is) and he checked out just fine during his 4-day appointment last week.

Ryan has done a fabulous job as a big brother - he always wants to help and hang out with his little brother. Here they are lying on the floor together (I thoroughly admit to somewhat staging these pictures).

The end of a good day. Well fed. Well clothed. Absolutely sacked out.

Carter's Fan Club, Inc.

As the self-appointed Managing Director for the newly founded "Carter's Fan Club", I thought I'd share some of the notes we've received surrounding Carter's birth. Not surprisingly, most of these came from Mike's friends! I deleted the names to protect the guilty...

"Looks just like me. Seriously, he looks great. Congrats."

-- Sadly, this guy is an F-16 pilot...with three beautiful girls...no way he could have produced a boy cub after sitting behind one of the world's largest microwave ovens for hours at a time --

"Congratulations to you and the family!! Truly great news! Hope you have a favorite caffeinated beverage as I suspect sleep will be a distant memory for awhile, but soooo worth it!"

-- I actually have a Diet Mt Dew IV installed and running beautifully --

"Congrats!!!!!!! I am so glad to hear everything went well, and everyone seems happy about the new member of the family. The pictures of Ryan and Carter almost made me cry....what a joy to see them act so loving toward each other. Thanks for the pictures and please continue on the updates. When Heidi is feeling up to it put her in a picture waving to me."

-- Everyone was happy but the dogs...they just got kicked (and by that I mean moved) down a notch on the totem pole --

"Congrats on the boy. My father once told me anyone can hang a faucet...real men install indoor plumbing"

-- From a friend with three girls --

"Congrats!! Hearing of a new child coming into the world to friends always picks you up a bit. We pass along our sincerest heartfelt welcome to Carter. We are just now starting to sleep though the night with our daughter at 6.5 months...hey, it goes by quick"

-- SIX MONTHS?!?! Last night was crazy enough!! --

Mommy & Carter Come Home!!

Well, after 4 long days in the hospital, Carter & Mommy were discharged and got to come home! Heidi is still having some lingering effects from the epidural, but is recovering nicely...and the drugs aren't too bad either!

But, before we left Wilford Hall, we had to get Carter all dressed up to come home. We brought a newborn outfit and it positively swallowed him up!

Then for the first time in MONTHS, I managed to get Heidi to pose for a picture. Here she is sharing a loving moment with our youngest son before we start the Great Escape.

Mike had the 'privilege' of getting Carter into his new car seat. You can tell he reacted well to it...

But, after a while he calmed down.

And was asleep by the time we put him in the van.

It was finally around 3:30 when we got home and our little angel slept for another hour...it was another day of changes in his world!

Ryan is still incredibly sweet to his baby brother. When we got home I made the comment that Carter was cold and that's why he was fussing. Ryan ran upstairs and brought down his blankets from his bed to share. Anyone who knows Ryan (and the things Ryan likes) can really appreciate what a BIG deal this really was. Ryan was kind enough to share until bedtime...then he needed them back to fall asleep. Sibling love does, in fact, have boundaries!!

Ryan is the best biggest brother ever! Carter is a lucky little guy...

Carter Meets the Family

Our little Carter turned 1 day old today. He was a little more alert - and has already learned that if you're hungry...cry. If your diaper is dirty...cry. If you're ticked off...cry. He honestly doesn't cut loose very often...but when he does...oh man, do those little lungs power that voice!

Mike got the chance to spend a quiet minute with his new son before heading out to pick up Oma, Ryan and Glynn.
This is Ryan meeting his baby brother for the first time - Oma was nice enough to give him a front row seat. Ryan exceeded our wildest expectations and was so excited to see Carter...he was super sweet and incredibly gentle. Ryan immediately wanted to hold him...and we gave him the chance.

Here they are - two brothers. It was just the sweetest moment a parent could ask for.

As if on cue, Ryan gave his new baby brother a kiss. We know they'll have differences in the future, but what a great start to their lifelong relationship!

Oma holding her new grandson for the first time. Just like when Ryan was born, she couldn't stop smiling and cooing over the lad!

Not to be outdone, Ryan came over and gave his brother a quick pep talk about life.

Glynn couldn't possibly go home without seeing Carter at least once. We can't thank him enough for his help over the past few days. With one phone call Thursday evening, he drove all the way from Houston and go to our house at around 11:15 PM...good thing too since we left the house for the hospital an hour and fifteen minutes later! Glynn is truly a great friend to drop everything to help us make this incredible experience so much easier!

Daddy and his boys. What father couldn't be more proud of two great looking man cubs?