The Yeagers Get Married!

And it's about damn time!

Finally, Sherry & Jeff went the distance. We think they were technically Common Law already, but now they get the tax benefits. They got married in San Ramon on a Sunday in June. It was a beautiful day and Sherry was a beautiful Bride. Jeff looked ok. Taryn says he looked less pasty than I did, and I told her that's 'cause they're Common Law! Give me another 8 years and I'll be comfortable too!

Eli got to meet all the OT Girls for the 1st time. Here's Heather gettin herself some Lil' Man. Her & Matt are next. Then Matt'll have to pass on his brewery to me. He won't have the time. And since I'm already such an experienced Father, I figure I can take over Brew Master duties.

Poor Dan had to stay home in Texas (which is bad enough, right?) while Sarah had scalloped potatoes and beer and cheese and whatnot. Sorry we missed you Buddy. But Eli loved his Autnie Sarah. He even pooped on her lap! Sure sign of comfort.

Eli really took to Julie. He just couldn't take his eyes off of her.


Here's Biddles & Dad. He had him in his fancy clothes, courtesy of Cookie & Zane. We had to squeeze him in, because at 16 lbs. 8 oz. if we gave it another 2 days, he'd have never worn it.

Even Cathy made it to the party. She's a Harry Potter freak, but hasn't yet stopped by to challenge us at Harry Potter Scene It. She's Scared. See you at the amusement park, 2012.

The lucky Lil' Man got to dance with his Momma for the 1st time. They rocked out to "Baby Got Back" and "Don't Stop Believin." Classic.

Of course Auntie Sarah had to get her some ...

Only 2 months old and already pullin in the girls ...

Eli's 1st Roll

We had been putting Eli on his tummy for Tummy Time since the day we brought him home (not quite literally - I'm a Bacon, we exaggerate). But it wasn't until his Aunt Niser & Uncle Supersonic Jaybird bragged about Lil' James rolling over that we figured we needed to take the pillow out from underneath him to allow him a chance to do his thing. So we ditched the pillow, and he rolled right away. We were happy - Eli was confused.

Workin' Hard for the Money

Had to put this up. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Shots: Take 1

Poor Biddles had to go in for his first round of immunizations. They gave him three separate shots in his legs, and one in his mouth! Holy Hole in a Doughnut! I was stuck at work and couldn't go, but I heard he took it like a Man.

Super Biddles!

It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's Super Biddles! Watch as he defies gravity on his Tummy Time Contraption of Mystery! Swoon as he wins the hearts of millions with his SuperStare!

Memorial Day '09

For Memorial Day this year we did a BBQ at the Bacon's. My parent's house, not ours. Just clearing that up. There was an Open Door policy in effect, and we were able to see a few friends that we hadn't seen in quite some time. Nikhil came up from L.A., the Copes (Cookie and Zane) were in from Utah, and Niser and Jay took a long weekend and flew out from Mississippi. There was a lot of good food, and we even hit up the Ice Cream truck. And Taryn had her first rum & coke in almost a year. Fun times.

Here's Nikhil diggin on the Lil Man.

(If you can't read it, Eli's onesie says "Lock up Your Daughters" ... awesome)

Here's Cookie and Zane. It's their turn next.

And of course there has to be Nonni time. She was very excited to have a chance to feed and burp the Biddles. And we were just as excited to pass that off. I think this is when Taryn scored that rum & coke ... Or maybe when we scored the ice cream ...

And you can't have Nonni time without Grambot time.

We're an equal opportunity association.

Auntie Niser had asked me to bring my guitar down for the BBQ so that I could play for Baby James. I had been telling her that Eli really enjoyed the music, with it either helping put him to sleep, or getting great smiles and wiggles out of him. So I learned a Pearl Jam song for the occassion (that should tell you how much I love my sister right there) and went to town. James was sitting in his Grandpa's lap, and was doing everything he could to turn his head and get a look at where the music was coming from. I think he really liked it. Next time we'll get his Mommy to sing for him.

Here's the proof of the enjoyment ...

About halfway through the day, Supersonic James was over all the shennanigans. The poor Lil Man was still on Mississippi time and adjusting. Here he is with a classic Stink Face, really giving it to his Momma.

And Eli of course took everything in stride. There were definitely A LOT of cameras, and neither of the Boys were too sure about them. We tried not using the flashes, but I don't think they cared.

Here's a great shot of James and his Daddy.

James loves his Daddy ... But he's not too sure about everything else.

Eli's pretty comfortable with everything else, but isn't too sure about his Supersonic Uncle Jay ...

Jean was able to make it out too. It's great to see her, and I know she had a good time. And Eli loved her. She has a very soothing voice. It must be that sexy southern accent.

And here we have Jamie. He had just graduated that weekend with an M.A. in Philosophy, and is headed to New York to take up a teaching post and work towards his Doctorate. He was really excited about meeting the Boys, but very nervous about holding them. I guess he practiced with his Mom the night before by holding Piggy (his once obese cat. *Side note, we think Piggy is the Biggest Loser - burn that fat, cat!)

Spitty Biddles

Couldn't help myself ... Taryn and I were up in the loft looking at properties on the computer, and she had just finished feeding the Biddles. After getting a few good burps out of him, we turned our attention back to the house search. But before we knew it, he was wigglin and kickin. I grabbed the camera, because I'm a Dad now, and that's what they pay me for. And oh joy am I ever glad that I did. Here's why. Couldn't help myself ...

Lunch with Kaylee

Eli has not met many babies around his age. So it is a special treat to see him interact with a new friend. My childhood friend Lisa and her daughter Kaylee were in town to visit family and we had the chance to meet up for lunch with them and Auntie Amy. Eli was very curious about Kaylee (they are less than a month apart). Can't blame him she is such a little cutie!

Finally, we got a picture of Eli with his Auntie Amy!

Snoring Bittles

The last time that Eli was passed out, I thought it was so funny to hear him snoring, that I couldn't help myself, I had to grab the video camera. His snoring is so dainty, it's hilarious.

After this video was taken, we learned that Eli was pretty congested and had to make multiple pediatrician visits, and use saline breathing treatments to help clear him up. If at all possible, never, EVER, allow your infant to get an Xray. The contraption is like a medieval torture device. Really. Poor Ittle Bittles. But the video is still funny ... You have to turn your volume way up to hear his snores ...

Hello Cousin James!

The Lindsays made their way west for Memorial Weekend, and brought their Lil' Man along for the ride to meet his Momma's side of the family for the first time (besides his Grambot & Grandpa, who had gone to see his birth). We never see enough of these two, and miss them more than we can say, so it's really something special to have them here.

Not to mention the "Uniting of the Cousins."

Eli was very excited about meeting his cousin James (or so we like to think - it's not like he can argue the point). It was crazy to see how similar they were in size. Even though they're separated by 3 weeks, they're almost the same weight. Although, for all of the talk about how similar they are (they both weighed 8 lbs exactly at birth, they both measured 20+ inches, they both came 5 days early, they both have HUGE cheekies) it was pretty clear after getting them together how different they are too. Although, both babies look just like their Daddies - lucky little boogers.

For Taryn and I it was a really great experience to get to meet our Nephew for the 1st time. With all of the craziness that comes with being a new parent, it was nice to be able to take a step back and appreciate being an Aunt and an Uncle. James Henry Lindsay IV is so freakin' awesome! He's got one of the best smiles I have ever seen on anyone, one that lights up his whole face and shines in his eyes. He's supersonic, just like his Daddy, and babbles like no other. The gibberish is hilarious - I can't wait till he really starts talking. His cry face is fun, and we love how he scrunches it up when he gets started with the fussin'.

We're really lucky to have such a cute, cool Nephew. And even luckier to have such a great Aunt and Uncle for our Ittle Bittle. Here's a great shot of the two boys with Denise and Jay.

I had been bragging for a while about how incredible Eli's eye contact is. But when his Auntie Niser sat down with him for the 1st time and got to see it close up, she started crying. Yeah, Eli is that adorable! He loves his Auntie Niser and stared at her so hard she made a solemn oath on the spot never to ever challenge the boy to a staring contest as long as they both shall live. Way to knock out the competition early, Eli.

Alright, the following are some great shots of the 2 boys getting wiggly with it ...

I love how much fun they have with their wiggles ...

So, Eli and James' Grambot decided that it would be nice to see the 2 boys in matching outfits. Because it was their first time together, we agreed to let this slide, but a warning to Grambot: "this isn't the Patty Duke Show." Here they are together on James' changing mat (gross) wiggling around in perfect asymmetry.

Here's a perfect example of James' fantastic smile.

Money Shot, James!

This face will get you anything you want with both your Grandmas.

We think Eli got a little over-excited in this one ... pushing his cousin out of the spot light ...

And here is the proud Grambot (the 6 million peso woman! We have the technology to rebuild her!) with both of her adorable boys. Just a little happy, no?
She had to call for help within seconds of getting this picture because both boys have gotten so big.

Momma's Day

Momma's Day came out of nowhere this year. We had so much going on with Eli, getting approved for buying our 1st home, work and so on, that we hadn't given a second thought to holidays, or anything else for that matter. So when Momma's Day hit, Taryn was so focused on our Mom's that she completely forgot that she was a Mom too! It was Taryn's 1st Momma's Day!

I came home from work that Friday and brought Taryn some flowers (tulips), from both Eli and me. I cooked dinner and we had a nice evening at home enjoying each other's company - especially the Bittle's.

Cathy had a bbq at her house that Sunday, so we spent the day in Stockton celebrating with 4 generations of beautiful women. The food was great, the weather was beautiful, and Lil' Man got to rock out in just his diaper for the majority of the day.

Here are some great shots of him rolling around on the floor of his Nonni's house, staring at everybody and being entertained by her ceiling fan.

He's really great at tracking people's voices. Here he is looking for his Daddy ...

He's real close to having a full-on smile. He's had a lot of really good ones, we're just waiting for him to get comfortable enough with them to smile in response to sounds and motions on a regular basis. But his face is working hard, so any day now. We've got to get him to beat his cousin James, who has the biggest smile East of the Mississippi. And yes Jay, EVERYTHING is a competition.

Very alert and aware. Staring his Momma straight in the face.

Here's a great shot of him completely enthralled with his Nonni's ceiling fan. It's the way the light and shadows move with the turning of the blades ... or he's just weird ...

It was a long hard day of being held, being fed, and rolling around on the floor. Here's the tired Bittles getting ready to pass out on his Daddy's chest.

He was tuckered out all the way home. Here's a shot of him in his pjs getting ready to bed down for the night. I always wonder what it is he's thinking about. Just look into these eyes and tell me you aren't in love ...

Yes.

You love me.

I own you now ...

Sleepy Face Bittles

Eli's such a great sleeper that I had to post some pictures of him in action. He loves to have his arms above his head in a full-on lounger pose. But we also often see him curled up and hugging himself. Here he is tucked into our sleep number bed (which he absolutely loves. This kid can already identify the difference in matress quality and makes his preferences clear). Taryn's number is 45, mine is 30. Eli's number is 60.

Doesn't he just look too comfy?!

And then he wakes up! But being as blessed as we are he stays quiet, just very alert and curious. This is a fun shot because Taryn says you can really see how similar he and I look. What I notice are his cowlicks. We have the same two: one in back like Alfalfa, and one in front on the right. The front cowlick is very prominent in this shot. Poor guy. They're hereditary, sorry! At least I didn't fool you into thinking that they were your own doing - like my Dad did! ... grandpa buttface ...

See?
Very curious.
And when you tell him what you're doing, or show him what you're up too, it surprises the heck out of him.
So easily amused ...

Eli's 1st Real Bath

Better Late than never! These pics were taken well over a month ago (Eli turns 8 weeks/2 months tomorrow). These are from his first real bath. I say "real" bath because the other pics we posted were from his first sponge bath. This time he was in his wash basin and fully immersed in the water for the 1st time ever. He wasn't too sure at first what to make of the experience, but since this first time, he's come to really love his baths. He's recently started to kick his legs to make splashes in the water. And last time he surprised himself by tooting and making bubbles. His reaction was priceless.

Here's a shot of him experiencing his 1st full dip.

You can see by his reaction here that he was a bit wary, and a bit overwhelmed.

Eli has such incredible eye contact. He kept staring at us wondering why we would put him through such an ordeal. It was heartbreaking, but also very amusing.

He really didn't enjoy being taken out of the warm water just to freeze his little tookus off in the cold air. Luckily we splurged on a very warm, very comfy towel. And when I say we splurged, I mean Taryn splurged. And when I say Taryn splurged, I mean that she just went shopping.

When all was said and done, he was pretty satisfied, as were we, since he smelled so much better, like a botanical garden in diapers.