Birthday Boy

I'm sure we'll say it every year, but we can't believe TJ is three!  It has been a true blessing to watch this little guy grow right before our eyes.  He is so full of joy, and he has filled our lives with a happiness and love that we could've never imagined! 

TJ is full of sass... he's quick-witted, smart, loving and everything else in between.  Every day, he does something that makes us look at each other and say, "Did that just happen?"

This birthday was a little different than the past two since we were celebrating it out here in California... not surrounded by the family and friends we're used to filling our home.  Instead, on the day before his birthday, TJ had a party at his school. Mommy and TJ had made Spiderman cupcakes the night before, and he had a great time with his teachers and buddies.

On his actual birthday, Mommy ended up taking TJ to the doctor because he had a nasty cold.  The doc put him on steroids since his airway was a little swollen, but he gave him the all-clear to celebrate all weekend.  The doctor did a quick 3-year checkup for him, too, and he was impressed by his vocabulary and articulation.  Dr. Berston said TJ is speaking at the level of a 5-year-old.  Of course, TJ doesn't stop talking from the time he wakes up to the time he falls asleep.  And, of course, we believe TJ is advanced, so it was nice to hear the doctor's perspective.

After the doctor's office, TJ & Mommy headed to the airport to pick up Grandma, Aunt G and... GRANDPA!  That's right, Pa made his frist trip to SF for TJ's birthday.  TJ was so excited to have them here, it was great.  He was so happy showing Pa his room, backyard, and toys.  After dropping their bags off, TJ & Mommy took everyone into the city for some sightseeing.  Pa enjoyed seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, getting a tour of Mommy's work, and then strolling through North Beach before finding a nice little Italian place to have dinner. 

By the end of the day, TJ was sleeping hard when Nana & Janet flew in Friday night.  He was excited to see them both Saturday morning as we got ready to head to his birthday party at Bubba Gump's.

Bubba's is TJ's favorite place in the city, so it was the only place to really have his party.  TJ was so happy to have Grandma, Pa, Aunt G, Nana and Janet there, but he ditched us all as soon as Gianna walked in the door!  Gianna is the youngest daughter of one of Mommy's friends at work.  She just turned five, and TJ is in love with her!  It's so funny to see him with her... and he was by her side the entire day -- through lunch, the carousel rides and sea lion watching.

TJ also felt special his best buddy Jack and his friend Payton sent him presents all the way from Colorado.  He thought that was pretty cool!

After a busy birthday party at Bubba Gump's, the families went back to the house so TJ could break in to all of his toys and we could relax.  Sunday morning, TJ took everyone to his favorite breakfast place for Mickey Mouse pancakes.  Then, it was more playtime at the house before our visitors had to go to the airport and head home.  TJ was sad to see everyone go, but we were all so glad to have so many people come and see our little man for his birthday.

Holly Jolly Christmas

December has been a very busy month full of wonderful memories.  TJ & Mommy were lucky enough to spend 9 days in Colorado before Christmas, and Daddy was able to join us for part of the trip.

It was an action-packed fun filled week.  It was so nice to spend so much quality time with Grandma & Grandpa... TJ was in heaven.  He was SO happy... even a cold couldn't bring him down.  Aunt G also spent several days with us.  And TJ & Mommy were able to spend a few days visiting friends in Denver.  Susie and Jack (TJ's best buddy) were gracious enough to let us invade their home for a few days.  It was so much fun to watch the two crazy boys play superheroes together (it definitely gave us a glimpse of what live with two boys is going to be like), and Mommy enjoyed some girltime with Susie and Baby Emily. 

We were also able to see the rest of the Parker girls and some of their kiddos at our favorite hangout Kunjani.  Then, we braved the snow to drive into downtown and have lunch with Anne before visiting folks at Mommy's old work.

After picking Daddy up from the airport, and meeting up with Aunt G, we headed back to Buena Vista & Grandpa & Grandma's house.  On the way, we stopped in Colorado Springs to meet up with Mommy's college friend who has become our family photographer.  Adriane has taken our pictures ever since we were expecting TJ, so we had to take advantage of our time in Colorado and get some quick pics for our family including maternity and TJ's 3-year-old photos (even if they were one month early).  As always, she did and amazing job.  You can check them out at www.amnphotography.com

Since Mommy had to get back to San Francisco to work on Christmas Eve, we decided to have an early Christmas at Grandma & Pa's house.  TJ was spoiled rotten by his grandparents and Aunt G.  If it weren't for the Lightning McQueen suitcase Aunt G got him, I don't think we would've been able to bring all his presents back home.  Santa even made a special, early stop in Colorado for TJ... bringing him a GIANT fire truck!  Ga & Pa also spoiled Baby Frankie, Mommy and Daddy. 

We were sad to leave Colorado, but excited to get back to San Francisco in time for Santa to come to our house.  TJ had a party at his school on Christmas Eve, and when Mommy got home from work, we made cookies for Santa and set out carrots for Rudolph and his reindeer team. 

TJ slept just fine that night, and when he woke up at 8 the next morning, I had to remind him Santa came.  He then took off running for the Christmas tree, and was thrilled Santa brought him "just what he wanted."  He was so excited to play with his RoboCar Poli Rescue Center, Mommy had to open most of his gifts for him.  And... there were a lot!  Between Nana, Bill and his friends and family... it looked like a toy store in our house! 

While it wasn't quite the Christmas we were used to spending with family, the three of us were together and TJ was the happiest little boy, so that's all that mattered.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas full of laughter and smiles!

BOY oh BOY!

That's right... we're adding another boy to the Martin family, and we think we're ready for this adventure!  TJ is very excited to have a baby brother, and we can't wait to see the boys grow up together.  They'll be the best of friends, and hopefully, Mommy will be able to keep up with all these boys in the house!

The big reveal was a family affair.  TJ & Grandma joined Mommy & Daddy for the ultrasound.  All this time, TJ had said he was getting a baby sister, but on the way to the hospital, he changed his mind and told us all, "Um... I think it's a boy."  And boy was he right!

We weren't sure how TJ would do during it, but he was awesome!  He was very excited to see the baby, and he talked excitedly about his baby brother.  He even asked Daddy if the ultrasound tech was a doctor.  Frankie told him yes, and TJ turned to her and said, "How you gonna get my baby brother out?"  TJ lasted about 20 minutes before he got bored, and he and Grandma left the room to go play.

The little guy is quite the mover, just like his older brother.  It was so fun to watch him squirm around.  He's also very healthy, and everything is growing just as it should.  For that, we are grateful.  Since TJ his named after his Grandpa, we've decided to name his baby brother after Daddy -- Robert Frank Martin, Jr.  For now, we'll call him Baby Frankie.  Although, we had to explain to TJ his name isn't Boy like he had been calling the little guy.

Grandma was able to stay with us for a few more days after the ultrasound.  Unfortunately, she was here for the five straight days of rain in the Bay Area.  We couldn't get out to do much, but that didn't matter to TJ.  He had fun staying home with Grandma, playing cars, drawing pictures, playing puzzles  and tearing the house apart!  We did manage to get out of the house to show off TJ's new gymnastics skills and have Mickey Mouse pancakes at the Blvd. Cafe.  It was a great visit, and althought TJ was sad when Grandma left, we're excited because we'll be in Colorado in just a few weeks to celebrate Christmas early.