Have you seen my son?

Missing: 3.5 year old boy, approx 38" tall, 32#. great smile and laugh. Last seen approximately 2 months ago. In his place a boy who whines, cries and does everything opposite his parents ask was left. If you have seen the real Anderson - please return ASAP. Mom and dad miss him.

4 months!

I feel like a broken record -but it is insane how fast the second time around goes.  Waverly is 4 months old today! 11/13 Update:

Waverly continues to grow at a snails pace. Like brother, like sister. At 4 months she is a whopping 11lbs 14oz (8 percentile) and 23.5" long.  She's very proportional and that's all that matters. 

We've had a big month. Waverly attended her first playoff games - including the World Series! What a lucky little baby.  She was rocking her panda costume while Panda (Pablo) hit a historic 3 home runs in one game.  Of course her big brother will be insanely jealous when he gets older and realizes he didn't get to go. Sorry, Anderson, Waverly was free and mom &  dad only have two seats anyway.

Waverly can hold her head up really well, doing her baby pushups.  She's constantly drooling and trying to get things in her mouth. She reaches out to grab anything and everything and her smile and belly laugh keeps us entertained.  Sleep, well, that has been elusive this month.  We've been passing a cold around for what seems like 2-3 weeks so that hasn't helped out.  Now I think she's in a bit of a habit about getting up and having a little snack.  It's been getting better since she's less stuffed up, but I have a cold so it's kinda hurting me!  

Four Months old!

Great Cause

This isn't a fun post by any means - it's meant to inform.  You may have read about a horrible incident in NYC a couple a weeks ago involving a nanny and two children.  As a parent, it just shook me to the core.  Even more so because the father is a friend, former coworker, and a mentor to Brian. Since it happened I've tried to really be present with the kids and just sucking it all in and really trying to be patient at all times.  Life is so precious and you never know what's next. 

At the memorial service it was announced that a memorial fund was set up to honor the children.  If you have some extra cash and are looking for a place to put it to good use, please consider the Lulu & Leo Fund.  The Lulu & Leo Fund’s purpose is to raise money to assist in children’s education and enrichment programs in schools, museums and other community institutions. The focus will be primarily, but not exclusively, on funding participatory art and science education for young children.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the SuperBirketts!

SuperBirketts

SuperWaverly

SuperAnderson

Better View of SuperW's Costume

Bike riding

You might remember back in July 2011 we gave Anderson a bike as his big present for being potty trained. Well over a year later he finally knows how to ride it really well! Here's some video of him in the park - he actually does a bit better most times. It took so long because while initially interested in the bike he lost interest quickly and didn't really rediscover it until a month or two ago. Once he did he picked it up quickly and now wants to ride it a lot.

3 months old!

Wave hit the 3 month mark today and celebrated just as I recall Anderson did - crying, eating and being all around clingy.  I've said it before but she spoils us.  She regularly sleeps 8-11 hours at night, naps decently enough. Today though, none of that happened; she woke up twice (gasp!) last night too. It must be a growth spurt or some new skill is going to surprise us later this week. In addition to loving sleep as much as mom, she smiles, drools and talks a ton.  Her hair is pretty funny, having rubbed the sides off in her sleep she sports a pretty serious mohawk/mullet that I combover.  In the few short minutes of a non-clingy baby I was able to capture her cute little mug for her 3 month photo with the bunny.

No stats as we don't see the doctor this month, but we'll see how she's been growing next month.

3 months old!

Back East

We headed back east for a few days and introduced Wave to some family, met the newest family members ourselves and tagged along on the business portion of the trip. 

Bri had a last minute trip to NYC come on his radar about 2 weeks ago.  We decided it would be best to all go, spend Saturday and Sunday with family in NJ and then go to NYC from Monday to Wednesday morning.  The timing couldn't have been better. Not sure if I've mentioned it but 2012 is a bit of a baby boom for our family.  First, Abby had her 3rd (!?!), Ryan, in June, then I was due with Wave in July, Dana (cousin but really more sister) due in Sept with her girl and Michael (ditto but brother) and his wife Jenn are due in November with their little girl.  Crazy, right! 

Dana gave birth to the beautiful Gianna on Tuesday the 19th, so we were surprised we would be able to meet this precious peanut on our unexpected trip.  We also met Ryan and celebrated Chase's 2nd birthday.  Anderson had a blast playing with Emma.  It was a great weekend to say the least - we topped it off with a brunch at Aunt Sharon's house. The kids played, the adults chatted and we got to quiz Michael and Jen on everything going on with their pregnancy.  We are blessed this year for sure.

Onward to NYC - Bri went to work.  His new company is housed in the Empire State Building, so we walked him to work on Monday morning and headed to the top because Anderson asked. After playing in Madison Sq. Park, grabbing lunch and a nap we headed to the Central Park Zoo.  Picture it: Dawn, Wave in the carrier, Anderson, stroller and a small diaper bag.  Down the stairs to the subway, up almost 40 blocks and lots of walking.  Repeat back to Chelsea.  It was actually really easy! I love our Maclaren - so easy to fold, carry and sling on my back. After the Zoo we walked around, went on a carousel ride and hit up the Heckscher playground.  It was a packed day with lots of walking and fresh air.  We were along for dinner, so I spoiled the dude and got him some Shake Shack since we were staying by the original.  Tuesday was equally as busy for us - first we headed to Brooklyn to meet up with an old friend and her daughter who used to live in SF.  We met at the Brooklyn Children's Museum - where Anderson and Ivy had a ball playing around.  After nap back at the hotel, Nan visited and we went to the American Museum of Natural History.  Wow - Anderson LOVED this place.  I mean, who wouldn't.  Three year old boys dream of dinosaur bones and this museum delivers!  Later that evening Dad and John met all of us and we went out for a bite all together.

Great trip.

Visiting great-gram

Nan & the grandkids
(l-r: Chase, Emma, Ryan, Waverly & Anderson)

Anderson & Emma saying goodbye

Batman & Major

Wave in NYC

Empire State Building

Favorite part of trip - subway rides

Central Park

Dinosaurs!

Wave chilling in the AMNH