Photo Opportunity

Tommy was having some tummy time in the bed one day, and the light was so nice coming through the window that I just had to snap a few pics of him.

On the Top of the Lap

Here's a common site at night - T asleep in EZ's lap as she puts some time in on the laptop. Nothing like holding a sleeping baby and checking your email and Facebook before calling it a day.

Ode to the Mavs

Although he's a hometown Wizards fan, Tommy sported some Dallas Mavericks gear previously worn by his cousin Luke (thanks Liza and Andy - and Linore and Jerry). He looks good in blue. Maybe Mark Cuban wants to fly Tommy in for a photo shoot!

Tommy and the Ladies

Here are a few shots of Tommy hanging with Sydney and Emma at Julia's birthday party.

Happy New Year!

We had dinner at Fran and Arturo's house to celebrate New Year's. Tommy slept through most of it, but he was still present at the table. Then he continued squealing and squawking all night it seemed. He's a little party animal.

This is a cute shot of Tommy facing forward in the Moby wrap. He was happy and drooly.

Tommy and Sophie

Tommy has taken a liking to his teething toy, the classic Sophie La Girafe. She's French.

Piano Man

Here's Lola getting Tommy started on the piano early in life. He even rocked out with his feet!

A Bittersweet Visit

While in Richmond, we took Tommy to see the resting place of his namesake (my father) and his great-grandmother (Granny). We spent some quiet time there in reflection and recalled happy and sad memories of them both. And we agreed that they're both smiling down on him and all of us.

Curious?

EZ reads Curious George to the little guy. Classic.

Making Ornaments

The day after Christmas, we had fun making impressions of Tommy's little hand and foot for ornaments. He wasn't sure what was going on but played along for his parents' sake. Thanks, bud. The ornaments were hung on our tree when we got home to DC (and are still there today - no, we haven't taken down the tree yet...)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

So the Christmas whirlwind continued with breakfast at the Zwickers, then the Heraldo gathering at Lola's house for dinner. More gifts exchanged, more delicious food eaten, more merriment and more frivolity!

This picture is great - everyone is actually looking at the camera, including the two kids! A Christmas miracle!

Tommy went straight for the paper...to eat it. He couldn't have cared much less about the gift in the wrapping. He was looking for a meal.

The brothers-in-law and their boys.

Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

The three little Christmas elves - Elena, Grayson and Tommy.

Xmas Eve

We loaded up the car and drove down to Richmond on Christmas Eve. Lots of fun building up to Christmas with some time at Mom's house, then over to the Zwickers' for Xmas Eve dinner. We really enjoyed Tommy's first Christmas. Next year, he might be a bit more aware of what's going on, but his cousin David knew the deal and had a blast!

We got lucky and got to spend a bit of time with Rick and Michelle before they headed to Tazewell.

Tommy is cute as a button in this hat and mitten combo. I love when he wears them.

This was a really cute moment with the two little cousins sitting next to each other, while David gave Tommy the sign for love.

It was especially moving for Elizabeth and me as new parents to think of all our loved ones who are no longer with us. We definitely thought of them often and felt their presence over the holidays. The painting above EZ is a portrait of her grandmother, Olive Fortune (Nanny). She and my grandmother, Mary Carlton (Granny), were both born in 1908, 100 years before our little guy joined us. That's amazing for us to think about. We miss them both very much.