They boys at 5 months!!

The Mommy's went to dinner last night to celebrate our May birthdays. The boys stayed in with their Daddies and played guitar hero. Brosnan was sleeping when we got there and Mac went to sleep before he woke up, so we slipped him into the picture :) Aren't they getting so big!

Laughter is the best medicine!

Even on the toughest of days, this sound makes me laugh! We are working on getting a better quality video, but Brosnan can control when he is ticklish, and he doesn't like to perform for the camera!

Memorial Day Weekend

Jacksonville FINALLY got a break from the rain and we made a run for the beach for a cook out!

A week after sitting up for the first time at the Forest, Brosnan is a pro! He sat up for about 40 minutes yesterday! This is one worn out little guy! Day care can wear a boy out! Can anyone guess what was on this spoon? I sure hope he sleeps tonight! :)

Brosnan's first trip to the Forest!

While we were at Brosnan's Forest this year, we had our first swim! Its hard to tell from the picture but Dad and Brosnan have matching bathing suits!

Brosnan and Lexie swimming together!

Brosnan also had his first ride on a big boy swing! It was not quite as relaxing as the swing we have at home, but by next year we will be the perfect size for this swing!

It is a Lane family tradition to swing at the Forest, we were glad to have Brosnan join us this year!

Gummaw Sitty LOVES squash. Unfortunately for her, neither her husband nor her children like to eat squash. She had the great pleasure of feeding Brosnan his first squash this week!

Watermelon was another new addition to our diet this week.

Brosnan also tried on his first pair of flip flops. They were a bit big, but he will grow into them!

Three generations of fishermen! I am sorry that I didn't get to take this picture before Guy and Rob left! That is on my to do list for next year!

Brosnan rocking with his Grandma Gail!

The Lane family with their newest addition!

Week 20

Week 20 was full of firsts for Brosnan!

1. He had his first meal in a high chair!

2. Held his bottle by himself for the first time.

3. Tried meat for the first time. Notice how excited he looks because he knows he is about to eat. THEN the disappointment sets in. Apparently meat in a jar tastes as bad as it smells! Next time we feed him meat, we will prepare it ourselves!

Alex's first communion!

This weekend Brosnan and I went to Lutz for Alex's first communion. She looked so beautiful in her dress! We were happy that we could be there for the occasion.

The Dibbles fell in love with their cousin and likewise! Brosnan was so patient with our excitement and constant attention. Simon helped me dress him and they all fed him. No one was brave enough to change a diaper yet. Simon is very glad that we have added another boy in the mix. Watch out Tony, Simon is already planning to be the favorite cousin. Where do you think he gets that from? When we got back to Jacksonville, the boys were finishing up with a big day in a kayak fishing tournament. They found a great spot and had a wonderful day of fishing. Diane went to see Wicked and said that it was wonderful. I will put that on our to do list!

Going back to work

My unsubmitted weekly highlight for the first week back at work.

MATERNITY LEAVE
Courtney Blanton

It has been my great fortune to spend the last four months getting to know Brosnan Layne Blanton. In our time together I have learned how to do each of the following with proficiency:

• identifying which cry is associated with which need and how to best meet that need
• understanding how much and how frequently he needs to eat
• identifying and adjusting accordingly when the feeding volume should be increased
• planning for an outing and packing in the most efficient manner possible
• anticipating the timing of naps and how to help him fall asleep (can you believe that they need help with this?)
• juggling an infants various needs in addition to

1. maintaining a clean house
2. preparing all necessary meals for his parents
3. keeping all of our cabinets stocked as necessary
4. budgeting our income minus OT and towards the end of my leave, the second income
5. learning to manage my fear of needles enough to self administer weekly shots to help prevent MS exacerbations
6. completing classes to join the Catholic church, con-validating our wedding and baptizing our son

The experience of maternity leave was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable times of my life. I praise Merrill Lynch of America for including this opportunity in the benefits awarded their employees.

Playtime with Daddy!

I realized this week that we didn't have many pictures of my boys, so I am on a mission to capture more of their time together! Chris and Brosnan really enjoy playing together. Chris challenges him to try new things and works on building his standing and sitting muscles. Brosnan loves to laugh with his Dad. My favorite thing to listen to is the two of them enjoying each others company.

Look at the two of them smiling at each other!

Practicing sitting... and standing....