Peter's Birthday

Happy Birthday Peter! Peter is a big 3-years-old today, and we had an opportunity to party on Friday. We first took a trip to Annapolis to watch Navy play Princeton in baseball, but the weather wasn't quite as lovely as the forcast had predicted. The sky became totally overcast, and a tremendous wind was whipping off the water. The boys toughed out 3 innings in the cold before retreating to the van.

We celebrated when we got home with a giant cookie cake, and Peter's new Bounce Around. Unfortunately, the craziness of life right now prevented me from organizing a "real" party where we could invite lots of kids, but thank goodness we have four boys--it's a party everyday in this house.

This is the beginning of birthday season in the Brown house, with Tom's birthday coming up on the 25th, and Matthew Alasdair's first birthday on 4/2. Come by and visit any time in the next two weeks, and you're certain to be served somebody's birthday cake.

Four Little Boys Bathing in the Tub

We had baths for the boys this morning, to get ready for church. Here's an update of the old boys-in-the-tub photo that some of you have seen:


Here's Peter with some spikey hair.


In other news, Matthew Alasdair cut his second tooth this morning, so one up top, and one down on the bottom.

Snow '09

Up in New Jersey for New Year's, we had a good covering of snow. While it upset travel plans for Mark coming up from Hampton Roads, and Amy looking to head back to Plymouth, the kids were able to enjoy playing together.

Here Elizabeth and Andy are constructing a snowman:


Ian enjoying a solo swing in the snow:


And Peter with Dan in the background:

Scottish Games

Three weekends ago we went to the Anne Arundel Scottish Festival and Games.  We enjoyed watching the pipe bands march on:
Jessica's parents made an appearance too. This photo was taken while watching the Border Collies herd sheep around, just before Mom got lost:
Ian, Peter and Tom enjoyed listening to the band competitions, as well as the solo pipers in the Piobaireachd competition (results), while others looked for Debbie.The day was rounded off with eating overpriced haggis puffs, mince meat pies, and "Scottish" pies, as well as shopping for overpriced practice chanter reeds.  As always, it was a good time.

Matthew Alasdair at Six Months

Fresh from tonight:

No Shirt, No Pants, No Service

Here is Peter engaged in creative artistic expression, and then learning laptop skills to be like daddy... well, sort of...

Pajama Party

Tonight we had a pajama party between bathtime and betime. The boys were in good spirits.



Matthew Alasdair is getting quite big these days! He's as long as Peter is from knee to head.

Matthew Alasdair Comes Home

Jessica and Matthew were discharged from the hospital this morning. We are all very happy to have them home, and the older boys are especially glad to have life head back to normalcy.

When we set Matthew down, his novelty kept their attention for at least 60 seconds.


Here are my four sons.


Each time we bring a new one home, we are struck with a sudden realization of how much older the others have gotten to be. They all seem happy to have a new brother.

Meeting Matthew Alasdair

Here are some photos of Matthew being met by some "folks" (as Grandfather Barker would say). This will be it for hospital photos.

Andy meets his new brother:


Ian meets his new brother:


Peter meets his new brother:


Ian and Andy pretend to sleep on Mommy's neat electric hospital bed:


Gram (Tom's mom) meets Matthew Alasdair:


Grania (Jessica's mom) meets Matthew Alasdair:

Peter's E.R. Visit

Peter got an all-expenses-paid trip to the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center's Emergency Room today, courtesy of a large gash at his right eyebrow. The gash was courtesy of an older brother who was not in the mood to share trains, so gave young Peter a wee push. (The culprit was duly disciplined.) This caused Peter's head to contact either Grandfather's antique table or the hardwood floor (we're not sure which) while falling down.

Jessica endured three hours at the E.R. Word is that the nursing staff had to wrap Peter tightly in a blanket (baby burrito style) and pin him down to keep him sufficiently immobilized for the stitching. He made mighty use of his lungs during this process. They had to give FIVE stitches total.

For our younger viewers, the moral is this: share your toys, and don't push.

Lincoln Log Potato

Peter, enjoy his flexibility and snuggly seat.

Bibliophiles

The kids found a new good use for our hall bookcase. The love of books and bookcases runs in the family.



Yesterday most of the family fell asleep. Don't be fooled though, Andy's faking.



And on Friday night, Andy was so into the guitar playing and singing we did with our church group that we found he had held his own jam session after going to sleep (that's a lyrics sheet by his feet).

Peter Collum Brown

Peter's physical therapist has been impressed with progress, and we are most thankful for his full (normal) cognitive health, which she says is key to helping him continue to improve physically. She is working on his climbing/stepping-up ability, as well as some early efforts at teaching him to run. In short: better balance and stability in general. Prognosis remains very positive.