Caught In the Act!

Watching her "entertainmenthollywoodgossip" TV shows with her favorite thumb!

Don't Eat My House!

Aiden had been begging to make a gingerbread house...and Sarah obliged...and Chloë became an apprentice builder.

Under construction...are those gummi-worms or gutter-drains your eating?


Enjoying their handiwork.


All up in her grill...


Nothing remotely witty to say here.


When I later attempted to take a bite of the roof Aiden said "Don't eat my House!"

In case I don't get back to the blog before December 25th...Merry Christmas!

Speaking of "Big"...

All the talk these days has been about how big and awesome Chloë is getting! Well, as promised...here's another one that is not so little anymore either!

Our guy Aiden (5.5 yrs) during the first snow of the 2007 winter.


Boys' day out with Dad



Love them donuts!

Disclaimer: Above photos taken with a cell phone camera.

SuperChunk!

Little Chloë is so big!

And so goofy! Love those chins.

Pics of Aiden coming soon...talk about big!

Chloë at Thanksgiving

Well, Chloë had her first thanksgiving and she was a real doll as usual!






Here she is with Uncle Brett who is back from Iraq.


Until next time...

Why I Cried Today

A coworker of mine sent me the link to Randy Alcorn's blog post titled: Sacrificing Children on a Republican Altar?

About a quarter of the way down I saw a link to a video from this organization: www.abort73.com

Read the blog, watch the video, then look at your children (or some child that you might occasionally appreciate; barring that, at least look at your own baby photo) and weep, pray, and cry out to God. If you are not sickened, then you are not alive.

It has been a while since I truly thought about these issues; since I was confronted with the REALITY of strategic human depravity and systemic, structural evil manifested en masse - I now remember that I am accountable on my last day. Lord, what would you have me do?

Here is a link to the photos/video slide show...I am not at liberty to post them directly into this blog, but if you can pass the link on as often as possible, maybe the blood of the innocent can flow a little less tomorrow.

BE WARNED! THESE ARE DISTURBING AND GRAPHIC AND SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED BY CHILDREN!
http://www.abort73.com/HTML/I-A-4-warning.html

Chloë Visits Dad At Work

Photo in this post was taken by Michelle Peel (thanks!).



Always bugging her eyes out and biting her lip when she's working hard.

Kids Just Say It Like It Is

Well, as you know, I sold my Lexus...but what you don't know is that I took the profit and paid CASH for another car. We tried to be a "one-car-family", but it was just too hard with how far away I work. So I bought a 1975 BMW 2002D. It is a very fun car...so I thought I'd take my first-born son for a ride in a "classic" that is 32 years old and in very, very good condition! You could say that it is the CLEANEST car from the '70's...Here's what I got when he climbed in:

Aiden: "Dad"
Robert: "Yes, Son"
Aiden: "Why is it so dirty?"
Robert: "It's not dirty, just not new...um...and..."

At this point, I just gave up and told him that that's what makes it "cool"... so now if you ask him, he says:

"Dad's car is cool. On the outside it's cool, on the inside it's dirty...and a little bit ripped...with dust."

Here it is:






New pics of Chloë coming soon...check back later this week.

Nothing Too Profound...

...Just fresh pics. Some of them are a few weeks old already, but good none-the-less! You can't tell from any of these shots, but her eyes are very very blue. They're bright enough for me to see my reflection in them when we're talking.

This is what happens when you have nothing weighing on your conscience...you sleep anywhere!


Not sure what she has to smile about, but this is what she does when she's dreaming (usually following a full dose of milk).




Early mornings are her favorite times.


Then again...she very much enjoys keeping us busy in the evening too.

That Was Quick! Thanks Craig!

Well, it was only listed two days on Craigslist, but my Lexus was sold and I transferred the title today (thanks Craig, whoever you are)! With a couple of bucks leftover Sarah and I celebrated with...meatloaf (no, not Meatloaf the rockstar, meatloaf the meat that is made into a loaf - seriously, it's pretty much my favorite food). Because of this we are now TOTALLY convinced that our decision to not send Sarah back to work in order to be here for Chloë is the right decision.

And now...the reason why anyone ever checks this blog...photos of the baby!

Possibly my favorite thing in the whole world.






She's got her mom's eyes and her dad's appetite!

"The Times They Are A-Changin'"

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'
- Bob Dylan

Sarah and I have become convinced that the best thing to do in this time of our life is for the her to stay home and raise the baby - we really don't want to go to the expense, trouble, and risk that daycare presents. So, what we need is to figure out how to afford living without Sarah's income. One way is that we are trying to sell my car (contact me if you're interested) and think of ways for Sarah to work from home to just bring in some extra discretionary bucks. On top of that, we are praying for a miracle that will allow us to buy a house and not be sunk by an unrealistic mortgage payment...we don't want much, do we?!

Actually, from you the reader, we actually don't want much - only your prayers!

Here's what my car is (just add tinted windows)
http://cars.about.com/cs/testdrives/fr/lexusis_test.htm

We're really enjoying little Chloë these days. Our routine is starting to settle in. Sarah is really a great mother and we are growing closer every day as parents and partners! Chloë has the most spectacular smile - it's so big and wide and her eyes twinkle (she's definitely got her mother's eyes)! It's amazing what God can do through children.

...For the times they are a-changin'

And for those of you who don't realize that "brother" Dylan was influenced strongly by his Savior and His Word, check out the last stanza:
http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/times.html

Daddy Deja Vu

I noticed something quite striking as I was checking out an old Website I made for Aiden when he was born (that was before anyone really knew what a blog was)...

Here's my case:

Exhibit A
Aiden 2002

Chloë 2007



Exhibit B
Aiden 2002

Chloë 2007



Exhibit C
Aiden 2002

Chloë 2007


"Exhibit C" is the most compelling evidence that they have a common father...because that's how their daddy looks when he sleeps too!

A Baby Haiku

Night is day backward
Fussing, diapers, feeding, burp
Tired parent eyes droop


But still happy enough to think up a haiku - better to be inspired than expired!


Bath time in the kitchen - love that warm water.



Like I said, "Night is day backward" - Chloë is in there under the blanket Sarah is clutching.



Poor Sarah just can't keep those pesky kids off her!



Yup...she just released her "exhaust valve" on Aiden!

As you can see, Sunday is for football (after church, of course, just in case the pastor is reading this!) and we have lots of time in our Shaun Alexander #37 Jerseys - I'm still trying to get Mr. Alexander to comment on my blog - help me get it done someone!)

When It Rains...

...it pours - blessings, that is!

We are very happy to have Chloë, Aiden, and each other - but also very glad to hear from Sarah's brother Brett that he is on his way home on a Navy ship from his 3rd Tour of Duty in Iraq for the Marines! Check out the pic below...you'd never know by the way he cradles his rifle that this is the most humble, real, and nicest man you'll ever meet (we pray for his salvation and safety often - considering that he's been in 9 IED accidents and injured significantly in 2 of them! So please pray with us that Jesus would grab his heart and that Brett would know who the King of kings is - if he doesn't already.). He is the lead driver for a mounted humvee cavalry unit; and even though I am 6.5 years older than him with a wife, kids, dog, bills, and career...there is no question about who is the real man when he is in the room!

Semper Fi, brother - Semper Fi.

OoRah!

More Photos for Your Enjoyment

We've had so many visitors these past few days - it really reminds you of all the friends and family who really seem to care!

In this shot is a great friend of ours, Michelle Peel, holding Chloë - she's been a real blessing to Sarah and I for some time. I work with her at Multnomah and we all go to The Pearl Church together. In the background you can see Sarah talking about child-rearing with her step-sisters, Kristen and Jen (who have a basketball team with subs between them!).


Today was big-brother Aiden's day to hang with his lil' sis' in their Seahawks gear today (the 'Hawks won 20-6 to boot!). He is such a good boy with her. What a testament to God - watching him care for her in such a genuine way warms my heart like nothing I can think of.


Not to be outdone...here's our new family shot (notice Chloë's new little jersey)! I'm thinkin' that this might be our new main shot on this blog now (on the upper right). Let me know if you agree.


And Sarah's grandparents and uncle came up from Chico, CA to visit...it is always splendid when 4 generations of girls are in the same room! Here is Great-Grandma Dorothy Cagle!


Stay tuned for more good stuff (no, you'll just have to wait to see all the other great shots I've taken - especially those showing my hot wife/mother-of-my-child on their first full-day at home).

"Hello World!" - Chloë Ann Leary

We are very excited to welcome our little blessing into our arms today! Little Miss Chloë Ann Leary was born this morning, September 6, 2007 at 7:04 AM. She is 8lbs. 3oz. and 21 inches long. She has so much hair and (yes, yes - of course I'm a bit biased and yes, yes - I know people always say this about their kids) is about as beautiful as you'll find!

It is quite a magnificent thing to see the instant connection between mother and child being introduced for the first time. Chloë knew exactly who she was looking at in this next shot - they just stared at each other, wide-eyed, for at least 5 minutes! This kind of connection is something that dads and siblings will never get to experience. Sarah did such a great job and worked so hard (even if she did curse the day Eve ate the forbidden fruit and convinced Adam to do the same!) - she's going to be a great influence on her little girl!

Of course, I get to have my moment as the father of a girl - what a rewarding responsibility!

But, the award for the most enthusiastic and eager greeter to Chloë has to go to Big Brother Aiden (5 yrs old). He could hardly contain himself and only shares her begrudgingly with others...watch out boys, if you want to get to Chloë you'll have a protective big brother to deal with first!

We'll take a few more pics over the next few days. So stay posted (or better yet, just subscribe to the RSS feed) and stay updated!

Praise Jesus for all the blessings he brings - especially those that are about 8lbs and sleepy!

Impending "Induction" Ceremony

Well, we went to see the Midwife this morning. Sarah and Chloë are healthy as can be. However, their current disposition is as far apart as it can be - Sarah is uncomfortable to the point of wanting Chloë out and Chloë is so comfortable as to want to stay in!

So, we are expecting a call from the SW Washington Medical Hospital's Family Birth Center tomorrow telling us to come in for Sarah to be induced. So, your prayers would be good, but we have no reason to believe that anything will go awry. Prayers for Sarah's relative comfort tonight and endurance while she waits (and her poor body screams at her!).

In the meantime...enjoy these gratuitous bedroom shots!