One More Babe...

Just to piggyback on my last post, here's a funny babe story. Josh preached this morning at a CRC church to fill in for their pastor, and the boys and I went too. After the service I picked Howie up in the nursery and we went to the sanctuary to find Josh, who was talking to people from the congregation. Howie was happy to see him and grabbed Josh by the hand... after being patient with his chatting for a few minutes, Howie dragged him down the aisle of the sanctuary saying, " Babe! Babe! Babe!" I don't know if anyone else understood him, but I found it hilarious.

Babe

Howie has taken to calling Josh and me both "Babe" because that's what we always call each other (although it sometimes doesn't sound very affectionate... for example, "what the heck were you thinking, BABE??") Anyway, here's a quote uttered by Howie tonight during a dance party after dinner, in response to seeing me come onto the dance floor (our brown living room rug) and no doubt desiring me to spin him around:

Howie: Pick up me, Babe.

He's also taken to calling Josh "Josh" or "DaddyBabe." It's pretty dang funny!!

Back Again

Here are some pics from the past several weeks!! Our camera finally started kind of working... I'm convinced that these techie people make these things in such a way that you have to replace them fairly quickly or they're horribly outdated and possibly inoperable. We're fighting for this camera's life, and seeing as it's only slightly older than Howie, it's surprising that we're having to do so. But anyway, I managed to squeeze these out today and hopefully more are on their way! These are in no particular order.

Doesn't Justice look a bit like Howie did so long ago?

Bojangle makes her blog return as Howie feeds her a bottle

Inaugural double stroller ride- Howie's actually riding with his brother and not bags or groceries

Howie giving cousin Pax some love, who was here for Justice's birth

Howie Quote

In the middle of a small temper tantrum yesterday morning:

Daddy: Howie, you have to wear a coat. It's cold outside.
Howie: Go back to sleep, Daddy.

Rebellious, yet wickedly funny.

A Quick Word To Let You Know We're Not Dead

Friends, we are still alive here in St Louis but very much bogged down in the whole becoming-parents-of-2 thing. I have so many pictures to post but our computer is not recognizing our camera for some reason, so as soon as I get that ironed out they will be here!!

We're all doing fine- here is a general update.
1. JUSTICE- feeling good, figuring out life outside the womb. Sleeping pretty well during the day, pretty horrible at night. Does fairly well until about 4 or 5 am, when he decides to fake us out and pretend that he'll sleep, only to wake up 5 minutes later and scream. Repeat until around 7. Growing like a weed, developing the fat folds on legs that are the cutest thing ever. Trying to figure out how to smile. Squeaks all the time. Completely precious and kissable.
2. HOWIE- feeling great, loving being a big brother, trying to hug and kiss Justice at almost every moment, playing hard as ever, giving Mama and Daddy a run for their parenting money as he moves fully into the role of a 2 year old. Leaves Mama and Daddy praying for wisdom at the end of the day, but is a joy in every way. Talking like crazy. Hilarious.
3. JOSH- generally swamped with school and completely exhausted. Ends most nights falling asleep on the couch prematurely as a precursor to "doing more homework." Loving being the dad of two most of the time and relearning all of his baby-soothing skills.
4. BETS- feeling kind of like poo most of the time, staring down 10 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, looking at the same pot that has been waiting to be washed for 4 days every time I go into the kitchen, staring at the empty refrigerator which hasn't been refilled from a trip to the grocery store and wondering what to feed everyone if someone isn't bringing us dinner, accruing a gargantuan library fine because I can't find the time to take my books back, running interference to keep Howie from smothering Justice with love, playing solitaire on Josh's phone in a middle of the night feeding session to ward off the creeping depression at being awake, showering very infrequently, wearing mostly the same clothes... but on the brighter side, loving 2 little boys more than I knew I could, learning patience in new ways, kissing baby cheeks as much as possible, cherishing baby and toddler moments because they pass so quickly, embracing the messiness of my house because there are more important things than a clean kitchen and folded laundry in this season of life... in short, I'm doing well.

Pics to come ASAP!

Here HE Is... Justice Emmanuel Desch

(although not obvious in this picture, Howie is crazy about Justice)

Well, it's official... the Desch family is now a family of 4!! Josh and I now have TWO BOYS! Justice Emmanuel finally arrived Wednesday 09/09/09- pretty much the coolest birthday ever. He is sweet as can be and looks a lot like infant Howie to me. Many more pics to come!

Howie Gets a Nativity Set in August

The other day we took Howie to pick out a new toy since he's going to be a big brother hopefully quite soon, and we came home with a nativity set complete with Mary, Joseph, some wise men, a shepherd, assorted animals, and of course, baby Jesus. Howie is completely obsessed with them. He has wanted to play with little else since these little people came into the house. One of his favorite things to do is to put little baby Jesus down for a nap in his manger and then say, "Get up, baby Jeje!!" (Howie's not really big on naps right now in his life.) The nativity scene has also hosted some people and animals that you wouldn't necessarily place there just from reading the biblical account, such as a fireman, policeman, 2 historical Vikings, and a dalmation. I guess the broader principle to be had is that Christ came for all, across every time and age.

Howie working on getting Mary's hat to stay on

Look closely for the dalmation, Vikings, and public service members

Howie rousing baby Jesus from his rest