Fall is Finally Here

Seattle had a late but really awesome summer.  It didn't show up until August but lasted until about mid October.  Then the days all of a sudden got short and the typical Seattle rain moved it.  But we had a lots of fun with the nice days while it lasted.

Brandon bought Devin a present home from the hospital - a new set of golf clubs in their own very awesome red bag.  This was an instant hit.  Many of the nice days were spent hitting golf ball in any grassy area that mom would allow.  Golf continues to be a huge deal here at the Rueckert-Downey household.

Mini golf was played for the first time and was an instant hit.  Since they just give you a putter Devin was convinced that we couldn't hit the ball hard.  Next year we will bring his little golf set so he can play away.  The course we found was like a real mini golf course with sand traps and the like.

We had visitors come to see the new addition.

Here is the Downey clan.

And the Rueckert clan.  Dev loved everyone visiting and getting a little extra attention.  As you can see in this picture we couldn't get the golf club out of his hand for the picture shoot.

The boys love their Pa.  Jeff has two little mini me's.  Brandon looks just like Jeff when he was little; with the big blue eyes.  

Devin wants to do everything and anything that Daddy does.  Down to the sunglasses.

We have been going to farms through the month of October.  We visited one that is more of an amusement part on a farm.  Dev got to dig with a digger, ride a train, drive a car and jump into a pit of hay.  It was a blast.

For Halloween Dev is going to be a firefighter - why?  Because he can wear his rain boots and splash in puddles.  It is a perfect Halloween outfit for Seattle.  Brandon is going to be a bug.  I'll post pictures of him later.

Brandon continues to grow at an amazing rate.  Last doctors appointment for two months he was 13 pounds and the 91st percentile.  I'm very sure he has gain much weight since then.  The little squidge (as we have been calling him) is always hungry.  His is a very laid back and happy baby.  We are very lucky to have him.

Devin loves his little brother.  He often want to hold him.  It is really cute to hear him repeat the things that I say to Brandon to calm him down or to interact with him.  Dev is always very concerned about him and if I don't pick him up fast enough when Brandon is upset Dev will come to Brandon's rescue and let me know.

Now that the rain is here we are inside more often and hopefully won't go too crazy.  But it'll be fun taking care of these boys.

Brandon David Downey

**Some have already seen this announcement I'm posting this on the blog now**

We are very excited to announce that we have a happy, healthy baby boy!! His name is Brandon David Downey, and he was born at 3:00 a.m. Monday morning (7/30). He's a big kid - he tipped the scales at 9 lbs., 3 oz. and is 21 inches long. 

Cindy was scheduled to be induced this morning, but I guess Brandon had other plans! Cindy started having contractions at around 2:00 a.m., and after a 90 mph car ride to the hospital and a very short but pretty intense labor, we had Brandon an hour later. 

Mom and baby are doing great and we are now at home.  Brandon has jaundice and is requiring light therapy.  He gets to look like a little space alien for another day or so - but at least we are at home and not at the hospital.  

Devin is doing an excellent job at being a big brother.  He instantly wanted to touch, kiss and hold Brandon.  And declares all the time that he is Devin's little brother.  The hardest part is getting Devin to leave Brandon alone and just let him sleep.  As we were told this morning, "Little brother doesn't want to sleep, he wants to wake up." 

Spring 2012

The Rueckert/Downey house hold is preparing for the new baby.  I'm currently 33 weeks - something I never saw last time.  There were some red flags that are making the doctors cautious.  I'm on "limited activity."  What does that mean?  I'm to try to sit as much as possible.  Limit walking, stairs, lifting and activity of that sort.  I can still work; my job can be 99% sitting.  This will allow me to keep my leave for when the baby is actually here.  Today they checked on the baby.  Everything looks good and he is estimated at 4 lbs 10 oz, big but not huge.   Jeff's mom, Amy, has been helping A LOT with all of the things that I can't do.  Thanks Amy!

Devin had his tonsils out in early May.  There was a couple of hard days as he recovered but over all it was a good decision.  Devin is breathing better and we are slowly dialing back on the inhalers.  He sleeps through the night without waking up with a coughing fit and can finally sleep on his back.  He used to have to sleep on his tummy to be able to breath.  

Some random pictures from the last couple of months:

Grandma Pat, Mom and Devin.  I'm 29 weeks pregnant.  I could still lift Dev at that point.  

Jeff and Devin cleaning their golf clubs.  Devin is still obsessed with golf.  He loved the dunking of the club in the water and wiping off the dirt.  Currently we are having fun watching the US Open.  His favorite golfer is Ricky.  I think it is the colorful outfits.

Golf, golf, Christmas, golf, golf, golf, Announcement

The child is obsessed with golf.  Absolutely obsessed.  I blame Granddad Downey with his present of a real golf club.  A regular club was taken and shortened to a pint size height.  It is Devin's favorite toy by far.  Since is a a real golf club and therefore pretty heavy it has been designated as an outdoor only toy.  Any small move toward the garage, where the golf club lives, results in Devin asking, "Golf? Outside? Jacket? Golf?"  And then if the answer is no a complete and total 2 year old melt down tantrum.  When the melt down doesn't work he tries to get Logan to let him outside and play with him.  He'll walk up to the dog say, "Come on Logan, play golf" and when walk to the door.  Unfortunately for Devin, Logan is a smart dog and realizes that he should not listen to him.

Dev loves to drag around the club.  He is just starting to have enough strength to swing the club.  He does take a full swing at the ball for which everyone has to be a little weary of.

But this goes past playing golf outside.  Dev will hand Jeff the TV remote asking, "Watch golf?"  Jeff will turn on the golf channel (all golf all the time) and Dev will sit on the couch watching the TV.  He'll yell, "Get in the hole" when they tee off and cheer when they make a putt.  The Downey golf genes run strong in this one.

Christmas went fast this year.  The Downey clan came to visit and fun was had all around.  Devin and Julian had a blast.  Out of all of the toys, games, the flight museum the favorite activity was puddle splashing.  It is Seattle, puddling jumping becomes an art form and as you can see the boys perfected it.

For more Christmas pictures with the Downey's and the Rueckert's click here.

At Christmas we had exciting news to share with family - we are pregnant!

The new addition is due August 4th.  I have been doing well in general.  Tired and kinda queasy but that goes along with the first trimester and running around with a tireless 2 year old.  You might ask what are we doing to make sure that this bun stays in the oven a little longer?  I have both a normal OB/GYN and a High Risk Pregnancy doctor.  I have seen both and they have agreed on a plan of attack.  First is plan for a baby in July; we are going for more than 36 but 40 is unlikely.  Starting at 16 weeks I see one or the other doctor every other week.  They are going to check an make sure everything is ok and if it is they let me go home.  If not then one of multiple Plan B's get implemented.  They are also going to start weekly progesterone shots at 16 weeks.  This has shown to increase the length of pregnancy in cases where the mom has a history of pre-term labor.  There isn't any real negatives to this so this is a safety net.  So far I feel good about what the doctors are planning.  Anyone want to weigh in if the Downeys are going to get a girl or yet another boy?  I'm starting to think that Grandma Downey might just be right, Downeys only make boys.  We'll find out around St. Patricks day so stay tuned...