MORE FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Uncle Jeff and Aunt Liz came by with the Earle girls. Griffin is in love at first sight!

FAMILY FUN

You can tell by these photos how much fun the cousins have together. We had an early birthday celebration for cousin Russell since we won't be able to travel to his real party in OKC in 2 weeks.Russell was really excited about the candle. Cal was really excited about the cupcakes!

THE MEETING
We were blown away by Cal's reaction to meeting his "bruba." First off, we never taught him the word "brother," or at least not purposefully. So we were shocked when he immediately began calling the "baby" his "bruba." Before we ever arrived home from the hospital, he took all his grandparents to our room, pointed to the empty bassinette and said "baby." Again, we have no idea where he figured that out. He has been an adoring and gentle older brother since day 1 and we are thrilled with his reaction to the new boy in the house. Rocky roads are no doubt ahead but for now, we couldn't ask for better. Cal's cousin Russell, Uncle Russ and Aunt Amy also came to meet Griffin. Cal and Russell are great playmates and really enjoy their time together. We had a great weekend with lots of family bonding.

GRIFF'S FIRST WEEK: FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Lucky Griffin had tons of friends and family come to meet him his first week of life. Besides Grama, Grampy, Nana and Big Daddy being there for the birth, friends Meredith, Kandice and Karen came by the hospital to say hello. This alone kept mom from literally tearing her hair out before she was discharged. Hospitals are a whole bunch of no fun!

WELCOME GRIFFIN PHILLIP MERONEY!
After much anticipation, Cal's little brother, Griffin Phillip, joined us on January 21, 2008. Like his brother, Griffin was breech and delivered by scheduled c-section which allowed all the grandparents to be in Austin for the birth. It was quite a party! Griff weighed in at 8 lb, 1 oz, 19.5 inches long. He has a full head of very dark hair, blue eyes, and is perfect in every way. Mom is just glad to be done with pregnancy FOREVER!! It was a rough road this time complete with maternal diabetes and a sinus/ear infection that developed 2 days before Griffin's birth. We are looking forward to introducing Cal and Griffin and watch the fun begin!

CLOWNING AROUND

Just some fun photos of Cal clowning around as he nears 18 months old. At his parent-teacher conference, his teacher called him a high-energy climber. We concur! He is all boy - loves to run, play outside and mostly play "ba ball" (basketball). He has no fear that we've been able to identify and lives to go to the park and walk the dog. He seems to know new words every day - everything from "car" to "go" to "purple" to "bubble." He is starting to count although we can't understand the words very well, he has the rhythm down. He is a good eater except for vegetables (got that from momma) and is still pretty much a daddy's boy. We've been talking to him about the "baby" that is in mommy's tummy but we're not sure if it's soaking in. We shall soon see!