All 3 kids at Target

So, a couple days ago I took all 3 kids to Target. I only had 6 or so items on my list and had hoped it would be a quick trip - relatively speaking. I had only taken all 3 kids out one other time so it was still a little bit nerve racking. Ever since Henry was born Charlotte "cannot walk because she is too tired" the minute we get to her school, mall, store, etc. She earned a new toy with a job chart for when she didn't ask to get in the stroller or grocery cart(buggy as it is called out here). Anyway, Charlotte was the first to have a break down. It started out small but soon turned to a blood curdling scream with everyone staring and whispering. She demanded to get into the back of the cart with Simon while I was determined to not let her get into the cart. I had Henry in the Bjorn and Simon was in the back of the cart. I finally gave in and let her sit in the front of the cart. Charlotte's hair was way too tempting to Simon in the back so soon he was pulling her hair and poking her. Then Simon decided he wanted to make the load lighter in the cart so he started to throw out some items. I threatened him saying he would have to get out if he did it again. I was praying he wouldn't because it was so hard to lean over with the baby and more importantly, I didn't want Simon loose in the store. Of course he did it again so I pulled him out of the cart. Side note: a woman passes by as Simon throws item out of the cart points and says "your son just threw that out of the cart" and then walked off, no offer of help. For the next five minutes Simon was crawling around on the ground and barking like a dog. He then started to scream and throw a fit that he wanted to get back into the cart. He was walking slowing and occasionally throwing himself onto the ground. Finally, we get to the checkout counter. Simon starts pulling items from the wall and screaming at me. I tell Charlotte she has to get out of the cart so I can get Simon into the cart. Simon is throwing the biggest fit I have ever seen, and that says a lot. He hits me in the face for the first time and is screaming at me saying he wants to get down. I am trying to load the groceries and hold Simon in the cart and trying to prevent Henry from waking up all at the same time. The man behind me says "Do you ever wonder why you decided to have kids?" and I said "Right now I am wondering that" Of course he wasn't being mean, he was being sympathetic. He had 2 children with him who were being well behaved. I was crying the whole way home. Dave came home while I was unloading the car and he gave the kids a talking to. The sum it up the experience was quite horrific.

Total trip time was 1 hour 15 minutes
Total trip time without kids would have been 10 minutes
Note to self - unless needed never take all 3 kids to the store ever again

Henry's baby blessing

We had Grandma and Grandpa Stoker come out to visit last week so we blessed Henry this past Sunday while they were here. The kids had so much fun and they kept asking when they were going to come and visit again.

Grandma and Grandpa Stoker


Henry at 3 weeks old


Simon at 3 weeks old


Simon was determined not to smile.




This was the best shot of the 3 kids together. You will
see that most photos of Simon he will be wearing his
safety glasses or holding his batteries.


Simon got grandpa to go down the slide with him.





Visiting daddy at work. All 3 wearing safety glasses.




Charlotte and Henry before bathtime.

Henry is 13 days old

I took this photo of Henry this afternoon.
10 days ago Henry came home from the
hospital weighing 7 lbs 1 oz. Today he weighs
8 lbs 12 oz. Gaining about 3 oz per day.


Charlotte loves holding Henry


It snowed here a few days ago.
The first of the season. The kids
were very excited to play outside.


Charlotte and Simon on their
way to church.


Charlotte was nice enough to let Simon
wear a pair of her slippers. He was so excited.



This was at the park a couple days before
Henry was born.




Charlotte at school.




Simon observing the giraffes at the zoo.

The New King of England

We've toiled long enough.
Late last night it came to be.
Janet and I laughed this morning because the name is fairly royal.
If you think about it, our track record is rather Anglophilic so we were destined to have a monarch (or two) of the empire pop up at some point.
James, one of my fellow residents, stopped by and thinks with the name he should be an author, and I can't say I disagree.

Henry William Stoker.

Thanks to all who visited, called or thought of us fleetingly.
Transporting the king to the castle today.

Hospital Photos

Here is a link to the photos the hospital took yesterday.
http://www.ohlooknps.com/unc/

Family password - 6691

We still do not have a name for him but we just found out that North Carolina law will not allow you to leave the hospital without naming your baby. Hopefully by tonight we will have a name because I keep referring to him as "Simon" on accident.

Another bean in the burrito

So a few days ago I asked Simon what we should name the new baby.
"Baby Jesus."
Curiously absent from our list of names.
Had a laugh about it with the guys at work and Adam, my fellow chief resident and O+ blood brother, declared 01/10/08 the new Christmas.

In acutality, we haven't yet decided on his name.
Born at about 11:15am today via C-Section.
7lbs 10oz. Screaming.
Likes long walks on the beach, nachos, and fruit punch.

Christmas Festivities

We decorated cookies on Christmas Eve and Charlotte
went crazy with the sprinkles. One cookies had
almost half of a bottle on it.


Simon wasn't too interested in decorating, just eating.
He ate 3 cookies while we decorated.


Dave made the orange rolls for dinner. I was so
impressed, so I took a photo before they were cooked.


Simon and Charlotte were watching "The polar express"
while we finished making dinner. Simon, of course, was
lounging on the ground with Frankie.


Simon dressed up as Joseph for our nativity


I ended up being Mary because Charlotte
wanted to be the angel. I know it was
because of the gold on the costume.





So, Charlotte went upstairs to get baby
Jesus and this is the doll(outfit included)
that she came down with.


Our friends the Serlos came over for
dinner on Christmas Eve.


Simon wore his new safety goggles all morning.
The next day we went to Target to grab
a few things and he insisted on wearing them.
Most people looked amused, while a few
looked almost offended.