VT part II

Well, it's almost time to go home . . . We've been having a great vacation packed from top to bottom with fun at the beach, excursions to interesting places, and visits from friends and family.

We took a trip to Shelburne Farms, a Vermont institution. It's a working farm and educational center. Emmett played with the animals, rode on many a tractor, and even saw them making cheese!

Here I come!!

I got one.

Nana!

Emmett and Papa cut a rug.

Love...

Nana blows bubbles.

Dancing in a sunset rain shower.

See you soon.

Camp Vacation!

Ahhh...

Emmett plays his stick and leaf drumset.

E contemplates the vastness of the universe.

Happy Baby!

Tired Baby!

Emmett donated some of the clippings from his haircut for Coleman's weave.

Our old friends Katie and Chris came to visit.

Zonked!

Chris and Tara's daughter Adia and Emmett enjoy some lunch.

Adia holds the baby.

Hot as July!

Hello.

It's been a hot, thick patch of summer around here. We've been combating the hot weather with freezee pops and italian ices. We've taken to running around through a sprinkler in the backyard in our underpants, whooping. We've dined on fresh fruits and vegetables we've picked at our farm share.

Emmett has decided to join the firehouse.

Our old friend Josh came up to see us and help celebrate Sarah's birthday. Emmett immediately began demonstrating all of his toys, and soon Josh had joined the firehouse as well.

We jammed a nasty old school "Fireman Dance" in the dining room the other day. I played drums while Emmett busted several varieties of moves. Somehow, Coleman slept peacefully on the table throughout the dominating funk. What a world!

You and me, staring contest . . . NOW!

this is the life!

Vermont Father's Day Getaway

Coleman was getting a little claustraphobic around the house, so we decided to make a last minute weekend trip to Sarah's family cabin in Vermont. Emmett was excited and kept pointing at various things, exclaiming, " That's a Mont!"

Well it was just what we needed, and while things aren't as relaxing with two little ones to tend to, it sure was a ton of fun! Emmett and Taiko loved playing together on the beach. Emmett would throw sticks and rocks, and Taiko would try to get them. Everybody laughed and laughed.

We had fun blowing bubbles on the porch.

Let's get our shoes on...

...and move it on down the path to the beach.

two buddies

First week with the little guy

Things are going great around here. Coleman's first week home has been a smooth transition. With Pam's help we've been able to keep Emmett busy and tend to the little lump of Cole. Sarah and I have gotten out of the house a bit, including our first family trip to town with the two boys. And there's even been a fairly satisfying amount of sleep to be had.

Emmett's reaction has been nothing short of awe inspiring. His love for the baby knows no bounds. He's always checking that "baby's ok" and making sure we all give Coleman lots of kisses.

Our good friend Peter was Coleman's first visitor. He looks so natural holding a baby. The good news is we just found out he's accepted a job nearby, and he and his wife will be moving back up to the valley after a 5 year sojourn in Brooklyn. Let's hope this sparks a trend!

Shhh..... baby's sleeping.

In order to get Emmett out and about, and so I could have some special time with him, we took a trip with a few of his little pals to the Hartford science museum. We had so much fun.

Emmett's 'tache

Daddy's turn

Emmett play's Tron's drumset

I love Smock and Roll!

Emmett, Eli, and Ian enjoying a small cocktail

Almost time to go, so the boys all sat around to read about some big trucks!

Coleman Ray Schatz!

Well, all the waiting and hoping and pacing is done. . . Coleman has arrived!

Coleman Ray Schatz

Born June 6 at 11:57 p.m.

8 lbs 12 oz

We had a great birth experience. Everything went smoother and quicker and easier than the first time. Our birth team was fantastic including Maggie, our friend/neighbor/midwife extraordinaire, and Patti, an excellent nurse and laboring-lady-massage-specialist.

Maggie checked in on Sarah all day on Sunday (its good to have a midwife who lives across the street!) and we headed to the hospital around 4:30 pm. Things progressed smoothly through dinner time, and then picked up after that. Sarah was in the tub for quite a bit and the warm water seemed to really ease the pain of her contractions. Sarah is a trooper and you could hardly tell from her steady composure how powerful those contractions were.

Around 11 pm, she decided she had enough agony, having been through an excruciating transition with Emmett, and called for an epidural. What a godsend! She mumbled a quick blessing over the anesthesiologist. With the pain and anxiety out of the way, her body quickly readied itself for the last blast... 13 minutes of pushing and out he came!

Open your eyes, little guy.

Welcome to the Schatz family!

Emmett came to visit the next day, and he couldn't have responded more positively to the sight of his new brother. He kept exclaiming, "Baby is sooo cute!" and ordering everyone to kiss the baby.

No Emmett, Coleman can't have a chip.

Nana enjoys some time with her two grandsons.

Daddy and Cole relax.

Nice to meet you, Grandma!

Papa seems pleased with his 12th grandchild.

The modern working mom, Sarah keeps the business going throughout.