busy, busy, busy

It turns out, and I wish someone would have warned me about this, that everything gets slightly more hectic when you have a toddler and an infant. So we haven't been doing anything much except trying to keep up. Typical day: Sam spends two out of every three hours nursing while Calvin yells about dinosaurs and trains and apples, and I'm off living the high life at work. Basically the same as the last update, just more so. Isaac continues to grow larger. Some pictures from the last month or two are here.

settling in, sort of

We've had family staying with us since Isaac was born, which has been a tremendous help. We've been able to ease into caring for two screaming charming kids. I'll be on paternity leave next week, and then I'll probably say something like "see you later Sam, good luck with the 'kids' thing!" and head off to work.

It's been pretty good so far. We're tired but not delirious, Calvin is sweet with Isaac most of the time, and the weather has been good. So not too bad at all. Pictures from Paul and Beth's visit iver the last two weeks are here.

Isaac's 1st week

We're all home from the hospital now and settling into life as a family of four. For pictures of Isaac's first week, look here.

In the meantime, bring on the first set of grandparents! My dad and Beth will be here on Sunday and my aunt Mary will be here until Tuesday. She has been an absolute godsend to us this past month.

the brothers moeckel version 2

Calvin and Isaac encounter each other.

Isaac Hector Moeckel!

Isaac was born early in the morning on Saturday! He and Sam are doing well, although they're both still in the hospital. They want to keep them there until the feeding bit gets a little smoother- he spent the first day sleeping instead of eating, his first meal was huge, and everything is just a bit crazy. So a couple of days in the care of the NHS and their fantastic midwives. Everyone is tired!

An English Wedding

My second cousin, Rachel, got married over Memorial Day weekend (it's also a bank holiday weekend here) and she was kind enough to invite the three of us. The ceremony and reception were held at an old manor house called The Danesfield. In a few words, it was gorgeous. Nick and I can honestly say it is the most picturesque wedding we've ever been to. Which was great since Nick ended up chasing Calvin around the manicured gardens most of the afternoon. I was the only one who got to see the ceremony since as soon at the bride had walked down the aisle and the quartet had stopped playing, Calvin yelled out "Emo song" which is his way of saying more music! Apparently our son is a fan of classical music. He even was dancing to it later on during the mingle before dinner.

Calvin was sitting next to me at the start of this photo

The other spectacular event was the groom's present to the bride; a Spitfire aerobatic demonstration! And it wasn't a short thing. It probably lasted about 10 minutes and was really impressive. Calvin loved it, especially since he remembers going to the Imperial War Museum with Grandad recently.

Calvin running around with the ceremony program

We didn't get to stay much past dinner since we needed to drive back to Cambridge and put the exhausted boy to bed (and the exhausted pregnant lady too). But we had a wonderful time. I just wish I could have worn a hat or fascinator like the other guests! Then I would have truly felt British. All of our pictures are here.

Dad and Cal skipping the ceremony

the train engineer

This seems to be the only hat that Cal might wear this summer. He is SO in love with trains. And he doesn't seem to want to smile for the camera anymore either. In fact, he starts saying "No" and shaking his head when I pull out the camera. Regardless, I think he looks like a model in the second photo.