Welcoming Joel Matthew Hynds

We are now a family of 5, with three boys!  Joel Matthew Hynds was born on Wednesday, June 12 at 5:17 p.m., 21.5 inches long and 8 lbs. 10 oz.  He is doing well, and we are all adjusting well to our new life as a family of 5.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Joel's first two weeks, with more to come on Facebook.

Nathan's First Three Months

Believe it or not, Nathan turned three months old last week.  It was an exciting summer for the newest member of our family.  We took Noah's picture next to a Pooh doll every month during his first year, and we've done the same for Nathan.  Nathan's change from month to month is amazing.

Here's a look at Nathan over the past few months:

Here is the first month.  "Look at all that hair!"  That is the most common reaction when people see him, and we love it.

Then, the second month:

He grew up a little bit here and could keep his eyes open long enough to let me take a picture.  Finally, the third month:

He's actually starting to sit up a little bit now, and has really filled out.  He was a pound smaller than Noah at birth, but has caught up significantly, and we think he'll be a big kid.

Some of Nathan's highlights this summer were a trip to Myrtle Beach with family, as well as the State Fair.  We also spent a lot of time visiting friends and family, and took many trips to the park (at least when the heat index was not above 100).

Nathan is doing a lot of smiling, and even has started laughing.  He has a funny laugh.  Overall, he's a very smiley kid.  One thing that I think is pretty funny is that he usually has a big smile when you change him..  I find it funny that he enjoys such a thing.  I don't see him maintaining that enthusiasm for diaper changes when he gets older.

We're also starting to hear more noises from Nathan.  They are mostly excited and happy noises, although he occasionally lets out a big cry of frustration.  He is certainly getting more animated.

Noah has enjoyed being a big brother.  One of Noah's favorite things to do is hold Nathan on the couch.  Noah also likes to give hugs and kisses, and is a pretty good big brother overall.  I joke that Noah is a passive hugger; he hugs Nathan by just lowering his head on Nathan's chest.

This was a fun summer with our two boys, and we can't wait to see what is next!

Adventures in Diaper Changing

Chances are that I am not the only man who spent a small part of his 30th birthday changing his one-month-old's diaper.

However, I assume fewer men did this on the floor of their church's nursery.

I imagine even fewer men then had to use their right hand to stop the fountain from spraying from the one-month-old.

I guess even fewer men then heard the sound of something coming out of the other direction.

Well, that was exactly what happened on Sunday.  Thanks to all who helped out with the cleanup!

By the way, most of you know that I attend a church that meets in a movie theater.  I promise you that all of this took place on a blanket, and you do not need to worry about this the next time you go there to see a movie.

Noah's Silly Hat

A while back, I posted about the hats that we tried on at Stan's Idle Hour in Goodland, FL.  You can relive the memories here.  I was absent-minded and forgot to include a picture of the hat that Noah tried on, so here it is.  Enjoy!

Noah's New Diet?

The following is an actual conversation at dinnertime the other night:

Noah: Whatchu eating, Daddy?
Me: I'm eating chicken tetrazzini.  What are you eating?
Noah: Pine cones.

He went on to mention eating pine cones two more times that evening.  For the record, Noah also had chicken tetrazzini.  You can rest assured that we will never make our children eat pine cones for dinner, no matter how much they beg.

Welcome Nathan Thomas Hynds

We are pleased to announce that our second son, Nathan Thomas Hynds, was born at 11:09 a.m. on May 21, 2011, weighing 8 lbs., 4 oz. and 21 inches long.  It was a very fast delivery (he was born less than two hours after we arrived at the hospital), and both he and Angie are doing well.

Here are a few pictures of his first week.  There are many more on my Facebook page as well.  Our larger family is doing very well!

Yard Waste Quiz Time!

Here's today's multiple-choice question.

Over the past three weeks, how many bags of yard waste have I taken to the curb?

A) 2
B) 7
C) 17
D) 34

The first person with the correct answer wins fame and fortune!