Max's ridiculously fun day

Working in baseball, I spend quite a bit of time away from home during the summer. But during the holidays I'm fortunate enough to have this week between Christmas and New Year's Day off.  

With Elisa feeling a little under the weather and Sam literally attached to her much of the time, Max and I headed down to Seattle Center to have a daddy and dude day.   

Here's video of Max ice skating on his own with help of a little walker. I'll always remember Max squealing, "I'm skating, daddy! I'm skating!"

We ran into Max's preschool teacher Sophie on the rink, which delighted him to no end.

Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger

Max playing conductor for the Center House train

This is what put the ridiculous in a ridiculously fun day. I made a call to a friend at KOMO TV to get us up to see their chopper. 

 If you look real close, you can see Max's mind being blown.

We got a special tour from Gary the helicopter pilot, who Max peppered with questions like, "What does this do?" and "What about this thing?" and...

The grin just wouldn't go away.

Feeding our little woodland friend

Squirrel!

More boy joy

Oh hai, spider. 

And yes, it's a Christmas miracle. We found a tiny pile of snow (or ice dump) to make a tiny snowman. 

The next Apolo Ohno?

Christmas letter 2012

Asleep at the wheel [video]

On Christmas Eve, Sam could only be dreaming that Santa brings him a race car tomorrow.

Season's Greetings from the Greenes and our grapes

 

Everything really is better with bacon

Fuzzy Hat Club inaugural meeting

On the menu today...

Spider!

It's not even New Year's Eve...

But, Sam already busted out the bubbly.

Happy first month, Sam

While his due date said he should only be 9 days old, we've already had a full month to enjoy our little man.

His early arrival may be a harbinger of what's to come. He started craning his neck early, when he was just days old, and has already rolled over twice, which is months sooner than normal. On top of that, our early bird already has all the movements down for crawling.

We can't wait to see what the months ahead hold. Who knows? He could be talking before the New Year.

Stand by for adorable picture in 3... 2... 1...

All in due time

Today was Sam's due date.

We feel so thankful to have had the past three weeks to get to know this little guy. One thing we've learned is that he's an eater. Need evidence? He put on a full pound in the last week.

We love his snorts, squeaks, funny faces and most of all, having him healthy and home.

Guess someone's new favorite shirt

Hello my name is

Let's just say we don't know who Sam is anymore. Literally.

That's because he's (for now) legally Ridley Otis Greene.

I got a call today from the county trying to match Sam's birth certificate to his social security info. Only problem was the hospital, who submitted his birth information for social security, replaced Elisa's maiden name, Ridley for Sam's first name.

Not to worry, we should get this Mad Libs birth certificate fixed soon after some bureaucratic gymnastics.

So for the time being call him Ridley or call him Sam. He'll answer to both or maybe some other names as long as you have a warm bottle.

Sam's first Thanksgiving

We expected Sam to arrive 10 days after Turkey Day, but instead he showed up 11 days beforehand. He was just in time for the Thanksgiving festivities.

Clockwise from left - Grandma Patti, Max (who's winking), me, Sam, Elisa, Grandma Sue Sue, Cousin Kevin and behind the camera, Grandpa Gary

Hold the turkey and pass the milk please

We're just two happy guys 

Grandma Patti and her grandsons

Grandma Sue Sue manages to squeeze a smile out of Max

Winnie supervised a nice Thanksgiving from upstairs

Max now comes with his own captions

What we're thankful for

Last week we were in Swedish Hospital's Infant Special Care Unit with Sam.

Joining us, as a matter of fact next door to us, was my former roommate and good friend Erin Kelly, his wife Merideth and their beautiful new daughter, Anna*. She was due one month earlier than Sam, but was two weeks late while our guy was three weeks early. 

We are so thankful today that both babies made quick recoveries, returning home last weekend and that we have many good times to look forward to with our two families... maybe even a Kids Kelly-Greene St. Patrick's Day party!

 

 

* Also known as Sam's future prom date

Sam's official birth announcement

 

"He looks great"

Sam had his first trip to the doctor and received glowing reviews. Best news of all -- no long-term effects from his breathing issues!

Big Brother program

When I graduated from high school I joined the Big Brothers program. The basic premise was to spend a few hours each week hanging out having fun with a kid who didn't have a dad or a good male role model in his life. I went to ballgames, played hoops and even taught my little brother to shave.

As a side note, my little brother went on to study medicine at Northwestern and is now an ER surgeon. Color me proud.

Twenty years later, I'm bringing the program back with Max. With Sam now home, healthy and a week old, I want to make sure Max still knows he's loved. A trip today to eat donuts, ride the Monorail and play at Seattle Center seemed to do the trick. Max has been terrific since baby came home yesterday.

Home sweet home

We are overjoyed to have Sam home. After a week in the hospital, Sam was released today with a clean bill of health. 

It's not Thanksgiving yet, but we already have so much to be thankful for starting with the incredible staff at Swedish Medical Center. Their kindness, dedication and care was nothing short of heroic.  We also appreciated all the love and support we received from our parents.  

Here's to the start of a special first holiday season with our second son and a new lifetime of together.

Sam's coming home outfit gives a nod to the home team on his noggin

Club 1121's newest member

A happy homecoming

Winnie welcomes Sam to the family with a kiss

That's my name

 

 

 

The Brothers Greene

Moving up by moving down

Sam took another big step towards coming home by moving down four floors from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the Infant Special Care Unit.

We now have a room of our own with Sam and as the name suggests, less intensive care. If he continues to eat, grow and breath without issues, he should be able to come home before Thanksgiving. We couldn't be more thrilled.

More progress

Sam Otis has had another good 24 hours. He was removed from his Cpap breathing machine early this morning, drank from a bottle for the first time and moved to a crib. Most importantly, his breathing has stabilized.

We've gotten the opportunity to hold him more and Max and his baby brother are starting what is sure to be a lifelong friendship. Max went as far as to offer Sam some of his milkshake from lunch.