My Brothers, My Friends

Growing up, I was very close to my younger brothers. We spent tons of time together, and I acknowledge without hesitation that they were my best friends. Even with the closeness and awesome friendship that I shared with my brothers, I could not help but wonder what it would have been like to have a sister who was in the same age bracket as me - what sister-sister friendship could we have shared?

On Christmas, my brother, Chad, had a surprise for us: he and his girlfriend, Tiffany, were engaged. We were surprised, but not in a shocked sort of way. Chad and I have a special friendship, we even have our own "song." Sure, my brother is even more difficult to get a hold of these days, but we are happy for him. Although we have not seen them interact much since they became a couple (they started seeing each other right around when Gabriel was born, and we have been rather busy with being new parents since that time), we know that Chad and Tiffany get along very well and wish them all of the best.

My history with Tiffany goes back approximately eight years, as her sister, Sarah, is one of my best friends (she was the maid-of-honor in our wedding). Though Tiffany is six years younger than us, she has come to be a good friend over the years as well.




Tiffany, me, and Sarah
Halloween, 2006






My other brother, Adam, is engaged as well. He and his fiancée, Carlie, are planning to be wed in the spring. Like Tiffany, Carlie and I have a history as friends - though I have known Carlie longer. Other than Sarah, Carlie was my only bridesmaid who merited the position predicated on friendship alone.




Carlie and me
June, 2006








So, although I was not blessed with a sister in my age bracket (Miriam and Faustina are sixteen and nineteen years younger than me, respectively), it looks like I am going to be blessed with two sister-in-laws who fit the bill. Two sister-in-laws who were friends with me before they entered into relationships with my brothers.




Adam, me, and Chad
May, 2006








I love my brothers so very much - and I wish for them to have holy and happy marriages. I am looking forward to having more nieces and nephews as well.* Sure, I may not spend nearly as much time with my brothers as I used to these days. As I have learned in my own life, however, love in the human person is not limited, so they ought not love me any less as they prepare for their own marriages. I know that I love each of them just as much now as I ever have, and expect that my feelings will remain the same always. I am not "losing" my brothers, afterall, but gaining two "sisters," two friends.







* I have two nieces and a nephew through J.R.'s family. I would also like to mention that this entry in no way negates the fact that I consider my sister-in-law (J.R.'s sister, Angela) a good friend.

My Baby's First Christmas

Our second Christmas as a married couple has been both enjoyable and full of blessings. We have each other, Gabriel, our families, our friends, our health - and we are not wanting for any item that we ought to have, while we have many things that we do not really need.

J.R. has been feeling a little under the weather lately, so that put a bit of a damper on our Christmas celebrations - but we had a splendid time still. We spent Christmas Eve together at home, it was different (I cannot remember going to a Christmas day mass ever), but immensely enjoyable. We went to mass together as a family on Christmas day, and though it interferred with Gabriel's nap schedule, he was a rather delightful baby for the most part. After mass we opened gifts at home, and in the afternoon we visited each of our respective families. It was different, as neither of our families were able to gather all members: my brother had to work on Christmas day, and J.R.'s sister and her family moved to North Carolina over the past year. Hopefully next year everyone will be able to spend time together for Christmas - it just did not feel "right" to not have all of the family together.

As for Gabriel, he had a splendid Christmas, complete with spoiling from his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The day itself was a bit much for him with all of the activities in which we partook, but he took a few shortened naps and acted like the sweet little boy that he is.


Gabriel enjoyed his first Christmas, and he continues to enjoy his peacock.

Four Months with Gabriel

Gabriel as a three month old turned out to be exactly as I predicted: the "best" month yet. Now that he is four months old, I think that this is the way that life with Gabriel is going to continue.



Gabriel has gained a couple of pounds since I last updated on his growth: he was ten pounds, four ounces at his appointment on Tuesday. He is on the small side still, but growing like a weed. On November 15 Gabriel surprised himself by rolling over for the first time (back-to-tummy). Gabriel had not been a big fan of tummy time until the last few weeks, though he appeared to be spending the majority of tummy time attempting to roll over to his back so that he would not have to be on his tummy any longer. On November 25 Gabriel rolled over, this time in the presence of both J.R. and me, from his tummy to his back for the first time. Since that time, he has pretty much mastered the skill of tummy-to-back rolling, though he has yet to repeat his back-to-tummy roll.


Naps are becoming both easier and more elusive at the same time. Gabriel has gotten better about taking a nap when he is tired, whether we be out or at home. If, however, he takes only a half hour nap, however insufficient it may be, any attempt at getting him to nap further will most likely be futile. I am not very concerned about it, since all three of us are doing well with the current situation for the time being.


In sum, life with Gabriel is joyful. He smiles. He almost giggles. He plays. We love him immensely. Honestly, what would life be without the beauty and blessing of children?