Easter

A little late, but some video shot at Pat's house over Easter.

Charles Edward Bakker

I wanted to get the blog updated, but don't have a lot of time (I'm typing one-handed right now as a matter-of-fact, and holding our baby in the other).  So you'll all have to forgive me for the brevity.  So many prayers were answered this week - both spoken, and prayers of our hearts.  Charles (Charlie for now) Edward Bakker arrived safely on Sunday!  Both Katie and Charlie came home on Tuesday, and are doing really well.

7lbs 8 ounces, and 19.5" long

Grandma Charlotte enjoying her new grandson.  My folks were here all week, and a gigantic help.  We wish they were still here. 

Chris conned the docs into attending the c-section along with me.

Grandpa Tom

First bath by dad - not my first rodeo

Dad's boys

Tommy getting more curious

Holding baby Charlie

A proud big brother.  Tommy seems like such a big boy now.

Passing time in the hospital - cardboard boxes make a great toy

Of course, hospital beds that move up & down are fun too

A little kiss for Charlie

Back at home playing in the backyard.  I had to restrain him from climbing any higher.

Grandma helping get everybody fed.

Grandma Chris & Charlie

Big Charlie

Aunt wiz & Charlie

Grandpa Pat & Charlie

Mommy & Charlie

Kid's got talent

Sent from my iPhone I don't have the heart to put it all away - he was so proud of himself.

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Saturday morning chores

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That's a handsome fence if I do say so myself!

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Hands-down the best political speeches I've ever heard...

They're finally making sense!

Saturday

After a pancake breakfast, Tommy, Grandpa Pat, and I finally got to work installing our pickets.  We managed to get about 2/3 of the fence done before Tom ran out of fuel and had to nap.

A couple years ago we all bought Pat a John Deere riding mower so he could more easily cut his own grass.  It worked great for a while, but requires a bit of footwork on the pedals to operate, and was really too big for his yard.  Also, a year or two ago its running gear stopped working.  This all nudged me to find him a more realistic riding mower, which I did this week.  Tommy and I got it all cleaned & tuned up before we took it over to the old man.  Of course, we needed to make sure everything was running correctly before we dropped it off.

I'll have to get a picture of Pat riding it too, but in the meantime, enjoy pictures of T-man below.  I don't know how he managed to get so dirty in about 5 minutes at Grandma's house...