Walk the Walk, Chalk, the Chalk

A few weeks ago, Sterling wanted to play outside, but didn't want to go to the park or for our usual walk. So we broke out the sidewalk chalk and decorated the driveway! This is Sterling in the shirt his Mimi and Grandpa gave him. It references his new family role. Next to Sterling is a hop-scotch. I figured this was going to require a lot of explanation but, no sooner than I finished drawing it, Sterling immediately began jumping through the squares. Sterling insisted that I draw several animals. Bear with me; there's a reason I'm a lawyer...

Mama's effort at a giraffe.

Daddy's contribution of some Star Wars aircraft or something like that...

Mama's contribution of a lion.

This one was a collaborative effort. Mama drew the dinosaur. Then Daddy insisted on drawing flames shooting out of the dinosaur's mouth and the victimized city in the backdrop.

Sterling is such a great administrator!

Being Green. And White. And Yellow.

Sebastian is very lucky to be one of many, many little boys born into our church family. In fact, there have been so many more boys than girls that Mama Xanderneff has often wondered whether we are being naturally selected, or instead poised for greatness.

One of the cool things about all of these baby boys is that the hand-me-downs are outstanding! This super-cute number was first given to one of our minister's sons, Ian. Ian then gave it to Sterling, who also wore it for several months.



The pajamas read "The duck says quack quack."

Chicks dig ducky jammies.

Could you resist this face??? Didn't think so.

How to Put a Blanket on a Baby

Sterling is beginning to take more of an interest in Sebastian who, heretofore, he has found rather uninteresting. Sterling likes to "help" Sebastian. But sometimes Sterling's help needs direction. We learned this when Sterling tried to feed Sebastian, resulting Sebastian choking while Sterling thrust a bottle into his mouth over and over again. Lesson learned.

So, here is Sterling walking through the individual steps of "helping" Baby Bastian.

Step One: Ask Baby Bastian if he is cold. If he does not respond, it's probably because he's so cold.

Step Two: Find a blanket and open it up.

Step Three: Gently lay the blanket on Baby Bastian. It is important to stress gently when giving this direction.

Step Four: Look on in satisfaction as your brother gets warm.

Sebastian, if you are pleased with your newfound temperature, just lay there.

Okay, Sebastian is indicating that he is pleased.

The Lion Bathes Tonight

My brother gave Sterling a small menagerie of Safari animals for Christmas two years ago and, species by species, they have migrated their way to the watering hole commonly known as Sterling and Sebastian's bathroom.


Every night, amidst an Elmo submarine and a set of magnetic boats, giraffes, turtles, and a small pride of lions gather to bathe themselves, play with the bubbles, and perform various one-act plays for Sterling.



The lions are known (l to r) as Daddy Lion, Mama Lion, and Sterling Lion (sorry Sebastian, but in fairness they predate you). Sometimes I step out of the room during bathtime to grab pajamas or turn down Sterling's bed, only to return to hear him acting out familiar sitautions with the pride. Speaking as Sterling Lion, he says "Mama Lion, Daddy Lion, hold Sterling Lion!" He likes to bathe them, line them up on the side of the tub, put them to bed using the washcloth as a blanket, etc.

Last week, I asked what Daddy Lion says and Sterling responded with "ROOOOOOAAAAAR!" Then I asked what Mama Lion says, and Sterling responded "I love you; I have to go to work." So I guess the Mama Lion brings home the gazelle and fries it up in a pan.

Only two-and-a-half years late...

At my law school graduation in May of 2008, I made a casual promise to our parents that I would start a blog about our family after our first child was born during the following month. I've blogged at many points in my life; it's not all that taxing. Life after marriage, after kids, after the bar exam, after two demanding careers can't be all that consuming, right?

It's over two-and-a-half years later, and I'm just beginning to feel settled enough into the family we have become and the lives we have built to think that a blog is a good idea again. Or at least a good enough idea to dedicate a few minutes each week to update the world on my two boys and our life together in suburban Houston.

This blog is intended as a way for our family to keep up with us--family of birth and of marriage, our platonic extended family, and family both near and far. At some point I will remind myself how to enable comments and this can become a two-way conversation. It will be just like Larry King, you'll see.

Stay tuned.