Derek's 4th Birthday!

Derek celebrated his 4th birthday by enjoying cupcakes at school with his friends, teachers, and grand -(and great grand-) parents!

The 2 big brothers!

Josh joined Derek in his classroom for birthday cupcakes.

Zaidy Shelly, Grandma, Safta, and Bauby M join in on the fun!

Make a wish!

Yes, they did eat lunch before the birthday cupcakes!

Derek greets Josh as he joins his class.

All smiles for this 4 year old!

Silly Zaide!

Even Baub gets in on the action!

Happy 4th Birthday, Derek!!!

Derek et. al. then headed over to the hospital to meet his NEW little brother!

Benji is ready to meet Derek and Josh!

Ben sings Derek "Happy Birthday!"

Derek discovers the softness of Ben's hair.

Kisses from the Birthday Boy!

And kisses for the birthday boy!

A family of 5 (in just 4 years)!

All of the boys were great with one another.

So sweet.

What a great 4th birthday present, huh Derek?

Derek tells Josh all about what it's like being a big brother.

Loving brothers.

 

Derek can't take his eyes off of him -- love?  or worry about having another set of hands around to steal his toys?!

Derek takes a turn holding him all on his own.

Saying good-bye.  See you at home!

This lucky boy was born into a family with 5 great-grandparents, 4 grandparents, and whole lotta love!

So happy together!

Checkin' out the goods.

Thanks for stopping in -- we'll see you at home!

After visiting with Benjamin Evan, Derek et. al. headed back to Grandma and Papa's for a celebratory dinner with the rest of the family.

Josh does a little pre-cake calorie burning workout.

The Birthday Boy works on a new puzzle!

Leading the prayer for the challah.

So happy to be able to celebrate #4 with so many family and friends.

Aunt Susie (AKA Aunt Balls) helping Josh get in on some of the gift-action.

Thanks EVERYONE for making Derek's day a special celebration.

Now that Josh is an older brother, he'll have to keep my vision in tact.

Happy 4th Birthday, Derek!

It was delicious!

Can you tell?

Josh went from dessert....

....to the sink (for a bath).

Derek checks out what a 4-year old looks like!

Announcing Benjamin Evan Barbag

As of 5:34 p.m. at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, weighing in at 7 lbs. 4 oz. and 19 inches, we have a third baby boy --- Benjamin Evan Barbag!

Mommy, Daddy, and little Benji are all doing well:

Waiting for the doctor to arrive.

Prepped and ready to go!

The last few quiet minutes together!

When it's your 3rd c-section, they let you walk yourself to the OR,
we guess!  We were always wheeled back there in the past!

PUT ME BACK!!!

Love at first sight.

I hear you.  Coming in loud and clear!

 
There's no denying the fact that these boys are brothers!

Which Barbag Boy is Which? (Answers at the end of this post).

Lots of long hair.

Raise your hand if you were born today!

Snuggled up and content.

Meanwhile, back at Grandma and Papa's house -- the boys had a wonderful dinner with Grandma Candy, Papa Harvey, Safta Mildred, Bauby Marcia, Zaidy Shelly, and Zaide Mike (poor Bubby Linda had a cold):

Biggest Brother Derek and New Big Brother Joshua will get to meet their new little brother when they come to visit and celebrate Derek's 4th birthday tomorrow!

As promised, the answers to Which Barbag is Which:  Top Left Derek Ryan, Top Right, Benjamin Evan, Bottom Left Joshua Aaron, Bottom Right Adam Corey and Lori Ilana (with Benji).

Today is the day!

Today is the day the Barbag Family becomes a family of 5!

After our visit with Dr. Douglas last Friday, he sent us home and told us to prepare for a birth on Monday!

Soooo, we went home to prepare for Yom Kippur:

Derek takes a pulse of the situation.

Thanks John, Danying, and Miting for babysitting at the last minute to allow Mommy and Daddy to go to Kol Nidre!

This guy -- doesn't fast!

 Now, it's time to leave it up to the professionals.  They may not be as cute as these two:

But, hopefully they are WAY more prepared!!!

Derek takes a final shot of Mommy's belly before leaving for school.

A final family of four shot -- next time will be FIVE!!!

Stay tuned for our next post - the arrival of Baby Boy Barbag #3 (only a day shy of Derek's 4th birthday)!

The High Holy Days 5775

First off -- Belly Shots:

37 weeks...

But who's counting?!

As family began to arrive from out-of-town, Derek decided to show off his skills are reciting the prayers he has learned at school:

He recites this prayer during snacks:

But, then he got it right for the Challah on the 2nd try:

Now to the real business of the day - the start of the The High Holy Days!

Boys dressed and ready to go!

Check.

Assume cute "Magazine Ad" pose.

Do something inappropriate at temple (hey, we have to have something to repent for in a week, right?) -- Besides, how often does one get to celebrate such a joyous occasion with their 95 year old Great Grandma?

The boys were happily waving from the bima to Papa and Safta and Uncle Alex while Mommy and Daddy sang their aliyah.

Then we headed back to Grandma and Papa's for their annual ring in the "Sweet" New Year party:

Thanks Lisa for starting off the New Year extra sweet!

These were a BIG hit with the boys!!!

Mums the word with house scrumptious the cookie-pops were.

Derek assumed his very important role as "Prayer Leader" (this was his job at school the previous week):

The next night we celebrated with Aunt Susie and Roberto at their house (and spent time with their newest addition -- Kia)!

At it again...watch out Rabbi Ari!

Josh has fun with 95 lb Kia.

Derek has fun with 95 lb Ed

Derek helps Grandma with a bit of birthday cake!

Of course, he's willing to help sample!

Nothing like ringing in the New Year!

Grandma shows Derek how to play Violin!

Practice makes perfect!

Josh prefers keeping the pool clean.

Gotta sleep off all of the holiday fun!

At the middle of 38 weeks, Mommy left school to go to her weekly appointment.  Dr. Douglas then sent her home and said come back later today (don't eat or drink anything).  We thought for sure this little guy was arriving a bit early:

Here we goooooo ---- JUST KIDDING!

We were sent home and told to come back on Friday (the following day)....STAY TUNED!!!