Cousins
What a beautiful baby!
My Three Little Guys
Benny And Grampa
This is what REALLY makes me happy!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
At Gramma's - Grampa lives there too
Cousins
What a beautiful baby!
My Three Little Guys
Benny And Grampa
This is what REALLY makes me happy!
For Ginnie (and everyone else)
Alex, our real basket case!
Benny's first "real food" - other than the occasional bite of ice cream that Dad sneaks in.
Waiting for the mono-rail train to come in at the Minnesota Zoo.
Go ahead hide my stool!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Bedtime Story
Ethan asked if he could read Alex his bedtime story recently. They both seemed like they enjoyed it!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Learning to Jump
Ethan and Alex have a little step stool that they find useful in a number of situations. (Alex especially likes it. He uses it to get into all the things that have been put up out of his reach.) Alex enjoys standing up on it - it seems to make him feel very brave.
Lately Luke has been trying to get him to jump off of it.
(Why are we teaching him to jump off things? I'm not sure. Apparently my lack of understanding is directly related to the fact that I'm female.)
Anyway, Alex is a little afraid to try jumping off the stool, but he still wants the fun of doing it. This is his solution.
Lately Luke has been trying to get him to jump off of it.
(Why are we teaching him to jump off things? I'm not sure. Apparently my lack of understanding is directly related to the fact that I'm female.)
Anyway, Alex is a little afraid to try jumping off the stool, but he still wants the fun of doing it. This is his solution.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Transitions
Ethan has always called us Mama and Papa. A few years ago, he started using Mom and Dad when he talked about us to someone else. Every once in a while, he'd ask if he could call me Mom. I always told him yes, knowing the time would come when Mama was too childish for him.
He'd call me Mom a time or two, and then forget all about it. I never made a big deal out of it, but I was always secretly pleased when he'd revert to Mama.
A week or so ago, he started calling us Mom and Dad. He'd do it very self-consciously, waiting for us to say something about it. When we didn't, eventually he asked me if I'd noticed anything. I told him yes, that I'd noticed he was calling us Mom and Dad. He waited expectantly, wondering what our reaction would be. I told him that was fine, that we'd always known that someday he'd get big enough to want to call us that.
We haven't talked about it anymore, but the slips of calling us Mama and Papa are getting fewer and fewer. It's becoming more natural for him to say Mom and Dad, although when he forgets Luke and I exchange a smile when he's not looking.
Sometimes it seems like he's growing up so quickly. I guess time really does fly!
He'd call me Mom a time or two, and then forget all about it. I never made a big deal out of it, but I was always secretly pleased when he'd revert to Mama.
A week or so ago, he started calling us Mom and Dad. He'd do it very self-consciously, waiting for us to say something about it. When we didn't, eventually he asked me if I'd noticed anything. I told him yes, that I'd noticed he was calling us Mom and Dad. He waited expectantly, wondering what our reaction would be. I told him that was fine, that we'd always known that someday he'd get big enough to want to call us that.
We haven't talked about it anymore, but the slips of calling us Mama and Papa are getting fewer and fewer. It's becoming more natural for him to say Mom and Dad, although when he forgets Luke and I exchange a smile when he's not looking.
Sometimes it seems like he's growing up so quickly. I guess time really does fly!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Spring Celebration
We did something a little different for our Easter activities this year. After reading this blog post, I decided to try celebrating spring the way she described. So on the first day of spring, we had our first "Spring Day"!
We started the day with bunny-shaped pancakes.
Then we took a short break to play with the Striking Venom. Because, you know, nothing says "spring" like robots fighting humans with laser guns.
Next we dyed eggs. Ethan was looking forward to this!
It was Alex's first time, of course, so he wasn't anticipating quite as much.
He really enjoyed it though.
And Alex found out what happens when you drop an egg on the floor.
That was so much fun I had to take the eggs away because he started spiking them like they were footballs.
Later we had a scavenger hunt (I forgot to take pictures during that). They found candy at a couple of the clue stops, and the big prize was a Hungry Hippo Game.
Adult supervision required, of course, until Alex is a little older.
We started the day with bunny-shaped pancakes.
Then we took a short break to play with the Striking Venom. Because, you know, nothing says "spring" like robots fighting humans with laser guns.
Next we dyed eggs. Ethan was looking forward to this!
It was Alex's first time, of course, so he wasn't anticipating quite as much.
He really enjoyed it though.
And Alex found out what happens when you drop an egg on the floor.
That was so much fun I had to take the eggs away because he started spiking them like they were footballs.
Later we had a scavenger hunt (I forgot to take pictures during that). They found candy at a couple of the clue stops, and the big prize was a Hungry Hippo Game.
Adult supervision required, of course, until Alex is a little older.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Blanket Buddies
In order for it to be relatively safe for Benny to be on the floor, we have a rule: no one is allowed on his blanket. Alex is pretty good about staying off the blanket, but he immediately wants his blanket spread out for him to get on.
He then gathers up a number of toys and sits there with his toys.
Including the cash register full of penguins.
What, don't you keep your penguins in a cash register?
He then gathers up a number of toys and sits there with his toys.
Including the cash register full of penguins.
What, don't you keep your penguins in a cash register?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Little Man
This is a hand towel that Luke wrapped around Alex after his bath; doesn't he look like a little old man from a sauna?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Giant Icicle
Luke found this giant icicle back when it was still cold enough for icicles. Ethan thought it was very cool! Alex just likes being where the picture is being taken.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
How to make brownies
To make Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies:
Decide after supper to make brownies while the baby is napping, the toddler is playing with his father, and the seven-year-old is playing with Legos in his room.
Measure butter, brown sugar, and white sugar into mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on to blend those ingredients while you go pick up the baby who is now awake. Because picking the baby up causes the toddler to lose all interest in playing with his dad, pick him up as well. (Remind yourself that this jealous phase will pass.) Sit for a moment rocking both boys to calm the crying. Give the baby to your husband and take the toddler with you to let him "help" with the brownies. Get eggs and milk out of the fridge while holding the toddler. Sit him on the counter (stand directly in front of him - we don't want any falls!) and shut the mixer off. Give him the same lecture you always do when he's near you in the kitchen. "Don't touch the mixer. It's very dangerous and it can hurt you."
Crack two eggs into the mixing bowl. Measure out two tablespoons of milk and add it to the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer back on, pick up the toddler, and return the milk and egg containers to the fridge.
Avoid running into the seven-year-old who has come to show you how his Lego clean team works. Return to the mixer and shut it off. Hold the toddler because the seven-year-old is now using the counter space that the toddler was sitting on to demonstrate the forklift, truck, and crane that help him pick up Legos off the floor. (They're all driven by little Lego men wearing hard hats. Safety first!) Realize that this is why it takes him so long to pick up his Legos. Get out the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.
Try to pay attention to the Lego demonstration while accurately measuring flour, baking powder and salt into the mixing bowl. (Remember you're still holding the toddler. Don't drop him or let him grab the ingredients.) Mix until blended. Realize seven-year-old is done demonstrating and intends to play with the Legos right there next to you. Ask him to move to the other side so you can set the toddler down on the counter again.
Divide half the batter into another bowl. Pick toddler up and get peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Return to mixing area.
Measure cocoa into the batter left in the mixing bowl. Blend. Raise mixer head and reach for a spatula to stir in chocolate chips. Freak out as toddler turns the mixer on. Simultaneously holler, "No, no! That's naughty!", turn off the mixer, and check for injuries. Breathe a prayer of thanks that there are none.
Realize what a mess your kitchen now is. Wash the toddler. Realize seven-year-old has had the sense to vacate the kitchen. Put the toddler down amid much crying as he realizes he's not going to be able to watch anymore. Get down on his level and explain that he was naughty and now he has to stay down. Harden your heart against his pitiful cries.
Shoo the dog out of the kitchen and wash the batter off the floor.
Overhear seven-year-old telling his father (with great delight) that he got brownie batter in his hair but he washed it out. Realize he's coming back into the kitchen to play. Right next to you. Tell him he has to take his toys elsewhere for now as you wash chocolate batter off the counters, cabinets, and your sweatshirt.
Realize there is chocolate being smeared back on the counters. Where is that coming from? Oh, there - you missed a whole big bunch on your sleeve.
Stir in chocolate chips into the batter. Ignore the crying and tugging on your pant leg. Measure out peanut butter into batter in second bowl; mix well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop batter in small mounds into the pan, alternating flavors. Put into the oven. Give one child a spatula to lick. Give the other the beater bar from the mixer.
Enjoy the quiet as they enjoy their chocolate.
Decide after supper to make brownies while the baby is napping, the toddler is playing with his father, and the seven-year-old is playing with Legos in his room.
Measure butter, brown sugar, and white sugar into mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on to blend those ingredients while you go pick up the baby who is now awake. Because picking the baby up causes the toddler to lose all interest in playing with his dad, pick him up as well. (Remind yourself that this jealous phase will pass.) Sit for a moment rocking both boys to calm the crying. Give the baby to your husband and take the toddler with you to let him "help" with the brownies. Get eggs and milk out of the fridge while holding the toddler. Sit him on the counter (stand directly in front of him - we don't want any falls!) and shut the mixer off. Give him the same lecture you always do when he's near you in the kitchen. "Don't touch the mixer. It's very dangerous and it can hurt you."
Crack two eggs into the mixing bowl. Measure out two tablespoons of milk and add it to the mixing bowl. Turn the mixer back on, pick up the toddler, and return the milk and egg containers to the fridge.
Avoid running into the seven-year-old who has come to show you how his Lego clean team works. Return to the mixer and shut it off. Hold the toddler because the seven-year-old is now using the counter space that the toddler was sitting on to demonstrate the forklift, truck, and crane that help him pick up Legos off the floor. (They're all driven by little Lego men wearing hard hats. Safety first!) Realize that this is why it takes him so long to pick up his Legos. Get out the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.
Try to pay attention to the Lego demonstration while accurately measuring flour, baking powder and salt into the mixing bowl. (Remember you're still holding the toddler. Don't drop him or let him grab the ingredients.) Mix until blended. Realize seven-year-old is done demonstrating and intends to play with the Legos right there next to you. Ask him to move to the other side so you can set the toddler down on the counter again.
Divide half the batter into another bowl. Pick toddler up and get peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Return to mixing area.
Measure cocoa into the batter left in the mixing bowl. Blend. Raise mixer head and reach for a spatula to stir in chocolate chips. Freak out as toddler turns the mixer on. Simultaneously holler, "No, no! That's naughty!", turn off the mixer, and check for injuries. Breathe a prayer of thanks that there are none.
Realize what a mess your kitchen now is. Wash the toddler. Realize seven-year-old has had the sense to vacate the kitchen. Put the toddler down amid much crying as he realizes he's not going to be able to watch anymore. Get down on his level and explain that he was naughty and now he has to stay down. Harden your heart against his pitiful cries.
Shoo the dog out of the kitchen and wash the batter off the floor.
Overhear seven-year-old telling his father (with great delight) that he got brownie batter in his hair but he washed it out. Realize he's coming back into the kitchen to play. Right next to you. Tell him he has to take his toys elsewhere for now as you wash chocolate batter off the counters, cabinets, and your sweatshirt.
Realize there is chocolate being smeared back on the counters. Where is that coming from? Oh, there - you missed a whole big bunch on your sleeve.
Stir in chocolate chips into the batter. Ignore the crying and tugging on your pant leg. Measure out peanut butter into batter in second bowl; mix well. Stir in peanut butter chips. Drop batter in small mounds into the pan, alternating flavors. Put into the oven. Give one child a spatula to lick. Give the other the beater bar from the mixer.
Enjoy the quiet as they enjoy their chocolate.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Reading to Alex
Another perk to having a reader in the house ... Ethan will read to Alex! This is especially helpful when Alex wants to read the same book over and over. Ethan is a wonderful help and reads cheerfully until Alex is ready to stop.
By the way ... Duck on a Bike is a great book!
Smiling
Benjamin has kind of a small smile here, but it's big enough to see the dimple in his cheek! (You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it, though.)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I'm trying ...
Wiser women than I have told me to enjoy the baby years we're in right now. And while I'm trying to, sometimes I wonder ... have they forgotten what it's like to have little ones?
Have they forgotten what it's like to have two crying babies? They seem to set each other off, although sometimes they just both need me at the same time.
Did they enjoy feeling pulled in so many different directions? When Alex is protesting the fact that I'm changing his diaper while Benjamin is crying because I'm not holding him and Ethan is telling me a long drawn-out story, while I remember I forgot to get dinner out of the freezer and the dog is whining to go out, well ... sometimes I want to sit down and cry myself.
Did they not have days they struggled to keep up with the housework and school and meals and diapers? Some days I think that all I really enjoy is bedtime - for me and the boys!
But then I see Alex gently patting Benjamin with a look of intent interest and affection on his little face.
I see Ethan playing with Alex without being prompted to.
I see Benjamin growing so quickly ... I'm already putting baby clothes away.
And I realize that those older, wiser moms haven't forgotten what it's like to have babies in the house. They just remember the sweet, precious moments that really matter, and forget the rest.
My mom is right - the days are long, but the years are short.
So through the fatigue, the whining, the lack of ability to have a complete, uninterrupted conversation ... I'll try to remember to look for those small moments that will make for lasting memories.
And someday, when my house is quiet and I miss the constant chatter ... when I have time to read grown-up books and I've forgotten the words to "Good Night Moon" ... when I won't have to plan phone calls strategically to make sure everyone is either napping or occupied ... maybe I'll find myself telling a frazzled young mom ...
Enjoy these years. They go so fast!
Have they forgotten what it's like to have two crying babies? They seem to set each other off, although sometimes they just both need me at the same time.
Did they enjoy feeling pulled in so many different directions? When Alex is protesting the fact that I'm changing his diaper while Benjamin is crying because I'm not holding him and Ethan is telling me a long drawn-out story, while I remember I forgot to get dinner out of the freezer and the dog is whining to go out, well ... sometimes I want to sit down and cry myself.
Did they not have days they struggled to keep up with the housework and school and meals and diapers? Some days I think that all I really enjoy is bedtime - for me and the boys!
But then I see Alex gently patting Benjamin with a look of intent interest and affection on his little face.
I see Ethan playing with Alex without being prompted to.
I see Benjamin growing so quickly ... I'm already putting baby clothes away.
And I realize that those older, wiser moms haven't forgotten what it's like to have babies in the house. They just remember the sweet, precious moments that really matter, and forget the rest.
My mom is right - the days are long, but the years are short.
So through the fatigue, the whining, the lack of ability to have a complete, uninterrupted conversation ... I'll try to remember to look for those small moments that will make for lasting memories.
And someday, when my house is quiet and I miss the constant chatter ... when I have time to read grown-up books and I've forgotten the words to "Good Night Moon" ... when I won't have to plan phone calls strategically to make sure everyone is either napping or occupied ... maybe I'll find myself telling a frazzled young mom ...
Enjoy these years. They go so fast!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Fun and Games
Let me start by saying we have rather ugly furniture. But then, if you've been to our house, you know that! Some time ago, I got slipcovers for the couch and chairs. They weren't beautiful, but they made me feel a little better about how the furniture looked. They've recently worn out, however. (You didn't know slipcovers could wear out? When you have small boys, ANYTHING can wear out! If it doesn't get broken first, that is.)
Ethan and Alex are thrilled with the current slipcover-less state of the couch. This is why:
To think of all the money we wasted on Christmas gifts! That would be what's laying all over the floor, by the way. Mr. Potato Head is fun for scattering all the little pieces all over, but then it's on to the good toys! The couch cushions!
Ethan and Alex are thrilled with the current slipcover-less state of the couch. This is why:
To think of all the money we wasted on Christmas gifts! That would be what's laying all over the floor, by the way. Mr. Potato Head is fun for scattering all the little pieces all over, but then it's on to the good toys! The couch cushions!
Happy 7th Birthday!
A couple recent pictures of our just-turned-seven-year-old:
Here he is dressed in Papa's coat and hat ... because we took a picture of Alex in Papa's coat and hat, and he tends to be a camera hog!
And here he is letting Alex watch while he plays a computer game. Alex was laughing and Ethan was being remarkably patient. Luke took this picture "to remind us that sometimes they *did* get along"!
Happy Birthday, Ethan! We love you!
Here he is dressed in Papa's coat and hat ... because we took a picture of Alex in Papa's coat and hat, and he tends to be a camera hog!
And here he is letting Alex watch while he plays a computer game. Alex was laughing and Ethan was being remarkably patient. Luke took this picture "to remind us that sometimes they *did* get along"!
Happy Birthday, Ethan! We love you!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A few funnies ...
So we've been busy around here lately. :) I've discovered that having an 18-month-old and a newborn is entirely different than having a 5-and-a-half-year-old and a newborn. Do you know the kind of things I've been saying?
"Don't lick the baby!"
"No, we don't pat the baby with a spatula."
"No! Icky! Don't stick your finger up Benjamin's nose. And eww, don't stick your finger up your own nose, either. And Ethan, quit laughing at him."
Alex really loves Benjamin, though. He'll even give him kisses, which he won't do for any of the rest of us. I hope he and Benjamin will be good friends as they get older, but I'm thinking that Benjamin will first go through a stage of being really irritated by how in his face Alex is.
Then again, maybe Alex will be slightly less enamored with him once Benjamin is moving and into Alex's toys. It seems to me it worked that way with Ethan and Alex!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Waiting ... and some pictures
We're less than a week from the baby being born (at most), and we're all getting anxious to meet this little guy! Although Ethan wavers between being excited about another "cutie pie" and bemoaning the fact that now there will be TWO little brothers to destroy his Lego creations!
We will be inducing next Monday if baby doesn't show up of his own accord before then. Any bets on whether he will? My mom is betting he'll be here sooner. I'm hoping he waits ... if he does, then I think I may get everything checked off my to-do list!
I think I'm trying to convince myself that he'll wait, though. At yesterday's doctor's appointment I was dilated to almost 5 (sorry if that's TMI for any male readers!). That was up almost 2 cm from my previous appointment, which was only 5 days earlier.
So we'll let you all know when something happens! Until then, I finally remembered to take some pictures of the boys yesterday ... I have a terrible case of "pregnant brain" and have been forgetting to take pictures so you all can see how big the two of them are getting. Ethan is also thinks he has to be goofy for every picture ... this is the most normal one I could get.
We will be inducing next Monday if baby doesn't show up of his own accord before then. Any bets on whether he will? My mom is betting he'll be here sooner. I'm hoping he waits ... if he does, then I think I may get everything checked off my to-do list!
I think I'm trying to convince myself that he'll wait, though. At yesterday's doctor's appointment I was dilated to almost 5 (sorry if that's TMI for any male readers!). That was up almost 2 cm from my previous appointment, which was only 5 days earlier.
So we'll let you all know when something happens! Until then, I finally remembered to take some pictures of the boys yesterday ... I have a terrible case of "pregnant brain" and have been forgetting to take pictures so you all can see how big the two of them are getting. Ethan is also thinks he has to be goofy for every picture ... this is the most normal one I could get.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Christmas Anticipation
Tonight as the boys were eating their bedtime snack, I asked Ethan what he was looking forward to most about Christmas. I expected to hear something about presents, and decorating the Christmas tree, and maybe making cut-out cookies together.
He is six, after all.
His response was one of those heart-warming moments. You know, the ones that come just when you need them most.
"Well," he answered thoughtfully, "we'll have a new little cutie-pie in our family."
And I think we're all looking forward to that!
He is six, after all.
His response was one of those heart-warming moments. You know, the ones that come just when you need them most.
"Well," he answered thoughtfully, "we'll have a new little cutie-pie in our family."
And I think we're all looking forward to that!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
We're really still here ...
... we just spent over a week at Mom and Dad's, and now we're all sick. We got pictures taken of the boys while we were at Mom and Dad's, though, so I'll be posting those soon!
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