Family Walk

We finally had some nice weather on a weekend, so we took our first family walk with Olivia.

Ben opted to ride rather than walk most of the trip.

But he loves to walk down to the pond to see the ducks and fish, so he got out of his stroller at this point.

It's been a long, cold Spring so far. I'm hoping the nicer weather is here to stay!

Olivia Update

Olivia had her 2 month check-up on Thursday. She is 10 lbs 10 oz and 22.5 inches, about 50th percentile. She is doing well, except when I asked her doctor about how her stomach sort of balls up when she is having one of her breathing "fits" the doctor said that is her using her accessory muscles to help her breathe. She said this is common with larnyngomalacia but since she is not a specialist, she referred us to a pulmonologist. I will feel better with her seeing a specialist too, so I called right away. The first opening either pulmonologist has is May 20th. I'd rather not wait, but her pediatrician said it is nothing to be alarmed about, she just wants her checked out to be cautious. So we wait...

Meanwhile, here are some recent, random pictures of her.

 Mom, here are a few of her grinning, as requested...

And these ones really show of her hair.

I think she was watching TV here. No joke, she really likes to watch TV. She always cranes her head toward the TV when it is on. Maybe it is time to pull out the Baby Einstein DVDs.

It's too bad this one is so blurry, because I love the tongue sticking out!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Clearly Ben is picking up some new life skills since Olivia was born. I have no words. I'll just let the pictures to the talking. (On a side note, I have completely given up pumping at this point. My milk production was down to about an ounce per pump, which just didn't seem worth it to me.)

Build-a-Bear

Jenn and family sent Ben a Build-a-Bear gift card for his birthday, but we hadn't had a chance to take him yet since Liv was born only a few weeks after he turned 3. Jenn had the great idea to take him while she was visiting, so she could enjoy the experience with him.

He chose a dog instead of a bear, but he named it Teddy Bear so I guess it is a little of both.

Waiting in line. He seemed a little apprehensive. I don't think he quite knew what we were doing.

Getting the bear stuffed. Side note: The girl asked him what his name was and he told her Ben; she asked if he could spell it and he told her "B E N." I think she was impressed. I was just happy that he wasn't being shy.

Giving it a hug.

Picking out a heart.

Washing him up.

I didn't get pictures, but he also picked out two outfits (Chicago Bears uniform and Spiderman PJs, along with a pair of tennis shoes). He has taken Teddy Bear to school every day since we got him. Great gift idea. Thanks Quinn family!

Weekend Breakfast

When I asked Ben what he wanted for breakfast on Friday morning, I expected the usual answer of cheerios, yogurt, applesauce, fruit, etc. Those are weekday staples. But instead he told me biscuits and gravy. Haha, that's my boy! While I was not willing to whip up biscuits and gravy before school on Friday, I told him Daddy would make them for us Saturday. And he made good on my promise!

Mike loves his Starbucks coffee, so he always makes a "coffee run" on the weekends. Ben likes to ride along with him. When they returned, I jokingly toasted Mike with our coffees. Ben thought that was funny, so Mike showed him this fancy way of taking a drink. Ben thought this was hilarious.

Then it was time to get down to business. Ben wanted to help cook, so Mike obliged. You could never start a man learning to cook too early in my opinion.

Liv took a cat nap while we made breakfast.

And breakfast is served! (I snapped this pic just as Livvie was jerking her arm so it looks like she is waving.)

Calendar

For his birthday, Ben received the Melissa and Doug Calendar (and the Responsibility Chart but I'm waiting a little longer to break that one out) from Jaimee, Chris, and Lily. One night after school I decided to pull out the calendar. He was quite interested, but the concept of a calendar was pretty much lost on him. I'm sure as he gets a little older and we keep working on it, he'll get it. Meanwhile, he just likes looking at all the magnets.

Any time I ask Ben to hold something up so I can see, he thinks he must hold it up as high as possible.

Here is a video of him checking it out, complete with Dee howling, Liv fussing, and Ben rambling.

Thanks Jaimee, Lily, and Chris!

The Good Life

In my next life, can I come back as Dee.