Transitions

A lot has changed in the last couple of months...hence the lack of blogging. And now I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of photos and stories I'd like to share and preserve. Here's a very brief run down.
- New job, new work schedule - at the Swedish Cancer Institute. The schedule is A-mazing...I have so much more time for the kids, life feels so balanced.
- New childcare - we had to say good bye to our beloved daycare; but have welcomed into our lives a fantastic nanny (Ivy)
- Bennett has embraced his 2's - therefore we are trying to keep his mind and hands active at all times to try and keep said 2-ness distracted. He goes to preschool twice a week, soccer practice on Fridays, and Ivy takes him on many adventures during the day. He insisted on being Superman for Halloween and flew all around the neighborhood collecting candy. Some of his frequent sayings these days: "Hey guys" "I can't know" "My sister loves me a lot"
- Clara is almost 6 months old and has hit some fun milestones. She can scoot backwards, roll over both ways, get up on all fours (already? yikes!), and just tried rice cereal for the first time. She continues to light up when her brother walks in the room (despite all the torture he puts her through) and is generally a chill, happy baby. Sleep is not ideal, but we'll give her a pass on that one because she's so darn cute.
We just had family photos taken and hopefully he captured on film how much fun we are having with the kids and how much they love each other as siblings already. I feel like time is flying and really do want to enjoy every moment - even the sleepless ones :)

5 Months

4 Months

Rolling

And proud of it! (I can't get the video to upload. But it's cuteness, I promise)

Camping

Bennett and Avery "unpacked" for me - can you find 2 kids in this photo?

I'm becoming a more confident "mom of two" - I braved our first camping trip with the kids....without Brent. I had my best gals around to help me manage and it was oh so successful. The kids played - hard. Sprinkler, pool, lawn games, trampoline - this helped make bedtime a bit smoother. Sweetest sibling moment yet - Bennett wanted to hold Clara's hand in the tent so she wouldn't be scared, and they both quickly fell asleep in this position. I love, love being a mom to these two, I couldn't ask for anything more.

Soccer

3 Months

I can't believe she's 3 months already! She is still such a happy, easygoing baby. She's giggling and smiling all the time and is finding her voice - lots of squeals and coos these days. She loves to watch her brother and most mornings he asks to hold her first thing. She just started rolling over last week so she now sleeps unswaddled.

Lollipops

Adventures in potty training have been frustrating, humorous, and now successful. Here are a few things from the past week that we have experienced:

- Bennett initiated the potty training (or the underpants wearing) himself....2 days before we were set to go on vacation. So I quickly convinced him diapers weren't so bad - no way was I going to potty train on an airplane.
- Once we got back, we jumped right in and hid all the diapers - he wasn't as convinced this time that underpants were worth the extra effort.
- Lollipops are by far the greatest bribery tool for Bennett - he'll do just about anything for one. Fortunately, this includes pooping on demand in the potty.
- We've had a few mishaps - he fell into a toilet in a public restroom (my bad), he pooped on the beach, he peed in a raspberry field, and the bathroom floor has never been scrubbed so much - we're still working on aiming down.
- I wasn't planning to night train him at the same time and figured naps would take some time but it was all or nothing in his mind so we're all underpants all the time - with no sleeping accidents (yet). He even woke us at 2am one night to tell us he had to pee.
- All and all, we are very impressed how smoothly this has gone and are very proud of our little underpants wearing guy. As a prize he got to pick out which underpants he wanted - he went with Cars (and misc Disney) and Thomas the Train.

Family Reunion

A few photos from our first vacation with the kids - fortunately we traveled with grandparents to we had lots of extra hands for babies and toddlers and gear. Besides Clara getting her first ear infection, the trip went off quite well. We all slept some, played in the pool and on the beach a lot, and spent time with family we don't get to see nearly enough.

Tummy Time

B: "Mommy, what's Cara (he can't say the L) doing?"
Me: "Exercising. It's called tummy time. She's learning to lift her head up."
B: "Oh. Hey sister - Lift your head like this!"

8 weeks

4 weeks (& 2.5 years)

First Few Weeks

We've survived our first few weeks - and this gal is sure making it an easy adjustment. She's a star sleeper and a great eater. We're getting more awake times during the day and get to see her pretty eyes more often. I had to take her in for an extra doctor appointment and she's weighing in at 9 lb 5 ounces now - she had a little eye infection (clogged tear ducts) that is now all cleared.

And Happy Fathers Day to the greatest Daddy - Clara and Bennett are so lucky to have Brent. I am grateful everyday for this man and watching him with our kids just makes me love him that much more.

Family Days

This last week and a half has been luxury because we have spent the days enjoying one other, learning about being a family of four - we had no particular agenda and no work obligations. Sunday was the last of these days before Brent returned to the office so we took full advantage of the weather and drove to Camano Island. We hit the beach - combed for shells, threw rocks, fished, picnicked, and relaxed. I am so thankful for this family of ours - I can't imagine life any differently.