We have a new niece!

My sister Carrie and her husband Matt had a baby girl, Ava Ann, on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Ava weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and is 21 inches long. We are excited that she is here and that everything is going well for the new parents. Benjamin thinks cousin Ava looks like Gunnar. For some reason it's hard for me to imagine my little sister as a mommy--I feel really old now! Congratulations again you two! She's a sweetie and we will keep her!

What Dave learned...

Potatoes really do explode when they are not poked before baking!

Dave learned an important lesson a few weeks ago, when you bake potatoes you need to have them poked so they don't explode. He has been making potatoes for years (I never knew he wasn't poking them) so when I asked him to put in some potatoes I did not think anything of it. I was burping Gunnar when I heard a loud bang. At first I thought it was something else but then I decided I should go take a closer look at the oven because I had a bad feeling that something was going on in there. While I was putting Gunnar down I heard another loud bang and went to check the oven. While opening the oven door another potato exploded all over me. I quickly shut the oven off and poked the other potatoes with shaking hands as they were ticking time bombs. I just wanted to share with everyone that poking potatoes is a must; otherwise, you will have potatoes crisps and bits and pieces everywhere! Thank goodness for my hidden oven coils (it sure made clean-up easier) now if only there was a way to have recessed broiler coils! I am still cleaning potato out of that area. I am not joking when I say that potato went everywhere! Potato mess cleaned up and lesson learned; priceless (but not without a lot of laughter first).

Gunnar's 2 Month Well Check...

Gunnar had his 2 month baby well check on March 26, 2010. He is growing like a weed! He is 24 inches long (97 %) and weighs 14 pounds 6 ounces (upper 97 %). His measured 39 1/2 cm (75 %). If you couldn't tell by those figures he is doing exceptionally well. Now, if only we could kick this colic in the butt we would be in great shape! Our little boy is growing up so fast. Where did the time go? I can't believe he is over 2 months old already! He has been really socially smiling this past week. He smiled beforehand but now he is definitely smiling when he is happy or in response to what you say. He is such a handsome little guy (no bias here)! We hope he continues to grow and thrive and remains happy and healthy.

Checking out raptors...

Benjamin, Ada, Gunnar, and I attended Bald Eagle Awareness Day at the Outdoor Campus. It was a great afternoon. There were many different activities for the kids to do such as making finger puppets, making necklaces, search for the different raptors, puzzles, coloring activities, and a station where they could make a Bald Eagle treat. Benjamin was in heaven with all the different activities to do. There was also a raptor show where we got to see a bunch of raptors. Benjamin thought the little screech owl was adorable. Ada liked looking at all the different birds. Gunnar slept through the whole afternoon. Benjamin and Ada enjoy going to the Outdoor Campus for animal class. It's been great educational entertainment.

Colic = no sleep!

Sorry for the lack of posts but the last 2 1/2 weeks have been spent dealing with Gunnar's colic. He will be up and screaming any where from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. which leaves for one exhausted mommy and one tired daddy. I try to sleep as much as possible during the day to bank up for the long evening. We are new to colic as Benjamin and Ada never really had it. We are eagerly awaiting for the colic to be gone so we can go back to just normal sleep deprivation. I will keep you posted when we are colic free--hopefully soon!

Benjamin's 4 Year Dr. Appointment...

Benjamin was supposed to have his 4 year dr appt. last fall but with H1N1 in full force the dr's office called and asked if we could reschedule for March. So on March 1 Benjamin went in for his 4 year well check appointment. He is definitely growing up. My shy little boy took off his coat, hat, mittens, and boots and went with the nurse to get weighed and measured by himself. He told me to stay in the room with Gunnar and that he would be right back. He came back and told me how much he weighed and how tall he was. He was a typical boy as he added a couple of inches to his height (he said 42.5 inches) but he was pretty close. He weighed 36 pounds (45%) and is 40.5 inches (30%) tall. He visited with the doctor, answered questions, and chose to wear the little hospital gown so he wouldn't get cold! I wish I would have taken my camera as he looked so grown up! He is very ticklish so when the doctor examined him he was laughing the whole time. He even chose to get his kindergarten shots this time so next time he will just have a visit. I can't believe what a grown-up boy he is becoming!

So Big...

Benjamin loves his little brother and always wants to be with him or hold him. I was changing Gunnar and was just about to put his jammies on when Benjamin crawled up onto the bed and laid down by Gunnar. It was just too cute. Benjamin will also do "belly time" with Gunnar. So does anyone else think that these two look a-like?