On the Ice

This past summer we picked up some great size 10 double blade ice skates at a garage sale for $2. Then this Christmas Soren received a hockey stick along with an indoor field hockey class at the local community park. So far Soren lasts about 5 minutes out of the 45 minute class period. His introduction to the ice with the skates lasted about the same. For now the idea of being a hockey player still entices him, we just have to let the physical side of it all catch up.

Tumpy Wump

Go ahead and guess what a 2 month old who is in the 96% for weight just may weigh? Well, our not so little Sevi weighed in yesterday at his 2 month appointment at a whopping 15.1 pounds! As proof you can see in the photo how Sevi is popping out of his 0-3 month clothes - we can't even get the snaps close to being closed! I have hence adopted the name my own mother gave me as a baby: Tumpy Wump.

Sevi's First Bottle

We can't decide if Soren is getting a bit better with his Big Brother role or if we have just become numb to his fits of fury over the last two months. Either way I was thrilled that Soren wanted to participate in giving Sevi his first bottle. And like his big brother, Sevi took to the bottle like a champ.

Twinkle, Twinkle

For Soren's third birthday he received a guitar from Nana Guitar. We call her Nana Guitar because of all the musical instruments in her home, the favorite being my father's classical guitar and Nana's partner Bob's ukulele. Now Soren has his own guitar to strum and he plays it daily, loving to perform in front if the video camera. Here is his rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I have to laugh at Soren's eagerness to play this song and how it has come back to haunt me. I used to have to practice it over and over (with tears of unhappiness in my eyes) when I was young and learning to play the violin. We plan to start Soren with guitar lessons soon and I hope that they bring him that wonderful smile of happiness he has now.

Sevi @ 2 Months

At two months it appears that Sevi has already learned the act of defense. This fisted, boxing like stance has been a daily look for the last few days. Do you think this could be a reaction to the anger his big brother has so often displayed? Perhaps Sevi's way of saying "some day man, I am going to get you back for all those times you rocked the hell out of me in that infant car seat."

The Joy of Nursing

There are two things I cherish the most about motherhood because of how they personally connect me with my child. It is a form of communication that only a mother can have with her child. The first is the feeling of movement in the womb, the sudden jab or roll, a sign that for me meant that my little one was safe and healthy. The second is nursing. Hearing the long gulps and gratifying sighs of a well fed baby while still latched on. You pop them off the nipple, wipe away the dribble of milk and bubbles, and stare in awe over the blistered nursing smile that tells you thanks for nourishing me.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to

Soren celebrated his 3rd birthday with a tiny bash that consisted of friends that have been in his life for most of his short 3 years. The pictures above show the first hour and a half into the two hour party when all was fun and festive. Then came time to open his gifts and that is when all the tears broke loose. There wasn't a single toddler in the house who in that last half hour didn't melt into a crying frenzy. Tears poured over who got to open the gifts, who got to play with the gifts and who got to keep the gifts. As traumatic as it was for the young ones, the parents at least got a chuckle over the pure drama of toddlerhood.

Mr. 3 Year Old

Happy Birthday dear one - we love you!

Sevi Sweetness

Christmas Wishes

Soren has yet to grasp the concept of Santa. On Christmas Eve I tried to use Santa as a bribe to get Soren to fall asleep. Soren then said "Mama, call Santa on the phone and tell him not to come." Well, Soren did go to bed and Santa did come. While Sevi slept through most of the day's dual family activities, Soren was in present heaven. In his eyes he scored twice as much by acting as Sevi's official present opener. All I know is that I was blessed early this year by the gift of a 5 week old infant that sleeps 8 hours in the night. Yes, there really must be a Santa!

Rock And Roll Is Where It's At

The Cedar Cultural Center was the venue last Saturday for the debut of the Bunny Clogs new children's album by local singer Adam Levy (from the Honeydogs). This was the first rock 'n roll concert for both Soren and Sevi. Soren made it up on the stage (on the far left of the pic) for the Midtown Greenway song, grooving with a packed stage of toddler hipsters. Local themes kept everyone entertained during the clever and surreal performance.

Gingerbread Cookies

As of last year Soren has a holiday tradition of making gingerbread cookies with his Nana Anne. This year we surprised Nana with Soren having his own gingerbread man apron to wear for the festivities. I think Soren's favorite part of the whole process is the eating of the cookies and what body part to chomp off first. Thanks Nana for the great tradition.

Happy 1 Month Old Sevi!

Sevi @ 3 weeks

Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Working on a gingerbread house while eating at least half of the candy decorations.

And we have it, the First Smile

Kid's Workshop, but with a little help from the parent's

The first Saturday of each month Home Depot offers a kid's workshop providing wood toy kits that kids can build. This past Saturday the kit was a wagon, so we jumped on the opportunity. Aprons are handed out along with the necessary tools but the real treat is the popcorn. This is a smart move on Home Depot's part to help keep the kids occupied and happy while the parent's ultimately finish up the work.

Baby, Baby, Blah, Blah, Blah

It has been two weeks with Baby Sevi at home and we are often asked how is Soren adjusting. Here are a few scenarios to clue you in to how Soren is handling the role of Big Brother. The morning after our first night at home Soren announced that he wanted to throw mama out in the garbage. Then, while at the Dr for Sevi's check-in, she asked how Soren liked having a little brother. He responded loud and clear "icky". Add to this sudden outbursts of screaming, hitting and biting, luckily only towards Randy and I. With Sevi eating, sleeping, & pooping like a dream baby - we hardly notice he is here. The terror of Soren is what we didn't expect and where we find all our energy is going. The thing that makes us the most sad is that comparison of the two boys already. It was once Soren that was the true angel, so cuddly and innocent. There are times that we want to tune out the tantrums and drink in the quiet sweetness of a baby. But this is the time when one has to dig deep into parental patience and unconditional love and know that this phase of jealousy and anger will pass. That when Soren smiles and wraps his arms around our head whispering "I love you" that his sweetness is still there, just tucked under some layers of need and confusion. So if you drive by and happen to notice Randy and/or I lurking out by the garbage can, throw us the peace sign along with an encouraging smile and we will be reminded that this is a temporary phase, right?!?!?!?!?!

We grow them BIG in Minnesota

And you all thought that Sevi was a big baby. Check out this MN couple here

Chillin' Bro's