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

Mirror Image

Sevi


Soren

We are often asked who we think Sevi looks like. That is hard to answer, as I see both Randy and I in him. But I also see alot of Soren, and there are times that with Sevi dressed in the same clothes I do a double take. As the home nurse said yesterday "looks like you cooked up the same recipe".

It's a Boy!!!

We Joyfully Welcome:

Sevien Rupert Murrill Lewandowski
Born November 17, 2009 @ 5:10pm
9 pounds 6 ounces
21 inches

All are fantastic and healthy!

The Tortoise and the Hare

We have been laughing about how different the two pregnancies have been, especially this grand finale. They have come to be known as the tortoise and the hare. Soren was like the hare, arriving on the due date with a fast labor and delivery. Baby #2 is like the tortoise, taking it's sweet time. Every day Soren talks to the belly, telling the baby to come out, he wants to meet it. He also did a little role playing in the tortoise shell last week at the Children's Museum, silly little hare.

Gemini Horoscope

Today's Horoscope (Randy and I are both Gemini's) read as the following:
There's no need to rush. Everything happens in the perfect time for you. And your wise to let others go at their own pace, too.
Ahhh, sage advice for one that is at 41 weeks. Yet - tomorrow is the new moon.......

Still Waiting.........

Puppet Show

Not a day goes by that Soren doesn't ask for his favorite thing: a puppet show. He is in charge of the props and Randy and I are in charge of the storyline, though he adds his own imaginative diversions during every performance. You can't imagine then how excited Soren and I were when I found this puppet theater along the side of the road yesterday morning. Along with fostering my child's creative play I have taught him the value of a great dumpster dive!

Speed Boy Racer

It didn't take Soren long to master the art of two-wheeled (four if you count the training wheels) cycling. The bike was a craigslist $10 steal that he received for his birthday last winter. He couldn't wait to hit the road this summer and was a very happy cruiser, often meeting up with his buddy Max for a cruise around the block.

Yard work turns exciting with the right size tool.

October and November in Minnesota seemed to have their weather patterns mixed up this year. October was cold and rainy and now November has been sunny and warm. We spent the weekend catching up on yard work with Soren testing out his new rake. At this stage of his life, Soren is all excited to help with anything and everything. I know all too soon that we will have to drag him out to help do his share of yard work - you can already see it in his pout.

Apple Pie

Soren calls Nana Lewandowski Nana Pie since he has been spoiled with her delicious homemade pies from birth. This summer she shared her pie making secrets with him. Rule #1 - bring your own rolling pin. Rule #2 - Lot's of laughter and taste testing.

Rockstar

Yesterday we took Soren to the Minnesota Children's Museum where he had a blast rockin' out in front of a blue screen to various music artists. The video was taken off a TV monitor on my point and shoot camera, so the quality is less then optimal but the enthusiasm is well captured.

The Poser

Practicing some senior picture posing.........

The Expansion of Love

I have noticed an interesting correlation between the expansion of my belly, tied in to the decrease in the size of my lap, and my anxiety over loosing the quality 1:1 time I have with Soren. Soren has adapted to physically squeezing around the oversized pumpkin that was once my lap. I am the one hung up on the psychological squeezing in and expansion of how can one spread such great love between two children. I am often asked if Soren is excited about the baby's arrival and all signs indicate he is. But the reality is that I know there will be a lot of adjustments that will need to be made by all of us and that all of our hearts will grow with love. There is still something about that loss of individual attention a first child is blessed with by the arrival of a sibling that pulls a string of sadness in me. So I have been soaking up the moments of love and attention that Soren and I share, the quiet snuggles and toddler questioning that has taught me so much yet makes me excited in sharing this bliss with the baby.

Magic Painting Elves

We have been working hard on transforming the upstairs into a bedroom/playroom for Soren before the baby comes. I don't have any "before" shots but imagine dark brown walls and cream ceilings - basically a very dark space. We had some wonderful elves who spent a lot of time and energy painting the room. The magnetic chalkboard wall is a huge hit and Soren transitioned into the new room without a glitch. We are so thankful to all that helped, we couldn't have done it without you Nana Pie, Nana Guitar, Uncle Jeff and Matt!

Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a spooktacular day of activities.

It's a Birl!!!

So far Soren seems pretty excited about the baby. He likes to kiss and hug it and always includes it when he shares things with mama and papa. As we wait for the big push to find out the sex, we sometimes ask Soren what opinion he has on the potential sex. On his own he came up with "It's a Birl" - oh how I love the mind of a toddler!

Little Red Balloon

At naptime and bedtime we let Soren pick one toy/book/object to have in bed with him. This so far has kept him in his bed and not be drawn to his shelves of toys, a challenge that displays great restraint if you ask me. In the past he has chosen anything from a classic toy to a swiffer and Randy's arm brace. This week his object of desire was the balloon he received at Trader Joe's that morning.

Return of the Photo Booth

Like the first time around, we hit the photo booth to document the last stage of the pregnancy. This time around Soren joined us from outside the belly as opposed to last time. We ran into similar development issues with the photo booth machine: underexposure and cutting off frames, but it still provides a fun visual.

Layout Changes

I have to thank the McKinney Family for the new look of our blog. I have been meaning to change and upgrade from the dot pattern and the styles at Deluxe Templates was just what I wanted. Change is good, and with the baby due within a couple of weeks, we may as well start with the blog.

Cyber Cuteness Heading Your Way

We hope to get so lucky in the cuteness category with baby number 2

Swingset

Auntie Lori and cousins Dani and Rachel donated their wonderful wooden swingset to Soren. Nana Nancy and Grandpa Henry hauled the whole thing up to our cottage July 4th weekend where it took many hands to reassemble. We are thrilled with the gift, especially that Soren will have a sibling to play with him on it for many years to come. Thanks again to all the Lewandowski clan - we love you.

Marching Band Protegee

Tuba player in training care of MacPhail Music and Yelena his teacher.

Father/Child Campout

Our dear friend Paul arranged a wonderful weekend of camping for a group of fathers and their kids at the Hok Si La Campground, Lake Pepin, MN. Randy and Soren had a wonderful time as Paul's pictures cleary demonstrate. Sure I missed my boys, but what a treat it was for the wives! We all ate a wonderful Italian dinner and then hit the movie theater, coming home to a nice quiet house. Thank you Paul for the perfect weekend for us all!

Strawberry Fields

Summer Lovin'

There is nothing like spending a summer swimming, biking and letting the sticky sweetness of a popsicle bring two close pals together. Thanks for a great summer Helen!