Pink Bicycle

This is just one of the many "big girl" things Ella has learned over the past week. We got her this bicycle for her 2nd birthday and she was excited, but not quite coordinated enough to ride it. Last week she decided she wanted to try again and after just a couple days of "practice" she's a pro. (Although, as you can see, we still need to remind her often to look up and out to where she's steering).

Busy

I suppose you all understand we've been busy, and thus, no recent posts. The thing is, we've not just been busy with an infant and a toddler - we've been doing fun things. So, keep watching and I'll get you up to speed on our last week in the next few days.

The first thing was the Maiden Voyage of the BOB Duallie! (Now, actually, the "Double BOB" as Ella calls it has been out many times with Ella and her friends, but this was the first time with Benjamin). We've been walking as much as we can. The weather is still beautiful, so whenever it works so that both children have eaten, we don't have anything else pressing to do, and I'm feeling up to it - we walk.

Another sort of routine thing was Benjamin's second doctor's appointment. He'd had one when 3 days old and had lost quite a bit of weight, so they had us come back for a weight check. At 3 days he weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces. At one week he weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces! Thus, no worries, Mommy's milk is treating him well. He looks chubbier and more filled out each day.

Benjamin Michael - 2 weeks

The more exciting events (and sister/brother pictures for the grandparents) will be their own separate posts here in the next few days.

P.S. If you think of it, pray for us tomorrow (Monday) - it's Seth's first day back to work after these last 2 weeks off, and Ella, Benjamin and my first day home alone! I think we're all a little nervous. :)

The Pumpkin Patch

Taking advantage of the amazing weather, and knowing it usually snows/freezes by the 1st or 2nd weekend in October, we headed as a family out to the pumpkin patch. This is one of my favorite activities, so although Benjamin was just a few weeks old, we all went together. We had a really good time riding the tractor, picking our pumpkins, snacking on juice and cookies, and checking out the farm animals. Eleanor was especially excited about the goat who had gotten out of his pen and was running amok.

I love some of the pictures we have of Ella when she was just 5 months old and we headed out to the same spot... unfortunately we had sun in our eyes the whole time and she wasn't quite in the mood for pictures. Oh well!

The "Pottery Place"

A new business started up downtown this summer called Something to Kiln. Eleanor now has a new favorite activity. :)

Just a week or so after Benjamin was born our whole family headed down to the "pottery place" to paint. I worked on a bowl I'd started previously (and yet have to finish) and Seth helped Ella paint a puppy figurine. Benjamin slept contently in his carseat the whole hour.

So far, Eleanor has painted a cup and saucer for herself as well as the puppy. She often talks about going back and painting other animals. We'll see what's next!

Time for More Pictures

Just some random pictures from the last week...

Daddy

This week I've been overwhelmingly blessed by my husband, Seth Michael. I'm grateful for so much that he's done, and always does, for me and our family. Here are just a few things I especially appreciate:

*A solid and constant sense of companionship and support while I was uncomfortably pregnant and trying to stay emotionally stable during the last week of this pregnancy. Seth was always there to assure me I was doing fine, to help me calm my anxieties and let me know he was ready, too, to have Baby come into this world.

*The way Seth took control of everything as soon as I told him my water had broken on Saturday evening. He brought us all home, helped get Ella settled, cleaned the diningroom because of an unfortunate incident with London, gave London a bath, cleaned the kitchen, made sure I had food and water, packed himself a hospital bag, arranged everything in the car, fixed the infant car seat and got it installed in the car (not an easy task this time, I'm told)... and I'm sure several other things I'm unaware of. He totally allowed me the space to just be in labor - relax as much as possible and focus on my body and the Baby.

*The amazing coaching he gave me while bringing Benjamin into the world. There is absolutely NO WAY I could have gotten through labor and delivery without drugs without Seth's very active love and support. He was there every single step of the way, giving a hand or a shoulder as needed, rubbing my back, pressing pressure points, reminding me to eat and drink frequently, assisting me to and from every new position or place I needed to go. Essentially, he stayed by my side 100% of the time and did anything and everything I asked of him (plus a whole lot more). I am sure he was just as tired as I was when it was all over. I don't think he sat down or did anything except think of me and care for me from 8 pm Saturday night until 3 pm Sunday afternoon.

*For all the house cleaning and chores he's done this past week so I could simply rest, recover and snuggle with Benjamin.

*For entertaining our Big Girl while Benjamin and I focused on nursing.

*For reminding me constantly this week that I am strong, beautiful and adjusting well to our new family situation.

*For loving our children in a truly powerful way. I love to watch him giggle with Eleanor and hold Benjamin tightly to his chest.

Seth, you are a wonderful man and I am so honored to be your wife and the mother of your children. Thank you for loving us in such amazing and powerful ways. I look forward to our next week home together as a family and pray we may all settle in exceptionally, enjoy each other's company and get a whole lot of rest.

Just Some Pictures