Easter Bunny Shenanigans

We have been talking about the bunny and how he is going to bring us eggs and candy for a while now. However, the trip to see him wasn't very successful. We didn't plan on the adults being in the photo. But you can tell from the picture, there was no way we were going to peel Martin's arms from around my neck to take a picture. He is still not very trustworthy of people in costumes. Hopefully the bunny didn't get his feelings hurt and he will still be making a visit to our house this weekend. Been a busy few weeks around The Benton House. Olivia is finally getting everything sorted out. She is taking better naps and eating bigger meals that keep her from nursing every 2 hours :). Makes me stop threatening that I am only having two kids!! That's good right? We had some of Bryan's cousins and their kids and an aunt and uncle come to meet Olivia. Sadly I didn't take any pictures of the event, so I'll have to borrow one from Mary Beth! The boys had a great time hunting eggs! And I think everyone enjoyed sweet little Olivia! Hard to believe this time next year there will be 6 little ones. Ashley, Mary Beth and I had our first round of babies all within 6 months of each other, and the second round should be about 6 months apart too unless Parker stays and bakes extra! So, 6 babies under age 3! Should make for fun future get togethers if that is even possible :). Haha.

I am so ready for some spring weather!! It has been cold here. I am ready for lunch time picnics at the neighborhood playground and trips to the zoo! Bring on the warm weather! Please?? Can you believe Olivia will be 3 months old Sunday? Me either. We took her to church for the first time this weekend, and she did pretty good. We haven't gone because flu season has been so bad, and people cannot resist the urge to touch babies. Why is that? I know she is cute, but do you have to touch her?? Even with a blanket over the car seat they still do it.... Argh! We sat in the cry room, because that's what they are there for, right? And she slept most of the service. And, Martin was glad to be back at church! Win win for everyone! Olivia has rolled over from her belly to back a few times, but she is now doing it consistently as of Sunday (March 24). Which makes tummy time a little challenging. Because she just rolls over like no thanks! Please stop growing up so fast baby girl. I'm proud of every milestone, but I don't want you to grow up so fast. One day before I know it you'll be walking and talking, and I can't think about that.

2 Month Check Up

Doctor said everything looks great! She did well with her shots. She cried a little and nursed a lot. Thank goodness for that :). Her weight was 10 lbs 3 ounces, which is the 25th %ile. Her length was 23 inches, which is the 50th %ile, and her head was in the 90th %ile. Long lean and a big head, just like her brother (and Daddy). We go back at 4 months and have another round of shots then.

Martin had a great time during Olivia's doc appointment. He got a sticker and a sucker for doing NOTHING. When Bryan told him the doctor was about to come in, Martin hid under the table and said he was gonna scare him. Haha! He is a mess I tell you.

Olivia's Visitors

We've had several different visitors the last few weeks, and we have loved introducing everyone to Olivia!  My cousin Jennifer, her daughter Sara Foster and my Aunt Sharon came while they were in town for Mary Poppins.  Jack came too, but he and Bryan were too busy playing Wii upstairs to get any photos.  I loved showing off sweet baby Olivia!  And, I cannot believe how much Sara Foster has grown since the last time I saw them.

Olivia, Sara Foster, and Jennifer

Jennifer, Sara Foster, Olivia and Great Aunt Sharon

My mom, dad and brother Zach came to visit for the long weekend holiday for President's Day.  Mom keeps telling me that Olivia looks more and more like me every time she sees her.  Which make me Happy, Happy, Happy!  Love having them here every time they come.  Can't wait for them to come back when it is warmer outside so we can go to the zoo or something more fun than being cooped up in the house for 4 days!

Hey Mamie

Yawn--you people wear me out!

Zach, let's play Thomas choo choo train

Then, Analee came to visit!  She was up for a work visit, and drove extra to come see us :)  It was such a nice treat.  We went to dinner and then she had to leave.  But, not before she got plenty of snuggles with Olivia.  Martin was pumped that she came, because she brought him a dino book!  I mean, what's not to love about that?

Rawr!

Olivia and Aunt Analee

Sweet Girls

Then last weekend, Bryan took Martin to see Yo Gabba Gabba at the Orpheum, and they had a great time. They said it was really loud, but seemed to enjoy themselves a lot.  Martin is still talking about DJ Lance and the Gabba Gang!

Martin and Daddy at Yo Gabba Gabba

2 Months

Can you believe this sweet girl is already 2 Months Old?  We can't!  It has certainly been different, but I love this sweet girl more and more each day.  She is developing such a personality and is SO PATIENT with her big brother who is an absolute mess.  He still loves her just as much as we do.  We couldn't ask for him to be sweeter.  I probably shouldn't say this and jinx us--but he hasn't shown one ounce of jealousy or hate towards her.  He worries about her when she cries "What's she cryin' bout?".  He helps her when she fusses "I'll help her Mama".  He retrieves her paci when she loses it "I'll get her paci mama, be EASY Martin".  But when she doesn't take the paci the first time, it always turns into "You help her mama".  Like he is saying "I tried, but now it's your turn".  Haha.  On Martin's note from yesterday at school the teacher wrote "Martin told Ms. Julie he was sad and wanted to be home with his Livi".  Is that not the sweetest thing you have ever heard??

Olivia still wakes just once during the night to eat and have her diaper changed.  She usually goes down for the night about 11 pm and then wakes to nurse about 5:30 am and right back to bed.  This morning she didn't wake up until 6:50 and I must say we are all feeling a little more refreshed this morning!  She is really the happiest in the morning and early afternoon.  We have figured out that swaddling her for a good afternoon nap is a must, and helps all parties involved!  I thought Martin was a swaddle addict....Olivia far surpasses him in the swaddling necessity!  

Is there anything cuter in the world than toothless grins?  I think not!!  Olivia seems to be more interested in being upright and looking around at everything going on now.  She likes to look at faces and seems to be trying to focus on more colors and bright things.  We go for her two month check up next Friday, so I will have more accurate stats then, but wanted to go ahead and do a 2 month post now.  

Sweet Kisses from Brother

2 Month Stats:

She is in size 1 diapers and is wearing size 0-3 months in clothes.  She definitely fills them out in length, but she is still long and lean.  I am guessing she weighs about 10 pounds now, although I won't know until Friday.  

She hates to be in her car seat in the car.  Doesn't mind it in the stroller or in a high chair if we go out to eat.  Just the car.  Sorry sister--we won't be returning the Tahoe anytime soon, so you're going to just have to grow out of this!

She is enjoying the swing and bouncy seat more.  Still kind of has to be talked into it though.  She has a paci and uses it for naps and during the day, but doesn't want it at bed.  This may change tomorrow but for now it's great, because it means we don't have to play "get me my paci" all night!

She still loves getting a bath, but poor girl apparently has the same dry skin as Martin.  Just means different shampoo and baby wash than Johnson and Johnsons.  And, her hair still sticks up on the top of her head in the back!  Into a half mohawk.  We LOVE it.  People always say, "I love how you fix her hair".  Hello---would I seriously give my two month old baby girl a mohawk??  People--it does that on it's own!  You can't do anything else with it!  Of course Martin rubs her head most of the day, so it doesn't help the situation any.

Bryan thought putting her monthly sticker on the swaddle was so funny!  She didn't think it was as amusing as he did.  He was mad that I was waking a sleeping baby for pictures.  Sorry--when it's time for a photo shoot, it's time for a photo shoot :)

This is what Martin was doing while we were taking pictures!  Jumping up and down and pulling every toy out of the toy organizer in the closet.  Precious right???  Have a great weekend all!

Valentine's Day

I have the three sweetest people who are my Valentine! Cooked something new and we celebrated at home. We had Alice Spring's Chicken from Outback, and it was great! We weren't supposed to be getting each other anything besides a card. But of course Bryan cheated! He gave me a Gould's gift card. I am already dreaming of my massage! Thanks hone. Martin had a party at school, and loved looking at his valentines on the way home. He really loves all of his school friends. It's pretty sweet. They made cute placemats to bring home, and I am in love with all of his little art projects.

Olivia is doing great! She is 7 weeks old today--can you believe it?? I cannot! She is growing growing growing. We are still trying to figure out bedtime, but it is getting better. She only wakes one time to eat and have her diaper changed and usually goes right back to sleep. So we don't look like zombies as much! And Martin isn't bothered by her crying during the night. Usually if it even wakes him up you will hear his music box cut on but he doesn't cry. Thank goodness he is such a good sleeper! We go to the doc the first week of March for our first round of shots. I cannot believe it is already time for that. Have a great week everyone! My parents and brother were here this weekend, so stay tuned for another blog post soon.

We made Valentine's for Martin's class. I had no idea how hard it would be to help him finger paint that tiny heart on the cards. We did bubbles and heart shaped fruit snacks tied up with this card. He was so proud of them, and it was pretty fun making them with him. Hope everyone had a Special Valentine!

1 month old

Well little Miss Olivia turned a month old on Thursday. Thankfully Bryan remembered it was the 31st already! Because this worn out mama had no clue. I realized late last week that the 31st was Thursday, but didn't think about it again. It's hard to believe we have already had a month with her--then other times it feels like she has always been there.

So stinking sweet--even if her hair is CRAZY!!

Happy One Month Birthday Girlie

ENOUGH with the pictures

Is she not the cutest thing you have ever seen?

It's my birthday!

Worried face

Sweet baby!

Here are her One Month Stats:

She weighs about 9 lbs now and I have no idea how long she is.

She nurses about every three hours during the day and usually wakes up once during the night about 3 or 4 am and then again about 7 or 8 am!! She likes to stay up late though (usually about 10:30 or 11)  Although night before last she only woke up at 6 am--and I felt like a new woman in the morning. She is a great eater--this is very different from Martin. We basically had to beg him to nurse. That's all this girl wants to do.

We are in size 1 diapers, we just switched on Wednesday. Could have switched a day or so before but I was trying to finish off those newborn diapers! Diapers are expensive :). She is also in size 0-3 month clothes. The newborns would fit in width--but not length!! It was getting hard to snap the stride! Sister is long.

Sleep is another place where she is very different from her brother! Martin could and would sleep anywhere. Bouncey seat, swing, pack n play, cradle, crib, stroller, car seat--didn't matter to him. Usually sister has to fall asleep in your arms and then be carefully placed somewhere to sleep! She HAS to be swaddled at bedtime because she is a wiggle worm! She would wake herself up 100 times if not!

She doesn't seem to like her swing at all--so different from Martin! She tolerates it in the morning.  Second babies are sneaky like that.  You think you have figured it all out with the first baby, and then the second one comes along, and BAM! things are so very different :)  Love it--it keeps us on our toes.

Bryan and I both call her Olivia with Livi sometimes thrown in the mix. Martin calls her about a million different things. He usually calls her Livi or Baby Sister, and sometimes Girlie (which is hilarious to me).

She is a blessing and we are so lucky to have her. We wouldn't trade one sleepless night for her.  Martin is still totally in love with her and such a HUGE help!  He is always bringing me a burp cloth, diaper, or telling me she is crying.  He always wants to know "what's wrong with Livi?" when she is crying.  So proud of how he has taken to her!

February

Things are going well here around The Benton Household. One month down!! That's crazy isn't it? Promise to do a one month post soon. Everyday is different, and brings with it new obstacles, but each day is getting better. Olivia is doing a lot better at night (usually waking up once about 3 to eat and get a diaper change then back to bed). Martin is still in total love with her, and they say at school he carries around the babies and burps and rocks them. So stinking sweet. When she cries he always yells "hey mom, whys livi crying about?" Hey kid, I don't know--why don't you ask her :). When Bryan is in the middle of his "on week" the house is usually a disaster and there are dishes in the sink. But I am learning to let go a little. Baby steps! I need to understand that every inch of my house doesn't have to be spotless especially when I am too busy feeding babies or reading "The Very Noisy Night" for the 10th time of the day. Have a great Saturday!!