Anneke's first big girl birthday party

Birthday Madness

When you have two birthdays to go through in one day, you kind of have to go all out. Here are pictures from the day.

Green eggs and ham for breakfast.

For Benny too.

Benny got a card from Anneke for his first birthday.

Anneke got her first bike with training wheels.

As a final treat, Anneke got to view the moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus through the telescope, even though daddy was too lazy to take the telescope outside (hard to justify after pajamas are on).

Double Happiness

Exactly one year ago I was at this computer, posting about Anneke's birthday eve and thinking, "hmmm. am I in labor?" Indeed I was, and thus started the new March 7 birthday extravaganza that is to be in our family. Tonight I am wiped out after another long day of hausfrauing.  I got to make spaghetti sauce with Anneke, and during Ben's morning nap I lingered in the chair after he fell asleep in my lap just soaking in his cuddle-bug-ness.  Doesn't this place sound the epicenter of domestic bliss? A domestic bliss-quake, if you will? Yes, this is why Anneke has started saying frequently, "Ben, I need some space," or, "Mommy, I'm going to have some alone time now." Definitely scratching my head at where she learned that kind of talk.

Ben and Anneke, what wondrous love you bring into our lives.

Heck yeah, Baby Ben!

Our eleven-month-old heartthrob has a special message just for you:

Ten months old! now with macro lens!

The title says it all. Dave's cheesemaking avocation bought us a macro lens, which I used for the first time today. Oh, what a difference a lens makes! I'm going to have lots of fun with this bad boy…or bad girl…or whatever.

Ten months! Today was cold but sunny, and we made it to Mt. Tabor just as the light was perfect. We included the picture of him and his alligator chomper walker because we wanted to show the world how he loves to walk with it, but today he felt like sitting with it. Update on Mr. Ben: he is just sweet and easy. Don't I say that every month? Well, it remains true. He's still just our sweet, cuddly guy.

What's brown and sticky? I don't know, but I have five teeth coming in at once, so I'm gonna find out!

Nine month photos, plus blooper reel

Our little deer is nine months old! which is exactly what I said about his sister when she was nine months old and wearing the same reindeer suit for HER nine month pictures. Because that's what you get to do when your children have the same birthday!

This little guy is just...well, I was late for work today because he is so irresistible. And then Anneke came in and jumped on the bed and it was too...much...coziness! Baby Ben is clapping now, and crawling up a storm. He can stand holding himself with one hand, and he loves to babble and sound his barbaric yawp when the spirit moves him. Y'all, I am seriously, so blessed!

Oh, Anneke LOVES it when we're focused entirely on her baby brother. She really follows directions during Ben's photo time. And what a good idea for us to include/but not include her instead of distracting her with a TV show!

Darn you, white balance in the yellow room at almost dusk in front of the Christmas tree!

eight months old!

Using a fancy camera is nothing like riding a bicycle, especially in low November light with a crawling baby and a bored three-year-old who is NOT impressed with the attention her baby brother is getting. These were the most in-focus shots we got, and they're frustratingly fuzzy.

But I digress. Ben is eight months old! Still just an easy going guy who loves to crawl around and grab things. I just can't believe how sweet and delicious he is. I want to go chew on his legs right now, but he is sleeping, and waking him up would be completely insane. He is not sweet and delicious when it comes to sleep. His tendency to not sleep longer than 2-3 hours is not appetizing at all. What happened to our little infant who slept through the night and made me feel smug and sorry for all those parents of babies that don't sleep? what?

One more thing! Guess who will be nine months old in December and playing Baby Jesus in the church Christmas Pageant? This guy: