Alexander - 2 years!

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexander Kent.

This year we've watched you grow into a little guy with strong opinions and a big personality. It's no surprise to me that you're no "shrinking violet". You tell everyone you meet "hi!!!" and easily make friends with other kids when we are out. We've been told quite regularly that you're of the the loudest, busiest, and most mischievous kids in your class. While you can be difficult to parent, I'll take a vibrant, passionate kid over the alternative any day!

2 year stats:
16 teeth and 2 year molars on their way (or maybe they're in already...i'm not sticking my hand in to check though!)

Been on 32 flights and visited 7 countries

Made some new friends :)

 

Played in the snow for the first time!    

Speaking in 2-4 word sentences in English and Norwegian

Started (and LOVES) barnehage.

Gave us LOTS and LOTS of cuddles

Became a big brother (calls him "Ben Ben")

Was an Astronaut for Halloween

And Lumpy the Elephant at barnehage

Favorite activities: playing with cars, riding bike, throwing rocks into water, helping Daddy cook

Favorite foods: raisins, bananas, sausage, white cheese, brunost (sweet Norwegian brown cheese), pizza, havegrot, risengrot

Favorite phrases: "There ya go!", "HUSH!" (to the dogs), "Muh you" (love you),

Favorite people: Daddy, Mommy, Nana and Papa, Aunt Charlotte, Laila

Favorite toy: Depends on the day, but the white monster truck is usually near the top of the list. In addition, he has a variety of cars that he carries around by the armful.

Favorite color: Orange (wearing his favorite Orange tractor shirt)

Favorite songs: Frère Jacques/Brother John (which he calls "Ding Ding Dong") and the Wheels on the Bus

My son, you amaze me every day with your strong emotions, creativity, and exuberance for life. I would be lying if I said I didn't lay awake many nights thinking about how to stay ahead of you...you keep us on our toes for sure! We love you so much and we are so proud of you!

xoxo

Alexander's Second Birthday

Alexander was totally spoiled this year for his birthday! Because his actual birthday fell on a Tuesday we celebrated with friends the Sunday before. He also got a party at school and another small celebration at home on his real birthday.

The first celebration was with friends at Somagård. This was the same place we went last year for his birthday with Aunt Charlotte. The morning of his party he helped me bake the cupcakes. He was actually a pretty good helper and kept his fingers out of the batter until the very end! Since he was the birthday boy I let him lick the bowl and I think he thoroughly enjoyed it!

These cupcakes were a colossal pain. The cake mix, sprinkles, and ice cream cones were all imported from the US. They were top heavy and I was worried they would all tip over while I was carrying them into Somagård. But they were good and Xander was impressed...so they were well worth the effort!

When he woke up from his nap we gave him his first birthday present. It was from his dad, hence the extra fancy wrapping paper. It was a train set and he was SO EXCITED!

We managed to drag him away from the trainset and we all loaded into the car to Somagård. The kids played for a bit then it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" and blow out the candles. It was the moment Xander had been waiting for! II promise he was way more enthusiastic than he looks. I think he was just in awe of the fire!

That face!!! Hahaha!

Enjoying cupcakes with the other Alexanders!

Yum!

Alexander and Daddy

On the day of his actual birthday, he had a party at school. They had fruit and whip creme (no cake allowed at school), sang songs and played with bubbles. He was king for the day and he had a blast! They made him this awesome hat too...it's a picture of Xander driving a dump truck with his name in sparkly letters. This kid is ALL about dump trucks so they clearly know him well!

When he came home we let him open even MORE presents. This was the start of him thinking every day must be his birthday! Haha!

One more cupcake! At least this time he looks more pleased! :)

For a good time you should fill your two year old with cupcakes and icing just before bed. Then see what happens...!!!

We had SUCH a wonderful time celebrating our little guy!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday to the coolest 2 year old I know! We love you Boo-boo!

Read about Alexander's First Birthday HERE

Benjamin - 4 months

It's been a busy month full of travel, hellos, and goodbyes. I can't believe how fast our (not so little) B is growing. He has been outgrowing his clothes so quickly that I can't keep the right size in stock in his drawers before I have to pull more from storage. Now, at just 4 months, he is already wearing 9 month clothes! And this is what ends up happening....terrible pattern mixing while the next size baby clothes are in the wash! Lol

 

Xander is really starting to warm up to Benjamin. Don't get me wrong...there are still days where he is less than gentle and clearly a little jealous but overall I think I'm starting to see it click for both of them that they're brothers. Xander gives Benjamin smooches (on his tummy because I've learned to not let him near his face!) And Benjamin loves to watch Xander. I've even caught a few smiles and giggles at his brothers ridiculous antics. It's gonna be a fun journey watching the relationship between these two grow!

 

Benjamin took his first transatlantic flight this month for his baptism in Texas. The trip will of course get its own post (maybe I will get to it before 2017) but he was pretty good on the flights and, despite my fears of baby jet-lag, slept better in Texas than when we were home! Also, he looks HUGE in the Sola Airport stroller!

 

B had his first dip in the pool while we were in Texas. We will start baby swimming in August but decided the trip was a good time to get his feet wet (see what I did there.) He wasn't sure at first but after he relaxed he really seemed to love it! We went to the pool most evenings and we realized that swimming would really tired B out! He couldn't last more than 30 mins, after which he would immediately fall asleep! :)

 

One of the highlights of our busy trip was Benjamin's baptism. I know I'm biased but I think he is just too amazingly cute! (Thanks Michelle for the picture!!)

 

We flew back to Norway shortly after B's 4 birthday (so I'm cheating a bit with this picture) and he was such a good baby. That travel is hard on all of us but he hung in there. There were some difficult moments (think hysterical screaming) but they didn't last long and usually preceded a long nap. 

 

Arthur and I agree that pretty much from this age onward it just gets more and more fun! Benjamin is smiling, giggling, cooing and so interactive. He loves to be talked to and HATES to be cradled like a baby. His preferred position is standing up! He rolled over for this first time while we were in Texas and, despite my efforts to avoid tummy-time, his holding his head up quite well. Every time I stop and look at him I can't believe how big he is and how fast he's gone from a newborn to a baby. He's got the squishiest little baby cheeks and I can't help but give him smooches all day. I'm so grateful that he's a part of our family!

Check out Alexander's 4 month post HERE

Benjamin - 3 months

Another month in the books. Its been a fun month and we have been settling into a good routine.

Benjamin took his second trip at about 8 weeks. He was great while we were in Copenhagen. He slept really well every night and was pretty low-maintenance during the day while we were sightseeing. He LOVES his sleeping bag in his car seat and will happily snuggle down and snooze for hours.  

We've been trying very hard to get both boys to nap and to bed at the same time. Benjamin prefers to go to bed around 9pm most nights and I've been slowly trying to put it earlier so we can have some kid-free time in the evenings. It's pretty unsuccessful most days but when it happens its truly magical.

I'm seeing a reoccurring theme in this post :) It's all about sleep. I think I'm just so pleased because up until now it's been a rare commodity around these parts. However, something has just clicked and Benjamin is a pretty good sleeper, once he's finally down. Most nights hes out from 10pm - 4am and then is back down until I wake him up around 8:30am. He LOVES to be swaddled and starts smiling and cooing once I start wrapping him up.

Is there anything more gorgeous than a sleeping baby!? I think not :)

Oh sibling love. It's a strange and wonderful thing. I think these two pictures wonderfully sum up my boy's relationship at this point. Most days Xander is a little bored and apathetic about Benjamin. But then...

Every once in a while I catch Xander being really sweet. Benjamin's nickname is "Bobby" because that's what it sounds like when Xander says "Hi Baby" :) Benjamin loves to watch Xander as he bounces off the walls. I'm sure he's planning on following in his brother's footsteps very soon. Oh dear!

They're basically twins. Benjamin is 2 months younger than Xander but much bigger. I mean...look at those loooooong legs!

We are lucky to have a beautiful beaches just minutes from our house here. There is a very short season when we actually get to enjoy them so we go whenever we can. We've been twice this month and it's been so much fun. Xander plays in the water. Benjamin snoozes in the sun. And mom and dad enjoy a few cold ones :)

Oh this kid just gets more fun by the day. He is so smiley and giggles so much.

Next month Benjamin will take his first trip to the US to meet all his family. I can't wait for everyone to get some love and cuddles from our little B.

Read Alexander's 3 month post HERE