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