Happy 2nd Birthday Ellery!

We thought (for about 2 minutes) about taking Ellery to Disneyland or Legoland for her birthday but since we've got a 1 month old in tow we opted for the Zoo instead. We rode the bus, the Skyfari, let her pick out something from the kids store, rode the carousel and the miniature train ride. We had a blast and completely wore her out. After her nap we had the Salewsky's over for cupcakes and presents. I videotaped a lot of the day and she really enjoys watching it on my computer. A great day with our TWO year old!!...









Zach has most of her birthday pictures on his phone. I'll add them another time.

At her 2 year checkup
Height: 34" 50%
Weight: 27lbs 50%
Head: 48 3/4cm 75%

We conquered the park, SeaWorld and the Zoo last week... I'm back in business! I think part of what got my butt out the door was Elle's behavior. This last week signs of jealousy over her baby brother have popped up. She hit her beloved RiRi when Rian came over and wanted to hold Beck. (Sorry RiRi!) And a couple of days later she hit me while I was nursing. This behavior is just not the Elle we know but I'm trying to keep in mind she's going through a big adjustment and it's age appropriate. However, not cool. I'm hoping that getting out and doing some activities that we enjoyed pre-Beck will assure her that life as she knew it can still exist. Sort of. I'm looking at the bright side... having a baby around is giving her a lot of opportunities to practice her patience.

Now Beck on the other hand is adjusting to life outside the womb quite nicely. He's a little harder to please than Ellery was as an infant but that's not saying much because Ellery was a splendid little baby. Our big news last week: Beck smiled for me! I'm crazy about this boy!! He loves being held by me and he loves getting a bath so when I'm holding him in the bath - heaven! I forgot how much they sleep at this age but it's a shame it's so chopped up. He gave me 4 straight hours of sleep the other night and I felt like new woman!

Auntie Marla got Elle a Magna Doodle and she asked that I draw everyone in our family. I did, then she stamped out Beck's face. Subtle...




In the sky tower at SeaWorld!...




At the Zoo with MiMi (Amy)...




I guess having his diaper changed really wore him out...










I was in the kitchen when I heard Elle saying "El-rey" in a really sweet voice and I peeked in to see what she was doing. I think she was introducing herself to Beck. It was so darn cute I ran for my camera...




We went to a friends place for a bbq and 2 people thought that Beck was a 4 month old! What?? I should have known considering he's wearing 3-6 month old clothing but it wasn't until he was next to a 7 week old that I really saw what they saw. Yep, we got a chubbers and I LOVE IT! But he looks like a little peanut here...






Here's some pictures of the big kids at the bbq. Ellery, Talon and Sienna...







One of the hummingbird's eggs has hatched! It's almost a week earlier than it should be (according to what I read) so I'm not sure if he'll make it. I don't know what they're supposed to look like but I thought it was poop with a little fluff on top until it moved. See what I mean?...




Spring is definitely in the air at our place! Zach found another nest near our front lawn. The nest is in a hole in our California Pepper Tree. Nice little hidden spot. Here's the chicks waiting for mama to return...




We had some professional pictures taken of the kids. Before we went, the photographer said he really prefers for the newborn to be sleeping for the shoot. I told him that wouldn't be a problem because he sleeps all day. Of course the only full hour he was awake that day was during the shoot. We bought the session through Groupon and Zach and I were less than thrilled with the photographer. He was a weird guy who didn't have the patience to be working with kids so when Beck was naked and shot poo all over his set we were laughing inside. Then just Zach was laughing when I saw it dripping down the entire length of my left side. Here's some of the pictures pre-poo...

Cake!

Forgot to include these:

Beck's 3 day checkup...
Height: 21", 75%
Weight: 8lbs 3oz, 50%
Head: 36 1/2cm, 50%

& 12 day checkup...
Height: 22", 75%
Weight: 9lbs, 50%
Head: 37 1/2cm, 75%

This first month has been awesome and tiresome. Beck is a great little baby who just happens to sleep (almost) all day. Unfortunately, for us, that leaves him well rested for the time when mom and dad are supposed to recharge their batteries. Ha! I guess your batteries are never fully charged with little ones in the house, especially an infant. Lately Zach has been sneaking off to get some shut eye in Elle's bed. I don't blame him. If I didn't have the boobies, I'd do the same.

While Ellery is still super sweet with her baby brother, she has been testing Zach and I. Running away while we're trying to dress her or brush her teeth and kicking while having her diaper changed. She doesn't do it in a tantrum sort of way but with a big smile on her face. She 's starting to realize time-out's are no fun but her pink time-out rocker isn't helping. I give her 2 options: to do what I ask or spend a little time in time-out... she gladly hops into her rocking chair. So I've started putting her in the most boring part of our house, a dark hallway.

Ellery's vocabulary is exploding and she is just chattin' it up! A few of my favorites: when she is talking about herself she gets a serious face, pats her chest and says "El-ry". Also, "I-no-no-no?" for I don't know and "Wow. Cool!" Ellery has had a fascination with being "up high". Whether it's being up high on the changing table or up high on a freeway overpass, she loves it. Oh, one more fascination, or maybe an obsession: cake. This girl can spot a cake or a cupcake on ANYthing and it's safe to say it is her favorite food. And I doubt that will change any time soon...








Happy Birthday Doug!...




We've been sticking close to home so I bought a bunch of craft supplies to stay busy. These animal puppets are a big hit, they go everywhere with Elle, even bed. She requested that they be tucked in...




It was raining and really windy and this devoted mother was hanging on tight...




And now there's 2! The eggs should hatch sometime between May 29th - June 2nd...

Backtracking

I meant to include some pictures taken around Easter (celebrated on Saturday at Marla's) but that whole labor and delivery thing got in the way. So we're going back in time by about 3 weeks...


On the ferry to Coronado...




Seaport Village...













Birch Aquarium...










Easter!...













Okay, we're caught up!...







While Dave and Kathy were here we kept seeing this hummingbird right outside our bay window. And so when Ellery gave me a new hummingbird feeder for Mother's Day, we knew just where it should go. Turns out she was looking for a good spot to build a nest. After doing a little research I found out the female will sit on a chosen branch for several days to check the sturdiness of it before building her nest...




And a couple of days later...




And a day after that...



It's been fascinating to watch. Ellery is really into it and always wants to be lifted up to see the egg. She'll stand in the window and when the hummer flies off, Elle shouts "come back!". They usually lay two eggs, two days apart, so we're waiting to see if she'll lay one more today . The egg(s) should hatch 16-18 days later. Keep you posted!

Yesterday I made my first solo outing with both kids. We went to the Zoo and were only there for 2 hours but Ellery walked the entire time! I brought the baby bjorn but left it in the car by mistake so Beck got dibs on the stroller. After 2 spills on the asphalt, scraped up knees and a few tears later, I came home and ordered a sit-and-stand stroller. It should be here within a week and I think Elle will love it...










I got a baking bug this morning and decided to make mini cupcakes. Why I decided to do this the day after I cleaned the floors, I don't know. Elle got flour all over the floor with her enthusiastic mixing and then batter on her dress up clothes. Then Beck woke up crying and I when I pulled him out of his swing, I realized why he was so fussy. Huge blowout! Cleaned that up, went back to the cupcakes and then he was hungry. Fed him, back to the cupcakes and then he wanted to be held. (Not easy frosting one handed) Made a small batch of cream cheese frosting, but realized I needed more, so I reached for the Nutella instead. Then Elle wanted to be held but my hands were full and she starts pulling on my pants and whining. Finally, they're done baking and as I'm cleaning up the disaster I find Elle crawling on my bed with Nutella all over her hands. What's one more load of laundry?
Grrrrrrr. Is it bad to want a drink at 10am?...







And this is all I have to show for my entire morning! You can be sure I'm buying store bought cupcakes for her brithday next week!..