On our own

Grandma and grandpa left yesterday... Very tough to see them go. Here are a few pics:
Helping "Betty Crocker" with some chocolate chip cookies...
She even let Ben lick the beaters!
Today was my first day completely on my own with both boys. The AM went well, until I got brave and attempted a short trip to the park with Eli in my ERGO baby carrier and Ben on foot. We got there fine and Ben played well, BUT, of course, had no desire to leave the park on his own, so he got drug by the hand the entire walk home... Lesson learned.

Eli is doing very well - Eating for the most part about every 3-4 hours. Even at night. I am one lucky mommy. He has had a few spells of throwing up all of a feeding, but the advice nurse seems to think it was a burping (or non-burping) issue. He gained his birth weight back very fast - Born at 8 lbs 9 oz, the next day 8 lbs 2 oz, the next day 8 lbs 1 oz, and 4 days later, back up at 9 lbs even. He is a pretty happy little guy, and we are very lucky!!!

Here are some Ben-ims from the past few weeks that I want to remember:

• When grandma attempted to share Ben's cookie, Ben replied with, "Grandma, get your own tookie".
• When I had finagled both boys onto my lap, Ben says, "Mommy holding two guys".
• "I need a beer".
• "Grandma, play cars" "Grandpa, play cars" "Mommy, play cars" "Daddy, play cars" This little boy is on a serious car kick...
• "Does grandma have nipples? Where are they?"
• "Holy cow" "Ohhh, man" and " Oooo, doggies"
• Also, while kicking the soccer ball around with grandma in the backyard, Ben started up a random conversation, reminiscing about watching fireworks in the backyard in late July - describing the colors, etc. that he saw.
• He also likes to have the door at the bottom of the stairs closed every night when he goes up for ni-night so "Bears don't get you" or "Raccoons don't get you". Poor kid and his irrational fears.
• Also, last week, when I was attempting to put Ben down for a nap and he was really struggling to go to sleep, I told him he could just have quiet time and read some books for an hour until I came and got him. It was quiet in his room for quite a while, then suddenly, he starts screaming, "Mama, come here!!". I go peak in the door and here he is with both hands and one leg *completely* covered in A & D (the clear diaper rash cream - petroleum jelly-stuff) that he had found in his room. I wish I could have grabbed my camera, but I didn't want him to touch anything...

We have one funny big brother on our hands!