We had a bunch of family over for din the other night and I realized we had nothing for dessert -- a considerable obstacle in the Bannister family. Bob, after rummaging around in the freezer, announced that we had push-ups and bomp pops left over from summer. Needless to say, the toddlers were the only takers--oh yeah, Bob had one too.
Charlie has started a cute little habit of collecting his favorite items (of the day) in this little plastic basket and carrying them around the house. He used to try to carry everything in his two hands, but this became too labor intensive. Here is a sample of Charlie's favorite things on an average day--a foam football, a sippy cup of lukewarm milk, a hammer that boinks and blinks on contact, a small plastic version of that knee-jerk instrument they use at the doctor's office (to Charlie-another hammer), and a bulldozer puzzle piece.
We took Amelia in to the doctor for her 2 month visit. She's now 7 weeks old. She weighs 11 lbs 7 oz and is 23 1/4 inches long. That means she's grown nearly 2 inches since she was born! Doc said everything looks good and then she got three shots, poor thing. Amelia has entered somewhat of a fussy phase, crying quite a bit at night. Last night we tried everything--swing, rocker, car seat but she screamed regardless from 10-12am. They say the crying increases up to 8 weeks and then starts to decrease, but who's counting.
OK, so here's our latest effort at compromising with an active explorer while still retaining parental control. I know, I know I swore I'd never use a "leash," but this is just a bear backpack...with a long tail...that you can pull if he won't go where you want him to. OK, I guess it has some similarities to a leash. Oh well, I also swore I'd never be one of those people that leaves their shopping cart at the front of their parking space instead of in the cart corral. Judge not...
In the leopard's tunnel. This is a tunnel that takes you into the leopard's lair where there is a small glass viewing tower. I don't think it was designed for adults.
On my birthday, I felt like the luckiest gal in the world just to have four of my favorite things around me (husband, two children and carrot cake). We also attempted the scariest family-o-four adventure yet..going out to dinner. We chose a noisy place, but still felt so conspicuous with all of our "equipment" piled around us...diaper bag, infant car seat, high chair, infant seat sling (which evidently is a contraption to hold an infant seat at table height)! The waitress was kind enough to bring Charlie's dinner first so that he didn't have to wait, but...that meant that he was done with his dinner just in time for ours to arrive. Needless to say, Bob and I gulped down a bit of our entrees and sped out to the safe haven of the car. But, hey, for a first attempt that didn't involve spit-up or a tantrum, we figured it was pretty darn good.
At the (Bannister's) annual Cider & Donut party, the tots wore their costumes providing some great amusement for the attendees. The two monkeys and a dinosaur had a grand ole time. Incidentally, funny story, when one of Aaron's (monkey standing) toddler friends came over to trick or treat, she opened the door and immediately asked, "Aaron, is that a banana in your pocket?" ha ha.
Here's Charlie's 15-month-old cousin Lincoln and his Grandma.
Daddy dino squeezes in a quick snooze.
Here is our little pumpkin with her cousin Lyndsay
Charlie and I met Aaron and a couple friends to celebrate Aaron's 2-year birthday at Chuck E Cheese in late September. This is actually where I started to go into labor ironically! They all had a whoppin' good time, so we thought we'd share a video...
Quite a treat for a tractor-lover (Charlie that is).
Cousin Jayne and Charlie checked out Great Grandma's toy selection. Charlie loved Jayne-- especially when she chased him around Great Grandma's house!
I love this picture!! Great Grandma held little Amelia so that Mom could eat. She was a little fussy, but Grandma said she didn't mind. After seven kids, I guess she can handle a little fussing!
Charlie didn't quite get the concept of apple picking. He just wandered around, picking up apples off of the ground and taking one bite, then putting that one down and picking up another. What would your Great Grandma say about that Charlie??
Jayne gave us a tour of the barn and the horses. Poor city boy, Charlie kept mooing at the horses!
Quite an excursion for a 3-week old!
Here's a video of Charlie getting apple pickin' tips from Dad and Great Grandpa Bannister...
We had a girl's day out the other day. Bob watched Charlie so that Amelia and I could go join Lora, Violet, Danyelle, and Mallory for lunch. Here's Amelia with her new BFFs.
"It's so cool that you get to wear a barrette," says Amelia, "I can't wait until I grow hair." "Those butterfly shoes are sweet," says Violet, "Baby Gap?"
Violet is such a sweet little flower...
Here's an earlier pic of Lora and Amelia.
Since the moment I knew that I was having a girl, I knew I wanted to give her the middle name Marie in honor of my mother. Even more so since I have become a mother myself, I have been struck by how blessed I am to have my mom to support and stand by me and to be a positive influence and source of joy for my kids. I pray that Amelia will inherit some of the wonderful traits that make my mother so special and an inspiration to her four kids--her strength, selflessness, loyalty, and faithfulness.
