Two fabulous weeks in Lake Geneva

Can you say AMAZING?!?!?!  What a FANTASTIC trip!  Like last year, we spent the 4th of July at Grammy’s house in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Only this time we spent two weeks instead of one.  We had such a great time and everything was perfect.  Even before we left the amazing Ashley took Briggs for a few hours so I could pack the car while Ben and B took a nap.  I was super worried about driving 15 hours with a 12 week old who had a history of being super fussy, but Briggs was just about perfect.  I fed him at gas stops (and maybe once in the car around 1 am) and he pretty much slept the rest of the time.  He fussed once for 10 minutes, but it was because he had a blowout and then the last 10 minutes of our trip, but by that time we were all ready to get out.  I won’t lie-Ben drove me nuts at first.  He kept playing the game where he throws something on the floor for me to get and then repeats.  It got old before we were even in Oklahoma.  We had to stop to feed Briggs about an hour after he fell asleep so that woke him up and then he woke up again at 3:30 and stayed awake until almost 6.  We stopped at a rest stop in Illinois at 5:30 to feed Briggs and he got to play on the playground they had.  I doubt many kids get to play on a playground at 5:30 am.  We were exhausted when we pulled up the driveway, but so proud of our boys.  I probably took over 1000 pictures (thank God for digital cameras) so sit back…

Highlights of our trip through pictures (all 55 of them):

~Briggs slept 8 hours that first night and Ben did amazing for sleeping in a twin bed alone (Daddy slept in the other one the first two nights).  Once my parents arrived the second week Ben got booted to the study on an air mattress.  B slept in there too since we knew Ben would wake up and play in the all the files.  This only lasted two days though since B got no sleep and everyone got tired of him sleeping all day because of this (okay maybe not everyone, but this momma surely did).  Thanks Mom and Daddy for switching with the boys!  Briggs and I totally lucked out with the big bed.  Love it!

~ Unfortunately B could only stay the weekend we arrived and had to fly home for work for the week before flying back out for the second week.  I’m so lucky he doesn’t have to travel much for work and hasn’t at all since the boys have been around.  Ben missed him a lot, but probably not as much as I did.  Can I just say how much I love facetime on iphones.  Ben and I LOVED getting to see daddy each night before bed.

~Playing at the beach! 

We had picnic lunches and dinners there.  Ben got to play in the sand and the playground and we got to enjoy the amazing view and weather.  Just perfect!

building sandcastles with Uncle Bob

the last one standing one night

This is how Briggs enjoyed many picnics

Ben finally made it to the top of the sand pile.  He was SO excited.  He calls all sand “sandcastles” now. 

~Going to the zoo! 

Pal and Grammy took us to the Milwaukee zoo one day while B was gone.  Perfect weather and a great time.  Ben still says his favorite animal was the choo choo train though

ha!  And B said I’d “never use” this “waste of money”-love my double stroller

So they had this chair lift that went over part of the zoo.  There wasn’t a height requirement so I thought it would be perfect.  Oh.MY.GOSH!  My child EASILY could have slipped through the bars.  I was an absolute wreck the whole time.  Ben just sat there and looked around not really getting that he was so high.  It was a great view and a wonderful idea, but kids should NOT be allowed on it.  Period!  Oh, and he looks like a ghost because I have sunblock on him.

I tried to take a few pics from above when I wasn’t freaking out.

 

Ben got off the chair lift and ran to the ponies so guess what fabulous Grammy said he must ride them!  He did great by himself.  So proud!

~Swimming!

We swam lots and lots at the pools.  Ben loved it. 

I’ve read on a friend’s blog about how great Puddle Jumpers are for swimming.  They are amazing, especially since swim lessons aren’t happening for Ben this year.  He does so well kicking and moving around the water.  He’s very at ease with them and I feel totally safe.

My little surfer even went swimming a couple times.  He loved the water when it was warm and it wore him out.

~Bath time!

Grammy and Pal have the best bathtub around.  It’s deep and huge.  Ben wasn’t a fan of the jets though, too noisy for him. Grammy bought Briggs a blowup duck tub and he enjoyed his baths each night too (after Ben went to bed).

 

~Outside fun!  Sweet Ben thrived on being able to just run and run outside and play.  Grammy stocked up on toys for outside and Ben had a blast.

Briggs just chilled on the swing while his big bro played

Occasionally you have to go to timeout during playtime

Grammy bought Ben a cute pool to play with when we were home.  The water was FREEZING but he didn’t care!

Squirt Guns!

Ben took a liking to the neighbors.  Peggy let him play on this simple little riding toy.  It was a huge hit!

Okay-there were sometimes we played inside.  Look at the MESS this kid can make in a matter of minutes!

his first coke float – just had a little taste

~4th of July! 

I stopped at a fireworks stand when the boys were sleeping one day and bought a ton of fireworks.  Too bad I didn’t have a clue what I was buying.  The 4th is B’s favorite holiday and he was so excited to share his love with Ben.  Sadly Ben does NOT feel the same way.  He totally freaked out and asked to go inside.  Poor guy, we’ll try again next year.

my little firecrackers

Sparklers with Daddy and Pops

This is the one that did Ben in

~Golf Cart rides!

  Everyone enjoyed zipping around in the golf cart.  Ben thought he was so cool!

~Hanging out with my WONDERFUL family! 

What we lack in size we make up for in love.  These people are my everything!

um, can you say Hallmark card???

We did lots of coloring on the back porch

Briggs loved his time with Grammy

Grammy and Pal

Pal is one heck of an artist

So Briggs found his spot on Grams in about 2 seconds when she arrived

Horsey Rides

Yes this is just about my entire family on my dad’s side…We are small but mighty!

Two of Briggs favorite people…Aunt Linda and Grams

Grampy John drove up to see us and meet Briggs (aka Kit).  It was exactly a year ago that he met Ben (aka Tex). 

4 generations Since I’m the only grandchild the Michalson name stopped when I got married, but we’re still super cool.

the oldest and youngest ‘Michalson’  Grampy’s childhood hero was even a racecar driver named Briggs Cunningham

so our sweet Ben wanted NOTHING to do with Grampy most of the time, but it didn’t stop Grampy from trying to show him the frog in his hand.  He used to do this to me all the time when I was little.  Funny story-when we were taking the pictures Ben looks over and yells, “Smile John!”  He can be so cute!

Ben and Pops.  Ben was a bit of stinker with him (but it’s probably because Pops kept bugging him like does to me ALL THE TIME), but Pops never gave up!

Grams and Pops took the train into Chicago to see friends one day and Ben saw them off.  Here’s my kid in his jammies and no shoes in complete awe of the big train in front of him.

this is just to prove that B really did join us on the trip

Even the deer know how wonderful Grammy’s is and come lay down and rest in her yard.

Arrggh!  I’m so mad!  This gorgeous farm is right behind Grammy’s house and in two weeks I never got a picture with my good camera.

Briggs took many naps on Grammy’s bed just like this.

Ben found a new friend at a little country chicken restaurant we stopped at.

Goodbyes weren’t a lot of fun and many tears were shed (but that’s what we do).  The drive home was just as great as the way up.  Both boys were fantastic.  Ben slept with his favorite blanket on him.

I wasn’t too thrilled to come home.  Our vacation was just too fabulous.  Thank you to my AMAZING family for taking care of us.  I never had to lift a finger.  I hope my boys know how much they are loved by some truly wonderful people who I just happen to love more than anything!  And I’m already going through coffee cake withdraws.

3 Months

My sweet baby is 3 months old today!  My heart has just wrapped itself around him.  I love Briggs so much.  His adorable personality is starting to show and he is showing us how he’s not a little Ben, but a Briggs instead.  He is his own little self.   Those smiles that used to be a rarity occur all the time now.  He is so loving and sings the sweetest coos all day (it’s about time).  We are at Grammy’s in Wisconsin and my little prince has been AMAZING this trip.  He even surprised me with an 8 hour night, but keeping with being a little jokester took it back and replaced it with 4-6 hour nights.  Briggs-you showed me you can do it, I expect it now!  Briggs’ best friend is still his pacifier.  We don’t go anywhere without his “plug.”  And I have probably dropped over $50 on different pacifiers, but all he wants is the big green soothies…so soothies he shall have!  He still can shatter glass with his screams, but those days (and nights) of constant fussiness/unhappiness seem to be a thing of the past.  Why do my children insist on being toots for the first couple of months???  He has the softest dark curls (don’t ask us where those came from) and his daddy’s deep blue eyes with beautiful long curly eyelashes (Ben’s are long and straight with grayish eyes like mine). The past few days he’s been getting a bottle of formula at night (we are trying each night to recreate whatever we did the day he slept 8 hours).  My boys just don’t care where their milk comes from as long as they can scarf it down.  He also loves warm baths (especially without Ben around).  He will lay there for a good 20 minutes and relax.  And his mommy is by far his favorite person.  I am soaking this up before daddy becomes number 1!

 

I LOVE HIM!

His shirt appropriately says “I love my Daddy”

 

Swim-soup

 

It’s summer.   We live in Texas.  It’s HOT!  But Ben could care less and still wants to play outside all.the.time!  We joined two playgroups-one for each boy.  We’ve done a couple playdates for Ben’s group and so far it’s been great.  One was even a picnic lunch at a park and Ben didn’t care at all, he LOVED it.  I’m excited for the new friends and new experiences from our playgroups.  Ben LOVES the pool so we are trying to spend some time there-still a little tricky with Briggs.  He calls his swimsuit his “swim-soup.”

Our friend Michelle made this shirt for Ben.  I just love her shirts!  If only Ben weren’t such a stinker with his smiles.

Ready for some baseball in Daddy’s shoes

Pretty sure that Briggs is going to be our more serious kid.  Just sits back and takes everything in.

Watching a little tv with Daddy

Brady came to visit.  They took turns sleeping and eating so we never got them on the floor together for a picture.  Brady’s mom (Amber) taught with me this year.  They’re 5 weeks apart.

Today I had both babies in diapers and took some pictures before we got dressed.  I am so blessed they get to grow up together!  Ben loves to help with Ben (of course he loves to not help too).

My serious baby has an amazingly adorable smile!  Love him and can’t wait for his Stork mark to fade.

I took Ben on a little date to the splash park while Lucy watched Briggs.  It was all peachy until he took off from me in the parking lot.  NOT a fan of this new behavior!

Another trip to Market Street-another fun time for Ben.  At least this time he put fruits on top of his cookies

I braved taking both kids to the neighbor’s pool ALONE.  Briggs slept, woohoo!  Ben thinks you’re flying when you’re swimming and the boy has NO FEAR of the water.  Briggs made a little noise so I turned to look at him and Ben just jumped right on in all the way down to the bottom of the pool (we had just taken his float off).  I grabbed him and he pops out of the water with a huge smile and says, “I was FLYING!”  Oh Lord!

my little beach babe hung out with me while Daddy and Ben swam

So excited!

Walking to the pool one night showing off his cute little self to the ladies!

June Bugs

We’ve had some pretty laid back days this past week.  This Mommy is definitely excited for her new job hanging with her boys.  We try to get out of the house each day.  I’m already looking forward to the Fall when we can hang at the playground each day.  Ben still sings Happy Birthday to himself about each day.  I really am having so much fun at home with him.  He gives kisses all the time and is just so cute.  We haven’t had too many ‘terrible two’ moments lately which is a nice change.  Briggs is Briggs.  He’s reverted back to needing to eat every 2-3 hours at night.  I just don’t know what to do.  If he could talk I bet he’d tell me where I can put that Baby Wise book.  He is much more smiley and likes to hang in his swing.  This weekend he gave us 5 hour stretches and we might have spiked a bottle with 1/2 tablespoon of cereal Friday night to see if it helped.  The little chunk is now in size 2 diapers and filling them up like a pro.  Ben is becoming quite a good little helper and loves to talk to him like Mommy does.  My favorite is when he gets his baby bro to give us the biggest smile.  When Briggs coos Ben says he’s singing.  I like that.  I like them!

This is my pre-baby pool that I would lay in while I laid out.  For some reason we’ve kept it and I got it out for Ben last week.  He was so excited to go swimming.  When he saw this he said, “no bath mommy, SWIMMING POOL!”  I know, pretty pathetic pool.  I guess we need the real thing!  We did take both boys to the neighborhood pool on Thursday night.  Briggs did better than we thought.  Ben loved it!

Briggs isn’t quite big enough for the jumper yet.

Michelle and Addie invited us to their pool.  It my first time to try the pool with both boys.  There’s no way I could do it without another adult around, thanks Michelle!  We made it 30 minutes before we had to leave for Briggs, but I call that success!  Michelle is also Briggs’ first babysitter outside of family.  She watched the boys last week so I could go to my end of year party for my class.  The boys had their 2nd babysitter on Sunday when Kim, who works with Daddy, came over so we could go out and celebrate 7 years of being married.  Kim was the first non family member to babysit Ben 2 years ago. 

Briggs took a little nap on top of Baby.  It was cute until Ben tried to pull Baby out from under Briggs.

Last Saturday we got to keep Mayson for the day.  I am SO excited to get to do this occasionally during the school year.  They had so much fun playing.  It was actually easier having her here because she kept my shadow busy during the day. 

Great Grandpa and Grandma Conroy gave Ben his own cell phone for his birthday.  He was calling Ashley in this picture.

This just makes me laugh.  Briggs has THE most pathetic pouty face. 

Today Ben asked to use the big potty.  He was so excited to get on and use “newspaper” aka toilet paper.  We sat there for 10 minutes, but had nothing to show for it.  Oh well, it’s a start.

Yay Ben!  Glad you’ve finally asked to use the big potty.  We love you.

Today I went with Ashley to see not one, but two little girls at Children’s downtown.  One is a student of Ashley’s and the other is Natalie who I used to babysit the summer before Ben arrived.  That hospital should have NO children in it…ever!  I am so thankful for my two healthy little boys who I am so in love with!

 

 

 

Oh it’s your Happy Birthday Baby…

Dear Ben,

Today you are TWO years old!  Your daddy and I cannot believe that the sweet little baby that we prayed and hoped for is now a big two year old.  We love more than words could ever say.  You may be a handful at times, but you are without a doubt the sweetest, most loving, caring, curious, stubborn, imaginative little boy.  We are beyond blessed to be your mommy and daddy.  You are our little sponge and there seems to be nothing you can’t remember and you pick up everything we say, even the things we don’t want you to (oops on our part).  My favorite now is how you say, “thanks babe.”  It’s too cute to try to correct you.  There is no question that the past two years have been the greatest two years of our lives and it is because you and your brother.  We hope you had a great birthday and we wish you a year full of learning, fun, tons of laughter and most of all-all the love you could ever want.  Happy Birthday Love Bug!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Okay Ben-don’t get mad at us for not throwing you a party.  Go ahead and blame your little brother if you must, but Mommy was just too tired this year and didn’t want to have to stress over the little details.  We started the birthday boy’s day by sleeping in and then went and got donuts in our pj’s.  The donut lady gave you a kolache when we told her it was your birthday.  You liked your “hotdog donut” as you called it.

We picked up Daddy and met the Masons for lunch at the mall. 

 

Ben and Wyatt enjoying some chick fil a nuggets

the newest members of the lunch bunch

We met Daddy at Home Depot for our 100th trip this week.  The cashier gave Ben a balloon for his birthday.  He got to ‘drive’ the cart and got a balloon-happy boy!

We came home and opened presents and ordered PIZZA!  Mommy had even made dinner in the crock pot, but we can eat that tomorrow.  Now we all know how cheap Daddy is and he decided that he could just make Ben’s cake like Mickey Mouse instead of buying one.  Cake Boss better watch out, give B some more practice and he might need to start a bakery!

Grammy and Pal got Ben The Learning Tower for his bday since he loves to help us in the kitchen.  So, so, so happy it’s here.  He got to watch daddy paint Mickey!

Grams and Pops had ears made for him at Disney World

The finished product (too bad it’s on the ugliest tray we own)

After cake it was bath time.  It was Briggs’ first time without the hammock.  He’s probably still a little small not to use one, but he definitely liked it better being submerged and Ben LOVED helping. 

So pictures like these are why the blog is private.  Boys-I am so sorry to show your boy-ness to the world, but most people reading this have already changed your stinky diapers so it doesn’t matter much anyway.

Ben thought he needed bubbles

A little pre bedtime cuddle with both boys

Happy Birthday little man!  WE LOVE YOU!

A double date to the doctor

Today these two sweet boys went for their 2 month and 2 year check ups.  Mommy took them all by herself and after it was all said it and done it will be a long time before that happens again. 

Briggs (with Ben’s 2 month comparison in parenthesis):

weight: 12.7 (13.4)

height: 22.25 (23.5)

head: 15.75 (16.2)

So Briggs is still smaller is all areas compared with his brother at this time.  Briggs was a rock star at the appt.  They say not to compare siblings, but it just can’t be helped.  Poor Briggs will always be compared to Ben.  Doc put him on an acid reducer to see if that helps him seem happier.  He said he’s probably just a quieter, more serious baby.  In all he’s doing great.  He was so good and didn’t cry much at all. 

Now Ben on the other hand…let’s just say he let his true colors show for the doctor.  I have NEVER seen this child so out of control.  I was beyond embarrassed.  He flipped light switches, played with the trash can lid and pulled all the paper off the bed while the doctor was in there.  Now I know this child is not perfect and can be a serious toot sometimes, but I think our pediatrician thinks we live with a monster.  Cognitively and physically the little man is doing fantastically.  Behaviorally he gave us some pointers to try.  Poor B got one heck of an earful from me when I got in the car (after carrying a heavy infant carrier and literally dragging Ben across the street because he didn’t want to hold my hand).  Of course we got home and he was back to normal Ben.

Ben:

weight: 32.8

height: 36

head: 21

His growth is very gradually slowing down.  Anyone can tell his noggin is still off the charts and just always will be.  The doctor said he’ll be at least 6 feet as an adult, but with every male relative of his at least 6 feet that didn’t surprise us at all.  We can also stop buying whole milk for Ben.

T minus two days until my little prince turns TWO!