peanut butter and family

Last week home.

2008-09-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is my last week of maternity leave, and I am very bummed that I have to go back to work already. I am not at all someone who wants to stay home full time, but I would like another month or two and then to work four days a week instead of five. However, that is not an option, so back I will go.

We have had a great time the last few months. Jelly is growing and changing everyday. She nurses like a champ and loves her pacifier. She is long and lean with a great smile.

PB is wonderful. He makes us laugh daily. He is learning all kinds of new works. Yesterday we heard Pea Potter (Peanut Butter) at least 500 times in a row! He is very happy and loves his "baby sista." He also gives a good scolding when he doesn't like what we have done. Today he told me,
"Don't - Naughty!" when at the play area at the local mall. He had his hand in a fist at the same time and was shaking it at me. It was hilarious.

I will try and get some pictures posted on here soon. It is just so hard to spend the time right now, but I will get to it.

Jelly's first few days

2008-08-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter loved his baby sister right away. He hugged her, kissed her and said "baby sista."

Sweet big brother hugs!

Mama and her two sweet little ones.

Before the baby - catch up photos

2008-08-06T15:50:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter and this badger ran back and forth repeatedly.

PB loves the large aquarium.

At the Russia's Grizzly Coast exhibit with Mama.

Getting clean!

This is what eating spaghetti looks like!

At Grandma and Grandpa's for the 4th of July. Here PB is with Papa, Cousins A and M, and Auntie L and Uncle M.

Playing with Cousin A.

Hanging out on the dock with Gramps, Cousins, Auntie and Mama.

Riding the "water tractor" or "boat" with Gramps.

PB adores swimming in the lake at G and G's.

PB and Mama

On a tractor ride with Daddy and Mama.

PB's big brother style

2008-07-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

Peanut B has been such a great big brother and helper. He loves to get diapers or lotion for "baby sista". He also loves to try and share his toys and even "banky," the most important thing in life!

A few fun things he has told Jelly :

Jelly was crying during an exam by the home health nurse.

PB came over to her and said,

"baby enough! shhhhhhh"

She was crying another time, and PB gave her her paci and said "bite."

I have to say she doesn't cry that often but those are the two times he has made me laugh out loud with his response.

Our family is finding this change easier than going from no kids to one. Jelly is a great little eater and sleeper so we are feeling very lucky. PB continues to be a little comedian and even though I didn't know it was possible, seeing him with his little sister fills my heart even more.

Our little girl is here!

2008-07-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

Introducing Amelia Jane - 7 pounds 3 ounces and 21 inches long.

Born July 13th at 3:28 am.

Little sister to Peanut Butter and now to be nicknamed Jelly.

Click below to see our sweet girl.

http://www.firstdayphoto.com/slideshows/071408amamelia2/index.html

Family pics

2008-06-30T03:26:00.000-07:00

Thank you Awesome Auntie Lara for taking such great pictures!

Grizzly Coast Opening at the Zoo

2008-06-30T03:23:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter loved splashing in the puddles with Daddy!

2008-06-30T03:11:00.000-07:00

Having fun in the Sandbox.

2008-06-30T03:08:00.000-07:00

Part Two of Birthday Fun

2008-06-30T02:53:00.000-07:00

Uncle Paul, Cousin B (hanging in the sling) and Gramps

Peanut Butter loves the slides!

Climbing the "mountain"

Three of the four cousins (Cousin B's too little).

PB and Grandma horsing around.

Playing Lincoln Logs with Cousin A

Checking out the Elmo Cake

Life according to PB

2008-06-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

"Mama, Pen Pen (penguin), Bock Bock!"

(When watching a bird fly overhead.)

The birthday weekend! (Part one)

2008-06-18T17:25:00.000-07:00

Teeter Totter with Uncle Joe

Swinging with Opa

Weeeeeeeee !!!

Auntie Cheryl giving me a push while Oma looks on!

Everybody helped me bounce really high.

This is so yummy!

See you for part two soon!

Hanging out with family

2008-06-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

Cousins

A few family shots

I am so done with these flowers!

A Trip to the Zoo!

2008-06-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

PB and Mommy, listening to the Gibbons singing as the day begins.

Come on Daddy!

Watching Nemo and friends

Peanut Butter made good friends with a sharp and pointy fella.

Didn't you know all the cool kids wear their sunnies on their forehead?

There was some running, some mooing, and a lot of exclamations of COW!

Ride em' Cowboy!

These made mommy laugh until she cried! Enjoy =)

Sunnies and Sandals

2008-05-13T03:29:00.000-07:00

Time to jump in puddles!

2008-05-13T03:27:00.000-07:00

Practicing for the arrival of baby

2008-05-13T03:22:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter and Daddy

Peanut Butter and Mama

The baby sounds healthy!

Look Daddy I am taking care of Mama!

This is how I am going to kiss baby!

Walking in Daddy's Shoes

2008-05-13T03:19:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter loves to color!

2008-05-13T03:16:00.001-07:00

Do you see the black eye that is almost healed?

HATS!

2008-05-13T03:14:00.000-07:00

meeting the B!

2008-05-13T03:11:00.000-07:00

PB and Mama

Meeting his newest cousin - Little B

(These are from February!)

Speaking toddler

2008-04-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

So, as first time parents we have had such fun trying to understand the language of PB. For weeks PB would tell us "more cheese." Now the child has a tendency to go potty a lot, so we do load up on cheese and bananas, but seriously four cheese sticks a day seemed a little much. About a week ago a light bulb went off. Cheese rhymes with please. We frequently tell him to say, "more please." How foolish we felt. And poor Peanut Butter just kept eating mountains of cheese as his clueless parents discussed his curious obsession.

Parenthood

2008-03-25T05:50:00.001-07:00

This pretty much sums it up!

http://men.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=6534988&GT1=32001

Peanut Butter's first haircut!

2008-03-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

First Trip to The Park at Mall of America

2008-03-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

Part Two

2008-03-06T17:16:00.001-08:00

Christmas Morning 2007

Flashback

2008-03-06T17:01:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve 2007

The Perfect Age!

2008-01-17T07:18:00.000-08:00

As I was driving to work yesterday I was thinking about how PB is the perfect age. He just couldn't be anymore fun. I adore watching him develop new skills everyday. Then I thought about how at each age I have been absolutely convinced that it was my favorite age. I realize I have a tendency to think about the future and spend too much time planning for tomorrow instead of living in today. However, with PB it seems each moment with him is THE moment. THE time that is just right. Even his new found love of flopping on the floor in a fit of frustration is enjoyable to me. (I hide my laughter so he doesn't get more frustrated.) He is talking in full sentences now, but they are his own made up language. Of course he doesn't understand why we don't respond with what he wants, but he is getting better at using his english words as well. Yesterday after we got home and he put away his jacket, hat and mittens, he came into the kitchen and said, "help me." I looked down and he had gotten one shoe off and put away, but could not get the other one off. That I can understand and help with! It made me smile and think again, he is just the best, RIGHT NOW. It is a great lesson to spread to the rest of my life. Again one of the greatest teachers I have is my son.

The Children's Christmas Concert at Orchestra Hall

2008-01-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Our sweet nieces got a chance to try the violin, while their mama took some pictures.

PB and Dada looking at the Christmas lights.

PB's turn as Picasso

2008-01-06T16:05:00.001-08:00

A few more of the dancing machine!

2007-11-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

The apple farm

2007-11-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter loved playing in the large hay pile!

Peanut Butter enjoyed running and jumping off the hay.

Boogy down with your bad self!

Mama and Peanut Butter saddled up.

cruising through the graveyard

Peanut Butter loves to dance!

Aventures of Peanut Butter

2007-09-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

PB has been learning some new words, which he uses with great enthusiasm. The first one is NO. That is right mama and dada's lives will forever be more difficult now because PB is saying No.

Mama and Dada - Do you want to have this or this?
PB - NO.

Mama and Dada - Here take a bite.
PB - NO.

Mama and Dada - We need to get in your carseat.
PB - NO.

Unfortunately for PB, mama and dada can still pick him up and manuver him as needed!

Another new favorite is Yeah. Two nights ago PB walked around with his play phone up to his ear saying, "Yeah....Yeah.....Yeah....Yeah" Now where did he learn that?

I am trying to figure out how to use this word to my advantage. So far the only thing I have thought of is,
"PB, do you want your dada to change your poopy diaper?" The problem is I am not sure if he would use his favorite word NO, or his favorite word Yeah. We will have to practice in secret.

The Camera has gone kaput.

2007-09-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

Hello! Our camera has gone to the camera doctor due to having a stuck flash, so there will be another three or four weeks where PB's bright face will not be posted. However, I will try to update now and then with what our little lad has started doing and exploring.

As a recap of the zoo tour, PB's dada asked that the highlights be mentioned. The best and most amazing zoo of the tour was hands down Omaha. We know that next time we head there we will plan for a two day stop over, as there is so much to see. Their gorilla exhibit was amazing and beautiful. It made us feel great that they have spaces that are large and filled with plants and other natural habitat. They are also doing an incredible job educating both young and old and supporting conservation world wide. Another highlight of the trip was the sea lion show at the St. Louis zoo. It was great and St. Louis was filled with the most friendly and helpful people. St. Louis Zoo also had a penguin exhibit we enjoyed and a beautiful Oragutan and gorilla exhibits. At Brookfield zoo we loved the dolphin show and the merry-go-round. Peanut butter enjoyed the state of the art gorilla and orangutan exhibits. The two juvenile gorilla's that were wrestling were hilarious. The Lincoln Park zoo again made us remember Jane Goodall and how she had recently spent time there with the chimps. They were of course a highlight as we had expected. We loved that Lincoln Park zoo was right in Chicago, with a wonderful park right next to it. Kansas City zoo was enormous and we were there on a very hot day. They have a great zoo, with a lot of room for further exhibits. We found our selves talking a great deal about it's potential. And last to be mentioned is the small but fun Blank Park zoo in Des Moines. It was a quick stop there and the highlight was definately the children's zoo. PB loved feeding the goats and llamas.

So, there we have it. PB enjoyed himself, we enjoyed ourselves, what more can you ask from a vacation? The car rides coincided wtih Peanut Butter's naps and our evenings were filled with adventures in the hotel pool. Next year we plan on making another road trip as this one was such a good time.

Blank Park Zoo - Des Moines (day one)

2007-09-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

The children's zoo was the highlight of this zoo

PB thought milking the "cow" was very funny

Peanut Butter loved the slide at the hotel pool

Henry Doorly Zoo - Omaha (day two)

2007-09-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter got himself wet in a water fountain

We watched stingrays, sharks and sea turtles in a tunnel aquarium

We ate while watching monkeys in the rainforest

The gorillas enjoyed an afternoon snack of frozen koolaid

A sunbear

After a long day at the zoo, PB enjoyed some BBQ ribs

Kansas City Zoo (Day three)

2007-09-09T06:36:00.001-07:00

A baby nursing from the mama

During our trip every time we saw a hippo I thought of the Christmas song, "I want a hippopatumus for Christmas"

St. Louis Zoo (Day Four)

2007-09-09T06:10:00.001-07:00

This young orangutan played through the glass with Peanut Butter

PB looking at the large cheekpadder (adult male)

The whole tour crew

One of PB's favorite ways to be transported

emperor penguin

A grizzly in the water

An elephant cooling off

It was very warm, so PB cooled off playing in water

believe it or not he did this repeatedly

Sealion show - It was great!

Brookfield Zoo - Chicago (Day five)

2007-09-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

Dada and Peanut Butter

A young Orangutan

Two young Gorilla's playing

A Mandrill hanging out

Mama and PB

PB playing in the water

A wonderful dolphin show

A mama polar bear and her one year old

A male Orangutan

The alpha silverback

playing at the hotel pool

Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago (Day six)

2007-09-09T05:22:00.001-07:00

Mr. Beaver

A female Chimpanzee vocalizing

A mother and baby chimpanzee taking a snooze

A meerkat poses for the camera

A camel scratching his back

A happy little peanut butter

Long Time Gone

2007-09-07T05:59:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! We have not forgotten about posting but have found ourselves a little over extended for the past week. Our vacation (aka Zoo Tour 2007) was wonderful and this weekend I will post some pictures. PB was amazingly well behaved for a 15 month old. Of course there were some melt downs, but for the most part he was a total angel. Check back in a few days to see more on our adventures.

Zoo Tour 2007

2007-08-16T17:06:00.001-07:00

The countdown to zoo tour 2007 has begun. PB, Dada, and myself will be packing up a week from Sunday for the trip of the summer. We will be hitting up the zoos in Des Moines, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis and the two in Chicago. Nights will be spent swimming in the hotel pool and enjoying the knowledge that the next day does not include work of any form. Peanut Butter has always loved animals and so we planned a vacation that was family friendly, something we would enjoy, and something we knew would give Peanut Butter lots to look at. Wish us luck as we navigate the open road with a loaded hatch back and a one year old! We promise many pictures when we return.

Peanut Butter's favorite literary delights.

2007-08-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is his all time favorite. This morning we read it four times before making it out the door.

This is the best as he can now wave hello and goodbye, pat the bunny, smell the flowers, play peekaboo, read the book, feel the scratchy beard, and put his finger through the ring. The funny side affect is he now walks around smelling all his books.

More adventures

2007-08-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Napping with Mama.

Peanut Butter seems to have found the joy of books. He has been bringing books to us to read on a daily basis. We credit Grandma for this, as she read many books to him during her stay with us. He recently threw a book at his Dada when Dada said there was not time to read a book before going somewhere.

Peanut Butter has also recently learned how to climb and he has has tried to climb everything he can find. Much to his dismay this is occasionally discouraged by Mama and Dada.

Another one of PB's new favorites is stomping his feet. Here he enjoyed the music of "Feet on a wood surface."

Thankful

2007-08-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I know most of you will be wondering where the pictures are as that in the focus of this blog, but we wanted to post to all our friends that we are fine and were no where near 35W yesterday when it collapsed.

At the time of the horrible tragedy PB and I were coloring paper (and the wood floor) while his daddy was ordering Chinese food for dinner. As I think of the fun we were having it is hard to conceive that at that same time there were parents worried about their children both grown and small just a short distance from our home. It started me thinking how precious and fragile life is, and brought on a feeling that has been an unfortunate side affect of being a parent. All of you parents out there know exactly what I am talking about. The feeling of complete panic that something might happen to your child. I feel sick when I think of what could have been and that life is full of these situations. They are unpredictable and unavoidable.

I as many of the people I talk to, was glued to the TV last night. I ran scenarios through my head of what I would do in that situation. I felt myself getting panicked and overwhelmingly sad. Our family continues to send our hopes and thoughts out to the people affected by this tragic event.

Last night I kissed PB extra times, called my family, hugged my husband, and thanked my lucky stars. Again we have been reminded to not take a moment for granted.

Listening ears

2007-07-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

I have been contemplating when it will be time to censor the music and words coming from my radio when PB and I make our daily commute to daycare and work. Our 40 minutes each way is filled with a mix of Minnesota Public Radio, music radio, and mama's CD's. It seems that Peanut Butter is on the verge of language and I would be mortified if his first words were "I like big butts and I can not lie," or "Keep on using me, till you use me up." Now of course he will not start with full sentences, but still at what point is this being absorbed. For that matter, MPR's news is filled with stories of more and more soldiers dying, war, political discord, serious public health issues, and many more things that leave me wanting to shouting "ear muffs!" Am I going to be reduced to a world of Baby Bach and TMBG doing the alphabet? Now, I like a good kids tune as much as the next person, but 40 minutes twice a day might make me batty. If he isn't talking, does that mean it is OK? He can't possible understand what is being said, right?

As I am wandering this land of first child parenting, I have learned that I want PB to keep his innocence as long as possible. I don't want him worrying about death, or AIDS in Africa, or why people go missing. I want him to be sheltered from that. I want him to keep the magic of childhood, the belief in the impossible, the certainty of good, the pureness of heart. So where is that line, and when is it drawn?

A Day at the Aboretum

2007-07-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon at the landscape arboretum close by. It was such a great day of winding through the paths, chasing the geese, and fastening a strip of fabric to the tibetian prayer dome. The end of the art path led to a giant maze made out of large shrubs. Abraham loved running free and getting dirty!

School playgrounds sure have come a long way!

2007-07-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

Swinging is so much fun!

Getting ready to go with Mama.

Bye bye bottle, bye bye.

2007-07-12T19:46:00.001-07:00

Today was a big day. In all honesty it was a much bigger day for PB's dad and I than for PB. We said goodbye to the bottle. Granted we were down to only giving a bottle before bed, but wow, we (and again I mean the adults) were hanging on to that bottle. I think we were scared of the repercussions of putting PB to bed without that last little stomach filler. Plus the bottle time is really the only time we can sneak in a snuggle as he moves from waking to sleeping. So far there has not been a peep for the monitor, so keep your fingers crossed for us as we continue to journey through this unknown territory.

CHASE!

2007-07-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter loves to play chase with his daddy. He runs away and when caught gives us a dose of his biggest smile. Afterward, he tries to chase us, as we "run" away. Many times during the chase a toy or in this case babywash is picked up as an unwitting accomplice to the great escape.

A house needs a grandma in it. - Louise May Alcott

2007-07-12T18:27:00.001-07:00

PB's grandma is babysitting for nine days over two weeks as the regular daycare is on vacation. He LOVES spending time with Grandma, who never runs out of new songs or fun games. It has been exciting to watch him become so attached to Grandma. This morning he saw her, smiled, and walked over for the first of many hugs for the day. How lucky we feel to have not just ourselves, but a large family to raise our son.

Loving the Lake!

2007-07-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

Peanut Butter went in the lake at Grandma and Grandpa's for the first time. He loved it. Who knew a one year old would sit and throw rocks for over an hour!

How it is.

2007-07-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Recently I was lying with Peanut Butter asleep on my belly. His warm baby breath was hitting my face with repeated warm blasts, punctuated by sounds of his occasional sucking of his pacifier. I love that he continues to suck long after his pacifier has fallen. He smelled like summer and the bananas he chowed down with greedy little fists at dinner. He was, as usual, all sweaty, but my desire to feel his skin overruled my natural desire to avoid the sweat. At times my face was so close to his, electricity could have jumped the gap. I crave that smell and to feel him so close. I can't hold him tight enough. I never tire of this little being. He now gives high fives and laughs at appropriate times. He makes faces to get a reaction, and doesn't know the concept of volume control. He has started running and no one knows when he is going to slow down. He loves playing in water or dirt, or paint, or laundry. We are the luckiest humans in the world to have this little person so full of life and joy to enjoy every day. There is nothing better than the squeal I hear when I get the daycare each day. That is the best. The absolute best there is in this life.

Our year in review!

2007-07-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

Many of you make a point of asking about Peanut Butter, and what his current adventures have been. After some thought we decided to do what all the cool kids are doing and blog it out. So, to start with, here is the year in review via pictures. We don't promise anything too amazing here, but you can see what PB does and how he is growing right before our eyes.

2007-07-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

The first thing we noticed were the enormous feet.

This is at one week.

Peanut Butter goes gangsta.

Oh my!

Peanut butter's first halloween

Costume number two!

You can never be too prepared for Minnesota weather.

Hey baby!

PB loved his jumparoo.

Peanut butter loves Nana

Happy New Year!

Mama and Dada have put out an embargo on new toys.

PB loves playing in the water.

He sure looks like a toddler here.

He already has learned the art of posing for the camera.

This is the "super happy scrunchy face."

Man, this cake is fantastic!

Eat some green, paint with some orange....eat some orange paint with some green....eat some....