Getting so big

Tommy is really growing quickly these days.  He's already rockin' the 3 month onesie, and he's only 6 and a half weeks old.  I like to make my babies small and then grow 'em fast and furious!  hehe!

Besides eating, pooping and sleeping, Tommy finds time to get in his daily workout.  Tummy time is giving him awesome neck and back muscles.  : )

Ben is also growing up fast.  We have all been suffering through his 2 year molars coming in.  Ben suffered physically, and Chris and I have earned our stripes as toddler parents as well as a few new grey hairs!  He is in the height of toddler-dom.  He has a few key phrases that he uses every day - "no!"  "I do it, self!"  "no!"  "Uh-oh!"  "I'm OK!"  "no!" "vroom vroom motorcycle!", and of course, "no!"


Below is a picture of his new favorite phrase, "Ben drive car!"  Ay ay ay...

Boys Adventure

Chris took Ben to the doctor last night because he was very cranky and pulling at his ears.  Possible ear infection?  UGH!  Nope - all good at the doc.  It's just his 2-year molars popping through.  Ouch!  But hey, at least it's not an ear infection...or just Ben being a jerk!  hehe!

On the way home from the doc, the boys spotted a bulldozer in the parking lot and Ben got to climb on it.  SO exciting!  Check out how cool this is for him:

Notice the 2 Cars stickers on his arms.  The trip to the doc just keeps getting better and better!

On the way home after all of this excitement, they pass by our neighborhood "bike night".  It's Ben's motorcycle dream come true - about 50 Harley Davidsons all making loud noises and the bikers waving to Ben.  Our next door neighbor is BIG into Harleys, and he loves Ben.  So, he had all of his friends honking and waving at him.  Again - best trip to the doctor EVER for Ben!

If Ben's first vehicle isn't a Harley or a bulldozer, I'll be shocked!  ; )

We're getting there

We've been busy at the Cali house.  (When are we not?)

Both Ben and Tommy are getting so big.  Tommy is concentrating on eating, sleeping and pooping.  He's got an A+ in all of those categories!  Not much else to report on with him.

Ben is working hard at being a big brother and adjusting to all of the changes in his life.  Most days are good.  Some are OK.  Very few are awful.

This past week was challenging since Chris was out of town until mid-week.  Then it got even harder when Ben got sick on Friday night.  Then Chris had to leave again.  OY!  Luckily I have wonderful family and friends and babysitters to give me an extra hand and an hour of sleep when I need it.

So, we are all good here but I'm really too exhausted to remember anything fun or blog worthy to write about.  Just rollin' with the punches and trying to make it to the other side of this adjustment period.  : )

One month later

Yesterday was Tommy's one month "birthday". What a chunker he has become! Although our life is a bit chaotic, we are loving our boys and so happy to have Tommy home with us.
And if course, big brother Ben is rockin' as well. He's talking up a storm and learning how to use the potty. Exciting times aground the Cali household!

A week with no day care

This is crazy!  I bow down to all you stay at home parents.  Seriously.  This is some crazy sh*t to stay home with a toddler and a newborn all day!!

Ben's day care is closed this week for vacation.  Thank goodness I have the help of family and friends, because it has been a HARD week for the Cali family.  Ben was JUST getting into the swing of things with day care and his new little brother before this vacation.  I hope he bounces back quickly.  Tommy is not allowing us to sleep too much, but loves to snooze all day.  Somebody needs to help him sort out his day time from night time!  Chris is working his tail off as usual, and I am fulfilling my role as the Bovine Goddess.  I nurse this baby ALL.  DAY.  LONG.  Like I said - crazy times around here!

Besides Monday, I've had helping hands from family and friends. We visited Papa and Chrissy on Tuesday, Cousin Emily came to visit us on Wednesday and played outside with Ben for nearly two hours! And then went to the playground.  We were all pooped!  Today Emily and Papa helped out again and Cousin Libby came to help as well.  YES!  We all went to the Aquarium and Ben had a blast.  And, mission accomplished - he was so tired afterwards that he had a great nap and fell asleep tonight very easily.  Nice!  Tomorrow we will take an adventure to the pool.  Of course Ben thinks he is Michael Phelps even though he doesn't know how to swim at all so that should be fun.

Honestly, the hardest part is packing the car and getting the two of them IN the car by myself.  And, that ever present fear you have while driving with an infant that he or she will start screaming their face off for no apparent reason and you'll go completely grey by the time you get home, upon which he or she will stop crying and fall asleep.  : )

Tommy napping in the yard.  Loving that Hendrix onesie!

Napping with Dada

Almost diving in the tank with the sting rays and sharks!

Touch tank with Papa and Emily

Another touch tank with Libby

Ben rockin' his apron and hanging with Suzy

Cutest boy in the world got a hair cut!

Tired is the new black

Oh Tommy how we love you.  Even though you only allow us to sleep for no more than 2 hours at a time...

So Thankful

The first week after a baby is born is TOUGH.  Seriously, not for the faint of heart.  Especially when it involves a 2 year old toddler who has had ALL of the attention of every family member for two years and now has to share that. 

We couldn't have made it through this week without the help of family and friends. 
Special shout out to Mimi for coming to help me through the long nights and early mornings and keeping my house spotless at the same time.  I appreciate it more than you know!!

Thank you to Meggie, Papa and Cory for taking such good care of Ben over last weekend and coming to visit him this week. 

Thank you to Dana for bringing me an awesome dinner.  It was so yummy!!

And thank you to all of those family members and friends who I will call on in the future to "stop by" after work and then put you to work with one of my children!

I can't believe we have children.  Plural.  More than one.  The boys.  It's beyond so crazy and amazing at the same time.  We are truly blessed.  And tired.  ; )