Transitions at daycare

I'm going to start visiting a preschool room on Monday. It's called the Turtle room. Right now I'm in the Ladybug room. I'm really really excited about my new room. The teachers made a schedule of visits over 2 weeks to get me used to my new room. I don't think I'll need that much time. That, or I just talk a big game.

n: I'm done with the Ladybugs.

Facial hair

n: I'm a lady. I'm gonna be a man later.

Like father like son

I want. iPod. Can I has?

Bathtubphobia Anonymous

Hi. My name is Nina and it's been 20 days since I refused to take a bath. My brother has been a strong supporter, distracting me from my fear of toe-lint-in-the-tub.

A balanced universe

When my sister took her first steps she walked to NeeNee. But I have taken steps to make sure that Mormor doesn't feel left out. Literally.

Exploring our heritage

Nina likes Swedish meatballs and (appropriately named) princess torte. I like Swedish meatballs too! IKEA thinks a child portion is 5 meatballs. Well, Nina normally eats 7-8, and my first time I ate 5 (in addition to the rest of my lunch). Obviously we eat Swedish food on a Scottish appetite.

Bye-bye Mormor

n: Mormor take me to daycare. I cried because she went home to her house.

Sports

I eat three times my weight every day. Which is a lot. But I'm no more than average weight for my age. How? Lots of exercise. Wrestling, javelin...

Token economy

I love my new token economy. If I sit on the toilet 4 times, I get a lollipop. And I don't even have to pee or poo on the toilet. I just have to sit. This is easy candy. Plus, now that I've sat 4 times, I get a lollipop. Doesn't matter if it's 7:45am! Sweet!

Ham

Cameras are immediate gratification for how funny I am. I don't know how Mamma and Daddy survived before digital photography. Oh, that's right. That's why they're not as funny as me.

Seating preferences

Sitting on a chair. Sitting on the floor. Lying in bed. I like to cross my ankles. That's just me.

AAAAHHHH!!!!

I didn't see you sneaking up on me!

Visitors

Hip-hip-hooray! Mormor arrived to play with me and read me books and do my bidding!

Bathtime fun

Finally! My sister's bathtime nonstrike finally resulted in a joint bath. Most of our bath water ended up on the bathroom floor. A complete success!

Sleeping Beauty

So yeah. Remember when I said I was a trooper of a sleeper? Can I amend that to saying I'm now a trooper of waking up at 4:30am?

Eavesdropping

Soo, yeah. Medicine for upset stomachs doesn't help much... It's pink, which I like.... But yeah. No. It doesn't make you feel better.... Kinda lame.... Bonus though, it turns your spit-up pink.

1 year!

The birthday prince has taken over the throne!

I have an infectious smile and think my sister is the funniest person ever. Mamma and Daddy try to be funny. I absolutely love to laugh, but only she can get my full belly laugh out.

Food? Yes please. More please. I've been feeding myself for a long time now. I'm definitely not neat, but I am efficient and fast. Although I've been known to feed myself for almost an hour when I was really hungry. I don't have molars, but my 8 front teeth and strong gums help me eat almost everything. The hardest thing I've managed is apple and corn chips. I used to demand a spoon for feeding myself, but I'm bored of that lately as I focus on weaning off the bottle (although I'm not showing any sign of weaning off of my 5am nursing with Mamma).

I communicate with grunts and laughs and finger pointing and mischievous grins. I can say "mama" and "dada" and "nina" and "bbb" for bottle. I point to food that I want, and to items I want Mamma or Daddy to label for me. I love to do things I know I shouldn't do (like pull down the center-speaker). I go to the speaker, put my hand on it, look over at Mamma or Daddy, and grin at them until they see what I'm doing. Sooo much fun!

I'm still a trooper of a sleeper. Since Nina doesn't nap on the weekends, I've taken to dropping one nap on Sundays. Too much to do!

I love the outdoors. I'll cry if it's time to come inside. I'm not a fan of the feeling of grass, but I love the feeling of the wind and looking at trees.

Poem from NeeNee (part 2)

Dearest Ewan:

It seems your growing up
has inspired lots of throwing up.

bigloves and hugs,
NeeNee

p.s. If I was you I'd be insisting on another birthday when there are
less, um, bodily fluids being hurled.

Medicine

n: What's this?

M: It's called Pedialyte. It's medicine for when you spit up.

n: It's got sugar in it. That makes it juice.

Things not to do when I turn 1 (or any birthday for that matter)

1) Infect my family (sorry Daddy and Nina).

Poem from NeeNee

Dearest Ewan:

April 17 was the day that NeeNee came,
to Madison, Wisconsin (of "The Onion's" claim to fame)
(but this has changed, no doubt, for sure,
who cares for publications when
MacBensen Babies show up...
now THAT'S cause for celebration!)

And thus, NeeNee's arrival,
(she didn't come to read,)
she came to wait for someone's birth
and Someone took the lead!

'Cause Mamma sprung a leak next morning,
everyone went crazy,
Daddy, NeeNee, Mamma mopping floors
(and this get hazy),
Nina was awake as well,
she must have had some notion
that her brother's birth was imminent
with all the grand commotion...

And then it was April 18
and "someone's" name was EWAN!
Such thoughtful timing of his birth
(...he knew what he was 'doin!)
made everybody happy---
it's part character, part cutey,
he can't help it, he's adorable,
it's his genetic duty!

His eyes are huge, his hair gets curls
there's daycare competition
for the pleasure of his company,
the thrill of his admission,

he loves his sister, stairs and food,
Mamma and Daddy too,
when Nina leaves the room
it makes him sad, it just won't do!

An appetite for cottage cheese,
a taste for...well let's face it:
if it's small enough and within reach
he'll eat it, (he won't pace it.)
His speed of grabbing is amazing,
smooth his execution
of the reaching hand to food and back to mouth
for resolution...

His strength is legion!
He's been known to curl full soda cans,
he'll bench press tents
or tip them over for his many fans...

Oh if we could measure sweetness
or count the reasons why
we love him so.......that number lives
beyond the edge of sky,

but let's not be unplayful!
Let's bring this back to earth!
Today is EWAN'S FIRST BIRTHDAY,

That's 12 Months Worth of Mirth!!!!!

Busy working

n: I'm just checking my email.

Things not to do before I turn 1

2) Infect other members of my family (sorry Mamma).

Return to bathing... week 1

5 seconds before this photo, Ewan and I were in the bath together for 5 seconds. Because I fell, banged my chin, he freaked and then we both needed hugs. Now I love bathtime, and Ewan (formerly lover of baths) cries when he gets in the tub. MacBensen Bathtime must be balanced.

Things not to do before I turn 1

1) Throw up any more.

I caught a nasty stomach bug and have thrown up in bed, my breakfast, my bottle, on the floor, and on my high chair. So far I have kindly not thrown up on anyone that I love. But it's not lunch yet.

Camping

Over and over and over again, while giggling hysterically.

Daddy's tired

It's not forced perspective. My hand really is this big. When I put on my shirt I have to put my arm through the neck-hole.

Daddy's little girl

n: I'm playing with Lego. I'm making a superhero!

More truth in advertising

Spring perks

Raspberries, strawberries, sun, and grass. There are just not enough hours in the day for me to spend outside. Unless it's time to eat.

Acting my age

3 year olds climb trees, jump up and down stairs, are obsessed with bugs (even though they're scary), ask about sidewalk sealant over and over and over again.
And so far, have decided to the end the bathtime wars. Because penguins boost confidence.

Things to do before I turn 1 (cont)

(3) First word? Check. "mama" and "dada" don't count. What was it? "nina". Because she always make me laugh and I wonder where she goes when she's not in the room.

Why I like parties

I get to hang out with friends my size, ...... and I get cake. Only, not always enough cake.

Perks of parties

Getting presents and sharing presents isn't half bad either.

What did I want for my birthday?

Cake! And friends!

I requested blue cake with Tiana and a frog. A super-duper-awesome nice lady baked the cake for me. Mamma iced the cake. And I decorated it. All by myself!

Truth in advertising

Can I has?

Tiana!

I got a Tiana-doll! She hadn't seen her movie yet, so I showed it to her. She likes seeing videos of herself too.

I like birthdays

Presents are fun, even if they're not for me. Can I have a birthday soon too please?

Poem from NeeNee

On this day three years ago
a special birth occurred,
it wasn't in the newspapers
(the internet demurred),

but EVERYONE (who really matters)
knows that April Seven
is the day the sky
began to show the world

a peek of Heaven......

3 years!

Turning 3 didn't start out so well. I fell head first down the porch stairs. Ouch. So I reverted to acting younger. I held onto a Linus blanket most of the day, drank from a baby-sippy-handle cup, and requested a bottle. But by the time cupcakes came around at snacktime I was excited about this new age.

Because when you're 3 you get presents! And cupcakes. And lots of phone calls. And more cupcakes. And stickers. And birthday songs. And chocolate. And to pick the dinner menu. And more cupcakes. I like birthdays. Can I turn 3 again tomorrow?

Thank you to everyone who sent me presents or called.