Where is the break in Spring Break?

I'm not complaining, I'm really not. I will certainly enjoy my week off work for the pure and simple sake that I won't be at work. However, I'm wishing for some peace and quiet and unfortunately, I'm not sure that will happen. Between looking for new daycare arrangements for next school year, moving furniture from my dad's house to our house which is requiring way more work than I expected, reorganizing (AGAIN!) due to the move, going to a variety of appointments we can never seem to fit in, and having Brant out of town for three days this week, I'm wondering where the days of leisurely shopping and lunch dates went? What about curling up with a good book? How about baking cookies or trying a new recipe? I know, whoa is me. Dad's gently used furniture does look nice, appointments will finally be taken care of, I'm lucky to have some time to make daycare calls and visits, and not making cookies means not eating cookies which means not feeling guilty about indulging.

I am looking forward to a week of beautiful spring weather. The temperature is suppose to be in the 70's tomorrow. Knowing that friends and family are taking their Spring Break in warmer climates, this makes me feel a little less envious. I'm looking forward to taking Ben on a long walk and maybe even taking his new scooter outside. At least there is some spring in Spring Break!

Birthday Recap

Big Week!

It has been and will be a big week in the Ausenhus household. After several weeks of small steps in sets of 3-4 at a time, Ben has started to let go more and more. He is now up and walking more and more every day. Uncle Nick came over last week and Ben was walking between the two of us, to his toys, and back to us. He'll probably think that cheering will follow everything he does soon, but it such a cool thing to watch him learn to do.

Ben has also been saying mama and dada for awhile, but this weekend, we realized that he is trying to say, "Crash!" Seems strange, but every time we knock over a tower or he runs his trucks into something, Brant and I say, "Crash!" Apparently Ben has caught on to this and is now saying his own version whenever his towers fall or he runs his toys into something. Love it!

This Friday is the big day! Ben will turn one! With all the new steps and a new word, I find myself marveling at how quickly this past year has gone by. It makes me feel a little nostalgic. Although I'm thrilled at how Ben is developing, a little piece of me feels sad at how quickly this is all happening. With thoughts and questions of weaning from his bottles to buying new front-facing car seats today, I think we are on the brink of a new stage of childhood and parenthood.

Ben's Basement Adventures

"Wow," you think to yourself, "Two posts in two days! What has gotten into Rachel?" Well...

1.) I finally got the flip cam software updated and it seems the kinks have worked themselves out. Lovely!

2.) I have strep throat and although I'm starting to feel better this evening, I'm trying to stay away from Ben and Brant to hopefully avoid spreading the germs. Thus, I have had lots of time to myself in our bedroom today. Since I feel slightly recuperated, a little blogging and video creating sounded just right.

3.) I got a very nice note from my aunt Marilyn a few days ago and I know she'll be glad to read this!

Ben and I worked on this video earlier in the week. He is sharing his favorite things to do in the basement when we are playing. I always think it is interesting that when he plays, he is usually very vocal with lots of laughing and babbling. However, the minute I get out the flip cam, he doesn't make a sound! Oh well! Enjoy!

First Haircut

Ben recently (if you call two weeks ago recently) got his first haircut. The baby mullet is finally gone, sad but true. The first haircut experience was just so-so. Perhaps most eleven month olds don't have such an unruly "do" to start with and don't need a haircut so early. Ben just wasn't really into it and we had to battle quite a few tears to get the job done. I was armed with Gerber Puffs, thankfully, which seem to be able to calm almost any situation! At the end, he looked nicely trimmed up and like a big boy. It is amazing to think our big boy will be one years old in just three weeks!

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!