Benjamin Cooing and Smiling

Long, I know, but it's 4:30 in the morning and I did what I could...but really, he's a cutie so I don't mind!

Update on the Criminal :)

I wrote yesterday's post three or four days ago.  Since writing it I hadn't seen any thumb interest or activity from Benjamin.  My thoughts were "Alright, the situation is looking good."  That was until I went into our room last night and found this:  

Oh boy.

Engaging in Illegal Thumb-Sucking Activity

Our little girl loves her thumb.  I was okay with this until she began to ride the subway when not in a stroller.  The world of germs seemed to appear on that day, causing me to decide the rest of our children will not suck their thumbs.  No way.

Child number two does not seem to understand this.  Benjamin first found his thumb on Day 3.  We immediately called Helena over, she loved that her little brother was just like her, we took a picture, and he lost his thumb. 

On Day 5 we took a picture and then promptly took his thumb out.

 By Day 12, Benjamin had learned that if he happened to get his thumb in, he'd better hold on tight.

What about a soother, right?  (Pacifiers are almost always called soothers in Canada.  Such an appropriate term, I think, that it's been fully adopted in our family.  Unlike calling the letter z "zed", which we have only partially adopted.)  Yes, we have one.  Benjamin's relationship with it has been decreasing as each day goes on.

 

So we'll see what happens.  Any tips?

Roger's Cup, for the second time

We bought tickets to the men's tournament of the Roger's Cup to celebrate our 6th anniversary in 2012.  That day John was sick and the matches ended up being postponed due to rain.  It all resulted in a nice evening for me & a friend sitting at the court in the rain, as well as credit for tickets to this year's tournament.

This year Toronto hosted the women's tournament (men played in Montreal), so we weren't quite as excited since there was no chance we'd see Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray or Del Potro.  But I don't think there could have been a better night to attend the women's tournament.  This is what we saw:

Serena Williams play.

Billie Jean King receive an award.  (She's the one in the purple.)

The reigning champ go against and beat the up-and-coming Canadian player.

 Yes, Benjamin came with us and it worked out pretty okay.  John & I didn't sit in our seats very much at all, and Benjamin slept most of the time.  When he was awake, he was busy stealing our attention and others' from the match.

 

Big Girl

A few days ago Helena ate lunch without a bib.  I had no idea how impactful this was going to be for her but it was huge.  Throughout lunch she said at least 15 times, "Look Mommy, no bib. I'm a big girl,"  or "I'm a big girl Benjamin, so I don't wear a bib" - all while puffing out her chest to show us the absence of the bib!

Then today we were shopping and she was doing such a good job listening to her mommy.  We stopped for a snack and I asked if Helena wanted to hold Benjamin.  Immediately after putting him next to her, she patted her chest and said "I'm holding him without a pillow.  I'm a BIG girl!"

So cute.  Too bad the idea of being a big girl and using the potty isn't as exciting to her...