Toledo Zoo

Yesterday we were supposed to have mid-50s for weather, for the first time in months, so we had an outing to the zoo. Quite a few people from the ward came. It was really fun, even though we had a little rain and only mid-40s. A wee bit on the chilly side. But, it's better than the snow we are supposed to have on Friday. Brayden's favorite part of the zoo was the hippos. He kept saying that he wanted to go to the zoo so that he could see the elephants, but when we finally saw the elephants he was a lot more interested in the ducks that were swimming around. Caleb was a champ at the zoo. He didn't really get naps, but he didn't fuss at all. It was great! I think my favorite part of the zoo was getting Burger King on the way home. I was so hungry! Brayden kept trying to escape when we stopped for lunch and I was feeding Caleb, so I didn't really get a chance to eat. But man, was that Whopper Jr. good.

I miss my brother!

So today, Mike and Brayden went to Sam's Club and left me at home with Caleb. I was having great fun talking on the phone, but Caleb kept screaming. Not wailing or crying, just literally letting out screams. So I kept trying to give him attention, but it just wasn't good enough. So I tried to feed him again. Then I tried changing his diaper. Then I just had to hold him. I thought, maybe he's getting sick, he just woke up from a nap, so he's not tired, what is going on? Finally Brayden and Mike came home, and Brayden was starving so I got him food and he sat down at the table and I put Caleb down in the exersaucer in front of Brayden so I could make more food. And . . . Caleb was happy as a clam! He laughed and smiled and interacted with Brayden until he was ready for a nap. The only thing I can figure is that Caleb really missed his brother. I didn't think 5-month-old babies could be capable of that kind of emotion, but it sure seemed like it to Mike and me.

The Boys

Caleb and Brayden are modeling their new Valentine's Day outfits from Grandma Bastian. They even coordinate! It was definitely a photo opportunity. And orange happens to be a favorite color in our family, so Caleb is especially cute. And you might notice in the second picture, it looks like he might be teething. He always has his hand or fingers in his mouth and he really, really likes to bite. Not to mention he is a drool monster. However, he's not complaining! Oh the joys of a mellow child.

Frankenstein Teeth

My father always lamented having a demure daughter. Mike's parents were always looking for Mike's off switch. Put us together and it's no wonder we have Brayden. A few days ago, we put Brayden in one of his new 3T outfits to see if it would fit because his 2Ts are floods, and he was soooo cute! I told him, "Brayden, you look so cute, we need to take a picture." He promptly grabbed his Frankenstein teeth and posed for the picture. I find it slightly disturbing that that is what his little two-year-old brain came up with all on its own. So we made sure we got fun pictures.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

This summer we moved to a new place that basically has a big park in the back yard. We look out of the windows of our kitchen and there is a big plot where a lot of people garden. Interestingly, they are almost all Asian. They have all grown some pretty cool-looking stuff. A little bit further away there is a big area referred to as "the bowl." Right now, with four or so inches of snow, that becomes a really awesome sledding hill. Brayden, no surprise, is fearless about sledding. He will go down face first, on his belly, sitting up, whatever. His favorite seems to be sledding face first on his belly with his dad holding onto his legs following him down on a separate sled. We just acquired a really good cold weather coat and bibs and a friend is letting me borrow some snow boots, so now Brayden should be fully equipped to brave the cold. Before we were doubling up with pajamas, fleece, and regular overalls under a not-too-durable coat. All of this has been followed up with hot chocolate and sitting on the coach under lots of warm blankets. I love it when Michigan has snow alongside the cold. It makes for some fun recreation.