Twas the night before Christmas

Best buddies

Hey there! My name is Marit and I'm moving in; this is my blog now. I had my two-week well-child check and I'm growing faster than my big brother. I'm now 8 lbs. 13 oz. (that's a gain of 21 ounces in just 10 days) and I'm now 23 inches (50-75th percentile for both). I'm breast feeding "on demand" with supplemental two ounce bottles here and there when I'm still hungry even after Mommy says I've had my appetizer, entree and dessert! The past two weeks in the Benziger house have been quite relaxing. Grandma and Grandpa Pastorius were here from Minnesota to visit. We went out for the first time when I was five days old to see the Wildlights at the Woodland Park Zoo. Mom had some hot cocoa and Theo, Dad and Grandpa were part of a giant plush snow ball fight at the Zoomazium. I kept a low profile tucked into Grandma's coat. 

Wildlights at the zoo (And yes, Theo has green hair, it's not just the lights)

Riding the carousel with Grandpa

Hey Dad!

Grandma and Marit with the giant penguin at Wildlights

Grandpa and Theo walked/ran to day care every day and they enjoyed picking up pine cones, acorns and sticks. I think Grandpa found a new running partner (sorry Mommy). Sadly, Grandpa had to leave after only one week but Grandma stated with us through Christmas and Mommy's 31st birthday. Christmas was fun but I think Theo got to open all the gifts. I slept through most of it - must have been the eggnog (or the Mazzocco zinfandel). Dad made prime rib and twice baked potatoes - too bad I don't have any teeth because they said it was delicious! It's always a bummer when your born in December (just ask Mommy, Grandpa Benziger or cousin Maya) because you always get the two-for-one birthday and Christmas gifts. Oh well, just another 11.5 months until I get to open another present. 

All I want for Christmas is my Auntie Annie!

We also took a trip to the Seattle Aquarium with Grandma and out to lunch for clam chowder bread bowl and halibut fish n chips down on the pier over looking the Puget Sound. Theo enjoyed the carousel and ferry boats as I took a nap. Dad is off this week so he gets to be home with me and Mommy, which is nice.  The three of us went to the Burke Museum today and out for lunch. Hopefully they let me stay up until midnight to welcome the new year (who am I kidding, of course I'll be up at midnight, and again at 2am and 5am...).

Here's a little poem I wrote about a little explosion I had one night:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the kitchen counter with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

Theo was nestled all snug in his bed;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in his head;

And mamma in her PJs, and dad in his cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out of nowhere there arose such a clatter,

They sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.

Away to my bassinet they flew like a flash,

Tore off the blanket and feared a diaper rash.

The moon lit mamma’s breast and new-fallen milk,

But I was sleeping soundly, wrapped up in silk.

But what to their wondering eyes did appear,

In my miniature diaper - there was an explosion in my rear,

With little time to waste, they changed me so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment that these were experts, so slick…

Well you know how the story goes. What can I say, I’m a baby and all I do is eat, sleep and poop! More to come in 2015! Happy New Year!

Grandpa and Marit before the red wine...

After :)

Marit's first bath at home in the sink!

Showing Auntie Annie and Uncle Eric the new food presents Theo got from Grandma and Grandpa for his new play kitchen

Grandpa's sailing buddy checking out Grandpa's present

Uncle Dan always gives the coolest gifts

Whoa! Car tracks!

Grandparents and their grandkiddos

Grandma and Grandpa with Marit and Theo

Grandma and baby Marit 

Benziger family pic 2014

Grandpa, Marit and Momma

Waking up 

Checking out the tide pools at the aquarium 

Scuba diver and a giant Theo fish!

Another carousel!

Theo left Santa some milk and cookies and was shocked to see the plate was empty in the morning!

Opening presents

Playing with his new pegs

Christmas dinner - prime rib and fancy wine!

Theo making pancakes with Grandma

sleeping angel

waking up

 

Big brother, Theo, feeding Marit a bottle and other typical sleeping positions