Stupid Stomach Bug

Poor little Eben came down with the stomach bug the morning of my birthday - Friday.  The news came to me when I was out shopping on Black Friday, but Dane had things under control until I was finished.  Throughout the day Eben was acting pretty normal - dancing, laughing, and running around - but it was accompanied by throwing up every so often.  The night was the worst with two bedding changes, five clothing changes, and 3 blankie washings...we felt so bad for him.  Saturday he was better, throwing up only a couple of times after eating.  And Sunday, no throwing up, but almost lethargic.  He slept about 20 hours of the day and when he was awake all he wanted to do was cuddle with mom - no running, no dancing, and not even any walking or playing...and not much eating or drinking either.  Today he is getting better, but still very slow motion.  He is walking around, smiling sometimes, and playing calmly...still not eating well though.  This has been just so heartbreaking for us to watch.  Stomach bugs and toddlers do not mix well at all as you can't explain anything to them, nor can you control when and where they get sick...

On another note, I got a new stroller this weekend - a double!  I have been researching like crazy trying to decide which one is the best purchase - many trips to stores to test drive, looking at tons of reviews, etc.  Well, my very close second place stroller (behind the City Select) was on sale for 25% off at a local boutique (but I had to get there when the store opened to get it) - and let me tell you that these more expensive strollers NEVER go on sale...EVER.  I got the Britax B-Ready:

 























Yes, all of those pictures are one stroller (although some parts sold separately).  I will only use the carseat/toddler seat pics and the double toddler seat pics (and the single toddler seat until baby #2 comes).  It's not a cheap purchase, but I really think it will be worth every penny (and thank goodness for big tax returns coming for us in the new year!).  Yay for us!

Dance Party

Oh Eben...just a riot.  He LOVES to dance lately.  When music is turned on, he starts a-movin' and you can't deny how adorable it is - or how adorable HE is. 

Below is a video with a couple of segments.  The first is of Eben having a dance party with dad.  This has happened many times and I happened to get a little on video.  The second segment is of Eben dancing with his dancing frog today (before his nap - he looks pretty tired, doesn't he?).  I had gone to the bathroom for a minute and could hear the frog and Eben dancing together from afar - the music and Eben's stomping dancing feet - so funny.  Eben pushed the frog's button about 5 times, dancing continuously.  Enjoy!

Play Date!

 So I took care of Eben's little friend, Colby (who is 3 1/2 months older than Eben), for about an hour today.  I was so proud of how well the two played together...or by each other...but sometimes actually with each other (now I realize this will probably not always be the case though).  These two have known each other since shortly after we moved to AA and watching their social skills develop has been so interesting.  Colby is a little more advanced with this cause of his age, but they are just so cute together.  This was the first time Eben has had a friend over to play with his toys and he shared SO well.  He was instantly excited when he started playing with Colby. 

 Ahhh..sharing.

 Actually playing together with a train.

 I told them to help me pick up some of the toys since they had taken all six boxes out of the shelf and dumped them out, haha.  Colby put every toy in one box, including the large toys.  Such a good helper!

They seriously played catch with each other for like 60 seconds...I was pretty impressed.

 Playing catch with each other again...well...throwing the ball into each other's faces anyway.

Backyard Fun

So this past week may have been the last week of fall cause now the cold is coming.  We took advantage of the 60 degree weather to play outside, go to the park and petting farm, and go for family walks.  All of these things we are going to miss so much.  But luckily we have Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and a long awaited visit home to ND to look forward to in the coming months.  After all of that business subsides we will only have 2 months left to wait for baby #2...craziness.

Oh, and I am fully aware that the new blog background I have chosen is a spring background, but I don't care...we will just pretend that spring is already right around the corner...

 Watching the sun set.

 Looking at an airplane.

Randomness Again

 I know how much family, in particular, love to see Eben via video, so here is a cute one of Eben laughing with Daddy.  Of course, I always grab the camera well into the laughing so I always get the tail end of things, but it's still great.



So every once in a while I empty out my small camera and post the pics on this blog...here are those pics.

 Eben with his buddies at the Toledo Zoo.  It's funny that we can only take pics of them together in their strollers because Eben and Colby run away immediately and it's impossible!  The kiddos love the zoo and so do the mommies :)

 

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 At Hobby Lobby with Grandma and Grandpa!

 

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Dane and I took Eben to the Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor this past weekend.  It was a great place for Eben.  Sure, he just ran around a lot and didn't stay at one thing longer than 8 seconds, but he sure had a blast.

Could he be any cuter?!

You tell 'em, Eben...

 The fireman pics are taken in this great toddler room...a room that has doors, no stairs to run over to, many stations for kids to run around to, and a stress free location for a mom to just let her toddler roam free.  This will be our new winter hang out spot as we bought a family membership!