Things to Remember

Things I want to remember about Abram at age 2.

• They way he hugs Stella 'gently'
• He looks out for others - He picks up small objects around our house, gives us a serious look and says 'kitty choke'
• He loves to cook and help out in the kitchen
• After seeing everyone talk about Stella's new clothes/outfits, he calls most everything 'cute' or 'pretty'
• The way he calls Stella his sister.
• Abram loves 'special' food.  We call anything that is out of the ordinary special, chocolate milk, juice, etc.  It's so sweet the way he calls these items his special food.
• Abram was eating a frozen yogurt pop and got his first ice-cream headache.  How do you explain to a 2 year old about ice-cream headache?
• I haven't sung the 'everybody loves Abram' song to Abram since he was an infant.  Since becoming a big brother I think Abram really enjoys extra hugs and attention since he is no longer an older child.  When I put Abram to bed or down for a nap I started singing this song again.  He really gets into it now and at first he would tell me names to add in, "lisa, grandpa, nana, etc."  Then he realized that there were lots of other things that loved him too, "lions, zebras, giraffes, etc." so quickly family members were replaced with zoo animals.  In the past couple of days he realized that I laugh when he adds in these animals so he has expanded his reach and now "windows, lights, blankies" love him too.  
• It is also during prolonging nap time that we will get Abram to his crib at which time he'll look up at us with his sweet little face and say, "rock."  I'm not sure what Josh does when it is his turn but I am always a sucker for that little face and we head back to the rocking chair for a few more minutes.  My baby boy barely fits on my lap anymore and I savor these moments as I know that in too short of time my little guy will no longer want to cuddle with his mama.
• Josh is great at teaching and explaining things - it is wonderful to see him explain the world to Abram, who soaks it all up.  I feel overjoyed to be married to a man who is such a wonderful father to our children.
• Reading books - most recently he wants to read the book to you.
• He loves scaring people but he rarely succeeds because he starts laughing so hard he can barely get the word 'boo' out.
• I love his laugh.
• Things he really loves: being tickled, bubble baths, going to the pool, water of any kind, climbing papa/couch/anything that stops long enough that he can climb on, playing sports, trucks, school buses, construction workers, diggers, trains, any kind of heavy machinery.
• Abram's favorite TV show is Wheel of Fortune.  We don't let Abram watch a lot of TV but by 6:30 we're all a bit tired and occasionally we need a break.  I rationalize to myself that letting Abram watch Wheel of Fortune is helping him learn his alphabet.  He loves to yell out letters at Pat and Vanna.  His favorite letter is 'T.'   When he sees the program come on he yells 'WHEEL' and I feel a little bit of shame that my 2 year old knows the program by sight- but not enough shame to turn it off :)  
• Cake/Cupcakes.  Ever since his birthday party Abram can spot a baked good a mile away.   I told him we were going to a birthday party yesterday and the first thing he asked me was 'cake?'
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Things Stella enjoys (1 month)

• hugs from her brother
• being swaddled
• being outside
• being sung to by her papa
• eating

Things Josh and I enjoy:

• Sleep

2 Years Old!

 Last week we had a lot to celebrate as Abram turned two on the 17th and Stella was 3 weeks.

We spent Abram's actual birthday with a morning at the park feeding ducks and a picnic.  Abram got so excited about the ducks he almost fell in the water...several times.

There were even baby ducklings.

You can see some of Abram's excitement captured here.

 We had the park all to ourselves until a charter bus (seriously) pulled up and dumped off about 60  pre-schoolers.

For Abram's party we were able to celebrate with lots of family and friends.

 Abram and Adel.

Abram loves all kinds of trucks.

He blew out the candles all by himself.

I think he enjoyed the cake.

You can tell Stella was the life of the party.

Until Stella starts sleeping for more than 2 hours at a stretch my blog posts may be few and far between with limited captions.  Any free time is usually spent running errands or trying to take a nap.

Stella

We welcomed Stella Suzanne on April 26th at about 3:10 a.m.

We are in love!

First hug from her brother.

First bath.

Grandpa and Grandma Livermore meeting Stella.

He loves to give her hugs...

  and more hugs...

and one more for good measure...

I can't help but keep taking pictures

It's just the cutest

Great-Grandpa Rex and Grandma Jeri

4 Generations

Grandpa Terry

Great Aunt Vicki

Rachel and Caity

Abram got an early birthday present from Uncle Andy

I think he picked a good one

Hugs for cousin Claire

Taking his first cruise

Uncle Andy & Stella

Making blueberry pancakes with Grandpa Terry

Grandpa and Grandma Comstock

The day Stella came home Abram suddenly seemed giant

We had a fun visit from Aunt Lisa

Storytime with cousins

 Uncle Jon

Uncle Nick and future aunt Lisa

Future Aunt Lisa and Aunt Rachel

Kite flying on a windy day - so much better than last time

The Livermore clan is growing

baby toe kisses