Beach and Benefits

Lots of pictures of sleeping boys--it's a bit easier to snap pictures of these guys when they are sound asleep. With Soren, it's not hard at all to catch him snoozing, but it's been a bit more of a challenge with Einar these days. This first one is of him crashed out in the back of the car this afternoon after a productive day for us down in Oceanside.

Today we succeeded in enrolling Soren in all of the various programs that the military has so that he is fully recognized as a dependent of Jared. It definitely took a group effort--Soren made sure to sleep in his sling while we were waiting and Einar was an excellent waiting room companion and really made me proud. He brought a bag of library books that we read together, didn't run around, listened well, and kept smiling even though we waited over an hour this morning to get everything completed!

Last weekend, Paula came down from Seattle to visit for a few days and meet the new baby. The first thing that Einar asked her on Saturday when he saw her was "Where is Paris? (Paula's dog)." Paris didn't make the trip, but we enjoyed Paula while she was here. We made sure that she had a hamburger at IN-N-Out, walked along the beach, went to church with us, and we even dragged her down to Oceanside so that we could make a video conference appt. and talk with Jared for 10 minutes. I even had a couple of hours while Paula and Einar went to the beach to go to the drug store and pick up the medicine that Soren and I needed to combat the thrush that we are suffering from.

Mom! I'm Being Attacked by a Giant Bug!

To be honest, I don't think Soren even noticed the butterfly that was holding onto his pacifier. He's going bug-eyed over the flashing of the camera as I was trying to gets some good pictures of him being awake. He's been having some good awake time now and can check more things out when he's not eating or sleeping.

Yesterday we took Hailey Cobb to her last softball game of the year while her folks manned the garage sale in our neighborhood. Having never been to a softball game played by 5 and 6 year olds, we found it very entertaining. Einar spent most of the hour playing with his "new from the garage sale" car and also periodically hanging out with the girls in the dugout.

A Whirlwind Visit with Tor and Jess

Last Saturday, Tor and Jess flew down to spend the weekend with us and to meet Soren. They also hadn't seen Mom (a.k.a. Grandma) in the five weeks since she had "moved" to San Clemente. We had unseasonably warm weather for them so that they could thaw out from their Seattle winter. They even took Einar to the pool and splashed around for a long time on Sunday afternoon. It was great to see them and spend some relaxing time around here with the two of them. I can't say that it was quiet around here (it rarely is with Einar and now Soren around), but we did have fun.

Grandma had to go back to Seattle this afternoon--a one-way ticket is really only one way if you don't have to pay taxes or haven't promised your boss that you will eventually return to your job. Grandpa had already returned two weeks ago to defrost the house and collect the huge pile of mail from the post office. It was sad to see them both go, I've really enjoyed having them here to not only help out with the kids but also when we were just waiting for the baby to come. I miss being near my family and it was great to have a great big infusion of family.

When it was so hot last weekend, Soren spent quite a bit of time out on the patio in the Mexican baby bed swing that Auntie Arlene had sent up when Einar was a baby. He was able to sleep and hang out in the breeze. Even though we have all of the clothes that Einar wore as an infant, Soren isn't wearing all of those outfits since it is so much warmer here this time of year than it is in Seattle. Onesies and some socks make a good baby outfit, especially when you spend so much time hanging out in a sling on Mom's chest.

Today after we dropped Grandma off at the airport, we picked up Soren's birth certificate at the county health office and then enjoyed lunch at Norm's (kind of like Denny's, but a local LA thing). Einar wanted to have breakfast again so he ordered pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream that he thoroughly enjoyed. Just when he was slowing down, the waiter came by and asked him if he'd like more strawberries and whipped cream and he said "Sure!" He nearly finished his two huge pancakes. We sat at the counter so there was a lot to keep us entertained while we ate our lunches as well.

Then it was home to our first evening on our own. Soren woke up once we got home and had a lot to say this evening, but most of it was in regards to the bubbles in his tummy that needed to get out. After a quick dinner of left overs for Einar and I, the kitchen was cleaned up and Einar helped me give Soren a bath in the sink. Einar is in charge of washing his "tiny little feet," a job that he takes very seriously. Then it was off to bed with a few stories for Einar and some more milk and sling time for Soren. They were both asleep before 9pm--a major accomplishment for me and now that I've straightened up a bit upstairs and updated the blog I'm going to be fast asleep before 11pm. The two hours of quiet has been a treat!

A Room With a View

This afternoon Soren sacked out in a laundry basket bed in the bay window. He wasn't awake to enjoy the view, but he also gets his upstairs diaper changes there, so if it isn't too sunny he takes in the scenery.

He is definitely a sleeper so far and cannot be woken up for meals before he determines that it is time for more milk. Tickling, poking, loud noises, and wet washcloths have been tried without success. That is not to say that he is going hungry. There seems to be lots of milk available and he is often seen in a milk stupor after being fed.

Last Thursday Einar and I headed out for some Mommy/Einar time before dinner. First we went for some coffee and then downtown to paint some ceramics at a place called Fired Up. Einar chose a horse to paint and he also helped me paint two bowls for Grandma and Grandpa. We haven't picked them up yet to see the final results, but we sure had a good time painting together. I'll try to include a picture of our handiwork once I picked it up from the studio. Einar has been great with his new baby brother, but has also needed more hugs, snuggles and time with Mom for good reason.

Still trying to take it a bit easy this week. We went to the library to get some new books this morning, but then came back for lunch and naptime. Soren of course fell asleep about 20 minutes or so before Einar woke up from his nap. We've got to work on timing a bit more so that Mom can get a good nap in as well.

It's a Boy!

Soren Bjorklund Ogle was born Sunday, March 30th @ 3:21PM. He weighed in at a whopping 10lbs 9oz and is 22 1/2 inches long. He and I came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon and are both doing great. Einar is thrilled to have a baby brother and has been very interested in him and gentle so far. He likes touching his hair and giving him kisses on the head. I will write more later, but I wanted to get at least some pictures posted before I go down for a little nap of my own this afternoon.