We didn't do anything exciting today. We went to the gym and then grocery shopping. Caroline was super fussy this morning so dropping her off was really nice! I'm pretty certain her second tooth is coming in. I can see it just below the surface. Poor girl. When I went to pick the kids up from daycare an hour after they were dropped off (they can stay there a maximum of 2 hours) Caroline was screaming and the daycare lady we know well said she was super tired but just wouldn't sleep. Bennett was playing outside so I decided to keep him in he daycare the full 2 hours and just took Caroline. I fed her and then talked to her a bit. I changed her diaper, which was just a teeny bit wet, and then we went up to the lounge area to drink some coffee. 

Maybe she was hungry because she stopped fussing after she ate, but she really couldn't have been SO fussy all morning just because she was hungry. She was fussy about a half hour after she first ate this morning. I should note that she slept in her crib from essentially 7:30 pm until 6:45 am this morning. She woke up about three times between 7:30-10:30 pm but we were able to rock her back to sleep. Amazing!!!! And no feedings after 7:30! It only took 6.5 months! It feels like such a big accomplishment and hopefully it becomes the norm but it felt like this day would never come. When Joel peeked his head into her room this morning, he said she was just looking around happily. Joel thinks she is an easier baby then Bennett, it just seems more difficult because we can't focus all our attention on her. I don't know if I'd say that, but she is definitely continuing her upward trend that started around four months. She just seems happier and more settled into life.

 

When I got Bennett from the daycare at 11 he was super good. He wanted to eat pretzels so I told him he could eat some once we got to the car. No fussing and no whining. He walked up the stairs and to the car, happily. Once at the store, he munched on his pretzels and sat in the stroller until I was finished. When we were back in the car he asked for apple sauce, so I gave it to him. I usually don't like him to snack so much before lunch but he hadn't eaten much for breakfast. When we got back home I asked if he wanted to play inside or outside while I was cooking. He said outside. I asked him to put on a hat and sunglasses and he did without objection. He was seriously so lovely all morning. 

Saying "Oh no!" after he threw a rock that hit the grill. 

While Bennett and I ate, Caroline had some Mum Mum cracker. It went well today. No gagging or throwing up. 

After lunch I put Caroline down in her crib while Bennett read books in his room. Then I read some books to Bennett. I could tell he was super tired and was too tired to finish reading. When I left his room, he didn't make a peep. Of course as one kid sleeps, the other must wake. Caroline was awake and screaming. It took me a while to calm her down and once she was asleep again, I was scared to put her in her crib because I just wanted some peace, even if it meant holding her. 

Eventually I put her down and she didn't stir. 

I left Caroline's room around 2. By 3:30 neither kid had made a peep so I decided to check on them. Bennett was just waking up, with a smile on his face. Then I went to Caroline's room and she popped her head up when she heard the door open. Both kids were happy. So nice. 

Bennett was pretending to eat the ice cream cone Caroline was holding. 

Bennett played outside while I made dinner and after dinner, Caroline and I took a bath. She loves baths but really liked taking a bath together. I'd lay her in my legs to wash her hair, and she's look up at me and giggle. 

She was definitely super tired by the time we finished, because it was 7 pm and she didn't have a nap after 3:30. I was trying to take a picture of her awesome hair, which gets a little curly when it is wet, but she wasn't having any of it. 

By 7:30 she was asleep in her crib. 

Bennett also had a bath and is quite the artist. 

And I'm pretty certain he'll be left handed. 

Monday was our last day of ECFE. After class we went to the park with Brielle and the twins for a little picnic. 

Despite it being a warm day, Bennett didn't want to take off his hoodie, which I didn't mind because that meant I didn't have to put sunscreen on him. 

Bennett took some selfies in the afternoon and we spent some time outside. 

Tuesday we went to Lake Harriet. It was a gorgeous morning. Bennett loved pointing out the dogs on walks, ducks in the lake, bikers, everything was exciting. 

Bennett played on the playground for a while. He took a few tumbles and got some scrapes but he is a brilliant climber. I'm pretty over protective but I'm worried he's going to fall and break his face open. 

And of course he wanted to swing for an eternity. 

Afterwards we went to Wild Rumpus. Bennett was scared of the chickens at first but, with Cassie's help, touched one. He was pretty proud of himself. And he wanted to read all the books ("Sit on bench!" He kept telling me or he'd sit on the rug and pat the floor beside him.) but it was close to bedtime so I took the easy way out and bought him a book so that we could leave without a fight. 

I thought Caroline was going to crawl... But she didn't.  She has to be getting close though. She gets up so well and will slide her knees back and forth. 

After naps, Ellen came over to play. 

I gave Caroline a Mum Mum cracker. She got a piece in her throat, which caused her to gag and throw up. Good times.