A new era

I have been feeling a bit like I haven't been keeping up with the blog lately but I am inspired by Obama coming into office today so I am going to post some much needed dude shots.  Otto and I watched the inauguration together today, I felt he should be a part of this day in history.  His favorite part by far was Bush flying off in the helicopter so I think he understood the importance of the moment.  He spent most of the rest of the time playing with toys while I tried not to cry too much.  I did great until Aretha sang, that kind of pushed me over the top.  I am so happy that our kids will grow up with him as their president.  With the economy and climate in shambles it can be tough watching children run around knowing they are going to inherit our problems, electing Obama make me think we are heading in the right direction.

So, on to dude photos.  These are mostly a recap of the past few weeks.  First his Otto wearing the goggles that came with his construction outfit, a christmas present.  I think it is the cutest thing when he wears them.  Tonight he had his first experience with elastic with them.  He pulled them away from his face and let go, you can fill in what happened next.  He still likes then though so that is a good sign.

To treat Ben for his birthday and to get a chance to see his new place we went for a visit after the new year.  Otto really likes Ben's new place and had a blast playing there.  Modern minimalist decor is great for a toddler I have to say!

Life is good when you get to hang out with uncle Ben and Shannon.  

To help make eric and I feel like real adults, Ben and Shannon's friend Marla came and stayed with Otto while we went out to dinner.  Otto was asleep when we left but shortly before we got home he woke up.  Not knowing where he was scared him a bit, but not so much that watching TV with Marla couldn't fix.  He still talks fondly of her and their time watching Curious George.  It was a great night for everyone!

We have had some good snow lately and good snow means getting to see kids in snow pants which I personally love.  Otto is a moving target once fully dressed so I haven't managed to get a picture of the full ensemble but the pants alone are pretty fantastic.  I have tried to get Otto interested in building a snowman or some other "snow" activity but none of it is working.  All he really wants to do is use his backhoe and dump truck in the snow.  Once is starts to be spring here I really don't think I am going to get Otto inside, ever.  That is fine with me, I like spending time outside.   

A few days ago Otto grabbed two ice cubes out of the freezer and proceeded to refuse to put them down until he had finished them both.  We kept asking him if his hands were getting cold and all he would respond with was "tasting ice cubes, delicious".  I can't believe how his hands must have felt.

Last week my friend Rachel, her son, Otto and I all treked to the State Farm show in Harrisburg.  It was quite a production and ended up being a eventful day but we all had a blast.  The day was made interesting right away by having to park in a remote lot and taking a school bus shuttle to the main building.  Imagine carrying a toddler all bundled up, a stroller and being 9 months pregnant on a bus...  yeah, it was a good time.  However Otto loved the bus ride so much it was totally worth it.  The farm show seemed to be a big hit with both kids.  Otto really liked the cows and did NOT like the chickens.  He kept saying "no, no, no, ... otto no like chickens".  I can't really blame him, they are loud and kind of overwhelming when there are rows and rows of them in cages.

However, there is nothing that a milkshake can't fix.  I would like to say that he had a good, healthy lunch that day, but that really wouldn't be true.  Pretty much he had milkshake, apple dumpling and berry pie.  Life is good when you eat lunch at what is basically a state fair food bonanza and you have a pregnant mom.  I will say that I had a delicious baked potato and deep fried veggies which made my lunch not necessarily better, but perhaps more filling.  That is of course in addition to apple dumpling and pie...