A Visit from Lolo & Lola

2 weeks ago my parents flew out from California to meet their 2nd grandson for the very first time.  While we've been able to see them at least twice a year (and this being the 6th trip out for my mom) it never seems to be enough, when the boys are growing so quickly.  Here are the proud grandparents with little Magnus.

 

Kerstin and Magnus were nice enough to let my parents stay with them, instead of a hotel.  Their guest bedroom sure beat our Areobed-in-the-living-room-style accomodations.  Plus, no crying newborn in the middle of the night.

In return, my mom volunteered to cook meals for the entire time she was there.  Feeding 6 adults and 1 kid was no easy feat,  prompting little Magnus' first trip to Costco.

The following day we visited a Fall highlight, Cox Farms Fall Festival.  It boasts an impressive hayride, 5 giant slides, free apples and cider, and baby farm animals galore.

The sign makes me chuckle

Both Lolo and Linus had a grand time going down the slides together.  Make sure to click on the picture to get an enlarged view of the look on their faces-- pure joy.

At the bottom, Linus would say "Again! Again!"

This is what Linus called "The Biggest Slide EVER!"

Afterwards we paused for an apple break and moved on to the hayride.  My dad and I stopped to make our best pig faces.

At the end of the day we got to pick out pumpkins and squash to take home.  You can tell by the looks on their faces that it was a great day.

While we weren't out and about, we chilled out at home.  Linus continues to ask to hold lille bro, and loves to smother him with all kinds of attention. 

Magnus eats, sleeps, and poops.

If Mattias isn't fast enough, Magnus sometimes poops on the wall.  Take that, college diplomas!  Is this Magnus' way of saying a Bachelor's degree ain't worth much nowadays?

Over the weekend we took Linus to Clemyjontri Park to play.  Mattias and I figured we could chill while my parents chased after Linus.  His new favorite activity is the balance obstacle course, where Linus likes to say "No. No. I do it myself." when we try to help him.

The Carousel was a hit because Linus gets to hand the guy who works there a token before getting on.  It's crazy that 2 year-olds understand the concept of money!

The following day we had to say goodbye to Lolo, but the action didn't stop.  Magnus made his first trip out the the Maine Avenue Fish Market in DC, the BEST place to get fresh blue crabs.

My mom was on a mission to buy crabs to bring back with her to Milpitas.  In her suitcase.  I thought she was crazy when she told me she wanted to do this, but apparently other Filipinos do this.  All the time.  While waiting for the crabs to steam/die, we bought some oysters and clam chowder for lunch.  I love the sign that says "Food Stamps/Cards Accepted."   That's DC for you.

Mmmm, clam chowder & shrimp

The visit was a mere week long, but in those 7 days my mom and dad were able to play and laugh, and show Linus new and exciting things.  They got to meet their new grandson and spend some time with me.  Mom cleaned my fridge  and then filled it full of home cooked food.  They gave baby Magnus a warm welcome and offered us their unconditional love and support-- exactly what great grandparents do best.

Lola shows Linus some spooky Halloween decorations

Bringing Home Baby

OK, I promise after this one I won't ever title another blog after a crappy TLC baby-themed reality show.  But with the amount of sleep we're running on, the creative juices aren't exactly flowing.  

Linus had a great time staying at Farmor and Farfar's house while we were in the hospital-- he got to watch lots of YouTube truck/race car/monster truck videos, eat while watching said videos, get ice cream dessert after finishing his dinner, and never had to use his "inside voice".  He even explored a potential future occupation: tree doctor.  But after we made a break from the hospital (a whole night early!) we were eager to reunite our family at home (minus Guster 'cuz he a punk.)

     

Once home, we knew he had to keep Linus busy.  He had been battling a fever and cold for several days and needed a lot of attention.  One idea I liked from the sibling class we attended was to take the older sibling aside and make something for the new baby.  In this case we chose to make a Chocolate Guinness Cake with cream cheese frosting.  Linus helped me measure ingredients, sift, and dump the ingredients into the bowl.

Like his pappa, he is a pro at licking spoons clean.

We had a lot of quiet time to snuggle with and get to know our little baby.  If you haven't heard yet, mini-Magnus is the easiest, most mellow baby.  He nurses well, barely cries, and from very early on slept in 3-4 hour intervals at night.  We're not sure if it's our experience as parents, or a difference in his disposition, but bringing home baby feels easier this time around.  (Or it could be that Mattias isn't writing his PhD thesis while I prepare for a cross-country move.)  Here are a few examples of Magnus' supreme cuddliness.

  

Some mornings/nights feel like a blur.  This picture was taken at 5:50AM while the 3 boys watched "Sesame Street".

If you know me, you know I can't stay in the house for very long, especially when the weather is gorgeous.  When Magnus was 8 days old we decided to head out to Gravelly Point Park to picnic and watch the airplanes land at Reagan National Airport.

Linus loved playing "Bodyslam!"  with Farfar.  Check out the expression of pain on Magnus face on the right picture-- so real he can join the WWF!

    

 Farmor had a wonderful time cuddling with the Snuggle Master.

 We don't want to make life all about the new baby, and we have a busy toddler on our hands.  Linus is all about learning and exploring, and it's been really fun teaching him anything that catches his interest.  So one morning, Mattias took him to the National Air & Space Museum to see the Blackbird a.k.a. "Fastest plane ever!"  Linus especially likes rockets and spaceships.

And on a sunny afternoon, we even squeezed in a stroll and a "date" at our new favorite spot, Northside Social.  I had me a drink of bubbly, and so I could enjoy it in peace, I got Linus an ice cream.

As you can imagine, I have my hands full.

And sometimes the tiny dictator gets what he wants because we just don't have the energy to deal.  Dinner in front of the TV?  Sure, why not.

And eventually we took Guster back, bringing the "Boy Total" of the household up to 4.  It blows my mind that I am surrounded by this many boys, and am doing laundry for a total of 4 people.  Guster immediately resumed his rightful throne--  the softest spot in the house, this time a clean pile of laundry.

So has it been wonderful and worth it?  You bet!  Linus has been a caring and semi-gentle big brother, Mattias and I have been (for the most part) working as a well oiled machine, and everyone's support has been amazing.  We are tired and busy, but there is nothing better than watching an entire family's capacity for love grow.