Happy 2nd Birthday, Benjamin!

Ben's birthday celebration seems to have been going on for the past few weeks, especially since his birthday party was so early this year. His real birthday, however, was March 20th so he is now offically two years old.

With me still recovering from Nate's birth, we had a fairly low-key day, but it was a lot of fun for Ben nonetheless. He talked to all of his grandparents, had some gifts to open, and even had some of his friends visit to share some of his cake with him.

Here are some photos of Ben opening his gifts from Mommy, Daddy and Nate early in the morning before Andrew had to go to work. What a fun way to start the day for a toddler!

Later on in the day, our friend Becky Steffy brought our family dinner since a schedule has been set up to bring us meals following Nate's birth. What wonderful friends we have! Her four children were all off from school so everyone was able to accompany her to visit Ben and Nate. Ben had such a fun time playing with the Steffy kids and showing them some of his new toys and we even broke out the Tonka cake that Aunt Cinty had brought over and had a mini birthday party for Ben (singing and all!). Yummy! Here, the kids pose for a quick photo before we hand out cake.
The kids also had such a fun time holding Nate. Here are Natalie and Lauren with the baby...

...Sarah got the biggest kick out of being able to hold Nate on her own...



...and finally Daniel poses with our newest family member.

After dinner that night, Ben got to open a few more presents that had arrived in the mail today from Grandpa G and CC in Florida. He enjoyed opening the large box and finding it filled with wrapped gifts and didn't waste a minute when we told him he could open them up!

Just like his dad, Ben migrates to the wooden toolbox and immediately starts playing with the nuts and bolts while Nate watches from his Boppy on the sofa during some of his "awake time" (we don't see too much of this at this age!).

Talking Elmo! His favorite!!

Here's a grouchy face after Ben opens his new construction bath toys and we tell him that he can have a bath in the morning instead of immediately since it is already well past his bedtime. He doesn't care for this plan since he wants to use his new toys NOW, so...

...he'll just take them upstairs on his own and give himself a bath!

"Hmmm...maybe if I empty them out into the tub they'll reconsider and let me use them right now."