Sweet Kisses

One Month Old!

I am going to be a month old in a few days... hard to believe!  This past month has gone by so quickly.  My accomplishments include eating, sleeping, pooping, and otherwise being adorable.  Quite a lot for one baby in a month.  We are going to Iowa in a few days, and I am excited about that.  Get to meet more family... it should be a fun time!  I look forward to meeting you all.

Love,

Berlin

My New Schedule

Hi everyone!  I have been having a lot of fun with my new sister, as you can tell.  I have a new schedule now that she is around and Mama is home all the time.  I still go to daycare on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I can play with my friends.  I miss my friends, so it is nice that I still am going to see them.  We have so much fun, we run and play, read books, sing and dance, make art projects, and then on the other days I am home with Mama and Beebin.  Baby B isn't able to run and play with me yet, but we still have fun.  Mama dug out my old Gymini and we hung out for awhile the other day.  I still love my Gymini as much as I used to.  Some things you never outgrow.  I help Mama with my sister, too.  I help with diaper changes, burping, I give her lots of hugs and kisses.  I take her for rides in her rocker (when I think Mama isn't watching, but she always catches us), and I play with my toys in her room when Mama feeds Beebin.  I'm such a good boy, and my parents say I am adjusting to life as a big brother really well.  What can I say?

I will be going to my Grandma's house for a couple of weeks over Christmas, so this may be my last post for a little while.  There will be lots of Christmas joy to talk about when I do come back, so don't fret about that.  Merry Christmas to all!  I look forward to seeing many of you and introducing you to my little sister.

Love,
Aves

Here Comes Santa Claus!

We went to see Santa today at the mall!  I'm sure you are wondering why I am not smiling.  I didn't really like Santa all that much, but I did manage to stop crying long enough to get a picture.  I'm still not into strangers so much.  Baby Beebin slept through the whole thing, she could have cared less.  Daddy said to tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas, but I was too shy, so I will have to write him a letter.  My parents say I have been a good boy this year, so Christmas should be pretty good this year.  I already have a new sister!  Things with her are still good.  I love to give her kisses and help out burping her, changing her diaper, etc.  I'm such a good big brother!

Can't wait to see many of you at Christmas!

Love,

Avery

My First Week

My first meeting with big brother Aves! He is very sweet with me... calls me Baby Beebin and gives me lots of kisses. I think we are going to get along fine.

My first bath.

Lots of kisses from Daddy and Avery

My first Thanksgiving with Grandma and Aunt Andi

I've been getting lots of sleep!

More sleep...

Swinging away!

My first week was filled with adventure! I met my big brother, who is a cool dude, and my Grandma, Aunt Andi, and Grandpa Mark. I had my first Thanksgiving, which I pretty much slept through. The beginning of my day was a little rough. I got pink eye and had to go to the urgent care. The doctor there was obnoxious, according to my parents, and tried to give me antibiotics that I did not need. I ended up getting eye ointment, and my pink eye is almost gone! I went to see my regular doctor and I am doing well! I'm already back to my birth weight, and she said I am a healthy and strong baby! My parents say I am very chill, and they can't believe how good I am. My Grandma spent my first week with me, and I get to see her again at Christmas, as well as meet more family. It should be a good time.

I'll talk to you soon. I'm getting sleepy again.
xoxo,
Berlin

More Photos of My Arrival...

This was taken about 3 hours before I was born...

Mommy likes epidurals.

Minutes after I was born.

My first pic with Mom and Dad

I didn't really like the nurse messing with me.

7 lbs, 11 oz

Sleeping peacefully

Hanging out with Daddy

Ready to go home

I meet Grandma for the first time.

And I met Grandpa too! What a good day.

Nice to meet you!!

Hi everyone! My name is Berlin Louise, and I am the newest addition to the Manternach family!! I thought I would introduce myself to you. I arrived on November 20, 2009 at 12:04 a.m., weighing in at 7 lbs, 11 oz, and 21-1/2 inches long. I was very easy to deliver according to Mommy. We spent some time in the hospital, but am home now. What new things I had to discover already! I met my big brother Avery, who is very curious about me and wants to help out in whatever way he can. I think I'm going to like him. I also have 2 puppies, who will no doubt be fun to play with! I've already met my Grandma Pam and Grandpa Mark, and I can't wait to meet lots of new family members and friends! My parents say I am a very sweet baby, but I have my nights and days confused. I am sure they will help me out with that.

More pics to show you soon.
Hugs and kisses,
Berlin

Our Biggest Little Hawkeye Fan

I LOVE to cheer for the Hawks and my Dee-da has taught me the ropes. I do the usual, clapping, yelling "Go Hawkeyes!", but Dee-da has also taught me to yell "Run, run, run, run, run!!!" when the players run down field, "Ahhhhhhh!" when there's a tackle, and "Touchdown!" when they score. Pretty impressive, huh? The people around us thought so, even the Northwestern fans in front of us. They thought I was so cute, they started taking me pictures of me, and didn't mind when I started invading their space a little bit. I gave everyone a high five on our way out and they said I was a true fan. My parents were very impressed what a good little boy I was. Of course I was good, I was having a great time!

Hope you enjoy my cheering!

Go Hawkeyes!

I was very excited to attend my very first Iowa football game last weekend. Dee-da really has me into football and Iowa is my favorite team! They lost (booooooo!), but I did my best to cheer them on (see my video above). I can't wait to go to another game next year. I was pretty tired by the end of the game and slept all the way back to Grandpa's house. I was ready to go when we got back though. Grandpa was nice enough to play with me while Mama and Dee-da took naps. Grandpa's are so much fun!

Gotta go, it's past my bed time.
Hugs and kisses,
Aves

Halloweeeeeen!

I went trick-or-treating last night and had the time of my life! I dressed up as my favorite lovable character, Elmo (of course!), which was not only cute but kept me nice and warm on a chilllllly fall day. I was a little shy at first, but quickly figured out I was getting candy, so I got over my shyness very quickly. I wasn't really into saying trick-or-treat, but I was polite and said thank you for all the candy. We ran into my friends Josh and Sheesha (Alyssa), and ended up scouring the neighborhood with them and playing afterwards. So much fun! I wish it was Halloween every day. Can't wait until next year! I can't find my candy this morning, though. I think my parents hid it :( Don't worry, I'll find it!

Talk to you soon.
Elmo Aves

Tickle Me Avery

My New Buddy

This is my newest buddy, Dashton Bleu! He was born this morning at 7:30 and joins big brother Camden and parents Amy and Jeremy. I'm excited to meet him, although he lives in Nashville, so it may be a few months before that happens. It will be worth the wait! I am anxious to ask Camden all about life as a big brother. He will have several weeks experience ahead of me, as we wait for my sister's arrival around Thanksgiving.

Welcome to the world, Dashton!
Love,
Avery

Blackberry Farm

Hi everyone! I went to Blackberry Farm this weekend and had a lot of fun doing fall festivities. They were having Pumpkin Days this weekend, however Mama said their pumpkin selection was severely lacking. I got to bring home 3, so I'm not complaining! I also rode the choo choo, played with some very big balloons, pet a chicken, and had a stare down with a goose. Quack quack! That was fun. It was a chilly 39 degrees out, but I don't mind being cold.

Talk to you all soon! It's past my bedtime and I had a very exciting day.
Love,
Avery

Avery's World

Hey there! I have some new things going on in my world that I thought I would tell you about. First, I am adjusting to my toddler bed really well. I figured out how to get in and out of it pretty quickly, which my parents say is both a blessing and a curse. They say they should teach me how to tell time because I have gotten up a couple of times at 2:30 a.m. ready to rock and roll for the day. I love to jump into bed with Mama and Dee Da and watch t.v. Backyardigans and the Wiggles are a few of my favorites. I am also obsessed with Elmo! Lucky me, I get to be Elmo for Halloween! I am very excited about that.

I also just started taking a water class at the park district. It's called Aqua Tots! Most of the kids are around my age and we plays games and splash around in the water with our Mommies. I love to dump water on Mama's head and dunk underwater. The instructor says I have strong opinions because I will tell her if I want to do something more or if I'm not into it. Nothing wrong with having an opinion, is there?

Hope you are having a great week!
Hugs and kisses,
The Aves