Baby Archie and Ryder

Family

So, I am realizing that our blog makes it seem sometimes that Archie is all consuming and he is our every moment of every day. Although, that does seem accurate... Ben and I are still kicking around leading pretty great lives too, so the three of us all together are lovin' life. Ben returned to school on Tuesday, yes classes started on Monday but in order to save some money we booked our flight from Michigan to Salt Lake on a Monday, so Ben sacrificed the first day of his classes, what a trooper. We spent about 10 days in Michigan and it was so great to see our family. Zach was able to be there, home from Oman for a few days, Alex and Christy were there and Ben and Laura, and of course Mom and Dad. We also spent some time with our good friends the Jones', where Salem, Burke and Ryder spent Christmas. It was so much fun to see them and see how much Ryder has grown! He was so cute with Archie, he calls him 'baby Archie', and he loved to hold him and tickle him and play. On the way back to SLC Ben and I stayed with the Morins, and the first thing Ryder asked when we arrived was if he could hold baby Archie. I thought 'oh how cute, he wants to hold him!', so we sat down on the couch, I put baby Archie in Ryders lap, and it was pure preciousness for about 5 seconds, then Ryder got distracted and wanted to do something else, and just started to get up and push Archie off of his lap! I lauged as I watched little Arch slowly roll off of Ryder's lap (of course I was holding him too, but secretly so as to give Ryder the illusion that he was doing it by himself, so there was no danger). But it made me ponder on the joy that children bring and the joy they feel around other children. It was great, thanks so much Burke, Salem and Ryder for letting us stay with you!

I am feeling like Archie is getting a little older and that I can spend more time away from him without feeling preoccupied that he needs me so much. So on Tuesday it snowed and snowed and snowed, so I went out with my father-in-law on Tuesday night and shoveled and shoveled and shoveled- it was wonderful. Not only was it great exercise, but it was fun to be outside doing something active, and to spend time with Pat which we otherwise might not get to spend time together.

It is great to be home, but I miss everyone that we visited with over the break. I love you all- can't wait for the summer!

Michigan and Archie's 2 month Check up

This is what Mister Manker (Grandpa) taught us, a new way to hold Archie, and he loves it, the only problem is that he keeps getting heavier so I need to go work out my arms!

Great Grandma and Grandpa Manker with Archie in his fuzzy pants which he grew out of pretty much after this picture was taken. They visited us in Michigan and it was great to spend some time with them. My Grandma walked in the door when they arrived, saw me and saw that I was holding Arch, gave me a quick hug then took him out of my arms and cuddled with him!

Archie and Ben playing; he giggles when his head is tickled or scratched- actually they both giggle when Archie's head is tickled or scratched!

I just loved this face on Archie. He has a double chin, but it looks like he could have three or four.

Mr. Archie in his overalls and boots. He loved them, or I loved them for him!

Happy 2 months Arch! We went to the doctor yesterday and besides a handful of sick little babies nothing out of the ordinary really happened, it was just a pleasent check up. Archie is 13 lbs. and 7 oz., he is 24 inches long and both of those measurments put him in the 85th percentile for his age. His head is 39 cm which is about the 20th percentile. He learned so much over the break! He found his tongue and sucks on it quite a lot, he also found his hands and slobbers all over those just as much! He is more alert and loves to giggle and play. He especially loves it when he is a naked boy, nothing hindering his body and the air tickling his tummy. He grabs onto fingers and can hold his silver rattle (uncle Zach, he really does love it), he is just a growing boy.

Christmas times two... Utah and Michigan

Archie was hanging out with Gram; they strolled around while Ben and I ice skated- here is Archie 'watching' us.  He is a trooper. 

My hat was my favorite part of my outfit.  
Manker family photo!  This is everyone so far... Ben, Kate, Archie, Zach is next to Ben, then Christy and Alex, and Ben (Manker) is next to Alex and Laura is in front of Ben, then Mom and Dad.  Yeah Family!
Here is Arch with Uncle Alex, they bonded, it was nice.  
Archie got some t-shirts and a new silver rattle from Oman from his Uncle Zach.  He LOVES his rattle, he can hold on to it and shake it, although I am pretty sure he doesn't know he his doing it.  

We had a really nice Christmas morning in Provo with Grandma and Grandpa Brady.  Archie has a couple of pictures with his loot, his Christmas pajamas were his favorite:) He got a new hat, new mittens and new socks.  

Merry Christmas!

So the Neil Diamond ticket was my Christmas present and it was perfect. The concert was so much fun, and I had a lot of fun being there with Michelle, we danced and swayed and sang along with Neil- he told us too. The arena was almost full, we think some people opted not to go because of the weather... but it was fine driving back. He sang lots of his classics and a few new ones, and in between talked to the crowd, actually a funny guy. He sang to the people behind the stage, yes they sold seats behind the stage. Mr. Diamond ( as he was referred to over the intercom) felt bad that people actually bought seats behind him, so he sang them a couple of songs! There was a Santa Claus, lots of middle aged ladies, and us--- it was amazing. I haven't stopped listening to his music since we got home. He even showed pictures and video of himself growing up as a kid in Brooklyn. Best concert ever.
Merry Christmas to all! Ben and I are off to Michigan today, well be back in time for the semester to start. Love to all!

Neil Diamond is here!

Okay so for Christmas Ben bought me a ticket to see Neil Diamond in Salt Lake City... I am so excited-- it is tonight! The weather is getting worse and there are supposed to be blizzards and lots of snow and all sorts of fun winter time happenings, but Neil is already here-- I just called the arena where he is performing, they said there is no way the concert will be cancelled because he is here! Sooo, off I go with two of my dear friends to see Neil. We are packing our blankets, granola bars and water just in case. Happy Friday to everyone!

Arch's hair recession pattern

I have been joking with Kate that the tremendous rate at which little Archie is loosing his hair , he is becoming a regular Franciscan Monk. I have done my best to pluck and groom it along the way, but it seems that he lost most of it on the top and still kept enough tufts in the front and back that he may well end up spending his formative years explaining to his friends and family that he did not take a vow of monastic servitude. I'll let you all know if he looses the halo tuft and/or ever grows hair back in on top. For now, he only responds to Sir Franciscan Archi-'bald'