The Wensuc Boys

What a crazy few weeks it's been. Clearly we have been on hiatus from the blog, but it's not because of what you might think, not at all because we are adjusting again to life with a newborn. That's been the easy part. Let's begin with an update on the Wensuc family: Amazingly, I had a quick and easy delivery with Ellis (at least in terms of how "easy" labor and delivery can be) -- and he arrived on his due date, no less! Healthy and happy and content as can be. We were off to a great start! But then...

Ed's asthma began bothering him the day before Ellis was born. Late the night of Ellis's arrival, while Ellis and I began getting to know each other, Ed went to the emergency room for an asthma treatment. Then the day we came home from the hospital, Blanden and I both came down with terrible colds (my voice is just now coming back) and Ed went to his doctor and was diagnosed with either acute bronchitis or pneumonia, asthma-induced.

Just when he was beginning to recover from that, on his birthday Ed came down with a terrible stomach flu and was in bed for two days ... which I, and then my mom, and the my dad all subsequently came down with this past week as well! (No offense to Andrew and Jill, as we miss you very much, but we're glad you didn't stay longer and end up sick too!) In fact, after a 3.5-week visit, Grammy went home as planned yesterday morning (and we miss you already!), but Papa was too sick to fly so he is staying until tomorrow morning.

Throughout all of this, Baby Ellis has been an absolute doll -- and almost literally. As Papa remarked, if Ellis were any more calm and complacent, he would be a baby doll! He is the newborn, yet it is the rest of us who have been requiring the most care...

Fortunately today Papa was feeling much better and we were able to get out and spend a beautiful day in the park together at last. We were so grateful to be outside and healthy, we were gone for more than four hours -- and it's only a 20-minute walk away!

Ellis enjoyed his first trip to Wash Park by sleeping in Mommy's lap, nursing, feeling the gentle breeze, and watching his big brother play, dreaming of the day he can join in. :)

There was lots of playtime for Blanden with Papa...

And lots of playtime for Papa with Blanden...

This evening we were able to enjoy our last night together by going out for dinner...

Ellis had his first dining-out experience...which he slept through, as usual. Amazing!

And Blanden enjoyed the best restaurant children's meal ever! (We've posted about this before, but this time I had to take a picture.)

And topped it off with a cupcake courtesy of Papa before Papa gave Blanden one last bath and round of nighttime stories before bed. Now that we are getting back on our feet, we'll get back to posting more regularly on the blog -- officially the blog for both Wensuc boys, both of our little EBWs. More photos -- and fun -- to come soon...

See You Soon, Grammy!

Grammy went home on Wednesday. We're sure Papa and Phoenix are happy to have her back, but we miss her much already. We had a great time, and we are so appreciative of all her help and hard work. Grammy sent these pictures today, taken just before Blanden left for school Wednesday morning. He's trying to show you the giraffe on his shirt (a Valentine's Day gift). ;)

Thank you, Grammy and Papa!

Home Again

Yesterday was a long day. When we arrived at the Fort Myers airport, we discovered that our flight was delayed from 3:30 to 5:00 pm due to mechanical problems. By the time 5:00 rolled around, Fort Myers (and most of the Eastern Seaboard) was getting major thunderstorms with tornado watches and warnings, so our flight was delayed further, thus making it questionable as to whether we would make our connecting flight to Denver in Minneapolis on time (yes, Minneapolis). Needless to say Mommy, Grammy, and Blanden did not want to get stranded in Minneapolis for the night! We considered heading back home to Grammy and Papa's house and rescheduling the trip for today, but in the end we were able to reroute to Atlanta and made it home late last night -- 11:30 pm Denver time (1:30 am Punta Gorda time). Grammy's luggage hasn't yet arrived, but at least we all did, safe and sound, happy to see Dad and happy to be home.

Lunch at Chili's at the airport in Fort Myers.

Playing with his new zoo animals that Grammy and Papa got for him. Shortly after these photos were taken, Blanden's macaroni and cheese arrived. He is working so hard at learning how to use a spoon, and he's come a long way in a short time, but sometimes the process is quite frustrating. At a particularly trying moment, he threw his spoon and knocked over a side dish of ranch dressing all over Mommy's shirt and jeans! Fortunately Mommy had another shirt in the carry-on bag.

After that little fiasco, Blanden was a superstar, stellar traveler the rest of the day. Mommy and Grammy were so proud of him every step of the way, from playing contentedly for hours at the airport in Fort Myers to sitting patiently (and sleeping) through two flights. Blanden could show Ellis how it's done!

We were really lucky on the flight to Atlanta and had the whole row to ourselves, so Blanden got a seat to himself. He thought that was fun!

By the time we finally took off, it was nap time.

And then a little later, snack time.

Picnicking for dinner at the Atlanta airport. We weren't quite so lucky with our seats on the way home as it was a packed flight, but we felt very lucky to have Grammy traveling with us. Blanden slept across both of our laps the entire three hours. He was all smiles again in Denver when he saw Dad at the airport. Blanden says he misses you, Papa, but thanks you for a great mini vacation! (And thank you, thank you for taking him to the neat playground for two hours yesterday morning before we began to travel home!)

Sunny and Warm!

At last, a little sunshine and warmth! The day started out a bit cool, but by this afternoon it was 79 and Blanden finally got to wear shorts. Much of the day was spent at the local playground -- two hours in the morning, and another two hours in the afternoon, with a big nap in between. He (and Grammy and Papa) loved every minute of it!

This evening we all went out for Italian to enjoy our last night together. We head home tomorrow. But fortunately we don't have to say good-bye to everyone just yet -- Grammy is coming to stay with us in Denver for a week and a half! See you tomorrow night, Dad!

To the Playground

At last, it has stopped raining. It's still pretty cold for Florida (mid-60s), but at least Blanden could get outside today. And this afternoon the sun finally made an appearance!

Enjoying an after-breakfast sugar cookie. (Don't worry, Dad, these have been few and far between. Blanden knows how to moderate himself -- he shook his head no when Papa offered him ice cream after lunch. He really didn't want any and there was no convincing him otherwise. Whew.)

After breakfast, Grammy, Papa, Blanden, and Phoenix headed out on a long walk. Who would have thought Blanden would need his winter hat here in Florida?

And then it was on to the playground!

Blanden really enjoyed checking out the train...

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And it's not the beach, but at last there is some sand to play in!

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The slide was definitely a favorite.

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There's a bridge in Denver just like this that he also likes to walk across.

More time in the sand...

And on the swings! He doesn't usually like to swing for very long, but today he didn't want to stop.

Afterward Mommy joined everyone for lunch at Pies and Plates, a local favorite.

Adventures at the Aquarium

Today Grammy, Papa, and Blanden were off on an adventure to the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota. It was a bit of a drive (1 hr., 15 min.) but well worth the outing. Grammy and Papa should really be the ones writing this post, since they, too, got to experience the adventures firsthand, but according to them Blanden saw sea turtles, manta rays, sharks, dolphins, and manatee! And mostly he loved being free to run around and explore.

Learning how to throw pennies in a fountain...

which, once he got the hang of it, he thought was great fun.

Blanden was just about as fascinated by Papa's umbrella as he was with all of the sea life. In general, it rains so seldom in Denver that I don't think Ed and I even own an umbrella, so Blanden has likely not seen one before!

And no adventurous outing with Papa would be complete without a stop for ice cream. This is one sweet treat Blanden can't resist -- especially since it has to be eaten with a spoon.

Being silly at home and winding down for the evening.

(And honestly, although you wouldn't know it here, Blanden just got a haircut one week ago!)