Just some pics

This winter in Seattle is nothing compared to my past two winters in Chicago! I mean, I'm happy rolling around in a T-shirt. With Bennett and Daddy to play with indoors, life is a hoot. Here's all of us on one such occasion:

Daddy has been very busy teaching Bennett those crucial Laves traits. For example, here, he's teaching Bennett the special "Laves" smile (good for catching the ladies ... or ... getting a fist in the face if you are taunting the OU Sooner football team)

and here Daddy's teaching Bennett how to look surprised when your hand is caught in the cookie jar!

All those lessons (and some milk) just exhausted the poor guy, and he was fast to sleep in minutes!

Lastly, my friends (from L to R: Cole, Reilly, Max, Leah, me) thought it would be funny to all sit on Daddy. Sure enough, the person who thought it was funniest was ... Mommy!

My brother is happy to see me!

Quite ironic, don't you think, that my brother's first smile (caught on camera) was because I drew it out of him.

The holidays...

Wow, the holidays were crazy this year, complete with Thanksgiving, a party for Bennett, Hannukkah, Christmas, and Bebe/Zayde in town. But, even with all that, I still had time to build a snowman!

Also, I'd like to throw a shout out to my new "Aunt" to be, Caroline! Uncle Alex popped the question on xmas morning. Here's the happy couple with Bennett:
Hannukkah was crazy this year. Here's the family on Bennett's first Hannukkah:

I've started to learn the prayers, but don't have them quite down yet...anyway, here's a short clip of us lighting the candles:

The presents were off the hook this year! I got a guitar! (Ladies - I will post tour dates shortly) All that present opening made Bennett pretty sleepy. Fortunately, he's good if he can sleep on a warm arm...He's ok with a warm belly...

...wide awake with a shoulder!

or...whenever Daddy is holding him!

Here's me and my friend Max, which I've purposely put in the middle of this blog posting so that hopefully the ladies might gloss over. Please ladies! Don't be jealous...There's enough of Austin to go around!!!

Also - some random cameo's of Bebe and Zayde reading to me... you can never have enough of these pictures!

Lastly - I had a very important event this past week. I saw my first movie (Yogi Bear) in a theater. It was in 3D, and I'm still talking abou it.

Hangin w Baby Bennett

So, I've been trying to think of good ways to keep Bennett entertained to help Mommy out. First, Dad and I tried playing with my tools...

Bennett lost interest quickly. So, then I thought we'd do a little rough housing on the bed...

At first Bennett was like, "What?!?"

But then, he finally started getting into it ...

Bennett even got a few 'shots' on me. Fortunately, nothing that did much damage...

But all of this rough-housing made Bennett tired. I tried to get him to close his eyes and maybe take a snooze, but he just wasn't having it... so I took him into the living room and sat with him while he fell asleep. Ofcourse - I had an ulterior motive. Curious George was on the TV!

Regardless - Success! Baby Bennett got his snooze (and I got to watch Curious George!)

Bennett's first Shabbat (and a video)

I spent a fair amount of time teaching Bennett the in's and out's of Shabbat. I showed him how to do the blessing over the candles, but he just wasn't quite getting it yet. Fortunately, Daddy and I had it down, so we covered for my little brother...

After all the blessings were said and done, my favorite part of Shabbat was here! CHALLAH! (and I had an extra piece of challah for my baby brother)

Lastly - here's a quick video of Bennett being held by Daddy.

Hanging at the hospital...

I went to visit my baby brother in the hospital, and he was a total treat. Mommy and Daddy let me hold him, and here's how it went down:

I must say, I'm getting pretty good at this 'big brother' gig!

I even bought my baby brother a present - of course, I had to help him open it!

Here's one of Mommy, Daddy, and Bennett:

All of this attention on my baby brother eventually started to get to me, so I made myself at home in the only way I knew possible...chilling in Mommy's hospital bed and watching some Curious George on the portable DVD player!Lastly, here's the much-awaited-for close-up of Bennett:

I'm a Big Brother!!!

I'm a big brother!!!! This is soo exciting. Mommy and Daddy have been talking about this for almost 9 months now, and this day is finally here! It is my honor and joy to introduce you to the newest edition in the Laves family:

My baby brother:

Bennett Fredrik Laves

Born Nov. 1st, 2010 - 9:41 AM

7 lb, 9 oz - - 20 in

A little about the name. Bennett is named after my Mor-far (grandfather on my mother's side), whose name was Bertil Fredrik. Also - Daddy wanted me to let everyone know that Mommy and baby are both doing just fine!