b e n j a m i n f a l k e n b e r g

Benjamin got a VTech Kidizoom camera for Christmas (thanks Nana and Papa!), and here are some of the pictures taken with it so far; all of these pictures are from the Christmas gathering this year in Sheboygan.

The camera is a 0.3 megapixel toy, and not a serious camera by an stretch of the imagination. The images in this post are reduced in size and slightly sharpened; one or two have had contrast/brightness adjustments as well.

The camera specs are as follows (taken from VTech’s website):

.3 megapixels with 1.8" color screen

Double viewer or LCD screen for easy photo taking

Connector cables for TV or PC hook-up

Photo editing capabilities

SD card slot for extra memory

3 preschool games for added fun

Large hand bumpers for easy grip

Changeable faceplates

16MB internal memory (stores 200+ photos or up to 5 minutes of video)

It’s very, very cool for what it is, and pretty inexpensive, too. It’s rubberized/ruggedized, and quite sturdy; it’s already been dropped quite a few times with no ill effects whatsoever. Oh, and if you buy one from Target (available both online and in their stores), it comes with a case, too…something that seems to be a Target-exclusive deal.

None of the pictures in this post were taken by Benjamin…yet. He’s still getting used to using it (and LOVES the thing!), but as he gets a little better with the camera, you can bet we’ll post his pictures, too.  :)

Most of you should have received Zachary’s birth announcement moocards by now, and are here looking for more of the pictures we promised. We’re happy to report that they’re here.

It’s not a ton of pictures, but it’s a start, and we hope to keep the pictures coming, of both Zachary and Benjamin. Please keep checking back for more!

And remember, you can always contact us anytime, or register with us here and leave us comments on these pictures, or any pictures or anything else we post here…and basically keep in touch with us. We hope to hear from you!

Benjamin’s second Brewers game was last night. Brewers beat the Royals, rather decisively; I forget all the details, but it was a loooong game.

Benjamin’s first Brewers game was last year in July.

Benjamin was really great at the game! A man sitting in front of us was telling Stacey how he’d never imagine being able to bring his 18-month-old to a game, and he was stunned when we told him this was Benjamin’s second.

The boy is a huge flirt! He had all of the women around us eating out of his hand, putting on a big show of smiles and playing shy…eventually blowing them kisses and passing around high-fives when the crowd was cheering a play.

He was trying to do the wave with everyone, was clapping along when people were clapping, and just seemed to have a really awesome time. He did get a little cranky toward the end, but it was 2.5 hours past his bedtime, and I think he was just a little tired.

We’ve been going to some local adult- and little-league softball and baseball games around town with Benjamin, too, and he seems to really enjoy watching the players and the ball flying around back and forth. We might have to get him a toddler T-ball set soon… ;)

We were in Minnesota over the weekend for Amanda’s graduation gathering (congrats again, Amanda!), and we realized while we were there that it would be a perfect time to announce the sex of Benjamin’s soon-to-be-sibling to Stacey’s Dad’s side of the family, in person. We really only get to see that side of the family once or twice a year, so this was a great chance for us.

Benjamin will be an older brother to a younger brother. In other words, we’re expecting a boy! (Coming in September!)

So if you didn’t know already, now you do. ;)

Since we were camping the rest of the weekend, and Stacey’s Mom’s parents were there, too, we were also able to tell them in person. This past weekend turned into great timing all around for us.

We don’t have a name picked out yet. Figuring out Benjamin’s name took us a very long time, and this new baby’s name will be no different, we suspect, but we do have a couple of early ideas…

Thanks for bearing with us with this website lately, too. We have a bunch of stuff to add, but it’s been a very busy spring/early summer so far. Bottom line: Benjamin’s doing great!

This picture was taken the day before Easter 2007 at my grandparent’s house. I was in a great mood when we started taking pictures, but when this one was taken, I wanted to get DOWN!

From left to right are my cousins Alejandro (Ollie), Lydia, Laura and me, and Owen. Lydia and Laura are sisters, and Ollie and Owen are brothers. I love them all very much, and they all seem to love me, too! They’re GRRRRRRRRREAT!

I had a great time with them finding eggs and putting them in a basket today. I found them all!

Didn’t really get a chance to mention it before, but for Christmas, Lyle and Vicki popped for all of the grandkids and their parents to go with them to Disney World in Florida.

We just got back on Thursday. It was a great trip! Really good experience for Benjamin; lots of socialization, lots of animals and sights and sounds for him to experience. He seemed to really enjoy himself!

We were really concerned that we might have some trouble with him as far as naps and food were concerned, but he managed to nap when he needed it, falling asleep and staying asleep during some louder show finales, for example. He ate well, and he slept well during the overnights. He handled the later evenings just fine, and loved all the attention and company, playing with his cousins, etc.

The most impressive aspect of the entire trip was how well he handled flying! While everyone else drove from WI down to FL, we ended up flying down, because 20 hours in a car seemed like a bad idea with an 11-month old. He was perfect on the plane in every way. Didn’t cry or become upset during takeoffs or landings, and lasted the entire flight with no trouble, despite being a lap passenger and not having a seat or an opportunity to get down and crawl around at all, being held the entire time, etc. He ate, he drank, he made faces and flirted with the stewardesses and other passengers…he is such a great social being!

We ended up with a few souvenirs from the trip, and a few pictures, too. We’ll try to post some of the pictures soon.