The Adventures of Allison & Benjamin: Two Kids = Two Tired Parents

What a crazy two weeks it's been! Liz and I have been saying that we need to do a new post soon but just have not found the time to do it. Since it's late and we are both very tired, this post will mainly be pictures. I promise Liz will be back on here soon to tell you about all of the adventures she has each day. She has started her second straight week at being a stay-at-home mom with two kids. She is having a lot of fun and I know she looks forward to getting back on here soon.

Allison and Benjamin are both doing great. Allison is being a great big sister and Benjamin is growing like a weed. He's becoming more and more alert as every day passes. Alli and I have become best of friends lately since Liz and I have decided to use the "Divide and Conquer" approach when I get home from work. It's been so much fun! There is nothing more rewarding for me as a father than to have my daughter scream "Daddy" when I get home from work and to say "Daddy" and then give me a big kiss when it's time for bed. Then I get to kiss the forehead of my son and wife before going to bed each night. Life could not be any greater!!!

Here are A LOT of pictures from the past few weeks. As you'll see below, the Steelers made it to the Super Bowl so we are doing a lot of Steeler activities. Hope you enjoy!

The Stork sign in the front yard

The Payne Family coming home from the hospital

Liz and Ben hitching a ride down to the car

The first car ride home - Allison is checking out her new partner in crime

Little Ben in the car for the first time

Allison in her new Dora chair

Alli reading a book in her chair that folds into a bed

Mom reading a book to the kids

Little Benjamin

The next few pictures illustrate how Allison cannot wait for Ben to grow up so that she has someone to play with - Looking into the pack and play to see what he's doing.

Alli sitting on her Dora chair watching Dora with Dora

Alli reading a Dora book to Dora on her Dora chair that she got out of her Dora Backpack

When Mom puts the blinds up to let Ben have some sunlight, Alli likes to play with her own shadow!

This is the best picture that we have of them so far, but it turned out kind of blurry :-( Look at how happy she is to have a little brother!

The Payne Family after the Steelers big win to advance to the Super Bowl in our home town

Uncle Lucas and Alli

Aunt Lindsay and Alli

Alli sitting on Cousin Logan

Look at that smile! Or is it just gas?!? :-)

Meredith, Benjamin, and Allison

Matt and Allison

Micki and Benjamin

Benjamin's 2 week check-up. He passed with flying colors!

It was 75 degrees on Friday (the end of January!) so we took advantage by going to the park

Alli loved the slide...

And the swing...

But couldn't quite climb the ladder like Daddy!

Nina and Benjamin

Uncle Brad and Benjamin

Aunt MacKenzie and Benjamin

She gets so happy when she gets to hold her little brother!

She loves giving kisses!

On Saturday, we went to the NFL Experience. Alli wasn't a fan of the Steelers uniform!

Such a pretty girl in her black and gold!

Alli and Dad preparing to participate in the QB Challenge

Alli helped Dad make 2 of 3 throws...

And then she got to make one on her own!

Alli and Grampy

Dad showing off his old football skills. It's been over 11 years since "The Catch" made him famous in High School. He definitely paid for it the next morning when he could barely move!