Stroller-ing 'round the neighborhood

Today was a balmy 44 degrees! Break out the bermuda shorts!

Obviously those of you who live in more moderate climates don't understand (lucky for you). This is a heat wave for us poor Wisconsinites. We've been dealing with bitter cold single digits, like many of you in the upper midwest, so the Hamlin-Lewellen family pounced on this chance to get outside without freezing our gazoingles off. David and I bundled up Benny in his carrier, which has two layers: a little fleece lined sleeping bag thingie that Auntie Pammy and Uncle Andy (David's brother) gave us for Christmas, and a snowsuit-material cover that fits over the top of the carrier like a hairnet.

So our little guy is way toasty, as you can see.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the amazing technology of modern kiddie gear, you can get entire sets of carriers strollers and carseats that are all compatible with eachother. The carrier snaps into a base in the car to become the carseat, and before the bambino is big enough to sit upright in the stroller, the carrier also snaps onto it so you can start walking from day one. It's amazing.

So David and I took our little one out again, and enjoyed a lovely stroll as a threesome. I have loved the few times that we've gotten to go out as a family - it feels so official to all be doing something in unison, as a trio. Ben is very soothed by motion, and like the band concert, the walk put him right to sleep. Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend from church at Mayfair, the ubermall on the west side of town, for dinner and some shopping. Jen hasn't met Ben yet and I can't wait to introduce them.

Other great news?

• The pounds are flying off because of breastfeeding, which is now going very well. I have turned into quite the Guernsey cow. I have joked for much of my life that I wanted to figure out a way to give my extra pounds to someone who needed them. This is it!!
• Speaking of which, Benjamin only weighed 5 pounds 11 ounces at birth, and lost a good chunk of it before coming home from the hospital (which is normal, but he was already so small). Today, his 6 week birthday, we weighed him. He's now 7.5 pounds, and has graduated to a new diaper size! Our little boy is growing up so fast!! *sob*
• I found out today - it was in the paper, and David told me about it - that the fabulous OB who did my c-section, Sheldon Wasserman, is also a Democratic (yay!) State Representative who is lobbying for legislation that would revoke licenses from incompetent doctors more quickly and efficiently. I love this guy! And guess what I just read on his website? He has a son named Benjamin!
• I got yoga and swimming green lights from said fab OB today, my 6 week postpartum checkup. Oh how I missed my favorite abdominal stretches while pregnant...Cobra and Locust asanas, here I come!

Ah, it's almost midnight here. Considering that I got less than 4 hours of sleep last night (it wasn't entirely Ben's fault; I just went to bed late and had to get up early for the doctor's appointment), I should probably get to bed for a few hours before Benny needs his milk maid. Good night!

Or should I say, Moooooooooo......