Birthday Cake

Apparently, Ben might not be related to me. He doesn't like chocolate cake! I really don't know how that is possible. He's a great eater and loves most foods. Not his chocolate birthday cake. Crazy, I know.

Ready to dig in.
Slow going. It's so big compared to what he usually gets on his tray.

Not sure about how it feels.

Studying it alot.

Tasting . . . and cue yuck face.

More yucky faces.

And this is where he started to cry. We tried feeding it to him with a fork-thinking he didn't like the feel on his hands, but the fork still was a no-go.

Lots of pictures!

I have so many pictures that I've uploaded and haven't used on the blog. Here are just a few:

Jack and Ben playing in the court.

Ready for a wagon ride

Jack in action on his spider-man scooter.

Love the tongue concentration here.

Love the pose.

Playing together and not knowing I'm taking pictures. Love it!

Ahhhh . . . peace on the home front.

Jack had put his McDonalds headset on Ben.

Ben sitting in Jack's big chair for the first time.

Ben sportin' his green

When I went to the gym this morning, everyone was sporting shamrocks on their cheeks and green was everywhere. Ben joined in on the fun. It's like a big celebration just for him (at least that is what he'll think until he's old enough to know different).

Happy Birthday, Ben!

The Big One!
Twas the day of his birthday,
Ben had not a clue.
he would try chocolate cake,
and open a few presents, too.

He's cruising and crawling
and I can't get anything cleaned.
Maybe that's a good excuse;
for my house looks less than sheen.

We are so blessed by you, Ben;
You've been a snuggler since birth.
My mission as your mama
is to make you a God-fearing man on earth.


Ben's first year in pictures; watch him grow!

Mr. Graceful

Poor Ben. Yesterday he was watching out the front window, fell sideways and busted his nose up. Poor thing was insconsolable and just clinged to me. We snuggled for a while and when he had been calmed down for a bit, I looked at him and saw a little blood and a big swollen nose. I had no idea it was that bad. It is much better today; swelling down, redness almost gone. I bet it will turn blue before long.

Guest Teacher

This year at Jack's preschool it is required for parents to volunteer in the classroom once-a-month. Siblings aren't allowed and it has been extremely difficult to find a babysitter for Ben. I was able to get a sitter and I was a "guest teacher", as Jack calls it in his class. I bring snack for that day and Jack was beside-himself-happy to have me in there.

Here are the pictures from that day:

Free play. Jack is playing house with the little living room set.
I just thought he was super handsome with those blue eyes and plump lips. I tell him all the time that I'm gonna lock him in his room when he's older cause the girls are gonna be chasin' him.

Some of Jack's classmates who kept wanting their picture taken.

Jack playing with a babydoll during his house play. He was telling his teachers that this little baby likes strawberries because she had on a strawberry bib. . . makes sense.

More handsome-ness.

Making soup and salad for me.

Listening to Mrs. Holan

Checkin' me out just about every 30 seconds. Smiling and giving me the thumbs up each time.

This is a teddy bear song where it tells them to hug each other. There's a video of this below. Cracks me up.

More of the song.

Playing play-doh.

Putting materials away because the day is over. Time to go home. I had a blast.

This is the video of the kids dancing and hugging. I love how Jack demands a second hug from one boy and then another boy comes over and turns Jack around; forcing a hug. Too cute. Very fun to watch the groovy dancing.

Those Darn Shoes

These photos look like pictures of Ben following a round of shots at the doctor's office, but they're actually just pictures of Ben following my putting shoes on him. He can't stand shoes. I decided that if he's going to be cruising everywhere, he needs shoes (at least in public). You would have thought he was being tortured. Love his heart.

Big tears

Aren't we pitiful?

Ben's Doings

Ben's Favorite things:

• Jack
• Crawling and cruising
• being read to
• Kix cereal
• making raspberries
• pulling mama's hair
• going to the gym
• cruising around the crib before naps

Ben dislikes:

• when his bottle is empty
• when he's done in the highchair
• when he's picked up from playing and he's not ready
• frustration from not being able to reach something
• when he's woke up out of a deep sleep.

What Ben can say:

• "da-da"
• "mba-mba" (is mama)
• "aaaa" (that is Jack)
• "Hhhiiieee" (is hi, but he's got a country mother, so one syllable words are easily turned into two syllables).
• "bye-bye-bye"

Home Sweet Home

Last Wednesday through Sunday, I had a much, much-needed mommy break! I had a flight to go visit my sister in VA, and due to the monumental snow they received, I ended up driving to Lexington instead. I stayed at my moms for some R & R and it was, hands down, the most needed break of my life, to date.

I crocheted with my mom, ate too much, took a nap when I wanted, ate what I wanted, went out with some friends, slept without the baby monitor, went shopping, painted my nails (which made me feel so human). When I came home Sunday, I literally felt like a new person. My skin was glowing, I felt such a sense of restfullness and contentment. If any frazzled mom does anything for themselves, it should be this; it doesn't take alot of money, just a wonderful husband. Here are some pictures from when I returned:


Ben was officially crawling upon my return and cruising around furniture so much better than when I left. Unfortunately, he was also pretty sick when I returned.
I bought Jack a spiderman umbrella and new superhero underwear for Valentines Day. The umbrella goes to bed with him and he must watch tv with it, too ("to block the bright light in my eyes").
Even when he accidentally pokes himself, he carries on because the umbrella is just too important.

Ben is sort of favoring Sam now, which I will soon turn around, I know:))

...And just when I had pretty much convinced myself that I would come home to a disaster area with yellow tape roping off the house, I was completely surprised to find beds made, laundry completely done and put away, the carpets vacuumed and a gourmet dinner ready-to-be-made. Although the break was the best thing I could have done for myself and my family, it is wonderful to be home. I'm so blessed (and renewed, revived, rested). Thank you, Sam! You are the most wonderful husband and father.

New Toy = Busy-busy

When Jack was 1-year-old, we bought him this Learning Home and it's been in storage for a long time. While I was in Lexington, I brought it back with me for Ben. He has been soooooo busy playing and discovering. He's officially crawling and pulling up and cruising so it's just perfect for him right now. Jack is enjoying playing, too, but these pictures are while Jack was at school. Ben had it all to himself without bossy brother dictating his every move. Even though Ben is super-sick, he's still having a blast with it.

Tiny Dancer

Ben's piano and dancing debut:

More of Worn-out Ben

There's just something about Ben at night. He's so busy practicing crawling and rolling around, he just wears himself out. Here he is watching his Baby Einstein video tonight. He got tired and took a rest. He's still watching, just resting in the process. He's so precious.