B.A.M. at 4 Months

 

Hi, I am Bennett.

I am 4 months old already...time flies when you are a growing boy! I went to my Daddy's clinic today and had to get shots.  That part wasn't fun but I also found out how big I am.

I weigh 18 lb. 12 oz. and am 27 inches long!  I am in the 95th percentile for weight and 99th for height.

 

A lot has changed for me the past few weeks.

First of all let me tell you something serious - mom and dad are still making me do tummy time, and I do NOT like it. They say it is so I get strong and start trying to roll over but I am not sure that is such a good idea.

 

When I do this supposed "tummy time"  I cry and get very mad so my sister tries to make me smile and laugh.  Sometimes I prefer to practice this on my sister's bed so she can entertain me.

 

 Ok enough about that...I love to play with my toys now!  I like to practice standing in this saucer and chew on toys, look in the mirror, and listen to the music.

 

I have been chewing so much lately and drooling. Daddy says that is because my teeth are getting ready to come in soon.

 



I am giggling a lot and playing with my voice. I like to screech really high but then that makes me cough.  Mommy says I am right on track for my talking and we like to talk together and read books.

 



 

I have had a few colds this fall but have been pretty healthy overall.  I am still a pretty good sleeper for my mommy but sometimes I wake up to cuddle and eat.

I really like to be outside and go for walks with my puppy, Charlie, and the rest of my family.  Marie calls them "family walks." 

 

Halloween is coming soon and I am going to be a Nebraska football player!

Well, it is time for me to go eat again - I have to maintain my weight you know.

See you again soon!

 

 



More Fall Fun

After a cold, wet, and windy week we were able to enjoy a beautiful warm fall weekend. Andy worked on the yard, the kids played in the leaves, Charlie rolled in leaves and shook them off in the house, and I made apple crisp and took photos of it all.

 

 

I couldn't help but continually snap shots of these kiddos in the leaves. I could see Bennett was so focused on this new experience trying to figure out why I plopped him in wet, muddy leaves while Marie knew exactly what to do - this wasn't her first rodeo - grab a pretty leaf, look at mom, and smile.  She was quick to give Benny the tutorial.

 

 

"Bennett, Mom wants you to look at her and smile.  See?  We are sitting in the pretty leaves because it is fall and we need to take pictures.  Benny, put your tongue in your mouth and smile!"

 

After 40 pictures or so I stepped away and they continued to chat about what was going on in the yard. Marie took leaves out of Bennett's mouth, Charlie chased a squirrel, Andy raked more leaves, and I just observed. 

 

 

 The past few months have been rocky...we have had our ups and downs and I finally feel like we are getting the hang of our new home, city, work, and family.

 

 

So, on this day during this moment I exhaled and just enjoyed where we are right now.

 

 

 

 

 Bennett loved getting thrown in the air by Daddy - this kiddo likes to play rough.

 

 

 After getting dirty in the leaves we took naps, refreshed ourselves, and got ready for our pumpkin carving party.

 

 

We painted and carved pumpkins with some friends.  We enjoyed a fall feast with delicious homemade chili, cornbread, cheese bread, and apple crisp.

 

 

Marie loved digging into the pumpkins and feeling the guts of it - she did 2 pumpkins worth of digging.

 

Our final Jack-o-Lanterns turned out pretty scary - what a great ending to our day!

Our not-so-perfect Pumpkin Patch Trip

Every fall we look forward to a trip to the pumpkin patch.  It is always so exciting and full of fun for all of us.  This year was no different. We carefully checked the weather waiting for the perfect day, scouted locations and read reviews on which patch to pick, of course I had picked out some cut outfits for all those photo ops I would be itching to have with my 2 kids, and we planned to go right after nap and snack so the kid would be ready to roll. 

 

 

Sounds lovely doesn't it?

 

Life took hold of those carefully thought out details and squashed them like a bug. Instead of going to the patch with well-rested kids we decided at the last minute to go right after church. I had to be back to help with a church dinner that night and Marie had been having a hard time waiting patiently for the pumpkin patch. That meant going with no stroller, in our church clothes and shoes, no snacks or drinks, and with some tired kiddos.
 



 

Marie was so ready for her nap but she held it together pretty well.

Bennett was out for most of our trip. 

 



Marie was pretty sure the perfect pumpkin was out there...it did take her quite awhile to find it though.

And when she thought she had, Daddy discovered it had a mushy spot...a quick change up (without the little miss finding out) and we were ready to move on.

 

 

Marie opted for a ride in the cart since she had her church shoes on...she didn't want to mess up her sparkle shoes.

 



 

This year Marie loved the corn pool. Every other year this has not been a fun spot for her.  In fact, we had a hard time getting her to leave once we found her lost shoe.



Marie and Daddy rode a train while Bennett and I watched them. He decided to wake up right as we were getting ready to leave.

 



 

Our Benny Pumpkin ready to eat!

 



 

After a few minor meltdowns, 3 lopsided pumpkins, and a nearly lost shoe in the corn pool, we were ready to head home.

It was time for naps for all!

 

Although this year's trip seemed less than perfect and our home never looked so good,  I look back at these pictures and smile.  This is what having kids is all about right?  Not every day or adventure is perfect, but the important thing is to go on those adventures with your kids and make those crazy memories and take those pictures so you can look back and say, "remember when..."



Dakota Days 2012

 

One of the reasons we were anxious to be back in N'West Iowa was so we could be closer to our home away from home - South Dakota.  This past weekend we were able to enjoy the Dakota Days festivities a little differently from how we celebrated when we were in college :)

 

We woke up and packed all our gear in the car. It was a brisk morning so Benny got to wear his snowsuit - doesn't he look thrilled for the parade?

 

 Grammy & Papa joined us and warmed us up with some hot cocoa.

 



 

 The parade was long and filled with candy so it was a good thing we had warm coats and a big bag for the candy. You could tell it was an election year - the kids were plastered with random stickers for candidates, pamphlets, and American Flags.

 

 

 After the parade we had lunch at The Roadhouse - one of our faves.  The kids were ready to be out of their big coats and the adults were ready for sweet potato fries. 

 

 

USD has made so many improvements on campus so a tour around the grounds was needed.  We didn't make it too far but we did see the brand new student center.

 

 

We made it to the football game!  After a few "Go Yotes" out of Marie, she was sound asleep on Daddy's lap and Bennett sound asleep on Papa's lap. Both awoke in time for halftime snacks.

During the 2nd half, Andy took Marie down to the student section where she got to see Charlie the Coyote up close. I think that might have been her favorite part of the game.

 

As you can see, Bennett did have some fun at the game once we got him out of his snowsuit.  Marie made sure he got a Jasmine sticker on his car seat since he didn't get a USD tattoo on his face.

 After the game we went to Burbank, SD for supper at Whimp's.  It's a restaurant that has been there forever and the place was packed with Yote fans...a great way to end our DDays celebration.

We had such a fun day and we are looking forward to going back this winter for a basketball game.

 

GO YOTES!

God Bless Bennett

 

Our little man was baptized on September 29th with many admirerers by his side.  We were blessed with many friends and family present for the occasion.  Bennett wore a romper made by Eddie's mom, Beverly Dickes.  He was so handsome in it and we were so thankful she was able to make it for him. Bennett's godparents are Nathan and Keri.  Both stood by our side as we all promised to do our best for our little guy and guide him through his days. 

 

 

 

Following the baptism, we gathered for good food, conversation, crazy kids playing through the house, and of course the Nebraska Football game. 

 

 

 Even with a bigger house we still all gather in one room...

 

 

 

 

It was such a beautiful fall weekend and we were so thankful to have such a great time with our family and friends celebrating Bennett.