Growing up

My big boy hanging out this morning

Bennett is changing so much I really feel like these past few weeks he has turned into a big boy.  He is much more clear on asking for certain things and is picking up more words and tries harder to say a word back to us.  This morning my friend came over with her twin girls Madison and Emma and before they got here I kept saying their names and he said Emma, I think Madison was a little too hard for him but he still tried!  I also hear Mama or Mom literally at least 50 times a day.  The fact that he calls me Mom sometimes makes me laugh, I thought that wouldn't start for a few more years but it is really cute to hear his little voice say Mom.  He brings me books to read to him and when he wants me to read it again he does the sign for More instead of asking, so sweet!  He is also pulling on his diaper when it is dirty, so as soon as he is done with his business he lets me know that it is time for a new diaper!  When he is done eating he takes off his bib and will sometimes say all done, we are trying to get him to say it everytime. He has picked up a few new words.  He can say poo, Pop Pop, bubble, ball, cold, go, and cheese. I think there are a couple more but I am drawing a blank.  He also mimics us a lot more, he picks up the phone and says Hi then talks in jibberish, if we blow on his food he says hot and will blow too, he likes to "help" me clean he will imitate pretty much anything I am doing, he also puts his own dirty clothes in the hamper when we ask him to.  Bennett also recognizes places now.  When I pull in to Gymboree class he laughs everytime because he knows he gets to play, he knows my sister's house and my parents house, and when I pull into Target he yells Ball because of the red balls out in front (I guess that shows I go to Target too often).  When he wants me to follow him somewhere he just comes up to me and takes my hand then takes me to where he wants to go.  I am just amazed at how much he understands and how well he picks up on things.  He is growing up so fast and I can only imagine how much more he will learn and grow once he starts school!

6 years

July 23, 2005

Yesterday Jeremy and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary!  I feel like the past 6 years have literally happened in the blink of an eye.  I know 6 years in the grand scheme of things isn't that long but I still can't believe we have already been married for 6 years.  My dad was sweet to take Bennett for us so we could have the entire day to ourselves.  We headed over before lunch to drop him off and Bennett was so cute as soon as we pulled onto my dad's street he said Pop Pop for the first time!  Then he said it a few more times once we were there, such a cutie! Once we got him settled we were off! We enjoyed a nice quiet lunch then Jeremy surprised me with a little shopping trip, he knows just how to make me happy!!!  We had the best day spending quality time together and being able to talk and take our time was so wonderful.  After we finished up shopping we headed back home to get ready for dinner.  We had planned to eat at one restaurant, but Jeremy decided to change those plans and he picked a different restaurant instead and it was fun not knowing exactly what our plans were.  We ended up at Indigo which was so so good!  We sat in the back room where there were only 4 or 5 other tables so we had a great, quiet dinner and just talked.  It is amazing once you have a child how little you actually get to have those really long, good conversations.  Our conversations are usually cut off by a sweet little boy :)  After dinner we went to see Horrible Bosses which was hysterical and that was our night.  Nothing too over the top, but it was such a great day just me and Jeremy. 

This morning we woke up and went to breakfast and I just kept thinking back that we were heading out to Mexico this time 6 years ago and how I wish I was headed there again, but once we went to pick up Bennett seeing his cute little face made my wishes of Mexico go away!  They came back every now and then when he pitched a fit, but that is ok!  Thank you again Pop Pop for giving us a full day to ourselves we appreciate it so much and we know Bennett had the best time like he always does!

Mama!

We have had a fun week full of activities so far! I love busy weeks because it keeps Bennett entertained and happy and also means he takes a good nap!  I feel like this week I am seeing a difference in Bennett and his communication.  One thing that really stands out is he is now saying Mama when he wants my attention or needs something.  He has said Mama for a while now but I usually heard it when he was hurt or just whining.  Now he is saying it with more purpose and it is really cute!  He is starting to just communicate a little more clearly with us too I mean we still have a long way to go, but things are improving.  The majority of Bennett's tantrums stem from him not being able to tell us what he needs/wants so I am hopeful that things continue progressing.  The pediatrician told me around 20 months I would notice a change and I am seeing one.  He is just turning into a little boy more and more each day!

This is a daily activity of ramming his riding toys into everything!

Hanging out under the kitchen table

Goofy face!!

Coloring a beautiful picture, he loves to color!

Nanny

Nanny is what we call my mom to Bennett and his cousins.  My dad is Pop Pop because his grandfather was called that and my dad and mom were very close to Pop Pop and Nanny my dad's grandmother.  Since my mom isn't here to pick what she would want her grandkids to call her we decided she most likely would want to be called Nanny so her and my dad could be the next Nanny and Pop Pop.  I have pictures of my mom around the house and for the past week Bennett constantly goes to one picture and points to her and I tell him that is his Nanny.  This morning I asked him "Where is Nanny" to see if he could point her out and he went right over to her picture and waved.  It made me cry seeing him recognize his sweet grandma and made me even more sad that he will never have the honor of meeting her.  She would have been the best grandma and it breaks my heart that she doesn't get the chance to be here with her grandchildren and that they won't know her.  I can only imagine all of the wonderful things she would have instilled in Bennett and his cousins.  I am going to make sure I teach Bennett all about her and pass along the great lessons she left with me.

My beautiful mom in high school 

It makes me so happy that Bennett already knows who his Nanny is and I can't wait to share more about her with him.  I just hope I am half the mom to Bennett and our future kids and she was to me and my sister.

Preschool Bound

So this little cutie is heading to preschool next month!!!  Jeremy and I made a very last minute decision to put him in school this year and luckily the preschool we wanted him to go to still had an opening.  He will go 2 days a week for 4 hours on those days.  I am a little sad to send him to school but I know he will love it once he gets comfortable and I am sure I will love having a few hours to myself.  I don't even know what I will do! I mean I can shower in peace, run errands, clean, or just have quiet time for myself.  It is going to be good for both of us.  We are excited to see all the things Bennett will learn.  We went on a tour yesterday of the school and he played with all of the toys and even sat in one of the little seats and ate his snack while we talked to the director.  It was nice to get a little preview of what he will be like in the classroom.

Today is my sister's birthday or Lou Lou!  She is out of town so we will celebrate with her when she gets back.  Happy Birthday Lou Lou, we love you very much! This weekend is pretty dreary so we are laying low today.  We have plans for dinner with some friends tonight then church tomorrow and hopefully a lot of relaxing together as a family!

Fourth of July

We had a fun 4th of July this year!  Both of Jeremy's grandparents live on the lake, so we went down to see all of them on Sunday.  We don't get to see them much so it was nice seeing Ma, Pa, and Mema. Bennett also got to see his new cousin Carder again, she is just 5 weeks old and so sweet. We also had a great time seeing Gigi, Papa Daddy, Uncle Josh, and Aunt Tamara. Jeremy's Aunt, Uncle, and cousin stopped by too, so it was a fun day of visiting. Ma and Pa have a pontoon boat they let us take out which was so nice! Bennett had never been on a boat before so we were excited to see his reaction and he loved it!  Of course he called all the boats cars, so I don't think he quite got what we were doing but he still had fun. He also got to swim in the lake which I wasn't sure if he would love, but he did! We spent a few hours on the boat then went back to Mema's for lunch.  Bennett missed nap time and actually did really well with no nap.  I saw him start to go down hill at one point and act up, so a quick time out cured that. After that he entertained everyone by running around and squirting himself in the face with a water gun. He passed out in the car on the way home and slept hard that night so he was worn out from his big day! I can't wait to take Bennett back down for another visit with his great grandparents and take him on another boat ride!

Playing peek a boo on our way to the lake

Eating lunch on the boat

He liked the wind blowing in his hair!

Relaxing with Papa Daddy

Swimming in the lake 

Swimming at Ma and Pa's dock

Hanging with Aunt Tamara!

Uncle Josh let Bennett help him "drive" the boat

Poking Carder...poor baby we had to keep him from doing that to her!

Sweet baby Carder

The actual 4th we spent at home and just relaxed.  We went to the pool and swam all morning.  After Bennett's nap we played for a while outside then grilled out, and we got done just in time before it started to rain.  Since the weather wasn't so great we made smores inside and Bennett enjoyed his little treat!!! After Bennett went down for the night Jeremy and I just hung out and watched a few fire works from our front porch that people were setting off, but it was raining so hard that the fireworks ended early, so we ended up back inside to watch them on TV!!!  I think next year we will take Bennett out to see a fireworks show.

My cute little firecracker!

YUMMY Smores!!!!!!

Such a mess!

Jeremy took of work all this week so we are looking forward to a nice week with him. He was able to go with me today to Gymboree for Bennett's class.  It was fun for him to see how Bennett interacts with a big group of kids.  We have a busy week planned and we are looking forward to our quality family time!

Zoo Trip

Yesterday we took Bennett to the zoo for the first time.  We got there right when it opened in order to get a good parking spot and to try and beat the heat.  Bennett really enjoyed himself and pointed to the animals and kept saying "awe" when he saw some cute little furry animals.  He didn't want to be in his stroller but he also couldn't keep up with the walking so Jeremy ended up carrying him for a good part of the trip.  It got too hot to carry him, so we had to strap Bennett down in the stroller while he pitched a fit, but luckily he got over it very quick!  I can't wait to take him back when he is a bit older and can understand it better.  Of course I don't want him to understand too much, we walked by these huge turtles on the way into the reptile exhibit and while we were there one turtle decided it was time to mate and boy are they loud about it...who knew turtles were loud!  I am so glad Bennett isn't at the age where he can ask me what they were doing to each other :)

Just walking into the zoo

Checking out the elephant!

Me and my sweet boy

Watching the bears hanging out in the sun

Saying "Awe" to the animals!

He really loved watching the pandas

Looking at the giraffes and zebras

Walking with Daddy