Merry Christmas

Look, ma, two teeth!

I really hate delaying gratification. I really love buying gifts (and receiving them too). So, that means I usually go buy a gift the same day I think up the perfect gift (I hate shopping) and then usually find a way to give the gift the same day.

Fortunately for me, Ryan had to give me my Christmas present early this year. I asked to go see Tran Siberian Orchestra. They were only in Wichita this past Monday. I have always loved their music, but never seen them live. I really am not a concert person, but I had the best time! I was sitting on the edge of my chair and grinning from ear to ear like a little kid through the first 3-4 songs. It was a little early for Christmas, but it was the best present. Thanks, babe, I love you!

The light show was incredible.

They even had fire! A few times we could feel the heat when it shot up.

So, if I got my present early, I figured Ryan deserved his early too. Ben and I bought him a new office chair for his home office. His old chair had been ghetto rigged a few too many times and made this horrible noise every time he moved in it. His office is very close to Ben's room and I was started to wonder if it was disturbing Ben's naps. So, a new chair for Dad makes Mom happy. A win-win for everyone.

"Helping" Daddy work in his office.

Merry Christmas

Corn Maze

This past weekend we were able to go to a corn maze with a group of friends. There were lots of little children, so we didn't spend too much time there, but it was a fun outing. Ben loves being outdoors and was enthralled with the wind rustling through the corn. He had only a 20 minute nap on the drive to the maze and instead of napping while we walked, he was wide awake taking it all in. When we originally planned this, I thought it would be cold and he would need his winter hat and to be bundled up. The sun decided to shine and the Kansas wind was blowing like crazy. I ended up using sunscreen and his summer hat rather than bundling. I like fall! Come back cooler weather.

World Impact Friends

Mommy & Me

It was super muddy. I thought this picture of everyone trying to get by on the dry land was funny.

Ryan was our fearless leader/map reader. Ethan stayed in front of Ryan and Ryan would call out left turn or right turn. Ethan thought he was guiding us through :)
The maze is on 16 acres, so you have to follow the map or you might never get out. The corn was well over our heads, so you can't see anything but right where you are at.


Ben is crawling like a pro now. He follows me all over the house and even goes off on his own to find things he shouldn't. I think he spends most of his time in the kitchen in his plastics cabinet. He gets out the same toys (bowls and spoons) and will play for an hour while I do dishes or cook dinner. Our house has little steps up into the bathroom, into Ryan's office and at the entrance of our house. Ben has mastered the steps which allows him to cruise freely all over the house.

He is also making kissing sounds when prompted. I can tell him, "Ben, give mommy a kiss." And he sucks in his bottom lip which makes the kissing sound. It is so cute! He has done it for other people which just makes me so proud :)

Halloween 09

I feel like I haven't blogged in forever, but it has only been 7 days :)

Tonight, we had a Halloween party in the yard at one of the missionary houses. We put up big lights in the yard and had games for the kids. Many families came by which was great. Ben lasted much longer than I expected. He missed his afternoon nap completely, but stayed up for the festivities until 7pm. With the time change, we will see what time he greets me in the morning.

Our boys. Me and Ben with Tina and Jackson (8 weeks)

Ben holding Jackson

Ben found a candy bucket.

So tired. Our friend Angie put him right to sleep.

Our sleeping monkey. He went from the car to the changing table to get pjs to the crib without a fuss - yeah!

Some randomness:

He cooks in the kitchen with me all the time. He LOVES that wooden spoon.

I left him in his room for no more than 60 seconds and this is what I found when I returned. He had licked almost all that he pulled out, so I couldn't even reuse them :) You can't see in the picture, but he has at least 10 in his hand all balled up, ready to be licked.

Playing with Mommy.

He crawls through!

When Ben was tiny, I took so many pictures of him sleeping. Now, we wouldn't dare do anything that might wake him. But, I realized I don't have any pictures of him looking so long in his crib. So, I snuck in today and got a sleeping picture of my big boy (and I didn't even wake him).

2.5 weeks old

Kisses

Ben is mimicking us some now. So cute. When we make a kissing face and sound, he responds with his own version. See video.



He is crawling all over the house now. I find myself saying "Come here!" or "Come on!" all day long. He requires some encouragement before he will come find me. He continues to crawl the fastest to things he can't have. Does he know it is a "no no" and think we are playing a game? Cords of any kind, dirty shoes, his space heater (no, it can't burn him) and the stereo are his favorite.

Ryan and I carved our pumpkins last night, but we got pictures of our little pumpkin first.


This is another version of kisses Ben gives. He opens wide and attacks. And, he can give a hard pinch with his hands. Usually he gets a fist full of hair in the process as well. When we play on the floor with him we tend to have round wet spots all over our clothes, face and necks where he has given multiple kisses. Fun, but not very hygienic.

Our Little Pumpkin

The straw kept hitting him in the face, but he kept pulling it to himself over and over, hence the red eyes. I was trying to show the "BOO" on the back of his shirt.

I saw this idea online and had to try it. He didn't seem to mind being in the pumpkin.

Fall Fun

I love the fall. It might be my favorite season. It means pumpkin time, cool weather and lots and lots of baking. I love baking pumpkin things. Ben has even had some pumpkin puree with a little cinnamon and nutmeg. He loved it! I have been a bit more adventurous this year and it has barely begun. I tried a pumpkin pasta dish. I loved it, but Ryan asked that I not serve it again. I made a pumpkin caramel pecan pie (I accidentally bought pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin. It was the sweetest pie I have ever eaten. It got lots of compliments!). I made some pumpkin mini muffins for church snack this morning. And, a couple of weeks ago I tried to make a pumpkin spice latte. Not so good, but it was fun to try. What next? I found a recipe for a pumpkin shake and I just might need to try it soon. Send me any of your pumpkin recipes that I must try. Woohoo for Fall!

The weather has been a bit cool for going to the park, but Ben and I (really, it's probably just me) have to get out of the house some or we (probably just me) go stir crazy. Thursday morning, we just sat on the porch for a little while and watched the cars go by. Ben and Mr. Scarecrow were instant friends. They are about the same height, but Ben definitely wins in the weight category.

Today was a little warmer, so we got to play outside! Thanks Kennedy's for the hat. It was perfect with this outfit.

Playing with the fun, crunchy leaves.

I have so many ideas for photo sessions with Ben and I am working hard to get them all in. Keep checking back to see some cute fall Ben pictures. Then, there is the Christmas card to start thinking about. Our first Christmas card with a baby! I can't wait! I have already started looking through designs and ways to take our picture. So many options. I don't know how I will choose.

1, 2, 3

1 - Is the number of really adorable babies I have.

2 - The number of teeth Ben has!!! Bottom 2.

3 - The number that really gets Ben laughing because he knows he is about to get tickled or thrown. See the video of our after dinner family fun time.