Lost My Child in Texas

Ben and I (and Nate) pulled out of our driveway at 8:30am last Thursday. We made it to the Oklahoma City airport and flew to Dallas. Then flew to Midland. Then drove to Andrews to see family. Then to Denver City to stay with family. Then, Ben was gone. It was as if we finally got to our final destination and he disappeared. I didn't find the Ben I know until we got back home to Kansas. He barely ate anything the entire time we were there. He whined about everything. He basically got whatever he wanted from whomever he wanted it (except his mother who had to turn a blind eye, but never participate in the spoiling). Ben and I (and Nate) joyfully pulled back into our driveway at 3:30pm yesterday. The Ben I know is mysteriously back! We have a few re-training things to do, but overall he is completely back to normal. Yeah!

Here are a lot of pictures from our attempt at fun. Actually, I think I am the only one that didn't have as much fun as I thought it would be. All the grandparents, great grandparents and aunts thought he was just fabulous. They loved caving into everything he asked for. He loved getting everything he asked for. I couldn't stand watching all my hard work look like nothing. Motherhood lesson learned.

Now for the picture overload... Videos tomorrow or Thursday.

First stop in Andrews to see my Grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins on my dad's side.

Great Grandma Sherrill playing basketball with Ben. He knew what to do but couldn't throw the ball up high enough.

Mama D spoiled him way too much. He had an electric 4 wheeler waiting for him. He was scared of it at first, but he quickly got the hang of it.

5 long days without Daddy. This was the best we could do.

Chillin with Great Grandma.

Go away Mom.

Aunt Can Can played with Ben for hours! She is the best babysitter I have ever had. Ben was only happy when outside. We even suffered outside at 54 degrees one morning so he could play.

We took a trip out to Granddad's farm.

The horse's name is Duke. I learned how to ride on him. It was important that Ben meet Duke. He was not thrilled.

Ben wouldn't wear the hat. He wanted me to wear it.

Oh yes, 30 weeks pregnant and I got up on Duke bareback. Everyone was holding their breath, even Duke.

Sisters

Ben's favorite part of the farm was the "dogga" Crawford.

Just for you Can!
This proves that they did anything to make him happy. He was given a grilled cheese picnic style.

My mom took us to Fiddlesticks Farm in Midland. It has lots of baby animals, lots of fun stuff for little ones and a corn maze. Ben was happy for maybe 10 minutes and then screamed his head off. Remember, not the kid I thought I left the house with.

My favorite cowboy!

Inside the fence is good.

This was his favorite part but it was so hard for me to squat and use the levers because he couldn't actually do any of it himself.

So after the drama at Fiddlesticks, my mom took us to a fun yogurt place with a really great little play area. He loved it! Of course. My mom spent tons at the farm where he screamed then barely anything for yogurt and he loved it.

Aunt Can Can did his hair for his last ride on the 4-wheeler.

Getting My Girl Fix

I still think that I would be happy to raise all boys, but fixing a little girls hair and watching her shine is loads of fun (for one day).

Last March I went over to our friend's house at 7:50am to fix beautiful Bree's hair for school picture day. She loved her braid!

Yesterday Ben and I went over to beautiful Bree's house at 7am (new school, earlier time) to do her hair for school picture day. These pictures don't do justice to how she sassed around the house and stared at herself in the mirror. She lit up with such innocent joy. So much fun! Ben wandered around their house in his footy pjs just loving all the activity of getting them out the door. Angie (Bree and Ethan's mom) and I stood with Ben on the front step and waved them goodbye as they got on the bus - their dad Matt is out of town on a World Impact recruiting trip. I must say it scared me to think that my little Ben will be skipping away to the bus in no time. (Wipe tear.)

Thanks Penner family for inviting me and Ben over in our pjs to be a part of your kids' special day!

19 Month Update

On this momentous day of 10-10-10 Ben is 19 months old. He hasn't added a lot of skills or words, but rather perfected some of the ones he already had. Just when I think he can't possibly get any more independent, he finds something else that he wants to do all by himself. It is a lot of fun to watch him learn and try. He is getting pretty good at taking his clothes off for bath time. He desperately wants to put on and take off his own shoes, but he can't get it yet.

The only words he added (that I can think of) is Grandpa and Nana after their visit. He practices saying that in the crib when he is falling asleep for his nap. He calls our friend Tina "Nana" because they sound so similar.

My brain isn't coming up with much more to update you. It has been quite a weekend. Ben ran a fever all day Friday and just preferred to cuddle and give hugs and kisses all day. We had a sitter lined up that we had to cancel. Then, Saturday, he was perfectly well. Today, Ryan is running a slight fever and not feeling well. Our sitter had graciously rescheduled for tonight, but we had to cancel again. I can't get a break...ha.

Enjoy the pictures.

This boy loves yogurt!

Pants on the ground...still a little big.

Helping Mommy cook - he snatched them out of the drawer and put them on all by himself. And spread all the utensils on the ground by himself too :)

My handsome boys.

This one is a little old, but I like it. We were walking at the nature center.

Two-fisted eating and a "smile for the camera."

Having a play date with our friends Tina and Jackson.

I lovingly call this picture "doofus!"

A Moment I Have Waited For

Since motherhood consumes much of my life, being proud of my son for so many different things is a constant feeling I have. But, when I tell my husband I am "'proud" of him, it doesn't quite mean the same thing, a bit demeaning I think. I have yet to come up with the right word for how I feel toward my husband right now. He is officially listed as an author of a published book that you can find on Amazon. (I thought this day would be many years down the road.) He has put in countless hours putting together and writing this book. His intelligence never ceases to amaze me along with his love of the Word and desire for others to love Him as much as he does. I am humbled to be his wife.
Click on the book for the Amazon link!

Random Fun

Here are just some random things from Saturday night and tonight.

On Saturday Ben stayed with his friends Ethan and Bree while we attended a rehearsal dinner for a wedding Ryan was in. It was a gorgeous outdoor wedding and I didn't take one picture. Ben and Ryan tied for the most handsome person there!

Watch Ben's head the third time down.



We are working on getting Ben to verbalize more words. For some words that he knows the sign, he will not even attempt to verbalize, as you will see here!

So handsome.

Playing with Mom

Friends

Jackson and Ben are destined to be friends. They are only 6 months apart and the only little ones among the missionary staff. They still parallel play for the most part, except for Ben's constant "hugging" of Jackson which can look like strangulation at times. They are actually wearing the same size clothes and diapers and only 1 pound and an inch or two different in weight and height. Jackson's parents are really tall!

Double Trouble. Ben is allowed to turn on the stereo. It is a novelty to Jackson.

Sorta sharing.

Ben remembered signs that he hasn't done in months. He is showing Jackson how to say more. Jackson signs, but has made them his own! Ben was correcting him :)

Daddy practicing for 2! Loving the footie pjs.

28 week update

I went for my 28 week appointment yesterday. I kept thinking I needed to blog something about it, but I couldn't think of what to say. Oh yeah, the belly pictures! So, here it is. I did my glucose test yesterday at my appointment where you have to drink some nasty sugar drink and then wait an hour and have blood drawn. I made the appointment during nap time so Ryan could stay home and work while Ben napped. I told my dr that I was actually looking forward to an hour alone not being responsible for anyone else. She laughed and said, "How sad is that?" ha. She's right. It is pretty sad, but I did meaningless stuff on my computer and plenty of people-watching and loved it. The hour went really fast.

All is good with Nate. Nothing to report really. He seems to be more active than I remember Ben being. Maybe he is, maybe I just don't remember correctly. I will start going to see my doc every two weeks now! Wow, this pregnancy has gone quickly. I am just starting to find some everyday things (bending over, painting my toe nails) to be more difficult. Ben is still pretty easy for me to carry around, but he is pretty good to walk beside me for me the most part.