First Time in the Snow

Today, it was finally supposed to warm up to 30 degrees, so we bundled up to play in the snow. Unfortunately, while I was getting my gear on, poor Bennett tipped over and wasn't too happy about being not being able to get back up!

When we got outside, I sat him in the snow, and he had no idea what to do.

Although he did cry a lot! I even threw a few snowballs his way--he was not interested it that, either!

We did manage to make one snow angel!

So, our first experience with the snow was not very fun, but I'm sure the older he gets, the more he'll like it. He better, anyway, because he won't have much choice--we have a lot of snow in the winter!

Mr. Mischievous

The Heat Is (Back) On

I'm a little late with this post, but I was sitting in the house on Saturday night with 3 long sleeve shirts on and wrapped in a big blanket--I could not warm up! I checked the thermostat which was set at 70. But a closer look showed that it was only 65. So I cranked it all the way up to 80 and it wouldn't kick in. We had this trouble two years ago and Ryan had learned some tricks to get it going--no luck. Being that it was 11 at night, we decided to through another blanket on Bennett and stick it out until the morning. At 3:30, Bennett woke up and started making noise. Ryan brought him in to our room--at this point my nose was very cold. It was now 58 in the house (Saturday night got down below zero--not a good night for this to happen). So, Ryan called the heating people and they said it wouldn't matter whether they came immediately or waited until morning. About 4:15, the repair man arrives, figures out it is the motor, hot wires the furnace so we could start getting some heat, and has to leave to get the part. He was done and gone by 5:00 and we were getting nice and warm again! But just to put into perspective how cold it has been lately, I was sitting alone last night, enjoy the drama on The Bachelor when I heard a loud noise. I immediately went to the garage to find several cans of exploded soda! I was tempted to take a picture of the slushy mess, but decided that wasn't necessary. Maybe next time--we have plenty of winter left :-)

My First Play Date

Today, Bennett had his first play date! Lori (I work with her at school) and her son, Jonah, came over to visit and play. Bennett is about 3 weeks older than Jonah. When they first arrived, neither boy knew quite what to do. They sat and stared at each other for a while. Most of the afternoon was spent playing alone for each boy, but they did crawl after each other and sit in the sun together! They stayed for about 2 1/2 hours. It was fun, even though the boys didn't quite get the point of it. It gave Lori and I a chance to chat and catch up, since we rarely see each other at school. While they were here, I had Bennett's hands and he was walking down the hallway. I let go, he stood for a moment, and then both Lori and I are pretty sure he took a step. Even if he didn't, I can tell it's not too far away! Thanks for the fun afternoon!

Playing With My "Baba"

Bennett uses the word "baba" for two things--his bottle and his basketball. He loves to play catch! Instead of rolling it, he'll put it up over his head and bounce it. He's good at catching it, too. Notice his favorite sitting position--one leg back and one stretched out front. Doing the splits already??? Maybe he'll take after his mama :-)

All Cuddled Up

Bennett has his blanket and Teddy--that's all he needs for a good night's sleep!

Bennett's First Birthday Party

Today, we celebrated Bennett's first birthday with a party! Guests who attended were Aunt Kristin, Aunt Kelly and Jake, Grandma and Grandpa T, Grandma and Grandpa R, Great-Grandpa R, and Great-Grandpa S (I know that Aunt Heather, Uncle Dave, cousins Mattea and Paloma were thinking about us today!). We began the day by sitting in the living room hanging out and watching Bennett play. Then, we enjoyed some yummy food including Grandpa T's potato salad and Grandma R's fruit pizza. Presents came next! Although Bennett needed a lot of help opening his gifts, but that was okay because we got some great pictures of everyone helping him open their gift. Let me say that our baby boy is very lucky to have so many people who care about him! Everyone was so generous! Some of his gifts included money, shoes, musical instruments, a sports center, a blow up car ball pit, scrapbooks, a riding toy fire truck, his car seat, a sleeping bag, and countless others! Check out the slide show below for all the fun photos we took! Lastly, it was time for the big finale--birthday cake! Bennett didn't know what to do with it at first--he did not like the frosting all over his fingers, but it didn't take long for him to dive in and get completely messy! Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful gifts and for coming to share our little boy's very first birthday party with us!

It's Party Time!

Eating Cake

Birthday Cake

Here is what Bennett's personal birthday cake looked like before . . .

and after!

Applesauce Disaster

Bennett is becoming very independent. When I tried to feed him his applesauce, he got mad and refused to eat. So, I turned over the control and helped him a few times, practicing how to scoop. Then, was time for him to try on his own and . . . well, you can see how it turned out. He scooped and then flung it all over himself! I probably should have cleaned it out of his eye right away, but I couldn't resist and had to grab my camera!! He was doing a really good job and I thought I'd sneak away for a bathroom break. When I came back, the applesauce container (which was mostly full when I left) was completely empty. It took me a moment to realize it was all over his sleeve, in his lap, and all over his pants. Note to self--he's not THAT good yet!

Happy Birthday, Love Bug!!!

Today is Bennett's first birthday! When people asked me today if it was a sad day, I had to say NO! Although I can't believe a whole year of his life has passed us by, I can't wait to see what happens next! I love to watch him learn and explore and I love the personality that becomes more apparent every day! So if there are any tears today, it's because I am so thankful for this joyous gift that entered this world one year ago at 3:27 p.m.

Bennett got a nice birthday surprise. Auntie Kelly picked him up at daycare and brought him home to play and hang out. Unfortunately, we also had to head to the doctor's office for our 1 year check up and shots. Developmentally, Dr. Jennie says he is doing great! His head is growing at a good rate, but . . . he has only gained 3 oz since his 9 month appointment and hasn't grown in height--at all!!! So, Bennett is now on a high fat, high calorie diet. We have to go back in 6 weeks to have him rechecked. If he still is not growing, then we have some investigating to do. But, we came home, and got right on the new diet. He had a cookie and then it was time to celebrate with his cupcake.

And he dove right in!

Since both mom and dad don't have school tomorrow due to the extremely cold temperatures (it could be as cold as -45 with the wind chill!), we decided to let Bennett stay up a little later to party. He got to choose between two gifts to open tonight--the blue one from Aunt Heather and the red one from Mom and Dad.

Sorry Aunt Heather! Mom and Dad's gift was the winner for tonight!

Bennett received a Go Go Caterpillar and by the look on his face, I think he really likes it! (He has grown very attached to the measuring cup, too. Every time we tried to take it from him, he cried!)

Some birthday kisses and cuddles from Daddy!

We read On The Night You Were Born and shared with Bennett about the afternoon he was born. Then, it was time to cuddle up with Teddy and go to bed. It will be great to spend the whole day with him tomorrow, even though we're a day late. We hope you had a wonderful first birthday, Bennett! We love you!

Reflection on the eve of Bennett's birthday

Over the last several days, I have been moved by different posts on my sister's blog. One I found by visiting a blog of one of my sister's friends, whose mom wrote a post asking for monetary help so her daughter could afford fertility treatments. I left her a comment, a total stranger, to never give up on becoming a mother--as I can personally relate. We spent about 9 months working with a fertility specialist. Month after month, a new reason surfaced which may be causing our difficulty getting pregnant. First it was my thyroid, then it was a growth on my pituatary gland, and finally endometreosis. There were lots of blood tests, an MRI, surgery, shots, ultrasounds, and pills. But, with the amazing help from our doctors and some divine intervention from God, we finally got pregnant--and nearly one year ago, my baby boy was born.

The next post brought me to a puddle of tears. It was a video of a mother who got to spend a few short hours with her baby before she passed away. Since becoming a mother, I think I was fully able to empathize with what this loss must feel like. It made me very appreciative of the gift that I have been given--a very happy and healthy child.

So, after reading those posts, this one may seem completely trivial, but here it goes anyway. Over the last year, my life has changed in more ways than I could ever imagine. Here are the things I love most about being a mom:
- Bennett's smile always brightens my day
- his giggle is infectious and I can't help but laugh along!
- hearing him say "mama"
- giving me hugs and patting me on the back
- his very kind and sweet spirit
- his curiosity
- the joy of watching my son and my husband play together
- a great reason to not stay at school every night until 5:30/6
- being completely terrified when I think something is wrong with him
- the way my heart seems to swell when I look at him
- my absolute true and unconditional love for this other little human being

But I must admit, there are some things I miss about being a two-person household:
- my life is no longer my own--it revolves around the needs of someone else
- my inability to remember anything--apparently my sister was right--pregnancy brain NEVER goes away!!!
- running errands just isn't what it used to be. Bundling Bennett up because it's -20 outside, putting him in the car seat (which stinks when the carseat is rear facing!), strapping him in and attempting to tighten the straps with the seat in the way, unstrapping him, pulling him out of the car seat, stapping him into the cart, unstrapping him from the cart, putting him back into the carseat, strapping him back up and attempting to tighten--oh, while also trying to open doors and pushing him through the snow covered parking lots--and that's just one stop! Don't get me wrong--I love taking my little man shopping! He's wonderful company and helps me pick things out, but it's a lot of work!!
- quiet time with my husband--some nights we're so tired, I don't even know if we say 10 words to each other!
- being able to go where I want, when I want (without all the planning of lunch time, diaper changes, snacks, babysitters, etc)S
- sleeping late--oh, how I miss that sometimes!
- wondering where all my money went ?????

So, on the eve of my baby's first birthday, despite all the things I miss about my life before motherhood, I wouldn't give it up for the world! The best things about being a mother certainly outweigh the inconveniences I experience from time to time. It's so hard to believe it has been a year since that little miracle joined our lives and our family. Now, I couldn't imagine life without him! I now have to go frost some cupcakes for the big day, but I'll be back with pictures tomorrow! Happy birthday, B!!

Alphabet Game

I found this game on my sister's blog and decided to play, as well! Enjoy!

A. Attached or single? Attached! I have been married for 5 1/2 years.

B. Best friend? Hmmm . . . my husband is at the top of the list as he has been through the best and worst times with me, Carla is one of my oldest friends and Brooke is someone I can tell everything to. I also consider my sister to be an incredible friend, as well. I don't really have a "best" friend. I have a wide variety of people in my life that I go to for different reasons. It all depends on what I need. I have friends that are younger than me and friends that are in their 50s and 60s. I draw on their perspectives and life experiences.

C. Cake or pie? I like both, but I vote for cheesecake instead!

D. Dog or cat? Dogs

E. Essential item? Body lotion

F. Favorite color? Green

G. Gummy bears or worms? Neither!

H. Hometown? La Crescent, MN

I. Favorite indulgence? A day at the spa--a long massage and a pedicure

J. January or July? July!! It was the month I got married and one of the hottest months--I love the 90 degree days :-)

K. Kids? A beautiful boy named Bennett, who is about to turn 1.

L. Life isn’t complete without? Faith, family, friends, laughter, and struggles

M. Marriage date? July 12, 2003

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 sister who I dearly miss, 2 sister-in-laws

O. Oranges or apples? I love apples!! Caramel apples, Queen apples, apple pie

P. Phobias? None, but I don't like spiders and crickets. I absolutely hate bees!!

Q. Quote? If God brings you to it, He'll get you through it

R. Reasons to smile? my son, my entertaining first graders, and my darling nieces!

S. Season of choice? Summer--the hotter the better

T. Travel dreams? My husband and I would love to take an Alaskan cruise. I would also love to visit Hawii, Ireland, or Australia. I've been trying to convince my sister to go on a 4 day vaca somewhere fun with me! Thinking Vegas, Seattle, Chicago--anywhere to get away and see something new.

U. Unknown fact about me? I broke my nose twice (maybe three times) as a kid and had surgery on it when I was 14. I'm having a little more work done on it this summer--very excited!

V. Vegetable? Fresh green beans

W. Worst habit? High expectations of myself and everyone around me

X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound--I loved seeing my son from the time he was 9 weeks to 30 weeks. It was so cool!

Y. Your favorite restaurants? Itallian (Ciatti's), Sullivan's

Z. Zodiac sign? Scorpio

This was a good way to reflect on things I typically don't think about. I hope you learned a little bit about me, and I hope you will play along so I can learn more about you, too!

Sharing With Daddy

I am so excited I found a way to share this video with you! I tried about 10 times to upload it, but I think it was too long. It is too darn cute not to share! On Sunday, Bennett was a bear the whole afternoon. Ryan picked him up and I gave him a few rice cakes. He stopped crying long enough to eat a few and then decided to share. This video shows you that on the worst of days, my baby is still sweet!

Sharing With Daddy

Starry Night is Back!

For those of you that read my Get to Know Me holiday edition post would know that my favorite Christmas decoration is my Partylite Starry Night candle holder. It was purchased with a lot of love and hope for a husband of Ryan's coworker and friend during a silent auction to raise money for his treatment. Well, while cleaning one afternoon, I pushed it out of the way to get all the crumbs off the table. It bumped into my cookie jar, cracked it, and a large piece fell out. I had a moment where I thought I might shed a few tears. After cleaning all the rocks out, I took it out to the garage. I set it down (apparently not very gently) and it busted in two! I felt even worse! But thanks to my thoughtful husband who immediately hopped on E-Bay, my Starry Night was delivered to my house this evening. Although it's not the exact one that I purchased, the memories are still there!

Where's Bennett?

Bennett loves to play peek-a-boo, but he has taken over as the one who hides. He has begun putting his hands in front of his eyes or putting things over his head to hide. Today, it happened to be the strainer. Peek-a-boo!

Using My Spoon

My little boy is growing up way too fast. His independence is starting to show. He has now decided to use his spoon by himself. It was so cute to watch him dip it in! He hasn't quite gotten the hang of scooping, but he'll learn :-)