Hello Summer

The weather is warm, parks are inviting, and water is calling Benjamin's name.

Just when we were about to say goodbye to Ducky we found another purpose for it. Our neighborhood pool is not yet open so here is our baby pool for the time being.

Sweet Ava was more than willing to help her friend Benjamin go down the big slide.

We watched Dad lay some sod in the front yard and got really hot. I let him go in the sprinkler, and of course it was a hit.

Note to self : Change him into the little swimmers diaper first next time. Regular diapers absorb pounds of water.

Benjamin's First Birthday Cake

Benjamin's First Birthday Party

The Birthday started with putting together one of his gifts from Nana & Papa and Granddad & Grandmother. He loves his slide.
This about when I was getting Extremely nervous he would not take his naps. I did not want a melt down when all of the guests arrived. He was great and took in all of the attention like a professional. I am starting to think the more people the better he will do.

I love fruit salad! Posting this makes me want more.

How blessed Benjamin is to have such awesome Great-Grandparents!

Cousin Tanner. He is so cute!

We did had lots of great food!

Gracie sneaking a lick of the best dip ever! Thanks Evelyn for bringing it!

Dana made "Baby Jaguar" cookies. Benjamin is still a huge fan of Diego and he gets so excited when baby Jaguar is jumping around.

Nana Bouldin was such a help with getting ready for the party.

Giving one of those intense hugs!

Thank you for all of the gifts! What a blessing! They were all perfect.

By the way, Chuck the Dumptruck talks to us every day.

Cousings, toys, wrappers, and bubble machines! Wow, was this fun.

I love this picture.

Eating cake can be tough work.

Grandparents are the best. They took Benjamin for a quick bath while I kept the party running. He had cake everywhere!

Every Birthday party needs a pinata!

Thanks to all the family and friends who made his first birthday so special! We love you!

Week of 1st

What a week of firsts. Last week was extremely special and busy!

For all of those those Great-Grandparents in DC and NY, and Great-Aunt and Uncles in GA who were too far away to be here for the party I will post more pictures soon.

First Birthday! Benjamin turned one on May 14th. It is hard to believe that he is already a year old. It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital holding him for the first time.

First hair cut. It was actually more like a trim. His hair was always in his eyes. We would always push his bangs to the side to get out of his eyes. Well, the longer his hair got the more he looked like a one year with a really big comb over. I only trimmed the front. I didn't dare touch those cute curls in the back! I cut it a little shorter than I wanted, but I am sure it will grow fast and be back in his eyes in no time.

First day of school. Wow. He did great. I dropped him off and they were getting ready for a buggy ride. I put him in it and he was ready to go. He would not even look at me for a picture. There was way too much to check out! However, the other children did look at me with confused faces. I think they were wondering who is this strange lady crying. Yes, I was a little emotional. I think I am going to need major support when he starts kindergarten.

Benjamin also took his first steps! He has been standing independent for over a month, but did not care to walk at all. I went to drop him off at school and set him down far enough away from the table where all the other kids were eating. He had to crawl or walk. He chose walk his first set of steps. I am so glad I got to see it. I think He wanted to show off in front of his new classmates. Later that night we tried to get him to walk again. I got part of it on video before my camera cut off because my memory card was full. So you get to see one of his steps.

Boom and Cock-a-doodle-doo

It has been storming like crazy here in Tulsa the last few weeks. Several nights in a row we had major thunderstorms between 2 and 4 am. These are not little thunderstorms. They are the ones that boom so loud it rattles the windows and you instantly sit straight up in your bed with shock.

My pre-child stormy nights used to go something like this: The intense crack-boom jolts me from a peaceful slumber, I look around to get my bearings, differentiate between dream and real, check the clock, and breathe a sigh of relief it is only 3 a.m. I get to go back to sleep for nearly 3 more hours!

Post- child stormy nights: The intense boom-crack stuns me from half sleep, I check the clock, and lay back down repeating in my thoughts, "Please don't wake up, Please don't wake up." In a few minutes when I start to drift back to sleep I hear giggles, oooos, and other 12 month old jabber. The thunder does not scare my 12 month old. No. The house shattering thunder is like a rooster crow. It reminds me of this old cartoon I remember having on VHS as a child. A character would be sleeping in a bed and a rooster would parade over to the window to deliver a morning wake up call. The character would stretch his hands above his head in a perfect "V" shape as he let out a yawn. He would then sit straight up, swing his feet to the side of the bed, and proceed to slip his feet into his neatly paired shoes on the floor beside his bed. Then start whistling about his day. Benjamin responds to thunder is a similar way. He wakes wide eyed and cheerfully ready to start the day. The only problem is that it is the middle of the night and mom didn't go to bed promptly at 8 like he did. I eventually get him back to sleep, but he giggles, squeezes my nose, and tells me a few stories before going back to sleep. It actually is a very precious time. I am just ready for these midnight precious moments to be less consecutive.

Four Wonderful Years

We have had an extremely busy last five days. It will take me a little while to get organized with the pictures so I will post more later this week.

We celebrated our anniversary on Wednesday. Nana and Papa came to town early to help watch Benjamin so we could have a day to just be together. Even though it rained and changed the plans a bit we had a great time.

Publish PostFour years ago I married the man God created just for me. I thank God daily for such a gift. He is a great husband, friend, and father. He sure knows how to make life fun. Jonathan, I love you!

Officially off the waiting list!

A few posts ago I mentioned Benjamin's babysitter got another job. He has been on several waiting lists at childcare centers in town since. I am happy to announce He has offically been given a spot and starts going in one week. My friend Ashley helped me out for a few weeks with watching Benjamin. Then my Mom went to part time at work to be able to help out the last month. I am so happy the wait is over and he will be enrolled this week! It will be good to get back in a routine.

Ashley's sweet girl, Kylie, is few months older. When she has the two of them together in the jogging stroller they like to hold hands. Something about little one year olds holding hands just makes your day.

I think we have found his favorite fruit. Kiwi. He seems to think it tastes much better when when he feeds himself. I am sure the mess is half the fun. He starts with a bib, but soon rips it off when it gets in his way. Even after a bath I still find seeds on him hours later.
At the end he gives me this look that says..."More Please."

Tent Time

It rained most of the weekend. In lieu of being able to go on walks and swing outside we introduced some new fun. Benjamin got to experience his first tent.