Virginia Trip Pictures

Benjamin and I flew to Virginia to visit family a couple of weeks ago. We had a wonderful time and Benjamin got a chance to get to know his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins a lot better.
The first Saturday, we headed downtown with all of Paul's family except for his mom and of course Paul. Paul's sister Katie marched in the Cherry Blossom Parade with Timpview's marching band. We got rained on throughout the day, but we had a lot of fun. Later in the day, we headed over to the new stadium to watch the Nationals get slaughtered by the Atlanta Braves. Benjamin really enjoyed clapping and cheering (mainly for the Braves) and waving his little Nationals flag. After missing his nap and thoroughly wearing himself out, he was anxious to get to his cousin Andrew's house and wind down a little.

My parents, who have been working around the clock to get our house ready to sell, enjoyed some down time with their favorite (only) grandson. He loved their toys, and especially loved his aunt Michelle and uncles Nathan and David who were always anxious to play with him.

Later in the week, Benjamin and I got together with Paul's sister Katie, my sister-in-law Alexandra and her two boys. Andrew is about 8 months older than Benjamin, and Will is about a year and four months younger. Benjamin loved having a cousin to play with him at the playground, on the trampoline and in the bamboo at my parent's house. It was a fun reunion for all of us. A few days later, I joined Paul's other sister Abby, my mom, and my brother Nathan for a session at the Washington DC Temple. Benjamin hung out with Andrew, aunt Katie, and uncle Mike at the visitor's center. He had a great time. I was so glad to be able to go, as it was my first time inside the DC Temple (not doing baptisms). So beautiful, and so peaceful!

Towards the end of our stay, my sister Rachel and her two girls came for a visit. Natalie is one year older than Benjamin and Lucy is about 8 months younger than him. I think Benjamin especially enjoyed Lucy's company, assuming a cute big-brother role. I guess inevitably, he also became a lot more possessive and aggressive (than I've ever seen him) with cousins constantly around to play with. I realize now that all of his interactions are generally with kids older than him, or about his age. So he's always been non-aggressive, and backs away from a toy if he senses another kid coming for it. It should be interesting to see what he'll be like as a big brother. I think he'll be really sweet, but he really has no idea what he's in for!

The last couple of days, Benjamin got a pretty high fever. Luckily with a good dose of ibuprofen, he was great on the flight home, and slept it off that night. Oh, so I was kind of nervous about the flights, but they were fine. The first plane we were on was tiny (two seats on one side, one seat on the other) and completely full, so we shared a seat. He did great though. He didn't even want to get off the plane when we got there! The flight home was even better. It was a much bigger plane, and there were a lot of empty seats. Everyone was so helpful, letting us switch seats around until we eventually had a whole row of three seats to ourselves. Benjamin got a little nap on that flight, but was much too excited to watch the clouds and the landscape below as it came closer and closer into view. Can't really complain with a two-hour, non-stop direct flight, either! It was a wonderful trip, but we were sure glad to come home to Paul!

We love you, Daddy!

This one's for you, Paul. Benjamin learned how to say "depot," as in "Home Depot" today, and he was anxious to get in the car and go! I thought you'd especially appreciate it since we make regular visits, and he's loved going there since he was just a baby. Funny kid.

We're Getting Excited!

Three days until Benjamin and I fly to Virginia to see both sets of grandparents, 10 or so aunts and uncles, and 4 cousins! We're pretty excited about it, but it's going to be a long time away from Paul. 11 days to be exact. He'll keep himself busy I'm sure with episodes of Psych, New Amsterdam and other silly shows that I rarely if reluctantly agree to watch with him. Oh, and he'll be chaperoning at the Priest's and Laurel's Mormon Prom. Call me a dork, but I'm actually kind of bummed that I don't get to go to that with him. I've never been to a "Mormon Prom" myself, so I'm curious! Oh, well. Another time, perhaps.
I am a little nervous about the flight. The last time I flew when I was pregnant was also towards the end of my first trimester, and it was not a happy ending. I just wish I had had the doggy bag within reach! Poor Paul.
No, I've actually been a lot better during this pregnancy, so it shouldn't be so bad. I've been able to manage my nausea really well with enough sleep and frequent small meals throughout the day. My #1 craving has been bread. Good bakery bread, bagels, English muffins, you name it. With Benjamin it was all about the hamburgers! Paul and I both suspect this will probably be a girl. I think we've always thought that. Probably because we both want a little brother for Benjamin so badly. We'll take whatever comes, though!

Guess What?

I'm going to be a big brother! Mom is 10 1/2 weeks along, so my baby brother or sister will be due on October 28th. Pretty cool, huh?

Mud-luscious

The title? All Paul's idea. From a poem entitled "Just Spring" by E. E. Cummings. I had no idea what to entitle this post since it's just my ramblings.

Anyways, Benjamin was looking especially handsome on Sunday (thanks Mom for the cute Easter outfit!) and right after church all he wanted to do was play outside. So we got a couple of pictures of the spring that is just beginning to emerge in our yard. We have had tons and tons of rain these past few weeks, and it still hasn't showed any signs of letting up. The ground is very soggy, but there are spots of green that are popping up here and there, bringing hope that the lawn (or lack thereof) will not look this pathetic forever. The daffodils that we planted last fall are also in full bloom now, making a cheery walk up to our front door. I love the bright green leaves that are just poking out of the dark, wet branches! I love Spring! So does Benjamin. It has been getting harder and harder to drag him inside or to the car because he gets enamored with the dirt, the puddles, the warm air, the squirrels and robins hopping over to the neighbors' yards, and the tiny interesting things that appear at his feet with every step. Paul's magic lies dormant (or germinating, as he has corrected me) in the box of dirt that will soon be our garden. He has carefully built, mixed, planned, and planted, with hopes of soon seeing a sprout of green, or perhaps even a weed to pull.

Easter Egg Hunt

Our friends, the Browns invited us over for a little Easter egg hunt in their backyard. It was a little cold, but that didn't deter these eager toddlers. They all snuck a peek, so they were anxious to get out the door and start hunting. Megan, Saida and Benjamin are all buddies from nursery.
Benjamin quickly figured out that all of the eggs had candy inside, and after that he had to open and inspect each and one before running back to put it in his basket.

Saida and Benjamin started helping each other find eggs towards the end.

Will and Benjamin

The Evans family, who we know from Wymount, Union Square (and Paul knows Kristin from his home ward) stopped by last Friday night. They live about 3 hours away now, so it was a fun little reunion. Benjamin and Will are about 8 months apart, but they fast became buddies upon meeting again. I tried to download a video of them, but I had no luck. It was cute though. Benjamin was following Will as he would dart from one end of the room to the other. They were giggling and having such a good time, it was hard to finally split them apart.