Butterflies and Trucks

Can I just gush about Benjamin for a minute? I have to say, I am in love with this kid, and especially this age. He is so fun these days. His vocabulary continues to grow every day, and now he's entirely beyond the stage where anything and everything was "DA!" He uses words to tell me about his memories, his feelings, and of course what he wants. The other day, he looked at me while we were eating lunch, and said, "Daddy. Work. Miss." Then this morning, as he was waking up around 7, we heard from his room, "Weekend!" (which apparently means a trip to Home Depot with Daddy.
So it was admittedly kind of a rough day for him. A few days ago, he came running to me, and said, "Ow! Feet." I took his shoes off and checked for prickles or sticks, and couldn't find any, so I asked if his shoes were too small. He said, "Yes." I asked if he needed some new bigger shoes. Again, he said, "Yes." He wears the same pair of navy blue Croc shoes every day, preferably with bright blue pants and his truck shirt if they're clean. Well, I assumed he wanted a new pair of shoes (or at least needed some) and so today we took him to the store to find some big boy shoes. The Croc stand at the mall didn't have his size in the right color, so we decided to check out Payless on our way to the Home Depot. Well, he heard Home Depot, and threw a fit when we parked in front of a shoe store. We dragged him in anyway, and had him look at a few different Croc knock-offs. He wouldn't even try them on. He kept putting his old shoes back on and saying, "Depot!" So we went home, and told him we couldn't go to the Home Depot if he was acting like this. During his nap, I ordered a pair online. He is funny about change (at least when it comes to his wardrobe). I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering his dad, who pretty much wears the same stuff he did in high school.
It is usually a delight to take Benjamin anywhere. He likes to talk about what we're doing, who we're going to go see, dandelion puffs, hoops, bikes and diggers he spots along the road, and sometimes he'll sing little songs to himself. We went to the Butterfly House with our Ward Play Group earlier this week. On the way, he was saying, "Dai (Saida). Megan. Fly (Butterfly House). TICKLE!" (accompanied by a scrunched smile and his hands brushing his cheeks) Translated, he was talking about the friends he would see at the Butterfly House, and about the butterflies that "tickle" when they touch you. Benjamin was really excited to go, but once we got there, he was clutching onto my hand with a firm grip. That is until he spotted a cherry-picker truck that was hanging out along the trail. That was probably the highlight. He was actually kind of afraid of the butterflies. But he was excited to see his friends from nursery, and played with them on the playground outside afterwards.

On Thursday evening, we braved the chilly weather (it had been raining all day, and finally let up) and took Benjamin to the Vehicle Fair that the Kirkwood Parents as Teachers put on every year. It was sure to be a hit, as Benjamin spots diggers, cranes, ambulances, garbage trucks, etc. everywhere he goes. He loves trucks. As we got there, he started shaking. I thought it might be because it was cold, but he was actually terrified of all the honking. We decided to stay for a few minutes anyway, and stood in line to "ride" the backhoe loader. We explained to him that the kids were just being silly and honking the horns on the big trucks. He became a little less tense, and started imitating the kids honking horns. Then he got his moment in the backhoe. It was pure joy.

Here he is in the beloved Garbage Truck! He loves watching the "Man" come and take our "Garb" (garbage) and see as the truck "Guish" (squishes) it into the main compartment. It's a real show, the few times we see it each week!

We got to see this helicopter land. Benjamin could hardly find enough words to describe to us how exciting this was. "Sky. (pointing to the sky) Hoc. (Helicopter) Land. (it landed on the ground)..." I know he said more, but I don't think we could translate it all. He was so excited to touch it and look inside. It was equally exciting to watch it go back up into the sky!

I think he calls any truck with lights on top "Ambi" (as in ambulance, though it could be a police car, a fire engine, or even a van with a small cone light) so that's what he's sitting on here. He especially likes to pretend the house is burning, and that a fire engine needs to come and put it out.

The mini excavator, or "Dig" as he calls them, was pretty exciting to see up close. I think he came home with a new appreciation for all of his toy diggers, and wanted to examine them all up close as well.

And last, but certainly not least, was the school bus, which he needed to "ride" twice. You can kind of see the reflection of the cherry picker that took a man way up in the sky for all of the kids to see. We had a great time! It was a late night for him though, so I think we're paying for it today!

No Pictures, No Posts

It's a bad habit of mine. Lately, I've been especially forgetful about taking the camera with me or taking pictures, but I won't let that excuse stop me today.
This past weekend, we joined Paul on a quick business trip up to Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. He was doing some job recruiting at a Statistics Conference there. We got a rental car and free gas, a hotel that was paid for, and free meals. It was like a free mini-vacation! It was about a six hour drive, and it took us right through Independence, MO on the way. We went through the Visitor's Center there which has been recently renovated (just on the inside) and really enjoyed the tour. Also of course, right next door is the massive, scary Community of Christ Temple and world headquarters. Benjamin did as well as he could on the drive, but after six hours in the car, we decided we're definitely NOT driving 20 hours to go to Utah this Summer. We'll fly.
Oh, so during the car ride, Benjamin was quiet for a moment, then bursted out, "weekend!" He loves weekends because Paul's home, so we thought it was cute that he learned how to say it clearly on his own about the trip we were all taking together.
Anyways, we got to our hotel on Sunday evening. It was especially convenient because all of Paul's meetings were in that hotel, so we got to see him throughout the day on Monday. We enjoyed hanging out in the big atrium where there was a warm pool, a hot tub, a little miniature golf course, fountains and bridges, pool tables, video arcade games and candy machines. We also ventured out to the nearby park before settling down for a nap. We stayed through Tuesday morning, then headed home. It was fun to take a little vacation together instead of separating for a couple of days.

Just Life

Here's our garden now. The beans and peas have been going crazy, so today, Paul built some mini trellises for them. The lettuce is also taking off, and the tomatoes, broccoli, peppers and pumpkins are also starting to sprout.
Benjamin loves going outside with Paul as soon as he gets home from work each day to help him tend the little garden. Paul built this cage to protect it from the bunnies and squirrels that run rampant here. And here's the awkward almost-15-week shot, where I just look fat, but not quite pregnant. Don't worry, the spandex will only be reserved for progression shots. Sadly I haven't fit any of my pants since around the time I found out I was pregnant. So the stretchy/prego pants came out early this time!

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?