Mothers day

Well this year was my first Mothers day. Ben can't really talk Daniel picked out some special things for me. He had to work on Sunday, but when he got home he gave me this adorable photo frame that says "A mothers love, No greater love". It is so pretty and I can't wait to put a photo in it! Then he gave me a letter that he wrote, printed, decorated and packaged beautifully. He had fun at the Michael's craft store. It was the best gift I have ever received. THen on Tuesday when Daniel was off, he watched Ben while I colored my hair! I used to highlight my hair, but then got married and other things were important, so I am now back in the swing of things and my hair is blonde. We also got to talk to Tucker on Mothers day.

I love my mother! It wasn't until I became one that I fully appreciate her and all that she has done for me.

We have rearranged our room so that my side of the bed is right next to the crib. THe other night we put Ben down and were attempting to use the cry it out method that night (rarely have to do this) and Ben pulled himself up to a standing positions and was trying to peak over the top of the crib. So every little while he would scream and then stand on his tip toes, and try to pull himself up but just couldn't make it. It was sooooooo adorable!


My mother and I decorated flip-flops the other day after she got off work. It was so fun! We each had one pair of brown and one pair of black. We decorated the black ones the same, because we like them so much, but did our brown ones different.

Air show

Friday our little Family went to the new Branson airport for a wonderful air show. We got to see lots of fun planes and helicopters. They had stunt planes and parachuters. The fun thing is they did it at night, so the parachute had flares on and it was neat to watch. Then at the end they had fireworks. It was a really fun evening and Ben had a blast!

Big boy now!

Oh my where does the time go? I was just looking at photos of Ben when he was first born and he has changed SO much since then! I can't believe it. He looks like a totally different kid! I love him to pieces and can't wait for the rest of his siblings!

Ben has hit some major milestones this week:

He can crawl! My relatively EASY child has turned into a mischievous little Houdini.

He fell asleep in his highchair playing with wooden spoons. One minute he was happy and alert and the next he was totally passed out!

He can pull himself up to standing position so we lowered his crib bed to the lowest position, and I can hardly reach him due to the nature of my stature.

He has discovered whining. He has this high pitched squeal that he lets out every few minutes. This kid needs a lot of interaction and attention.

Silver Dollar City

Daniel was able to get us free season passes through his work to the theme park Silver Dollar City. It has roller coaster rides, old time craftsman, activities like panning for gold, and then right now is world fest where they bring in a whole bunch of people from around the world. We went Thursday and had a blast. The park was built over a huge cave called Marvel Cave so this time we decided to take the tour. It is really cool! We had to carry Ben the whole time, but it was still fun. It lasted about an hour and we saw bats, cave formations, and got our picture taken. We also had lunch in the taste of the world...I had moussaka from Greece (It tasted like a hot dish), and Daniel had Bratwurst and sauerkraut from Germany. We saw a show called feet of fire from Ireland and they were amazing! I loved it and hope to someday be able to take lessons on Irish step dancing. Then we went on roller coaster rides. I went on this one called the barn swing where they swing you so high you feel like you will fall out. Then we both took turns on one called blast off. You go from 0-60 mph in 2 seconds. When I got in there was this kid who asked me if I had ever been on this one before, I said no and he said he hadn't either and was a little nervous! They take a photo right away and We had to buy it because of the look on the kids face! Ben loved the whole day. He just sat in his stroller and watched everything happen. We had so much fun and can't wait to go back during the next festival!

Easter!

Ben holding on to Daniels ears!

Coloring eggs

"Hunting" eggs

Easter basket

All his goodies

Easter was such a fun holiday this year! Daniel and I had so much fun filling Ben's eggs. We had to find things to fill them with instead of candy. We mostly did matchbox cars and little animals. We hid eggs under pillows and he did a good job finding them and pulling them out. He wasn't very happy when we were coloring eggs. He colored mommy more than the egg, but it was just for tradition. We also went over to the Guenin's house on Easter and ate good food and had and Easter basket with lots of goodies. Silas my nephew hasn't had a hair cut since he was born and it was starting to get really long, so hid daddy held him while I cut it as fast as I could. I think he looks better after the cut!

Ben's first swim

Ben in his Johnny jump-up

Daniel's birthday

Camo family

Wow! This months seems to be flying by! Well, my baby doesn't seem to look like the child I gave birth to six months ago! He changes on a weekly basis, but it hit me recently how he looks totally different and I love it! We have taken him for his first swim in the pool at Daniel's work. He didn't know what to think of it so he was really quiet and just looked around. I dunked him under so that he gets used to holding his breath if he falls into a pool. My mother did this with me when I was an infant. What you do is blow a burst of air into the babies face and they hold their breath fr a few seconds. You can tell they hold their breath more when they are crying and you blow in their face. I had been practicing this technique since Ben was born so he was really good at holding his breath. Daniel was a little nervous and didn't want me to do it, but it totally worked and we will try again soon!
He said his first word today, although no one believes me. He said "Dad" . It is particularly special today his his dads birthday. What a wonderful gift! We celebrated it last night with family and lots of strawberry short cake! mmmm it was yummy! I probably gained ten pounds from the blessed event. Oh well, I am going to start going to the gym and it will all be a memory full of mmmm's and ahhhh's.
I have started sewing again. I have found an interest in quilting. I don't prefer traditional quilting, but an artistic one. I will show you photos when I am all done and everyone can comment on how weird my ideas are:)
Ben is getting really chubby and I attribute that to his eating veggies every night before bed. I have recently introduced the sippy cup into his universe and he seems to accept it quite well. We have also been taking the picnic basket and going on lunch dates with Daniel. The weather has been nice so we went this past week. I flopped on the food and brought things he doesn't like, but it was fun to interact with him in the middle of the day. We went out to eat at this wonderful Thai food restaurant for his birthday and I am completely satisfied and full! I can't wait to go back!
St. Patrick's day was hectic for us. There was Young womens and we both had a presentation for them, so We didn't get to celebrate like I like to. We all dressed in green, even hazel the pug, and I felt especially special because it was a great holiday. We had a traditional Irish dinner the next night of corned beef and cabbage. It was really flavorful!

Tagged

Answer the following with only one word.

Where is your cell phone?.......................................purse
Your significant other?...........................................Daniel
Your hair?........................................................short
Your mother?.........................................................awesome
Your father?..........................................................loving
Your favorite thing?..................................................Benjamin
Your dream last night..........................................weird
Your favorite drink........................................root beer
Your dream/goal..................................Martha Stewart
The room you're in..........................................small
Your children?...................................................crib
Your Fear?.............................................spiders
Where do you want to be in 6 years?......................?
Where were you last night?................................bed
What you're not?............................................psycho
Muffins?............................................chocolate
One of your wish list items?....................mini cooper
Where'd you grow up?..........................Midwest
What'd you read last?.......................manual
What are you wearing?............................pajamas
Your TV?..........................................none
Your pet?........................................pugs
Your computer?........................................necessity
Your life?...........................................happy
Your mood?................................. tired
Missing someone?..................................Ollie
Your car?...........................................black
Something you're not wearing?.................shoes
Favorite store?...................................Michael's
Your summer?.....................................humid
Like someone?..........................Daniel
Your favorite color?.........................green
Last time you laughed................................minutes
Last time you cried?...........................................yesterday

I Tag Lynette, Michelle, Sarah, Erin, Amanda, and Alyn