Ben's Biplane

December is almost over and we are home for good, for now. We have successfully tackled Benjamin's first Christmas, and then my brother's wedding, and nobody is missing tufts of hair. Is that amazing? To me, it is. It has felt like the longest week of my life, only second to Benjamin's first week of life where I was holed up in a hospital receiving blood and all that jazz. Benjamin slept on an air mattress with me (mostly) all week. I am still trying to figure out how someone can roll and crawl around in a bed and not wake up. I was awake.

Benjamin's first Christmas was so fun and exciting. He got a lot of gifts that he adores, which is so nice. Sometimes it is hard to find stuff that entertains him for a long while, and I think his grandparents (and great-grandparents, and even Great-Aunt and Uncle) hit the jackpot with great gifts! From a Cozy Coupe to books, to Fridge Farm, and so many other things - Benjamin is set!

The highlight of Christmas morning, I think, was coming downstairs to find a Benjamin-sized white airplane sitting by the tree.


It was a gift that everyone kept a secret from me and Carl both, and of course Benjamin. It was a pleasant surprise.

The best thing about it...

It was hand crafted by my dad...

Benjamin's Papaw.

Thank you dad, for such a memorable gift!!!



Speaking of memorable gifts... Benjamin has been practicing his walking ever since Christmas! What a gift!

Hope you all have been having safe holidays! More pics later, and of course some of the wedding!

Holidays and Fish

This is so late in coming but I really do hope you all have had a fantastic holiday season! We are still at my parents' house enjoying time here ... my brother's wedding is coming up in two days so we are all busy getting ready for that!

Christmas pictures are still on the camera so right now I am not able to share those with you, but we had a really wonderful time and Benjamin enjoyed his first Christmas. He enjoyed it so much that he took his first voluntary steps on Christmas day and earlier today he took at least fifteen consecutive steps. We have all been busy!

I have been meaning to share with you some pictures from our Vacation in Charleston, where we visited the Aquarium! So here they are! Enjoy!



Benjamin met a new friend and enjoyed hugging him:





He really liked this Rocking Snail..








Next up, the children's museum, and then Christmas - but excuse me if you don't hear from me until Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday: Surprise!

For more WW, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Let's Talk About...

What I did today: planned birthday stuff, sewed buttons onto a shirt, bought the cutest cardigan at Kohl's, looked and failed to find an adequate Christmas outfit for Benjamin, so settled on a cute sweater.

But let's not talk about that.

Let's talk about vacation. It was so nice to get away for a while, but it was so tiring as well. Benjamin didn't sleep very well of course because of unfamiliar sleeping arrangements:



Although his nap pad and his Eeyore doll were there, he was not used to sleeping in the same room as us. After a couple days we got the hint and moved him into his own room and it was better then!

Anyway, I enjoyed spending time with family. It was good to let others take up Benjamin's attention.






Benjamin decided to practice a few new tricks while there as well, which was fun to watch!



And met a new friend:



Anyway, I just wanted to share a little bit about my vacation. That's not all so stay tuned for more soon!

Benjamin, You Are 11 Months Old!

My little Super Hero is Eleven Months Old! I just can't believe it! You are growing like a weed! Right now you have a little head cold but shouldn't be too much longer and you'll be 100% again! The doctor weighed you yesterday and said you were 20 pounds, 9 ounces! You must be crawling off all those snacks and meals you eat! I was really shocked you hadn't gained too much since your 9 month check up!



You are just the silliest little boy I have ever known! I just love watching you explore your surroundings and interact. You are so funny when you say, "Ho, ho, ho!" into empty glasses or bottles. I think Daddy must have taught you that one. You love going from one thing to another, just exploring and seeing what kind of trouble you can get into.



So far you have taken a few small steps at a time. I counted three the other day, which was remarkable! You are getting better and better at standing alone. I think your tennis shoes have really helped a lot. You like to pull them off, though. Your first word is "Uh, oh!" and you call everyone, especially males, "Dad-da!". When we were at your Great-Mimi's house, you would crawl around calling the dog, Maggie, "Guh!".



I don't think I can keep up with you! You have become busier and busier lately. We are so excited about your first Christmas, but I'm a little apprehensive as well because I know that next month will come your first birthday! Mommy is so not ready!



Ready or not, though ...

Fire Jennings Petition

I really do apologize for the delay in my posting pictures and stories from our trip. We are so busy around this time of year!

I wanted to drop a quick post though to urge you all to sign this petition to get Kevin Jennings, Obama's "Safe" School Czar, fired. You may not know all the details about the sort of books he is trying to get into the school systems for seventh through twelfth graders to read, but it is disgusting and quite literally pornographic literature. You may or may not agree with my beliefs on homosexuality and pedophilia, the like, but I think many will agree that whatever your beliefs are of that, children do NOT need to be reading books full of such filthy sexual exploits involving preschoolers, thirteen year olds, kids and adults, teachers and students ...

I have always been intent on Home schooling, but now more than ever. This is disgusting. This psycho needs to be fired!! Please, sign the petition!

Oh, and please pass the word along. This is so important!

Wordless Wednesday: Helen

Today was the service for Helen Gray. I did not attend but my heart and thoughts were with the family and those who have been affected by this loss.

For more WW, visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Home, Sweet Home

I am back! Two weeks is a long time to be away from one's house, don't you agree? While I was just about dying for a vacation, I am really glad to be home. Even if my home smells like an old person after being shut up for so long with no ventilation. Whatever. Oh, and for those of you who don't know, vacation for mommies is not vacation. Especially when your baby has a hard time sleeping in places that are not familiar. I spent the past two nights sleeping on a futon with just Benjamin. The child crawls around in his sleep. He sits up and flops over, rolls here, there, everywhere. Gets up on his hands and knees. Moans and sighs.

I love that kid, but, really!? Is that necessary?

I'm smiling as I write, though, so you know I don't mind it all that much.

Anyway, so we're home now. My brother's fiance is here with us as well until Saturday I believe. Tonight we had our friends Chris, Kayla, and Mariah over for pizza, and tomorrow is grocery shopping and unpacking and laundry. Phew!

I took a load of pictures, but I'm afraid I won't be able to share them all with you tonight. Here are a few previews of what may be to come:









You're welcome!

Ah, it's good to be home.

Except for the fact that my phone is completely dead now, which is something I won't get into right now....

Ten Random Facts

Hey all! I am on vacation, so I have prepared a few Blog posts to publish while I'm gone! I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about me, and don't worry - you'll get plenty of pictures of our vacation once we get back - and plenty of stories I'm sure!

Make sure you are following my Twitter for short updates throughout the trip! Remember, I'll be back TOMORROW!

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An extra long one today, just in case I don't get around to posting tomorrow. I'm not going to schedule one for the 14th.


One.


I love Giraffes.

Two.


That's my eyecolor.

Three.


My favorite part of my wedding decor was my flowers.

Four.


I am familiar with Atlanta Traffic.

Five.


BBQ Nachos are not as good as they look. And if those don't look good to you, they taste worse.

Six.


My dad did my nails for my wedding.

Seven.


I am deathly afraid of horses and will never ride one again.

Eight.


This used to hang from my rearview mirror. His name is Kenneth.

Nine.


That's my husband, ordering from the back seat at Burger King in New Orleans.

Ten.


I love New Orleans, but I would never want to live there.

See you tomorrow, hopefully!!

Dining In?

Hey all! I am on vacation, so I have prepared a few Blog posts to publish while I'm gone! I hope you enjoy learning a little bit more about me, and don't worry - you'll get plenty of pictures of our vacation once we get back - and plenty of stories I'm sure!

Make sure you are following my Twitter for short updates throughout the trip! Remember, I'll be back December 14th!

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I reaaaallly love my dining room. I love bright colors! Funny thing, though, we didn't know if we'd like it when the paint got on the walls. Definitely didn't know it'd be that bright! But I think it is gorgeous!