Benjamin's Blog

Exhausting

2010-06-21T12:13:00.002-04:00

Ben just said, "I'm exhausting!" I busted out laughing! I think he meant 'exhausted' but I sure wasn't about to mess with the meaning of what he said!!! ♥ Love that kid!

Three Year Olds and Jokes

2010-04-21T16:21:00.000-04:00

Ben: Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Ben: Orange

Me: Orange who?

Ben: Orange you glad I didn't say Butt Nuggett?

Spring Has Sprung

2010-03-29T14:25:00.005-04:00

Benjamin is 3 and almost 5 months. He's sweet and fierce! He's a computer genius!!! He's sooooo handsome!

Ben Gets a Haircut!

2010-02-12T12:42:00.002-05:00

Ben is 3!

2010-02-01T17:32:00.002-05:00

I am a little behind! Ben turned 3 in November!!!

He's still awesome!

Ben Likes the Library Train Table

2009-08-12T16:19:00.002-04:00

Water Boy

2009-08-03T12:31:00.002-04:00

Fun With Markers

2009-07-26T19:16:00.001-04:00

Sweet Boy

2009-06-24T12:56:00.005-04:00

Yesterday Ben was sitting with me in the pool and he pointed up to a cloud that covered the sun and said, "Mom, we're doewing to have a wunderstorm!" with much concern.

I guess all my discussion about the danger of being in the water when there are electrical storms have sunk in with him. I totally adore that he calls it a wunderstorm!! I think I will go and give him some candy.

Here he is with his daddy on Father's Day:
Here he is with Keaton at Keaton's Birthday Party:

Cat Boy

2009-06-15T17:22:00.002-04:00

Benjamin Loves His Daddy

2009-06-06T08:25:00.002-04:00

WoW!

2009-04-06T10:46:00.003-04:00

This morning I made a zebra blanky for Ben. I called him upstairs to give it to him and as he was climbing up the stairs he said,

"Aww, Mom, you made that for me? Wow!"

He loves it! Yay! I win!

And off he goes, back downstairs to play

He's Terribly Terrific Two

2009-04-01T13:59:00.002-04:00

He's so big.

He's so little.

He's not a baby anymore!

He's almost as big a fighter as that 5 year old brother of his.

He's just as sweet, too!

He could scream the ears off of a snake.

I love him a little bit.

Painting Is Fun

2009-03-16T16:17:00.003-04:00

Today I let Ben paint with a paintbrush and his fingers. He really liked it and it was very entertaining to watch him be creative and experience the look and feel of the paint on his hands and on the paper.

Potty Dance

2009-03-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

Benjamin woke up this morning and said, "Mom, I want to pee in the potty."

Then I took off his diaper, sat him on the potty, and he did pee!

Walter has been taking him to the potty for a little over a week at diaper changes. He's really getting the hang of it!!

Woo Hoo, Ben!

Cuteness Overload ~ Not Really Possible!

2009-03-15T17:38:00.002-04:00

Cuteness

2009-01-26T19:35:00.002-05:00

Two Years and Two Months

2009-01-05T19:42:00.003-05:00

Ben talks in sentences these days. He is delightful. Sometimes I look at him and see my wonderful little baby - and then he says, "Mommy, when can we have dinner?"

"Mommy, I'm poopy, I'm stinky!"
"Play Play-Doh, Daddy. Just one minute, please!"
"It's puzzle time!"
"This is not hot, it's just warm."

Today he brought me the piggy bank and a screw driver and said, "I want the money out. Open it, Mommy."

Not The Baby Anymore

2008-12-11T20:35:00.003-05:00

Two Years One Month

2008-12-05T11:08:00.004-05:00

Ben is sooooo funny. He is a big joker and kidder. He has the best hugs and kisses of any toddler! He's very expressive and really let's you know what he thinks about the situation he's in! He stands up to his brothers and I think soon he will be able to take them both at the same time. He is big and strong!

Ben loves to sing and count. He amazes us sometimes with what he says and does!

Benjamin is TWO!

2008-11-07T09:08:00.001-05:00

Ben turned two on November 4th. I was able to be off from work that day and spent some special time with him and remembering the months prior to his birth. From the beginning August to mid-October in 2006 I was very ill. I spent many weeks in the hospital, including my birthday, I had pneumonia, lost 70 pounds, and had surgery to remove my gall bladder in September of that year. The surgeon said he could see my baby when he was operating on me. I couldn’t process food. I threw up a lot, once for 26 hours straight – every 10-15 minutes. Nurses cried for me. I had a feeding tube, a pain pump, two pic lines, and many, many drugs. There was a specialist on drug addiction involved in my case, he told me that I would go into detox and my baby would be born addicted, he wore a Porsche tie, he was rude. I had a home care nurse when I was able to be at home, but almost every time I went home, I was back in the hospital within 24-48 hours. I had pre-term labor 3 times, I rode in an ambulance, my children didn’t want to see me in the hospital and were angry with Walter when he had to take me…over and over. I looked awful. (There is so much more to this story that I could tell, but this is not the time or place! So many people helped us during the time I was sick, and God was ever-obviously present.)

Through all of that I had many ultrasounds to check on Benjamin. He was always healthy, never fazed or affected by what was going on outside my womb. He grew normally.

On November 4th, 2006, I had trouble sleeping, at 2 am I had to go to the bathroom and when I had finished, labor struck intensely. I could hardly walk to the living room to get Walter. We called our neighbor to come sit with Ethan and Dan and Jeannie to come to the house for the rest of the night and next day. We called my mom and told her to come to the hospital. She wanted to be at one of my births and this would be her last chance. We paged Dr. Wolanski and were in the car on the way to the interstate when he called back. He asked to speak with me and after asking a few questions said, “How long will it take you to get to the hospital?” I could tell that he knew where this was going…I wasn’t due for two weeks, but this was it. He told us to hurry and he would meet us there.

We arrived at the hospital just after 3 am. The contractions were really hard and fast. Walter went to park the car while a security guard took me to Labor and delivery. I saw Dr. Wolanski walk into the ward just as I was going into my room. It took about ten minutes for them to get me settled in the bed and Dr. W. came in. He wanted to check me and as he reached toward me, my water broke! He asked the nurse if the bed conversion was ready and she asked if he’d like to get changed into scrubs – he said please get the bed converted – there is no time. Walter came in as I was beginning to push and a few pushes later Benjamin was born at 3:23 am. He was beautiful, whole and healthy. He had been one of the most prayed and worried over babies that I have ever known – and he was finally born! Walter called my mom and let her know that Benjamin was born. She was sad to have missed it, but was so relieved that he was healthy and I was healthy!

As soon as he was born, I felt well again. I was ready to go home. All day Saturday I begged to be released. Dr. Wolanski released us on Sunday morning. We went home joyously!

Ben has been the most delightful baby and child. I feel so blessed to have him and to have come through all we did so well.

On Tuesday morning I said, “Happy Birthday, Ben!” and he replied, “Happy Birthday, Mommy!”

Smile everyone and hug your kids, your spouse, and your family. We are all truly blessed.

One Year and Eleven Months Old

2008-10-12T20:46:00.003-04:00

You've Gotta Love Him!

Really - you have to. It's mandatory...

One Year and Ten Months Old

2008-09-03T10:18:00.002-04:00

I did it again: I buzzed Ben's hair off! He's just SO cute when you can see all of his facial features in such a pronounced way. When he has his long, glorious curls, it just makes his striking adorability less noticeable! The funniest thing this time is that he knows his hair is gone. I wish you could all see and talk to him about it!

So Cute...

2008-08-22T19:16:00.002-04:00

One Year and Nine Months Old

2008-08-18T19:56:00.002-04:00

Ben is talking in two and three word phrases now! He loves to read books and go to the library. He is learning to count, along with Daniel, in English and in Spanish. He wants to be outside all the time. His current favorite thing to do is to get a bottle of water out of the fridge, open it with his teeth, take a drink, and then dump the rest on the floor. Oh, the joy!

One Year and Eight Months Old

2008-08-06T13:13:00.004-04:00

One Year and Seven Months

2008-06-26T11:25:00.005-04:00

Go ahead, we laughed at him too.

One Year and Six Months Old

2008-06-26T11:10:00.003-04:00

Benjamin was very popular with his cousins! Who am I kidding, Ben is popular with everyone. He's just that cute!

Benna Benna Boo Boo Boo

2008-04-29T10:59:00.007-04:00

Blowing Kisses

Hammin' it up!

Peek A Boo

"I'm going to get you!"

Cuteness!

One Year and Five Months Old

2008-04-06T18:35:00.003-04:00

Benjamin is jabbering all the time these days. He really can talk! He reminds me of Emma, one of the girls I took care of in Virginia. She talked non-stop, but it was nearly impossible to understand what she said!! Benjamin's speech is even harder to decipher. :-) Ben has gained a great dislike for his high chair. He always wants to sit in a regular chair now! Ben is much like Daniel; he wants to be outside all the time. It's a battle to get him in the house when we get home in the evening and especially if we have been outside playing. Ben points to his nose, hair, belly, ear, eye, and teeth on command, and speaks the words -though he does not say the words clearly. Rick, our neighbor is trying to teach him body words like clavicle, scapula, humerus, phalanges, etc... It is very funny! Ben likes to rearrange the furniture! Ben loves to dance and sing. He is a real cutie pie and oh so much fun!!!

One Year and Four Months Old-Post 2!

2008-03-14T15:27:00.005-04:00

He's just about too cute for words!

Oh, don't you just want to squeeze him?!

One Year and Four Months Old

2008-03-05T09:32:00.010-05:00

Ben is constantly on the move. He aims stright for the stairs everytime we forget to put the gate up, now he can go up and down by himself! He loves to eat! He loves books and reading. He doesn't say many words, but I think it's because he had so many ear infections in a row. He is beginning to speak more clearly and says new words every day. He is pretty agressive with his affection, especially with his brothers! We are teaching him to be more gentle!

One Year and Three Months Old

2008-02-26T13:07:00.003-05:00

Benjamin is growing up! He walks everywhere and climbs up and down the stairs. He knows some sign language and uses it in conjunction with the spoken words now. It's very cool!

This little boy is a blessing! He is quite often found right in the big middle of everything - we all like him there!

One Year and Two Months Old

2008-01-13T18:09:00.000-05:00

Benjamin is growing up so quickly. Time flies by and I cannot keep up! Ben loves to play with Daniel and Ethan is one of his favorite comforters. He loves being one of the boys and especially being the center of attention!

Little Benna Loves His Daddy

2008-01-13T18:02:00.001-05:00

Just before I shot this photo, Ben had his arms around Walter, giving him a hug and he leaned his head on Walter's back. It was an immensely sweet moment.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T19:17:00.001-05:00

Benjamin got a haircut for the New Year!

Also Known As...

2007-12-25T20:45:00.001-05:00

CANDY CANE BOY:

One Year and One Month Old

2007-12-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

Benjamin is a walking, talking, laughing, and dancing toddler. This fall has been pretty rough on him with ear infection after ear infection and then pneumonia, but he is doing much better now (knock wood) and has been a total delight through it all.

Benjamin loves music and a good dance beat. He raises the roof, sings and dances! He says, "Wow!" all the time! He finally calls me mama, but has brought home the old saying, "be careful what you ask for..." At two am, "MAMA!" is not nearly as appealing as I thought it might be! Benjamin loves kisses and hugs and especially loves his brothers! It's amazing to see him imitate them and strive to be just like Daniel (the horror! KIDDING!!).

Ben Loves Grandma and Grandpa!

2007-11-24T22:03:00.000-05:00

Ben has very much enjoyed having Grandma and Grandpa here from Virginia.

Proof That He Walks!

2007-11-09T17:36:00.000-05:00

Happy First Birthday to Benjamin

2007-11-05T21:48:00.000-05:00

Halloween

2007-11-05T21:35:00.000-05:00

Benjamin was a happy chicken for Halloween. He wore his costume like a champ, and thought all the other people were quite interesting to look at!

HE WALKS!

2007-10-22T20:01:00.000-04:00

Psssst: Don't tell Jeannie, but Ben is walking now. It just made me cry. OH, my baby is so grown up!!

Eleven Months Old

2007-10-21T21:43:00.000-04:00

Benjamin is growing up! He took his first few steps two weeks ago to his Aunt Lindsey. He says a lot of words vocally and some in sign language. He refuses to eat baby food at all. EVER. Benjamin loves both of his brothers very much and seeks them out for different and multiple reasons. He loves the bath and he really likes books (to eat). These days, Ben is sleeping in his own bed in his own room!! His favorite part of our new home is the staircase; he takes off up the stairs at every chance he gets! Late in September, Benjamin had his first airplane flights when we travelled to Dallas to visit Aunt LaVerne, Grandmommy, and Papa.

Ten Months Old

2007-09-04T20:44:00.000-04:00

Today, Benjamin turned ten months old. He smiles all the time and laughs a lot! He is cruising around furniture, singing, waving, teasing me by saying dada every time I say mama, and he is now totally weaned. I stopped breast feeding him on Sunday the 26th of August. He is doing ok with a sippy cup, but refuses a bottle from anyone but me. Oh well, he's not losing weight, so I am not going to worry now...

9 Months Old

2007-09-04T12:18:00.001-04:00

Benjamin turned nine months old in Kentucky! We stayed with Walter's sister, Laurie, and her husband, Al, when we first got here. Ben was afraid of their dog, Arnie, at first, but got used to him and even crawled after him to pet him when he was finally comfortable with him!! Ben continues to be a delightful baby. We spent some fun days this month in Aunt Laurie's blow-up pool in the backyard. Ben is a real water baby - he loves the water and splashes bigger and better than Ethan and Daniel ever could have!!

Laughter Is My Best Medicine

2007-07-21T11:19:00.001-04:00

Sweet Baby Ben

2007-07-21T10:55:00.000-04:00

Jeannie Rocking Ben to Sleep

Ben in the Tub

Ben and Mommy

2007-07-04T15:56:00.000-04:00

Eight Months Old

We travelled to Louisville for a family vacation and ben had a blast. He has two new teeth on the top, can pull up with no assistance, walks on all fours, crawls like a champ, says "dada" all the time, crinkles his nose when he smiles, flirts with girls, wants real food, and more. Ben is a really delightful baby!

2007-06-05T10:32:00.000-04:00

Seven Months Old

Benjamin is seven months old! He is crawling forward, backward, sideways, etc. He can get to whatever he wants if you give him enough time and space! Ben says, "dada" all the time and even calls me dada too! He makes a lot of noise and has a super growly squeal that is horror movie worthy! He has two teeth on the bottom now and is working on his two middle top teeth. Ben eats like a growing boy should, loves sweet potatoes and corn and hawaiian delight. I wish you could all see how he's changing each day. He's a real delight in our family.

Rub a dub dub, three boys in the tub!

Ben and Bubbles!

One happy baby!

Huggies commercial!

Ben and Dan playing in the crib.

Teething/Cleaning up!

So Happy!

Benjamin=Beautiful!

2007-05-15T11:42:00.000-04:00

2007-05-04T09:52:00.000-04:00

Six Months Old

Ben has had his first cereal, his first sippy cup, has his first tooth, first double ear infection, and now his first haircut. He's a cutie and very loveable. You should come hold him!

2007-04-18T18:56:00.000-04:00

Toe Sucker!

Ben has found his toes!

2007-04-10T10:15:00.000-04:00

First Cereal!

On Saturday, we fed Benjamin his very first rice cereal. He liked it, but was not super enthused about eating from a spoon. He did like chewing on the spoon! I can't believe that Ben is already more than 5 months old. Time really does fly by!

2007-04-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

2007-04-05T17:04:00.000-04:00

Five Months Old

Ben is five months old now! He can roll from front to back and over again. He scoots around on the floor and can nearly get in the crawl position, but he can't hold it for long. I find him sleeping on his tummy more often now - even thought he always starts out on his back.

Ben is a very vocal baby! He "talks" all the time. He laughs a lot too! He's very ticklish all over! We are having so much fun with him and everyone who sees him, holds him, hears him - well, they all just LOVE him!

He is so beautiful!

He chews on anything he can get to his mouth!
He yells at his toys!
He has an awesome smile!
Those eyes!! That drool!!

2007-03-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

Cuter and Cuter!

I just feel so blessed to have this delicious child! Benjamin is delightful. He's very strong and loves his exersaucer. He's learning to push the buttons on it and he can turn all around in the seat. I can't lay him in his bed before he's asleep now because he immediately flips over to his tummy and can't get back over to his back. Fortunately, I love to hold him when he's sleepy and I don't think he minds so much either. :-) Oh that smile!!

2007-03-06T20:11:00.000-05:00

Four Months Old

Benjamin is four months old now! He was at the Crown Plaza at Fort McGruder in Williamsburg for his birthday (he was created there last year :-)). Ben has the cutest squeal/squeak, and his laugh is really fun. I wish you could all see him! He loves to have floor time and can *almost* turn from the back to the front. He can roll front to back anytime! He still sucks his thumb, now he chews his fist and fingers too. I think he's teething. His dimple is so cute!!

2007-02-14T10:52:00.000-05:00

Thumbs Up!

Ben has surely become a thumb sucker now! He really comforts himself with his thumb well. I am not upset about this!!

2007-02-05T10:05:00.000-05:00

Three Months Old!

Ben is three months old now. He is delightful! He hasnt really progressed in the rolling over department, but he is very vocal and swings his arms and kicks his legs a lot! He found his thumb and comforts himself with it. He's a super duper sleep fighter, but he sleeps through the night, so I'm not complaining!

2007-01-22T21:51:00.000-05:00

Rolie Polie

Benjamin rolled over for the first time from his tummy to his back on Tuesday, January 16th, 2007! Today in his bath he laughed and kicked his feet to splash the water. It was fun!

2007-01-09T12:24:00.001-05:00

Benjamin is two months old. He smiles, laughs, and holds his head up now. He really likes his brothers and smiles at them a lot. He loves to swing and is sleeping through most of the night so Mommy and Daddy are getting more sleep now, which is a really good thing!

2006-12-14T15:55:00.000-05:00

Benjamin is loved!

2006-12-06T12:03:00.000-05:00

2006-12-06T11:45:00.000-05:00

Benjamin at one month.

2006-11-14T19:26:00.000-05:00

Here he is, our new little miracle. He was born on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 3:23 AM at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. He weighed 7 lbs. and was 19 1/4 inches long.