Benjamin at four months.

David at five months

I see so many similarities. Do you?

Thought this was post worthy……I came across Ben sticking his little head through the pig at the Ecology Center. I remembered I got that shot last year too. They were taken pretty much one year apart exactly. (Ok, maybe off by a couple of months) You get the concept anyways, right? Isn’t it funny how his head is filling up the hole? Look how is face has matured. I can’t believe my baby. Gosh, imagine when he is 22? Do you think he will still want to stick his head in there? Do you think he will still let me take him to the Ecology center?

Is there something you do now with your kids that you are going to miss down the road? If your kids are grown, what do you remember that brings a smile to your face? Please share…

Having a fenced in backyard is just the best on so many levels. The snow is so tempting for a three year old as it is and when Mommy doesn’t really want to go out because 1. We were JUST out. 2. The baby is awake and getting over being sick. or 3. The stir crazies are kicking in……it is the perfect opportunity for a young explorer to well uh, Explore! The other day he went out and had so much fun. Of course I’m watching him out of every window of the house and giggling. To see him bundled up to the eyes and falling or even trying to make his way through the deep snow just cracks me up. He comes knocking at the kitchen glass door periodically for certain things. A spoon, a bigger spoon because the first spoon is not working, a smaller spoon, another smaller spoon because the one he had went through the pool fence never to be seen again till spring. You know, the usual. Well, my most favorite part is when he puts the snow on the glass door and rubs it all around. He is so focused that he doesn’t even see me with my camera on the other side of the glass with my monster of a lens. His face is that of an angel (to me anyways) and I could watch him all day. Oh wait…I DO. Anyways, here is my little cookie spotting me in the kitchen. (so busted). Too bad I didn’t catch his big smile 2 seconds later.

As you know….the monsta doesn’t like to give those beautiful, natural smiles anymore. It is cheese galore with him. Yesterday was different. We were playing outside and he told me NOT to bring out my camera. I said ok. After we came in to warm up again, I asked him if I could bring it out. (Can you believe I have to ask?) He said yes. We were tackling eachother on the front lawn because that is what a Mom of boys is required to do and I said, OOOH, let me set up the timer and take our picture. He said yes. He sat down, I focused and pressed the shutter and ran to him. He got a kick out that. Everytime the camera beeped faster, he laughed. The 5 pictures I took are all great and I will cherish them forever.

Today was Monsta’s first trip to the dentist.  I have been talking about it all week.  I figured the more prepared he was the better.  This morning, he told me he didn’t want to go but I kept saying that it was no big deal.  I told him that afterwards he would probably say, “I wanna do that again!”  (typical Ben phrase).  Well, we went.  My fingers were crossed.  I asked him if I could bring the camera so I could post the pictures of how brave he was on the blog.  He said Yes.

Here we go:

There were legos to play with and books to read. 

Hanging with David.  So far…so good.  A bit of worry setting in.

David was great support. 

We are called in and he listens very carefully to Dr. Mark.

He lets Ben hold the instruments to get comfortable.  He was really great at explaining before doing.

He practices on Ben’s fingers so he would know what it will feel like.

The mirror thingie went in – no problem.

He let him touch how soft the gloves were and showed him the mask.  I thought that might be a breaking point but he still held strong.

He wasn’t so sure about being laid back in the chair.

Definitely nervous but not cracking. 

Feeling how the toothbrush will be.

You can see he wasn’t to psyched about this part.  Two tears popped out of his eyes but I gave him the I love you sign with my fingers and he did it back.  I held his hand and he swallowed hard and let the Dr. conitnue.

Time for the flouride.  They brushed it on his teeth.  So different from when I was little.  Remember, sitting forever with those plates filled with flouride.  Yuck!

That was it!  He made it through!  He got a toothbrush and pirate stickers AND got to pick a special surprise.  He chose a triceratops (his favorite dinosaur).  We left the office and as he jumps around outside he says, “I wanna do that again!” 

I love him.

My little Monsta LOVES to bake. One of his favorites is banana bread. We have made it many times together and he is pretty much an expert at this point. He tells me to get him his apron and lists the ingredients for me. He sits himself at the table and we begin. It isn’t as messy as it used to be. He is a lot more careful when pouring dumping the stuff in the bowl.  Usually, I get lots of “I love you Mommy” and “You’re the best Mommy in the whole world” and hugs during the whole process.  I think he thinks that the more compliments he gives, the more bread he will get to eat.  I love every second of it no matter what his scheming plan is.  Baking brings the family closer in so many ways.  I’m not even a big baker either.  You all know that I prefer to cook but every once in awhile I get the urge.  Take a look at how happy everyone is. 

Could you pass this up?

Daddy getting in on the action.

Super cold outside and the Monsta has a cold. Decided a little fun was in order. He certainly had fun stacking the books.

Don’t worry……I dressed him up warmly right after and tucked him into bed. zzzzzzzzzzz

Monsta – Mommy can we make sumpin?

Me – Yes, sweetheart. What would you like to make?

Monsta – Sumpin from the box (Our cousin Rachel gave him this cool Box filled with Art projects awhile ago – perfect for those inside days)

Me – That’s a good idea

pulled out box

Monsta – (pointing to the pictures on the box) I wanta make dis dis and dis!

Me – Pick one thing because if we make too many things, we won’t have anything to do the next time.

Monsta – Ok, I wanta make da dawg.

Me – Good choice.

after some smushing and rolling and sticking and pressing and fixing…….

Me – Wow! Ben, look at what you made!

Monsta – It is bootiful Mommy. Now I wanta make da cow.

Me – Ok

he was an expert now.

Nice cow huh?

He was pretty impressed with himself. I love moments like these. I asked him if I could maybe take a picture of him with his two new friends. He said Yes.