Springtime Fun

This past weekend we had a visit at Granny Carol's house. Ben put his toes in the hot-tub for the first time which he loved(seen here w/Ma, Pa, and Uncle Steve). He would have loved to jump in, I'm sure! At the end of our day we took him out on the front lawn for a photo shoot. He was not too sure about the grass, but stayed happy as long as not too much of him was actually touching the grass-especially his little hands. The last photo depicts the latest craze at our house-cupboards and drawers!! Ben believes it is his duty to unload the cupboards, my underwear drawer, or any other thing he can get into. Yes, this means a whole lot more childproofing, and yes, a few crunched fingers too (in the cupboard doors), but we're keeping our sense(s) of humor!

Photos to go w/the last post

Springtime in the Yard

Oh Boy, on this warmest day of the year, Benjamin decided to take his first spin in the wagon that the Millers handed down to him. *Thanks guys! What fun! I think he might tell you, if you asked, that his favorite part was saying, "Uuuuuhhhhhhhh" as he bumped up the gravel driveway. As they say, it's the little things. Besides the wagon ride, he had his first sit in the grass, first trip to the (fabulous and growing) Bellingham Farmers Market and lots of fun watching Dad mow the lawn. We three all agree, it was an awesome spring day!

*For some reason our photos failed to post from Picassa with the text...wierd.

Playing with Grandma at Aunt Julie's

Caption: Little Mariner loves his grandma.

Daddy-O is home!! Okay, he's been home for a couple of weeks now, but we have been so busy...catching up, having a Hebert-family get together, back to school and work, and back to f-a-m-i-l-y and Daddy time, yay! Could life be sweeter?

Deer Party

More wilderness at our house! I found these guys in our front yard today when I came around the corner of the garage to take out the trash. At the same time, Ben was waking up from his nap. When we looked out the window at the deer he laughed and smiled. I think he thought they were dogs. We love our home.

Ben.Liam.Moto

Benjamin says: "It's super handy to have friends that can walk...then they can push me around on my moto. Fun, fun, fun!"
This afternoon when I arrived home from work (my second day!) Liam and his Mama, Ariel, were here picking up the carseat that they bought from us. No, I've not become a carseat dealer, I just ordered TWO online by mistake. Luckily I have lots of Mama friends to help me with my little predicament! Anyway the boys had such fun playing. Liam has been walking just as of this past week. He is going for it with full gusto, falling lots and making strides, you know, building up his skills. It's amazing how fast this is happening for the little guys. Ben's still working on those darn top teeth. The one on his left is poking through and the other will break through any time, bringing him more relief...untill the next one's start! :o) Today was day two with Grandma Ben-sitting for four hours. Yesterday she logged an hour on the treadmill with Ben in the Bjorn trying to get him down for a nap. Maybe I should be charging her for a gym membership. Naaaaahhh! Today was much smoother as we made sure Ben was down for a good first nap before I left. This made for a fun day for Ben and Grandma here at the homestead. Oh and I must report that Benjamin chowed down tonight on a new food-asparagus! Who knew? He ate almost two whole spears of blanched asparagus. It is so heartwarming to feed him such fresh/wholesome food and for him to enjoy it. He also ate a bunch of apples/blueberries/oatmeal today. We're going to have to start calling him Hungry Man!

Caption: Benjamin sharing smiles with our friend Sarah. Our dear, dear, dear friend Sarah came for a visit during her whirlwind tour of Western Washington from her current home in Mass. So many people who love her, and so little time! It was so fun to have her over and share maternity and new mom stuff with her as she did for me not long ago, and to laugh, eat brownies, and just be girls. Then lunch and dinner the following day...ah good times! We know her sweet Avry and Matt will be so happy to have her back later this week. Well that is basically our ode to Sarah. We can't wait to see her and the boys in August when they will welcome the newest member of their family. Sarah, if you're reading this: You are a peachy peach and we love you. Thanks for coming to visit!!

Beach Walkin'

Okay I mostly want to post this to show off my new hair again...but look how cute my little papoose is! We had so much fun today at Grandma's house beach walkin and just hanging out. As I said to Benjamin as we were driving out Sandy Point..."livin' the dream little buddy, this is called livin' the dream."

A fun visit

I just want to post this special photo from the weekend. We had fun playing on the floor together.
Later I was loading the car to go and as I ran back from the car, I saw Grandma Doreen actually bend straight over and scoop Ben up as he was wailing. She'd be the first to tell you that she doesn't bend down and lift very much these days. I doubt there is much she wouldn't do for her sweet Benjamin though.

Mom's New Hair

I don't know what you think, reader, but judging my Benjamin's expression in both photos...I think he LIKES it! I love it myself.

Well, as our friend Last Days would say, "nothing happened today" (besides the fabulous haircut).
Okay actually the sun shined, teething continued, and we had fun on our outing to get gas and cat litter--wait, that IS actually kind of nothing. :o)

Props and thanks to Grandma Sharon who made this haircut possible today AND to Grandma and Grandpa Allen who made us so comfortbale and took such good care of us over the weekend. We are grateful to be so loved!

More Pics

Frustrated with the bloggy blog

Photo: Smiling for Daddy!

I don't know why I have such trouble sometimes trying to put in a new slideshow (inviting blogger to talk to my picasa WebAlbum). dang it. So I'm just going to insert the photos here. There aren't that many anyway. Today has been a good day except for the past 30 minutes-refer to previous sentence. :-) We hosted playgroup which was fun. I had the chance to talk a little about being a mama for a friend's documentary. I'm excited to see that when it’s completed. Also in that realm...Marcie's baby is here! Zaia Jasmine Connell is earlier than expected so all I could say on the phone is "WHAT?! Baby girl two days ago...What?!" Once I got over that I found out that she and mama are healthy and doing well. She weighed in at 5 lbs and 13 oz. despite being 6 weeks early. We'll be keeping the Connells in our thoughts and I suppose I better get a tasty dinner whipped up for when they come home next week. Oh what a happy day! It seems like something interesting happened today...Oh! Just remembered that Oprah is making over housewives today and gonna tell the world the 10 must have items one needs in the closet. I need this information! I would be surprised if I have any of these things since every time I look in my closet I say "ugh". It has been an exercise in creativity, getting dressed, for the past little while. So I'm tuned in now-don't worry. Now tonight after hooking up with Grandma, Papa Jerry, and Dylan for a little dinner, we came home and were enjoying pears when I heard a tap tap at the slider. The darn coonz were there, a pair of 'em, pulling the rubber gasket-thing off of the screen door the little buggers (no, that's not what I would like to call them!) We need that thing to keep the bugs out in the summertime, you thugs! Man, they rile me up. Okay update: I actually have a few of the items on the list-whew! I did get some good ideas on how to wear some things. How fun. Speaking of politicians Oprah supports, Barack Obama, seems to be taking this primary season by storm. Yea! If you have not been tuning in, see the post from a few weekends ago when Benjamin caucused for Barack. Oh yea, we have to take some of the credit for supporting his vision. Okay...it's photo time.

Valentines and things

Cupid came to our door this year...with flowers. It feels like spring in our living room and I love it! What a treat to be able to enjoy flowers on a low ledge-that won't be the case for long as the little man gets moving. As you can see Ben's little moto is also good for loungin' -he sure thinks so.

fun with an apple

This photo makes me smile. It's like he's saying with his eyes, "Whuuuuuut?" As I was enjoying this apple this afternoon he was looking at me so longingly. I decided to bite off a large hunk so I could hold it and let him suck on the end-no deal. He wanted to hold and experience the apple, I could tell. I quickly got over my projections about sticky fingers and toys and blanket and gave it to him. Don't worry grandmas-there were no small pieces to bite off. Oh to discover an apple for the first time. Once he gets teeth on the top it probably won't be safe to play like this so we're going to enjoy it while we can!

Ben's new ride

Hey there Dad, check out Ben's new toy--I mean, ride. We found this gem at the consignment store last week. I was surprised at how he really liked sitting on it. Although he looks very in charge of the wee vehicle, I (mama) am the power behind any movement and also must be ever-present to catch him if he starts to slide off--but what fun! He enjoys being pushed around on it and is quite happy just to "be" on it. I wonder when he'll be wheelin' the thing around? Missing you like crazy, Daddy-o!

busy little man

We've been busy, Benjamin and I. The past couple of days have been...well, tiring. We've been having fun though! Do you notice anything exciting about the photo from the doctor? Ben can hold himself up! I discovered this Thursday when I experimented by putting him down belly first with his arms down. It’s a fledgling skill and he doesn't stay up for a real long time, but he's on his way for sure! Now in the other photos, can you read his sticker?? It says "I caucused for Obama today." Okay, it would be more accurate if the sticker said, "I flirted with grandmothers, nursed, and took a nap for Obama at the democratic caucus today," but who's keeping track? Making people smile, participating in the democratic process...it's all in a day's work for wee Benjamin. I'm so proud! We miss you daddy-o, but we're happy to represent today for the family!

As Pooh would say...a blustery day

Well how's this for a future Abercrombie ad? Just kidding! Today we give many thanks to Grandma Sharon who made the fun hat and told Santa about the fabulous blocks Ben wanted for Christmas. After carefully wiping them of any lingering manufacturing materials, I let the blocks loose. You know, our son did exactly what the Baby Book said he would. "When you give your child the second block see what he does. He'll probably bang them together,"-Yes! What fun to discover blocks. These are such interesting blocks too because they have fun designs, foil paper, a bell inside one...fun, fun, fun. We must admit that our big interaction with the blusteriness outside today has been...a walk to the mailbox. Between a phone call from Daddy (yay!) and playing, and eating bananas, we just didn't make it out today. Tommorrow is a big road trip though, to Seattle. We'll report back! Oh! We almost forgot to say that our friends John and Alysa came over tonight and brought with them Thai food. What fun to catch up and have many laughs. If you'd like to have a fun laugh follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OBlgSz8sSM
Don't forget to check out the new slide show today. :-)

This is my favorite picture from Ben's first Superbowl. At least we heard the Superbowl game was played. We saw a couple of commercials, but mostly we were busy smiling at Aunt Robin and Lisa, giggling with Gramma Sharon, and eating banannas. Hey...what would you choose? Today (2 days post Superbowl and Super Tuesday) we find ourselves home. This morning Benjamin found himself often distracted and quite mesmerized by the show nature put on just for him. Every window or skylight was showing it: the branches and leaves of the trees swaying in the wind with ssshhhhh sounds. Who need music or toys when we have this?! He also seems to be working on another tooth-on the top this time. No real toothy evidence yet just the constant whining coming out of him, lots of chewing, and a little mommy intuition.

At times (like tonight) when I wonder why it feels like the right side of my pelvis is not talking to the left side...I just have ot think of this.----->

Then it all makes sense. *What a small price to pay, though. :-)

y.u.m.

Tonight we had so much fun with our friend Brenda. Oh, and Abbe the dog too.

We created chicken tikka masala with brown rice and delicata rings for dinner-amazing! For dessert we had hemp brownies with marshmallows. For later we also made mushroom-sesame tofu soup and quinoa/cranberry muffins. My tastebuds are still dancing! What a treat to have our kitchen filled with the smells of delicously healthy food and the loving energy of good friends. Yes, I'd say it has been a good day. The sun also made a welcome appearance at our house today-shining in around the room-darkening shades as an unexpected guest at naptime. Who needs a nap when the sun is shining anyway?!

A New Friend...

Today is a happy day as we join our friends B&A as they welcome their new baby (R) to the world. Another buddy for Benjamin-yay! We're sending lots of love to the new family. Happy Birthday baby R. We love you already!!

In celebration we want to quote one of our favorite books,

On The Day You Were Born by Debra Frasier:

"On the day you were born the Moon pulled on the ocean below, and, wave by wave, a rising tide washed the beaches clean for your footprints...while far out at sea clouds swelled with water drops, sailed to shore on a wind, and rained you a welcome across the Earth's green lands.

Hey there Daddy-O! How do you like my new retro bib? Pretty Stylish, aye?
It's made of coated canvas so Mamallama can easily swipe the pear/blueberry/yam right off.





accidental perfect picture: I didn't think about the probablity that Benny would turn to look at me rather than keep looking at the camera.

I bought this sippy cup (online) for Ben after contemplating and worrying about what the safest option is. I think I may just have found it...Klean Kanteen. Can't wait till it gets here!