Merry Christmas from Down Under!

Wishing everyone near and far 

(especially all of our family and friends)

 a very Merry Christmas!

We love you!

And Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Toddler Talk - Chapter 1

Sir Baby Bennett is no longer baby babbling away, but rather toddler talking. From the most hilarious renditions of a story he is certain he is telling (which I can assure you could only be understood if you speak Mandarin) to simple one word repeats of whatever he hears, he is always keeping us thoroughly entertained and ALWAYS ALWAYS talking.

I decided to keep a list of funny Bennett-isms as they unfold and today I wanted to share that list with you. Bennett is saying PLENTY of words, and most of them sound like what they actually are and/or are easily understood. However, here are some of our favorites that may be a little more coded.

Bennett 17.5 Month Toddler Talk - Chapter 1. 

1. WORD [n. fill in]
• noun
• fill in
• Examples
• fill in
2. Pippy [n. pip-ee; Bennett terms: PIP-EEEEEEEEEEE (squeal)]
• noun
• Airplane
• See also, the most miserable travel duration for Bennett's parents
• Examples
• Waiting on runway for airplane to take off - Bennett looks outside window to see other airplanes waiting to take off/landing/taxing - (high pitched squeal) "PIPPYYYY!!!!!!!" "DADA PIPPPYYYY" "PIPPYYYY!!!!!!!" - repeat 100 times
3. Caccow [n. cah-cow]
• noun
• Cookie
• See also, the only thing Bennett will eat
• Examples
• Repeatedly runs himself into pantry doors, screaming "CACCOW" until treat is received
• Receives cookie/crackers, etc boyishly grins, tucks in teeth and runs away ... taunting Maggie
4. Mo [n. moh]
• noun/Pro-noun
• Maggie (our dog)
• See also, every dog in the universe
• Examples
• We pull into driveway, Bennett excitedly says "Hi Mo!"
• Bennett wakes up in the morning/walks downstairs - see Maggie - "Hi Mo!"
• We're on walk in neighborhood, neighbor is walking their dog - "Hi Mo!"
• We're shopping for birthday cards, card has clever dog on front - Bennett points: "Hi Mo!"
5. Coocoo [n. koo-koo]
• noun
• Clock
• See also, his way of saying hello to PaPaw and GoGo while on face-time
• Examples
• My parents have a Cuckoo Clock and they wind the hands so the birdie will come out to say his magical "Coo Coo" so Bennett can sing and dance, alas - Every clock we see = COO COO
6. Bagh [n. bah]
• noun
• Basement
• Examples
• Bennett stands at top of stairs and points while repeatedly screaming "Bah" and insists we change scenery to go downstairs and play with another set of toys
7. Propel [n. pro-pel]
• noun
• Pretzel
• Examples
• See number 3 above ... this is plan B with the cahcow fails.
8. Bay [n. bay]
• noun
• Baby
• Examples
• Every stroller we see is holding a baby. Bennett politely waves, "Hi BAY!" -- you'd think he was Beyonce or something :)
9. Hot Dog [n. hot dawg; Bennett terms: hawt dah]
• noun
• Mickey Mouse
• See also, something Bennett eats for lunch
• Examples
• I turn on TV - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is screening - Bennett points and yells "HOT DAH!"
• We get into car, Bennett sees iPad (where Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows are pre-downloaded) - Bennett points to iPad and growls "HOT DAH!"
• Bennett sees TV remote - points at TV - screams "Hot DOG!" - insisting I turn on Mickey Mouse clubhouse

I can't wait for Chapter 2, in hopes we can begin to add full sentences :)  Until next time, see ya real soon!

  

Today Is The Day

It's finally arrived ...  The day we make our voyage to the land down under! Here's where we're headed: Cairns, Sydney and Melbourne.

I don't think I got a wink of sleep last night because I was so excited and equal parts terrified to fly that long with little man. Please say a little prayer for us that things go a little better than this:

I'm starting to think these parents really did have the right idea. Maybe I wouldn't have as many enemies after the flight had I just stepped up my Pinterest game.

Welp, here goes nothing! I hope to check back in sometime soon.

Merry Christmas {Card}

Christmas Cards are always one of my favorite parts of the Holiday Season. I love scouring the sites for the perfect card and agonizing over which one I think best fits that year.

Here's a little review of our cards in years past:

2011

2012
(I couldn't get the Tiny Prints site to give me the correct version of the card, s
o I had to pull from the archives to get a picture of this guy!)

2013

And the big reveal for this year's card ...

2014 - Front

2014 - Back

I just love Christmas cards! Can't wait to hang all of our loved ones on the fridge! Merry Merry!