Life Lately {Photo Dump}

I've been a little absent in blogland lately, and I blame that on my son who has gone from a sweet little cruiser to a full throttle, non stop, bundle of dirty boy energy that I am so busy chasing around I forget there is anything else actually happening in this world. But, don't be fooled. There has been ALOT happening in our world, I've just failed to share.

So let me enlighten you … and reminisce a bit on this spring/beginning of summer because it's rushing by so fast and I fear if I don't share snippets I will forget all together.

We celebrated my daddy-o receiving a huge honor from his alma mater.

We watched my beloved wildcats play in the National Championship! (the money was a bet …we lost … booooooo)

We took a stroll on the FINALLY complete Big Four Bridge.

 We welcomed home my baby brother after his semester abroad.

We celebrated Derby festivities in the Bluegrass. Winefestin' baby.

We made appearances at all of the happening Oaks and Derby parties.  And BUBs beginner's luck paid off - California Chrome baby!

 Bennett got his first piece of mail, and it was the greatest day ever.

 We made funny faces and had snuggle sessions with cousins.

We kicked off wedding season with a bang.

We celebrated my first Momma's day!

And of course, celebrated the Big Guys birthday no not baby Bennett…that's coming way too soon though ;)

Baby Bennett and I took a weekend trip with Grandma to Northern Tennessee

And then the following weekend I took your daddy back to Nashville for a night on the town!

Then we high tailed it out of Music City and headed straight to the lake for a weekend of sunshine and Memorial Day fun with some of our favorite people!

We took a fabulous sunny vacay to Destin, FL with Hub's side of the family.

We toured a pretty sweet place with PaPaw and were amazed by garden entrances and fancy toilets

 We took neighborhood walks and cheered on the swim team.

And oh my sweet heavens, we bought your daddy's college house as a rental. Lord help me to think you may live there one day. Whew!

Now, I need to try and catch my breath … regain my strength … and get ready to take on summer. Sweet summer time, we're ready for you!

Bennett: The Home Stretch

First and foremost, I need to wish a Happy Happy Father's day to two of the most important men in my life:

To my father for giving me such a solid foundation and teaching me to embrace change and independence, I love you dad.

And second, to my husband. For giving our son the greatest role model and best buddy a little guy could ask for. We love you Shane. 

Now, onto the update of the little guy.  Here we go gang, the home stretch. The final days leading up to our little guy turning an entire year old. Good golly, I. CAN'T. HANDLE. IT.

Hands down this has been my favorite couple of months. I have loved every second of your sweet babyness (today, it's a word ... so just roll with it), don't get me wrong … but watching your little personality develop, feeding you real foods, having you kiss or hug me and actually mean it, and to laugh at something on your own. It's too much. You're just too great. Geesh. Okay, let's see what you've been up to...



How big are you? (these staged monthly photos are getting more and more challenging, because you don't stay put anymore!)

• 10 months
• Height: 30.74 inches (91st percentile)
• Weight: 19lbs 10oz (25th percentile)
• Head: 46 cm (60th percentile) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 11 months
• Height: 31 inches (? percentile)
• Weight: 20lbs 11.5oz (? percentile)
• Head: 46.5 cm (? percentile)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

What's Your Temperament:

• Busy. Busy. Busy (in this photo you successfully removed a window pane from our kitchen ... since this photo you have removed two more in the office ... We get it Bennett, you want us to redecorate. But, if you could just hold off for a little while and let us enjoy the panes for a little while longer, we'd appreciate it)
  
• Baby boy, you are hysterical. You have one of the best dispositions of a baby I have ever seen.
• You are so friendly to everyone you meet, you nearly always have a smile on your face.
  
• You are determined to figure things out on your own.
• You make sure you are the center of attention.
  
• And even though you aren't saying real words … you make sure to let someone know if you want more, dislike a change, or simply want their attention. You work it boy. 
  
• No doubt, your smiles and belly laughs are still the best part of our day. You've also figured out that you are supposed to smile when you see someone and you have developed a sort of "fake" smile and it's impressive child. Already working the crowd. 
• Let's talk talking again … everything in your world is Da-Da. You can say tons of sounds and do so on your own, but anytime we ask you to say something you only say Da-Da … you RASCAL!
  
• You can say how a cow goes (mooooo)
• You can say how a monkey goes (ooooh oohhh ahhh ahhh)
• You can say a ton of other things, but not really on command and I'm unsure you know what you're saying

What are you eating?

• You're eating all kinds of foods! And you absolutely love it! 
  
• So far you've haven't met many foods you don't like, meat seems to be a struggle but other than that you're all in.
• Current favorites include:
• Any kind of fruit - clementines, pears, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and pineapple are the current favorites
• Cheerios, mini peanut butter and cheese crackers and goldfish are our fave snacks
• Colby jack cheese
• Egg noodles cooked in chicken broth
• You get 3 full meals a day (usually Turkey or Chicken, some sort of noodle, and a fruit or veggie) paired with a sippy cup with a STRAW because you hate sippies! And then you get 2 8 oz bottles every day: one in the morning and one before bedtime. And you often get a trainer bottle/sippy of formula around midday.
  
• You're still eating nearly every 3 hours ... and sometimes we can stretch you a little longer to 3.5-4 hours in between 
• Enfamil Gentleease is still your formula ... and you also drink water and apple juice. And PaPaw likes you sneak you diet coke every once in a while :)

What are you sporting?

• Still cruisin' in #3 diapers, but wearing a #4 baby dry at night, and still Pampers people.
• Avent paci's when you want one. But they're not a big time play for you unless you're having a rough time falling to sleep. 
• You're wearing all 12 month sleepers, and we've added 18 month items into the mix as well. It's funny because you have no problem filling them out lengthwise, but you are SO skinny we need to take in the waist bands. 
  
• You're pretty chill when it comes to hats, but other accessories seem to come off immediately.
• You're also walking {EVERYWHERE} now, so shoes have made their way into our lives. You seem to do best with light soles or moccasin style and Roobeez are the best ones for you. I also just purchased you your first sandals (a fresh pair of Nikes) and oh those little baby toes. Too much!

How are you sleeping?

• Still pretty amazing compared to other little tykes I've heard of.
  
• Since you're putting yourself to sleep, the schedule is about the same but going a little later with the summer months. Bath, bottle then bedtime between 8-8:30 and you're up and at em between 6 and 7 am. 
• Your naps are getting much more patterned. Somewhere between 2-3 a day depending on how long each of them are.
• They are usually around 8am, 11am and 3pm
• Still loving your Halo Sleep Sack!

Bennett likes and dislikes:

• Likes:
• Being on the move. 
  
• Walking. Walking. Walking.
• You took your first steps the day before Easter Sunday and your daddy and I were both there to see it.  You took them in between the island and our kitchen table and we both looked at one another, screamed (and scared you) picked you up, snuggled you and cheered with you. It was a big day buddy. Big day. And you've been on the move ever since.
• Your highchair! You like to play in it and drop all of your toys all over the ground. Plus, it usually means food is close by and heavens we know you love that!
• BATH TIME. You LOVVVEE bath time. And your bath time toys! 

• Anyone talking or singing to you, you're such a social little butterfly!
• Holy stairs. You love to climb up them and turn around and look at us like, "HEY DID YOU SEE THAT GUYS?!"- we've installed gates but you are the first one to notice when we accidentally leave them open and you pounce on every opportunity to climb.
• Water. The pool, the bath, the ocean, the faucet. You are a total water baby.
  
• Grabbing hair {OUCH!} ... you always get handfuls. You're also starting to notice jewelry and loving it.
• Dislikes:
• Your car seat, when you've been in there for too long you are NOT happy.
• You're starting to get a little more particular about who holds you, but I don't mind because I'm one of the ones you're okay with ;)
• Getting dressed - you'd prefer to be naked.
  

Fun Moments, favorite memories, quirks and milestones:

• YOU'RE WALKING!
• You've been kissing, but you've learned to hug. Seriously BEST part of the day.
• We took a family trip to Destin, FL and you walked on your own in the sand.
• You're mimicking - nearly everything (cough, hoo-hoo)
  
• We ask you, "How Big is Bennett" and  you throw your little arms up in the air and we say "SOOO BIG" - holy adorable.
  
• You've started holding your own bottle.
• You're sporting some teefers :) 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom
• You love to walk around with an accessory -- a broom is your current favorite.
• Capturing your smiles via camera is still a personal challenge of mine and I get wayyy too excited when I get a good one - here's one of my favorites from the past few months. I love it. 
  

We are having so much fun watching you grow, but can you just stay this small for a little while longer before we head into toddler days? I'm not ready. Good grief. You make every day infinitely better. Cheers to 10 and 11 months BIG!