Cameron's Room

Went for a check-up yesterday, and Miss Cameron is already SEVEN POUNDS! Little one likes Girl Scout cookies and double-stuffed oreos. And salads, FYI.

Here are some pictures of her room. It's a sweet little room, with so many cherished things. My Mom sent the darling little tole lamp, and provided all of the bunny pictures. Big Daddy sent the blue chest of drawers. The little green blanket chest was a Christmas present from my parents, and the framed pillow cases were actually made by my Great-Grandmother. Greg's mom completely re-did my lace curtains, and they are perfection! Courtney sent me Paige's nursery bedding. Benjamin donated his crib and mobile to the project, and her room is thus complete!

TWO!!

Benjamin is two years old today. At times we laugh, and say he makes us feel like we're old, trying to keep up with his limitless amount of energy. He's the most amazing blessing in our lives, and we thank God for him over and over again . . .

Current favorites include the movie "Cars", and all the little matchbox cars he can get his sticky fingers on. He also loves to play outside. Loves Hungry, Hungry Hippo. Mr. Noodle (or Noo-noo, as Ben calls him) is another great friend in this house. He would eat cheese for every meal if I would let him, and he's still allergic to milk, so it's one little string cheese per day, no more.

He's tough, and he's strong-willed. He's independent, but very loving. He gives the best hugs. He says "slease" instead of "please". He teaches us something new every single day. Love this kid!

P.S. The cake was red when Greg bought it, but turned pink when we took it out of the fridge!! But Ben's Mimi saved the day, she got him a blue birthday cookie cake, so all's well that ends well!

Bubbles!

My sweet friend Sarah sent Benjamin a bubble machine. Oh my!! Ben is mesmerized with it, and cries (more like throws fits) when the bublbles run out. He LOVES it! Thank you Sarah.

Just playing

We played at the park today. I don't know what Ben liked more, running up and down the hills or the actual playground. I can't believe he's nearly two.

Bye-bye Baby

I think I have to (officially) admit that Benjamin is no longer a baby. I did catch him recently sleeping in the fetal position, so I'm still hanging on to a tiny shred of hope that he's tiny and needs me desperately. Yesterday after his nap, Ben and I moved all his blankets and animals from the crib to the big boy bed. Then when bed time rolled around, Greg read him his books, prayed with him, and tucked him in. We didn't hear back from Ben until 6:20 this morning. What a champ! What a big boy. Sniff, sniff . . . I need to get my Kleenex!

OUTSIDE!

Ben's Big Daddy sent him a swing set for Christmas. Now all the child wants to do is go outside (ow-eye, if you ask Ben). I love it. I love watching him play. I love, even more, watching Greg and Ben play together. Thank you, Big Daddy. You made Ben's year!!!

My Monkey

Big Boy

Ben is turning into a big boy before our very eyes . . . He's eating at the table, using his fork and spoon (some times, anyway), he is even brushing his own teeth. Benjamin likes things 'just so'. He fixes the shutters if they're not at the right (90 degree) angle, complains if Greg's shirt is un-tucked, and loves to toss out trash. I do, on occasion, catch him dumpster-diving. Next on the list to tackle, the transition from crib to big boy bed. Wish us luck!

Photo Shoot

Benjamin and I did our first little photo shoot together, just before Christmas, as a surprise for Greg. The pictures speak for themselves, but I must say that Shauna Maness is INCREDIBLE. Her gift of capturing personality, the moment, beauty is really remarkable. I had the hardest time chosing my favorites, but here are a few!

Table Manners

Or lack thereof!!!

Better late than never!

Overdue (yes, I'm still recovering from all the festivities) pictures of Christmas. We had Christmas here (just us three), then Christmas with Greg's family here, then headed to Midland for Christmas Eve. It was such a neat year, Ben's at such a fun age . . . His favorite toys included a little bitty train and remote control and a big green drill. Ben and Paige really had fun at Paige's new cafe, and Paige served us all skinny mochas (Courtney loves her drive-thru Starbucks)!

Big Daddy and Kate bought Ben a GIANT (where am I going to put it?) giraffe tent. Ben ADORED it until the giraffe head went up, and then his big old sad lip showed up. I caught him on camera "oooohing", and then boo-hoooing when his sweet tent reached it's seven foot height limit.

You all know by now how Type-A I am, so I was just happy to take the tree down and start cleaning again!!! Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, and ROCK ON you spring cleaners!!

Ben's Biggest Fan

Ben's biggest fan, aka Dad, showing him how some Christmas toy worked last night . . . I see so much of them in each other. Some day I'll post a picture of Greg as a toddler to compare the two. They're both SO handsome!

Paigers!

So many of you ask about my sister's daughter, Paige . . . She's a darling little girl. I get to talk to her on the phone almost every day. Her first question, every time, is "What's Ben doing?" Isn't she beautiful?

Christmas Greetings!

I'm officially a Scrooge. Between runny noses (Ben's) and a week with the stomach bug (all of us) the anual Christmas card is getting the boot. I promise cute pictures though, always cute pictures, in Blogger world.

Tonight Ben was a little performer . . . He laughed at his Daddy, then ran away, always back again for more. He has this little dog that barks "Jingle Bells", a current favorite noise-maker in this house. And the tree, my lovely little tree, so far has escaped any ornament casualties. The last picture captures Benjamin's big laugh, courtesy of Greg's tickle torture.

Tickled Pink!

Baby news!! We're expecting a little girl in the spring. We've known her name for ages . . . Cameron Elizabeth. More than anything, we can't wait to see Benjamin in his role as big brother.

Thanksgiving 2007

No Thanksgiving pictures this year!! Ben had a miserable cold, I had a sore throat and Greg is still coping with back/nerve problems. That said, we still ate like champs. Greg's mom made the most amazing dinner, and we ate until we were, well, sick. Sicker than we already were, anyway.

The round table discussion at dinner included our lists of thanksgivings . . . How do you ever really sum it all up? We're so blessed by God. So incredibly blessed. Salvation, amazing grace and peace, His perfect peace. Family, each other, our Benjamin, the new baby. Our home. So incredibly blessed.

More pictures soon, I hope!

Quick trip to Midland

Ben and I jumped on the plane to go visit Big Daddy, Kate, Aunt Courtney, Uncle Dustin and Miss Paige. Ben was most fond of the piano, and especially enjoyed duets with Big Daddy (my dad). Big Daddy also took Ben to the pond to feed the ducks, and then to visit the horses at the polo fields. Paige (age 2-1/2) told Ben all weekend how much she 'loved him'. She dissolved into tears the first night when Ben's bed time rolled around. Can't wait to see those two together again . . . Christmas, here we come!

Silly Monkey

This child is a monkey, through and through! He was MOST UPSET about his costume until we got him outside with all the neighbors. Candy, hot dogs and pumpkin rolling (Ben's idea) made for a great night!

Boys will be boys!

Yesterday, Ben delighted me with his antics. Then infuriated me when he decided the piece of chicken parmesan in his mouth was no longer to his liking, so he pulled it out and threw it. ON ME. Then he peed all over the floors on the way to the bathtub. This really got me laughing, but I could have done without the necessary clean-up. Just before bed time, he brought me his very own booger. I'm learning more and more about the limitless love of a mother.

Big Foot & other Ben-isms

Random thoughts, all of these, but I haven't Blogged much lately, so here goes:

• Big Foot Ben started out the summer in size 4-1/2 shoes, and as of yesterday he's a size 8. Please let up Kiddo, your shoes are costing more than mine!



• Jibber Jabber. Baby talk is big on Ben's daily to-do list. I have no idea what he's saying, but most of it is said with conviction. I love the way it sounds . . .



• SO SHY! I walked into the pet store the other the day, and the minute the lady behind the counter said hello to Ben, his chin hit his chest, he closed his eyes and went into "Shut Down Mode". He does this wherever we go, and the only response I can get from him is to hold his arms up to be held. Greg and I were both shy as children, and I love it that Ben still feels safe in my arms.



• Bye-bye is code for I'm done with that now, you can go away, or turn off the TV.



• BAD DOG. Ellie, my (formerly) sweet shih tzu, bit Ben the other night. I'm still secretly furious with her. Ben's feelings were so hurt, and I can't say that I blame him.



• Rainy day. We had a delicious rainy afternoon on Monday, and Ben hung out by the front window (on the dog bed) for about an hour. He just drank his smoothie, talked to me on occasion, and watched the rain. I was shocked that he stayed in one place for so long.

Airplanes

Ben is in love with airplanes, helicopters and birds these days. Lizards are also on the current cool list, but they don't compete with flying objects. Every airplane we hear, we stop whatever we're doing and run to the window to scope it out. On the days when I'm not too sick, we go for walks and look for planes. During the evenings, he scopes out the skies with his Daddy. Pictures attached are my happy boy eating an 'airplane', basically cornbread, but he plays like it's an airplane. Whatever works!

Spaghetti Smooch

Greg hit the Texas Tech game today, so Ben and I had a dinner-date. I showed him how to slurp spaghetti, so I guess table manners will have to wait a bit. Sure was fun!

Big News!

Ben is going to be a big brother!

"For it was You who created my inward parts. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise You because I have been fearfully and wonderfully made . . . " Psalm 139:13-14

Cupcakes and Friends

It was a busy week. That's the norm for Ben. Personally, I'd love to just sit on the sofa and read a good book, but I don't think that's anywhere in the near future. Tommie and Tay came over for cupcakes and a play-date. Tay discovered Ben's lawnmower, and Ben pretty much wanted whatever Tay was interested in! A good time was had by all.

I have to tell you that a couple of nights ago Ben was having a hard time falling asleep, so I went in his room and just held him and rocked him. He loves to pat my back after I pat his. I can't imagine a sweeter feeling than that sweet little hand patting my shoulder. Every few minutes he'd turn his head and pucker-up for a kiss. Finally he drifted off, and I just held him. PURE BLISS!!

Poor Baby

I still don't know what he was mad about, just that he DID NOT want me to take pictures, of anything, least of all him, at that moment. Goober!

I've Been Tagged!

Okay, Sharla, Kim & Rebekah tagged me . . . So here goes! Here is some life changing info about me . . .

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (**if you’re a non-blogger, you can email them!)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

8 Random Facts or Habits about me:

1. I have a mega-addiction to dark chocolate. Dove makes my current favorite, but just about any dark chocolate will do. Yummy! I also have a huge sweet tooth, really anything will do. Other addictions include reading and Starbucks.

2. I am a NEAT-FREAK. Not to be mistaken for a clean freak, although the two are fairly related. Seriously. I am already planning to clean out my guest room bedroom/closet, planning for Ben's big boy room, and I'm no where near being pregnant. I think b/c I was so sick when I was pregnant with Ben, I have a fear of not being able to get things done the second time around. So I'm pre-nesting. But the neat-freak part of me exists whether I'm pregnant or not! Greg calls me "Monica Gellar".

3. I have at least a ten-minute ritual for teeth-brushing. Flossing, Listerine and Water Pik included.

4. I love the fall. It's my favorite time of year. I love cold weather, blue jeans, hot coffee or hot chocolate. I love to make good soups. Love sweaters and socks. I love fall loafers. Sketchers, too. And the turning of the trees is one of my favorite gifts from God. Every year I just take it all in, and every year it seems to happen way too fast.

5. I have a TON of grey hair. Hi-lights aren't really doing their job anymore. Poor me.

6. I hate cheap stuff. If it's cheap, or marked way down, I'm like "What's wrong with it?" . . . I would rather save and save and save and get something high quality.

7. I do my own mani/pedis . . . I don't like people to mess with my feet. Plus once after indulging in a manicure I got an ingrown toenail. Then my poor mom got an infection after a pedi. I'm done for life. But I have a fully-stocked nail kit with all the goodies.

8. I met my hubby on the internet!

BONUS FACT. I hate wires. And outlets. They're ugly. I hate the computer cords so much that Greg bundled them all up and taped them behind the desk so that I don't have to see them. And I buy special extension cords (cream colored) when a cord is brown, if I don't want it to show up against my white base molding. Told you I was Type-A!

Type-A Amanda

For those of you that know me well, you'll get this. I love organization. Recently one of my precious friends Amy commented on how neat my pantry looked. I'm sure I beamed. I like things just so, just right, just like that. Benjamin has turned my neat-nick world upside-down and inside-out. And it's good for me. Today he brought Greg's shoes out (this is new morning activity), and then he sweetly put them up. Not where they go. But he put them where he thinks they should go. And I'm gonna leave them right where he put them.

Lovies

Ben's got two 'lovies', a blue blanket (Limited Edition, I can't get another one to save my life) and a little lamb that sings "Lullaby" given to him from my cherished friend Pat. Both are completely necessary in this house, to snuggle with, to sleep with, to console a teething toddler. Ben runs up to me with his lamb shouting "Mama, Mama" until I make it play the song. And the blue blanket, the poor blue blanket, gets dragged around this house all day long. It has to sit on the table next to the high chair while he eats. And he chews on the Amy Coe tag, until it's BROWN. Now the whole corner of the blanket is brown, but I think Ben likes it much better stinky and brown than freshly laundered with lots of Oxy Baby.

Dog days of summer . . .

Water Baby

Ben loves the water. Loves it. Bath time, swimming, playing on the patio with the rain water that falls off the roof. He now loves the big slide at the Country Club. I'm just thankful my swimsuit stayed on!

Toddler woes . . .

Ben has been a PILL the last few days. He is cutting two molars, so at least he has an excuse for his behavior. I think he decided he prefers life in Ruidoso to life at home with me. Last night he threw five fits in a matter of minutes, all on the kitchen floor. I ignored him, so the fits didn't last very long. The first fit was because I wouldn't let him eat the dog's food. The second was because he spit milk on the floor, so I took his milk away. The third was because he wanted more milk. The fourth and fifth, I don't even remember. I hope this isn't the beginning of the terrible twos!