matchers

How cute are they? Benson looks like such a big boy!

poke me in the poodies*, I'm a walkin'!

*poodies/poodyhoos: the chubby, squishy, only-cute-on-a-baby thighs.*

Benson was sad most of the evening tonight after being poked in the poodies at the Dr. (vaccines). But leave it to 'Bubba' (no we haven't lived in TX too long, it's how Benson says,'Bailey') to get Benz laughing hysterically. He also decided to show off his sweet new walking skills (which he is very selective about doing). Don't laugh at my cinematography skills.

And yes, they are both wearing Halloween jammies. Right now those are the only ones that fit Benson from the hand-me-down box (he gets mad when I put him in footed jammies, because his tiny little feet get all tangled up and he can't walk). Bailey wanted to match him, so she wore her Halloween "bed dress" (nightgown). Her favorite jammies are 'bed dresses' that Guh L. makes for her. (She must get the 'bed dress' thing from Guh L, because I can't stand wearing nightgowns!)

happy father's day!

Well, Brandon didn't get breakfast in bed, but he got some cute little bed bugs that joined him for milk (bottle for Benz, strawberry for Bay) and cartoons in bed. (I did make him french toast for breakfast, just didn't get it done fast enough to bring to him in bed!) Brandon is such a good dad, and we're lucky to have him!

and the trophy goes to....

This is from last week's T-ball party. Bailey is so excited to have another trophy to add to her growing collection. She likes to wear the medals around and pretend that they are dog collars.

wheelchairs for non-walkers

Okay, so I know you're hoping for pictures, but the batteries in my camera are completely dead, and I haven't made it to the store yet. Hopefully this afternoon.
Yesterday I took Bailey to Target, and we always have to get a slushy and popcorn in the cafe after. She was sitting there quietly munching, when she told me with all the sincerity and concern of a four-year-old big sister's heart, "Maybe if Benson doesn't start walking soon, we should get him a wheel-chair." I couldn't help but laugh. It was too cute. But she didn't really laugh right away. I had to reassure her that he can walk, he just doesn't like to, and someday soon he will be running after her (and then she'll wish that he DIDN'T walk!).
As for his walking, he will take up to 10-15 steps at a time, only if we beg him "to show me the big boy!" and follow-up by lots of applause and cheers. 15.5 months.

new wheels

What's cuter than cute? Size 2/3 baby 'CROCs'! Benson has the tiniest feet, so tiny that even though he has a HUGE box full of hand-me-down shoes, none of them fit. He has just been going barefoot...partly because he loves to rip his shoes off as soon as we get in the car, and nothing fits. Since he's starting to walk, I decided I better find some shoes. He loves his new shoes. Whenever I put them on he just sits and looks at them and wiggles his little feet around in wonderment.

PS: If any of you mom's of little ones out there haven't tried the 'CROC' style of shoes for your kids...they are a MUST. They are the best play shoes ever! No big deal if they get wet or muddy, they rinse right off! And if you live in a warm climate, they can wear them year round, or now you can get the "mammoths" (sherpa lined CROCS)! I've even paid $$ for the real deal (which actually do fit skinny little feet better than the cheapos, but I still get cheapos too), and it's totally worth the $$. Best of all there is a CROC outlet about 15 minutes from my house!

helping hands

There is a little boy in our ward that has been battling cancer for the last year or so. Bailey sees and hears about him in Primary, and has wanted to help do something for him, but I'm not really up to babysitting, making meals, or cleaning. Finally something came a long that I could do and Bailey could help with. He is 6 years old, but very small. The only hospital gowns that fit him are the 'baby' ones, which is SO not cool when you're six! Bailey picked out the fabric and 'helped' me cut it out. I sewed them together (really easy!) and yesterday Bailey drew him a picture and we took them over to him. I loved to see the excitement and joy on her face from giving service. She was literally jumping up and down when she gave the gowns to him! We definitely got more out of this project than this little boy.

tupperware parties, tea parties, and repairs

I think I've posted a picture similar to this before, but this is Benson's FAVORITE thing. He loves to pull EVERYTHING out of the 'kid cupboard' (where I keep all the plastic dishes so Bailey can reach what she needs). He gets the biggest kick out of scattering/stacking/'organizing' these dishes. Once they are sufficiently scattered, he moves on. As soon as they are put back away, he's back at it again. When he's playing, I say "are you having a Tupperware Party?" He says,'yeah! yeah!' He's my little Tupperware man.

Benson LOVES to go upstairs and play with Bailey and the big kid toys. Bailey scurries around 'cooking' for him and he just stands contently at the table, playing with the dishes and food.

Benson loves to sneak into Bailey's room to play with the tool set (vintage Daddy toy). He's all boy. Of all the things in her room, he is only interested in the tool set (and pulling all the books off the shelf).

deep in the heart of texas

Exactly one year ago today, the kids and I moved to Texas. (Brandon came in May) So much has changed since then. Benson was just tiny, Bailey still such a little kid. Bailey has become so big and responsible. Benson seems like a totally different baby. He has so much personality and so much to say and do. While I miss my family terribly, I know that this move has been so good for our family. I haven't been back to Utah, and I can't wait to go in about 6 weeks! I have come to love a lot of things about Texas. For example: I've become a big fan and of 'ya'll'. It's really catchy and so much more efficient than 'you-all'. I'm 'fixin' to adopt some more vernacular in this next year. :) (now that I can understand it! Sometimes I swear my neighbor is speaking a totally different language!)

Top things I MISS about UTAH:

*MY FAMILY!!

*Friends

*Mountains

*"Dry Heat"

*Seasons

*Betos, LaCarretta, & Ottavios

*Cheap groceries

*Small town feel

*The hardest Part: An 8 month old Niece I've yet to kiss and hug.*

Top things I LOVE about TEXAS:

*My 'other' family

*My new friends

*Neighbors/friends for Bailey

*Green grass year-round

*Playing T-ball and soccer in the 'winter'

*Cheap houses

*Funny Church Marquis (it's the Bible Belt!)

*Great Tex-Mex!

*Southern Hospitality

*Chivalry

('sir', 'ma'am', and tiny little boys that will open the door for you)