Say "Hello" to Summer!

The older and more active Ben gets, the more time slips away from me. I find myself not having as much time (or gumption) to look through everything and make blog posts. I like these "month in review" posts, though. They're a nice way for me to look back and remember what we've been doing. So, here we go for June!

June 2, 2008

Uncle B came over to visit and play some xbox with Daddy. It was a long time in the making, but Ben is finally pretty comfortable with B (Bryan). Here, they play xbox together before Ben has to finish getting ready for bed. (Don't worry, Ben had on a diaper, and no one got pee'd on)

June 4, 2008

Ben and I visited with Abby and Aunt Angie the day before they left for their big beach trip (which Abby ADORED, I heard). Ben, Abby, and Angie had a ball playing in the toys. Angie and I had a ball reminiscing about "the good old days" (the late 80's and early 90's) when New Kids on The Block were "it". We're very excited about their reunion. You can see them on the TV in the background.

I just had to include this one. When we arrived, Abby was just waking up from a nap. What a nap it must have been. Her hair has it's own shadow! We love rhino-head Abby, though.

June 7, 2008

Another boat trip with NanNan and PopPop. Ben stayed up past his bedtime (as is evident by the beautiful sunset), but he had a good time and slept well in the car on the way home. He still doesn't "love" the life vest, but it isn't so bad.

DO NOT WORRY! I checked TWRA guidelines and he can take the vest off if we're anchored, aground, or moored. Here, we are anchored. The boat has nice high sides with doors that lock and open inward, as if anyone's hands were off him the whole time, anyway. Click this picture to see his face better. This is a boy who is very happy to have his vest off. He hated putting it back on so we could move again. In this picture, he is walking with PopPop.

June 8, 2008

Ben had a very busy weekend the 7th and 8th. First the lake, and now Pepaw and Nono's. They had just gotten back from vacation in Texas, and we all gathered to welcome them back. Aunt Tonya's family was there, as well as Letti and Tori. We had dinner (Ben had some really good homemade Spanish rice and soup beans without the soup to go with the rest of his dinner. He loved it!) Here, he is so excited to meet Pepaw and Nono's new kitty, Dingleberry. Dingle is only 8 weeks old here. He didn't mind Ben a bit. He actually played with Ben, and was very gentle. Ben practiced lots of new skills trying to get at Dingleberry. He crawled across the living room, then tried to use the doggy to pull up (which he can do very well), but we were afraid the pup wasn't very steady. He settled for staring...

Ben was enthralled with Dingle for quite a while. He's a happy little dude!

Ben wasn't the only one taken with Dingleberry. Kenzie and Dyl loved him, of course. If you'll notice, Dylan has thought of a new way to "Save Gas."

June 12, 2008

This is just a random night when Ben was playing. Here you can see he has pulled up to a stand, AND has pulled toys out of his toybox. He picked his frog (his favorite love).

You can see frog fell to the wayside for a time. He wants to see what else he's got.

Wow, this box is DEEP!

June 20, 2008

It's bathtime! We're getting ready for a big day out with Aunt Angie and Abby. Abby had to be quarantined from Ben for about a week after her vacation. Her cousins came down with hand, foot, and mouth and we wanted to make sure Abby hadn't caught it, too. It's very contagious. Luckily, she was fine.
Lauren and Megan, we're so sorry you guys got sick! Hope you feel better now.

I thought this was too cute. Click the pic to see a larger version. I couldn't not take this picture with the bubble on his head. I was just hoping it wouldn't pop before I got my hands dry enough to touch my camera. I can't believe how independent he's gotten since that first sponge bath on the kitchen counter!

It took some doing, and some distraction, but Ben finally put his hat on for our trip to Ijams Nature Center. We didn't stay long because we had never been and didn't know what to expect. Next time, we'll be prepared to start early, while it's still cool, and see more of what there is to see. Maybe someday we'll be able to take an unpaved trail.

This is a view of the pond in front of the visitor's center. It's hard to believe this place is right in Knoxville. It was quiet, beautiful, and best of all, free! (Donations are graciously accepted.) To learn more about Ijams, visit their website here!

June 22, 2008

There is no picture to go with this date, but Ben FINALLY got one of those upper teeth to cut through. Obviously, it's so little I can't get a good picture of it yet, but never fear. The 2nd top tooth is still trying, and I just KNOW it'll be close behind, but as of now, all I can see of it is a tiny white dot, rather than the whole width of it. Before we know it, he'll have a whole mouth full of teeth! I wonder how it'll change the way he looks? I guess there's nothing to do but wait and see.

Well, that's the month of June, so far. Tomorrow we visit with Angie, Abby, our friend Jennifer, and her two babies, Mia, who is 3, and new baby Reece, who is now getting close to 3 months old! We are excited to meet Mia. Jennifer has told us a lot about her! Some other things that are coming up, that I will try to write about in a timely fashion, are the 4th of July, Daddy's birthday, and turning 9 MONTHS OLD!! It's so hard to believe, but that is another post for another time (like, 2 weeks away!) Until then...