Happy Birthday, Aunt Amy!

If you hadn't gone to work, I would have taken you out for a birthday lunch!! Ben misses you (and Kennedy & Colin, too). Happy birthday, we love you!

Pizza Palace

Since Matt is fishing in a tournament tonight, Ben and I went to eat with Grammy and Pappy. Dad wanted Pizza Palace so Mom decided to put Ben's high chair in their car. I feel that I should title this entry...you might be a redneck...anyway, Ben was hilarious. He couldn't understand why he was eating in the car, but it certainly didn't affect his appetite! He is getting really friendly to strangers and yelled "hi" and waved to all the cars passing by and blew them kisses. I still had my camera in the diaper bag from last night, so I took some pictures.

A little spaghetti

Mmmm, pepperoni pizza
Just cleaning up

Farewell, Zach

Matt's cousin Zach is moving out of town at the end of the month. We went last night to a farewell party and Ben got to swim in a little pool. He likes getting in and out of the pool and playing ball more than swimming. I got home and realized that I didn't even get a picture of Zachary all night:(

Addie is passed out in her stroller

Playing with Uncle Rusty in the pool
Up on tip of toes...
Blurry, but he likes to slide
Ben trying to do a pull up while Nonny watches

12-month Doctor's Visit

Benjamin went for his check-up on Friday. The pediatrician was surprised in his growth since his last visit because usually boys start to taper off on weight and height at this time. At his 9-month visit he was between the 25th and 50th percentile so he has really had a jump in growth! He also had two vaccinations and blood work. Everything looks great!!

Weight: 50th-75th percentile--23 lbs. 7.5 oz. A weight gain of 4 lbs. in 3 months.

Height: 50th-75th percentile--30 1/2 inches. A 2 3/4 inch growth in 3 months.



Inspecting where they did a finger prick for blood work
I think I can get these Band-Aids off...
Maybe a little drool will help...
Yes, I know he needs a haircut. This is Amy and Mom's way of reminding me of that!!No worries, Ben cried when they put it in his hair! I guess he knew that boys don't wear ponytails.

Sprinklers!

Kennedy, Colin, and I go to the sprinklers at World's Fair Park every summer (except last year). I offered to leave Benjamin at home, but they wanted him to go too. So now for a new tradition with Ben... we had a great time. We even treated Matt and the shop to Frosties on our way home.

Wearing Kennedy's sunglasses in the car
When we first arrived. Can you imagine what Ben was saying?


In front of the Sunsphere
Smiling at strangers...Ben kept waving and smiling at this older man who was there...
Looking for something...he found a pink hairbow...
Mmm, warm granite tastes good...really, I took this picture before I realized what he was doing!

Dollywood

Mammaw had some free passes for Dollywood so we went yesterday. Kennedy and Colin went too...I am glad because I am too tall to ride the bee and duck. Benjamin really enjoyed it, but I think he will like it much better next year. He took a 45 minute nap while Kennedy, Colin, and I rode a couple of roller coasters.

When we walked in the gate, Ben started pointing to the "ball" so Mammaw put him next to it...


Kennedy, Mammaw, and Colin
Riding the "Busy Bees" with Kennedy and Colin

When I sat him in the bee, he immediately started "driving" it with the steering wheel. I even noticed him pressing the middle of the wheel for the horn (it didn't have one!)

Waiting on Kennedy and Colin...

Whew! They are home!

Jason, Amy, Kennedy, and Colin went to the beach last week. Poor Benjamin has been looking for them all week. He has been going to their pictures and pointing (and Courtney's too since she moved out). Jason called last night and said they were almost home so Ben and I went to Grammy's to wait for them. Mammaw came to wait too. Ben was so excited when they came in...

Let's drive to get them
Waiting...
Still waiting...
They are here!

Mammaw's fan club (let's ask Mammaw, she says YES!!)

We are so glad that you are home!!
Doesn't he look like a big boy in the rocking chair?

Happy Birthday, Nonny!

Last night, we had a surprise 50th birthday party for Matt's mother complete with a 50's theme. Ben and I were getting ready to leave when I realized I hadn't taken many pictures, but here are a few to share...

I think she is surprised!!
Matt's family (not all, but many)
Kyle & Bev
LeAnn and Benjamin...so glad he let you hold him tonight!!!
Nonny and Ben
G letting Ben walk around a bit
Hmmm, a hula hoop. Wait, this isn't a ball :)

Kelsie all dressed up
Matt and his Mom
Ben is reaching for the balloon I have in my hand...