A Tooth {Benjamin}

Friday August 31, 2013 there it was in its little pointy, sharp glory! A shiny white corner of a very first baby tooth. Benjamin is growing up way to fast and this little appearance is just cementing it.

Growing Up

Back in July when Olivia began school I dreaded taking her, because it would break my heart when I left her there. Just getting her ready was a fight and anytime she heard school she would say, "I don't want to go to school!" I would carry her inside and sign her in each morning. Then as we got a little closer to her door she would cling to me tighter and tighter until the tears started streaming down her little cheeks. I would tell her I loved her and how much fun she would have that day. I reminded her that Papa would pick her up in just a few hours as Ms. Amber reached to peel her from my arms.

The first few morning when I would be settled at my desk for the day, I reached for the phone and dialed her school. Each time Mrs. Elisa would asure me that she was fine and  she had only cried for a few minutes. When we asked her what she did at school she would say, "I cwied.".

Over the next few weeks getting ready for school became much easier and she would wake up smiling on days she was going. Ms. Amber gradually became her favorite person to see and the tears ceased. She started walking in all by herself, taking my car keys and locking the door behind us. She walks in holding my hand and lets herself in her room. It breaks my heart now but in a different way, my little baby girl is growing up.

Now she comes home and proudly shows us her artwork from that week. I have even made her a binder to keep all of her pieces in so one day we can sit down a long way from now and I can proudly show her what she did.

5 Month's {Benjamin}

No Dr. appointment this month so his stats are only what I have done myself. Next month we return for his well visit. But I did weigh him the other day and he was 17.5lbs! We love every little roll and wrinkle.

This month has been a busy one for us with the final summer travel and also with Benjamin. He went on his first flight, going to Boston and laying over in Baltimore (my hometown). Of course he was an angel, he ate on the way up, napped in Daddy's arms, and ate on the way down. He even played on the seat with Olivia while people were getting off and then back on the plane. He also took his first trolley ride, train ride, subway ride, and I am sure there were others.

He started with his solid food and has been loving it. He eats his rice cereal with passion, you can't get it in his mouth fast enough. He now gets it every morning for breakfast. We have begun with veggies, green beans were first and unless you covered them with rice cereal he hated them. Next up was squash and that went over much better. This week is carrots and he gobbled down the entire 2 oz container on his first try, I guess he kinda likes them. We can't wait to start the fruit in the next few weeks.


Food Coma...such a man!

 He is about to pop a tooth through any day as well. He is a drooling, chewing mess but I know when this kid has teeth he is going to eat me out of house and home. I am really going to have to keep the fridge stocked with ready to eat goodies. Thankfully Pinterest has great ideas for that!



Of course with all this eating he is growing, growing, growing all the way into 9 month PJ's, 3-6 month clothes, and his diapers are a 3. What? That is the same size diaper that Olivia is in. Wow!!!

August Birthday's

August 23

Happy Birthday Daddy!

August 23

Happy Birthday Mommom!

August 29

Happy Birthday Darla!

Happy Birthday Caitlin!

August 30

Happy Birthday Jamie!

BIG 30 {Ben}

I hope to spend the next 30 years making many many more wonderful memories to look back on! We love you so much!!!

The Traveler's

A little over a week ago we returned from a very long family vacation with my family. Ben and I flew into Boston with the kids on Friday evening (since the rest of my family was already there) to begin this big adventure.

For the 3 days in Boston, 3 days in New York, & 3 days in Pennsylvania we sure packed in as much as we could.

Boston:
Day 1                                                                                                   Day 2
-Swan Boat Ride                                                                                  -Boston Aquarium
-A Historical Walking Tour                                                                   -Lunch @ Quincy Market
-Lunch & (some) shopping                                                                    -Back to the hotel for naps
-Marry-Go-Round Ride                                                                        -Little Italy for a festival
-Trolley Tour                                                                                         -Dinner @ Joe's
-Dinner                                                                                                  -Date night dessert

Travel
Day 3
We rode the train from Boston into Penn Station in NY and it was a beautiful ride. From there we walked, yes walked to our hotel 4 blocks away. It dosen't seem like a long way when you are in a normal city that isn't walk at your own risk. Now this is what it looked like:
Me wearing Benjamin, pushing Olivia in the stroller that is bogged down with 2 bags. Olivia is screaming for Ben to hold her and trying to stand up. Jamie in front of me pulling 2 suitcases with her iPhone out looking for the map to the hotel and hating this scene. Mom behind me pulling 1 suitcase and carrying her tote. Follwed by Ben pulling 2 suitcases and carrying the carseat. Pulling up the rear was Dad with one large suitcase on top of another large suitcase and pulling another small one. We looked like a gypsy camp wandering the dessert looking for our next stop. If you weren't us at the time it was freakin' hilarious, but we were covered in sweat and exhausted by the time we reached the hotel. Needless to say this changed the plans we had to do this again on Thursday to leave for PA, we called a car service.

We just ordered out and ate in the room after that we were too tired to be going anywhere.

New York:
Day 4                                                                                  Day 5
-9/11 Memorial                                                                    -Central Park (30 minute walk from our hotel)
-Shake Shack                                                                       -FAO Schwartz
-Ellis Island                                                                           -Macy's (Just the girls)
-Dinner @ Tremonti                                                              -Ben and I stayed in with the kids
-Time Square

Travel
Day 6 - 9
We rented a car in NJ and drove down to York Pennsylvania to start the festivities for Amanda's wedding.
From here we spent tons of time with family, visiting in York and with our Shinnick family. We had such a wonderful trip with countless memories that can never be forgotten.

Wrapped Up

On many nights when we swaddle Benjamin for bed Olivia will ask to be "wrapped up" as well.

It just craks us up even though she is fighting to get out as soon as your done.