BMW - 6 Months.

{Bennett has been 6 months old for a few days now, but here's my recap post anyway.  Better late than never, right?}

Bennett Myles you are SIX months old.  HALF of a year has passed by with you in our world.  And might I make it known that you ARE my whole world! 

Here's what you've been up to...
-You wear a size 3 diaper.  Feels like you went straight from a 1 to 3..although you did wear 2's for a short time.

-You wear mostly 6-9 or 6-12 month clothes.  However, if it's Carter's brand you grew out of 6 month stuff when you were about 4 months.  That brand runs tiny!  In PJ's you are in some 6-9 month and you even have one 12 month and it FITS.  I cry when I think about that.

-You wear a size 2 shoe, although coming close on a 3.  Won't be long now.  Still loving shoes..lately, I've put you in a lot of boots and you love them!

-I honestly have  no clue how much you weigh!  When we took you for your 4 month appointment you were right at 12lbs.  Praise Jesus we haven't been back to the Dr. since then!  That makes me happy because that means you have been healthy!  We go on Jan. 3rd for your 6 month well visit and I'm so anxious to see what you weigh and how long you have gotten!  One thing is for sure, you are heavy to tote around!

-Your reflux has gotten much, much, MUCH better! You still spit up some, but it is no where like it used to be! 

-You are now sleeping ALL night in your own crib! You started this at about 3.5 months old.  You naturally moved your bedtime up to 7:30pm and sleep until between 7-7:30am.  We did have the crib elevated a bit, but when you started getting mobile it wasn't of much use.  Now you are flat and you haven't even noticed the change.

-You take 3 good naps a day still...a morning, afternoon, and evening catnap.  This is if we aren't in the car alot that day, because if we are in the car you sometimes snooze the majority of the day! ha!  We are getting ready to adjust our schedule though, because you are wanting to stay awake longer!  I believe that evening catnap is almost out the window.

-We completely gave up the paci as it was becoming a problem to keep it in your mouth.  You only wanted it to fall asleep so I figured you would find another way..and you did!  Your Thumb!  I think it's so sweet when you put that thumb in your mouth and shut those sweet eyes.  Not sure how we are gonna deal with it later in life..but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

-You are rolling EVERYWHERE these days.  Changing your diaper is quite the task!  You would roll a lot during the day, then about 2 weeks later started doing it in your sleep.  It would wake you up because you would be scared of the new position, but after a couple of days you worked the issue out on your own.

-Now you are a tummy sleeper!  I always put you down on your back and before I even have time to get to the monitor you have rolled over and your head is usually where your feet were!  The video monitor doesn't do much good these days as you wiggle and squirm all over that crib!

-You are still sooooo incredibly HAPPY!  I told your Daddy that I think God made you so smiley and happy so that I would know I'm doing an "ok" job with you while Daddy's away at work.  I have honestly never seen a baby laugh and smile as much as you do...seriously.  Your laugh is so adorable and I know exactly what will get it out of you!  Rarely do I even have to say anything..usually just a look will do!  This little personality of yours is the best and I cannot wait to watch it develop over the years.  I can already see "Most Fun to Be Around" as your Senior Superlative...that's if they don't have a "Most Handsome" :)

-Your eyelashes are as long as ever and it never fails that random people stop to talk about them.  You are a head-turner...even at 1/2 a year old!

-You love your bumbo seat, exersaucer, and car jumper.  I can also lay you down on a blanket and you will just roll and play.  So content, you are!

-You still love music and dancing!  You have figured out how to tap your feet when music comes on..I think we have a little dancer on our hands!  We dance around a lot together and I'm so thankful for a dancing partner while Daddy is away.

-We still skype with Daddy everyday and most of the time you show out!  It's usually right at lunch time so you will eat and then play for him.

-Your hand-eye coordination is great!  Your hands are forever busy and I've learned the hard way about having you close to items that are not intended for your little hands.

-You are teething something awful!  Some days you will be fussy and I know it's got to be those little gums bothering you.  I can feel the tooth and think it will be just a matter of a few weeks before it breaks the skin.

-Your hair has taken a real growth spurt!  I looooveee it!  It lays down in the front and spikes straight up at the crown of your head.  Just like Daddy!  Can't wait for the day I can give you your first comb-over or mohawk!

-We celebrated your Daddy's birthday in September and we threw him a little Birthday Bash via Skype.  Just the 3 of us..and it was perfect!  You had fun sporting some birthday attire.  He even sent me some flowers and you this teddy bear for HIS birthday. 

-You started eating solids and boy were you ready!  You really don't like any cereal, rice or oatmeal.  But when it comes to your veggies, I cannot shovel it in fast enough!  Your favorites are squash, carrots, and green beans.  You could go without peas, but we have to eat them my Benny!  At first you weren't too sure about your fruits.  I think they were too sweet or bitter for you.  Now you have gotten used to them and are loving some applesauce and pears.  Bananas aren't your favorite, but you will tolerate them if I mix a little with squash or carrots.  As of this week you are eating a fruit for breakfast, veggie and sometimes fruit for lunch, and veggie for dinner.  We'll keep working on this so you are eating more and more as time goes on.

-You are taking five 6oz bottles daily.  Sometimes you don't finish you entire bottle.

-We've tried apple juice and water for the first time and you love both!

-You have had apple juice, water, and formula out of a sippy cup and loving it! 

-You've been on a couple of dates recently..one with Macey, two with Brindley, and three with Kylie.  You are a chick magnet.

-We have had SO much fun celebrating your first Holidays!  First was Halloween, then Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I LOVE dressing you up in Holiday wear and you are one stylish little man!  You are always getting compliments

- You and your Daddy both dressed up as Santa!  Daddy ran a 5k overseas and you wore your suit on Christmas Eve morning!

- Here are a few pics celebrating YOUR FIRST CHRISTMAS.  We had a wonderful time together and I know next year will be even better when we can have your handsome Daddy in the pics! 

Bennett you are such a JOY to everyone you meet, but especially to me.  I am so thankful to be your mommy..not a day goes by where I don't swell with pride at the remarkable little boy you are.  Thank you for being so great.  You have made this half of a year worth living for...I love you my sweet Bennett boy.  Here's to many, many more fun-filled months!

Mommy

30 Before 30.

I tend to do much better with short-term goals so a Bucket List wouldn't be of much use.  I present to you 30 Before 30..{which is approaching WAY too fast}.

1. Run a half marathon.

2. Have another child (or two?). ha!

3. Go an entire month without eating out, this also counts drinks & snacks. Grocery store purchased items only.

4. Go to Disney World or Disney Land.

5. Reach my goal weight.

6. Buy a Louis Vuitton.

7. Buy a strangers coffee at Starbucks. Just because.

8. Live internet-free for an entire week.

9. Bake something for a new neighbor.

10. Make a new best friend...for life.

11. Send someone flowers.

12. Let go of hurts...for good.

13. Blog about Bennett's Birth Story. ha!

14. Own a sewing/monogramming machine..& learn how to use it.

15. Throw a ridiculous awesome party, or two.

16. Scrapbook a major life event: wedding, honeymoon, Bennett?

17. Fly alone with Bennett.

18. Travel out of country again.

19. Go rollerskating.

20. Sponsor a child through Compassion.

21. Go on a Mission Trip.

22. Go to Hawaii.

23. Help a family in need provide Christmas for their children. Perhaps start this as a family tradition.

24. Own a treadmill.

25. Go on a camping trip with Greg & Bennett.

26. Use only CASH for an entire pay period (except bills).

27. Go on a big Girls Trip..somewhere warm!

28. Go to a concert.

29. Ride a Train.

30. Go out Dancing with Greg.

I'll be revisiting this several times and mark my progress over the years.  I only have 3.5 years, but I think I can make it happen!

Ghost of Christmas Past.

I came across some fun pictures of Christmas through the years..trip down memory lane, shall we?

2007. For some reason, I have no pictures of Greg & I's first Christmas together..  That was probably back when I did not realize how important these memories would be. ha! Moving right along.

2008.  We had gotten engaged in August so we spent our time running back and forth between both of our families.  Christmas Eve in Tennessee then back in North Carolina.  And Christmas Day we were all over the place!

 with my Cousin Chloe in TN.

Stockings on Christmas Eve at Greg's house!

Greg's family on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day.

2009. First Christmas as husband & wife.  Greg was away at airborne school until 18 Dec so I was staying with my parents.  He graduated and we arrived home and spent our Holidays with both families.  Again in Tennessee and North Carolina.  This was also our last few weeks in the South before our adventure up to Alaska.  We left for AK on New Years Day.

 While traveling home from GA, the south was hit with a huge snow storm and we had to leave Greg's car on the side of the interstate. The trusty Jeep brought us home and we had to go back the next day with Greg's brothers to dig the Mustang out.

Greg shoveled.

And I had a snow playdate with Landon.

It was the twin's first Christmas so I loved on Alex.

And Greg got a fur hat.

with Tash & Jade in TN!

Christmas Eve {one of my favorite pictures of us..ever!}

Stocking at Greg's house.

Christmas Morning with the nephews.

Christmas Day with the twinsies.

2010.  By far, my most favorite Christmas of all time.  Pretty ironic considering it was the first one I've ever spent away from family.  Greg and I stayed in Alaska and celebrated with our Army Family on Christmas Eve & spent Christmas Day just the two of us.  We started some new traditions and I cannot wait to pick them up where we left off!  Do not get me wrong, I LOVE all the hustle & bustle of running between families.  I know those days are cherished..but in 2010, Greg and I spent the day doing what it is meant for.  Celebrating the birth of Jesus and just being with each other...relaxing and enjoying. 

We had our first tree together..a real one at that!

We dressed up like crazies for a Tacky Christmas Sweater Party.

of course I had my signature tree upstairs.

I decked out every room.

Christmas Eve Dinner.

Stockings. Daddy. Baby. Mommy.

This year, we also had a new little nugget to buy for! We weren't sure if we were having a boy or girl yet, but we still had lots of fun buying up some baby items!  Apparently so did everyone else in our family because Baby W got lots of fun things!

Pajamas.Presents.Pancakes.. Pajama Theme for 2010: Plaid

And to kick off 2011, Greg chopped & roasted our tree!

2011. And that brings us to now.  Bennett and I will celebrate in Tennessee and North Carolina with both Greg's family and mine.  I still have every intention of participating in our pajamas/pancakes/presents tradition.  It will be the first year Santa will come to our family and I am beyond thankful all of Bennett's toys are easy to assemble!  No bikes yet...hopefully Daddy will be home for that year! ;)  

Enjoy the Season! xoxo

I...

* I love to blog while Greg's away.  Lately, I have found myself censoring my words for fear of what someone might think or how someone could read it the wrong way.  That ends now.  People, I don't like seafood so you won't see me dining at Red Lobster once a week.  If you do not like me or what's on my heart, please do us all a favor and stop reading.

* I had a weak moment Friday night while driving home and was astonished at how long it has been since I've allowed myself to have one.  It felt good to get it out of my system.  I'm kinda tired of putting on the "strong" front all day/every day.  The loneliness is creeping in..especially with Christmas here.

* I still think Bennett is the cutest kid. ever. in history. end of story.

* I sat down and thought about what it will be like to have a help-mate when it comes to raising Bennett.  I just cannot imagine someone else to help give bathtime, entertain during playtime, or even feed him his squash.  Such a foreign concept for me, but I cannot wait to experience it! Time is passing!

* I am so obsessed with The Vampire Diaries right now.  I've watched Seasons 1&2 and caught up on Season 3 in one week flat! Got me to thinking about my adoration for Twilight also.  I think what it is about vampires that us girls love so much is their intensity.  They love so deeply it's a tad-bit ridiculous. 

* I talk a lot about our marriage on this blog, but I want to be the first to tell you that it isn't perfect.  No marriage is, but I put in 150% of my energy into making it not only last, but grow.

* I'm kinda, sorta, maybe getting sick of seeing people who get to be with their spouse day-in and day-out take advantage of it. Either it be bad moods, fights, or simply just not making the time for each other...it makes me ill.  Life is far too short for that.

* I think Greg's Christmas package has gotten stollen somewhere between here and there and I am one upset wife! More than anything else in the box, I'm most sad that he will never get to read the letter I included.

* I couldn't tell you the last time someone asked how I'm doing...and genuinely cared about the answer.

* I feel that everyone has a defining moment in life and I feel as if mine has been this deployment. I'm working on a post about it and I'm not going to hold back anymore.

* I kinda want to disappear and Christmas be over. It's a lot harder than I ever thought about. Come on 2012!

* I am uncontrollably infatuated with my son.

* I, by no means, think that admitting I had a weak moment makes me any less of wife, mother, or friend.

* I need a fur vest and new riding boots before I go back to AK.

* I am looking forward to a bubble bath in our Alaskan home.

* I found this picture and I immediately started laughing.  Everyone talks about Bennett's eyelashes.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This was engagement day. {click on it to make it larger if you cannot see} 

* I also found this picture from about 4 years ago. Good times.

* I love looking through old pics.  Greg & I have had some serious fun!  Life is way better with him by my side! Ah, love.

Month In Review: #8 {November 2011}

Month In Review: #8 {November 2011}

-Bennett had his first encounters with Rice Cereal, Oatmeal Cereal, Bananas & Pears (mixed in cereal), Green Beans, Peas, Carrots, Squash, & Sweet Potatoes.

-He ate a whole jar of Sweet Potatoes on Thanksgiving and broke out in a rash about 20 minutes after.  I was afraid of this when the Dr. put him on hypo-allergenic formula.  I had horrible food allergies growing up, to include, pork, potatoes, eggs, turkey, chicken, and nuts.  It wasn't until I was in my 20's that I discovered I had outgrown them all.  I am really upset about passing these on to my son, but I know, his health could be much worse.  So food allergies are minor and we'll get through it.

-Went to dinner & lunches with sweet friends.  I'm amazed at how lucky I am to have these people in my life.  I truly have the greatest support system here in NC, even if they don't understand the military life.  They understand me...and that's far more than I can ask for.

-Walked at the Mall. You know...those elderly people who go there just for that. Yea, I was one of them! ha! Laura Beth and Maeg are both school teachers and were off work for Veteran's Day so we loaded up the cars and took Bennett & Kylie on a little stroll, indoors. I'm not going to lie, I loved it! I think Greg enjoyed it too because I actually went to mall and didn't spend money! Yay for a win-win!

-Went to see Breaking Dawn with Laura Beth.  Oh my word.  I want to see it again..and again.  And again.

 

-Celebrated Thanksgiving with lunch with my family and then a visit with Greg's family! Bennett did great on his first Thanksgiving and was cuter than ever in his Turkey Shirt.  I'm a little partial though...

  

-Black Friday.  Mom and I sat outside for 3 hours just waiting for the gates of heaven, I mean...Target, to open.  We were so close to the beginning of the line, it felt like pure victory!  Both of us got what we had wanted and then some.  After Target we stood in the checkout line for 2 hours at Khols, ran in Wal-Mart & didn't buy a single thing, then the mall.  At the mall I was crashing and burning.  Sadly, I just can't hang like I used to!  Mom and I would take turns going in stores and the other would sit in the floor outside of it.  Floor..me..sitting down.  Really must have been hurting.  I couldn't even see straight so we decided to call it quits.  We grabbed a biscuit and I was off to retrieve my son who was sound asleep at Grandpa & Memere's.

-As mentioned, Bennett had his first overnight stay at Grandpa & Memere's {Greg's parents} without mommy.  I was pretty emotional, especially since the rash issue had occurred that evening.  But he seemed better and I knew he was in great hands.  I think, more than anything, it was just another sign that he is growing up.  Breaks my heart!  However, I put him to bed at 7:30pm and when I arrived back at 6:30am he was still fast asleep.  He finally woke up at 7:15 and I was able to scoop him up for some kisses! I missed him so much...and he didn't even know I was gone.  I think this might happen many times in his life...his first sleepover with friends, college, and dare we even talk about marriage. ha!  

- Saw Disney On Ice!  One is never too old for such an event, but having a 5 month old gave me a great excuse to go without receiving dirty looks from concerned parents! :) No surprises, I loved it! So did Benny!  He sat soooo still on my lap or my mom's and eventually, I felt his little head go limp.  He had been fighting his afternoon nap and "It's a Small World" just did him in.  No worries, he woke up just in time for the Grand Finale.

-Celebrated the birth of Ashley! I adore that girl..she's so great and I'm so glad I was able to join in on the birthday fun this year!

-Celebrated Bennett turning 5 months old!  Plans for a 1/2 Birthday Party are in full swing, my friend!

There's always a different little saying under this pic everytime I open it and today it read, "Excited Yet?".  Why yes, yes I am!  Thanks for asking!

December...

*Taking Bennett to his first Parade!

*More dinners with friends. Adore.

*The obvious...CHRISTMAS & all the perfectness that it is.

*Bennett's 6 month pics with Colleen.

*Throwing my baby a 1/2 Birthday Party! I never really need an excuse to party, but this just seemed like the perfect opportunity.  We'll be in AK for his 1st Birthday, so why not celebrate with family & NC friends while we can? :) 

*And this little boy may or may not have a daddy who will be sporting a Big Red Suit soon!  Oh yes!  I promise to share pictures when I get them.  It will be too hilarious not to share!

Happy last month of 2011! :)