Our Big Fish...

The day Bennett got his Trach out was so exciting, he was 10 months old and we had been through the most terrifying year of our lives. Minutes after the Dr. removed the trach, I turned to the Otolarangolodgy (ENT) surgeon and I asked if it was ok we did swim lessons. He understandably looked at me like "really?! that is what you are concerned about?!" but for some reason this was such an incredibly "normal" activity that I was dying to do with my son...

Maybe it was the summers at Lake Chelan or the pool that we went to as kids with my cousins in Richland but there is something truly "childish" about leaping into the water. When B was sick I prayed that someday he would have these memorable childhood moments just like any other average child... and for the last 4 weeks our big boy has become our Big Fish!

I enrolled him into swimming lessons, twice a week at the Briggs YMCA here in Tumwater. We ended up switching him into the class with his buddy Torin from school and from day one he was a bit nervous. He just loved playing with the toys in the pool. Today was the last day of class so I convinced Joel to get off work early and join us so that I could jump out of the pool and get some pictures. And in usual Bennett style he showed off for his Daddy... He was leaping off the pool ledge like a champ and even floating pretty well with the help of his swim noodle.

He will be leaping off the back of the boat at Lake Chelan like a crazy man before we know it!
(and P.S. Check out the Mom-kini... it was my attempt at finding a one piece that made me look like a respectable stay at home mom :)

Giving Dada some "knucks" before starting lessons...

Oh that goofy mama face somehow makes me feel more convincing...

B's first report card... well done kiddo!

B and Lily take on the Capital...

This morning Meg and I took the kiddos to see a band play at the Capital. I have been an Olympian for almost four years and I have never been inside the domed capital building! The band Reccess Monkey (another fun kiddo band, check them out HERE :) played right there on the second floor while all the kids ran like crazy under the dome. I laughed with a sigh when I saw that the bright pretty golden seal on the floor was roped off and in the center of all the kids running like crazy... now I bet you can guess where Bennett was dying to be the entire time... Yep standing right on the seal. I was constantly that embarrassed mom pulling my tantruming toddler off the precious seal infront of everybody... but oh well, kids will be kids right?!

These kiddos are adorable and of course I wasnt surprized to see Bennett following and copying Lily all day... He sure loves hanging out with her!

Here's B watching the band from the 2nd floor across the dome... He would have been happy if we just let him run wild and check everything out... He was trying every door and stairwell... busy boy!!



Casper Babypants!

Bennett's favorite CD ever has been Casper Babypants, all the kids rocked out to it at Chelan last year and it has spurred many dance parties here in our living room. Casper Babypants is the alter ego of Chris Bellew, the lead singer of President of the United States, He is local and a ton of fun for kids and tolerable for adults... a win win! So when I heard that Casper Babypants was playing at our Dentist's patient appreciation night here in Olympia we jumped at the chance to invite his cousin Reece up for a night on the town!

At first Bennett dove into the crowd of toddlers rocking out and Reece was a little nervous... but after about 20 minutes right when Reece was getting the hang of it and shaking his booty Bennett was on the way out and told me "Car home mama"

What a great night with our 2 cute little guys! We love Casper Babypants and we cant wait to see him again... Check him out at HERE

Just another day in the park... Finally!

With the sunshine this week Bennett and I were inspired to hit the park... unfortunately it was a little dreary, as it plans to be for the next week straight, but oh well, it was fun! Bennett got some time to run, chase bubbles, meet some friends and get a wet toosh on the slide. Pretty much a perfect morning in the park with my guy, Hopefully the first of many more (hopefully sunnier) days this spring and summer!

 He climbed up on this table to watch these kids blowing bubbles... He can be so cautious but after a few minutes he couldn't help himself... He jumped down and went over to tell them about his favorite movie... Cars! It is so cute seeing his little social style, cautious but always willing to give it a shot.

Cousins!!

Our favorite new neighbors came to visit us today! My cousin Meg, her husband Wes and their adorable little girls Lily and Chloe moved to Olympia a couple weeks ago and we finally got the cousins together at our house.

Oh Lily, What a dolly! She cracks me up every time we hang out as I am sure she does with everyone she meets. She is smart and energetic and shows both off nearly all the time... and for this reason... Bennett LOVES her. Bennett can be slow to warm up sometimes but as soon as Lily's smiling face walked through the door he beamed and ran, talking immediately. He saw her a couple weeks ago and she must have made an impression on him!

It was a great afternoon of kids playing, baby snuggling and girl talk over a red wine treat for the mamas.  I know we can easily look forward to many more afternoons with their company... So happy they are closer to us!!

They played playdough like crazy... I never let Bennett mix the colors but they were having so much fun.. I will buy new playdough every time if they have this much fun!

Adoption Paperwork...

Lately Bennett has been into asking us to make things out of playdough... He will ask for "tractor" or "pizza" (which he pretends to eat and gets in his teeth) But last night we were playing and he said "Make Baby" I had to laugh out loud... Oh Bennett, if it was only that easy...

Since Bennett was 6 months old we have been thinking and hoping for a little brother or sister for him. Because it wasn't easy for us the first time we decided to check into other options. I immediately thought Foster-to-adopt was a great back-up plan... and after many classes, meetings and soul searching we decided to apply and see what happens. All along the way we were trying almost anything to make that sibling the Ol' fashion way... and as much fun as that is... it just wasnt working for us.

The path to Foster to Adoption was going a little slower than we had expected but we were just hopeful that what was meant to be would happen and we didnt know if that would be getting pregnant or getting an adoption going...

This week after some medical and emotional ends of the rope... we decided that our next step was not going to be getting pregnant we would have to have another route.

The very next morning I got a call that our Adoption home study was OFFICIAL and now we are just waiting for a placement! I suddenly know for sure this is absolutely meant to be for us. We have been working on it for almost a year and we are so excited it is finally here. We know there is a little soul out there waiting to meet us! And we can't wait to meet them!! So here's to waiting for that call!

Because you have to actually prepare a room before getting licensed, we painted this room, bought this crib and sewed the curtains... "If you build it, they will come"...

Boys and their Machines...

Anyone who knows Bennett knows how much he loves the Tractors and Choo Choos. Today in a desperate need to keep him entertained at Costco I swung by the book isle and saw this gem... A book of 100 pictures of real machines... He has spent hours today flipping the pages pointing and yelling things like "Papa Boat" and "Fire Truck!"

 And for those that are getting a bit older like me... please enjoy this picture of my son, the professor, wearing my new reading glasses, turns out old age has brought me farsightedness...

March for Babies... Donations!!

Over the past couple days I have been thinking a lot about everything that goes into the March for Babies 2011 and starting off Bennett's Team and hoping that we are successful in collecting donations for the March of Dimes.

It warms my heart to have friends and family and even people I havent actually seen in years reaching out to help us with this great cause. Sheri from the firm Joel and I worked for got on to make a donation! Thanks Sheri! And our wonderful cousin Jennifer also jumped on board early for a donation... We apprecaite your help!

It is officially that time of year that we are hoping people want to help us along the journey to have a great year raising funds for this cause that we so truly believe in. If you click HERE or the March for Babies Logo on the left it will direct you to Our Team page where you are able to sign up to walk, learn more about why we are raising funds, and make doantions. We truly appreciate everryone doing what they can.



Yesterday Joel and I spoke at the March for Babies 2011 Kick-off Luncheon. We were brought in as the "special guest speakers" which the title in itself scares me to death. I have had a massive fear of public speaking for years now and knew I wouldnt be able to do it. Joel said he would do it and I tried to explain to him that they want to hear "Bennett's Story" and I knew it would be hard for him to talk about without getting emotional... but I clearly was not letting that outweigh my fear of public speaking...

As we both walked up I let Joel do the talking for about 30 seconds until he hit the line "So we are hear to talk about why we got involved with the March of Dimes and about our story with our son Bennett..." It was this exact moment he paniced and with tears in his eyes he bailed and sat back down. I was a bit terrified but took over the best I could. I rambled up there for like 10 minutes about all the little things in Bennett's life that have scared us and all the stuff that makes us smile... and how the March of Dimes has effected our journey.

I went and sat down feeling proud that I was able to talk infront of a large group and I was able to share such a great story... A couple approached me afterwards thanking me for sharing and it meant the world to me.

Shooting hoops...

When all the cousins were together this weekend Uncle Marty took us all to his work to run around and play... The Chehalis Middle School Gym!! It was a great way to run the kids like crazy, let Joel and the Uncles play some ball and see how many shots it took me to make a free throw... (it was embarrassing when I had to stop counting... but finally with some coaching from Marty... I made it!)

It was a blast from the past for sure. I think I was somewhere around 12 years old the last time I was in that gym... too fun!

Yatzhee!

Bennett missed his Daddy so much this week when he was in Vegas for work (poor guy huh?)

As soon as he got home Bennett grabbed the Yahtzee game and ran to Dada yelling "Yahtzee, Yahtzee!"

We finished off the night with the most enjoyable restaurant trip with Bennett thus far. We hit up the local brick oven pizza joint for some race car video games, gourmet pizza and a balloon... it was perfect!

As usual Bennett was working the crowd as he yelled, "more milk" and "PIZZA!" from his high chair... we are working on manners... wish us luck!