Merry Christmas!!

A little delayed, but nonetheless I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  We went back to visit my family and had a great time.  We even had a white Christmas since it started snowing early Friday and didn't stop until midday Saturday.  Ben had a great time sledding and my parents have the perfect hill in the front of their house that we used along with a classic wooden sled. 

Christmas Eve was filled with family at my grandma's house and it was great getting to see everyone and all the kids.  Ben had more fun playing with other people's toys, but was still happy to open books as his present which I'm sure will not happen every year.

Christmas morning he only wanted to open two presents and was done.  Luckily we were able to slowly open a few more throughout the morning (there weren't that many in first place)!

Here are some of my favorite pics - sorry there's a lot.


Wearing Papa's hat



Perfect greeting card, don't you think?



Snow!!



Sledding with Dad



Deebo's Snowman

 

Who doesn't enjoy a Slinky?!



Sitting on his shopping cart before it's put together

Deebo showing him the Choo Choo on the Tree

 

Ben playing with his cousins Molly and Ella

 

Riding on a doll's scooter



Indoor Play

As I'm sure most other kids at this time are getting cabin fever, Ben is definitely hit that point already and cannot run off enough energy inside some days.  So yesterday we decided to take him to Little Monkey Bizness in Shawnee and if you haven't been there and your kid is under probably 3-4 I would highly recommend it!  All toys and play area is designed specifically for this younger skill set and they even have a baby area, art area, food, and private parties.  Parents are free and the cost for him for the amount of time we were there may be a tad pricey, but it was well worth it in my opinion and we will be going back to get through the rest of winter.  Here are some pics that I took with my phone so the quality isn't all that great.

Also, I had another sonogram and although she is measuring as 'petite' for some things she is doing well.  Just about in the third trimester so 2/3 of the way there!  In this pic she was playing with her feet.  You can see her profile with a hand up towards her feet.

Santa!

My work is lucky enough to have Santa and Mrs. Claus come visit every year and this year Ben was very interested in Santa.....from afar.  He watched many other kids sit on Santa's lap, but when it came his turn he wasn't up for it on his own.  To start things off, we had Brian sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus to get a decent pic of Ben with them and then it was time for his solo with them.  I'll let the pics talk for themself and I'm sure you can see the progression coming.

I'm also behind on stats - his 18 month check up was a few weeks back and the results are holding steady it seems although with a little bit of height increase surprisingly.

Weight - 23lb 15 oz (25%)
Height - 32" (50%)
Head Circumfrance - 18-1/2" (25%)

Leaves

Ben helped rake and play in the leaves on Sunday.  He had a blast and is really becoming a good helper with cleaning and picking up his toys.  It really looks like fall, hopefully winter won't be too bad since all Ben wants to do is be outside!

Gobble Gobble and Trees?

This year we were able to see all of Brian's family in one house and let's just say that is a bit of a feat since he's one of nine.  All siblings and kids were in tow which made for 45 people at dinner.  Quite a crowd, but you could tell everyone had a great time.  Big thanks to his sis for hosting yet again!  Here's a glimpse of the gang.

Ben enjoyed the day and was perfectly content playing with all of his cousin's girls things including her kitchen set, stroller, pink laptop, etc.  Although I have to mention that when I put a doll in the stroller he tossed it out and put in some cars to push around instead.  I'm sure he'll eventually do the same once our little girl arrives since he gravitates towards pink.  Then when we got home we were able to skype all my family and see his cousins on the other side.  He showed off his dance moves and cozy coupe of course, then cried when we put him to bed almost 2 hours past normal bedtime.  He was definitely a trooper! (Although we paid for it the next afternoon since he didn't catch up on sleep that night.)



Ben wondering what Kylie is doing



Ben playing the drums with Jane

Then this year we got an early start to our Christmas decorating.  Normally we decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, but decided to start the tradition like everyone else of decorating during the long weekend of Thanksgiving.  I must say, I like it.  We even got a beautiful tree yesterday!  It smells fantastic.  Then onto a photo shoot which of course is impossible for a 1-1/2 year old who won't sit still.  Luckily the dog is the only way to get him to focus, but you'll have to wait for our Christmas cards to see the outcome!  Here's him shopping for trees.

Dance Party

Here's a video from Sunday of Ben dancing while Milo is trying to sort fridge magnets and give them to him.  Unfortunately Ben was working too hard on his awesome dance moves to pay attention to Milo.  Once Milo gave up he decided to talk to his buddy on his 'phone'.  Quite an entertaining duo we had!

Early Turkey Day

My parents came in town this weekend to celebrate an early thanksgiving since we stay here for it with Brian's family.  Great food, great friends and of course a wonderful time.  Ben loved seeing his Deebo and Papa along with Momo (my grandma).  He even went looking for them when he got up from his nap on sunday afternoon and was a little disappointed they weren't still around.



Ben swinging with Deebo and Momo

 

Mallory being persistant not to let mommy show her face!



Nicola being adorable and perfectly content playing dishes while the boys ran around.



Kate about to smile with Dad

Ben really enjoyed having Jack to play with and they really did feed off each other.  They took turns being the leader while the other followed along and copied them.  They swept, danced on chairs and ran around being silly all through dinner which was entertaining, but not sure they really enjoyed much of the turkey, stuffing and potatoes - maybe next time!

Then on Sunday we watched Milo who is only a few weeks older than Ben.  At first they weren't too sure and just played side by side, but by the end of the day they were chasing each other and having a blast.  We definitely need more playdates for those two!  Ben even worked on sharing!!

Milo

 

Ben giving Milo the baseball back



The boys all in Chiefs gear



NYC

This past weekend my entire family (minus kids) went to NYC for my dad's installation into the Order of the Malta.  We all had a blast and it was nice to get away - I know even Ben and Grandma had fun spending time together.  We did a ton while we were there and just to name a few things - MET, Statue of Liberty, food walking tour in Central Village, Ellis Island, Wall Street, Ground Zero, Times Square, Today Show Plaza (our hotel was a block away from it!), Phantom of the Opera and great restaurants!


Metropolitan Art Museum in Central Park



Neat street we walked down during our food tour of Central Village

Washington Square near NYU

  

Celebrity sighting - Mitchell from Modern Family

 

The Rockefeller Tree was delivered while we were there

View of NYC from ferry to Statue of Liberty



Statue of Liberty



Times Square on a Friday night

Since Ben wasn't on the trip and this blog is really for him here are some pics.  There is a bit of a jealousy struggle in the household between the dog and Ben fighting to be near us.  So Brian had both on his lap at once to try and combat this debate, but let's just say it's still ongoing.  Hopefully Ben gets over it in the next few months before the baby arrives otherwise he's in for an even worse shock then us petting the dog!

Boo!!

Happy Halloween! We went to my parents this weekend for their halloween party so he could see all his cousins. He had a great time trying to follow them around, but is still just a little too small to play with them. All the costumes were great and in case you can't figure it out, Ben is a garden gnome.


All the cousins




Our little gnome

On saturday we went to the St. Louis zoo and for some reason it didn't click to me that it was Boo at the Zoo so Ben was one of the only kids not in costume that day...oops. We did however run into my cousin and her darling little girl Audrey! What a great surprise! Apparently Ben isn't the only one who doesn't like to share as Audrey did not like Ben in her wagon for a picture so the only pic with them together is one neither of them were to sure of.


Jenny, Audrey, Ben and Brian



Ben and a monkey



Ben and Deebo



Ben and Papa



Then I was able to meet up with my friend Pam and her newest addition - Daniel. For some reason I was much to interested in holding and playing with Danny that I forgot to get a pic of him. He's precious and I'm so excited for her and Chris.

We also were able to meet up with my other cousin Katy and her little girl Hadleigh. She could not be any cuter and full of smiles. Ben of course had trouble sharing with her and used his favorite word (NO!) way too often. But it was great to see so much family this weekend and can't wait til next time.



Ben and Hadleigh

 Tonight we went to a few houses around our block to get the full effect of Halloween and Ben did a terrific job. He loved walking from house to house and peeking in through their doors, but was not to fond of when people were actually in the house and answered. Nonetheless, I am hopeful that he already has the Halloween spirit and will love trick or treating in the future. Even the scary houses didn't bother him!  Too bad I couldn't get him to keep his beard on, but at least he hat stayed on!