Bear Lake Day Trip

First stop: St. Charles Cemetery. We hadn't been there since Grandma Stella passed away in 2005, so it was about time.

The cemetery is beautiful, with an amazing view of the lake.

Traveling is tricky with a toddler that is potty training. For some reason, this was really humorous to me and deserved a picture.

Playing in the creek. There are some LARGE fish in this little creek.

The fence is pretty fun too.

Ellie helped Daddy mow the lawn after she finally decided that the "tractor" wasn't so scary.

We were trying to get Benson to take a nap while Daddy mowed, but no such luck. So by the time we got to the lake, he had to have been pretty tired. He was so happy for being so sleepy.

It was a beautiful day in the 60s and not one cloud in the sky.

He was being so cute, so I took just a few pictures! For not being able to see the camera screen, the pictures turned out pretty good.

He wasn't a fan of his hat today and it turned into a fight to keep his bald head out of the sun.

All a kid needs is a shovel.

Yum. Sand.

It was a long day for a little guy.

Ellie was so daring and got in up to her underware!

Rinsing off a sandy boy.

By this time, he'd had enough. Poor sleepy boy.

Butter?

Benson's 9 month appt went well except he has dropped from the 43rd percentile to 19% in 3 months! He weighs 18lbs 11 oz and is 29.5 inches (83%). So with such a quick drop off in weight gain, his pediatrician suggested sneaking more calories in his diet. He now gets butter melted into his puréed veggies and cream instead of formula in his cereal. Butter?! Really?! I've never heard of such a thing but I bet he'll be back into the 40th percentile in no time! Just one thing though, when he's back where we want him, he will be sorely disappointed with the taste of just plain veggies!

Such a Big Boy

Look Mommy, one hand! 

Notice how most of the blocks are stacked high and against the wall? Well until today, Benson has only been kneeling next to the table to play, so this was Ellie's attempt to keep them out of his reach. There won't be too much that she'll be able to keep out of his reach for long!

Little Brother

It's a good thing Ellie can't see what Benson is doing to her favorite Tinker Bell.

Sweet Sleepers

That's a full diaper and hospital slipper socks on her hands. Asleep on the floor. Don't ask me.

I had to wake up the poor guy to go to the environmental fair with Stacy, Miah, and Abby.

The trick to naptime with this one is to start later in the afternoon. But then I end up waking her up to eat dinner!

Dreams of mermaids...

She's surprisingly easy to sneak up on while asleep.

Relaxing Afternoon

Enjoying a good book in Benson's bouncy chair. 

Mommy's Fault

9 Months

 

I am 9 months old and am not a baby anymore! I am officially crawling on hands and knees and the day after I figured it out, I was all over the place. I kneel to play, can sit up independently from crawling, and have figured out how to climb the step out of the livingroom. I have learned how to do so many things that we lowered the mattress in my crib one notch and the very next day, we lowered it again! Ellie and I are playing together well and entertain each other. I have been clapping for a few weeks now and think its pretty special. I dance to music, mostly by swaying my head and smiling. I am also contantly clicking my tongue, loudly! I still take two long naps a day and I am now sleeping for 11-12 hours EVERY night!