Larries

I can't remember if I have shared this, but it is worth sharing again...Sam's word for "ladies" is "larries". It is really quite comical. He talks about how nice the larries at church are and how the larries laugh when he dances...He says Mama is a nice larry, but Daddy is a nice guy. Josh and I have started calling ladies "larries" too. It is lots of fun; you should try it. I am not looking forward to the day when Sam finally figures out they are "ladies" not "larries."

Ben is still reaching for toys and grabbing at anything he can get his hands on, including our dinner. He started eating rice cereal, now an then; he is getting the hang of it, but is still not too crazy about the taste/texture. He loves his pacifier and several blankies (i am not sure which one he will ultimately choose). He will swing in his baby swing for hours; he absolutely loves it. He "talks" a lot. He laughs out loud at Sam and keeps his eyes glued to him most of the day; he really likes all of Sam's movement and noise, although most of it startles him. He enjoys peek-a-boo - laughs hysterically. He rolls from his tummy to his back all the time and has rolled the other way once. He is ticklish around his neck and every time he gets his shirt changed he scrunches up his neck and laughs. He weighs a little over 13 lbs. and is 24 inches long -Does this sound like a personal add for Ben!?! :)

new family pic

Politics - from the mouth of babes

Sam's view of Barack Obama...don't know how he came up with this ;)

Croutons

Today, Sam talked me into buying some croutons at Wally for the salad. Then right when he got them in his hands, he looked up at me with those big blue puppy-dog eyes and said, "Me sit and eat them right here on floor?" He was serious. He really wanted to sit in the middle of the isle at Wal-Mart and much his croutons...a boy after his mom's own heart. (we both LOVE salty snacks). Well, I was able to talk him out of it, but by the time we made it to the register, he had his mind made up...this time, he actually sat down right there before asking again if he could eat them. Once again, i was able to talk him into waiting until we got to the car...As soon as he was latched in his little car seat, he was munching away on those noisy, garlic & cheese croutons, and he loved every minute of it. -Simple pleasures-

Tape

Sam and I were playing in the garage yesterday and he found a pine cone. He was so excited that he threw it up into the air, but it so happened that when it hit the ground it shattered into a million pieces. I thought he would react negatively and be heartbroken, so i said, "OHHHH SAM....OHHH NOOOO." to my surprise he reassuringly said, "It's okay Mama; we'll get some tape for it."

I love how the two year old mind works.


Ben is starting to reach for objects, but what is funny is that there is absolutely no fine motor control. It looks much like he is flinging a lifeless limb at the object. It is so spastic and uncontrolled...it provides much entertainment

Day out with Thomas the Train

Here we are!

Sam loved the trains. He watched for hours and played with all the different model train sets.

Armful of trains.

Here we are riding Thomas the Train. Sam's first train ride.

Papa got Sam this neat hat and shirt

Child's prayer

I pray with Sam each night that I tuck him in, and tonight when i was finished, i decided to ask him if he wanted to talk to God about anything and to my surprise he said, "yes" i said, "okay?!? what do you want to say?" he smiled, tucked his head down, and quietly said, "my punkin'...thank you paint my punkin'" I about burst into tears. you see...i had been deliberating about whether or not to get him a pumpkin because they are almost $5 and that is a lot for us these days, but josh talked me into it. so we took him to Wally and let him pick out his very own pumpkin a few days ago. he was ecstatic! so today, we spent a large chunk of time on the porch, just he and I, painting his pumpkin, mixing colors, using all sizes of brushes, washing out colors...he had paint everywhere, and was having the time of his life! it was great to see him take such joy in such a simple event. so when, tonight, he wanted to talk to God, he remembered that time with his pumpkin on the porch and wanted to thank God for it. I wish i were so grateful for all the simple things God has given me...it was a humbling moment and a proud moment all at once. I love this little boy.

hallelujah

Sam singing...so sweet!

boys being boys...Sam loves to play with Casey at the park! They just go off and do their thing, whatever that may be?

Sam and his friend Casey are taking turns playing with the "motorcycle"

Sam is dressed up in Emmy's play clothes, and playing with Emmy at her 2 year old birthday party!!! Happy Birthday Emily!!!

Emmy and Sam sitting together, eating. Sam doesn't like sweets, so he ate tons of mixed nuts :)

Sam liked the little stroller and doll at Emmy's party. He pushed this thing around for quite awhile

ornery!!!

Ben and Daddy having a smiley moment

Ben's getting better at holding up his head.

Event at the park. Sam was not to thrilled about riding the horse. He just had his pic taken and then got down...maybe next year :)

Brotherly love

the boys

smiley Ben

Papa, Nana, and Ben

Nana and Ben

Wendi & Ben...I think she is ready for another ;)

Emmy and Sam antagonizing the cat

Emmy brought Sam and fire hat

Sam got to touch the bunny at the county fair

Mr. Fix-it and Mr. Fix-it Jr. checking the tire pressure

Cows in Oklahoma

You know you've been in Oklahoma too long when your 2 year old opens the car door and the first words out of his mouth are, "shoooooo weeeee, cows, mama, peee uuuu!"

gettin' bigger :)

cutest baby of 08!!

ben is making a furrowed face

too cute for words

Sam decided to talk about the bus that we caught at Wal-mart awhile back. Listen for him to say "bus" "wal-mart" and "KKKKKKK" (this means 'orange'; he is making the sound of a sour orange in your mouth).

Sam and Aunt Aaralyn reading books and having tons of fun. Sam loves playing with his Aunt Aaralyn.



Aunt Aaralyn and Ben

Story time at Bed time. This can be tricky.



Sam and I made a robot out of a paper sack. He ended up decorating it beautifully, but didn't want to put it on after that.

Sam has great technique when it comes to holding the drumsticks using the "traditional" grip

doesn't he look all grown up!! i got this outfit for free at JCPenny because they sent a coupon in the mail that said you got $10 off when you spend $10 or more. I found this outfit for $9.98, so it was totally free. He loved the outfit and wanted to wear it right away.

sweet pic of Josh and Ben

Sam's first bubble bath. I know this sounds weird, but he has such sensitive skin that i have never attempted for fear of a huge rash. (His skin did just fine though.)

We went to my dad's company picnic and Sam got to ride on the carousel with Nana & Alli (and Papa later)

Daddy & Sam playing

Sam was reaching for the bell to ring at the top of the ladder

Papa, Nanna and Sam are playing ping pong. He loved it.

A little shade anyone?

Buster Ben

Ben in his cowboy hat. He wasn't to happy about it, but i thought it was cute.












Sam watched a clip on the Internet about a lady playing the mouth-bow. He got the great idea to pretend that this hanger was a mouth-bow and he was "playing" it all day long.

Sam still loves to drum!!

Aug 10

This is one of my favorite pictures of Ben. He is trying to nurse the ear on his puppy. He does this every time he is put in his car seat.

The boys and me in the morning (well...most days, this is what we look like all day to be honest)

Daddy & Ben

Daddy is giving Sam the backpack that he use to carry when he was a little boy. This was a very special moment for Josh. His mom bought him this backpack. Sam loves it and carries it to church every Sunday!

Sam is playing hide-and-seek in the box.

Alli stayed with me for a week and helped. We will miss her lots!

Cute little booties hand made by a friend of ours (Kristin Crouch - thanks Kristin!). They are soooooo cute and soft. I am very impressed

Aunt Holly & Ben

Sam and Alli made a home-made water park. They had lots of fun in the 108 weather.

Handsome Ben

Cute outfit (thanks Wendi) He had cute little matching socks too.

Sam is eating with chopsticks. He did quite well. More ended up in his mouth than on the floor.

"Bobo" & Ben.

Ben is gazing out the window.