Little Boopers

I wish this wasn't blurry, but I still love his little angel face. My little boopers is getting, well, not so little. He went in for his 15 month check- up this month and he was in the 50% for head and height and in the 60% for weight (24 lbs). Still very average, but big to me. He literally is in to everything and his reach is increasing dramatically. He's been able to open the front door now for more than a month- scary- and he is also sneaky about it.

He makes us laugh all the time- the hard laughter. He loves Benson sooooo much and follows him around. All the hardness of having two babies close is ALL worth it to see them as little playmates and best friends. He has recently experienced his first time-out's and has had about 4 (15 seconds). He doesn't cry, just stays in the corner and then hugs me after. It's amazing that he really does know when he's not supposed to do things.

He tries to run, but can't keep up with himself and falls face forward all the time. He loves Little Einsteins and pats his legs and raises his arms, and he knows milk, and please in sign language. He folds his arms for prayer, blows kisses, and wins hearts. Oh how I love to kiss on his cheeks!!

I know there is something wrong with this picture---I shouldn't be smiling, but Kimball was standing right next to me when he projectiled and it was so startling that we just burst out laughing. It really was funny- even more so that it was on me and not him. I deal better with that sort of stuff- that was not in any way to paint a picture that he doesn't just dive right in anyway- because he does. Andrew has been sick a lot in the last month. He got a double ear infection the day before New Year's and had a sinus infection and fever at the same time. He was on antibiotics for ten days, but still has a runny nose, and spontaneous 'not-feelin-so-good' days. He also has 6 going on 8 teeth, and so he's been dealing with that too.

My cute little Boop!

The BIG 3-0!! ! !!!

I mentioned to Erica a few months back that I wanted to see people that I haven't seen in a while for my birthday. Not a very well coded message Erica says, "You want a party?" At first it was a surprise party that I obviously didn't know about. Erica kept asking what movie I wanted to see, where I wanted to eat. But I did accidentally saw a text on her phone and was SO EXCITED. (Be careful what you text people!) I still refused to hear details but I was able to help with the setup of the event. Erica did such a wonderful job at putting it all together. What a party!

The friends that I wish I saw more often but don't see as often, and will now see less often. Enjoy Chicago Marsh's. Thanks so much to very busy people who bless me with their friendship. I'm grateful for you.

Mmmmm Luau Chicken Salad. Anything with Strawberried in it has got to be good!

Can't believe that I'm thirty. Here's the cake to prove it. Delicious and my favorite: chocolate covered lemon cake. I didn't get the chance to show off my aged lungs. That's why I have sidekicks now. I taught Andrew how to blow candles out a few months back and he got a little confused because he is used to only blow out one candle.

Andrew got so into blowing the candles out that on the final one he put the exclamation point on the cake. He tried to balance himself on the cake and his little paw print couldn't have landed in a better spot!

Benson rocks this joint, and looks the part pretty well. Thanks to Clark and his boys for lending the Wii and Rockband.

Birthdays are just days, you celebrate them because they have significance. I enjoy birthdays because they allow me to reflect annually on life and my personal goals. Thirty is a nice round number but it also is a good barometer for many things. For example, my dad worked for the same company for thirty years, lived in the same house for thirty years. What will MY next thirty hold? Regardless of age, I could not be any happier with my life. I am most grateful that I have an amazing wife whom I am passionately in love with, that I get to spend every day with. A wife who has brought two incredible children into our lives. They inspire me, educate me, entertain me and stretch me. Here's to thirty more 'eh.

Cosmo has a minivan!

We took Benson to a BYU basketball game. He LOVES it! We even found Grandma Knights in the crowd sitting with Sue and Ken and sat with them for the second half. Of course, Benson watches Cosmo as much as the game and when he came close enough Benson waved at him and yelled, "Cosmo" and he came right over to us. After a huge victory, we were walking back to the car and we saw a minivan aka: the cosmobile, and Benson yelled, "Look mom, Cosmo has a minivan!"

The suspicion is confirmed- he has a sweet tooth

When Kimball goes out of town, he brings us all a treat/surprise. This time he was gone for four days and brought us each a big lollipop (and me two new shirts!) At first when he unveiled the surprise, my first thought was "what is he thinking??! Everything in the house will be stickified within moments." However, I decided to relax and let them live a little. Don't worry, they didn't finish them all at once, and I had to closely monitor them. Needless to say- it was a hit.

Kimball was given a chocolate bar from his workplace that was sugar-free. Benson had asked me if he could have some. I told him that he could after lunch. He went and got it out- so he wouldn't forget and left it within reach of little Roo baby. I was nearly shocked to see Andrew walking out of my room with a half eaten chocolate bar. I guess the sugar-free didn't stop him. I was laughing so hard watching him eat it. He has so much personality! I've said this before, but he knows what he wants in life. Luckily, we were able to salvage a few bites for Benson- even though he didn't care anymore about it because he thought it was just as funny as I did.

At the touch of a button

We were given a Blend-tec for Christmas from my parents- I know- lucky. We love it and the kids love it to. At the touch of a button, we have a smoothie, as if I made a quick run to Jamba Juice. I think that we are going to get a lot of use from it. Thanks mom and dad!

Helper boy

This is his attempt at -

"I'm going to rock him and then he will go to sleep in my arms, k mom."

Benson was insistant on feeding Andrew, even though he was just fine to do it by himself.



Benson has been helpful when it comes to the little "sweetheart Andrew", but lately he's really been taking a stronger interest in 'mothering' him. He wants to feed him snacks, and he does. He also wants to hold him. Well, it's hard to explain to Bens that he only has about five pounds on Andrew and that he is heavy, but intsead I just tell him that he needs to sit down. A few days later, Benson actually said, "Mom, put another baby in your tummy." me: "Oh, you want another baby in our family?" Benson: "Ya". (as if it was just that easy). me: "Do you want a girl baby or a boy baby?" Benson: "A girl baby." me: "What do you want to name her?" Benson: "um, Jesus." me: "That is a boy name, you can't name a girl Jesus." Benson: " ok. then name her BYU Jesus." (at least Jesus was his first choice;>)

They have their moments when they think there is only ONE toy in the whole house, but those are very few (I'm lucky) and those moments are very short-lived. Overall, Benson is doing really well sharing, and trading for toys that he wants. Andrew mostly wants whatever Benson thinks is cool. What I'm trying to express is that Benson and Andrew love each other and take care of each other. There is seriously NOTHING better than seeing their relationship grow. Teaching them to be kind to one another and forgive quickly is one of my highest priorities.

Andrew comforting Benson while in time-out.

This is Andrew getting bored waiting for Benson to get out of time-out and play again.

Through the eyes of a child

I LOVE seeing life through the eyes of Benson. He sees, notices and finds things that I don't. I love going places with him and hearing what he comments on. He comes up with ideas and methods that are so unique which constantly keep me entertained. He comments on everything and asks lots of questions. He will ask me, "Is that a good idea mom?" after he shares his thoughts, and usually it is a good idea, unless it has to do with cookies or candy. . .

He makes me smile, and burst into laughter, and he even makes me think differently than I would normally because of something he says or finds. He's my best little buddy, and I just adore him.

Benson is my cheerleader. He tells me, "very good mom." or "you're doing great honey!" often. He also builds my self-esteem by telling me, "Thank you for this delicious dinner mom (or breakfast, or lunch)" - and that is not a joke. Oh and one of my favorites, is being called 'honey', 'babe', or 'sweetheart' by Benson's sweet little voice. Kimball and I never fail to laugh when he does this- and it's a lot. It's so adorable- especially since he is so sincere.

Benson is very articulate when he speaks. He pronounces words with clarity that is so cute- in the nursery last week he identified a "lam-bor-gini, and a fa-rar-ee. He rarely answers a question with yes or okay, it's always, "Yes, I do." or "okay, I will." He's been teaching Andrew how to talk. He'll say to Andrew, "Andrew, say ball." and if Andrew responds with anything, Benson is so proud of him. He'll play this game with me and Kimball too. It's fun to hear what random word he wants us to repeat.

He definately has silliness, and even a bit of mischief behind that cute face, and lots of energy. He does the funniest little dances- the kind that a reciever would do in the endzone after a gome- winning catch. He also makes noises that I could not imitate if I tried. It is SOOOO fun to have a little boy.
All of his good ideas and plans eventually wear him out too.