Bennett's Birthday Party

My baby is ONE!

Yummy cake pops...treats for everyone!

Bennett's Cake

Brothers

Having Fun at the Party

Blowing Kisses

Daddy, Bennett and Mommy

Cake Time!

We had a nice little party at The Little Gym for Bennett's birthday. We invited our family and a few of his buddies. It was nice to have it smaller than we have done in the past. I gave me time to enjoy the party and baby turning one. Bennett had a blast watching the big kids running around, he chased the balls, loved the bubbles and was totally amazed that I set a big cake down in front of him and let him have at it. He enjoyed it, but was cautious. He made it through opening presents without falling asleep and I thought for sure that would be the end of him. He surprised us all (as usual) and even sat through dinner and singing "happy birthday" at Red Robin after the party. The day was a 100% success.

12 Months

Things that Bennett is doing now...

Signing milk

Saying dog, woof woof, duck, Elmo, milk, all done, up, wawa (water), car, truck, gook (book) and cracker

Taking 3-5 steps at a time

Loves eating pinto beans, grapes, turkey, green beans and sweet potato

Sleeping like crazy and smiling all day

We are blessed

To Bennett love Mommy...

Bennett,

One year ago you made our family complete. From the second I first saw you I knew that you had a sweet soul. You had this calm and content look on your face that I will never forget. You have continued to have this look and the personality to match. I often have a hard time figuring out if you aren’t feeling well, because you always have a smile on your face. In the past year you have given us way too many health scares. I hope those are all in our past. If they aren’t over, you are a trooper and can handle anything (more than I can). One of my favorite things is when people say hi you hide by tucking your sweet little head under my chin. I love how you wake up every morning with a smile and a loud voice. You love to eat and really want to eat what mommy, daddy and Hudson are eating. You make this very known. It has made mealtimes a bit crazy. Don’t worry your time will come buddy. Before you know it you will be eating pizza with Hudson. I love that you really don’t want anything to do with your “baby” toys. You just want to play with Hudson’s toys. This is tough on Hudson, but this is something that you two will figure out. I also love how much you love your brother. I feel so lucky to have two such sweet and well natured boys. You two are amazing, kind and have the biggest hearts. Bennett you are such a blessing. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings us. Just promise me that you will slow down. You are growing up too fast. You will always be my baby.

Love always,

Mommy

Change

The three of us have been through a lot together...high school, college, moving to Bellingham, me off to San Diego, then Austin, weddings, birthdays in Vegas, road trips, heartaches, disagreements, laughs, tears, pregnancy, and now motherhood. Our next change will be the Banks family moving to Portland. It's not too far away, but far enough to make our frequent play dates and not as frequent and get togethers as families harder. I'm trying to stay positive and tell myself change is good. We have been through a lot of it and it has always worked out in the end.

Airplane

This weekend Hudson went to Jacob and Hanna's birthday party. Part of his goody bag was a airplane to build and paint. It was a hit! Hudson and daddy put it together and Hudson painted it this morning.

Soccer

Hudson started playing soccer at the YMCA in Mill Creek. Somehow I even ended up being the assistant coach. We showed up to the first practice and they didn't have an assistant. So to keep the team together I decided to do it. So far it's been pretty fun for both of us.

Kids at the Creek

Hudson started Kids at the Creek preschool last week and loves it! He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-11:45. It is the perfect time for school since that is Bennett's nap time. After I drop Hudson off I get home just in time to put Bennett down and he sleeps until we have to pick Hudson up at school. So this mommy gets some much need alone time. Even though I most likely will spend this time taking a shower and getting things done around the house, it's nice knowing I have some guaranteed quiet time twice a week.

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Today our favorite two year old had a super fun rainbow birthday party. We had a fun time in the sun celebrating Olivia's second birthday. The kids loved running around at the park, wearing the silly animal hats, playing with the bouncy balls and of course the yummy rainbow cake!

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11 Months

I can't believe that Bennett is 11 months, I only have one month sticker left. I'm not going to lie it's freaking me out. The second baby sure seems to grow up faster than the first. I think it's just because you are so much busier the second time around. Bennett is still the sweetest baby I know. I wakes up with a smile and laughs all day long. He loves to play with Hudson's toys, enjoys walks in his stroller, loves blueberries, talks a lot and mimics many words. He now says mama, dada, mamma (grandma), papa (grandpa), huss (Hudson), nana (banana), cracker, wawa (water), stinky, tickle tickle, that, this and he loves to point at everything. He's not walking yet but, he's getting close. Honestly, I want him to take his time. The sooner he walks the sooner he's a toddler and not a baby. I have less than three weeks to prepare for his first birthday. I just can't believe it.

Amazing Vaction

We (our family, my brother, Melissa and my parents) just got home from the most amazing family vacation. We rented a house near Manson on Lake Chelan. We were on the water, with a pool/hot tub and had the best weather! We rented a boat for 3 of the days and a jet ski for one. Hudson was able to drive both and loved it. I think he was more comfortable going fast on the jet ski than I was. He informed us yesterday that he wants a boat for his birthday. He might have to settle for the promise of driving the boat again next year. We plan to go back next summer and might even rent the same house. It was perfect. For the first time in a long time I felt like I got a vacation (not a trip). My parents took the kids a lot of the time. John and I were able to sneak off to my favorite winery, Melissa and I visited the spa at Campbells, had lunch and of course visited the winery again, we spent a lot of time relaxing on the boat and I even was able to sleep in a few times. It was exactly how I wanted to end our summer.

The House

Date Night

Bennett Loving the Pool

Snacks by the Pool

Driving the Boat

Our Family

My Parents

Brett and Melissa

Loving the Boat

Bennett Not Loving the Life Jacket

My Family

My Mom, Melissa and I

Last Day

The Group (Bennett was napping)