Fearless

This afternoon, we (me, Bennett, Nana and Poppy, Josh, Jenise & kids) got to go to a pool that belongs to friends' of the Colyers. They're often at their lake house so they've been so gracious to let the Colyers use their pool and pool house on many occasions. Its a gorgeous pool with lots of room to run around so we always have such a great time there. It was especially exciting since this was Bennett's first time in a big pool this summer. I was anxious to see how he'd do. Well, of course he loved it. He got in right away and was just kicking and splashing with excitement. He was eventually jumping off the side, going down the big slide, and trying to swim on his own. I would be holding him out in the water and he was actually pushing my hand away, as if he could just go on his own! His favorite thing to do was stand on the bottom step and then slowly just step off and go under the water, trusting I'd yank him back up. It was hilarious.
This all totally reminded me of my little sister Claire, when she was a baby. I think she almost drowned at least 3 times as a toddler because she'd just step off the side way before she could swim (once entirely clothed and of course at least 3 moms sitting around the pool all jumped in after her, also fully clothed.)
Sorry, no pics, but thankfully Jon comes home TOMORROW! I get to pick him up around 12:30. This week has gone very fast, thankfully, and I'm so ready to see him again. I was sorry he had to miss our pool day, but luckily we get to go back on July 4th. Jon will probably have him jumping off the diving board :) (that's not even a joke! He did want to do it to- after he saw Uncle Josh jump in!)

Day 4...so far so good!

We're missing Jon a lot but I've been able to talk to him on the phone. And sometimes its nice to be away from your spouse for a while to start missing each other again! Bennett and I have been having lots of fun and have kept our days full. Yesterday we had a playdate with my good friend, Erin, and her 6 mo. old girl, Larae. She's the cutest little smiley thing and Bennett loved talking to her. He would lay on the floor next to her and pat her on the back and then look up at me and say, "she's so cute!". He thought it was hilarious to give her her paci and then yank it out, over and over. Luckily she tolerated it just fine!

Today we went to the Ankeny splash park. We had a lot of fun there but I knew it was time to go when Bennett was wandering from towel to towel, snacking on anyone else's food he came across! He had a wonderfully long afternoon nap and then our great friend Manda, brought her kids, Madeline and Eli over. They're 8 and 6 so they were perfect entertainment. Next stop, my parents for dinner. Only 4 more days as a single parent...Bennett's going to be so excited to see Daddy again. He asks about him a couple times a day.

The Photo Shoot

Here are a few of my favorite shots that Elizabeth got. If you want to see a few more, check out her blog: http://cavens.blogspot.com/

PS. Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband. Bennett and I missed you!

And he's off...

Day one of our week without Daddy begins! Thankfully it didn't begin until 8am. Yesterday Bennett woke up at 6:45 so i was very very thankful for the additional hour of sleep this morning! I need as much energy as I can get to parent on my own for a week. I made sure to cram it as full as I could with activities to keep us busy. The busier we are, the better Bennett is. So here goes nothing!
Oh, and in case you're wondering, Jon went with our church on a missions trip to Rosebud- an Indian reservation in South Dakota. He's pretty excited because they got a list of possible work projects for the week and he's determined that their group finish every single one. With Jon on the job, they're not going to have anything left for groups to do the rest of the summer :)

PS. Jon took the camera so unfortunately I won't be posting any pics of our adventures this week. But I'll post some of Jon's trip when he's back!

A Day in the Life of a 2 yr. old

Today was crammed full of appointments and activities. Bennett had his 2 yr. checkup this morning. He weighs 29lb. 4 oz (75th %) and is 36 1/2 in. tall (95th %!). He must have had a major growth spurt since he's pretty consistently been in the 50th percentile for both height and weight his whole life.
In the afternoon, we met my friend, Elizabeth, at a park in West Des Moines to take Bennett's 2 yr. pictures. Elizabeth offered to take them for me since she's just starting out with her photography and I can't wait to see them. It was a gorgeous park (I think its called Greenbelt Park or something like that, off of 100th, behind 7 Flags and that big white church) with great trails and a bridge which Bennett kept calling the Troll Bridge (a little too much Dora the Explorer!). We also got to see the most adorable baby deer sitting on this little stretch of sand in the middle of the river (or creek, whatever it is) not far from us at all. I thought he was stranded out there but after 20 minutes or so, he was gone.
After that, Bennett and I went to DR Deli for dinner since Jon was at a meeting. I put Bennett to bed at 8 like always and just a minute ago I heard his voice. He'd gotten out of bed for the very first time. He even turned his fan off before he came out of his room!! Hopefully this isn't going to become a habit. It was kind of funny to me and Jon the first time but I know we won't be laughing if he keeps that up. And he was doing so well too!

As a side note, just in the last few weeks he's starting to come up with some pretty funny stuff. Yesterday he was walking around saying, "this is my moment!" Wow...enough said.

Mother Goose would be proud...

Bennett knows all kinds of songs now and Hey Diddle Diddle is one of his latest. It cracks us up every time when he gets to "the little dog laughed, to see such sport..."

The first night

So far I'd say it was a success. He didn't get out of bed once! Although it took him a long time to fall asleep and he woke up about 45 min. earlier than usual. But I figure that's not too bad at all for his first night out from behind bars.

Drum Roll Please...

Bennett is sleeping in his big boy bed tonight!! This seems like one of the biggest milestones in his 2 years of life so far. I'm sure other parents can relate, at least with your firstborn! He was pretty hyper and excited when we were trying to lay him down and I told him firmly he was not to get out of bed. But once we left the room, he was crying out for Mommy and Daddy. Jon practically had to handcuff me to keep me from going back in there. Jon stood firm, even when I was begging him for a little peek but so far Bennett's been quiet although I have no idea if he's actually in the bed or not. I'm assuming he is since he hasn't tried to open the door at all. I'll probably have to wait another half hour or so before Jon will uncuff me and let me peek in. I'll update tomorrow whether he stayed in there all night (and how early he's probably going to wake up in the morning!)

PS. Candy...I promise house pics will be coming soon!

Exploring the Wilderness

Last Friday Bennett had a long day with his Nana while my sisters and I went to lunch with my mom for her birthday. (Awesome Japanese food at Kayabi 9 and browsing through shops in the East Village...a perfect day). I had to share these pictures that Judie took of the boys when they went to the park.

The Birthday Party!

Yesterday was Bennett's 2nd birthday. We had his "Wonder Pets" party with awesome food and delicious cake and homemade ice cream. We had lots of family and friends here to celebrate and had a lot of fun. It was so fun since he actually understood what all the hoopla was about and wanted to open presents and eat cake rather than staring wide-eyed at everything, a little apprehensively like last year. A favorite so far has been a harmonica from the Millers. Jon taught him to say, "I got the blues" before he plays a little diddy. Today, he's already asked about 3 times if he can "open presents again". Sorry bud...6 more months til Christmas!