Winter time fun (warning, lots of pictures)

We have had a great winter. Snowy, cold, generally unbearable outside...but when the weather outside is frightful, the fire is so delightful. And watching Benjamin grow these last few months has also been delightful.
Benjamin's vocabulary expands daily. A list of some of his new words: Geese, birds, Big Bird, balloons, knees, eyes, ears, stairs, down, blueberries, cheese, boots, "Pop" (as in the action of popping a bubble) and bounce.
Benjamin also loves books. I found some sesame street books at Target for $1, which he is a big fan of, along with a book with kitchen items in it, Fool Moon Rising, Llama Llama Red Pajama, You Can Do It, Sam, Bats at the Beach (when not too tired), a Big Picture book, I am a Bunny, Ricard Scarry's Goldbug book (something about cars and trucks), Dr Seuss's Hands, Fingers, Thumb, etc When he sees a book he really want to read he starts jabbering incessantly and runs and grabs the book and either sits down right by you, or nods his head at you until you sit down. I'm more than happy to oblige an eager reader.
He loves running, fast. around rooms, down the hall, across the yard, etc. And stairs, oh how he loves stairs. Benjamin can now walk up and down the stairs without assistance....and if I try to help, he says "Move".
He also loves all things construction. Everything is either "Daddy's" or "Donnie's" (the contractor who built our house)...unfortunately, the words are so similar I can't really tell who he is talking about. Hubby has been working hard in the basement to get up another set of basement shelves done as well as a "little helper tower" (see later pictures) for Benjamin, so B has been able to watch lots of drilling, hammering, etc. He is quite good with the level and measuring tape and has learned some great "man" behavior...bending down, looking at something closely and saying "Hmm".
Last but not least, he loves helping. He knows where his silverware, plates and cups belong, so he will put things away for me. He also can grab items for me: apron, cookie sheet, cutting board. He likes to help clean, so I can spray a dirty spot on the floor and he will wipe it up (he is not a fan of messes), and he likes to practice sweeping. B also loves cooking with Grandma Mooherd and me. My mom swears that he convinces her to find a way to use her mixer most days of the week. He can turn it on, and loves measuring, pouring, rolling and mixing things.

And now for pictures:

Benjamin "cutting" on his play fruit and veggies

He's been caught digging into the cereal box.
Oat bran flakes, yum

Benjamin's favorite food: Blueberries.
by far the messiest food as well.

My snow bunny

The Cady house covered with snow

Enjoying the sun
And yes, I lost his mittens so he got a pair from my mom circa 1975

Front door snow drift

Elmer Fudd

Chef Benjamin

a few xmas pics

I've been having too much fun with my little guy to have time to post. Sorry about that! Here are a few pictures from X-mas with my family I stole off my mom's computer while I was at lunch. I'll try to get more pic posted from the Cady xmas, but I can't make any promises.

18 months (almost)

Well, 1.5 years later...life is certainly different! And a very joyful, fun different at that. Benjamin is such an adorable, sweet, kind little boy. He is sleeping from 8pm-5:30am every night. He laughs a lot, jabbers a lot, and is generally a very cuddly happy boy. He loves "helping" clean up, cook, throw things in trash, etc. His favorite word these days is light, but sounds like "ight" He can turn on the Christmas tree lights himself (we have a push button switch...he is not plugging anything into the wall), and is very particular on what ceiling lights he wants on. He would be happy if we would turn on our fireplace all the time, but he doesn't get his way when it comes to that! He is also becoming very sociable when we are out and about. My mom and I took him Christmas shopping with us last week and he insisted on waving and saying "Hi" to most everyone that came into the restaurant. Ever since he recovered from a sinus infection he has been ravenous....putting away almost as much food as I eat! He loves fruit of all kinds (blueberris, apples, mangos, banana, peaches, pears, watermelon, etc), green beans, carrots, cucumbers, almond and peanut butter, pretzels, crackers, cheese, yogurt, and now lettuce. And now for some pictures:

Benjamin enjoying bathtime

Reading Llama Llama Red Pajama with mama and wombat at naptime

Reading all by himself

Family

Our first attempt at our "holiday" picture.

October

Benjamin is now 16 months old.

Benjamin had about 1 week of the most picky eating known to man. I was not sure what to do, so I stressed out unnecessarily, and let Benjamin eat lots of applesauce, bananas, and pretzels. Thankfully, that didn't last too long, and now he is back to having fun at meals.

Benjamin's current vocab: Dad, Moon, Up, Light, Baby, and something kinda like "wombat"...which is his nighttime snuggle animal at the moment.

He loves running.... up and down hills, in circles, around our house.... basically any running is just plain fun in his book.
Benjamin has also fallen in love with reading, Hallelujah! There was a time where I had to read to him while he was running around, and he refused to ever sit still long enough to read a few pages. His favorite books: Kiss Good Night, Goodnight Moon, Llama Llama Red Pajama, Global Babies, and Baby night night flip book. He often finds a book, finds me, then runs to where ever he wants me and grunt and points at me to sit down, it melts my heart when he backs up and sits on my lap.

Benjamin and I visited "Papa Charlies Pumpkin Patch" last weekend and had a blast. We got to go on a hayride, go down a big slide, climb on large hay bales, and see a mini horse, calves, chicken, rabbits, turkey. And, he got to ride on miniature tractors.


Benjamin loves playing with "sprinkles". Yes, he has been known to eat a few when I'm not looking : )

Happy Halloween!

I dressed Benjamin up as an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka's & the Chocolate Factory. We just stopped by a few houses in my parent's neighborhood, and he quickly found out what people were heading out. He loves chocolate!

Benjamin waving "bye bye" on his way inside the house.

While the contractors away...

the homeowners will play....






Man oh man will we miss it when all the "tractors" are gone!



And yes, we have grass seed and hay down! Grow grass, grow!

Hey , where did mom go?

...to visit this adorable baby!



Yep, I was away from Benjamin for the first time ever overnight this past weekend. We both did great. I got to spend some much needed time with my sis, her hubs, and her adorable, happy, easy baby. I mean, come on, who wouldn't need some time with that hunk. My sis and I also got in some much needed shopping (skinny jeans and all), a stop by an art fair, and some smoked meat from her hubs. yum.

Following pictures:

Beautiful sunset over the lake behind our house

Benjamin watching the deck being built. Very fun!

Playing outside

Pointing to the birds flying above

Wearing my rain jacket****WARNING****
Gross pictures below!!!!




Scott's poison ivy. both ankles as well as arms, abdomen, etc. here are the ankles. ek.