Baby is no more

Today my baby turned two!  I can't believe it's already been two years.  I remember like yesterday preparing Ella as best as we could for what changes were in store.  But, how can you prepare someone so little for something you're not quite sure yourself what it's going to really be like?  Will it be easy and natural to bring home a new creature?  Or, will it be chaotic, tense and sleepless?  On June 9th, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. I was so calm in the pre-op room waiting patiently while the nurses came in and out wondering what was taking so long.  Apparently there was an emergency c-section or something just as I was checking in for my scheduled c-section.  Things were different the second time around.  I was still nervous but probably more nervous about having a boy than having another baby or c-section.  I had the whole girl thing down and was pretty comfortable with pink.  How was I going to go from a independent girly girl to a boy?  Well, let me just tell you that my heart sure did melt the minute I laid eyes on my sweet little boy.  All my insecurities I felt before having him melted away.  He brings me pure joy each and every day.  While his sister is 100% girl, he is 100% boy.  I wouldn't have it any other way!

I love watching him place the small golf ball on the t-ball stand and use the golf club as a bat (yes, he has a bat and ball as well).  Watching him play sports is so much fun!  He can run around and kick a soccer ball, swing a golf club & baseball bat, shoot basketballs, throw balls and whatever else you put in front of him he'll give it a try and most likely succeed.  His athletic ability by this age is pretty amazing!  Being outside makes him most happy but we can't be outside all the time.  While inside he's happy playing with his new Thomas the Train set.  Hearing him say "Choo Choo" is darling.  Trains might be his second love along with Legos.  Like his sister, he enjoys reading books.  He'll pull them all off the shelf and sit on the floor and look at book after book all by him self.  He loves one book in particular that's a Little People book, I think it's called Around Town.  He points to everything and expects me to say the words.  When will he start to increase his vocabulary???  He sure thinks he's carrying on a conversation but it's not much of anything.

He really is one of the sweetest little boys.  He's so friendly and loves people.  He goes up to everyone and "talks" to them, holds their hand, wants them to pick him up, etc.  Just yesterday while in line for Ella's dress rehearsal the mom behind me said, "You're little boy is so sweet.  He just came up to me and held my hand."  Thankfully her daughter was in Ella's class so it wasn't a complete stranger but at the same time I was thinking he's going to go off with some stranger!  UGHHHH!  Sweetness isn't always a good thing.  It doesn't help that he's pretty cute too!!

I really am so very thankful for being blessed with our precious baby boy two years ago today.  Now that he's officially a toddler I can't use the excuse "he's a baby" anymore.  Thank you for bringing me constant joy, smiles, hugs, kisses, laughter, entertainment and love.  Happy Birthday, Bennett!

Brand spanking new and BIG!  

ONE and still chunky!

TWO! 

We've had quite the week of celebrations around here.  On Monday we celebrated his birthday with Ella and Chris because Chris had to fly out early this morning.

Riding his new Plasma car from his aunts!

New favorite toy - TRAINS!

He's saying, "Choo Choo"

Monster cake

Trying to blow out the candles

Whoa, smoke

Where'd the smoke go?!?!

Hmmm...red cake.  I'll try that!

I like it.

Yep!

Definitely liked it!!

Today was the official birthday.  When we got home from VBS I decided to use the red "You are Special" plate.  We received one as a wedding gift  and I'm not sure where the second one came from??  I've never used them because, well, I forgot about them.  I found them not long ago and thought today would be a great day to start using it.

Always silly

Silly, silly, silly

Say cheese, Bennett!

I love those brown eyes!

Well, I thought the "You are Special" plate was a good idea until sister sulked about it the WHOLE time during lunch.  I guess I didn't think that through.  Since she is older and fully understands it I should have given it to her yesterday on recital day.  Oops.  Mommy can't always think of everything.