18 Months & The Little Yellow Rainboots

Today is Bennett's 18 month birthday. I remember looking at this date on the calendar back when I had marked them off months in advance and thinking, "That will take forever to get here!" Wow. Totally proven wrong. What a whirl-wind.

Today it was a nasty, rainy day and I was bummed because I had wanted to take him out for some beautiful pictures to document this month. I decided to just "go with the flow" (one of my resolutions for this year) and use the weather to our advantage!

I scooped him up some cute rain boots at a local consignment store, let him bring his favorite truck, and headed for a place with puddles! There is an alley that I'm really familiar with in downtown Greenville because it's right outside one of the places I used to work. I knew it was safe and that there are ALWAYS puddles there! I remember many walks with Bennett down that alley to work with my own rain boots.

I just let him play. He loved splashing in the puddles and driving his truck through them. He would not look at the camera of course because he was mesmerized by his new rain boots that were two sizes too big. (Hey he'll grow into them by spring.)

Here's a few of the shots I got. I absolutely love them and cherish them for what they are. I love seeing him just being a boy. And a boy's story is the best ever told. (Thank you Charles Dickens).

Hanging with the Big Kid

Today was our last day with Uncle Stevie. Bennett really enjoyed having him in town. Those two were the cutest pair at the park today! I had to share these adorable shots with you guys!

Bless this little boy's hair...and his infatuation with slides...

He tried some new things today...

I think it's safe to say he's the happiest at the park. This mama doesn't mind going one bit! Sixty-five degrees a week from Christmas- yes please! It's that "Florida" in me.

We're going to miss Uncle Stevie!

Epic Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday our neighborhood had it's annual Breakfast with Santa. My friend, Christine, does an amazing job putting on the events in the neighborhood for the young children and I am so thankful we live in a community full of young families looking to share their lives in fellowship! God could not have put us in a better neighborhood!

This was Bennett's second year seeing Santa Clause. Last year he absolutely loved him! He was looking at him and giggling and laughing hysterically. This year was a completely different experience! However I had a pretty firm mommy feeling inside of me knowing that he may not react so well this year. Let's just say I'm happy there were cameras around to capture the moment!

Last year.... Five months old...

This year...17 Months old...

The fire fighters from our nearby firehouse came and the children got to see the fire truck. It was Benn's first time on the fire truck and he was completely mesmerized!

It was a great morning filled with crafts, face painting, food, visiting Santa (for other kids), and fire truck fun!

15 Months

Our little Bennett Michael is 15 months old and that means my heart hurts. Why do they have to keep growing up?

Thank you to Hannah McKeel Photography for snapping this adorable picture while Michael and I were having a night out :o)

The Catwalk: Baby Training Zone

Michael and Bennett are back home. I learned this weekend that a quiet house can be rejuvenating, but at the same time feel extremely empty and lonely. It was just Hogan and I these past few days and it felt a lot like college when it was just him and I. Needless to say, I didn't like not having a husband or toddler around. They fill up such a huge part of my life. Well...they fill up most of it, really. Tonight I am blessed for the noise, the spaghetti thrown on the floor, the smell of boots being polished, and sweet kisses goodnight from our little boy. I have no idea what I'd do without my family. God is so good!

As I watched the boys play on the catwalk before bed, it dawned on me that all of Bennett's biggest milestones have happened on that catwalk. Michael refers to it as the "Baby Training Zone." That is the definite truth.

We cheered him on from the end of the catwalk when he was learning to crawl in March. We watched him brace himself on the half-wall when he was learning to stand in April. His first climb up the mini-step into the "Man Cave" shocked us in May. He practiced his walking in June.  Currently he isnow bolting back and forth with Hogan at his side as he gets faster and faster at running each day.

It's nothing but a long strip of carpeted area suspended high in the rafters of our home, but to me, that catwalk signifies how fast Bennett has grown up. Tonight as he turned to wave "bye-bye" to us as he walked down the catwalk to his room...I knew that the saying "they grow up so fast" was painfully true.

The catwalk is a piece of the house that I never want to leave behind. Although some day we might have to, I know I can keep the memories of the "Baby Training Zone" locked forever in my heart.

Fun Bites Cutter!

I'm always having to cut Bennett's sandwiches and fruit into bite-size pieces for him and sometimes when he's screaming at the top of his lungs for me to move the knife faster I wish I had a handy-dandy tool like these...

Fun Bites makes them! I ordered the "Cube It" (the green one) for Bennett! It can quickly chop all sorts of things. But most importantly, sandwiches and fruit for the little man. The pink one is called "Love it" and it chops into various fun shapes.

Check out their website here and Facebook page here. To order from their website, enter the promo code, SEPTEMBERFUN to get free shipping on your order!

Now there's no excuse to cut slow!

Cooking for an Army of One...Bennett's New Milestone

I just sat there flabbergasted....wondering if what I was witnessing would be the reason I'd have to finally return to work. My picky, opinionated food-critic of a fourteen month old ate more than I did at dinner. And not just any dinner...a dinner I'm not sure is going to either make him sleep until noon tomorrow or have him up tonight at midnight needing a new diaper. Yes, I'm so blown away by this that I feel the need to share with you about it.

Get a load of what he devoured in less than ten minutes tonight at the table.

* 8 stalks of asparagus cooked in olive oil and seasoned with Aunt Cora's Soulful seasoning, salt, and pepper. He ate them like green french fries...and then started pulling more off my plate!
* 3 big strawberries
* 12 thumb print size pieces of rotissere white meat chicken
* 2 pieces of parmesan garlic bread, buttered
* 8 oz. of whole milk
* half of his Easy Mac, triple cheese flavor....he finally slowed down and shared the rest with me. :o)

I swear I feed my child. But anyways, that's all. Gotta run, he's reaching for the Puffs in the pantry. Really?!

My little Ray of Sunshine

Not a whole lot of time to post today but had some sweet time with my preciousness in Grandma and Grandpa's driveway...

I love him. His boo boos, messy hair, and gorgeous long eyelashes.

For the Love of Raisins

Toddler Problems: Requesting Raisins without the ability to say "Raisins."

Solved. Finally.

'Lil Seminole Pride

We're pretty excited about football season! More specifically Seminole Football!

I must confess I got a little excited for dressing him up for the game. He obviously knows he's an FSU fan. We made him a head dress...but we figured we'll build to that as the season goes on. The mohawk is completely legit for now. And painting the chest will come too....just wait!

We love our Seminoles! Good luck on the 2012 season!

Home Depot Memories

I've always had a love-hate relationship with Home Depot.

Hated it because it takes forever to find anything in that store (without Dad with me of course). Although I am getting better at it now that I'm a homeowner.

Loved it because trips to Home Depot when I was little always meant time with Daddy.

We are repainting our shutters and front door right now and made a family Home Depot run today. These little moments melted my heart and reminded me of how great it is to just be little again.

Stop back by tomorrow (hopefully) for the reveal of our new shutter and door color!