Flintstone Feet

I couldn't find a pair of shoes to fit Ben so in desperation I went to Stride Rite and explained my situation. The girl helping us measures him and says, "Oh" like she's about to diagnose something, "that's because he wears an 8 Extra Wide."
"Really" I say, "and where can I find an Extra Wide?
"Here."
"Well yeah, but where else?"
"No, just here." she says.

Just to put this into perspective Keely is 5 and wears a size 10, and she has pretty big feet for a girl. The boy is only 18 months! Great, so Stride Rite it is. Until he grows out of kid sizes that is and then we'll probably have to special order them. Here are the only 2 pics I could find that have good images of Ben's feet. Kind of makes him all the more lovable though (except when he steps on me with his monstrous shoes!). : )

18 months

I can't believe my baby is 18 months! I wish I could portray in writing how happy this little guy makes me! He has developed such a personality and is cracking me up everyday. I can't describe it like I'd like to but he is just a kid you want to grab and hug all the time. Here's a few of our favorite things:
Just a few things he's saying:

• When we can't find Ben's shoes (which is almost always), he walks around the house shrugging his shoulders and saying, "where is it?"
• "No!" A real favorite.
  
• When he's done eating Ben throws his hands up and says "all done!"
• Mattie has figured out that it is safest to stay away from Ben, so Ben spends much of his day laying on the ground and looking under the chair (where Mattie's hiding) while saying "dog" and "Mattie" like he's making a brilliant new discovery.
• When Ben wants to get out of the house he says "go!" and runs to the door
• "shoes" because he's obsessed; and believe it or not he's only got one pair that fit him. I can't find shoes wide enough for his chubby little feet!

A few things he's loving:

• Every time we pass a basketball hoop he makes a motion and sound effect like he's shooting a basket.
• He loves to give high fives and will do it all day if you let him
• Running up and throwing his arms around me to give big hugs - love it!
• Dancing! The kid loves to dance and can really get those arms and legs moving.
• HITTING - my only complaint. Hitting Keely, his cousins, anyone who happens to be in his path...seriously, it's non-stop!
• His bear and his binki. Can't sleep without them and I know it's time to take the binki away but I'm dreading it!
• His daddy - oh, and he prefers men in general. Last week was his first in nursery and I had to let them know that if he needed to be calmed down it would have to be a man. He's a man's man.
  
• Making people laugh. Once he knows something cracks you up he'll do it again and again; he's such a character.
• Folding his arms for prayer. Every time he sits at the table, be it a snack or a meal we must pray. And then he claps after every "amen."
  
• Food. Any and all. I love that he loves food, makes life so much easier!

Dear Keely (on your first day of school)

Dear Keely,

I watched you this morning as you picked at your breakfast because your belly hurt. I know about nerves, I have as many as you do right now. I watched as you slung on the backpack that’s almost bigger than you, looked up at me with a brave face and then admitted that you’re scared. I waited with you at the bus stop and kept talking about how fun your first day of school would be, about how much you’ll love your classes and your teacher, but all the while my stomach churned and tied in knots. I watched you tense as the bus pulled up, then watched you relax as you saw Jade waving to you from the window. I was so proud as you stepped on and went in and I knew that brave step was the one that mattered today. I loved watching you wave from the bus but felt like you were waving goodbye to so much more than me.

As soon as the bus pulled away I dashed to the car so that I could beat that bus to school and be waiting when you got off. When I dropped you off in class I watched you sign your name with that shaky, newly formed penmanship and I smiled as I saw your classmates do the same. When it was time to say goodbye I was so proud of you for letting me go because I know it was hard but even though I didn’t show it at the time I want you to know that it was just as hard for me.

I finally let some tears flow as I drove home. It feels like yesterday that I picked you up for the first time and whispered to you that I’m your momma and I’ll always take care of you. I remember putting you in your car seat carrier and knowing that life would never be the same and it hasn’t – I don’t think you’ll ever truly know how much happiness you’ve added to my life. Now it’s time for me to put on my brave face but I want you to know that although many things will change there are some things that will always stay the same. I will rejoice with you over every accomplishment, cry with you over every painful experience, and nothing will ever make me happier than hugs from my little girl. So, on this big day just know that everything you felt, I felt; know that I spent the morning thinking about you and praying that your first day would go well. Know that the best part of my day will be when you step down off that bus and you’re home. I’m so proud of you and I love you more than you’ll ever know.

All my love,

Mom

Meet Mattie

This morning we picked up our new puppy Mattie. Anyone who knows me well will know this was a very happy day for me. I'll let the pictures tell the story:

At the breeder's house picking up Mattie.

Me trying to keep Ben from crushing the poor little thing.

Keely may be smiling but Ben is in the background throwing a tantrum because I won't let him squeeze the life out of her.

What makes Keely happy in the car? Holding her new puppy all the way home.

What makes Ben happy in the car? Eating his sister's leftovers after already consuming his own lunch!

Mattie with her biggest fan Keely. Can you tell what Keely did all day?

Mattie's other fan Shawn. He may not admit it out loud but he's already fallen in love.

Good night Mattie!

Camping at Warren Dunes

Any one who knows me is probably shocked, but it's true. I did it, was a good sport about it, and even had a great time. I have to say that my biggest worry was actually that it would be blazing hot in mid-August but thank goodness the weather was perfect. Really, there were actually only 3 things I didn't like about camping: 1.our mattress got a hole and went flat the first night, 2. we all came home with a bazillion bug bites, and 3. Ben was like the rooster that woke everyone at the crack of dawn (sometimes a little before the crack of dawn). With that said, the positives far outweighed the negatives and I'd even venture to say that we'll do it again. That's right, you heard me...so here are some of my favorite things about camping:
1. the friends we went with (thanks especially to Elizabeth for getting us all organized and making sure no one went hungry!)
2. the kids loved it
3. sitting around the camp fire after the kids went to bed
4. the beach - perfect sand and fresh water instead of salt water
5. Stopping at Culver's for custard on the way to and from (okay, so this is really not part of camping but still one of my highlights).

Here are a few pics from the trip:

Some of the boys sitting around the campfire, Ben looks pretty comfy in the pink chair, huh?

This was both Keely and Ben's first camping experience. She was soooo excited to sleep in a tent and sleeping bag

Ben and Shawn both worn out from not getting enough sleep (look closely to see Ben's head peeking out under the arm of the chair, he slept like that for almost 2 hours!)

Mike C.'s back after the first day at the beach - Natalie, you did a bang up job of rubbing that sunblock on! : )

Keely and Cora loving the beach!

Bye Bye Julee

My sister Julee has been here visiting for the past week. It was her first time out and she braved the trip from Utah almost 8 months pregnant and toting her 18 month old son around. She even went the extra mile and brought Gavin, my sister Arah's son with her so that Keely would have a playmate while she and Ayden visited.

We had such a great time. Julee and I got to sneak away while Shawn watched the kids a few times and we of course made time for some good restaurants and a couple movies. Gavin and Keely had the time of their lives and Ben and Ayden were hilarious together. Pretty much they took turns bopping each other on the head and rotating time outs. 18 month olds haven't mastered the art of being social yet, have they? One of the funniest interactions was when Julee picked up Ben to show me how jealous Ayden gets (he's pretty possessive of his momma). Needless to say Ayden was not a happy camper, but the funny part was when he turned around and started yelling at Ben after he had given Julee a piece of his mind. He just pointed his little finger at Ben while waving his arm up and down and bellowing very descriptively. While he wasn't using any words his position was definitely made clear. Thanks dear Julee for making the trip, it was so great to have you here!

Here's a few pictures I took during the visit:

Ben at the park

Gavin at the park

Ayden at the lake

Keely at the lake

Chicago

All right, I've been taking a lot of heat for not updating - I'm sorry!!! I haven't had time to look at other people's or post on my own but this is me committing to try to do better.

This weekend we were lucky enough to spend some kid-free time with some great friends! The Barlows invited us out to their new home in Stevensville, MI and we spent all day Saturday in Chicago watching a Cubs game and touring the city. Elizabeth and Michelle's blogs will give much more detail, but I'll just highlight the top 7 most memorable moments (in no particular order) of the trip for me.

1. Potty breaks. Try taking a little vacation with 3 pregnant women sometime. There are LOTS of potty breaks!
2. "You're outta here!" What would a Cubs game be without the coach getting thrown out of the game and the fans filling the field with trash in protest?
3. Good old fashioned car talk. Poor Chris got stuck in the middle of the "vacation van" so he got the best of both worlds - the guys' conversation and the girls' conversation. I think he would have preferred to just hear the guys. Shawn also got voted the worst Shot Gun partner for his tendency to fall asleep.
4. The trophy - Matt and Kristen have a paper trophy proudly displayed on their mantle which Matt claims is his due to his ability to beat Kristen in the game Singing Bee. Well we were all jealous and wanted a stab at the trophy so it was girls against guys in Scene-it Squabble. Unfortunately the trophy remains with the men.
5. The reigning hosts of the year. Matt not only typed up a hilarious trip packet and mailed it to us pre-trip, but also had an itinerary waiting on our beds when we got there (nothing better than knowing what to expect). Kristen had shopping bags for each couple complete with our towels all tied up in bows as well as shower packs which included shampoo, conditioner and body wash. To top it off the boys got hooked up with some sweet Benton Harbor tees which they will all wear proudly for years to come. Oh yeah, and did I mention the food? Yum!
6. Chris threatening to kill some poor, drunk 20 year old that grabbed Michelle's belly. You should have seen that kid hustle!
7. Gummi bear test - I took a lot of abuse over just wanting to eat the red and white gummi bears so we did a blind taste test to see whether my condition was all mental or whether it really warranted all the fuss. Turns out that the green gummi bears are actually apple flavored (I thought lime all this time) so I can now add green to my handfuls - but orange and yellow are still out!

I can't neglect to mention Abram and Kristin without whom none of this would be possible. Thanks for taking the kids!!!