Trick or Treat

Today was Monkey's 1st Halloween. We love Halloween and are excited to share our love of it with Ben as he grows up. It was also on Halloween last year that we saw/heard his heartbeat for the first time. Halloween is a little more exciting for me now that kids from my school come to our house. When I open the door I love to hear their squeals of excitement (or shock/terror) that they found a teacher's house. My rock star moment.

We took Ben trick or treating next door. Of course we did this all for the pictures.

He had no idea what we were doing.

On our way home we saw my friend Michelle from work and her daughter Addie-the cutest cat I've ever seen. Michelle and I took the babies to another teacher's house down the street to trick or treat.

Ben and Daddy. This mask didn't last long. Daddy scared the daylights out of the little 2 year old across the street from us. Pretty sure we ruined his Halloween and we were the first house he went to. After that the mask was put away.

This is how Ben sat tonight while Daddy fed him dinner. Daddy doesn't like the tray you put on top and apparently Ben doesn't mind. I have a feeling we're going to have to work on table manners when he's older.

We've had Ben dressed in warm clothes so much lately that it's weird to see his bare legs. Daddy was playing with him and we noticed just how BIG his thighs are. Oh my!

Just 365 days until Halloween 2010. The costume ideas are already beginning!

First Love

Ben has his first girlfriend. Okay-so maybe he doesn't even acknowledge her presence, but trust me-it's love. He finally got to meet Miss Mayson last week. Mayson and her mommy and daddy were having pictures taken at our neighbor's so we stopped by to say hi. He planted one right on her cheek. Then she came over to play yesterday. Ben looks like a giant compared to her. He's teething and wasn't much fun. It will be fun to see them grow up together.

Last week Mommy's friend Molly came in from Pittsburgh. We met her at dinner to say hi.

Ben grabbed my water glass so I let him have to see what he would do. Look at his lips. He was not a happy baby when I took it away from him. He would have LOVED what Sharon had to drink-heeheehee :)
Ben meets Molly. He loves Molly and had lots of fun with her. She better come back soon and visit!!!

First Kiss

Ben and Mayson

-doesn't he look like he's dancing?

Pops!

Pops came to visit! Ben had so much fun playing with Pops this weekend and I loved having my Daddy here. It was a quiet, relaxing weekend. We managed a trip to the pumpkin patch, but otherwise just hung out and watched lots of sports. There was also a trip to Urgent Clinic for Mommy (kidney spasms are NOT fun). Pops hadn't seen Ben since he was 2 days old so they had lots of catching up to do. Ben's teething so we had some not so happy moments, but otherwise it was a great weekend (thank you Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Bill for the ticket). Less than 2 months and they'll be back for Christmas! Woohoo

Weekend pictures:

look, up in the tree, it's Pirate Ben (with super cool shoes from 'Aunt' Ashley and Mayson)

Found: The world's cutest monkey hiding in the Pumpkin Patch

An attempt at a family picture

Ben's head is pumpkin sized

Pops taught Ben the fine art of pen flicking (sigh...)

Pops and his mini-me

3 generations

Pops explaining how much the Cubs stink to Ben. Poor kid will hear LOTS of this in his lifetime.

Bedtime hugs

A year ago today

Dear Ben,
It was a year ago today that Mommy and Daddy found out you were growing in my tummy! Mommy woke up with funny pains in her sides and was convinced something was terribly wrong with her (she does this sometimes). I was also sad because Pops had just left from a visit and I hate that they don't live near us. And-my feelings were hurt over something so silly (funny how I can remember that). I went to work and ended up leaving early because I was so worried and sad. Mommy didn't have any of the normal "I might be pregnant" symptoms so she wasn't expecting at all that the doctor would tell me that I was pregnant. I didn't tell Daddy right away, just that my appointment was fine. I couldn't wait for him to get home from work. He was in the closet changing into workout clothes and I gave him a book that I had bought a long time ago. He knew exactly what it meant (smart Daddy you have).

Daddy and I were cautiously excited. We were so worried about you developing correctly in my tummy. You gave us many scares in the next 9 months, but we wouldn't change any of it for anything because you came out PERFECT in every way and we love more than you'll ever know!

Love,
Daddy and Mommy

hmmm, wonder where your nursery idea came from?

Geocaching...what?

Despite the craziness of Thursday and Friday, we had a great week and weekend. It amazes me how something as simple as hanging out at home with Ben can be so much fun. On Friday (before I started to feel crummy), we debated whether or not to take Ben to school and do something just Mommy and Daddy. It took all of 2 minutes to decide to keep him at home and do something outside with him. We decided to go Geocaching. What's that you ask? Something that solidifies us as HUGE dorks. Our phones have GPS on them and fellow dorks around the globe have 'hid' little film canisters type things around for you to find using GPS coordinates and then sign your name saying you've found it. There are seriously like 1000's in Frisco alone and a bunch in our own neighborhood. It's like a scavenger hunt for super dorky people. But it was fun and we think Ben will like it when he's older.

Ben after his first find. This one was near our neighborhood pool. It was hidden in the cap post of this emergency box. Took us forever to figure it out.

Baby Ben has joined the other COOL people

Surprise! Look who lost another sock


Ben found one in the fence post

Pooped from a tiring hour of treasure hunting as Daddy called it.

That was our only big adventure this week. Daddy pretty much took care of Ben most of the weekend so I could sleep. They watched lots of football. Ben is grabbing everything now and starting to reach for our drinks. He loves Sonic cups the best! Still no rolling over. I even bribed him with ice cream if he would. He's his Daddy's child-he'll do it when he darn well feels like it and not a moment sooner.
Pops comes on Thursday for a long weekend visit. He hasn't seen the Monkey since Ben was only 2 days old. I'm so excited!!!

Some pictures from this week:

Who says stripes and plaids don't go together?

Our little Longhorn ready for the big game

Ben and his star. Ben loves this star. It makes crinkly noises and he loves it so much. We left him in the room to grab dinner from the counter and this is where the star was when we walked back in. That was the 2nd time he's 'worn' his star this week. Maybe his big noggin is cold?

Super Ben! Daddy and Ben ran around the house doing Super Ben today.

One more thing-today Ben started petting the dogs. I wish I had gotten pictures of it. He's been getting more and more interested in them and has been reaching for them. Today poor Bailey was within reach and she let him poke her eye and grab her chin. Our sweet babies are so good to him!

This is torture!

Yesterday was a CRAZY day! I have never experienced anything like it and pray I never do again. On Wednesday at school all my kiddos were there all bright eyed and bushy tailed. Then I started the day off yesterday with 7 out, all with fever/flu symptoms. By 12:00 another 5 had been sent home with a fever. 12 out of 21 kids all sick with similar symptoms. I called the nurse and asked her what I should look for and she said a headache-yep, had that. I ran down to get my temp taken and was sent home at 12:30. I called my doc and they couldn't get me in until this morning and said in the meantime to avoid loving on Ben. WHAT!!! Seriously??? Lots of tears. That's not what I wanted to hear. Last night was torture listening to Daddy and Ben play and have bath time without me. It was the first night I haven't put him to bed. I hated not being the first person he saw in the morning. Luckily I'm not confined to my room and can see him, but not touch. He's been flashing his huge smile at me when he sees me. I just want to run over and kiss on him! But I am SO lucky to have B. He has been so wonderful doing everything with Ben.

Today 15 of my 21 kids were out sick and 2 more went home...and on a field trip day! It's crazy and I've been psycho about hand washing and spraying Lysol all over my room.

This morning was good news followed by bad news. Good news-tested negative for the flu and was told I could kiss on his feet and back, but should have minimal contact. Bad news-felt worse as the day went on (we kept Ben home today so we could go out and do things with him since the doc said it was okay-bad idea). If I don't feel any better in the morning I go back for another test and I'm back to no contact with Monkey in the meantime. Let's pray I feel fabulous in the morning.

How can I not love all over this face?

4 posts. 1 weekend. Wow!

I know-4 posts in one weekend! There's just so much I want to remember about Ben and each day brings many new things. After a week where the weather was hot, cold, hot, cold, mother nature finally decided to stay with cold. Yesterday we took Ben to the Outlet Mall. This is something silly we do when the weather gets cool each year. He was a sport. Sadly, he's going to be like his daddy with shopping. He was fine outside, but got fussy inside each store. Another first-mommy bought NOTHING, but Ben and Daddy each got some clothes (Mommy hates Dave Ramsey-daddy's financial god). Mommy has a student with a crazy dinosaur obsession so after a late lunch we headed to the library so she could check out some books for him. Not a peep from our little man. We came home and played and Monkey was exhausted! He slept for 11 1/2 hours!!! And it was his first night without being swaddled. We're so proud of him.

On Thursday, 'Aunt' Lucy and her daughter came to watch Ben while we went my school's Chili Throwdown (Daddy actually wanted to enter)! Lucy is a sweet friend of mine from work. We worked very closely together last year and I'm so thankful she was there for me during my pregnancy. She's definitely an angel in my life and she LOVES Ben. I miss working so closely with her this year. He was sleeping when she got there and fussed when we woke him to feed him, but when we got back he was squealing and so happy.

It was cold outside this weekend! Mommy had Ben dressed in a long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt and sweatpants. My Aunt Linda made this soft and comfy blanket for Ben. We were excited to get to use it. I love it so much-I might steal it from him!

Happy Guy!


Ben eyeing Mommy's sopapilla. And no, I didn't let his little fingers get anywhere near the honey.

This morning Mommy had to go to the walk-in clinic... a little case of pink eye. No fun! No pain, just annoying, but I was paranoid about Ben getting it. Funny-the Dr was more concerned with an apparent sinus infection I have. I didn't know I was sick! Now Daddy's painting the kitchen AGAIN and Ben's snoozing in his swing. I love weekends!

Cereal!

Last night Ben had his first taste of oatmeal cereal. I was going to wait until today, but Daddy was the one who wanted to start last night. We decided on oatmeal because of all the 'blockage' problems Ben's friends have had lately with rice cereal. We'll see if it makes a difference...

Waiting for his cereal. Like the socks? Poor kid has eczema and rubs his itchy feet together like he's trying to make fire with them. We can't keep socks on him. Daddy picked the bib. Not my first choice, by hey-go ahead and spit up over Cowboys stuff, at least it's not the Bears!
It looks like he's saying Grace before his meal

First taste

"Here Daddy, let me help you get it in my mouth."

"What? It's all gone? No more? But it's so good!"

Needless to say-Ben LOVED it! We did cereal and then his bottle and after tonight I think we're going to switch it up. He's so hungry and we just can't give the porker the cereal fast enough. On another note-this morning I did notice a different smell in his diaper. Yuck!

School notes

So here are pictures of two little things that the teacher in Mommy just loves. They made me smile when I saw them picking him up at school this week. And yes, I had to take a picture of both :)

When I wrapped my arms around him to pick him up earlier this week I felt something on his back. His first school spirit night sticker! Do you know how many times I've put these stickers on kids as they've walked out my classroom???

Ben's first bulletin board! I loved looking for his name and smile each time I see it.

4 month check up

So I'm two days late, but our stinky wireless mouse won't work and I can't find one with a wire anywhere around here even though Daddy says we have one. On Thursday Ben had his 4 month check up. Mommy was pretty worried about taking him to the doctor because of all the sick kids out there so we quickly checked in (never been in such a hurry for someone to take my money) and then waited in the hallway outside. We got lots of weird looks from people passing by. A few smart Mommas told me as they left, "what a good idea." DUH!

Ben did great at his exam. He continues to be a very big boy.

physical exam: A+
Development: A+

weight: 16.12 (90%)
height: 26 (90%)
head: 17.8 (OVER 100%) lots of room for a big brain to grow!

Waiting in the hall outside the doctor's office

We got a green light on cereal! We are really excited about this. Ben got a few shots. One orally and a couple in the leg. He did SO well. I was so proud of him. He cried initially, but then as soon as I scooped him up he started smiling and squealing again. So brave, just like Mommy-hehehe!

Welcome Fall!

Hooray for the Fall! Football, open windows, chili and comfy clothes! The Mahrers love the Fall! We've had a few cooler days lately and Ben loves it! I've been worried because he loves to be warm and I wasn't sure he'd be a happy baby with cooler temps. We took a long walk Friday night and he was super contented. I have been so excited to decorate for Halloween and finally got to this weekend. Halloween is Daddy's favorite holiday so we are happy to share that with Ben. On Saturday he helped me decorate the outside of the house. Our neighbor, Haley, was out helping her dad and she came over to 'play'. We love this little girl (and her brother Ryan) like they are our niece and nephew. We moved in to our house when Haley was just a month old and have loved watching her grow up. I am SO excited she'll be in Kindergarten next year and look forward to her bossing Ben around as he gets older and plays with Ryan. B was sleeping and she wanted to go see "Bull". When I told her he was napping (Daddy was very nice and got up with Ben at 6 so I could sleep until 10), she said, "let's go jump on the bed and wake him up!" It took some convincing, but she decided she would babysit Ben while I worked instead. Oh I wish I had recorded her. She sang to him, told him jokes about bananas on his head and showed him how to sit on the grass and run. Love that little girl!

Today we hung out at home and watched football. Mommy and Ben had a HUGE tickle fest and I think I gave him a million kisses, maybe more. Grammy was concerned about our house being cold in the winter and sent Ben a bunch of super comfy warm clothes. Ben likes to be warm, Daddy likes to be cold. I see conflict in our future...

I don't want tomorrow to be Monday. I want the weekend to stay so we can spend every minute together. Ben's just too much fun!

Haley telling Ben a joke-adorable!
Ben went down for nap and Haley continued to babysit by watching him on the monitor. Once she learned how to keep the screen up, she loved it. She stared at him for a good 15 minutes telling me over and over, "he's still sleeping."

Go Bears! (and stinky Cowboys, too)

Best Buds!

How cute are these feet? Thank you Grammy for all the clothes.

Four Months!

Can you believe it? Our sweet boy is 4 months old today! Where has the time gone? He's 1/3 of the way to a year! So happy 1/3 birthday to Ben (and a big happy 1/2 birthday to his friends Wyatt and Addie). Our babies are growing way too fast!

We continue to fall more and more in love with him. When we're not with him, we're talking about him. I spend most of my day staring at his picture instead of teaching, oops. He's getting so strong. He continues to love to stand. It seems all we do is help balance him. He's lost any desire to roll from his back to his tummy, but has started to play with his left foot. His fingers are still his best friends and he loves to spread drool all over his chubby cheeks (or anything else for that matter). He's been sleeping through the night most of the time ever since he started daycare. Hooray for that! And as I type this, I hear him in his crib farting-a trait he gets from Daddy.

A sad note-that beautiful long hair he was blessed with at birth is falling out. The doc said he didn't think it would because he still had so much at 2 months, but I guess he was wrong. You can see the new (and very blonde) hair growing under the sparse dark locks of his. He's still the cutest thing in the world to us.

We have his 4 month check up on Thursday-stay tuned for those results!

Like every month, here are his 'birthday' pictures:

Monkey's not going to stand a chance soon.
If Ben can lift it, it goes in his mouth!

Our love!