Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks…

We started our weekend with a pretty sick Ben. He stayed home with B on Friday with pink eye. He took him to the doctor to confirm and he found a darling little double ear infection to go with it. This was just after 10 days on antibiotics for a sinus infection. So now we’re on a pretty strong antibiotic that he hasn’t had yet. Can summer break get here any sooner???

Big Ben went to his 1st of (hopefully) many Cubs games Saturday. We had great seats and Ben was in awe of his surroundings. Lots of Cubs fans there, too! And they WON!

A sweet man in front of us put his hat on Ben.

Ben’s favorite song is “Take me out to the ballgame” and our sweet boy made it to the 7th inning stretch and got to hear THOUSANDS sing him his lullaby for the night.

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There’s something so sweet about a boy and his Daddy at a baseball game.

We’re already looking forward to our next Cubs’ game!

On Sunday I took Ben for his 1 year pictures. My happy smiling boy did not smile ONCE. He wasn’t unhappy, just didn’t smile. Lots of scrunched up noses and LOTS of rock eating attempts. He’s all boy. The photographer posted these as a sneak peak. Daddy says they’re a little too country, but I still think he’s pretty darn cute.

Of course Monkey had to join us

His Mahrer gene kicked in and he went straight for the gear shift on the tractor. Won’t be long and he’ll be tinkering with cars with his Daddy and Grandpa.

We’re headed out of town this weekend with the Masons. Can’t wait! And of course we all know what happens next week!!!

Walk This Way

First-I’m in complete denial that my precious baby boy will be one in just over two weeks.  But that’s another post for another day…

Big Ben has been walking up a storm.  He is getting faster and farther.  It’s so much fun to watch him.  He can cross the room now.  He’s also into EVERYTHING, but he’s perfect so we’ll keep him!

 

A few pictures of my favorite ALMOST ONE YEAR OLD:

Who knew a box could be so much fun!

 

Posing with Haley, my adorably sweet neighbor.

 

Oh kid, I love you more than you know!

Hanging out on his new musical chair (it plays music when you sit on it).  He thinks he is SO cool sitting in chairs.

 

I just kind of like this picture.

 

Ben won’t let us feed him anymore, he insists on doing it himself.  Daddy made enchiladas last night.  This picture was after he saw me throw away the empty blueberry yogurt cup (he loves it).  He does let me feed him yogurt.

 

Who says chairs are for sitting?

 

Our little daredevil wants to give Mommy a heart attack.

Movin’ On Up

That’s right, sweet baby is moving on up…at school that is. Last Monday, Ben started the transition from The Growing Room to Discovery 2 (D2).  And since Ben is a star student, he did the two week transition in one week!  He’s officially a D2 kid this week.  They generally wait until the babies are 1 before they transition, but Ben is a good 6 months older than the other babies and it just wasn’t fair to him.  I’ve been discussing it with the directors for a few weeks and after seeing Ben play with Austin (who moved a few weeks ago), it was a no-brainer.  It’s been a little hard adjusting to the schedule of D2, but we’re managing.  The biggest downside-only 1 nap.  This was tough last week.  We’re making it work and throwing in a little nap when I pick him up.  But he’s really happy and I’m happy he’s with other babies more his age. 

 

this week in pictures:

Daddy offered to feed Ben.  The picture doesn’t do him justice, but he was a MESS!

 

I was talking to my mom outside and this was my view of Ben looking out the window…

 

 

 

Ben’s two week long cold has developed into a sinus infection, but now we’re on antibiotics.  He stayed home with Daddy today for a little R&R (and video games).  Yesterday I got to celebrate my first Mother’s Day and it was wonderful.  Breakfast, shopping and lunch out (again they were shocked at how Ben can eat).  I am blown away that God chose me to be this little prince’s mom: 

Eleven Months

What?  11 months?  There is no way my precious baby boy is just one quick month from turning 1!  Ben is such a gift and makes us laugh and smile every day.  He’s getting bigger and bigger and growing and exploring all the time.  On Thursday he took a few more steps and this weekend practiced over and over.  Slowly he’s getting it!  We’ve figured out the dinner situation and now he’s back to eating it like a champ.  Last night I gave him some chicken and told him that once he ate it all I’d give him a few bites of mac n’ cheese.  I think he understood because 5 minutes later his tray was clear so I gave him a few bites.  When I picked him up, chicken came pouring out of his lap.  He hid it all where I couldn’t see.  Such a little stinker!

 

A few pics from the week:

 

First let me explain:  I was doing all the random laundry (towels, sheets, rags, etc.) so I had to use our laundry baskets.  I dumped our dirty clothes onto the closet floor.  Ben was playing in our room and crawled into the closet.  Next thing I knew he was lounging on Daddy’s shirts happy as a clam.

Saturday night we went to see Daddy’s guitar teacher play.  I went to get us dinner and saw this as I was walking back.  My boys…LOVE THEM!

 

Okay so the next two pictures are hysterical to me.  Yesterday our neighbor brought us over some bday cake from Ryan’s birthday.  When I got home today I got it out (long boring day of meetings = hungry Amy).  I ran upstairs to get something and saw this as I was walking up the stairs.  I guess he thought when I said “happy 11 month birthday” it meant cake time.  He pulled it closer to him and was going to town.  His face and hands were covered and he was the happiest little guy. 

 

Just one more month buddy!