The Week I Missed

This picture was taken on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 3:42pm. Exactly one year ago at this time, Bennett took his first breath of life. It absolutely amazes me how our tiny newborn morphed into this oh-so photogenic little boy.

Bennett's actual birthday day was pretty uneventful, besides the fact that he was utterly exhausted from the crazy vagabond lifestyle we have been living lately. He was also a little sick with Hand Foot Mouth Disease (he got a fever and this weird rash, but nothing too bad). Ironic that the day we celebrated his birth was the same day he was grumpier than at any other point in his entire one year of life. Ugh.

I did make him his special "birthday dinner" though, which consisted of all his favorite foods--fruits, vegetables, and noodles. He is a very healthy eater. Hopefully this trend continues.

Here he is before (no, we do not usually give him this much food...or a ceramic plate. It was a one-time thing, believe me.)

And this is after dinner. He hasn't really grasped the concept of eating within boundaries yet, but we try. Goodness, we try...

That was Wednesday. Thursday I hosted my book club. We had read "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Chreech which is a classic. (Actually, I picked it because you can read it in a single afternoon.) Throughout the book there are several other stories being told, and they layer upon each other to build one complete storyline. I thought I would be crafty and play off this with a "layer themed" dinner. We had these super yummy baked ham and cheese sandwich things (a layer of bread, a layer of cheese, a layer of ham...), seven layer bean dip, layered fruit salad, Oreo pie, and pink lemonade with raspberries and lemon layers on top. It was delightful, if I do say so myself.

The presentation was a little thrown together, but the food itself was pretty dang good.

Unfortunately, because I had lost days with the funeral (see blog below) I had to go grocery shopping, make all this stuff, take Bennett to his one year well-baby appointment, and desperately try to get our house back in order, all within one afternoon before several women (who are all very put-together) descended upon our home. It was insane, but we made it with only one major breakdown on my part, and about a million on Bennett's. Allow me to illustrate this point...

My day in a nutshell.

I do not know what it was, but for two or three days in a row our happy little boy was replaced with this crying grump of a fellow. And on top of that, Bennett decided these three days would also be the best time to begin exploring his world--aka: bumps, bruises, falls, etc. In this picture he had somehow wedged himself between the refrigerator and the wall and couldn't get out. Being at my ropes end, I have to admit I let him sit there a little longer than I would have usually. I mean, honestly!

I feel like I need to end this section of the post by saying that we really do love Bennett very much. We have past those days now and are on to much better things (and better moods). And really, he wasn't stuck there that long...

Friday Matt began his four-day weekend, so of course much was accomplished around the house. He kicked off his vacation time by putting crown molding up around the master bedroom ceiling. How relaxing. This project required the use of many dangerous power tools, an extremely loud air compressor, and a ten foot tall ladder. Bennett was very involved with each of these items. If he makes it to adulthood, I think this kid could have a good chance of becoming a builder...or deaf.

I assumed Matt was watching Bennett, but when I walked in the room I saw this going on. Apparently, Bennett has discovered how to go up ladders. Now if we could only get him to figure out how to get down...

A few days ago, I suggested what I thought was a small household project to my handy husband. Nothing is ever small with Matt! Friday evening found us swinging hammers into walls and cutting out tiles. I would love to go into more detail here, but Matt has made me promise not to reveal our top-secret project until it is completely finished. And since Matt is away doing training exercises for the next week and a half, you will all have to be patient right along with me. Needless to say, Friday night was a very exciting time.

Saturday morning was Conference. I love Conference. I thoroughly enjoyed the first session laying on the couch while Bennett took a nap. It was blissfully peaceful. Directly after the closing prayer though, Matt and our friend Erik (who is also into building) decided it was time to delve back into "The Project." And that was the last quiet moment of my day. For the rest of the afternoon (and yes, right through the second session of Conference) there was a plethora of pounding, cutting, measuring and planning going on. We did manage to hear a few talks over the ruckus, and what we heard was very good.

We finished the night off by going over to a sweet older sisters' house and helping her feed the missionaries and a new member in our ward. She was very happy we all came and gave us big hugs and even cried before we left. Isn't it funny how sometimes such little things like eating dinner can mean to much to people? We are going back soon. :)

Sunday morning, Conference Brunch morning. We invited over the same family who joined us six months ago, and our new friendy-friends Erik and Joelle from down the street. All together we had six talkative adults and five noisy kids under the age of four. The beginning of the first session was a little lost in all of the hubbub. But again, what I did hear was very good...and a little depressing. Such sad stories were told this time, but I guess the messages that went with them were important.

Between the first and second sessions of Sunday Conference, we "celebrated" Easter. Matt and Erik had surprised me and Joelle with an Easter egg hunt. It was super fun, although it did make me realize that my competitive spirit runs a little unchecked at times. Anyway, here are some pictures and a video from the festivities.

Matt and Bennett in our backyard hammock. Bennett loves this thing. We love Bennett.

Erik and Joelle's little girl Brielle and Bennett in their Easter outfits. These two just adore each other, which is a little life-threatening to tiny Brielle right now, because Bennett has not quite figured out the term "gentle" just yet.

Before the Easter egg hunt between me and my friend began, we allowed our children to each find one egg. Here is Bennett with his prize.

And here he is enjoying the fruits of his labors. This kid has an unnaturally strong sweet tooth. We can only blame ourselves for giving him chocolate ice cream on his pacifier. Remind us to never write a parenting book.

Once the little guys had their fun it was time for the real showdown. I have to say, I definitely had the home court advantage, which was a little unfair, but Joelle still got a few...

I really did waste her in the egg count at the end. :)