Happy Anniversary!

It's hard to believe, but on the 17th of December, Daniel and I had been married for six years.  I feel like we've grown so much in the last six years together, and I wouldn't trade that time for the world.  I remember the weekend mornings when we first got married, living in our apartment.  We would wake up, read the paper in bed, fix a quick breakfast, and have breakfast in bed (since we didn't have a table yet. :)  We had all the time in the world to do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted. 

Now, things are so different, but still so wonderful.  We wake up to a beautiful, sweet baby boy, quickly get into our new morning routine, eat every meal at the table, and plan everything to a "t" when we want to go somewhere or do something.  It seems as though our lives have gone in a completely opposite direction than where we were going 6 years ago, but that's the beauty of life.  I am happier than I've ever been, and I love our life together.  I wouldn't change a thing.

So, to my wonderful husband...

You are the love of my life, my best friend, and the best father in the world.  It is my hope that our son grows up to be just like you.  If he does, his wife will be the luckiest and happiest girl in the world.  I love you!!

8 Months Old

We are a week late with this post, but better late than never! :)  Bentley is growing so fast; I can't believe my eyes.  Part of me wants him to learn more, do more, and grow fast, but the bigger part of me is begging him to STOP GROWING!  I feel like I need to savor these moments we have now because I know they are short lived.  I know that every stage of life has its wonderful moments, but it seems like the current stage always has the best moments.  Some of my favorite moments...

• When I walk into the room, Bentley's face lights up as if it has been forever since he's seen me (even if it's only been a short moment).
• Bentley's reaction to Daniel is just as good...he LOVES his Daddy.  (The other night I started feeding Bentley while Daniel was still getting the table set for dinner, and Bentley was so fussy.  I couldn't figure out for the life of me what was wrong.  Finally, Daniel walked into the room, and all was well.  He just wanted his Daddy).
• I love his sweet expressions...happy, mad, confused, worried, and even sad...they are all SOOOO cute.
• I love that he wants me.  For so long, babies are pretty content to be held by anyone, but there comes a time when they have a preference.  While it's not always convenient, a part of me always wants to be wanted. 
• I love the way he plays with his toys and shakes them all the same way, as if he's examining each one to see how it's different than the rest. 
• I love that he lays his head on my chest when meeting someone new.  He gets a little bashful, and cuddles with me as if he knows I'll keep him safe. 

I could go on and on and on and on, but I can't write about every single thing I love...we'd be here for days.  At eight months old, Bentley is so much fun. He's learning more and more each day, and Daniel and I sometimes just sit and laugh at some of things Bentley does.  Here's a list of some of the things Bentley has started doing over the last month:

• His favorite word: "Da da da da da da da da"  (of course).  Can you say, "Mama?"  Bentley responds , "Da da da da da."  Stinker!
• His new trick:  "Do you have a bad cough?"  He will try his best to make a coughing sound.  He doesn't do this as much anymore, but for a couple of weeks, he would do it on command really well.
• If you bang on something (with you hand or a toy), he will copy you without missing a beat.
• He's working on finding his tongue.  This takes a lot of concentration and lots of silly faces and sounds from Mommy and Daddy, but he sometimes sticks his tongue out for us.
• He goes from sitting to his hands and knees SOOOO well, as if he's going to crawl, and then....SPLAT!  He falls to his belly.  He has made forward progress (with two crawls) a couple of times, but nothing consistent.  I'm honestly not really sure he will ever crawl.  I won't be surprised if he goes straight to walking. 
• He can pull himself up to standing on a person, the laundry basket, and in his bathtub.  (Nothing else is quite the right height, I don't suppose.)

Bentley hasn't had a doctor's visit since 7 months, so there's no updates there.  That is, unless he goes to the doctor tomorrow for the terrible cold he's fighting.  He's been sick since Friday, and he started running a fever yesterday, so we might head to the doctor tomorrow.  We'll see how he does tonight and in the morning.

I don't have a lot of pictures to post, but here's what we do have.  Now that I'm off work for the holidays, I'll try to be better about taking pictures and posting. 

 

After battling his cold and getting very little sleep, he still managed to be super cute and so sweet after waking up in the morning.

By the way...we have a new family member here are the Bowling residence.  You 'll hear more about him at a later date...his name is Eli.

As you can see, Eli is a little mischievous.  While he tends to get into things, he reminds us daily that he is the one with Santa Claus on speed dial, so we better be good!

WAAAAYYYYYY Behind...Sorry!

Hello everyone!  As you all must know, this time of year is CRAZY!  While we need to slow down and celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas, it almost always turns into hustle, bustle, wild, and crazy times. 

Here's a few moments I've failed to post in the last month.

Bentley's 1st Thanksgiving

I had intended to get lots of photos of his 1st Thanksgiving, but I was the cook, so it didn't work out for me. :)  We cooked at my house on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and went to Daniel's grandmother's house on Thanksgiving day.  Here's the few pictures I did get of this special time that was spent with our loving families.

A delicious Thanksgiving dinner...

Yummy, Delicious, Oh-So-Good Green Beans
(with balsamic vinegar, red wine, bacon, and onion)

Daniel's smoked turkey...it's becoming famous!

Who needs toys when you have water bottles? 
Playing at Grandmother's in the floor

Happy Family on a Happy Thanksgiving Day

Decorating for Christmas

On the day after Thanksgiving, we decided to get into the holiday spirit.  The tree went up, the garland went up, Christmas towels came out, and Christmas lists were made.  Here again, I didn't get to take as many pictures because we were so involved in decorating.  Bentley loved putting up the tree.  I carried him in his pouch as we put the ornaments on, so he had a great time.  Bentley also has his own little tree that is in his room.  He was so funny about it at first.  He wanted to touch it, but he was a little afraid of it, too.  Here's a  few pictures of him and his little tree.

Hey Mommy, what's in this box?

I though you said this was a little tree for me???

I want to touch it...no, wait, it's fuzzy.  Oh, I want to touch it...I just can't!  Okay, okay...here goes!

Santa's Village...Part I and II

We went to Santa's Village on a Saturday night (dumb idea, Mommy).  The weather was perfect...chilly, but not too cold, no rain, a little windy, but it still felt Christmas-y.  We got to meet two of Santa's reindeer, see the toys being made in the toyshop, go into the sleigh bell market, and even see snow (not real snow, of course).  What was the one thing we didn't get to do...MEET Santa!!  The line was SOOOO long.  There was no way Bentley was going to be able to wait that long.  It literally was going to take HOURS to get through the line.  So, we left and decided to go back on a weeknight.  We went back as soon as they opened on a drizzly, freezing night.  We waited in line for about 15 minutes, and THEN...we got to meet the BIG GUY!  Here's our pictures from both visits.

On the sleigh...

Bentley's saying "Giddy-up!"

Hey Frosty!

Bentley and Santa.  He did so good.  Bentley was a little nervous for about 10 seconds, and then he warmed up to Santa.  We were so excited!

SOOOO Sweet!

Okay, Santa, I want a basketball goal, a rocking firetruck, a singing dog, a caterpillar book, and maybe even some clothes!!!  Can you make it happen, Big Guy?  Mommy said I'm on the NICE list!  Are you on Mommy's nice list, too?

After seeing Santa, it was playtime at home. 



Bentley loves to stand up ALL THE TIME!!



Coen Turns THREE!!!

Coen, our nephew, turned three years old on December 10th.  We spent Friday night, the 9th, at Chucky Cheese.  Bentley loved the lights and sounds, and he even liked Chucky.  Here's a few pictures we took with my phone while we were there.

Bentley loved Chucky Cheese.

He was so sweet with him.

 Coen's party was at the Sports Center in Arab, and all the kids had a blast, including Bentley. We jumped on the trampoline, played in the tunnel, and rolled around on the mats. He also had his first taste of ice cream while we were there. HE LOVED IT!

Bentley loved playing on all the equipment and mats.  His favorite was the tunnel, but Daniel and I were both playing so we couldn't take a picture...Sorry!

I think he was a little queasy from all the rocking.

Coen had SOOOO many great presents to open.

I love this excited face!

Lewis Family Christmas

Daniel's Grandmother Frances, has a huge family that always gets together at Christmastime.  This year was no different.  We had yummy snacks, family fellowship, and a great game of Dirty Santa.  Bentley's first Lewis Family Christmas was a blast.  He was so good, and the family was so glad to get to see him. 

"The Lewis Sisters"
Grandmother Frances, Aunt Faye, Aunt Eula, Aunt Mary

Granddaddy Dave with the Grandkids
Bentley, Charlie, and Ruby Cate

Well, that's the Cliff Notes for the last month.  Now you're all caught up.  There's more to come because my sweet little boy just turned 8 MONTHS OLD!!! OH MY!  I'll post as soon as I can...I promise it won't be this long.

7 Months Old...and Growing

Hi everybody...Bentley here!  I just thought I would update you on my latest birthday.  I turned SEVEN months old on Friday, 11/11/11.  (Pretty cool, huh?)  I was a lucky little man, too.  Since it was Veteran's Day, Mommy was off work. She got to spend the whole day with me, and we had quite a busy day.

I started the day as usual...happy as a lark, lots of playtime, and a YUMMY breakfast.

After Mommy fed me, it was time for her to have breakfast.  So, to keep me occupied, I played in my exersaucer, which I like a lot.  Do you know what I like even better?............Playing in my saucer with my "fruit thingy."  (That's what Mommy calls it.)  Mommy has given me lots of yummy snacks in my fruit thingy.  I've had frozen bananas, frozen grapes, apples, and pineapple.  I chew and suck and chew and suck until there's hardly anything left.  Mommy and Daddy have decided that I like bananas and pineapple the best.

While all this playtime and snack time was going on, Sister (Porsche) decided to cuddle in my blanket.  Mommy thought she was super cute, so she added even more cuteness with my bear 'boggin.  I don't think Sister really liked it very much, but we all thought she was adorable.

Once most of the morning passed, Mommy and I got ready to go to the doctor for me to get my second flu shot (a booster to the first shot).  Before we left, though, Mommy noticed lots of really tiny red spots all over my belly and back.  So, while at the doctor we had that checked out.  To go along with my rash, I had a snotty nose all week.  I never seemed to feel really bad, so Mommy wasn't really concerned.  As it turns out, I had a virus.  The doctor said the runny/stuffy nose paired with the rash could have been one of many viruses.  Long story short, a little hydro-cortisone cream and lotion should fix me right up in a few days.  I did get the second flu shot, which was NO FUN at all.  I was a big boy, but I still had to shed a few tears.  The only good thing about having to actually see the doctor was getting weighed.  Granted, I was weighed with my clothes on, but I have gained a lot of weight.  At 6 months old, I was 13 pounds 6 ounces (naked), and at 7 months old I was 15 pounds 6 1/2  ounces (with clothes on).  So, Mommy is estimating a good 15 pounds now.  WOW...I just keep growing!

Mommy and I had a good day (except for my shot).  We went shopping and got me a new jacket and hat.  We also cleaned downstairs and played and played and played.  We topped off the day with dinner with family.  Lots of people from Mommy's side of the family went to dinner at Top O' the River, and it was so delicious.  (That's what Mommy said.)  I was pretty handsome...take a look. :)

While Friday was fun, Saturday was SUPER fun!  Mommy just had to take some pictures of me in my very first long-johns.  She thought I was too cute for words.

I helped Mommy clean upstairs, which included one of my favorite activities...Vacuuming!!  After getting everything finished, we went to the store to get ready for our COMPANY!  Mommy's friends from college and their families came over to see me.  Let me tell you...I was in HOG HEAVEN!  I was surrounded by pretty girls.  Take a look.

Marlee...I think she got little tired.

Brinlee and Payton...such good friends.

Marlee and Porsche
Marlee walked around with a chicken finger in her hand all night...Porsche followed her everywhere.

Marlee...dancing away!

Brinlee...such a pretty girl.

Here's a group photo of the Mommies and the Babies!   First, there's Mommy and Me, then Jess and Payton, then Krista with Brinlee (top) and Marlee (in her lap).  Aren't we a cute crew.  Now you can see why I had such a good time.  A cute little boy in the middle of all those girls...What could be better?

Saturday wrapped up after everyone left for the evening, but I was ready to get up at 6:25 on Sunday morning.  I was ready for an early nap, and Mommy felt a little icky, so we skipped church. :(  I know, I know...there's no excuse.  I tried to tell Mommy that. :) (ha ha ha)

Sunday was a good day for me, too.  We went grocery shopping at Star Market late Sunday morning, so the store was deserted.  It was nice to shop without the hustle and bustle of busy people.  I am such a big boy now.   I can sit in the buggy!  Mommy and Daddy put the buggy cover on to keep me germ free, and I seem to like it a lot.  After shopping, we came home for me to eat, play, and nap. 

***Disclaimer***

I am not responsible for how dorky I look in the following photos.  I tried to tell Mommy "NO" to this outfit, but she insisted.  Mommy and Daddy called me "Grandpa" all morning when I had this outfit on.  Every time they looked at me, they giggled.  So, I decided to spit up on this outfit shortly after we got home from the grocery store. :)  (That'll show 'em.)

After lots of playtime and a good nap, it was time to apply my cream and lotion for my rash.  Mommy decided the best way to do that was to get me naked.  No complaints here!  I love nakedness!  I played naked, and I cooked naked.  Have you ever heard of the naked chef...that's me!  Check out my pictures below.

My new monkey hat.

Pancakes anyone?  Just kidding...

Overall, this was a fabulous 7 month birthday and a stupendous weekend!  My family had such a good time!

~7 Month Stats~

Likes:

• Toys that make noise
• The baby in the mirror (my reflection)
• My fruit thingy
• LOTS of baby food!  (I like oatmeal a lot more than rice cereal.  I love anything with bananas, but my favorite is Banana Plum Grape.  My favorite veggie is Organic Harvest Vegetables, and I also like Mac 'n Cheese and anything with chicken.)
• Standing up...I can already pull myself up to standing if something is the right height for me to hold onto.  (I pulled up in my bathtub and in Daddy's swivel chair in the office.)  DANGER! DANGER!!
• Bath time...still my favorite time of day.
• My paci...I only get it in the car and for my evening nap.
• My Sleepy Bunny...a must have for sleepy time.

Dislikes:

• I'm still not a huge fan of tummy time, unless its MY idea.  Every now and then I sleep on my tummy.
• Some veggies.  I seem to like all fruits, but Mommy sometimes has to trick me with fruit on the end of the spoon to get me to eat my veggies.
• Getting my clothes put over my head.  (shirts and onsies)  I'm fine once they are on, but I don't like getting them on.
• The booger sucker.  If Mommy sucks my boogers and snot out one more time...

That's about it, I suppose.  Mommy thinks I'm growing way too fast!  I can do more and more everyday!  I am sitting up all by myself, though Mommy always has the boppy behind me so I don't bump my head on the hardwood.  I want to stand up ALL the time, and can pull myself up sometimes.  I am copying some noises that Mommy makes, and we "talk" back and forth while making noises.  I am using my hands like such a big boy, too.  I know to swap hands when holding something while Mommy puts my clothes on; I wave things around to hear them make noise; I hold items with one hand and hit them with the other kind of like I'm clapping.  I just learn new things all the time.

Best of all...I am SOOOOO much fun!  Mommy and Daddy laugh a lot, and they say I'm a keeper! :)