17 Months Old

On our way to Ashley's one morning...about to play with Ella and Molly!

Oh my...these posts are getting harder and harder.  Early into parenthood, it was easy to name every single new thing that Bentley did and every little milestone that he met.  That is getting harder and harder because he is doing new things, literally, everyday.  So, lucky for you, I don't have time to name every smart, funny, cute, or even annoying thing that Bentley did over the last month.

For starters, he is still only 19 pounds.  Yep, that's right...he's growing up but not out.  He's definitely getting taller, but the poor guy just cannot gain weight.  He eats good, but he is so active that I think his metabolism is working overtime.  I'll get his flu shot this month, so I'll talk to the doc to make sure we don't need to be supplementing.  My guess is...he got his Mama's genes. :)

Teeth...oh, those sweet pearly whites!  Bentley has cut three teeth in last five days, thus getting our count up to seven teeth.  He's still drooling like crazy and I can see and feel the beginnings of three more teeth.  The good news...he's been a trooper.  He doesn't like me to brush his teeth when a tooth is about to make it's appearance, but other than that, he's not had any symptoms of teething except for a few extra dirty diapers.

Word worthy...Bentley is a talker.  He will try to repeat almost anything you say.  Sometimes it comes out right, and sometimes...not so much. :)  He no longer calls Sleepy Bunny, "mama."  He finally refers to it and all other bunnies as, "bunny."  He loves to call for people.  (Not on the phone, but yelling out their names.)  When he talks about Daniel or talks to him, he refers to him as, "Dada," but when he calls him he says, "Daaaaaadeeeeee."  So sweet to hear.  He is trying to say everyone's name that he is around a lot, and some of them are really good:

• Ella - "Lala"
• Molly - "Moeee"
• Karington - "Taton"
• Coen - "Dadoo" (I don't have a clue on this one, but that's also what he calls the cat across the street, and her name is Sunny.)
• Reese - "Weese"
• Nana - "Nana"
• Papaw - "PawPaw"
• Granddaddy - "Dadaing"
• Mimi - "MiMi"
• Daniel - "Nanel" (He heard Karington calling Daniel, so he called her this for a while.)
• Jennifer (Jen Jen) - "Den Den"

Just this week he started saying, "Uh huh," while nodding his head.  I said, "say, yes Ma'am," so he said, "Ma Ma'am."  Pretty cute!  I told him to go tell Daddy that dinner was done, so he went to the patio door (Daniel was outside), saying, "Do-in."  He loves to hide behind the fan in his room as he says, "Hidin'."  He will stand somewhere he shouldn't (on the couch, on his firetruck, etc.) and say, "Dit," which translates to "sit."  Bentley has also been piecing together two words to make phrases rather than saying one word for everything.  The other day he said, "big truck" and "Dada bed" when Daniel was still in the bed. 

Though he's not really ready to start, we've begun the introduction to potty training.  We talk about pee pee and poo poo on a regular basis.  He has a little potty that he loves, but he only sits on it for about 10 seconds.  He wants so badly to put pee pee or poo poo in the potty, but he just can't figure it out yet.  So, we're not pushing the issue, but we are encouraging him to understand what it means to be wet and dirty.  Hopefully we'll have at least one success soon for him to be able to understand more. 

He knows ALL of his body parts, and yes, I mean ALL of them.  Of course the cutest one for him to find is his wee wee.  He starts looking up his pants leg for it.  SO funny!

There are a few things that Bentley has grown to LOVE lately.  He LOVES the lawnmower ("mamowa") and the blower ("bowa"), as I've mentioned before.  He also loves golf, and he wants to play with his play clubs, Daniel's real clubs, and watch it on television.  If golf his on T.V., Bentley will actually sit for a few minutes and watch it.  He still loves cleaning, including sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting.  He loves anything with buttons, so he really enjoys helping with laundry and cooking because he gets to push any buttons that need pushing.  Bentley's latest fascination is with bugs and spiders.  He loves to find bugs and spiders, dead or alive, inside or outside, he doesn't care.  And finally, our little fella is a pyromaniac.  He LOVES to see anything with fire ("Byee").  As a matter of fact, Goodnight Moon is his favorite bedtime story because there's a fireplace in it.  Sometimes we light candles, not because we like the smell, but because he wants to see the fire.  He does understand that fire is hot, so maybe we've got that on our side. :)

So, now for the fun part...the pictures.  On the 11th, which was Bentley's 17 month birthday, Daniel decided to mow the yard.  Bentley was thrilled, and so was I because Daniel found a frog.  I've been wanting to get another frog for my classroom, so I've been looking for them for a couple of weeks.  Bentley and I got to spend the afternoon together catching a frog, fixing it's aquarium, and just letting him be a BOY!  So much fun!  Here's our documentation of the night.

Daddy's mowin', Bentley's blowin'.

"Hey frog."  The more he said "frog," the more it sounded like, "Bob."

You wanna play?

Helping Mommy fix the aquarium...planting plants and filling it with dirt ("dut").
Mommy filled it up...Bentley tossed it out.

So excited!

More time to play with the blower before we introduce the frog to his new home.

Peek-a-boo!

New favorite way to go on the slide.

"Weeeeee!"

And the big reveal...see the frog...

Hold the frog...

"Bye bye frog."

Meet Skippyjon...he seems happy in his new home.
My kids at school LOVE him!

Using the frog's spray bottle to spray himself...he's drenched!

So, needless to say, we had a WONDERFUL time!  I absolutely love coming home, changing clothes, and playing outside with my little man.  We have such a good time, and seeing him do things for the first time makes me such a happy mommy!

A Perfect Day

Sunday, otherwise known as my favorite day...

I have always loved Sunday.  As a matter of fact, I wanted Bentley to be born on Sunday (he decided to make his appearance on Monday).  I love waking up knowing that it's still the weekend.  I love drinking my coffee, talking to my hubby, playing with my baby, and deciding whether we'll have orange rolls or cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  I love getting ready for church and picking out just the right outfit for Bentley, so that people at church will say, "Isn't he cute?"  I know that's silly, but we all do it.  I love that Daniel brings my breakfast upstairs, but he and Bentley have their manly time over breakfast and reading the newspaper.  I love going to church...I always feel that my week goes better on the weeks we go to church.  Those weeks that we "just can't make it" always seem to need a little pick-me-up.

And finally, I love that Sunday afternoons are MINE.  My family day.  My time with my little family to do as we wish, whether it be lazy afternoons watching golf or cooking shows.  Whether it be grocery shopping and running to four different stores to get the best deal.  Whether it be spending the day out together doing something we hope Bentley will love.  Sunday is my favorite day for all of these reasons.  So, there are some Sundays that are consumed with other people's needs and wants.  You know, a guy's golfing outing, a baby shower, a visit from the grandparents...but on the Sundays that are MINE, I am in heaven.

Today was just that!  We started our day at about 6:45, were out the door for church by 9:00, and this afternoon was amazing.  We took Bentley to Big Spring Park to have a picnic and feed the ducks, geese, and fish.  He had a wonderful time.  Then we did a little shopping at Sam's and came home.  Bentley and I took a nap while Daniel watched golf.  We all cooked dinner together (chicken wings and French fries), and then it was time for Bentley's bed time.  This Sunday was "a perfect day."

"Duck, duck, duck..."(about 100 times today)!
Yes, we are aware that is a goose, though Bentley does not care.

Bentley and Daddy looking for "more ducks."

On the bridge looking at the "fishies."

He would have jumped in if I let him.

Feeding the fish.  They were as big as him!

Mommy and her Little Man

Baby Boy Overboard!

You'll notice his shoes were off.  We had to put his feed in the water at the fountain.  He really wanted to go swimming.

Daddy and Silly Boy!

Like I said, today was a perfect day.  Days like today make me love my life even more than I usually do.  I am so blessed, and I can only hope that there are many more days like today left to experience with my little family.

Labor Day Weekend

I realize that Labor Day was all of a week ago (almost), but I'm just now getting around to posting photos.  It was WONDERFUL!  I bit warm, but not miserable.  Terribly humid and drizzly for part of the day.  Family surrounding.  Kids playing.  BBQ smoking.  Football watching.  Yes, it was wonderful! 

Daniel and Russ smoked a Boston Butt, Reg made baked beans, Mom brought Cole slaw, and Anita made Texas Caviar and chocolate oatmeal cookies.  It was all SO good.  We talked, ate, laughed, ate, played, ate, watched football, and ate.  Hmmm...did I say it was SO good?

Here's the day in pictures...

I love the cooks.

I like big butts and I cannot lie...Sorry, I couldn't resist! :)

A dreary day doesn't rain on this little guys parade. 
Playing with rain from the downspout is great fun!

Coen is practicing his golf swing.

Nana and Papaw (one of the cutest things Bentley says)
Newly engaged...Congratulations!



Bentley's newest favorite activity.  And, yes, he LOVES to turn it on.
"Bowa"

I'm in love with this boy!

Coen and Scooter, Mom's dog.

Granddaddy and Nana

"No, Bentley Daniel!" 
Coen calls him by his full name when he's in trouble.

Granddaddy and Mimi
Getting married on November 17th...Congratulations!

Baby Reese...the newest member of the family!

Playing in the wood chips...hey, whatever it takes, right?

Almost everybody!

Big boy...climbing all by himself.

Sunny, the neighbor's cat.  I mean, Bentley's cat...don't tell him :)

Loving on the cook.

  That's that.  We had a great time.  I hope your holiday weekend was just as good.

16 Months...I'm late!

I know, I know, I know!!  I'm not just late, I'm SUPER LATE!  Bentley turned 16 months old on August 11th.  It is already the 23rd, and I have yet to post.  Before you decide to scold me too hard, please keep a few things in mind.  He turned 16 months old on the 11th, and I started back to school/work on the 13th.  I have transitioned to not only a new class, but a new school in a new school system...more on that later.  :)

So, there is a perfectly acceptable reason for posting late...I've been going NON-STOP since the beginning of August trying to get ready for the start of school.

Oreo Cookies, anyone?

Moving on...

Bentley is AMAZING!  He is the smartest, cutest, sweetest little man EVER!  For those of you that have little boys, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Bentley steals my heart everyday.  (I know you all feel that same way about your Little Men, and that is perfectly acceptable!)  :)  I am in awe of him every single day.  He does things that are hilarious, things that heart wrenching, and things that are trying (Imagine that...he actually acts like a little boy...hah!).

For a few examples...here you go.

1. The other night I was putting him to bed, and he did his normal thing.  He named the fire on every page of Goodnight Moon, named the mush "bite bite," talked to the kitties and a few more things.  We said his prayers and I sang his song.  While I was singing, he sat up and looked me straight in the face and said, "My Mama."  I said, "Yes, I'm your Mama."  He laid back down for a second then sat back up and looked at me so intently before he planted a big 'ol smooch right on my lips.  (For those of you that don't know, he no longer gives open-mouth kisses.  His kisses are with his lips together as he loudly says, "Mmmmmm.")  By that time, it was time to lay him down, so I said, "Night night, baby."  He said, "Ni Ni."  (About 5 times)  I laid him down. covered him up saying, "Here's your blankie."  He normally lays really still, but not this night.  He rolled over, looked really hard at me, then smiled the biggest smile, and said, "Mama...Ni Ni."  I heard him on the monitor for a solid 2-3 minutes saying, "Ni ni, Ni ni, Ni ni...."  If I could bottle those moments and bottle that feeling...ahhhhhh...pure BLISS!
2. Just tonight he was repeating everything I said at the table.  He tries really hard to say what we say, though sometimes is just doesn't come out right.  Well, we named the kitty kitty and said, "meow," named the dog and said, "woof woof," and named the cow and said, "moo."  Just for kicks, I said, "What does a rooster say?...Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!"  Without missing a beat, Bentley said, "Do do doooo!!!"  It was hysterical!  This is just one moment of the million we've experienced lately.
3. I got so tickled this morning on the way to school.  Bentley was in the backseat, eating his Cheerios, and I looked back to see him with a Cheerio stuck on his face right beside his nose.  He was saying, "Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh," over and over while he tried to figure out how to get that off of his face.  I laughed until I cried!

Bentley's language is off the chart!  Like I said, he tries to repeat everything we say.  I cannot even keep up with all that he says, though some things are really cute to hear.  Here's a list of some of the SO sweet things he says:

• La La - That's Ella, Ashley's little girl.  Ashley is keeping Bentley for me this year along with her own two kids, Ella (5) and Molly (14 months).
• Du Diiiii! - Roll Tide!
• TuDow - Touchdown!  with his hands in the air.
• Mamowa - Lawnmower
• Bowa - Blower (He loves lawn care!)
• Pidee - Spider (pictures of spiders in his book or anything strange looking on the ground or floor, such as a leaf, fuzz ball, or string)
• Coa - Car
• Moa - More
• Nu nu nu - No No No, that's how I usually say it, and he usually says it as he does something he's not supposed to, such as climbing the stairs alone.
• Dadaing - Granddaddy...so cute to hear!
• Boy - He sounds so southern when he says this (see attached video)
• Doowa - Girl...in the video he says, "Good Girl!"

There are so many more things he says all the time, but these are the ones that are SO sweet right now.  I wish so badly that I just carried a recorder around all the time to catch all of the things he says.  I know there are so many things that I just forget.

Bentley is growing.  He is almost 20 pounds (we may never get there), and he's getting taller.  He is able to reach things that were out of reach just a couple of weeks ago.  His hair is getting thicker, he's able to run (not very gracefully), and he is able to follow directions so well.  At church last week, we kept him in our class of 2-year-olds because his teacher was late.  At snack time, they all sat down on their bottoms on the floor, and Bentley walked up to me saying, "Cracker."  I said, "You have to sit on your bottom like your friends if you want snack."  To my surprise, he looked around, found a spot to sit beside a little girl, and sat just like her waiting patiently on his cracker.  Who woulda thought...

To prove that he's getting so big, I'll share what we did on Sunday.  We took a family outing to the Par 3 course at the Hampton Cove Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.  Bentley made it through all 18 holes without any issues.  He loved getting in and out of the cart and drinking water like a big boy out of the water coolers on the course.  Every time he saw other guys playing, he was point and say, "Boy!"

So, I think I covered most of the important stuff.  There are lots of things going on that I could post about...school, my new nephew, Reese, or how much Bentley loves seeing Ella everyday.  Bottom line...I'm tired!  This first week of school is kicking my tail, so I'm going to call it a night.  I'll make another post soon (I hope) with all of the other things I mentioned.

Ni Ni!!!

Odds and Ends

I have some pictures, videos, and stories that don't really fit in anywhere, so here is my hodge podge of posts.  Enjoy!

This first set is from the 4th of July.  I know, I know...that was almost a month ago, but sometimes you gotta take what you can get.  We went over to Russ and Cyndel's on the 3rd for sprinkler fun and Beer Can Chicken.  It was fun and yummy!

Car wash anyone???

Sweet loving!

Too cute!

 A little confused about the chair situation...hmmmm.

 On the 4th we went to Daniel's parents' house for a cookout, fun in the sun, and fireworks.  Bentley LOVED the fireworks.  He jumped a little on the really loud ones, but he told us over and over again..."LIGHT!"

Mmmmm!  I love cantaloupe!

Ooooo Aaaaaa!  The fireworks are amazing! 

The next set of pics you'll see are from Pump It Up here in Huntsville.  Joseph and Matthew, both students in my class last year, had their birthday parties there, and we were invited.  I wondered how Bentley would take to the enormous inflatables, but he LOVED them...especially the 25 foot slide I had to climb with him about 50 times!

Sliding with Mommy!

Sliding with Daddy!

Taking a break with Bunny!

Here's a video of Bentley taking the plunge by himself.



The next couple of pics are of Nana and Jimmy.  They came by on Jimmy's motorcycle, so Bentley had to check it out.  He was scared at first, but as soon as he got to see the lights and honk the horn by pushing a button...he was sold!

If you look across the street in front of the door, you'll see the neighbors cat, Sunny.  Bentley LOVES Sunny, and calls her throughout the day everyday!  "Kitty kitty kitty!"  (In his language of course)

Check out my bike, Jimmy!  You aint got nothin' on me!

The next thing you'll see is a video of Bentley being a daredevil.  Cyndel's aunt and uncle have a cool inflatable slide at their pool, and Bentley had the best time with it.  He is not afraid of ANYTHING having to do with water! 

Finally, here's a peek at Bentley's first visit to the dentist.  The good news...he looks great, and we are doing everything we are supposed to...brushing twice a day, no juice or milk in the bed (or after brushing teeth), and getting his first check-up early.  The dentist said he expects Bentley not to have any cavities if we continue to be so proactive!  YEA!!  Bentley did great.  No fussing, no tears, just Mommy's big boy!

Waiting patiently.

Using his new toothbrush as a hairbrush.

Laid back for the Doc to take a look.

Look at those pearly whites!

All done!  Ready for his prizes!
Thanks Dr. Brown!

Bentley still only has four teeth, but his CRAZY slobber is telling me there are more to come soon.  We will see how long it takes to get these in! 

Hope you enjoyed the hodge podge of posting!  Now that I'm caught up, maybe I can stay on track now.  Have a great weekend!