Watching Bennett and Lachlan Grow

More Easter

2012-04-11T10:03:00.003-05:00

We went down to Houston for Easter this year and had a wonderful time. The boys started out hanging with the Rodriguez family. Bennett had a blast cracking cascarones over everyone's head, but Lachlan was a bit terrified of the whole gleefully sadistic atmosphere. Bennett's Uncle John gave him a yoda medal which he requested to wear both days. He is a Master Jedi. Daddy better stop calling him a padawan. Saturday afternoon, both boys experienced their first WDS crawfish party and enjoyed dancing to the music, playing with the live crawfish, and just being out of sight of Mom and Dad (Bennett, at least). Sunday found us at the Wheaton house where the boys found even more Easter eggs with candy and money, and then filled their bellies with a delicious brunch. It was a short trip, but an eventful one, and we had all enjoyed hanging out with the families.

Easter

2012-04-11T09:57:00.002-05:00

Lachlan's First Haircut

2012-03-25T19:13:00.003-05:00

Lachlan got his first haircut today. He's 16 months old, and he's probably needed it for a bit, but I think every mom just wants to keep the baby hair. Lachlan's hair wasn't even that long, but the back was getting pretty wild. He was a trooper. He sat watching TV the whole time and didn't cry once. Towards the end, he did make the sign for "all done" and started to try to get his legs out...we told the hairdresser that he was telling her he was done, so she better finish quick. When we got home, we let him have his lollipop. In comparison to Bennett's first haircut, Lachlan did WAY better. He's just a very chill child. Lachlan's hair is lighter than Bennett's and has a little wave to it.

Bennett's First Teeball Game

2012-03-25T19:05:00.003-05:00

Bennett had a great first teeball game. Arty is coaching the team, and both of them have been having a blast at practice. The practices definitely helped because the kids actually seemed to understand (somewhat) what they were supposed to do. It's way more entertaining for spectators than soccer was, for sure!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-22T19:30:00.003-06:00

Valentine's Week kicked the Wheaton-Rodriguez family's ass. In the Valentine's pic, both boys have the flu, and Bennett had strep on top of that. We spent the whole week at home with the boys, but we were rewarded with a healthy weekend.

I just took this picture of Lachlan in the bath this evening. He was cracking himself up, pretending like his bath toy was a water fountain. I'm just hoping he wore himself out in the bath and sleeps tonight. We're all exhausted. Ever since he had the flu, his sleep is all off and the whole family is suffering (poor Bennett keeps asking his teacher when nap time is).

We need our sleep because we've got a very busy March coming up. T-ball is starting for Bennett, and Arty is coaching/managing the team. Plus, Mommy is taking off for South Carolina for training for a week. And those two are just the tip of the iceberg...so if you don't hear from me until April, you will know why!

Where did January go?

2012-02-12T09:59:00.002-06:00

We had a very reflective and family-filled January. The new year brought some major plumbing issues to our house, so now the boys have been auctioned off to pay for the plumbers. Kidding, of course, but it was an unexpected financial hit. But then life gives you perspective. We lost a very close family friend at the very same time, and it made us realize how lucky we truly are to have our healthy family intact.

January, while it brought us grief, also brought some beautiful weather. The boys have been riding their "bikes" in the backyard (Lachlan's giant scrape on his nose is from a playground accident...apparently rubber turf is not supposed to protect against rubbing your entire face along it during a fall--who knew?!). We went to the zoo, and I added a picture of Lachlan doing what he does best--mischief! I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again--that boy is our little mess. You can see him, as I found him, taking apart my wallet. I was wondering why he was so quiet...

Matching...

2011-12-28T20:21:00.003-06:00

Yes, I make my kids wear matching clothes from time to time. Probably more than most moms of boys, but its my way of compensating for the lack of cute boy clothes out there in the world.

More November and December 2011

2011-12-28T20:14:00.001-06:00

December 2011

2011-12-28T19:35:00.003-06:00

Wow. Where did December go? I'm not sure, but here are the pics to prove that we survived it!

Peeking Behind Doors

2011-11-30T18:59:00.002-06:00

Here is Lachlan at 12 mos, playing peek-a-boo behind the door. I added some of Bennett doing the same thing at 11 mos. No lost fingers yet!

Halloween and Lachlan's 1st Birthday

2011-11-17T20:06:00.002-06:00

We're having a party for Lachlan in Houston Thanksgiving weekend when we can be surrounded by all his family, but we had a small celebration on the special day. We had cupcakes (I wish I could say it was his first, but Lachlan has been allowed to eat sweets WAY earlier than Bennett) and sang Happy Birthday. Lachlan loved being the center of attention and clapped along with the song. A few days before Lachlan's birthday was this other little event called Halloween, Lachlan's first Halloween. Lachlan was Yoda and Bennett picked out his Optimus Prime costume, though he hasn't seen the Transformers yet. Even cuter is that Bennett can't quite pronouce Optimus, so he dressed as Octopus Prime. Whatever. Lachlan was in bed by the time the first trick-or-treaters arrived at our house. Arty took Bennett trick-or-treating and he had a great time. We're still eating candy around here!

Fall into Fall

2011-10-24T20:24:00.002-05:00

Bennett and Lachlan at the State Fair

Lachlan walking!

Bennett and Lachlan grocery shopping at the museum

Bennett and Lachlan at the Dallas Arboretum

Slightly busy...

2011-10-11T19:41:00.004-05:00

Life has been incredibly busy this month, but here are some pictures to hold you over until pumpkin season. Lachlan is so close to walking...mostly he takes steps to Smith, our big dog. He'd rather crawl to Mom or Dad. He is also saying "alldah" which means all done. Bennett started pre-K, so he is learning his letters and numbers at warp speed. Both kids are doing great and keeping us plenty busy, plus work is hectic for both of us. When is our next vacation???

Bennett jumping because Bennett likes to jump...off everything

The boys in their matching Elvis shirts. Bennett: "Mom, Miss Samantha said she likes this guy on my shirt."

Bennett's 4th Birthday Party

2011-09-11T19:19:00.002-05:00

Bennett had a great time at his party, which was held at a gymnastics place for kids called The Little Gym. Some of the pictures are blurry because there was no slowing these kids down! Arty and I are amazed that we have a 4 year old. He's not a baby anymore, but he's a pretty awesome little boy.

Galveston Vacation Pictures

2011-08-14T19:30:00.001-05:00

Summer Update

2011-08-14T19:07:00.003-05:00

Wow! We have been incredibly busy this summer. Bennett is looking forward to his 4th birthday coming up in a few weeks. This summer we've spent time at the water park, where he rode all the slides his height allowed. We also took a beach vacation with the Wheaton side of the family where we only took a few pictures that I'll have to post in another entry. We've gone to the zoo, the museum, the library, Little Gym, took swim lessons, and lots of playground time. Its been REALLY hot this summer, so we tried to spend as much time inside or in the water as we could. Bennett even got an invitation to swim at the neighbors' pool and lucky for us, Arty has become friendly with the man, a handy ex-Marine who built his own deck in 100 degree weather. Hurrah!

Lachlan finally started sleeping mostly through the night after I went out of town for a week (of course). He still gets up some, but his sleep is much improved. He's on the go all the time, crawling throughout the house to find me. He also has started eating table foods with the his 2 little teeth, and he can't get enough (which is good b/c he's a little on the small side and Mom would like to fatten him up).

Lachlan showing off his skills...he'll be walking soon!

The boys playing in a laundry basket

Bennett at the water park

Lachlan after eating a cereal bar

The month of June

2011-06-19T06:30:00.002-05:00

Lachlan is now 7 months old and trying desperately to crawl. This weekend he has finally figured out how to go forward a few "steps". He is also pulling up to standing, which is how we find him in his crib in the middle of the night. Lachlan is so busy, we're wondering if he'll ever sleep fully. You can hear him talking to himself, moving around his crib in the middle of the night. We've spent the month of June attempting to sleep train him, and while he can now go to the sleep easy as pie, he just doesn't stay that way for long.

For Bennett, June has meant Little Gym (and gymnastics class) and swim lessons, which he loved, and water activities. He can't get enough, even if it means getting the hose out. Rachael, my sister, and her daughter are coming up here for a few days, and I've promised Bennett a trip to the big water park. He can't wait to try the rides. Lachlan will be in daycare during that time, working on napping, because that is also something he's just not very adept at. :-) Other than the sleep, Lachlan is a wonderful baby...very happy and he just lights up a room.

Bennett after swim practice

Bennett put this fireman hat on Lachlan and he didn't seem to mind.

Lachlan working on crawling and standing up

Lachlan trying to figure out how the arms go with the legs to crawl

For Posterity

2011-05-25T09:03:00.003-05:00

A funny conversation occurred last night...

Bennett: "Mommy, what are you doing with that magazine?"
Me: "I'm reading it."
Bennett: "But I can't even hear you."

When I explained that grown-ups read inside their head, he was all "WHAT?!" I asked him if I had just blown his mind and he said yes.

Another recent conversation that was too cute to not mention happened this weekend. I had a 24-hr stomach bug and Bennett asked if I was still sick. When I replied yes, he said "You sure have been sick a long time. I hate that time." He is so incredibly sweet and inquisitive at this age. Even though he's all knobby legs and long arms, he loves squeezing me in a full hug and telling me "Mommy, I love you."

Lachlan is 6 months old!

2011-05-10T20:57:00.003-05:00

Lachlan can now sit up on his own, though we keep a pillow behind him because he is still a little wobbly. He is right in the middle in weight and height percentages...not too thin, not too fat, just right! In the 2nd and 3rd pictures, you can see Lachlan taking his first Trinity train ride which he loved. He really enjoys the outdoors, just like his brother. In the last picture, you can see Bennett and Lachlan at Mommy's office for Take-Your-Child-to-Work Day. They came over for the morning and then went to school by lunchtime so Mommy could get some work done. Lachlan is such a happy baby, always grinning, especially when his brother is around. Lachlan LOVES Bennett soooo much and Bennett can make him laugh just by looking at him. It's so sweet.

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T16:52:00.003-05:00

Lachlan "talks", but Bennett says it best...

2011-03-29T18:07:00.001-05:00

Lachlan pretty much "talks" like this throughout dinner. Turn down your speakers some. You've been warned.

Playdate at the Park

2011-03-29T09:51:00.001-05:00

These are Bennett's running buddies from the neighborhood. We trade off babysitting with the the little girl, Harper's family.

Easter Pics

2011-03-28T09:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a link where you can see the pictures we took this Sunday: http://www.myonlineportraits.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?ShareID=2047b56c-49c3-49c8-8feb-77274fd59fc9

Soccer boot camp

2011-03-21T18:14:00.001-05:00

Bennett having obstacle course fun.

Cuteness

2011-03-16T20:56:00.003-05:00