Benz's funny things--FALL 2008

10/29/08--We were watching one of Benz's favorite shows today, Animal Precinct (animal cops), and I told Benz that he should work with animals when he grows up, since he loves them so much. He coughed and then quickly replied: "Ok, but I've gotta get rid of this cold first!" I was telling Babe this story a little while later that day and we both started laughing. Benz seemed upset and said "don't laugh at me!" and I said, "No, Benz, we are laughing with you." Benz seemed confused and replied, "but me no laughing." :)

11/9/08-- Benz was telling me that he had a good time at the Blazer game last night with Matt. Matt then told me that Benz was coughing a lot while riding on the Max train back from the game. Benz nodded and said "Yup, I want this cough to die and go up to heaven, Mama."

11/9/08--We went on a family shopping trip today to the mall. Benz was amazed with all of the pretty Christmas decorations he saw. Then I told him that he needs to work on listening better when I ask him to do something, I should only have to say it one time. I reminded him that Santa calls me to check up on his behavior and I have to tell Santa the truth. A few minutes later the phone rang and the caller ID alerted me that it was a telemarketer but I pretended to answer it and said "Oh hi Santa, yes this is Melanie..." Benz was so excited! So at bedtime it must have still been fresh in his mind because he asked me, "I no see Santa's reindeer when I look up in sky...they real or pretend?" I told him that they are real and he couldn't understand why he can't see them. So I told him that the reason we can't see them is because they are m*a*g*i*c and he seemed to stop and think about it and then smiled and rolled over for sweet dreams.

11/14/08--One of Matt & Benz's favorite snacks is peanuts and raisins. They were sharing some today and Benz split one of the peanuts in two and stuck one of the raisins in between and said, "Look, Babe, it's a hamburger and the raisin is the meat!" Later on that day, we explained to him again that hamburgers are made out of cows and he kept denying it in disbelief. He couldn't seem to fathom why other people would want to eat a cow and was distraught after asking if his grandparents ate cow and we sad yes...

11/24/08--Benz has really been testing the limits lately and has been talking back to me when I ask him to do something (such as picking up his toys). So I told him tonight that he will not watch TV or dinner until he cleans up after himself. I was relaxing on the couch with Boston. He kept avoiding doing it and must have caught on by my not so nice tone that I was not happy with him and was getting frustrated by his disobedience. He eventually came over to me with a piece of paper filled with random letters and said, "Mama, I have a message for you." I asked him to read it to me and he pointed to one part and said, "this says I want you to be my best friend again, Mama. OK?" Needless to say I couldn't stay angry and just had to reach out to him for a big bear hug!

My Special Deliveries...Halloween 2008!

Here are some more close-up pics of the boys in their costumes...

Boston as a Labor and DELIVERY Doctor...and Benz as the "Speedy DELIVERY" mailman!

And they both take FIRST prize....it's a sweep!!

I took my boys to a neighborhood pumpkin party in a nearby town called Washougal. It was so well planned and they really made it fun for the kids with little game stations, trick or treating, free pumpkins, cotton candy & popcorn and several space walks (or bouncy houses). But the highlight of the event was the costume contest. Piece of background info: my Mom & Gma M. always made the most original costumes for Mike & I when we were growing up. We'd enter costume contests as a can of spaghettios, a tube of toothpaste and Mr. Clean (to name a few) and blow away the competition. So naturally, I decided to carry on the tradition and really go all out for my kids too. Some of you may remember seeing pics of Benz's costumes over the years, with the cowboy riding a horse and the Delta airline pilot last year being favorites. So I wanted to take it to the next level and see if others agreed that we come up with some pretty awesome ideas for dressing up, and entered them into the costume contest.

I've been gathering things for Benz for this year's costume for over 6 months and it finally all came together beautifully. He is a mail man, think Mr. McFeely. Bought him a striped dress shirt, navy blue pants and a blue canvas messenger bag. I purchased two official USPS patches on Ebay and sewed one on to the shirt and the other onto the bag. I then sewed ribbons up the side of each pant leg and ordered a nametag that reads: "Benz Brawley: US Postal Worker." We bought what was a safari hat in March from the Global Wildlife Center in New Orleans and spray painted it white and added a red, white and blue ribbon around the brim and finished it off with a priority mail sticker. We have two "letters to Grandma" sticking out of the mail bag's pocket and Benz will put his candy inside of it. He also decided he wants to use some old Valentine's and put them in envelopes and hand them out when he knocks on everyone's doors, in exchange for candy! I can't wait to take a picture of him in front of our mailman's truck as well as a mailbox!

Boston was originally going to be Tigger from Winnie the Pooh but at the last minute I changed my mind and decided to think outside the box. Boston is an ER doctor this year; we bought a pair of mini blue scrubs in the hospital after he was born and put them on under a white shirt. I couldn't figure out where to find the green shoe covers and surgeon's cap until it dawned on me...Build a Bear workshop! So I cut the back of the cap and pinned it and the shoe covers fit perfectly. And we added a few things from the Fisher Price medical kit, like an otoscope in his pocket, a stethoscope around his neck and a black beeper clipped onto his waist!

They did the first age group of 0-2 and the mayor was the one making the choice. She walked around and then named the 3rd place, and 2nd place winners and then it was "first place goes to the adorable little doctor!" We were thrilled and Benz was so excited for his baby brother. Boston got a goody bag full of great stuff.

Then it was time for ages 3-5. Benz enjoyed modeling his costume for everyone and then the mayor decided again and before we knew it..."and first prize goes to the postman!" Benz ran up and grabbed his goody bag and came back smiling from ear to ear. I was so very proud of both of them and it made Boston's first Halloween ever more special!

Boston is 4 months old!

You might have guessed it and it's true...Boston is getting bigger every day! He found his feet for the first time on Monday and likes to pull on them and is trying to bring them to his mouth for a nibble! He loves to chew on everything (the doctor calls it "pre-teething") and big brother can get him to smile like no one else! Boston is still such a sweet boy...he's working hard at trying to roll over from tummy to back and he is doing a great job of holding his head up. After about a week of HORRIBLE sleep, I consulted with a sleep coach and his pediatrician. After hearing all of his symptoms (an ongoing runny nose, hiccups, fussy when nursing, problems sleeping for long periods, lots of spitting up, etc), they made the diagnosis of infant acid reflux. He started Axid on 10/21 and it seems to be making a big difference. He seems overall much happier and is only waking up 1-2 times per night as opposed to the 4+ times in recent weeks. He likes to laugh at us when we are changing his poopy diapers and he is very ticklish, especially on his feet! Boston has started to be interested in watching us when we eat, looking longinly at our mouths when we chew. I remember Benz doing this too and seemed so happy when he finally got to indulge in some baby food. Only a few more months, Boston! And he's now officially outgrown most of his tiny clothes:( I had to update his closet this weekend with 3-6 month outifits and size 2 shoes!

Mama's Just Gotta Brag!

Over the last week or so, I've heard so many nice compliments about Benz that I had to put them in one place so I wouldn't forgot how sweet of a boy we have! On a kind of side note, Benz finished his first basketball session today. During the mock game they played, he was the only kid to make a shot in the basket! I had a phone conference on Thurs. with Benz's preschool teacher and she kept going on and on about how wonderful of a student he is, how great of a helper and how kind of a friend he is in the classroom. She says he is such a joy to work with and she can always count on him to make good choices and be a peer model for others. The day after this A+ progress report, Benz's old teacher emailed me telling us how much she misses him and that none of her students "Could ever be as cute or as fun as Benz." On Thurs. afternoon, we went to Grandma Brawley's painting class and introduced Boston to some of her friends. Benz was with us and was a bit shy but very calm and polite. The painting teacher later mentioned to Gma B. that "Benz is the most well-behaved child I have EVER met!" I am so proud to hear such wonderful things about Benz! It's like a mom's dream come true:)

Benz's funny things--FALL 2008 (Sept & Oct)

9/15- Benz and I were sitting down to breakfast today. He was eating boiled egg whites, then looked down at them and then back at me and asked: "Why does Grandpa M. say I'm a bad egg? I'm a good egg...right, Mama?" Just thought that was too cute and so funny! What a memory that boy has!

10/1- Benz went outside to pick some raspberries from our mini garden with his Dad. He came back with a handful of them but was also wearing a frown. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "My strawberries are dead. They went up to heaven and they're never coming back!"

10/13- A substitute bus driver came to take Benz to school today. When she dropped him off this afternoon, she said: "Your son is sooooo smart! I wasn't sure of the route since I had never taken it and got lost a few times. Benz gave me turn by turn directions and he helped me to pick up all of the kids and get to school on time! It was AMAZING!" I guess this proves he didn't inherit an awful sense of direction from Grandma P.!

10/15- Benz was taking pretend pics of us with his binoculars and said to me, "Hey, look in here, Mom, aren't they good ones? And no red eye either!"

10/17--Matt picked up a gourmet veggie pizza from Papa Murphy's (of course) after work tonight. Benz dispises black olives, onions, and tomatoes. He wanted me to pick them all off and then looked at his Dad with a frown and said: "Geez, Babe, next time get a cheese pizza, OK?"

10/21-- We think Boston might have acid reflux which is causing him to sleep poorly and show signs of being uncomfortable. So I was planning on taking him to the doctor today to be checked out while Benz was at school. Benz seemed worried and said "I don't want him to go to hospital. I don't want him to go heaven. I want to keep him...forever and ever. He's my best friend."

Pumpkins, Pumpkins EVERYWHERE!

We continued our annual autumn tradition of taking a family trip to a local pumpkin patch. We first took Benz when he was 10 months old and have been going every year since! We were all pretty excited to introduce Boston to this beloved experience and took plenty of pics to prove that he did indeed tag along! Our new favorite place (and there at least 30+ of them in our area) is a family owned operation called Bi-Zi farms. I am so impressed with all of the family fun & entertainment they have to offer for all ages. An $8 ticket includes:

~a hay bale maze

~staw pyramid

~giant sandbox filled with corn kernels

~5 mini pumkin launchers

~a petting zoo (with turkeys, chickens, bunnies, goats, a donkey, geese, sheep and Benz's most favorite...baby cows!!)

~an antique apple grinder and homeade cider samples

~a fresh produce store

~live bluegrass music

~an authentic hayride pulled by a tractor

~a trip to the pumpkin patch and one pumpkin per person (any size you choose)

~a 6 acre corn maze (we didn't get too lost, thank goodness for the map)

~a free hot drink (cocoa, coffee or spiced cider)

and we payed extra for a pony ride. What a wonderful way to embrace the cooler weather and we were so blessed to have no rain at all in the forecast today! We can't wait to see Boston toddling around the pumpkin patch next year!

My two sons...see any resemblance??

I don't think anyone could ever say that they are not brothers!! Can you guess which is Benz and which is Boston?

Boston is Growing up!

My sweet baby is growing up....right before my very eyes! Seems like there are so many new things you can do and it's like it all happened overnight!

You're growing like a weed and at just over 90 days old, you weigh in at 15 1/2 pounds, which means you've gained 6 1/2 pounds in 3 months!!

Last week I was waking you up and you were smiling so I smiled back at your adorable face and you squealed back at me!

You love to hold your hands together like you are praying when you are nursing. And sometimes you tuck your thumb between your pointer and middle fingers, for safe keeping.

We've been asking you to tell us a story and most of the time you answer us back with little coos and cute baby noises! You laugh and smile when we say "tell us more" or "really? is that all true?"

I've noticed that you are now able to follow my face and voice when sitting up, from the left to right. You're also able to hold onto things pretty darn well but I don't think you're purposely grabbing for things yet.

During yesterday's bath, I had you on your tummy and you were kick kicking away and splashing too! You love to suck on your fists and blow spit bubbles.

Anyone that stops to tell you hello, you greet them with a great big smile. And right before you get upset, you gather up your lower lip in a frown and wrinkle up your face before letting out a great big roar.

You've been eating rice cereal before bedtime for about two weeks, and just gobble down those 6 ounces! Your sleeping pattern is OK, but still a bit unpredictable. We seem to have a good night followed by a bad one and then back to good. You usually go to bed around 11pm, wake up twice in the middle of the night to nurse and then go back to bed from 7a-10am. This gives Benz and I a chance to have quality alone time in the morning. Then you're up until our afternoon nap, somewhere between 2 and 3pm. You get up around 6pm and then you're up again until bedtime. You're still sleeping in your swaddling blanket and love to stretch your arms up over your head when we unwrap you!