Soccer....maybe?

One of the joys of parenthood is thinking about what your child or children will do, and be when the get older. What activities will they be in, will they be soft spoken or be an advocate for change...Bentley might just be a soccer player....I mean look at him and his cousin Jayla on the field...don't they look like naturals?



We also went to a wedding this weekend and that made me think...what will Bentley be like when he grows up, what kind of man will he be.... and watching a mother dance with her son on his wedding day made me think...maybe he doesn't need to get married...can't he just love his momma and no one else :) (of course I am kidding). My friend told me to write it down...what do I think he will be like...at the ripe age of not quite 2 can we see what he will be like in the future? Good question....but here is my guess...He will be quiet, stubborn, soft hearted and funny (but the kind of funny that only certain people see). Most of all I see him as my son and for that I am forever grateful!

Totally TUBEular

Bentley had tubes put in both ears last Thursday and he did GREAT! We got there at 5:50 a.m. and he was in surgery by 7:20 and we were home by 9 a.m. Talk about quick work!

He was a little groggy but by 10 a.m. that same morning he was running around, jumping and screaming like nothing ever happened. We thank God he had an easy and quick recovery. It was hard having them take him away from you but so wonderful to see him return and to cuddle with him (the warm blanket they provide was nice too).

Here is to happier, healthier little guy!

Fall...you little tease!

High today 90 degrees...UGH. But there is hope in the extended forecast (for what its worth) :)

We have been busy rearranging our house. Play room is done. Basement is rearranged and cleaned up. Filing done and all the clutter finally has a home...for today! Why does it feel so good to move things around? It can almost make you want to stay in your teeny tiny house forever.

We have had a nice couple days of cooler temps, allowing our chronic hive boy to get outside for a little bit. Last weekend he was able to ride on Grandpa's tractor with daddy! What a treat...and after every trip around...you could hear a little voice say "more".


Have you ever wondered what you did before you had kids? How much time you actually wasted? I mean in a couple hours time during a nap I can get a bunch of crap done around the house...and before it might have taken all day to get it accomplished. It is just crazy!

We have a big week ahead..music class starts again tomorrow night. We are catching the preview for the movie "Lucky" that was filmed locally and Cullen has a small part in it...and Friday we have our Experienced Parenting class as we work on our paperwork for the 2nd Adoption. I am tired just thinking about it all...but determined to make it a great week!

Alive and Well

We are still alive...I feel like time is flying by us. We have still been battling hives but they aren't as bad and we have done all the testing we can...to find out he has chronic hives and we will just deal with it for a while. We are ok with it...we thank God it was nothing more than that!

Bentley is growing like a weed. I swear there are days I feel like he grew inches upon inches overnight! He is talking a little more each day and has become so full of energy and a little independent (stubborn). He is addicted to the song "pool party" off the YO GABBA GABBA CD...and we have to listen to it over and over again in the car (thanks a lot Aquabats). He still enjoys tormenting the cats (we have a mini ALF on our hands) and is now into looking for bugs.

Life is good, looking forward to fall. Crisp air, leaves, pumpkin patch visits and sweatshirts!

Happy September!

What have we been doing lately????

Still battling hives! YIKES. We are going on a month now. Other than hives, Bentley is doing great. He is getting so big and he just learns/mimics so much (it is scary). Right now he is into feeding his stuffed animals, walking around the house nude (that story is for another day), hammering and drilling on all objects and trying to lay on our cats (which they don't find amusing). He is so much fun! He has turned into my sleeping buddy each morning around 2 a.m. when we find our way to the recliner...how can you say no to a child that has a swollen eye from hives??? I know I will regret the defeat later but for now, it is working for us.

We haven't been able to get out much the last month because heat isn't good for the hives and let me tell you...it is miserable here. Today is actually a decent day..little humidity and the temps in the high 80's. I know I will kick myself but fall and winter look good right about now.

We hope the hives give up soon....prayers are always welcomed. For the most part he has been a happy, healthy little guy despite those itchy little things! We are blessed to have such an easy going kiddo.

We turned in the preliminary paperwork for the 2nd adoption...SAY WHAT??? There are days I can't even think about that! In fact, that is all I will say about it...I have enough gut ache with hive worries I don't need to add that to my worry load :)

Wow--that was nothing but random....but that is what my head feels like these days! Random!

Yo Gabba Gabba

Bentley still has hives...so we had to postpone his tubes. We are going on 2 and a half weeks of hives. He looks much better but still has a few hives each day. We have done some allergy testing and are awaiting the results but I am wondering now if it is unexplainable hives...ugh. The hives are pretty harmless compared to what he could be dealing with...so we will just remain positive that someday they will go away!

In the middle of the illness we have found a new love....you guessed it. Yo Gabba Gabba....and it just isn't Bentley, we all three like it. Give it a chance, the first time you see it, you will think it is crazy and bizarre, but it is actually quite entertaining :)

I will keep you posted on the hives....we pray they go away soon!

My poor baby......

Bentley has been sick the last week and a half. Bad double ear infections, severe hives (doctors believe a medicine reaction or a virus) and toss in a day of puking and there you have it. We have been busy with-- 2 doctor visits, an ENT consultation, Pediatric Express, the ER and a Pre-Op appointment....and Thursday he is getting tubes in his ears. We hope this makes for a healthier little boy. This last ear infection has been a bad one. I know it is a routine and fairly easy surgery but nothing will prepare me for the moment I have to hand him over to the nurses in his little gown....he is just a baby!

While I realize and have told myself and others over the past two weeks....people have it way worse and some people have health issues that don't go away unlike our ear infections and hives. I realize we have been so lucky to have him as healthy as he is, but it sure does stink to have him not feeling well for weeks at a time.

This too shall pass.....

Once we get tubes maybe I can update with how much fun we will be having because we will be able to go outside and not have the hives flare up, or because his ears aren't killing him....so here's to brighter days ahead!

All boy....loving all things with wheels

Bentley is truly all boy. He LOVES construction trucks, tools, wheels, loaders, garbage trucks and the list goes on. Cullen and his dad and Uncle are building us a new and improved deck and last night we went to the store to look at deck rails and look what we found:


He was in heaven with his good buddy Eryn! Aren't they too cute?? Toward the end of the evening, he just wanted to be right by her side and was copying her every move.

Where have we been?

We have been busy opening the Chollett Country Club Pool! :)
You know, the hard side, cheap pool you can get just about anywhere! Bentley loves it. He doesn't care if the water is warm or cold, he just loves to splash and pour water out of a cup. We have many fun days of pool time ahead of us!

We have also been busy with a visit to see his birth mom (where he decided to walk again on his own for the first time). We have gotten a cold. We have played outside till our feet are black and we have Popsicle juice all over the place. We have supported a local event called Sand in the City that benefits our adoption agency. And probably the scariest thing of all---we have gotten the paperwork to start our 2nd adoption. As much as we are excited, we are also overwhelmed by the paperwork again. It just seems like we don't have as much time now (could be because our almost 17 month old is a busy, busy boy). But we will do it--we will find time and then we will "offer it up to God" and wait for Bentley to turn 2 and see what happens. As much as we desire another child and a sibling for Bentley, we also recognize that we are forever blessed and grateful to have him as a son. So the stress or anxiety of the 2nd adoption feels different....at least for now.

Hope you all are enjoying the summer! I know we are!

Resilient

tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard "kids are resilient" Bentley will be just fine....I would be one rich woman! But I have to admit, it is true!

Bentley got his cast off on Monday and while he seemed relieved, I believe we were a little more relieved than he was. He was adjusting to the cast, almost walking on it and was crawling like crazy.

Don't get me wrong, I am sure he loves having it off, but he couldn't comprehend that he was ever getting it off, he probably thought it was just something he would have to deal with forever. He has tapped on his leg a couple times and we have even caught him trying to write on his leg (because everyone wrote on it when it was in a cast) :)

Yes, it is true. Kids are resilient! We are so happy to be cast free and enjoy seeing those cute little toes that were covered for the last month!

Easter, Casts, Teeth--oh My!

We had a great Easter. We discovered Bentley enjoys coloring eggs--prefers putting 2 eggs in each glass and stirring with such passion and energy (poor eggs). He LOVES Reese's Peanut Butter Cups--he has figured out how to unwrap a miniature Reese's and then shoves the entire thing in his mouth--it is a beautiful thing! He didn't let the cast slow him down, he crawled outside at my mom's house and found the eggs that were hidden. He loves to open them (because there was candy in them) :) What was once a really well behaved child in church has now turned into a squirmy and busy child that has a hard time sitting still for Mass.

Last Thursday we discovered that we couldn't really see his toes anymore in his cast, that I could feel his knee from the top of it---that the cast was too loose and slipping off! DELIGHTFUL. So, a 30 minute wait in the waiting room and an hour later we had cut off the old cast and gotten a new cast. The new one is a nice neon green and Bentley drew on it last night as did his daddy. Nice picture of a skull and cross bones with flames and a loving note from his momma! :)

(his toes are slipping again in this one, so we will see how the week goes)

And teeth--well, the child has all his molars, and has 4 on top and 4 on bottom---and we see another new one breaking through--could be why he has been a little off the last few days---well that and the fact that when he wakes up he seems to be upset that the cast is still there---can you blame him?

We are offically half way through---May 10th and the cast will be removed. Hopefully we won't have to get another one before then :)

One Week....

One week down, 3 weeks to go until the cast gets removed. Bentley is "crawling" with his cast (more like army/belly crawl) but he is getting around a little and it seems to have improved his mood (ours too)! We had a good weekend and are learning to make the most out of this situation. It is a good reminder that yes, it stinks but there are people and families dealing with more than this, there are people struggling in many more and very difficult ways. We are thankful that the cast will be removed and this is just a temporary set back.....it is a good reality check--to be thankful for our good health.

Looking forward to coloring eggs on Saturday with my family, should be interesting and nothing short of a mess! :)

This is now a NO SLIDE zone......

Yep, that is Bentley, he fractured his leg on Monday going down a slide with his grandma....innocent fun. Turns out the day we got his cast there were 2 other slide accidents. We have 4 weeks ahead of this cast....any suggestions on what we can do to keep this active kiddo occupied???

One Year Pictures

Here are a few new pictures...well, because I am slow they are a couple months old but they are too cute not to post!

Time Flies

Ugh, where does the time go? I mean, wasn't it just St. Paddy's day :)

It seems like we blink our eyes and it is a new month. This winter was especially long with many ear infections, colds, RSV and toss in a couple viruses...SPRING, please come and stay a while! While the winter seemed long, it actually went fast. It seems like just yesterday Bentley was learning how to walk and today he is learning how to run.

We have really enjoyed the few nice, spring days that we have had. We have learned that bubbles ("bubs" as he says)are fun to watch but even more exciting when he can "do it himself" and we have learned that sidewalk chalk is fun and yes, he will try to eat it! Bentley is growing and changing every day. He is starting to show a little temper and some independence (which is interesting). I love watching him grow and I love watching him explore and yes, it is charming to hear him say "Hi daddy" even though he won't say it to his momma (not bitter, nope, not me).

Here is to a healthier spring! 2nd haircut this weekend---this kids hair is a mess! Have a great week!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

You are 14 months old today! We Love You!!!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Well, we got it. The dreaded RSV....double ear infection combo! Bentley came down with a cough/cold symptoms last Friday and by Sunday his cough was no good, and then overnight things went south in a hurry. We took the poor baby to the doctor, got some medicine and breathing treatments (WOW--those are fun!) and we are on the mend.

Praying for spring to come soon so we can open the house and get rid of all these yucky germs!

First Haircut!

He was such a good boy---didn't cry, didn't needed to be bribed with candy...



Ladies--watch out! Fresh new haircut and my new glasses!

LOVE

verb: to hold dear : cherish

Happy Valentine's Day! I am not a huge fan of the holiday but find it hard not to take the time to think about those I love--those I hold dear and cherish!

Cullen--you are my rock and soul mate, our love remains strong as we have been through the valleys and are experiencing the peaks right now!

Bentley--my son, my love, you will never understand how much I love you and cherish you.

My Family (to include the in-laws)--you are amazing, supportive, crazy and I love you. Love being related to you, even if we do put the fun in dysfunctional :)

My Friends--the numbers few but the love mighty and I am honored to call you my friends. You have helped me in good times, sad times and bad times. I cherish you and what you mean to me, I only hope that I'm as good a friend to you, as you are to me!

Bentley's Birthfamily--I cherish our open adoption and want to thank you for being a part of his and our life!

I feel blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I am not worthy of such love~but I do cherish it and love you all!

One year ago......

One year ago today we were loading up a mini-van and driving 3+ hours to pick you up. To meet you for the first time. To hold you, love you and welcome you into our family.

One year ago things weren't finalized, we were going with the faith in God and the trust in his plan. One year ago we were handed over the most precious gift we have ever received. We got to spend more time with Bentley's birthmom, her parents and the family that took care of Bentley when he was discharged from the hospital. It was a day I will never forget but a day I wish I could remember more details about!!! Your long, skinny body bundled in a blanket, dark hair, dark beautiful eyes (just like your b-mom) and the cutest mouth.

Bentley, you have changed our lives, you have made us laugh, smile, act silly, sing loud and dance much! We are proud to be your parents and we love you more than you will ever know!

It's the Little Things

One would think the 1st birthday party would make you feel a host of emotions--he is getting big, he is one, where is my baby....and it did to a degree but the thing that has hit me the hardest is this....his car seat now faces forward. Yes, I said it HIS CAR SEAT NOW FACES FORWARD!

It is wonderful to see his beautiful little eyes in the mirror, to see if he is dozing off to sleep and to not have to do it while looking in my mirror through another mirror is truly great but it means he is getting big! He isn't a baby anymore, he is a toddler. He is a sweet, increasingly independent toddler. I miss holding him and snuggling and rocking. The time goes by so quickly! But it has also brought about some wonderful things too--he is silly, he is rambunctious and he still enjoys a good hug. He is a toddler and we are ready to see what happens this next year!

Happy 1st Birthday

I can't believe you are 1! One year ago, I was in a very different place. A place of sadness, uncertainty and always holding on with a glimmer of hope! In a few days is the anniversary of "the call" , the call we got about you...Baby boy, born Jan 17th, 8 pounds 4 ounces, healthy. Little did we know how our lives would change.

Bentley, you make your momma and daddy so very happy. You have taught us to smile, laugh, be silly and most important you have taught us unconditional love. Tonight we shall celebrate with pancakes (your favorite) and we will sing to you a million times--because my son, you have changed our world.

Happy Birthday B!


I would also like to say, please throw up a prayer for B's birthmom "L" as we are sure this is a hard day for her. How her loss can bring us so much joy is a part of adoption that is so hard to deal with and understand. We Love You "L"!!!

2010 in 5 pictures

So a little challenge from my husband, show 2010 in 5 pictures. We had an exceptional year and I found it hard to pick, however I believe I have gotten the ones that speak volumes.


The first time I held my son---I don't know if I will ever remember the true feelings I had, but when I look at this picture I have feelings of joy, disbelief and love.


I LOVE this picture. I wanted Cullen to be a daddy for so long and I was the one with the fertility issue so I would spend countless hours beating myself up, I was taking away his opportunity to be a dad. This picture fills my heart with joy to see him snuggling his son, his beautiful boy!


Part of wanting to have a family was to be able to experience all the things you love--together as a family. Cullen loves the aquarium and this picture shows my boys sharing the love of the aquarium together!


This is the face I have fallen in love with, this is the face I will do ANYTHING for. This face has taught me unconditional love!


The day we officially became a family, he took our last name and it was glorious.


As you know we have much to be thankful for and 2010 was an amazing year for us. Not only with Bentley but we have all been healthy, have a roof over our heads and jobs to go to. It has been a year to remember and we look forward to watching our little guy grow in 2011 and embrace whatever may come our way. I hope you have a great start to the New Year!