17 Months.

Ben is now 17 months old and is a crazy little guy! He is just so fun and I'm loving this age. He has such an outgoing personality and definitely is not shy. He is the star of the grocery store, always saying "hi" and flirting with all of the ladies. He tends to be a daredevil and is constantly testing his limits. He worries me with the risks he takes, but I guess that comes with the toddler territory.

I look back at pictures of Ben when he was just born and I can't believe how far he's come and just how much he has changed our lives. I can't imagine what life would be like without him...and I certainly don't want to.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...and yes, Ben is a big boy. I know, he does look older than 17 months. Yes, I'm sure he is NOT 2 years old.

Summer.

The summer seems to have come and gone...without a blog update! We have been so busy making the most of our days that I just never got around to updating. So, here is an overview of our summer.

We went to Knoebels Grove in Elysburg, PA with my family. It is really great for all ages, especially little ones, because it is a no admission amusement park. You just buy tickets and pay per ride. As you can see (or not see from my dark pictures), Ben had a great time riding the rides for the first time!
Ben sitting in the ostrich on the merry go round with Aunt Sarah. They had to push and kick other kids out of the way to be able to ride in it. Well, almost, anyway.

Dustin playing with the digger







Brad and I went to St. John with 4 other couples in August. It was a fantastic trip and I highly recommend it to everyone.




Ben stayed with my mom and stepdad while we were away. He had a blast going to the zoo, making a mess out of dinner, and just playing outside in GRASS for a change!










This summer we also welcomed Baby Emma to the world! She is just adorable. My cousin, Elizabeth, makes a great mommy! It's so funny how fast you forget just how little and dependent newborns are. Time sure does fly by.




In August, Little Miss Chelsea turned 1! I can't believe how fast she is growing.




Labor Day weekend we took Ben to the Allentown Fair with my mom and Aunt Debbie. He had a blast checking out all of the farm animals, especially his favorite, the COW!










Most of all, this summer has brought on big changes with my little baby. He is now almost 16 months old and seems like a BOY much more than a baby. We are experiencing tantrums...


a daring, willful attitude...(I can't even count how many times a day I say "NO")


the development of an imagination...


and best of all, his sweet natured, comical, loving personality is blossoming.

The stress of a million tantrums is nothing compared to the amount of joy I feel when I see Ben smile.

Family Vacation.

Okay, so I am a little behind on my blog (like everything else in my life right now!) but in June, we went on a family vacation with my mother-in-law, Carol, my brother-in-law, Jim, and his girlfriend, Charlotte, to Long Beach Island, NJ. We had a fantastic time, despite only getting a few days without rain! It was Ben's first time at the beach and it was quite...interesting. Disclaimer: I took these pictures on my video camera and still not sure how to edit them, so they are a bit grainy. I figured I'd better get them uploaded before Ben is 18, though.


He did NOT like the feeling of the sand and was petrified of the ocean!


He warmed up, though, once we gave him a shell to examine and eventually try to eat!














And Ben's favorite thing the whole trip...

...eating out on the deck!

Cayman Islands.

Brad and I just got back from an all expense paid trip to the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman that I won through work. It was such a fantastic trip and I wanted to make sure to share the photos for those of you that don't have facebook. (And, if you are one of THOSE folks, what are you waiting for?!?) The trip happened to fall on our three year anniversary, so we got a nice vacation and a spectacular dinner on our actual wedding date.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We missed Benjamin a ton while we were away, but it was a nice little break from the 6am wakings and the teething HELL we've been in. We actually came back to a happy baby, with 2 top front teeth broken through his gums...finally! He's walking (more like running) like a champ. He has two words...Dada and UH-OH! And his newest thing...he signs "more" when he wants more food, which is often for my little piggy.
I have some new pictures from our family vacation to LBI the first week in June but can't find the cord to upload from my video camera. Stay tuned...

1st Birthday!

Well, I am a bit behind, but better late than never, right? Our little man turned ONE!!! I can hardly believe it. We had not one, but TWO birthday parties for Benjamin--one in PA and one in NJ. People went above and beyond for him. It was truly amazing to have many of our friends and family together in place in celebration of Benjamin's first year (and Mommy and Daddy MAKING IT THROUGH!!!).

I can't believe my teeny tiny little newborn turned in to a little boy so fast. At the moment, Ben is walking everywhere (chaos!), in the process of ditching the bottle (we still have the bedtime one left), and drinking only whole milk. Double HOORAY to no more expensive formula!!!

A little trip down memory lane in honor of Ben's birthday:



How amazing is life that in one year that little guy turns into THIS!!!


Okay, so enough mushy gushy. Here's a glimpse at all the FUN Boo Bear had at his parties.


A monkey cake for my little monkey man


Ben enjoying his smash cake and first taste of chocolate!


YUM!!!


Ben "fishing" at the duck pond


Grandpa with the babies, Ben and Chelsea


Miss Chelsea-Girl looking sassy


Kissing Cousins


Ben having fun with Uncle Josh


Bayonne's Number One Yankee Fan

New Jersey Party:

Ben's little smash cake with a monkey on top


Ben and Daddy


Auntie Kim made Ben the BEST monkey cupcakes but we didn't get a picture!!


"Yes, I still only have my two bottom teeth."


Ben having fun with Uncle CJ


The birthday boy enjoying his first taste of watermelon...he ended up eating TWO pieces!

Seriously, thank you so much to everyone for all of the well wishes, gifts, and time spent with us. Ben got so many birthday wishes from friends and family near and far. He is one lucky little boy!