Gilbert House

We went to the Gilbert House with Maddie and Auntie Sarah this weekend.

Ben tried milking a cow and picking vegetables.

We had fantastic tea party. Ben served us all "hot tea and moo moos (noodles)".

The grocery shopping was a hit.

He had his thinking tounge out as he filled his cart.

He loved checking out his groceries, but couldn't reach the cash register or scale.

Why does a place designed for children not have any stools?

We knew Ben would love the Bubble Room so we saved it for last.

He made a bubble wall

and almost stood still long enough to make a big bubble all the way around his body.

Addilyn enjoyed this room too!

The highlight of the Bubble Room, however, was the automatic sink

and the doo-dyer (blow dryer) on the wall.

Daddy had to pull him out kicking and screaming, "Doo-dyer. Doo-dyer."

And then he found

the

playground!He went down every slide at least five times!

I had just read an article about the static from plastic slides wiping out the MAPs on kids implants. We hesitated for about 4 seconds and sent him on down. We have back ups for a reason :)

No problems and he had a blast!

Even all by himself!

This playground even had a truck for Ben to drive.
He said, "Ben driving. Wan ice cream cone."

So we went to get ice cream. A perfect way to end a fun day.

About that time Addilyn woke up.

Ben's Baby

Ben has become quite determined to be "Mommy's hepper (helper)" and make "Annalyn heppy (Addilyn happy)"

Although he is not quite ready to tend to Addilyn, he has taken over full care of "Ben's Baby".

He does all the feedings on his own.

He can even multitask. Tonight Ben decided Baby was ready for her first bath

She got a careful scrub with the washcloth and a rinse.

Baby waited patiently while Ben played with his toys. So nice of her!



Baby needed a warm towel,

clean teeth,

and the "bome" in her hair.

Then, Baby was ready for a story.

A happy Baby and wild Ben were FINALLY ready for bed.

This was quite the process. Although it was super cute, Baby may need to go to bed a little early tomorrow.

"Oh no, Baby's sleeping. Shh."

:)

Two!!!

Last Thursday Ben turned two. It's hard to believe he is so old already!

Ben's biggest obsession is the phone. He loves to 'talk' on the phone. He walks around chatting, pushing the buttons, taking pictures, and accidentally racking up large Internet fees. He'll beg for your phone, find it in your purse or pocket, and climb on counters, tables and chairs to get a phone. We've even seen him have lengthy conversations on a fork, a banana, and the strap on his car seat.

So, naturally the theme for Ben's birthday party was phones.
I made him a cake shaped like Daddy's phone.

All the work was worth it when Ben pointed and said, "Daddy's pone (phone)!"It didn't taste too bad either.

Ben loved being having Happy Birthday sung to him and requested it be sung again and again.




We re-lit the candles he sang to himself. Super cute!



Ben's friend Aaron helped inspect and try out each of the gifts.


Aunt Jean gave Ben a bubble machine. This really got the party going!


Ben and Aaron showed off their cooking skills in Ben's new kitchen.


We have eaten imaginary cake and lemonade ever since. Ben brings us cups and bowls asking, "Want some?" or "Bite?" And apparently chocolate milk now comes out of the corner of our couch. Who knew? He also insists on washing his hands in 'Ben's sink' before eating.


What a year this has been for Big Ben! He learned to walk, talk, hear, and had a baby sister. He's gained 18 pounds since birth and grown nine inches. I can't wait to see what the next twelve months will bring!


Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Brother and Sister

My visions of the perfect Christmas picture quickly disappeared the moment I sat these two in the chair.

Poor Addilyn is not very photogenic and Big Ben has decided it is super fun to make Mommy beg for a smile.

Ben loves giving his 'dee dee titter' (baby sister) kisses.She is NOT laughing.I do love Addilyn's gaze at Ben. Already looking up to her big brother. Maybe next year!


Merry Christmas!

Oh, Christmas Tree

This weekend Ben got his first Christmas tree.

After Daddy cut it down we went inside for some 'nat nellows' (marshmallows), tookies (cookies), and a one-side conversation with a very unfriendly fellow.

The highlight of the trip was a ride on the train.

When we got home Ben helped put on the 'tee tee yeights' (Christmas lights) and the 'balls'.



He is still not sure why the 'tee' is inside.

But hey...

sometimes the strangest things are the most fun!

Gingerbread Cookies

This morning we made 'tookies'.

Ben loves to add ingredients,

watch the mixer stir,and lick the beater clean.He loved rolling the dough with the 'hammer'

and putting 'milk' on the 'man'.He was very proud of his creation but, completely uninterested in making more than one. Why mess with perfection?
Yum!

Big Brother

Today Ben met his baby sister Addilyn, for the first time.

He has helped Mommy paint, decorate, and organize the baby's room. But, other than that he is pretty unaware of how much his life is about to change.

The first thing he wanted to do was kiss the baby.

Ben had his first sleep over with Grandma and Grandpa while Mommy and Daddy went to the hospital.

He came and visited us there.

He was so gentle and sweet. I know he will be a fantastic big brother.

Oh.....and....

she passed her Newborn Hearing Screening!

Independence

We have been a Cochlear Implant family for ten months now. The technology that was so scary, new, and fragile has become as mundane as putting socks on each morning. Ben really has no idea of life without processors, tape, magnets, and remotes.

Just the other day, as we were driving in the car, Ben started shouting from the backseat, "Moo dad-der-y." It took a few guesses and loud "NO"s in response before I landed on new battery. Sure enough Ben's light was orange and a battery was going out.

He has also started replacing his magnets when they fall off. In the past, he would take the whole processor off and give it to us. Now, he can gently reach up and fish around for the magnet to stick.

I can picture the day when Ben's 'ears' will sit on his night stand and he'll stick them into place all on his own when he wakes up each morning- without thinking a second thought.