My sister took this picture the other night at my Dad's after we ate Sunday dinner and the picture makes me smile for so many reasons. First reason is I don't have many pictures of me with Madilyn. Secondly, doesn't Madilyn look grown up and so beautiful? Another reason is Bennett on my hip. There is something I love about carrying a baby on my hip. It feels like they fit there, you still have a free hand to do other things but you get the warmth of a baby body while you get stuff done. Also, little guys don't fit on your hip for very long, soon B will be too big to carry and I will crave a baby to hold on my hip. I try to focus so much on enjoying moments in life, and this picture captures one of those moments I want to treasure.

Location:Treasured moment

Bennett B at 5 months

Favorite age, hands down. He is the giggliest most talkative little dude. He hasn't figured out rolling over, but has perfected the wiggle. The wiggle is when he squirms around on his back, it looks like he's scratching his back. He's sitting up with support and wants to see what Paxton is doing always. No one, I mean, no one can make him belly laugh like Paxton can. Paxton does a few peekaboo's and Bennett can't stop laughing. At B's last appointment he was 80th% in height and 50th% in weight, he seemed long and skinny, but now he has some good chunk on him. I can't forget to mention his hair, it's getting longer, staying light in color, and turning up into possible curls at the ends. Could he have curly hair too? One afternoon I took him on a walk and his hair blew in the breeze!
Now Bennett sits with us in his chair at dinner and I love having him at the table with us.

Papa and Bennett at Grandma and Grandpa's anniversary dinner

Fall favorites

The weather is beautiful and we all love being outside. Pumpkin Patches, hay rides, Burr Oaks and spending time with family sums up my fall favorites. A few pictures that capture those memories.

Musical Soul? Or Future Chef?

I don't think I've blogged about Paxton's love for instruments and music. I was reminded today of his love for playing music when he got out his book Wheels on the Bus, turned to the back to the musical notes, grabbed his piano and started singing away "the wheels on the bus!"
In his toy box in the living room we have a guitar and ukulele that he plays daily. I would say his favorite "top 40's hit" is Justin Timberlakes song "suit and tie." Most of the time he is singing the happy birthday or ABC song.
He also loves to bake and cook. He is involved in cooking most of our meals and we bake at least once a week. Ashley involves him in cooking lots of the meals too. Sometimes, on a lazy Sunday, he makes his own creation for lunch. The picture below is an example of a lunch Paxton made (he spreads the PB and cuts the bananas himself.)!

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Oktoberfest Festival

Hot dogs+funnel cakes+kid rides +beer=an awesome time

This year was especially fun for Paxton because he had his friend Brody to ride the rides with and they both loved the rides. They also spent most of the time running and falling down over and over. They also had to resist the urge to jump in the fountain!
Bennett enjoyed the festival from the Bjorn, we caught him giggling, smiling or drooling most of the time. Even better, Brody's mom is expecting a baby boy which means Bennett will have a buddy next year!

4 months old, how can that be true?

Man, time flies. Time flies faster with your second baby, at least for me it does. Bennett is the coolest baby. He is one happy guy. He is the happiest when he has his eyes on his brother. I would say his newest favorite spot is the Bjorn. He can catch all the action while riding front facing. Also, I have to mention that he sleeps 7:15-6:00ish most nights without waking to eat! It's heavenly. Funny thing is, he doesn't cry when he wakes, just laughs, talks and plays with his feet. Many people say he is starting to look like Paxton. I am starting to see it too. Some pictures of Bennett's 3rd month of life!

We love fireman!

What is better to a 2 year old boy than having a fireman for a dad? Nothing. Often I see Paxton pretending to hold a hose and making a sound like water spraying from the hose "he's putting the fire out!" He plays fire trucks at least 2-3 times a day and chooses "fire truck books" to read over most books. Tonight, at bed, when I asked him what he is thankful for he said "hoses for Daddy!"
At our visit the guys were testing the hoses. Paxton was able to help the guys carry the hoses and he smiled the entire time. The guys were giving him high fives, seriously he loved it. Bennett and I watched the guys do all the hard work.
I am having serious mom guilt because this is Bennett's first fire station visit and I didn't get a picture of him, my excuse is I'm always holding the sweet guy and taking pictures. I will get more pictures of him in the future, if you can pry him out of my arms!!