This weekend Ben started his journey to another baby milestone. He began standing on his own while playing with toys for a few seconds at a time, and he managed to take a few steps!
Ben's parents (after seeing he could stand) decided that why not try to see if he would walk to either one of us? So we tried, by having one parent sit on the couch while another one of us sat on the floor, stand Ben up (brace him) and he would take a few steps to one of his parents! We did try to sit further and further apart, but this attempt was unsuccessful as Ben would take a few steps, reach out his hands and topple over. Each time Ben took those few precious steps to one of his parents, he would giggle like crazy. Perhaps its all the clapping his parents would do every time he did it, or maybe he was just proud of his little self, but it was very very cute!
Ben also discovered a new way to use one of his walking toys, by actually using it to walk. Typically this toy was used to just play with all the little knobs, rollers and shapes, but not anymore! Ben would walk by using his little toy across the room, run into a piece of furniture, we would turn him around around and then we would repeat this process over and over again. Ben had a ball doing this. He was so proud of himself and had the biggest baby grin the entire time.
Ben (in my opinion) isn't deemed a walker yet, but he certainly is on his way! I am so proud of you my little man!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ben's Dad Becomes A Citizen!
Although Ben wasn't involved in the process of his Dad obtaining his citizenship, this is a new milestone for the entire Goldlust family.
Yesterday, James had an interview appointment with the USCIS in Fairfax, VA at 9:30. Around 9:50 his name was called to meet with his interviewer. Although I am telling this information second hand, I wanted to include much of my husband's monumental day as possible. When James entered the interviewer room, was asked a series of interview questions like "What is the color of the flag, how many stars are in the flag, who is the current President, etc.,". James answered the questions flawlessly. At the end of the interview, as James waited nervously, the interviewer cleared him to continue to the Oath Ceremony so he could obtain his naturalization papers.
James called telling the news and we were both overjoyed. I was even more overjoyed that I was able to see him swear in as a citizen. We both thought that perhaps the interviewer (if certified) would swear him in, but I was even more happy I could see this event take place personally. I quickly got the okay from my boss allowing me to leave early and high tailed it to Fairfax.
I reached the location around 11:00 and ate a quick bite at a local deli with James. Afterwards around 11:40 we walked across the street to be at the immigration office for the 11:45 time frame. Even though the Oath Ceremony was not to take place until 12:45, they asked everyone to be there an hour early.
The waiting area inside the immigration office to me resembled the DMV. It had several counters were officials would call up numbers for awaiting immigrants to discuss paperwork or other various details of their status. Around 12:45 a large crowd gathered at one end of the waiting area, and we figured thats where everyone was gathering for the Oath Ceremony. Instead, this was the area where they divided up the citizens per their A# to verify information on their naturalization papers and to sign it before the ceremony, as well as receive a white packet with a number written on it. Using the last three digits of your A# number, you either got in a line that was for 0-300 or 300-600. James's last three digits were 105.
After James reviewed and sign his document, we were then sent to a line where we would go to the second floor for the ceremony. Once we were escorted to the second floor to the ceremony room, the immigrants were assigned seats according the the number on their packet. James was seat #9. Family and friends were sent to the back of the room. We sat there and waited, and waited. Apparently the office was having technical difficulties of some sort. We all guess they had a problem with the printer printing out all the naturalization papers. During our waiting time, James came to the back to talk with me and another Russian we befriended. We both looked inside the packet and inside there was a book containing the history of the US, a booklet with The Bill of Rights, and a signed letter of congratulations from the President with The White House stationary. Then finally at 2:30 the ceremony began.
One by one each of the immigrants receiving their citizenship would stand up and say what country they were from. Mostly there were people immigrating from India, South Korea or El Salvador, but there were a few from Russia. Following that section of the ceremony, the Director put in a video of President George W. Bush congratulating and welcoming all the new citizens to the United States. Then another video was put on that basically resembled a slide show of different photos of the US, with "Proud to Be and American" playing in the background. After the two videos were finished, the Director would call up each individual, hand them their naturalization paper and shake their hand. It was a great memorable event and I was so happy I could be apart of it.
I do have to add while waiting for the ceremony to begin and seeing my husband sitting rows ahead of me, I couldn’t help but reflect during the ceremony everyone in the room is even more so connected with the majority people in the US, because at some time or another each of our family members went through a similar process of becoming an American. It made me reflect on my great grandparents and grandparent's immigration to the US and although some of it has changed through the years, the process is a long and difficult one, but once you are there, you are just there.
On a personal note to my husband:
Congrats baby. I am so proud of you and I am so glad that this stage of our lives is finally complete.
Yesterday, James had an interview appointment with the USCIS in Fairfax, VA at 9:30. Around 9:50 his name was called to meet with his interviewer. Although I am telling this information second hand, I wanted to include much of my husband's monumental day as possible. When James entered the interviewer room, was asked a series of interview questions like "What is the color of the flag, how many stars are in the flag, who is the current President, etc.,". James answered the questions flawlessly. At the end of the interview, as James waited nervously, the interviewer cleared him to continue to the Oath Ceremony so he could obtain his naturalization papers.
James called telling the news and we were both overjoyed. I was even more overjoyed that I was able to see him swear in as a citizen. We both thought that perhaps the interviewer (if certified) would swear him in, but I was even more happy I could see this event take place personally. I quickly got the okay from my boss allowing me to leave early and high tailed it to Fairfax.
I reached the location around 11:00 and ate a quick bite at a local deli with James. Afterwards around 11:40 we walked across the street to be at the immigration office for the 11:45 time frame. Even though the Oath Ceremony was not to take place until 12:45, they asked everyone to be there an hour early.
The waiting area inside the immigration office to me resembled the DMV. It had several counters were officials would call up numbers for awaiting immigrants to discuss paperwork or other various details of their status. Around 12:45 a large crowd gathered at one end of the waiting area, and we figured thats where everyone was gathering for the Oath Ceremony. Instead, this was the area where they divided up the citizens per their A# to verify information on their naturalization papers and to sign it before the ceremony, as well as receive a white packet with a number written on it. Using the last three digits of your A# number, you either got in a line that was for 0-300 or 300-600. James's last three digits were 105.
After James reviewed and sign his document, we were then sent to a line where we would go to the second floor for the ceremony. Once we were escorted to the second floor to the ceremony room, the immigrants were assigned seats according the the number on their packet. James was seat #9. Family and friends were sent to the back of the room. We sat there and waited, and waited. Apparently the office was having technical difficulties of some sort. We all guess they had a problem with the printer printing out all the naturalization papers. During our waiting time, James came to the back to talk with me and another Russian we befriended. We both looked inside the packet and inside there was a book containing the history of the US, a booklet with The Bill of Rights, and a signed letter of congratulations from the President with The White House stationary. Then finally at 2:30 the ceremony began.
One by one each of the immigrants receiving their citizenship would stand up and say what country they were from. Mostly there were people immigrating from India, South Korea or El Salvador, but there were a few from Russia. Following that section of the ceremony, the Director put in a video of President George W. Bush congratulating and welcoming all the new citizens to the United States. Then another video was put on that basically resembled a slide show of different photos of the US, with "Proud to Be and American" playing in the background. After the two videos were finished, the Director would call up each individual, hand them their naturalization paper and shake their hand. It was a great memorable event and I was so happy I could be apart of it.
I do have to add while waiting for the ceremony to begin and seeing my husband sitting rows ahead of me, I couldn’t help but reflect during the ceremony everyone in the room is even more so connected with the majority people in the US, because at some time or another each of our family members went through a similar process of becoming an American. It made me reflect on my great grandparents and grandparent's immigration to the US and although some of it has changed through the years, the process is a long and difficult one, but once you are there, you are just there.
On a personal note to my husband:
Congrats baby. I am so proud of you and I am so glad that this stage of our lives is finally complete.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
OBX 2008
Last week, our little family headed to OBX. It was Ben's second vacation and our first time visiting OBX. It was also the first time we vacationed with my girls (Erin, Katie, Anna) and their families. In total we had nine adults, two children and four babies.
Before the trip we were very nervous about hurricanes. It was September, so it was prime hurricane season and two hurricanes were circulating in the Atlantic (Hanna and Ike). After a VERY rainy Saturday, we left on Sunday (as planned) and had a uneventful ride down there. Actually the car ride down was GREAT! Ben took a few naps and it was certainly an easier and faster ride then going to Miami. On the road, we called up the Blankenship's and Katie and figured out we were only a few minutes ahead of them. We decided to stop right by the NC/VA border to have lunch. We all ate a NC style lunch and let the babies stretch their legs. I also spotted Corduroy bear in the gift shop area, so I had to purchase Ben one of my favorite books AND the bear that went with it.
After everyone reached the house and unpacked, the women left the children with the men while we did our grocery shopping for all the food, snacks and drinks we needed. After three carts, $550 worth of groceries, and a few remarks of calling each other "Sister Wives" and getting a few oddball looks, we headed back to the house. Thus started the week long fiesta.
The first night was uneventful. Everyone was a little tired from the ride. Even the babies went down without much trouble. I believe we probably played a few games here and there, but basically did nothing.
On Monday morning, we all headed to the beach (obviously at different times). Ben wasn't too sure what to make of it. He was a great sport and with a little coaxing from his Mom, he walked or crawled around in the sand and let some water splash up on his legs.
After a morning at the beach, Ben was ready for a nice nap and thankfully feel asleep in his little pack and play with no problem. This was the FIRST time Ben took a nap in a pack in play or crib without falling asleep on his Mom or Dad first.
On Tuesday, we headed to the beach again. Ben got a little more used to it and decided to play a bit in the sand by picking it up and rubbing it all over him. He also tried to eat it, but Mommy obviously wouldn't let him. Instead she gave him a few snacks she packed since he wanting to eat something.
Wednesday was uneventful as it rained most of the day so everyone basically stayed inside the house. I believe after the kiddos went to bed, we all played a version of the Newly Wed game curtosy of Katie. After a few hysterical and memorable moments, the points added up and the Goldlust Family won! How about that?!?
Thursday, I believe we headed to the beach again. We always would venture out in the morning before it got too hot. Ben did even better that day and wanted to actually go towards the water! We didn't stay too long as it was really windy, but had a great time of it.
Later that day we went to a nearby lighthouse in Corolla. Daddy decided to go up the lighthouse steps to take some great photos. Mommy was not about to carry Ben up all those flights of steps nor be up so high with a baby and a small railing, so we stayed behind and enjoyed the scenery. I am glad I didn't go because after seeing the photos and the design of the staircases, I would of had a heart attack. Did I mention that Mommy has a fear of heights?
After a long, fun but exhausting week, we all checked out on Sunday and made our way home. Ben was again a trooper for the five hour trip home, and thankfully we all went to bed a little early that night.
Before the trip we were very nervous about hurricanes. It was September, so it was prime hurricane season and two hurricanes were circulating in the Atlantic (Hanna and Ike). After a VERY rainy Saturday, we left on Sunday (as planned) and had a uneventful ride down there. Actually the car ride down was GREAT! Ben took a few naps and it was certainly an easier and faster ride then going to Miami. On the road, we called up the Blankenship's and Katie and figured out we were only a few minutes ahead of them. We decided to stop right by the NC/VA border to have lunch. We all ate a NC style lunch and let the babies stretch their legs. I also spotted Corduroy bear in the gift shop area, so I had to purchase Ben one of my favorite books AND the bear that went with it.
After everyone reached the house and unpacked, the women left the children with the men while we did our grocery shopping for all the food, snacks and drinks we needed. After three carts, $550 worth of groceries, and a few remarks of calling each other "Sister Wives" and getting a few oddball looks, we headed back to the house. Thus started the week long fiesta.
The first night was uneventful. Everyone was a little tired from the ride. Even the babies went down without much trouble. I believe we probably played a few games here and there, but basically did nothing.
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On Monday morning, we all headed to the beach (obviously at different times). Ben wasn't too sure what to make of it. He was a great sport and with a little coaxing from his Mom, he walked or crawled around in the sand and let some water splash up on his legs.
After a morning at the beach, Ben was ready for a nice nap and thankfully feel asleep in his little pack and play with no problem. This was the FIRST time Ben took a nap in a pack in play or crib without falling asleep on his Mom or Dad first.
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On Tuesday, we headed to the beach again. Ben got a little more used to it and decided to play a bit in the sand by picking it up and rubbing it all over him. He also tried to eat it, but Mommy obviously wouldn't let him. Instead she gave him a few snacks she packed since he wanting to eat something.
Wednesday was uneventful as it rained most of the day so everyone basically stayed inside the house. I believe after the kiddos went to bed, we all played a version of the Newly Wed game curtosy of Katie. After a few hysterical and memorable moments, the points added up and the Goldlust Family won! How about that?!?
Thursday, I believe we headed to the beach again. We always would venture out in the morning before it got too hot. Ben did even better that day and wanted to actually go towards the water! We didn't stay too long as it was really windy, but had a great time of it.
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Later that day we went to a nearby lighthouse in Corolla. Daddy decided to go up the lighthouse steps to take some great photos. Mommy was not about to carry Ben up all those flights of steps nor be up so high with a baby and a small railing, so we stayed behind and enjoyed the scenery. I am glad I didn't go because after seeing the photos and the design of the staircases, I would of had a heart attack. Did I mention that Mommy has a fear of heights?
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After a long, fun but exhausting week, we all checked out on Sunday and made our way home. Ben was again a trooper for the five hour trip home, and thankfully we all went to bed a little early that night.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Labor Day Weekend
This past weekend, our family celebrated a three day weekend due to the Labor Day holiday. It was fantastic, busy and fun with lots of family bonding.
On Saturday, Ben, Daddy and Mommy went to Eclips Kids Hair Salon for Ben's FIRST HAIR CUT! He did great! He sat on the chair (propped with a bench to make him higher) and got his hair trimmed with no fuss! Ms. Jenny cut his hair and although his parents are huge critics, we accomplished the hair cut with no tears. It was a success! At the end of the hair cut we got Ben's first cut locks and a certificate. Afterwards, we went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. Ben ate bits and pieces of his Mom and Dad's food and was a very good baby. Following lunch, Ben and his parents went to Babies R'Us for some much needed baby items and in search for a light weight umbrella stroller. Ben needed to get an umbrella stroller to tote to the beach and so Nagypapa and Nagymama could have a stroller at their house for when the Grand children come over to visit. We found an exceptional stroller due to Ben's Dad being the great shopper he is.
On Sunday, Ben had a bit of cabin fever and wanted to leave the house. We decided to head to Georgetown since his Daddy had heard of a Cupcake store that had recently opened. When we arrived, the store was not yet open so we went to the Georgetown mall and had a bite to eat. Afterwards, we went to the store and bought several cupcakes for the family, Nagypapa and Nagymama and Aunt Amy and Uncle Eric. Since we all couldn't wait to take a bite of these famous cupcakes, we decided to have a few in the car. Ben sampled a bit of a chocolate cupcake and loved it!
Later that day, Ben and his parents went to his Nagypapa and Nagymama's house for the Annual Neighborhood Block Party. This party had taken place ever since Ben's Mom was a little girl and many of the same neighbors she had while growing up still lived in the same houses. It was a fantastic event, as Ben was very much admired and adored. Ben even ate a full hamburger patty! He was one hungry kid!
On Labor Day, Ben spent the morning and early afternoon at home. His parents were pretty tired from the busy weekend and wanted a relaxing day. Around noon, Aunt Amy called to invite the Goldlust family over for a Labor Day cook out. We arrived around 3:30 and let the boys play. Ben loved playing with Hally by chasing her around the house and allowing her to lick him as much as she wanted. Soon it was time for dinner and Ben ate with gusto. His parents learned that Ben loved canned carrots. The adults all agreed that Ben ate at least half the can! After dinner, Aunt Amy thought it would be fun to take the kids to the local park. The Ashburn Park was wonderful! It had plenty of room to run, lots of swings and lots of playground equipment. The boys had a great time going down slides and swinging on the swings. Ben loved the swings most of all. At one point, Ben started falling asleep in the swing, so that meant it was time to go home. When his Mommy took him out of the swing, Ben cried for the longest time as he wanted to seemingly stay in the swing forever.
On Saturday, Ben, Daddy and Mommy went to Eclips Kids Hair Salon for Ben's FIRST HAIR CUT! He did great! He sat on the chair (propped with a bench to make him higher) and got his hair trimmed with no fuss! Ms. Jenny cut his hair and although his parents are huge critics, we accomplished the hair cut with no tears. It was a success! At the end of the hair cut we got Ben's first cut locks and a certificate. Afterwards, we went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate. Ben ate bits and pieces of his Mom and Dad's food and was a very good baby. Following lunch, Ben and his parents went to Babies R'Us for some much needed baby items and in search for a light weight umbrella stroller. Ben needed to get an umbrella stroller to tote to the beach and so Nagypapa and Nagymama could have a stroller at their house for when the Grand children come over to visit. We found an exceptional stroller due to Ben's Dad being the great shopper he is.
On Sunday, Ben had a bit of cabin fever and wanted to leave the house. We decided to head to Georgetown since his Daddy had heard of a Cupcake store that had recently opened. When we arrived, the store was not yet open so we went to the Georgetown mall and had a bite to eat. Afterwards, we went to the store and bought several cupcakes for the family, Nagypapa and Nagymama and Aunt Amy and Uncle Eric. Since we all couldn't wait to take a bite of these famous cupcakes, we decided to have a few in the car. Ben sampled a bit of a chocolate cupcake and loved it!
Later that day, Ben and his parents went to his Nagypapa and Nagymama's house for the Annual Neighborhood Block Party. This party had taken place ever since Ben's Mom was a little girl and many of the same neighbors she had while growing up still lived in the same houses. It was a fantastic event, as Ben was very much admired and adored. Ben even ate a full hamburger patty! He was one hungry kid!
On Labor Day, Ben spent the morning and early afternoon at home. His parents were pretty tired from the busy weekend and wanted a relaxing day. Around noon, Aunt Amy called to invite the Goldlust family over for a Labor Day cook out. We arrived around 3:30 and let the boys play. Ben loved playing with Hally by chasing her around the house and allowing her to lick him as much as she wanted. Soon it was time for dinner and Ben ate with gusto. His parents learned that Ben loved canned carrots. The adults all agreed that Ben ate at least half the can! After dinner, Aunt Amy thought it would be fun to take the kids to the local park. The Ashburn Park was wonderful! It had plenty of room to run, lots of swings and lots of playground equipment. The boys had a great time going down slides and swinging on the swings. Ben loved the swings most of all. At one point, Ben started falling asleep in the swing, so that meant it was time to go home. When his Mommy took him out of the swing, Ben cried for the longest time as he wanted to seemingly stay in the swing forever.
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