My Ben

So many things have happened in Ben's little world since Easter. I can't believe Easter is over a month ago! Ben is continuing to grow and grow. It is amazing seeing the world through his beautiful little eyes.

Last week Ben was sick from Tuesday through Friday. At first the doctor thought it was a virus and at the second check up, it was discovered he had another ear infection and a type of baby strep throat. Poor guy! He was a real trooper and really didn't fuss much at all. He basically ate just apple sauce and mac and cheese all of last week, which is fine because I was glad he ate something! Although I hated for my little guy to feel under the weather, I was so glad to spend that time with him. We were great day time buds. He also figured out how to use his little hockey stick during the work week. He word position balls and wack at them with his stick. He certainly is a little hockey player in the making. He really loves his "goal" sport.

On Saturday morning (after we waited to see if Ben's temperature had broken), we all headed to the zoo for our annual family trip. Aunt Amy, Uncle Eric, Ty, Nagypapa and Nagymama were all there. The Goldlust family picked up Nagypapa and Nagymama in our van. We were a tad late due to traffic. Both Ben and Ty really loved the zoo and seeing all the animals. Ben's eyes were so wide when he saw the elephants! He also really loved looking at the monkeys. Both Ty and Ben were such well behaved little boys. I actually can't really remember either of them fussing at all, which in the world of a toddler is a hard thing not to happen for that many hours. Ben also wanted his Nagypapa over his Mom several times, which was quite sweet. He really has a wonderful bond with him. The zoo trip was a success all around and everyone had a great time.

After the zoo and a bit of rest, we headed to Grandma's house where we would meet Grandma's boyfriend Ricks family. They were all very nice people and really thought Ben was an amazing and cute little boy. It got late and both his parents forgot his pack n' play, but his Grandma wanted to try out the fold out couch to sleep on. His parents were a bit skeptical because Ben has never slept in a "big kid bed". Ben surprised us all and after just two goodnight kisses from Dada, he went right to sleep. He is getting to be such a big boy!

On Sunday morning, it was my turn to sleep in while Dada got up with Ben. Ben did really well on not waking up his Mom. Then when he heard me get up, he made a mad dash to me. His little eyes twinkled as he said "hi" (his new word) and then made kissing noises so he could give me a kiss. It really just warmed my heart and that just made my day.

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I also wanted to note some other things Ben now does.

He has for a while on some parts but can show you his nose, head, ear, tongue, belly button, bum, feet and hands. To "show" his feet he will march in place and to "show" his hands he will rub them together.

Ben is also getting quite good at mastering a fork and spoon. Depending on what the meal is, he will be given one or the other. Some dishes are harder then others, but he makes the attempt to eat with his utensils before just diving in with his hands. However, if he is really hungry he will use both utensil and hands to feed himself at the same time.

Ben's current favorite story is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear". I can read that story to him eighteen million times a day. His Dad and I both know the story by heard without looking at the pages. Ben certainly loves to bed read too.

Another new thing that Ben does is, he loves pretending to talk on the telephone. He'll pick up a telephone from the receiver and babble into it like he is having a conversation. I guess he is mocking his Mom, because he never sees Dad on the phone. Thanks a lot kid : )

Easter

Yesterday was Easter and man were we busy, but had so much fun as a family. Ben woke up his parents up at the usual early hour. We got dressed and headed downstairs. Ben was a bit surprised that the Easter bunny dropped by his house and paid him a visit giving him a few puzzles, a book, crayons, toys cars, kitchen stuff and a bunny. His look of surprised and "is that for me" was absolutely priceless. He really loved his pop up book and would of been happy with just that. After investigating all his toys, Ben then went on an Easter egg hunt in the house and did really well with his first egg hunt! He hunted like a pro.

Ben making his way down the steps Easter morning in his little baby boxers

What is this?

Is this all for me?

What is this Mommy?

Bens new favorite book

The Hunt is on!

Dada's job was to hold the basket and Ben was the retriever of the eggs.

Next the whole family went to church. Ben had a fantastic time running around the church hall. It was okay since there were very few people in there due to the holiday. After the 8 o'clock liturgy let out, all the kids of the parish went on an Easter egg hunt. Ben was grouped with the zero to six year old kids. He did fantastic! James took him (as it was also his first hunt) and together they made a great team. Nagymama also helped out as well. After the hunt, it was time to go to church. We tried to sit out on the pews but found very quickly that Ben would not sit there very still, so his Dad and I headed to the crying room. We didn't stay there very long either. Ben was tired and cranky from all the morning events (I can't blame him I was too), so we packed up and headed home early. You quickly learn as a parent that when you have a toddler that your schedule is their schedule and you just have to be flexible.
Ben and Dada at Church

Once we got home, Ben eventually went down for nap and his parents also took a nice nap as well. Ben (thankfully as it was getting late) woke his parents up at three and we all scurried around the house so we could get to his Nagypapa and Nagymama's house for the rest of the Easter festivities. Aunt Amy, Uncle Eric, Ty and Ty's other Grandparents were also at the house for the Easter celebration. Ben also had an Easter basket waiting for him, which was given by his Nagymama and Nagypapa. He got an Elmo shirt, a Peter Rabbit pop up book, a swim suit and top, and a little bit of candy. Aunt Amy also gave Ben a very soft purple bunny since she knows Ben loves fuzzy stuffed animals. The boys had a great time playing. The hot toy this week was the lawn mower which they both seem to want at the same time. Sharing at this time is not one of Ben's fortes. He will learn though.

Ben in his Easter attire

Once we all gobbled down a very nice traditional Easter meal with the family, we celebrated Nagymama's birthday. Her birthday was on April 9th. She got a few clothing items as well as a quilt rack from us. After that everyone wanted to go outside and decided we should do the Easter egg hunt with the boys. Nagymama hid the eggs while the boys got bundled up and waited very patiently inside. Once outside, both boys did extremely well with finding all the eggs. At one point Ty accidentally dumped out some of his Easter eggs from his basket. Ben spotted the eggs on the grass and made his way over to them. We all that perhaps Ben would like to put such a great find of eggs in his own basket, but promptly helped his cousin put back the eggs in Ty's basket. That was really sweet. What a thoughtful and helpful little guy! The egg hunt was a success and the boys spent a while afterward playing and having a great time outside.
Ben on the next hunt with Nagymama

Ben having a blast!

Ben in front of his Nagymama's "Easter Bonnet"

Someone found out there were treats in the eggs!

This just says the boys personality exactly. Ben is an excitable ball of energy. Ty likes to study his surroundings and is cautious just like his Mom was.

The night ended with a separate sink bath for both boys (thank you Nagymama) and some wrestling with the Dads. Ben really loves to wrestle his Dad and his Uncle Eric. He and his parents were both worn out by the time they got home and Ben quickly feel asleep a little after eight.

Happy Easter my little man! I love you!!!!!!!!