eighteen month stats

Weight: 28.4 lbs - 93%

Height: 33 in. - 70%

Head: 47.2 cm. - 45%

We had a good doctors appointment, but learned quickly that Benson does not like his doctor. Listening to his lungs and checking his ears created quite the tantrum. But he is in great health and all is well!

thanksgiving.

To me Thanksgiving means family, memories, games, traditions, and food. I am happy to say we experienced all of that this Thanksgiving. Being up in the mountains at my Grandma's cabin again for Thanksgiving was something I have been wanting to do for years. This year did not disappoint and I am so grateful it happened. The drive was not bad. The weather was beautiful. The family was perfect. The zip line was fun. And the almond tart topped it all off. I have so much to be grateful for! We are truly blessed.

eighteen months.

My baby is a toddler now although I still think he is my baby. There is no way I can recap 6 months, but there are a few highlights and fun things about Benson that I don't want to forget.
Diapers: size 5
Clothes: 18-24 months
Shoes: 5
Likes: tubby time, Curious George, trucks, trains, balls, music, folding his arms for prayers, books
Dislikes: getting his ears cleaned, getting his fingernails clipped, when we can't figure out what he wants but he clearly knows what he wants
Words: please, mom, dad, truck, duck, wow, uh-huh, ball, what's that, cheese, choo-choo, car, vroom-vroom
Animal noises: dog, cow, horse, monkey, bear
Favorite foods: yogurt, eggs, veggie straws, anything you can dip, all fruit. Lately we have been going through a bit of a food funk with him. He is not eating many of the foods he used to (like cheese and beans), but he is slowly doing better. I had to bring back some baby food jars just so I felt like he was getting some nutrition and veggies. I nursed him until he was 14 months old. It was way harder for me to wean him than it was for him. He loves his milk and won't take his sippy out of his mouth until the milk is gone.
Sleep: We dropped his second nap when he was 16 months old. He was a dream sleeper up until then and his one nap a day has been hit and miss. Sometimes he sleeps for 3 hours and sometimes only 1.5 hours. I never know. And we have been struggling with sleeping through the night again. He is usually good, but again some weird funk he is in right now has thrown it all off.
Teeth: molars, canines, top and bottom four. We are still waiting for one more bottom canine to pop through. I can see it so hopefully soon.

I am sure there is so much more I can add, but that is a good list so far. He has become our little buddy and I sure love having him around me all day. 18 month old stats coming soon! Doctors appt later this week.

halloween.

This year was full of fun times for Benson to dress up for Halloween. I loved his owl costume and it hardly seemed to bother him which is a total plus. It kicked off with the annual Asay Halloween party. The highlight this year was the hay ride around the neighborhood. We were quite the sight for anyone who may have seen us. It is so fun to have so much family around. 

Our ward trunk or treat was where Benson learned the art of collecting candy and he was not shy about the handfuls he stuffed into his bucket at every car. It was great practice for Halloween night. He ran from house to house and loved knocking on the doors. 

He got impatient at some houses who didn't answer fast enough...

October was too good and we are excited for this holiday season! Other October highlights:

Painting pumpkins is way better than carving them

connecticut.

Life was blissful this past weekend. Our trip to Connecticut was so great and we loved spending time with my family and grandparents. Friday night we went to the BYU/UCONN game. Although we missed it, my dad was in charge of the tailgate and sounded like it was a successful event. Instead we were slowly making our way through Little Jamaica with lots of entertainment. The game was lots of fun!

Saturday we drove to an orchard to pick peaches. It was a bit of a drive, but so worth it! I loved seeing the rows and rows of trees with fruit free for your own picking. We ate peaches right from the trees and took bags full home to make peach ice cream. Yum!

Sunday we got set for the main event. Parker's mission farewell. He did a great job on his talk and we are so proud of him and excited for him to serve the people in Mexico.

Monday was our last day and it was also our third anniversary. Matt and I celebrated by getting manicures and pedicures. We loved it!

diaper party.

This last weekend my neighbor friend and I threw a shower for our friend Hannah. We did a diaper shower and it was great. Diaper showers are perfect for those having a 2nd child, especially if its the same gender. She is totally stocked up on diapers for a while. I love the friends I have in my neighborhood. They are the absolute best!

Diaper cake I made

Hosts and the Girl of the Hour

4th of july.

July in Utah = my favorite. Warm summer nights, holidays, BBQ, family, fireworks, friends. There is something magical about it. We had a great weekend celebrating the 4th. Matt went golfing, we had dinner and games in Alpine, watched fireworks from my bedroom window, neighborhood block party, outdoor movie, and fun fireworks. Benson was loving all the time outside, but was sure worn out by the end of the night. The 4th of July will always be a favorite holiday of mine!

north carolina.

After months of planning and preparing, our long awaited trip to Mt. Airy and the beach happened. It was so great to meet Granny and the rest of Matt's mom's family. There were so many fun events planned and we loved all being together. The time at the beach was fabulous! I love the beach and was so happy to see Benson loving the water. The east coast beaches are totally different than California beaches and dare I say better! We hope we get the chance to go back again sometime.

twelve months.

Weight: 24 lbs. 90%

Height: 30 1/2 in. 75%

Head Circ.: 45 1/2 cm 45%

Boy oh boy how is it possible we have a O N E year old! Benson is one busy boy who can not sit still. He is always on the move and keeps us busy. We pick up lots of toys, spatulas, and everything else many times a day.

Fun Facts:

- Benson still takes 2 great naps a day and is still nursing fabulously! I will probably switch him after our trip next week. I am grateful we have been able to nurse this long. I think I will be sad when we stop.

- Benson also sleeps like a champ during the night. 12-13 hours every night. Can't complain there. I am loving the solid nights rest too.

- He still eats baby food at all three meals plus table food. We are working on getting him to eat more table foods. It's a struggle. He isn't always all that interested.

- He walks, and walks, and walks all day long.

-He discovered the stairs, but thankfully isn't too interested. If there is something on the stairs he will sometimes go after them but it hasn't been too bad.

- We have already gone swimming a few times. He does pretty good. Not a fan of the float yet though. We are so excited that we have a swimming pool in our backyard though.

- Got his first real sickness the week of his birthday. He threw up a few times and had a high fever. Mom and him got lots of cuddle time. Thankfully he got over it quickly.

-He understands what we say to him and will sometimes do what we say. Like "it's time to eat. lets go to get in your chair." and he walks over to his chair. He will help put one or two of his toys away and then he is over it.

-Benson knows where is tongue, head, and belly are. He can wave and show you that he is one.

- He absolutely loves to give big open mouth kisses.

- He got a new car seat and likes it. It takes up basically the whole back seat in our little civ.

Sure do love his boy!

first birthday party.

We officially have a one year old. It was so fun to celebrate Benson's birthday yesterday. Give it a few days and I will have his 12 month post coming after his visit to the doctors. We are so grateful for Mr. Benson and the smile he brings to us. Time is flying by, but we are loving every minute with him. We had a small party for him with family and friends. We are grateful for those who live close and were able to come.