Sorry--I have been really bad about updating pictures, videos, and blog. :( Pregnancy is really slowing me down these days--oh and chasing after a very active toddler tires me out pretty quickly too! WE have been doing much of the same in the past few months....working on the house and preparing for our little princess to arrive in May. Yep--it's a GIRL! Adam is now in his Big Boy Bed and doing so well. He isn't getting up at night and goes to bed/naps really easily without a fuss. I am so thankful! The crib is now in his sister's room--the pink room! Her room is ladybugs and flowers. Very cute. Jordan did such a good job putting up the chair rail and crown molding in her room to make it pretty :). I love going in her room to look around after the house is quiet and Adam is asleep.

 

Adam is turning into a little boy! He celebrates his second birthday this Friday. He loves to be independent--likes to put his own dishes in the sink, likes to pick up his own toys before bed--you name it, he wants to do it himself! He will constantly go get his stepstool from the bathroom to bring wherever we are, like the kitchen, and "help". Still not a big talker, but he gets his point across. He had his hearing test this morning and passed with flying colors. So, we just have to wait for him to share his words with us one of these days. :)

 

I promise to work on getting a new video up soon!

 

 

 

We have been busy! We went to the Bennett Family Reunion in Florida for a week. It was great! We stayed at a beautiful resort in Jupiter and got to see all the family from the East Coast. Adam's chunky cheeks were a big hit! We also got to spend some fun time with G-Jo (Grandma Jo) and see her beautiful home in Ft. Lauderdale. Despite the long plane trip, it was a lot of fun! Adam really enjoyed playing in the sand at the beach.

We just had our new windows put in our home. Loving them! No more wind breezing through the windows when they are closed. Amazing! Next project is the front lawn to be re-sodded and then.....the bathrooms. Both need a total renovation!

Adam is growing like a weed. He is so clever and can figure anything out just by watching someone do it once. This morning he tried to scale the stove to get to the cookies on top! Yikes! His favorite things are helping to pick up garbage and put it in the trash, playing with Daddy's tools and "helping" build something, and playing in his backyard with his firetruck.

Today, we were at Safeway and we watched a fire truck go by. All the firemen waved at Adam and he had the biggest smile on his face and waved back. He was so excited! Our little by is the best!

We have FINALLY moved! We are really enjoying the new house so far and have already done so much! Jordan has replaced the water heater, put in a water softener, installing new kitchen appliances, replaced all the sprinkler system, and been crazily planting trees in our massive backyard. I have painted all 4 bedrooms and had new carpet installed, in between trying to unpack! Our garage is still a mess piled with "stuff". Home Depot seems to be a frequent stop for us! But, we are really liking our new neighborhood and location. :)

Adam is having a blast running from room to room and "helping" Mommy paint and assemble furniture. He LOVES the backyard and often throws a tantrum when it's time to come in. Yep, we are already starting the "terrible two tantrums" when we don't get our way. It is so hard sometimes to keep a straight face as he hurls himself at the floor over something so insignificant! He also doesn't like to take baths anymore....he wants to shower with Daddy where he can drive his trucks and walk around in the shower. He is so funny! STill obsessed with trucks.....or actually any form of transportation....motorcycles, airplanes, tractors,.....

More from us soon....I will try to keep posting pics of our development of the house as we slowly work on it. :)

We are nearly there---ready to move to the new house! Adam has been having fun pushing all the packed boxes around the house and crawling inside the empty boxes. He thinks it is all a game! He is so much fun---learns something new everyday. Yesterday he learned how to blow kisses! He blew a kiss to Daddy when we were saying goodbye to Daddy to go to work. So sweet! He also is quite the dancer now and does his own version of "flashdance". Other new tricks are going up and down steps solo, stacking his blocks (from Auntie Laurie and Uncle Brandon) taller than himself, eating a whole apple solo, kicking balls, and his version of "surfing" by standing on top of Daddy's stomach and balancing . Adam still only has 3 or 4 words, but his receptive vocabulary is amazing. He understands most of what we say or ask him to do and can follow directions. Such a good little thinker! He loves when we go to visit the new house and runs straight to his room! More from the Bennetts in our new casa soon...

We are so thrilled----Addison Harmony Walter was born on June 30 and weighed in at 8lbs, 1 oz and 19.5 inches. She is just beautiful! Adam already loves his sweet cousin! The Walter Family is doing just super and actually getting a few hours sleep each night :).

 

Adam is 16 months old now. He is just a handful! He is always busy doing something or trying something new. He really likes to know how everything works and do it for himself. His newest tricks are opening and closing the sliding glass doors, opening the refrigerator and getting himself out a slice of cheese, making the moo cow noise, dancing by shuffling his feet back and forth, vacumming like Mommy by moving the vacumm back and forth quickly to get the dirty spots, using his fork correctly, turning on his stereo himself and "adjusting" the volume (ouch!), going into the pantry to pick out a snack for himself, and going up and down stairs. He is really a funny little guy and we are enjoying his learning so much!

 

We will be moving to our new house at the end of this month. When we go to the new house, as soon as I open the front door, Adam squeals in excitement! We can all hardly wait ;).

We are pleased to announce the 2008 Walter Baby Pool!

Here are the rules:

1.       $5 per slot.  Due date is $10!! (highlighted below in pink)

2.       Each day has two slots; 12:00:00 AM - 11:59:59 AM and 12:00:00 PM - 11:59:59 PM.

3.       You can pick as many slots as you want.

4.       Policy is first-come, first-served.

5.       You can either phone us the entries, or email us at bennett4591@sbcglobal.net

6.       Winner takes all. If baby comes outside of these dates, baby wins the pot for her diapers.

7.       Payment will be accepted by mail before July 4.  Non payment will result in the forfeit of your date.

 

FYI - Casey's due date is July 11.  Calendar will be updated daily.

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 

6/30

7/1

7/2

7/3

7/4

7/5

7/6

 

Available	Available	Available	Kari & Mark Archer	Available	Available	Available	AM
Available	Bennett Family	Available	Kari & Mark Archer	Available	Available	Available	PM

 

7/7

7/8

7/9

7/10

7/11

7/12

7/13

 

Available	Available	Kari & Mark Archer	Available	Al & Jean Walter	Available	Available	AM
Available	Available	Kari & Mark Archer	Al & Jean Walter	Available	Bennett Family	Available	PM

 

7/14

7/15

7/16

7/17

7/18

7/19

7/20

 

Megan Archer	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	AM
Megan Archer	Bennett Family	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	PM

 

7/21

7/22

7/23

7/24

7/25

7/26

7/27

 

Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	AM
Available	Bennett Family	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	PM

Adam has been busy perfecting the art of walking. It started when he turned 13 months and he took 3 steps to Momma. He was so proud of himself! From there he was really cautious and would only walk to Mommy or Daddy. Now, at 14 months he can walk all around the house himself! A whole new world for him! He walks with his hands tucked under his chin to be aerodynamic. Haha!

 

We have been having a good time playing in the backyard now that the weather is nicer. We play with our tractors and firetruck. Adam is really good at the vrooommmm! noise. Yesterday we went to the Half Moon bay car and air show. Adam really enjoyed watching the planes sitting on Daddy's shoulders.

 

He is still really enjoying music--all kinds. We go to the local Mexican restaurant every week and he is fascinated by the Mariachi band. He grooves along with them! He likes to eat the cheese quesadillas too.

 

Adam has three words....Momma, Dadda, and Na-na (banana). Other than that, he grunts and points at things he wants like a caveman.

Adam is officially one year old now! We had a great day together by celebrating his birthday at the San Francisco Zoo. He liked the flamingos, the sheep, the prairie dogs, and the giraffes. We even got to stand inches from a grizzly bear! It was a beautiful day at the zoo!

 

We had a Pirate Party last weekend with the family. It was so much fun! Adam liked wearing his skull cap from "GJo" (Grandma Jo) and opening his presents. He REALLY liked the firetruck from Uncle Jason and Auntie Casey. He pushes it, rides in it, and likes to put his favorite things in the trunk (like bananas or his socks). He also ate his first taste of cake and smashed it all in his face. Good boy! You might be wondering, "What is that in his mouth?" in all the pictures?????? It's his toothbrush. He loves it. The little guy is very serious about his oral healthcare!

 

His latest "tricks" are pointing at things he wants, standing for bits of time by himself, sleeping all night peacefully :), clapping (and really knowing what he is doing), opening all the cabinets and drawers in sight (oh no!), and making the "vroom" car noise when playing with his trucks and cars. He is so much fun! He also is really enjoying riding in his new car seat facing forward and watching Mommy and Daddy drive. He mimicks us in his fire truck!

It has been a BUSY month for little Adam. He had a visit from Great Grandpa Al (Big AD) and Great Grandma Jean. He loved the wrapping paper and bows they brought him and he couldn't give them enough smiles! He also celebrated his first Valentines Day and gave Mommy and Daddy lots of snuggles--what a Valentine! Daddy bought him some monster trucks and he has had a blast driving them up walls and over the furniture. Also loves to stack them! And, he even makes the "vroom" noise....it is so funny!

 

We took a trip to San Francisco and Adam got to meet the sea lions and hear them bark. He was a bit bewildered by them. He liked eating Mommy's soft pretzel better. We also took him on his first visit to the Beach. Loves the ocean! He made sand castles with Daddy and we looked for shells.

 

Adam got his first big boy carseat since he is nearing one year old. He cheked it all out by standing on it, pulling on it, and tasting it. Mmmmm! I think he likes it! Tonight Daddy made him a house out of the box the seat came in. It is pretty fancy, with a door, windows, and a chimney. Adam likes to go in it and shut the door on Mommy and Daddy! He wants his private time!

 

Almost one year old!

Adam had a great first Christmas . As expected, despite the many, many toys he got from Santa and everyone, all he wanted to play with was the ribbons, gifttags, and the lint-roller in Jordan's stocking. Fascinating! He got to visit with Uncle Evan who was home from college and Grandma Jo visiting from Florida. He stared and stared at them, so in love with his family. I think his favorite toys (once the paper and bows were thrown away)were the Tonka truck from Grandma and Grandpa Archer and the music table from Grandpa Spider.

He is crawling with gusto now, pulling up to stand on anything nearby....and he has figured out that he can stand in his crib to call for Mommy. Of course, he doesn't actually call "Momma", but thinks its so funny to shout "Da-Da!". As soon as I lay him down for a nap or bedtime, even if I set him in the crib asleep, he pops up to a stand and laughs. Bedtime is a lonnnnnnggggg pocess now....

Adam has 7 chompers now  and puts everything in his mouth for a "test" bite. He likes to wave at people, especially at Grandpa Bill. He is about 30 1/2 inches long (90th percentile) and 20.5 lbs (25th percentile)...a long, string bean! He has started dancing to the music at his music table and laughs hysterically when Mommy and Daddy do too!

Unfortunately, this last month he got his first virus, along with the croupe. No fun! We had to go to the doctor late one night to get a steroid shot to lessen the swelling in his vocal cords so that he could breathe better. Luckily, that went away fairly quickly. A few weeks later, came virus number two, along with an ear infection in each ear! Big clue that something wasn't right...he would fuss constantly...not our usual happy guy. That has taken longer to get over, but we seem to be on the mend...fingers crossed!

We have made a few family trips to Reno by car to see the snow. Adam is sooooo good in the car. He loves to watch the cars out the back window (he's still facing backwards). We are contemplating a big plane trip in the future....where will we go????

Adam has been a busy little guy....he loves to pratice walking and can now stand holding on to the furniture and "cruise" back and forth holding on to the couch and coffee table. He thinks he is quite clever and giggles to himself when he can "walk" (holding Mommy's hands) to go to a new part of the house. He is also quite a fast little crawler too....can't leave him even for a second because he loves to pull the cords out of the electrical sockets....maybe a future electrician?

He got a new piano from Grandma Kari and loves to bang away on it...especially with his hammer from the toolset! Check out the pcitures of him in the car and you will see his top teeth coming in. They have been a nightmare! They make him so cranky...they must ache so much! But now he uses those little chompers to eat pieces of cheese and chunks of fruits.

His favorite part of the day is bathtime with Daddy in the shower. When I undress him and take him toward the bathroom, he starts laughing like crazy before we even get inside the bathroom because he is so excited to shower with his Daddy. It is so cute! He has also learned how to open the shower door by himself which is so fascinating for him.

Growing, growing.....our little baby is becoming so big so fast!

Well, he has done it...he can officially sit by himself now. Hooray! We were a bit worried that he had to interest in it because all he wanted to do was stand or sit with Mommy, but he finally did it! Now we dont have to put a pillow hill behind him because he is pretty steady and can play and sit without toppling. He enjoys sitting in the shopping cart at the grocery store too :).

We are getting ready for Halloween. He wore his skeleton outfit over to Grandpa Bill's house. In the pics, he is "sharing" his "Nukie" (pacifier) with Grandpa. It was so sweet to watch! We went to the pumpkin patch and got Adam his first pumpkin. It is almost as big as him!

Books and magazines (anything paper)are his new favorite toys. He enjoys ripping and biting them. Oh, the joy of reading!

 

 

Adam is growing, growing, growing! Everyday it seems like he can do something new that he couldn't do the day before. He loves to do anything that Mommy and Daddy do....like drink from cups, play with the remote control, talk on the phone, open the mail, "help" fold the laundry, read magazines (and tear apart his favorite pages!)....

He is obsessed with walking. He could care less about sitting by himself; he would rather stand! He loves to stand and hold on to the coffee table and drag down anything on top of it. What a good cleaner he is! ha! And he still loves to walk in his car :). We are trying to teach him how to crawl. So far, he thinks he can roll and roll and roll to get where he wants to go, but it usually doean't take him in the right direction and he gets frustrated! He can puch up on his arms really good, but its the knees part that is hard for him because he would rather try to stand and use his feet. That usually ends with him toppling over his head. Ouch!!!!

We are moving along in the world of food. He is slowing adding more textures and solids to his plate. Of course, Mr. Independence loves to feed himself, especially with his own spoon and the neat feeder that he can hold onto and squish the fruit out of (see pictures). Meal time is usually pretty messy, but we have a lot of fun and giggles the whole time.

More from the Bennett house again soon!

 

 Adam officially turned 6 months on Monday. He has his checkup with Dr. Frank and weighed in at 15 lbs,6 oz. and 27 1/4 inces long. Healthy little boy! Of course, he got a few more shots :(, but he was a trooper and quickly forgot them after I gave him a bottle!

We got him a "exosaucer" on wheels. It has a steering wheel like a car and makes all kind of fun noises. Adam LOVES it. I tried it out at Babies R'Us to see if he liked it and he had the biggest grin on his face! I had to buy it! He has been driving himself all over the house now...

His latest tricks are feeding himself with his spoon, rolling over all ways, scooting with his butt in the air (hasn't figured out how to use the arms yet), and babbling. He is just about ready to sit up by himself I think....any day now! We still aren't sleeping through the night...he won't give up those middle of the night feeding parties yet, but at leats he goes right back to sleep afterwards.

We went to the children's zoo in Palo Alto today. Adam loved the honking goose the best! He is really enjoying this fascinating world around him!

I apologize for not getting pictures up in a long time...we were having computer problems! It has been a busy, fun summer at the Bennett house. We are in the process of selling our house and moving to a bigger house in San Jose. Exciting! Adam has been growing so fast...he can roll over all ways now, laugh and squeal, practice his "voice", and scoot himself a few feet on the floor. He is so much fun!!!  

Adam has sprouted 2 teeth in the last 2 weeks....yes, 2!!! They are on the bottom (you can see it in picture 25 I think) and very cute. They were pretty painful for him and I have a feeling the top teeth are not far behind...

 

He has also started eating solid food...rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, bananas, and peaches. He loves them all so far. I think he just loves to eat...nevermind the flavor! :) As you can see from the pictures, he is very interested in the tings Mommy and Daddy do...like drinking from water bottles. He watches closely and then imitates our moves. So curious! We have started a sippy cup with water, but he usually ends up gagging on all the water because he tries to drink too agressively!

 

We have just been enjoying the calm summer weather playing and learning. Every day is something new and we just laugh and laugh at each other. And no, we didn't pose him in the pictures with the "special finger". But we laughed and laughed at him while he was nawing away at his fingers and he couldn't figure out what was so funny! Good thing the camera was close by!

We just went for Adam's 4 month checkup at the doctor's office and he weighed in at 13 lbs, 2 ounces and was 25 1/2 inches long. He is a long little guy! He also got 3 shots...no fun!

 

Suprise! Adam has gotten his first tooth early :). He has been drooling forever now and he was having some rough nights sleeping....well, the tooth finally poked through on the bottom left. It's sharp!!! Coming up next is the tooth beside it on the right. I suspect it will poke through any day now...

 

Adam has been busy learning all kinds of new tricks. Every day is something new. He can hold his evening bottle by himself, take his pacifier out himself and sometimes put it back in correctly, roll over really fast onto his tummy, hold his head 90 degrees on his tummy, and laugh! He loves to learn!

 

 

The little man has been busy growing! His hair was out of control, and with this heat wave, it was time to cut it! I cried afterwards because he looks more like a little boy instead of a baby now! Grandma Kari got him the new Glowworm toy (see pics above) and he is absolutely fascinated with it's glowing face. It also sings lullabies and he will listen to them over and over...

 

We went to visit Great Grandpa A.D. and Great Grandma Jean last weekend. So far, Adam's eyes are staying blue like his Grandpa Steve's and Great Grandpa's eyes. Who knows, he just may end up with blue eyes after all!!We had a great visit .

 

Adam's latest tricks are grabbing everything and anything within his reach. He has discovered that he has toes and enjoys pulling off his socks when Mommy isnt looking. Pretty soon I bet those toes will go in his mouth like everything else he grabs! Adam also loves to roll over (only on the left side) all the time now and will not cry on his tummy anymore now that he is getting stronger. He also loves to look at himself in the mirror and giggle. It is the sweetest sound!!