Snow!

Last year, Ethan did not enjoy snow at all, in fact, he hated it. This year, he hated coming inside even when we bribed him with hot chocolate! :) We made a snowman, had a snowball fight, and rolled around in the snow until we all had snotty faces and soggy clothes. I love the first really good snowfall of the year!

Fun Pics

So Serious...

Ethan was loving this... We would put Bennett on his chest and then he would gently roll him off on to the floor. They both had the giggles!:)

Bennett Rolled Over!

Bennett rolled over from back to tummy tonight! I guess his work outs at home and at Leia's are paying off:) He didn't stay on his tummy long though as he already has rolling from tummy to back down pat!

Ethan at 7 Months

I always try and put a couple pics of Ethan at Bennett's age, but I forgot to do that for his 7 month post, so below I have added a couple. I see Bennett in Ethan, but I think Bennett looks more like Adam than Ethan...I guess that means that my husband and I kind of look alike?:)

Test Results

We got our test results back regarding Bennett's health on Friday. He has iron-deficiency anemia. His iron level was a 6 when it should be between a 24 and 36. Dr. Nau wants us to give him iron two times/ day with orange juice to help it absorb into his system. The poor thing already struggles sometimes to poop, I can't imagine what this will do!

We will go back to have his iron level re-tested in a month. Please continue to pray for Benne. This could be part of the reason why his growth and development has slowed down in the last few months. Hopefully we will see gradual improvement in these areas as his body starts getting the iron that it needs!

Haircut #2= SUCCESS:)

Adam took Ethan to get his 2nd haircut on Thursday night. He did such a great job this time! Adam brought candy corn (or "triangles" as Ethan calls them) and that kept him busy for awhile. The stylist did such a nice job of helping Ethan feel comfortable with the process as well. I am so proud of him! Doesn't he look adorable?!

Bennett Turned 7 Months!

Our sweetie-pie is 7 months old now. I can't believe we have crossed over the half way mark to a year already. As you can see from the pictures, he was thrilled to have them taken this month!:) Right now Bennett loves to watch his brother play, he loves to laugh and be loud, is really good at spitting, and has really mastered rolling from his tummy to his back!

We went to his 6 month well-child exam this morning...our pediatrician is great but not very available, so this was the first we could get in. Bennett currently weighs 14 pounds, 3 ounces and is 25.5 inches long. His head circumference is 42 centimeters. At his 4 month well-child exam he was between the 10th and 25th percentile for length and weight. Now he is right at the 5th percentile for length and is well below the 5th percentile for weight. Dr. Nau has some concerns about his growth, so we headed off to the lab for more tests. I felt so bad for Bennett. They decided to try and take blood from his arm this time since they needed quite a bit. They tried to find a vein in his right arm, but his veins are so little, they didn't have any luck. On the left arm, they got right in, he was so upset and tired by then. Dr. Nau did a basic blood scan to look at his kidney and liver function, etc., a thyroid test, and also took a look at if he is getting enough calories.

We also discussed his gross motor development as he has fallen behind. Dr. Nau was going to refer us to PT, but I have been working with a couple of my OT co-workers on some exercises, so he agreed that would be enough for now. At Bennett's 9 month well-child exam we will see how he has progressed with his growth and development and if needed, Dr. Nau would like to send us back to Iowa City a little earlier than we planned (we were to take him back to the genetics department at 1 year).

We continue to trust that God has a plan for Bennett and he will keep him healthy. We pray that he will help Bennett gr0w steadily and gain strength, especially for the next couple of months.

First Ear Infection

Bennett has his first ear infection. He has been very healthy so far, I think Ethan had gone through 3 ear infections by the time he was 7 months. Bennett's tummy doesn't seem to like the antibiotics very well however, but overall I think he is getting better. We got to spend some time with family this weekend. My mom had her family over on Saturday and we got to see my dad's family today. The kids are tired...Ethan kept falling asleep in the car, which NEVER happens! This weekend really got me geared up for the holidays. I can't wait! This is such a magical, special time of the year, and we have so much to be thankful for and so much to celebrate this year.

Good-Bye Sweet CRV

Seriously?! You are probably thinking...how pathetic, they took a picture of their car. Yes, we did. Actually, I made Adam do it:) I had this truck for 8 years and we took the plunge and got a newer vehicle. That sweet CRV took good care of us! :)

29 Years!

My mom and dad's 29th anniversary is tomorrow. I am so thankful for the legacy they are leaving, what they taught my sister's and I, and how that is being carried on to our own children. I am so blessed to have them in my life! Happy Anniversary!

My nephew, Austin, holding Bennett. He is so sweet to him and Ethan. Ethan LOVES playing with his, "Ah-tin"!

Talking in Full Sentences

I have to share. Yesterday when we were driving home from daycare we saw a man walking a dog. Ethan exclaimed, "That dada is walking that dog!" Wow, I couldn't believe it. He is getting so he can hold actual conversations with us. It is so much fun! He is growing up so fast, I want to cherish every minute of it.

Hiding Posts

Don't miss the new posts I put below, there are three!!

It's November!

I had a nice day with the boys on Saturday. Adam had to work, so it was just the three of us!

We searched the ENTIRE house for cars and Ethan lined them up around the coffee table. He was so proud of himself! You can tell he is a linear, organized thinker and doer. He wouldn't dream of having one of these out of place and would fix it immediately if one of them became crooked or didn't fit right.

Bennett's Booties from Leia

Leia knitted these booties for Bennett this summer. I had to show them off, I love thoughtful, hand-made gifts. They are so special and I know they will keep his feet nice and toasty this season. Thank you so much Leia!

Big Bear and His Side-Kick Batman:)

I would like to be able to say that we went out and got lots of Halloween candy after Trick-or-Treating...but we didn't even leave the house on Halloween night. Bennett was really tired when I got home from work, so I put him to bed and my mom came over (Adam had to work). We had a great time carving pumpkins, eating like bears, and enjoying each other's company. Of course, we had to get a few pictures of the boys in their costumes. Enjoy!


We had a pumpkin carving kit with stickers that you use as patterns for the eyes, nose, etc. Ethan enjoyed piling those, one on top of the other, on his pumpkin. He DID NOT enjoy sticking his hand inside of the pumpkin however, so I got stuck with that job. Needless to say, I made a very yummy roasted pumpkin seed recipe that night. The painted pumpkin is what Ethan got to make at daycare.

As you can see Bennett was thrilled to be a super-hero for the night.

Big Bear and Batman are actually a great team. Who wouldn't want to be rescued by these two cuties?:)

Our sweet punkin' pie.