Ben's Scooter Accident

Before lunch today, I decided it would be a nice day to take the kids out for a walk around the block.....which turned out to be a walk around about 5 blocks because Ben was riding his scooter. Braden was riding in the little car that I took pictures of him in a few days ago. We were doing just fine until we got to the top of this big hill that Ben was excited to go down "fast." I warned him before he took off that he needed to be careful because if he crashed, it would be a HARD crash. Well, mother's instinct was right again, unfortunately....he got to going really fast and hit a bump between the sidewalk and one of the driveways and his scooter fell flat throwing Benjamin off. He somersaulted and then landed flat--face down. I was about 5 driveways behind him towards the top of the hill and my heart nearly stopped when I saw it all happen. Braden and I ran (well, Braden "rode") down to where Ben was and he was crying hysterically. The worst part about it was that we were as far away from the house as we had been on the entire "walk" (which was about 4 blocks from home) and he had to walk all the way back home with his arm oozing with blood. He cried the whole way. ~Poor little guy. I tried to get him to ride his scooter, but he said it hurt too much to ride it. And there wasn't room in "Braden's car" for him to ride in it. I pushed Braden, carried the scooter and helped Ben along all the way home. :( When we got home, I smothered Neosporin on it and put gauze and a wrap to keep it covered for the afternoon. Tonight before bed, I redressed the wound and in between dressings, took the photo below. WARNING--RAW FLESH (if you have a weak stomach don't look :)

This wasn't the only battle scar he got from his tumble. He has a skinned up knee, (luckily he had on pants or it would have been a lot worse--I made him wear pants for this very reason) a spot on his shoulder, back, and a couple on his shin. He didn't even notice the others because his arm hurt so bad, but I saw them tonight when he got ready for bed. He did fine this afternoon with his arm though and even had soccer practice tonight. He told Daddy before practice that he "couldn't fall tonight" because he didn't want to "hurt it more."

Here he is with his arm re-wrapped.

Lesson learned from today: Don't go on a walk without a cell phone, a bottle of water and a bandaid (it's always good to take some money along too.) Ugggg!

Mmmmmm, Macaroni Salad!

Mommy finally got brave and gave Braden something REALLY messy to feed to himself--left-over macaroni salad that his Aunt Maggie left for us from his birthday party. He seems to LOVE it! This is the second day in a row I've given it to him for lunch. Yesterday, he had it in his hair and everything! Check out his bib, he has another plateful on there for later! :) Silly boy!

Ok, time for a bath! :)

Braden's 1st Birthday Party

Today we had our family over to celebrate Braden's 1st birthday. We grilled out (like we did for Ben's 1st) and enjoyed the beautiful day that it was. Then we looked through baby and 2006 scrapbooks I have been working on since Christmas to see how Braden has grown this year. It was fun seeing all the fun moments in the albums (especially for me since the scrapbooks are nearly FINISHED---YEA!!!!!) Oooooohhhhh, CAKE!

For someone who hasn't been on table food all that long, he sure did enjoy that cake!

Happy Birthday little guy!

The "Ice Cream Man"

Today was the first time Ben has gotten ice cream from "The Ice Cream Man." (it was actually a woman driver, but that's just what we call it. :) Actually, he may have done it once before, but it's been so long I can't remember. He has been hearing the truck for several days now, but has not been able to catch the "truck". So he waited by the curb today with his money in hand trying to wave it down. :) Ahhh, sweet success!

Today is Braden's 1st Birthday!-Wed., March 21

Good Morning Braden! Happy Birthday!

I cannot believe that Braden is already a year old! This year has flown by! We didn't really do anything special for Braden today, but I had to go to Kindergarden Round-Up for Benjamin. Braden went over to my friend, Kristy's house while I went to that, so he had fun playing with Kristy's kids for a little while. Ben went home with a friend from preschool so that I could go get all the info for school. At church tonight Braden had lots of fun playing with one of his favorite things (a ball) after church. He loves to watch the kids play in the fellowship hall after church. He tries to get right in there with them.

Ben's 1st Soccer Game-March 13th

Today Ben had his first soccer game. He was so excited! He kept looking over at me when he'd get the chance and holding his thumbs up to me to say, "Yea!" Ready for action! (He chose the number 5 jersey because he's 5 this year. After he played, we went over to the playground area and he pushed Braden in the swings (only Braden's 3rd time in a swing--He LOVES it!

Braden Continues to Keep Mommy Busy

My ornery little 11 month old keeps me on my toes. Tuesday my little phone crazed lunatic was on his continuing mission to make sure our phone is off the hook at all times and saw something as equally exciting on the night table--a glass of milk that had been left there from the night before. Oh yea! On Wednesday, I retrieved a penny out of his mouth, and today I retrieved a pretty well gnawed on, wrapped, starburst and a gold coin from Ben's pirate treasure box out of his mouth. We also have a constant battle with keeping the gate to the steps closed. Ben and Daddy have been having a little trouble remembering to close it when they go through it. I probably "check on the gate" 35 times a day to make sure it's closed. If Braden makes it until his 2nd birthday without having to go to the emergency room, it will be a miracle!

Braden's Got Some New Wheels-March 12

Last summer on one of Ben and I's many garage sale outings, we spotted this car for $5 and talked them down to $3.

Woo-hoo! :) I've been waiting for the right combination of Braden being steady enough to ride in it (it doesn't have a seatbelt or anything) and for the weather to be nice enough so that I could take him for a ride in it. Well Monday was the day! What a beautiful start to the week we had this week! Two days in the 70's! WOW! I'm so excited that the weather is getting nicer so we can get outside and play!

After I walked Braden around the driveway and up and down the sidewalk in front of our house, Ben wanted to take a turn pushing him. Braden really seemed to be enjoying himself.

Did you like that ride little guy? You look awfully cute in that hat!

No I don't! I want the hat off Mommy. So there! It's hurting me.

Cont.....

"Oh boy, this is fun!!! I feel like I'm one of the big kids now!" "Let's see, I think I'm gonna get comfortable."

"Ohh yeah! Hey, it's kind of like a recliner......................... Uh....I think I'm stuck! Uh...a little help here, please." :) "Mooooooooooom, enough with the hat already, I told you I don't like it. It hurts my head. Didn't you see the red mark it left on my forehead?"

Brothers are fun!

Ben is scooter crazy right now (he stopped riding it for a minute because he wanted to get his picture taken with his brother.) He has abandoned his bike and all other riding toys and is only a scooter man now. I found it on a really good sale the day after Thanksgiving and gave it to him for Christmas. He is very attached to it.

My Little Rebel-for an hour

Ben went to a "Pirate" themed birthday/bowling party Saturday for a friend of his from preschool. He got a these "accessories" to wear for the party.

He was hesitant to put them on at first, wore them for maybe 1 hour total taking them off and putting them back on twice. For some reason, he wouldn't even put on the eye patch he was given. I'm glad he isn't comfortable looking like a rebel but it sure was cute for 1 hour at age 5!

Soccer Practice--March 6

Ben is so excited about playing Soccer this spring! When Andy took him to sign up for the soccer league, I had told him that we'd have to see if they had a spot for him since we missed the initial sign up date. The weather had been bad so they had extended the sign ups for one additional weekend but said the space was limited. Well, Ben was so nervous. He kept asking me, "Mommy, do you think I'll make the team?" (as if he needed to try out or something--it was so cute!) It turns out, the director of our division called us about a week later and said they were running low on coaches and were looking for parent volunteers to help coach. If you know Andy very well you know that he doesn't like soccer at all and doesn't know a thing about it. Well, long story short, Andy asked Ben what he'd think about his Daddy being his coach, and Ben jumped up and down and said, "You would be my soccer coach? YEAH BABY!!!!" Andy looked at me and said, "How could I resist that?" So Andy is his coach (as if he needed something else to do right now.) It's been fun for him so far though. He really does a good job with the kids. Even with his migraines, he's been pretty patient with them.

We have practice at the park where his games will be played. This is one of the drills "coach Andy" has them do. There are six kids on the team and they play 3 on 3 with no goalie. There is no official score kept, but somehow I'm sure Ben will know the score when the games are over. These photos are actually from his 2nd practice since his first was so chaotic with meeting the parents and getting to know them a little. Plus, it was Braden's dinner time during practice so I was feeding him in his stroller while we were there.

Our little soccer player! He's so excited!

I asked Ben if he wanted to sign up for T-Ball (since the season for T-ball starts just as the soccer season is wrapping up) and he said, "No, I'll be to busy playing soccer. I don't want to have all my nights filled up and not be able to play with my friends." (that has to be one of the most "grown-up" things I've ever heard him say :) --plus the fact that he wants to be pitched to, not hit the ball off a T) Our little guy is growing up way too fast! :(

Ornery Little Braden--at 11 months

Is that an ornery face or what!? No, you cannot climb in the "toy box." Today as I was LOADING the dishes into the dishwasher, Braden was UNLOADING them--both from the dishwasher and lower cabinet. I knew there was some ruckus (spelling?) going on behind me as I was standing at the sink doing dishes, but I had to laugh when I finally turned around and saw my busy little bee's hard work at making another mess for Mommy. Thanks Braden, I won't say you never gave me anything! :)

Yep, there he goes with the phone again--his obsession!

After I got the dishes out of the floor and we got back from Ben's soccer practice tonight, Braden made Mommy another mess. He found the plastic bag drawer and as usual pulled his fridge toys off onto the floor. I thought it was comical since I had just gotten his last mess cleaned up so I went to get the camera. When I got it, I said, "Hi Braden, can you smile for Mommy?" Braden's latest thing is "waving" Hi or Bye or Night Night, so when I said Hi and asked him to smile, he waved at me. It was so funny!

Braden's 1st Food--Toast---March 6

Yes, I'm sure you think from Braden's size that he eats everything in the house, but all he eats is a jar of baby food with a bottle 3 times a day. He has just begun eating crackers the past month or so, but he was choking on a lot of the #3 baby foods, so I was very hesitant to give him table food. Now, I figure that he is going to be a year old this month so I'd better get on with it. Well today I was eating a piece of toast for breakfast and he began moaning and reaching out toward it. I finally got the hint that he wanted some of MY food. So after giving him a few chunks off my piece and him devouring them, I got brave and made him a piece of his own. How did he do? Well, take a look..... hmmmmm.....how does this thing work? Let me see..........Should I just break off little pieces like Mom did or............... Nah! I'm CHOWING!!!! I may not get another piece of real food for a week!!!

Oh, man, is she going to take it away. I did make quite a mess here. Quick Ben, distract her so I can finish this! 5 second rule--the floor was just mopped last week, right? Ah, who cares, a little dirt won't hurt! :) MMMMMmmmmmmmmm, this is great! Toast for me from now on!

Just Hangin' Out With Daddy-Mar 4

Look at those THIGHS!!! WoW!!! What a HUNK, huh! :) This is the only way Andy can lift Braden with his back right now. He has to be lying flat to do it. Somehow I don't think Braden minds too much. He seems to be enjoying himself! There's those cute little toofers-the only ones he has so far. He's working on the top ones now though. What do you have there Braden? Is Daddy letting you play with something you shouldn't have? Should I spank you or Daddy? :) Oh, ok, I'll let it slide just this once since you look so cute!

Ok, fun's over.... now give me the pen!

Isaiah's 1st Birthday

Saturday night we went to my nephew's 1st Birthday party.

This is my brother Jeremy with him.

He wasn't quite sure what to think of the cake at first, but Sheila helped him out a little.

Then Isaiah said, OK Mommy, here you go. Your turn! :) My little niece, Princess Lillian. Braden hanging out with Grandma at the party.