Bensen's 1st birthday!!

Bensen's birthday was the Sunday after Thanksgiving and we filled the weekend with birthday fun. The Buckwalters came to stay with us Saturday, Sunday, and Monday so we were excited Bensen would have some cousins here to celebrate with us. We had a birthday lunch for with the Buckwalters and Madsens.

We had another small present opening party for Bensen on his real birthday and he got to open his presents from his grandparents (with help from his cousins). We loved having the Buckwalters here to help us celebrate.

We sure love Bensen and we're glad we get to have him around.

Here are some things we love about Bensen this year:

10- He is built solid. We have not had to worry about him being too fragile because he is not a small baby. He has been tall for his age since we left the hospital. He has been at least 6 months ahead in clothes sizes and always in the high 90 percentiles for height and weight. If he keeps this up, he is going to be one awesome linebacker when he grows up. (We'll just have to get into football first.

9- Bensen has become quite the determined and persistent little guy. He'll watch older kids do something and decide he is as big as them and will not quit until until he is able to do the same things they can do. I like that he pushes himself to learn more and be better without much prompting from us because of his determination.

8- Suddenly, Bensen has found that he has a voice and it can be a loud voice when he wants it to be. If he has something to say and we are talking or not paying attention to him or he thinks that what he has to say is very important, he is not affraid to use his yelling voice. At least we won't have to worry about him getting the Wilson/Lowder so-soft-spoken-it's-hard-to-understand-what-is-being-said problem I know is heriditary on my side of the family.

7- Bensen is one active fellow. He rarely stops moving and as long as he can be moving, he is generally happy. He is very curious and is always exploring the things around him. He hasn't cared for TV because doesn't believe in just sitting around. He'll watch for a minute and then it's back to being busy and moving, which I guess is good and bad. Sometimes, I wish I could just turn something on and take a nap, but I'm also glad that he isn't addicted to TV already, as I'm sure that day will come.

6- Bensen is such a tease. He has been a for a long time now it seems. As soon as he figured out that he had a puppy that was very protective of his puppy toys, Bensen rarely passes up the opportunity to dangle one of them in front of the puppy until he is practically mauled and he just giggles the whole time.

5- And his laugh is so contagious. He laughs so hard it often makes him double over and lose his balance. Gotta love it. He loves to play with his dad, who seems to know how to make him laugh the hardest. Whether it's from being chased around the house or tickles, he laughs the hardest when he plays with dad. It is pretty adorable and I love it!

4- Bensen is the friendliest little guy I know. We go through the store with him waving, smiling, or chatting with anyone who will pay him attention, and often some who don't. He warms up to people quickly and they become his best friend after only minutes. He then gives them hugs and climb into their laps like they've been friends forever. He loves people and he loves making new friends. It's very sweet.

3- Bensen loves music. He likes kid music, but he really likes regular music too. We often find him in his car seat, high chair, or playing with toys, bobbing his head to whatever is playing in the background. He'll sometimes sing along or pat his leg along with the beat. He loves when his dad plays the guitar and loves to play along with him. He loves his dad's music (mostly Dave Matthews of course) and he loves watching concert dvds with his dad.

2- Bensen is generally very happy. It makes it easy to have him around and to like him. He has been a pretty easy kid and just naturally does most things with a smile. Don't get me wrong, we have bad days too, but he loves to smile and laugh more than cry and pout (though I think that may change in the next few months), but for now we enjoy having him around.

1- Bensen is so loving. Though he is very busy, when he slows down, he is always up for a snuggle. He loves to give his puppy kisses, and we know he is going to be the most loving older brother. He gets so excited to see us if we've been away. He walks over to be in front of us and stomps his little feet with excitement and yells nonsense as he laughs and smiles until he topples over or insists on being picked up. It's good to know we are so loved by our little guy whom we love so very much!

Happy Birthday Bensen! You're the best! We love you very much!!!!