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!!!!

Halloween

This year, we recycled our costumes from a few years ago as Dorothy and the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz and this year we added a Cowardly Lion.

Then we remembered we had this cow costume and Bensen rocked it.

These two remind me of the little calves we had on the farm. All the times they would beg and we'd have to feed them with a bottle.

We went to a pumpkin patch and picked out a great pumpkin to carve.

Then Jeff worked his magic and carved and awesome eye in our pumpkin, baked the seeds, and made our house look super festive.

Pics

Still catching up on pictures from the last few months. This was Bensen's first time trying Cold Stone ice cream. I think he liked it.

Bensen loves it when Jeff plays his guitar. One day, Jeff let him play the ukulele and the guitar and he was pretty happy as you can see.

This is Jeff's latest brilliant idea. He decided he didn't want hot chocolate while we watched general conference, but he wanted hot peanut butter instead. so a few minutes in the coco-latte machine and we had ourselves a nice cup of hot peanut butter. And I will say, it was pretty delicious.

Bensen is becoming quite the little stinker. He gets into everything and destroys everything he possibly can. I left him alone for a few minutes and my earrings were ever where.

Another day, while Bensen and I were at a church meeting, he decided to spill his formula all over the floor. It was awesome. This is the mess I got to clean up.

Bensen is also trying a lot more foods these days. This was his first time he'd tried oreos. Not his favorite, but it made for a cute messy face.

Cute Bense snuggled up to his dad at church. He is such a sweetie!

During conference, I decided to make a rug and I crocheted it out of plastic bags. I did a really bad job making it but it is done and it serves it's purpose.

Look at how happy this kid is when he's dancing.

And these last two are just before those top teeth broke through, but he sure has a cheesy smile that we love to see. If you look close enough you can see his bottom two teeth showing through.

September: part 2 / October: Part 1

This post is pretty boring unless you like pictures of Bensen. (But at least I blogged again.) I celebrated my birthday in September and unfortunately Jeff had his first test on my birthday, so he spent the weekend studying instead of celebrating with me. Luckily the neighbors invited Bensen and me to join them in attending the annual Applebutter Festival in local towns Ellettsville and Spencer. It was fun. It was like a very small fair/craft show with fried food and all. Since we missed all of the fairs this year, it was fun to get a little of the feel for my birthday weekend at the Applebutter Festival. Here are some great pictures with the Ruegseggers (which it's always a nice break to go with them since their kids love to steal Bensen away, giving me a nice break).

On my birthday we had a small bbq with my mission companion and her family. However, we did not take pictures of the Madsens or that party. Bensen loves when his dad plays the guitar. He loves music and insists on helping Jeff play the guitar. It is pretty adorable. Hopefully he'll get Jeff's rhythm and talent and be a little musician.

The week before we had gone looking for some yard sales but were distracted when we found a lawn mower and bike with a 'free' sign so we stopped to pick them up. The lawn mower is an electric mower so it requires being plugged in while mowing (never heard of that before)but it was free so we were still excited and who doesn't want a bike. So Jeff got me a bike helmet for my birthday. I am pretty excited to try them out. I'm still trying to find a good time when Jeff is home to watch Bensen so I can take it out for a spin (and I've heard a few horror stories about many bikers being hit by the crazy drivers here that has also discouraged me from getting to serious about this biking thing). Here Bense is modeling my helmet for you. What a stud!

The Ruegseggers invited us to join them in the Lotus Festival here in Bloomington. Apparently it is a big deal. They have activities during the day and then music and activities lining the streets at night. We went to both and only took pictures during the day. It was fun and we can't wait to go back next year.

Bensen was so sad when Jeff went into the bathroom and closed the door. He immediately went over and started knocking on the door. He sure likes his dad.

Of course I made him put on my glasses for this picture so they are a little girly on our boy, but his big bug eyes are just too cute not to share.

We often find Bensen in the most interesting sleep positions. This is just one of our favorites. He is definitely a stomach sleeper like his mom though.

I left the step ladder out one day to find this little monkey had climbed to the top. Totally safe, right? I doubt it so that was put away quickly but only after I took a picture. I cannot believe how quickly he progressed since we moved here. I think the added space to our living quarters has helped him be more motivated to move around more.

This is a rare occasion for Bensen to fall asleep without finishing his bottle or switching out for the binki but apparently he was tired.

One day we ventured out to eat and Bensen mastered the straw in one try. Way to go bud!

This is what most of our days look like. If anything is left out, it then becomes a scattered mess. Needless to say, someone, (I won't name names, but it wasn't me) left their plate of scraps within reach of this little tornado and wasn't sure what he had done wrong. He sure looks innocent but we all know better.

September

September started with this cutie getting a haircut. I think it made him look much older, but still adorable, of course.

Then this trouble started. Bensen got this toy from his Grandpa Mike before we moved and he loves it and walks everywhere with it now that he has it figured out.

And then this trouble started two days later.

But isn't that just a great smile?!

And then this trouble. We finally had to lower the mattress to the lowest setting on the crib.

And this fun at the park.

We went to an apple orchard with some moms and kids from the ward and Bensen had a great time. After a few hours he was so tired and cranky, but because I had caught a ride with someone else I had to wait for them to be ready to leave. So I was happy when I saw this swing and he fell asleep. Poor kiddo.

Our patriotic baby.

He is such a good help when it comes to laundry.

And again, these two little snugglers. They sure like each other.

If you couldn't tell, my life revolves around this little guy these days so that is all that I have to post about. I'm sure the grandmas would enjoy.

August Highlights

We went on a nice tour of campus with Mike and Lynn:

More of the tour and a few of Bensen playing with grandma and grandpa. He loved pulling Grandpa Mike's hair and Grandpa Mike loved teasing the little guy.

Our stuff finally arrived and we unloaded with the help of ward members. They were great. (don't mind that I look like a boy).

Jeff and Bensen and the puppy enjoying the evening. We had just dropped Mike and Lynn off at the airport and got Olive Garden takeout for our Anniversary dinner. These boy just love each other.

This little guy sure loves his watermelon. I'm not sure where he gets that from. ;)

This is the first documentation I have of the little guy starting to scoot around. 8 months and barely a scooter. I think it was to keep me sane during the move. I did not have to to be chasing this little guy around. But he hasn't stopped moving since then.

These two cuties snuggling again. I love it!

The puppy taking in the new kingdom. He loves having so much space. Yes, our lawn was that dead when we got here. It has since become quite the lively and beautiful green lawn we had hoped for. I'll have to post current pictures. I'm pretty in love with the back yard and not having to walk the puppy all the time.

Bensen sporting his new hoosier gear from Grandma Lynn.

We saw this cute car at Goodwill so I decided to let Bensen take a little ride. Immediately after this picture, he may or may not have fallen through the bottom. Apparently, not old enough to drive.

Bensen was learning how to drink from my water bottle with a straw and making so many fun faces and I love all of them so I thought I would share.

Bensen's first taste of Coldstone. I think he loved it!

And here he is enjoying a sunny day in our backyard.

And the last few highlights of August: Bensen loves his puppy so much and loves to tease him relentlessly. The puppy is not so sure about Bense but sometimes he will humor him. His transition to the new car seat and still loving his old one. Walks in the stroller.

And that was our first month in Bloomington.