Benson

Ben has been smiling at us for the last few days. Today when I was feeding him, he kept distracting himself by smiling at me. It was quite cute. He has been rolling onto his side since he was a week old (maybe before that even). He is getting fast at rolling himself onto his side. He is still sleeping a LOT, but when he is awake he is extremely alert and fascinated with everything, mainly sister though. He has been out of 0-3 month clothes for almost a week and is wearing some 6 month clothing now. He is just about ready for size 2 diapers. He is still pretty skinny, but he is putting weight on and is getting longer. Ben is sleeping through the night, as long as I am laying next to him or holding him.

Thanks to John for pictures!

Family Picture

4 generations
Monica brought us bubbles. Ally had a blast with the bubbles.
Thanks Monica!

Phil, Kim, Great Grandpa & Grandma Horn

I told you, we spent lots of time outside this weekend and every night there was a fire. Ben and I stayed inside pretty much the entire time, due to bugs. I didn't want him getting bit and I seem to be a bug magnet, no matter how much bug spray I use.

Our fun weekend

We had a great weekend with Matt's family. Saturday we had a party in celebration of Matt graduating. The whole weekend was fun and relaxing. Ally and Matt camped out in his tent Friday night. Ally has been wanting to go camping for quite a while and Matt thought this was a good opportunity to do so. Benson did very well with letting everyone hold him and pass him around. I'm glad he sleeps so well and is laid back. Saturday morning we went to garage sales. Matt and I found some great deals. Phil and Kim got an organ that ended up being the best deal of the day. Before their organ, I had purchased dishes for 12 (salad plates, dinner plates, mugs, and bowls) for $12 (that includes a pitcher that also went with the set that Kim bought). We got a nice chair for our computer, a bike for Ally (don't tell her though), golf clubs for Matt, and a whole crib bedding set. We had a great time searching out great deals.
We got to see family and friends this weekend and had a great time with them. Thanks to everyone for coming and celebrating Matt's graduation with us.
I didn't take any pictures the whole weekend. I've really been slacking on the picture taking lately.

Well baby checkups

Ben had his 1 month checkup yesterday and so we went ahead and made Ally's 3 year checkup.
Ally is weighing in at 35 lbs and is 3'2".
Ben is weighing in at 11 lbs and is 22 3/4 in.

As Ben was getting his shot, it took me back to Cosette and Ally's 1 month appt. It's amazing how fast time flys. Kids sure do grow fast. Ally didn't have any shots yesterday and won't get any until she's 5 and READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. Ben on the other hand gets shots at his next appt as well.

Zoopolis 500

Lyn St. James won! And look at all the yummy fruit she gets to eat. They put the fruit at the finish line to urge the tortoise's and turtles to move that way.

Mike King, Chief Announcer for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network and Tony Kanaan, 2004 IRL series champion. Mike is the one in the white shirt and Tony is in the black.

We had a great time at the annual zoopolis 500. I had never been to the zoo when it was that crowded. Every parking spot was filled and they had cars parked along every curb in the parking lot. When we left, there was a line waiting for a parking spot. It was crazy, busy. Benson slept the whole time and Ally was very well behaved and listened to me when she wasn't sitting in the stroller.

Ally in her dress from Great Grandma Lich

Being silly

sorry, the picture kept loading sideways. I gave up.
Ally got tired and took things into her own hands.

Daddy Daughter Time (with uncle Phil's help)

While Tashina and Kim were at the Time Out for Women thing Phil and I hung out with Ally.  We went swimming, watched cartoons, had lunch at the famous SkyLine Chili (I had never been there, it was ok), and went to the Children's Museum in Cincinnati.  The pictures were taken by Phil.  We had a great time and hope to go back again next time we are in the area.

In front of the museum there is a big dinosaur that Ally wanted her picture with.

There are lots of tunnels and slides to play in.

Ally really likes coloring stick figures and faces lately.

She got soaked at the water tables!

Here we are in the cool ball area. 

She wanted to check out the puppets.  We put on a little show.

In all we had fun and she didn't want to leave.  That's one way to judge if she enjoyed herself. 

Yesterday Ally was coloring a picture and said "Daddy will you baptize me?" Of course Matt responded with yes. It was so sweet.

Just a minute ago while I was making breakfast, she was coloring in her coloring book (supposedly) and when I walked in the room she informed me that she has green toe nails. Sure enough, she has green toe nails, thanks to a green crayon. I guess we're going to have to have supervised coloring time now.

Big exciting news to come soon....

Time out for Women-Cincinnati

Let me just say I LOVED IT! I loved sitting and listening to the speakers, Hilary Weeks, and Jenny Oaks Baker. The speakers were great, the spirit was very strong, and they were quite funny. Sheri Dew was there! I really enjoyed listening to her. Awesome!! I had never heard any of Jenny Oaks Bakers music, but now I love it. I knew I was going to enjoy Hilary Weeks. I have her CD "If I Only had Today" and absolutely love it. I bought it shortly after Sette left us and it seems like theres a song on the CD that fit all the emotions that were/still are going through me. Everything I was dealing with and knew I would be dealing with are on that CD. All the presenters had a story to tell and their struggles in life. This just reiterates to me that NO. ONE. HAS. IT. EASY. We are all going to have struggles in life. How we deal with those struggles and the choices we make will be how we are judged.
I KNOW my Savior lives. He loves ME. I know that HE knows me. He wants me to do my best. He wants me to return to Him. He is aware of my wants and needs. He is by my side each and every day trying to remind me to choose the right. He knows I'm not perfect. I know I'm not perfect. He understands me. I love this gospel. I love my family. I KNOW we will all be together again, IF we can all do what is right and try to the best of our abilities to follow the Saviors example.

My sister in law, Kim came with me to TOFW. While she, Ben and I were sitting in the convention center, Matt, Ally and Phil (Kims husband) were hanging out. I will leave it up to Matt on whether or not he shares what they did yesterday.

I scream U scream

Last night after dinner, Ally got an ice cream cone. She's been wanting one for a while, so when we were at the grocery yesterday we bought cones and ice cream.

She had ice cream all over her face, so she HAD to take a shower.
YUM!

*Side note- Her hair isn't normally that fluffy. She had had her hair in french braids and I had taken them out because they got too frizzy.

A fun morning

This morning while I was doing dishes, I proped Ben up in the boppy on the floor. Ally was sitting next to him watching tv. I walked back in the living room to this:

Ally wanted to play Dr. and Ben was more than willing to play along. She put the bracelet on his arm because when you go to the hospital you get bracelets. I'm not sure what all the barrel of bunnies are for. He was quite entertained by his big sister.
Although, I think he is looking to me, to save him from Ally.

Ally sure does love her brother. She is singing to him.

She has played either with him or right next to him, most of the morning.

Last night after bath.

All clean, for a little bit.

Right after this picture he peed everywhere.

Benson May 12

This little guy falls asleep anywhere, everywhere, and just about all the time.

He fell asleep while I was changing his diaper, so I let him take a nap on the floor.
He spit up everywhere, so I let him lay on a towel to make sure he was done making a mess.

He has found his hands, for the most part. He likes to suck on them when he can find them.

Matt is DONE with school!!!!

Matt graduated on Sunday with his Masters in Health Administration. We are super excited that we are done with school.

Ben pooped twice while we were at graduation. Luckily, this is normal for him, so I was prepared. He was really good for the entire thing. Way to go Ben!
Ally was also very well behaved at graduation. She colored, did stickers, took pictures, and was entertained by every one.

Daddy, Ally, and Ben

Our family

Benson May 7-9

We've had a lot going on the last few days.

I thought we'd see how big Ben looks in Ally's doll stroller.
His cute little face is changing every day.

He is having more awake time now, but its still not much. When he eats, he is sleeping at the same time.

Can you see his little dimple on his right cheek?

Tummy time=nap time

I put him down for some tummy time and he fell right to sleep. Every time I lay him on his stomach he falls asleep. Cosette slept so much better on her stomach from the very beginning.

I'm getting bigger!

Ally, mommy, and Benson

Matts lasts

Today is Matt's last class for his profession. I say that because he's seriously thinking about taking a spanish class (for his minor in spanish) next semester. Matt is quite excited about finally being done. He has class tonight and graduates on Sunday. Tomorrow is his last day as an intern. Monday will be his first day in his new position.

Ben's newborn pictures

Instead of paying the crazy prices for the pictures they take at the hospital, we take the new little one to JCPenney for a whole lot cheaper. Ben wanted to put his hands on his face, so the camera couldn't see his face, so it made getting some good shots a bit tricky. Here are the 2 we ended up getting.