Monday, June 22, 2015

Bennett at 9 Months

Oh my sweet Bennett.  He brings so much joy and laughter to our family.  But he is definitely keeping us on our toes!  I can't take my eyes off of him for a second.  
How is it possible that he's 9 months old?!  His first birthday party is booked, and I just can't believe it!

 Stats: Weight 26 lbs 8 oz  >99%
Height: 31 1/4 in  >99%
Head Circ: 19 in  >99%
Our boy is off the charts!!

 Eating: Bennett is still on the same eating schedule.  He eats a 7 oz bottle at 8:30, 12:30, 4:30, and 7:30.  And most of the time he still wakes up about 4 or 5 to eat and goes right back to sleep.  Although we are having more and more nights where he sleeps through!  For breakfast at 7:30 he eats oatmeal, lunch at 11:30 is a fruit, and dinner at 6:30 is a veggie.  We are going to start some easy table foods in the next few weeks.  I've put a few things on his tray and to his mouth, but he just wants to play with it so far and has no interest in eating!

 Personality: Busy, curious, fearless, happy, social - just a few words to describe him!  He's into everything lately!  And when you try to tell him no he just smiles and keeps right on doing it.  My MIL handed him back to me last weekend after they kept the boys, and her first words were, "He's a mess!"  And she even raised 4 kids, 3 of them boys!  Trent and I just sit back and laugh and shake our heads.  He's going to give us a run for our money.  I love watching him explore and discover things for the first time.  

 Sleeping: Bennett sleeps 8pm-7am at night, with sometimes waking once.  His morning nap is from 9-10ish.  And his afternoon nap is about 1:15-3:45.  

 Likes: "tackling" Graham, singing, baths, being outside, Mickey, Baby Einstein DVDs, attention from anybody, toys that make noise

 Dislikes: when Graham doesn't let him play with him, having something taken away from him, teething, being put down - we are going through a little separation anxiety but thankfully just at home

 Milestones: Bennett is walking behind push toys, crawling everywhere, pulling up on everything, and cruising around furniture.  He now has 7 teeth and is working on his 8th.  He got his top 4 all in the same week - teething is rough on him!  Bennett said his first word this month - Bubba!  He now looks at Graham and says it all of the time!

 Clothes: He can wear some 6 -12 month clothes but mostly 12 months.  Diapers are size 5 only because I had a ton from Graham and he doesn't need them anymore (more on that later!)

 Favorite Moments: Our family vacation to Colorado was wonderful.  We made some great memories, and we love watching our boys experience so many new things.  I've also loved watching the boys play together more.  Graham is VERY slowly learning to share toys.  Bennett wants to be right where Graham is.  They often end up wrestling and tackling each other!  Just when I think Bennett is going to be hurt, he always has the biggest smile on his face!

 Looking forward to: just all of the little things.  We have a couple of weeks at home before more summer travels, and I'm just enjoying the everyday routine with my boys.  This age is so much fun but so exhausting!  But I'm so thankful for my healthy, growing and changing sweet boy!

 He can pull up on the cabinets, reach the drawer handles and pull them out.  I never even had to think about baby proofing drawers with Graham!

 Elmo is a favorite at our house in the 5:00 hour!


 Another day, another blowout!  Look at that sweet, innocent face!

 Brothers are the best!

 Every single day



Happy 9 months Bennett!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

8 Years in Cali

Last Tuesday was mine and Trent's 8th anniversary!  He had a conference in Orange County Tuesday - Thursday so I flew out on Thursday to meet up with him and to celebrate our anniversary!

 My kind of flight!
I actually read 2 books on our trip.  I can't remember the last time I was able to do that!

 The view out our window!  We stayed in Huntington Beach.

 Dinner at our hotel on Thursday night.

 Waiting outside of the spa on Friday morning for our couples massage.

 Enjoying some time in the relaxation room!  Tea, snacks, and quiet - amazing!

 We then rode our bikes on the beach to Newport Beach and back.  We worked up an appetite!  Our lunch was at Sandy's, a great spot right on the beach!

 We walked out on the pier - those black dots are surfers!

 My cutie on the Huntington Beach Pier.

 We relaxed at the pool that afternoon.


 We made the short drive to Laguna that evening, watched the sunset on a rooftop bar on the beach, and then had dinner at Sapphire.  

At our favorite spot in the lobby bar - we ended up there all 3 nights!

 Friday started off cool and cloudy so after we had a yummy breakfast we found a cozy spot by the fireplace to read for awhile!

 We ventured down to the beach about lunch time.


 It was still a little chilly! 

 The sun finally came out, and we ended the afternoon at the pool.

 We had dinner at Javier's in Laguna that evening.  It was an amazing!

 Trent tried a jalapeno margarita - notice his sleeves are rolled up, his forehead is shiny and sweaty, and he kept saying his lips were on fire!

 In our hotel lobby that night.

And back to our favorite spot!

We were off to the airport on Sunday morning to fly home.  It was a wonderful trip with lots of uninterrupted quality time, but we were so ready to see our boys!

The boys stayed with Mimi and Grampy in Marble Falls while we were gone.

 They picked peaches, petted donkeys and goats, and went for a hayride at Sweet Berry Farm on Friday morning.


 G got a chocolate milkshake every night before bed!  This was Friday night saying he was on his 2nd milkshake!

 Playing in the sandbox!

 And having fun at their SS party on Saturday evening.

 G ate 2 cups of homemade peach ice cream and then went home and had a chocolate milkshake!  Spoiled much?!

Sweet boys loved playing with Ruby!


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Cousin's Camp 2015

Last week was our third annual Cox Cousin's Camp!  We couldn't wait to see what Nana had in store for us this year, and Bennett was ready to see what this was all about!

 Opening ceremonies - the Pledge Allegiance and That Good Ol' Baylor Line, but of course! :)


 And then it was time for their first goodie - they had to cover their eyes each time!

 And then the party moved outside where they had a water gun fight.  Bop decided to get in on the fun and got the hose - G got soaked and was hiding behind the chair on the patio!

 Eating ice cream in bed - only at Nana's house!

 Cousin sleepover - don't they look tired?!

 Our first big adventure was the zoo on Wednesday morning!

 These 4, such sweet cousins and friends!

 Kaki and Graham were all about their maps!



 Caden is THE BEST big cousin!  He is so sweet to G, and G wants to do everything EXACTLY like Caden!

 And of course this sweet boy was just happy to be along for the ride!

 Wow, all 3 are actually looking AND smiling!



 We enjoyed some pool time after naps that afternoon.


 And then fun on the slip n slide after dinner!

 Thursday morning started off with arts and crafts!
Our yearly pillow cases!

 And tracing their bodies, writing their favorite things, and learning the Bible verse!

Next it was off to the bounce house place!

 Sweet B was just looking for something to climb!
Just red paint on his arm, no worries!


 This girl, I could hardly get her to slow down for a picture!

 Fun on the double slide - G on the left, and C on the right.

 And Kaki pants!




 Ear infection?  What ear infection?
Sweet Bennett had to make a late night visit to urgent care, again, and was diagnosed with a double ear infection, again.  Poor baby.  

Thursday evening we ate an early dinner, went to 3 Spoons for ice cream, and then Bop had a special surprise on campus!





 We got to go behind the scenes at the bear pit!




 The trainers told us all about Joy and Lady, we saw them eat their dinner, they did a few tricks, and then we all got to feed them raisins!  


 We had to get a swing pic by the SUB!

 And just like that it was already time for closing ceremonies on Friday morning.

 Medals and Sonic gift cards for all!

 Nana and her grands!
What a fun week with so many great memories!
Thanks Nana for all of the thought and effort put into this week for our kids - they are blessed to have you and each other!

And both boys slept the entire 3 hours home - success!