Thankful Thursday: Vacation

This Thursday I am thankful for vacation.  Now I have to be honest, I am one of those annoying people who don't always like vacations.  One, I tend to be a worker bee.  I like to get to work, I like to stick to routine, I enjoy my day to day life.  Two, vacations mean planning, packing, money spent, etc.  It's a lot to think about, especially with a baby.  But whenever I go I always have a good time.

We are now approaching Team Cartwright's summer vacation!  With family living all over the place, we use this time to go visit those we love.  This year we will be doing the same, visiting with Gramma and Grampa!  Along with them we will be seeing Aunt Lindsay and Ben's cousins.  We are very excited to get to see so many family members in one trip.  I know we will have a lot of fun.  

Because of this trip, it will be a week or so before I am able to post more.  But I will be taking a ton of pictures to share of Team Cartwright's latest family adventure when we get back.

We are so blessed that we can take the time away from our schedules to travel to see family.  This week I am thankful for vacations.

-Kim

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day!

Team Cartwright wants to remember and thank all those that have and are currently serving in the armed forces.

We celebrated the holiday a little early, on Sunday.  Aunt C and Uncle W were in town for a graduation, plus Ben and I had to come in to work today.  No, Omi isn't that big of a slave driver. We are taking Friday off so it made sense to go to work on Monday.

Meo and Omi had a barbecue, and it was super fun!  They had friends over, we ate a ton of great food (awesome chicken Omi!), and just enjoyed the company. A peaceful and fun day.

My little man is growing up too fast!

Hugs for Aunt C!

Enjoying the deck.

Talking to Uncle W

Another deck shot

Enjoying family.

Really into the gumeez necklace. :)

Pat caught a bunch of fish!

Unwinding at home with some toys.

It wasn't anything exciting, but it was a perfect day.  Thank Meo and Omi for having us over.  And thanks to Aunt C and Uncle W for making the drive!  It was great to see you guys.  Ben had a ton of fun.
-Kim

9 Months!

Today Ben is 9 months old!!  Another amazing month has flown by.  Ben is growing by leaps and bounds.  It is so fun and exciting to get to experience it with him.  I love you Ben.  I am so lucky to be your mother!!

We got right to messing with the sign.

Playing is serious business. :) 

Still not looking at the camera...

Got a smile!!! (But the hands and feet are still going.)

My sweet Ben!

Are we good now?

One more big smile.

-Kim

Kitchen Helper

I love to cook and bake.  I also love to plan ahead.  These two things work together well for meal planning.  Every weekend I spend time getting the bulk of the weeks cooking and meal prep done to make week days go more smoothly.  Ben is often my special helper in the kitchen.  When he was younger he would sit in his high chair, observe, and just kind of hang out with me.  Now he likes to get right in there and help!

Today was no exception.  So while I made some food for the upcoming week, he kept busy with his kitchen work as well.  I'm not sure if it was more cooking, or drumming.  But either way, it was a ton of fun.  Even Dagger got in on the action.  You can see the video of Ben and Dagger playing here.

My babies playing

Banging on the pot.

It's getting loud! :)

Dagger was pretty brave.

Both Dagger and Ben had a lot of fun.  I was impressed by how close Dagger got to the swinging spoon.  She is so great with Ben!  We are so lucky to have her.  She and Ben kept me very entertained while I chopped. :)
-Kim

Thankful Thursday: Library

This Thursday I am thankful for the library.  I mean both the libraries I go to and libraries in general.  The ones I go to are great.  The staff is friendly and helpful.  I love how they  have it set up.  The new releases are in a separate section.  Our library also keeps new releases of movies pulled out so you can find them faster.  I love that we can check out movies, video games, cds, and of course books to enjoy for free!  I am loving finding new children's books for Ben.  (Team Cartwright is super into Mo Willems and Melanie Watts right.)

The library has great programs for kids.  Ben and I go to Baby Goose throughout the year.  We sing songs and play little games.  It is wonderful.  They have programs for kids of all ages, and most of them are completely free!  I took a class there on how to make toys from recycled materials this spring.  I have already made several for Ben and he loves them.  

Overall I feel so lucky to have access to such a great library.  As a big reader, being able to get plenty of books for free is a huge deal.  So today I am thankful for libraries.  It is a little thing, but Team Cartwright really gets a lot out of them

No new pictures, but here is Ben from a past library visit.  He looks so scholarly!

-Kim

More Teeth!

I know everyone has their 'thing' they immediately think of when a baby is fussy.  Some think it must be gas, others they must be hungry.  For me, I go to teething.  And so far I think I have been right.  Any time he has a hard time with naps, or is a little clingy or unhappy, I think a tooth is close by.  There are a few more concrete signs too.  The drool.  Oh the drool this baby can produce!  He also isn't as hungry for his solid foods.  Well, he always has room for banana, but he prefers the softer foods or just isn't as hungry.  And he chews on EVERYTHING!  I know, babies use their mouths to explore so this is a pretty common behavior.  But when Ben is gnawing hard on everything in sight I know teeth are to blame.

This weekend I was positive that Ben's next tooth was almost out.  All the signs were there.  While we were out on a walk this happened:

I promise we feed him. :)

The top left tooth has popped out now.  Yep, teething.  :)  Four teeth are in so far.  Every time I see those little teeth I can't believe how much he has grown!
-Kim

Living Room Camping

I have to say, I am not really one for camping.  Shocker, I know.  I have done it, and it can be fun.  Being outside can be great.  However in general, I prefer the indoors.  Ben has already shown a great appreciation for the outdoors.  Because of this I know that I will be spending more and more time outside.  I am excited about this and intend to fully embrace it.  But for now he is happy being inside with me.  As long as I have a say over where he is, I plan to show him just how much fun being inside can be.

This Saturday I decided to get a head start on showing Ben that inside is just as awesome as outside.  In fact, we can even camp inside!  Okay, it isn't quite the same.  But it is pretty close, right? ;)  Pat found a play tent for Ben and I decided to introduce him to the joys of climate controlled camping.

Ben seemed to really enjoy being in his little tent.  Dagger had to get in on the fun too.  I don't know of any babies or cats who don't enjoy having a living room fort.  I tried to join in, but sadly I am a little too big for this tent.  It didn't really stop me though.  I just had so much fun watching Ben and Dagger have a blast!

The tent was down for about 2 seconds before Dagger appeared.

Don't mind me, just checking out your tent.

My babies!

Dagger's out.

Look, I'm camping!

-Kim

Yeti Spotting

Okay, I didn't actually spot a Yeti.  That would be awesome though.  No, I saw something just as elusive though.  Fellow cat owners will know that you can spend as much money as you want on a cat bed, but the cat will never sleep there.  Dagger is no exception.  While I didn't spend a ton of money on her cat bed, I did get her a reasonably nice one.  (In full disclosure I think Meo and Omi actually bought Dagger's cat bed. I got her right after college and Meo and Omi pretty much funded her life for the first year.) So of course Dagger rarely sleeps in it.  She much prefers plastic bags, Ben's pack and play, or my face.  Those are obviously the more comfortable choices.

Yesterday, Ben and I got home and couldn't find Dagger.  I always look to see Dagger before I leave the house and when I get home.  I like to have visual confirmation that she isn't stuck in a room somewhere.  But Ben and I couldn't find her anywhere!  After calling and searching, I even tried shaking the bag of treats.  Then I heard a little bell.  I checked the last place I would ever think to look, her bed.  Sure enough, there was Dagger!  I snapped a picture as proof that she does occasionally sleep in her own bed.  I'm sure now we won't see it again for months.

Gotcha!

-Kim

Thankful Thursday: Mornings

I know it isn't a popular opinion.  And it is something that I admit I am not always thankful for.  But most of the time I love mornings.  I was not always a morning person.  I was forced to become one when I had a job which required me to get up early for a long commute.  Once you get up early enough often enough, it just becomes a habit.  

I love mornings because it is a fresh start we get every day.  I know that is totally cheesy to say, but it is so true.  A whole new day stretches out before me, ready to be filled.  Even when Ben was super tiny at least the morning meant a shift from trying to get some sleep.  During the day I was supposed to be awake.  That isn't the case for everyone, but it made me feel better.

Now I love mornings even more because I know we get to go through our little family routines.  Things get busy trying to get three people out the door to work, but those first few minutes when Ben gets up are the best.  He is so happy to see Pat and I.  We sing our morning song as a family, and yes even Pat participates!  It is a great way to start the day off on the right foot.

This week I am thankful for mornings.  I am thankful that I get to start every day with my precious little man.  Who wouldn't love mornings if they got to share it with this cutie?

Morning stretch

Reach for those toes!

I'm ready to be hugged now.

Mornings also mean coffee.  I love coffee.

-Kim

Ben's Bananas

When we were getting pictures taking with the Easter Bunny, Meo came across a perfect little outfit for Ben.  It says "Ben's Banana Stand"!  Not only do I have Ben, but he adores bananas.  Oh, I also love dressing him up in cute outfits and taking pictures of him.  Fortunately, Meo also enjoys this little activity, hence the banana photo shoot that took place.  

I know, it is annoying to hear, but he is just so cute!  I love him so much and want to remember these fun times where he lets me pick out his outfits and take cute pictures of him.  I love you, Ben!

Close up of the outfit.

Mommy and Ben!

Playing with the bananas.

I do get to eat one, right?

Having fun!

Can I eat one now?

And yes, Ben did get to eat a banana after the pictures.

-Kim

First Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was my first one as a mother.  I was pregnant with Ben for last year's mother's day, but Pat and I both felt we couldn't really celebrate that and Father's Day until Ben was on the outside.  (That isn't to say other people can't.  We just felt that way.)  I admit I was a little nervous about what we would do.  On Team Cartwright I am pretty much the social planner.  I make sure we have a plan for holidays, and I make sure that people are celebrated on their big day.  I even prefer to plan my own birthday.  So while I wasn't expecting a giant celebration, the pressure was on for Pat to come up with a plan.

He did a great job!!  Pat offered to get up with Ben in the morning, but let's face it, after months of getting up with him I naturally wake up then.  But Pat went and got Ben for some morning cuddles!  They were quick cuddles, since Ben is not really one to just lie around in bed and snuggle.  Especially not so close to breakfast time.  Dagger even came and joined in the family love.  That was a perfect moment, so I was a happy camper right from the start.  Afterwards I got my gift and cards.  They were wonderful.  Gramma is a card ninja.  She can find a card for any occasion and they are always perfect.  (Did you know they make Happy St. Patrick's Day to my Son and Daughter-in-law cards?  They do, and Gramma has sent it to us.  Card ninja.)  I don't even try to keep up with her.  Well Pat follows along in her footsteps.  I might have to remind him to get people cards, but when he does they are perfect.  Way to go, Pat. :)

We met up with Meo and Omi for a late breakfast after Ben's first nap.  Ben was a fabulous dining companion!  He got to sample some of Meo's spinach crepes, which were super tasty.  He also chowed down on some baby banana pancakes I brought from home for him.  He had so much fun just looking around at everything.  He was sure to give Meo a great big Mother's Day hug too.  After breakfast all of us headed to the park by our place for a little play time.  It was great to get to wish Meo a happy Mother's Day, especially now that she is a grandma too!

After Meo and Omi had to leave, Ben got a chance to skype with Gramma and Grampa.  We will be seeing them in a few weeks, so we are trying to get as much skype time as possible.  We want Ben to feel as comfortable with them as he can, and sadly he hasn't seem them in person in six months.  After all that time enjoying the day with the grandmothers, Ben had to take another nap.

After naptime, my next adventure began!  Pat and Ben took me to a local state park for a hike!  Okay, it was more of a walk since we had the stroller with us.  But I loved it.  It was free (I like free things), some nice little exercise, and Ben loves being outdoors.  He had a blast riding around the trails.  We got to see some animal mommas too!  There were geese with their goslings.  We even got to see an owl with two baby owls!

To cap off the evening Pat grilled us a wonderful dinner or kielbasa and corn.  Ben of course loved the meat.  He liked the corn, but it is still hard for him to eat little things like that.  He is super cute opening his mouth for me to pop little kernals of corn into though.  After Ben went to bed Pat had one final treat for me- ice cream.  I have to say ice cream is a big way to my heart.

All in all it was a perfect Mother's Day.  I felt loved and appreciated.  I got to spend time with my family.  And I got ice cream.  Wonderful.

My boys dressed up for brunch.

I like this picture because we are all laughing.

Ready to hike!

Baby feet!

Enjoying the scenery.

Fun with Daddy.

Fun with Mommy.

Baby geese!

One of the baby owls.

Momma owl kept her eye on us.

The other baby owl.

My sweet boy I am honored to mother.

-Kim