April Anticipation

Poor Ben is feeling under the weather today. We have been so lucky that besides a few ear infections, Ben has been pretty healthy all through the winter. However, he seems to have caught a little stomach bug and has run a low fever the past two days. He just hasn't been himself, so he and I are home together today hoping things are now on the up and up. Ben is enjoying a little nap time while I catch up on a few things.

Brant has had a very busy month and has been out of town for several days at a time the last few weeks, so Ben and I have been spending lots of quality time together. We are so glad the weather is getting nice so we can go on our evening walks and play outside. I've been missing Brant even more the last few days while Ben hasn't been feeling well. I don't know how single parents do it!

My anticipation for summer just keeps growing. The leaves and flowers are starting to come out and at school, you can just feel the end of the year approaching. I am looking forward to summer days filled with playing in a little pool in the backyard with Ben, going to the park and library, going to music class, visiting the splash park, and feeling laid back. Of course, I'm also looking forward to Brant and my Hawaii trip and going to the lake in July. Brant has committed to riding in a 100 mile bike ride for JDRF the first weekend in August in Kansas City, so I'm looking forward to that for him, and for the weekend in Kansas City! It feels good to be on the brink of a new season!

Finally, Ben has a few new tricks up his sleeve. They include:

1.) What does the cow say? Moo! Actually, it sounds more like mmmmmm...
2.) What does the snake say? Ssssss....

3.) Where is your nose? He points to his nose.

4.) Lots of recognition of directions. He walks right to the bathroom when I say, "Time for a bath." He goes right to the stairs when I say, "Let's go downstairs." When I say "Let's read a story" he walks over and sits in my lap.

5.) Lots of imitation of sounds. Wa for water, uch for lunch, ush for brush your teeth, ow for wow, ga for goat, and so on.

Easter Weekend

We had a busy, but fun Easter weekend! On Saturday, we traveled to Mason City to have Easter with Brant's side of the family. We enjoyed a day of good food, good company, and even a lively game of charades. There's nothing like acting out mechanical bull in front of the family! And, Brant did an excellent Buddy Holly! On Saturday evening, Brant, Ben, and I retreated to the condo at Clear Lake. Perhaps one of the best Easter treats was looking at the clock this morning and finding that it was a quarter to nine and Ben was STILL sleeping. We then headed to Ames for dinner with Grandma Anderson and Uncle Nick. Again, good food and good company. Although there wasn't a lively game of charades, Uncle Nick gave Ben and new barn set and he has thoroughly enjoyed playing with it.

Due to all the other events of the weekend, the Easter bunny made an evening arrival at our house. Ben appeared to love his first Easter egg hunt. He quickly figured out how to open the eggs and that his favorite snacks were inside! I've never seen him attack puffs, veggie crackers, and yogurt melts so quickly. Additionally, I'm excited that the Easter bunny brought some new flip books to read. Ben loves to listen to stories and I'm very ready for a few fresh stories! How did the Easter bunny know just what to give!?

Shopping Trip

Brant, Ben, and I went on a well overdue spring shopping trip tonight. Ben officially has his first pair of real tennis shoes. We decided the strategy for shoe shopping with a one year old goes something like this:

1.) Which is the cheapest?
2.) Does it fit?
3.) Buy it.

The Adidas pair were the first on his feet, met all the criteria, and judging on the amount of walking he did in every store we entered the rest of the evening, they are a perfect fit. Of course, big boy shoes in itty-bitty sizes are adorable!

Speaking on shopping, I'm going to put in my plug for Ann Taylor Loft. I LOVE Ann Taylor Loft. Their petites fit perfectly. You can mix and match tons of their ensembles to multiply the number of outfits you are actually buying. There is a good amount of selection, but not too much for a shopper like me who is generally short on time, is not as patient as I used to be, or has my boys waiting for me. Additionally, they have a teacher discount and usually some sort of in store promotion. I always walk away feeling like I got classic, quality clothes at a great price! Thank you, Ann Taylor Loft!! Spring can now officially arrive because I have something to wear and I didn't have to break my wallet doing it. Now that is an ideal shopping experience.

Happy Easter everyone!

What a Cutie!

We finally got Ben's one year old pictures taken. Here are a few shots for you to enjoy!

Update

Ben's current word and "trick" list:

Words:

• Mama
  
• Da (for dada)


• Crash


• Hot (usually he blows, as if something is hot, instead of actually say the word)

Question/Answer:

• What does a sheep say? Ba


• How big is Ben? So big! Ben's arms go up in the air and he smiles huge!
  
• How old are you? He puts up his little hand, but usually his attempt at putting up one finger ends up being his thumb and forefinger pinched together
  
• Where is your ear? He usually sticks his finger in his ear.

Favorite activities:

• Hugging mommy


• Playing peek-a-boo and any kind of chasing or hiding games with Daddy


• Reading


• Eating bananas


• Turning the TV on and off


• Going up and down stairs


• Digging through cupboards and pulling out all the rubbermaid and tupperware containers


• Digging through drawers and pulling out every ziploc baggy and throwing them on the floor


• Walking, walking, and more walking


• Dancing with mommy around the kitchen
  

Other news:

• Brant and I are headed to Maui in June. We can't wait!


• We've been on a search for a new daycare arrangement for next fall and think we've found our match. Whew - what a relief!


• Grandpa Anderson passed away last Tuesday. The memorial service is this Friday. We are all doing pretty well with it, but perhaps the most difficult part is the closeness to losing Dad.
  

Don't get the wrong idea from the pictures below! Ben is usually fully dressed, I promise! One day we were waiting for pants to finish in the dryer. And, well, who can resist a baby's bottom?! You know you've got a big boy when he excitely walks himself to the bathtub!