Dancing Again

Like most children at this age, Bennett loves to dance...whether it is to music on the radio, her toys or just commercials (as seen here).

Bennett and Me

Yesterday was just terrific...Steve and I awoke well-rested and Bennett woke up in a great mood and not as congested (she has had a cold the past few days with the beginning of an inner ear infection). We sat outside on the deck, enjoyed the beautiful peaceful morning over a warm cup of java, and just chatted. At nine we met Brian and Christian at the zoo (leaving Steve behind to work on the fence). We had fun exploring all of the exhibits and checking out a variety of animals. Christian is at the perfect age to enjoy the zoo, and admired all of the animals. He even said "bye-bye" each time we headed off to the next cage. It was so sweet seeing him take it all in. Bennett is still a little young, but she certainly liked seeing those animals that were active, and getting out of her stroller occasionally to stretch her legs.

After a couple of hours there, we headed back home to see what progress Daddy had made with the fence. You may have heard me talk about it before, but he has taken on the challenge of fencing in our entire backyard with a new privacy fence. Being an engineer at heart, he is quite the perfectionist so he has had the survey out making sure the fence is on our property, and that it is straight and level. Now don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he is like this. It is just that this (along with the fact that the weather has been very hit and miss the past few weekends) has caused him to not make as much headway as I thought he would have by now. However, he was dedicated to working on it yesterday, and got one WHOLE side done!! Only two more to go and the gate now!

All of this time that Steve spent outside on Saturday allowed Bennett and I to play together. She was a very busy little girl, climbing on her new chair (that she was supposed to get for her first birthday), going through my purse, and then pooping herself out and taking a 3.5 hour nap!

As you can see her here, she is thinking hard about what she wants in my purse (the tongue hanging out is a sign of her deep thought). Little does she know as she tries to open my wallet that I only have my signature $2 in there...not much to shop with honey. She had fun nonetheless.

Halfway there...finally!

I feel like I have been pregnant for the past two years of my life. Of course I know this is an exaggeration, but with Bennett, and then nursing, and now this one...it has been close. Since we found out we were expecting when I was only 4 weeks along, these past 16 weeks have really gone slowly. And to top it off, I look and feel like I did when I was almost 7 months pregnant with Bennett!

I have heard other moms say that your body just accepts the new pregnancy easily, and your skin is more elastic the second time so you "pop out" sooner, but come on!! At this rate I will be a house when September 25th arrives (yes...that is soooo far away)! So, word to the wise, if you see me anytime soon, don't ask me when I am due, or say anything about my weight because I might tear you apart. I am quite sensitive these days because I am already in maternity clothes, and I have another 4.5 months to go!!

However, I know the end result is worth it, so don't think I am unappreciative of this miracle inside of me. We couldn't be happier that things are going well, and he/she is growing like he/she should be. Our ultrasound is next week, so we are anxious to verify that the baby is perfect and growing like he/she should be. Of course, this is the time where we could find out the gender of the baby, but we have once again elected to wait until delivery. We initially thought we would find out, and maybe just keep it a secret from all of you. However, I knew that I would slip up sometime, so we are just going to wait.

I know how that drives many of you crazy, so just read my sister-in-law's blog for all of their updates since they plan to find out what they are having. Stay tuned for more updates...

An Afternoon of Fun

Yesterday afternoon we went to Louis & Michelle's house for Sara's confirmation. There was quite a gathering there with all three of Michelle's siblings and their families, in addition to both grandparents and most of Louis's family. It was a great time, with terrific food and lots of noise and activity!

Bennett had a ball watching everyone and playing with one of Sara's other cousins, Joseph. He is just a couple of weeks younger than her, so they really enjoyed playing with each other.









Here is a clip of Bennett's new trick...clapping.

We Love Homewood Day!

Today is "We Love Homewood Day." It was celebrated by a variety of festivities in one of our many parks, along with a parade and a street dance in downtown Edgewood (an area within Homewood). We didn't participate in all of the fun today, but we did take Bennett to her first parade. It was great because it started at the library which is across the street from our house (almost), so we just walked a block to watch it.

It started off with the police and firetrucks, which startled her some. Then our Mayor rode by in the first car and was throwing dog bones, so Spence (who was with us too) got the first "treat." Then the procession of area business owners, congressmen, school bands and cheerleaders came by, all throwing candy to the kids. Since Bennett isn't old enough to run out and grab herself any, Steve and I fought the neighborhood kids for the good stuff! I was pretty excited when someone threw laffy taffy.

After the parade was over, we packed up and headed to a Baron's game (our minor league baseball team). Tonight Steve's company was sponsoring a family night at the game, so we went to eat dinner and mingle some. I have no idea who they were playing or what the score was when we left, but it was a beautiful night and we had fun. Bennett loves to people watch, so she just stared at everyone. Then their mascot came by for photo opportunities, so of course we had to partake. She reached for his tongue and then tried to figure out what/who he was. She wasn't scared, just curious.

Overall it was a big day...and Bennett was up way past her bedtime. She fell asleep on the way home, and was so tuckered out, she didn't fight us at all when we got home and put her in her pj's for bed.

Happy 2nd Anniversary Steve!

First off, let me apologize for this being a couple weeks late (our internet was down).

April 22nd, Steve and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary! I can't believe that we have only been married for two short years. And I say that with love, because we have accomplished so much in our two years of marriage.

This year for our anniversary, we stayed at home and enjoyed a steak dinner out on our deck with Bennett and Spencer. Steve was sweet and said that he wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and I agreed.

We had plans of watching our wedding video again (like we did last year), but after we put Bennett down to sleep, we didn't have enough time. So instead we just reminisced about our wonderful, perfect, wedding weekend.

For those that attended our wedding, I hope they felt the magic and love that was in the air in the romantic city of Charleston, SC April 20-23rd 2006. I look back through our photos and watch our wedding video and feel totally blessed. We were lucky to be surrounded by all of our loved ones and close friends, and it was a dream wedding (thank you mom and dad)!

I wanted to post some photos from that incredible weekend because it was such a picturesque setting. We married at Charlestown Landing (which was over the bay from downtown Charleston) at the former Governor's mansion, the Legare-Waring House. It had recently been restored and re-landscaped and it was just perfect. We chose to risk having bad weather and get married outside (something I swore I would never do). Though it rained all morning, the clouds parted that afternoon so the florist could set up, and it was beautiful and sunny for our wedding. Our ceremony was perfect under "the avenue of oaks." Though the minister mispronounced "Mizerany" a handful of times (after numerous corrections during the rehearsal), I still wouldn't have changed a thing.

We elected to have a tent decorated and set up right on the property so all of the guests just walked about 100 yards for the reception. The food was great, and I think everyone enjoyed our band. We were lucky to have a young band that played a wide range of music. Since they were a local "bar band" they played mainly music that you hear on the radio, so we danced until we were forced to leave.

The whole day was great, but the thing I will treasure the most from the wedding (outside of my commitment to Steve for the rest of our lives), is our wedding video. Our videographers did a great job, and we have these great toasts from so many of our guests that we can refer back to forever!