10 Months

I'd like to say by now that we have adjusted well to the happy chaos of having two children, but reality is that it is hard work and we are continuing to adjust. There are definite GREAT days and days that we are tired. The happiness has doubled and we love watching the little ones interact and see their relationship develop, it really is something special.



It is the beginning of summer and Ben is 10 months, crazy to believe that at the end of summer we will be celebrating him turning one year old.

A few of his favorite things:

• playing with empty disposable water bottles, best toy ever!
• his gray elephant that sings and plays peek-a-boo
• walking, it's amazing how well and quickly he gets around these days
• watching and interacting with his sister, she makes him smile and giggle
• being with his papa, great snuggle parnter
• putting things in his mouth-specifically paper, had quite a scare with an urgent care visit
• bathing/showering, playing in water in whatever form he can-thinks he can put his face in
• being outside, exploring is so much fun
• playing and pulling his blankie when falling asleep, it is so soothing
• chatting with his dad and mom
• pulling hair
• and beginning to give smooches

First visit to the Adel Pool, Poppa, Grandma, and the Chesnut boys came along. Ben loved the water-tried to put his face in a few times. It was still a little cold for him. Liv showed off her skills from swim lessons (hopefully next year will go better). She has learned to almost float on her back by herself-just a couple of fingers to assure her and practices full leg kicks. 

This boy is just too cute. His smile is so precious. He officially got his helmet off at the beginning of the week. He was such a trooper!

Liv and I took an evening to head up to Boone to support Avery at her dance recital. She did a wonderful job and Liv enjoyed watching the dances. She even stood up and did some dancing herself in the aisle. She said all of them were her favorite. It probably helped that the costumes were all sparkly and the theme was disney so the music was just her thing.

A little treat at Billy's Ice Cream Shop in Adel, always butter with a cone and cheersing to celebrate. 

 Just some cuteness.....Liv loves to sing and she knows quite a few songs. (Tiny Tim is our favorite she sings.)

He loves to have some mirror time, what fun way to make funny faces at yourself.

 

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Mother's Day

Ben is taking off.....he is getting daring with his ability to stand on his own. He has taken a few steps on his own. His ability to cruise around furniture is growing. Bathtime is a highlight for him, he seems to love the water as much as his big sister. His skin continues to have flare ups and his eating is off and on. The progress with his helmet is going well, hoping his next appointment we will discuss the endpoint. 

Liv is loving the weather-she gets to play outside quite a bit. We have busted out the kiddie pool, she is enjoying her mermaid swimsuit. We have planted a few items and she is a great helper. The conversations we have these days are quite comical and we love them. One time before bed she asked to pray. She likes to throw in a few random objects, like her fan or Africa. Then as it is time to snuggle, she says wait someone is calling her (she has an old phone she carries around). I asked her who is calling and she tells me God. She tells him she is going to bed.


We all are recovering from a round of illness at the house-so far no one is standing strong. Ben got a stomache bug, Liv got an ear infection/soar throat, while Blake and I both got strep. Summer isn't starting off as well as we had hoped.

 Mother's Day was spent in Boone. The kids got to play with their cousins while dad got some needed friend time to recharge.