Nineteen Months

At nineteen months, Ben...


has discovered the joy of jumping on a trampoline
can be entertained for hours with a garden hose

asks for a popsicle as soon as he wakes up from a nap

still loves those blueberries

is enamored with his new sandbox

gets into ev-er-y-thing!

loves to climb

enjoys a good bubble bath

can make a bowl full of sand and laughs when Momma pretends to eat it

when asked, says everything is "ye-wo" (yellow)

counts from 1 to 8, then 10, 11, 12 (not sure where numbers 2-7 went)

has mastered -ing, although he says it -ning (I runni-ning, we singin-ning, Papa sleepin-ning)

can say "oh, man" like Swiper the Fox

Will say no and shake his head when he REALLY doesn't want to do something

18 Months Check-Up

Ben finally had his 18 months check-up Friday afternoon. We got a great report from Dr. Larue. Ben weighs 23 lbs. 9 ounces and is 34 inches tall. His height is in the 90th percentile on the growth chart! The doctor says Ben is still much taller than he is heavy, which is a very good thing. Jeremy is not very tall, but his grandfather, my father, and my grandfather all are. I hope he has that gene :) Ben is still not that fond of his pediatrician. He cried from the time we pulled into the parking lot (he realized where he was), until the time the exam was over. He did, however, stop crying in the middle of the exam to wave and say "hi"......maybe he's coming around a little.

Jeremy put together an alumni game for all of the former FHS baseball players last Saturday. There was a big turn-out and the team raised almost $700 in donations alone. It was really fun to watch some of the guys I went to school with playing ball again. One of Jeremy's assistant coaches took the pictures of Ben that I've posted below. They are so funny! I have more pictures, but I honestly don't feel like uploading them right now. I'm really hooked on my new book, titled House Rules, and can't wait to read some more! I'll post more pictures next week.

Another week...

Back to work last week after Spring Break was not fun! I get used to spending the entire day with Ben, then SIKE...back to work! I keep reminding myself that there are only a few months left until summer. I forgot to upload several cute pictures I had taken of Ben over the break. Some are before his haircut! I didn't realize how long his hair had gotten. The others are some random shots from this past week.

Ben had a runny nose all of Spring Break and then started acting fussy last Tuesday and Wednesday. He was tugging at his ear, too. He wasn't running any fevers, but the ear tugging in combination with the fussiness worried me. Ben is always so happy-go-lucky that I know something is up when he's fussy. I took him to see Dr. Larue Wednesday and he had tonsillitis! Dr. Larue thinks the runny nose drained into his throat and caused the inflammation. He's on an antibiotic and we're giving him Claritin until all these blooms are gone. He seems to be much better now.

Happy Easter!

The Byrd family had a wonderful Spring Break and Easter holiday. We didn't go anywhere for the break, which was fine by me. Ben and I were pretty much bums the entire week. It felt so good to sleep in and play all day!

Ben turned 18 months old April 1st. We celebrated by taking him for his 2nd haircut, haha! He hated it even more than the first time. He hasn't had his 18 month check-up, yet. I don't think he's gained too much weight or height, but he's got the two-word phrases nailed! I don't think it will be too long before we hear a complete sentence! It will be music to momma's ears!

Ben had a really fun Easter day. We gave him his basket of goodies first thing that morning before we scurried around getting ready for church. He was well-behaved (for the most part) during the hour and a half service. He kept the elderly couple sitting behind us entertained with a game of peek-a-boo. We got tons of compliments on how cute he looked. I never get tired of hearing that! I could have eaten him up with a spoon, too! He had a great time hunting eggs this year. He could actually spot most by himself and put them in his basket with minimal help from Daddy.

Here are more pictures than you probably want to see, but I couldn't help showing off my little man. We had a wonderful Easter!

A Much Needed Break!

Spring Break is finally here! I just can't say this enough.....I am so thankful my job allows me to spend the next week at home with my family. There is a lot of drama in politics regarding education, but I still believe this is the perfect job for a working mother. I will deal with all the drama if it means I get to spend this much time at home with my family.

Jeremy has finished his course work for Florida's alternative certification program and is now professionally certified! What this meant for me last year was going on a professional services contract instead of an annual contract. It's "easier" to be terminated if you're on an annual contract. With all of the changes going on with education, I'm not sure if Jeremy will be placed on a professional contract or not. I've even heard rumors that no one will have professional service contracts soon, as a way to get rid of poor teachers. Let me get off of this topic before my blood pressure rises.......

Ben has had another good week. We will see Dr. Larue tomorrow for a follow-up visit. I am praying the sun comes out soon. Ben has been staring out the window all morning. He keeps telling us he wants to see the "fowers." The baseball team plays in a tournament Monday - Thursday this week in Winter Haven. Our boys were supposed to play at 1:30 today, but everything has been pushed back so the field can dry.

I've posted some pictures of Ben from this past week. I caught him doing a flip on video last night. He is my little gymnast!

Quick Update & New Pictures

I think we're just about over our sickness that started last week! Hooray! Just in time for Spring Break, which is one week away! I am really looking forward to spending the week with my two favorite boys. The baseball team has a tournament Monday-Thursday, so we're hoping to get away for a few days at the end of the break.

Ben is learning new words so rapidly now that I can't keep track of them all! He usually calls me "momma", but sometimes I refer to myself as "mommy", so one of his new words is "momma-y". It is so cute! He is starting to put two words together, like "bye Daddy" and "help Mommy". He is also learning to count. Jeremy has him counting to 12 already! He is just so much fun! I am loving this age and stage of development! Here are some new pictures of Ben from the past week and a half. He's still flashing his super-cheesy grin.

Oh, and I finally put a playlist on the blog! Thank you Mrs. Emily Hurst for the easy directions! Now you can enjoy some of my favorite songs!