New Van

Wahoo! After months of searching we stumbled on the van we wanted. Ended up that it was as the dealership that my parents have bought a few vehicles from! So a week and a half ago we travelled to Noblesville for a short visit and to buy the van.  Luckily we got there just in time.   It drives so smoothly and quietly.  I loved being able to hop back a seat to be able to take care of Ben for a second on the way home.  It should serve us wonderfully for years to come!

PS. I was SO sad to leave my CRV at my parents but at least I know that it is in caring and appreciative hands. (perhaps my sister's, wink, wink)  There's something about your first car...

finally updated

Phew... it seems that my blog has finally showed up as being updated even though I've been updating in the 2 months that it didn't show up in blog readers or blog lists as such.  I spent hours yesterday trying to figure out why it wasn't, perhaps I fixed it?  Either way... welcome back! :) 

Look through the last couple months!

How the mundane can feel new

Went to HyVee today and used coupons to save about $10 off the total bill, didn't use any plastic bags because I brought my own and took them home in our new van... I almost felt like a different person!

I'll post pics of the van as soon

You are my sunshine...

Gotta love big hats for pale boys :)

my little Learner

Whoa... we're learning! It seems like just this past week Benjamin has gained a certain level of conciousness I haven't seen before. He's already started on some basic things like waving, clapping, making a number 1 (pointing), dancing and blow a kiss. Usually blow a kiss has to do with Jesus which made for a funny moment yesterday at Mass when I whispered, "see Jesus?" as the cross was carried in the procession at the end. He responded with blowing a kiss in the general direction of it... Of course the former religion teacher/rel ed director would have her kid blowing kisses to a crucifix at 10 months- it may be a bit cliche but I'm thrilled! :)
Since he's doing these basic motions I feel that his signing should start to take off a little too. I'm trying to teach him super basic sign language for fun and help in our communication. We're watching the "Baby Signing Time" videos, he loves the characters and songs that go with it.

I got him to do a few things on command the other morning, here's the fruits of our labor so far...

To helmet or not to helmet...

I took Benjamin to his 9 month appointment about 3 weeks ago and the pediatrician asked if we had talked about his head shape.  She mentioned that he might have a mild case of positional plagiocephaly- an asymmetry in the shape of the skull due to the baby favoring a certain position for laying his head. Click here for an example.  She referred us to a plastic surgeon.  She recommended getting him an orthotic helmet.  I did alot of homework into cost, maintenance, support, etc for helmets.  BTW I also found some cute websites that help parents with decals for the helmets so they can make them "cute."  I know, minor in importance, but if you have to have it on for 23 hours of each day for at least a few months then it might as well be fun. :)

This week we met with the orthotist and Benjamin was measured and given a scan that would give us accurate numbers.  See how that works here.  We got the call today that his numbers are actually too good to get a helmet.  His case is mild enough that a helmet is not necessary.   WAHOOO!  It's crazy to go from expecting that Ben would be wearing a helmet for the next 3 months to hearing that it's not really needed.  Thank God!

Learn more about plagio and support for it: http://community.babycenter.com/post/a22249005/welcome

Awwwwww

Something about this pic just gets me. I think it's because he looks like such a big boy standing there in his plaid shorts... well, they're supposed to be shorts :)

Gotta post some video of his walking, he's going everywhere these days! Every moment he is awake I have to be near him or I fear for what corner he may fall on. He's definitely getting better though!