Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Chance's Birthday

I didn't expect too much from Chance's birthday because it was just us and my mom and Bentley's birthday celebration went like this:


He did not like all the attention on him and refused to even try his cake. Chance, however, loves attention and inherited my love for all things sweet. He completely destroyed his cake before even trying a bite, and then decided to eat some of it. Paul is not a big fan of the "smash cake" idea and says whoever came up with it must not have had to clean up the mess. A month later I am still finding dried up frosting in random places.





He didn't understand the concept of presents, but Bentley didn't mind opening them. They both share a love of giraffes. Chance's squinty-eyed laugh makes us all smile.



My grandma always gave my sister and I a gift on the other's birthday so we wouldn't feel left out. My mom is carrying on this tradition and gave Bentley this dinosaur. It never leaves his side, day or night.


Here are Chance's monthly pictures (I didn't get the stickers until he was almost 2 months old):

















Friday, June 10, 2011

May Cont.

Not that I was much of a regular blogger before, but free time is pretty much non-existent these days. This fall will mark 10 years since I took my first college class. I have been meaning to go back to school ever since I stopped taking classes 4 years ago. When I read that some credits can expire after 10 years I knew it was either now or never (or just repeating classes I already took, which I do not want to do). So, back in January I started taking classes again. Reading, studying, and homework are now consuming any free time I had.

Anyway, back to May. Paul's grandma, whom the boys and I had never met, was in LA for a few days, so we made the short trip up there to visit. My mom was still here visiting so we got a couple hotel rooms and figured it would just be a fun little getaway. The first morning we woke up and Bentley's eye was a little red. He was rubbing it so we figured it was allergies or something. It got worse and worse and worse to the point that I just knew he had pink eye. That whole afternoon and evening was spent on the phone arguing with our insurance company, then trying to find an urgent care center that accepted our insurance, and then at the pharmacy.


He did not want me to take a picture of it so that's the best I have. The next day we had to head back home so Paul could go back to work. So we only got to visit with Paul's grandma for maybe an hour total, but it was nice to meet her. Chance was his usual laid back self and didn't complain too much as long as someone snuggled with him while he slept.


Before my mom left we had to check out the Wild Animal Park. We had never been there before. We all had fun and Bentley asked to see the giraffes first thing again. Some of the animals you walk by and see them in their enclosures, but a lot of them are out in this big field. We rode the train around to look at all of them.


You could pay A LOT, A LOT of money to ride out there and feed the giraffes. How cool would that be? Bentley would absolutely love it, but you have to be 6 to do it. So, maybe someday. Or would he pass for a 6 year old? 



Friday, June 3, 2011

May Wrap-Up Part 1

The last part of April and first part of May we were in AR. I went to surprise my friend Kayla who was on bedrest, and I ended up arriving the day before baby Audrey was born.
I am so thankful I was able to meet this sweet baby and spend time with Kayla. It was a quick trip so I was rushed to spend as much time as possible with all my family. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures.

My mom traveled back with us to spend two weeks in San Diego for Chance's birthday. It was a totally different experience having someone with me while traveling. Just being able to go to the bathroom by myself is a treat. We tried to make the most of the time she was here. Our first stop was the zoo. Bentley loves the zoo, so this year we got passes. He got to pick which animal we went to see first and he chose the giraffes.


He really loves the giraffes and their "long, long necks." We watched them for a long time. His 2nd favorite thing after the giraffes was the "dino bones."


The elephants are in the enclosure behind him here, but I don't think he even noticed them. There were several of these rocks that were keeping all of his attention. Chance did great. He just rode and checked everything out and dozed off occassionally.


Next up will be a trip to LA, the beach, the wild animal park, Chance's birthday, and our camping trip. May was a very busy month.