Ford Fantasy Football League Crowns Champion

This past week the Ford Fantasy Football League (FFFL) crowned its 2008 champion, the K-Softies who were owned and managed by Kevin Vanes. This year the presentation was held at Commissioner Ford's home and was to include the champion and runner-up. After repeated attepts to get the runner up (Roberta Poorman) to show up and award the champion his trophy the decision was made to move forward without him. Commissioner Ford stepped in for the presentation and awarded Kevin Vanes with the FFFL Cup and the winner's check. Even after several attepmts to cheat the league by the eventual winner and runner-up, all-in-all it was a great competitive year and we look forward to next season.

Below are a few pictures from the Championship Presentation of the FFFL Cup and Winner's Check to K-Softies owner and manager Kevin Vanes.

Why This IU Basketball Season is Like My Bib.

This year I have been watching Hoosier basketball with my parents. They tell me this season is like none they have ever seen. I sure hope that is the case because I can not figure out why in the world Mommy and Daddy are so interested in Hoosier basketball. They are terrible and hardly ever win unless they are playing someone like Lipscomb. Oh wait, what is that you say? IU lost to Lipscomb. I stand corrected..... The Hoosiers are just flat out terrible. Well anyways, a great deal of anticipation builds around our house on gamedays. Daddy is always checking the game time so he can make sure to clear his schedule. Mommy is always reminding Daddy what time the game is because he has an awful memory when it comes to those kind of mundane details. And round and round it goes.

I love gamedays too because I get to sit on Mommy and Daddy's lap and watch a little basketball. I also have this bib that daddy purchased for me to wear on gamedays. See picture below.

Back to the topic of this post, "Why This IU Basketball Season is Like My Bib."

As you can see in the picture above this bib is gigantic. I mean the damn thing pretty much comes down to my knees. Daddy purchased it before I was born and had no idea just how small I would be. Kind of like how we had no real clue what this Hoosier basketball season would be like. We all anticipated it to be mediocre at best with a spattering of wins here and there, but little did we know just how small the window was where the Big Red would actually achieve a win.

Tonight we look forward to the IU vs. Penn State game. We will see how it goes, but my guess is that by halftime Mommy will be cleaning, Daddy will be cursing and I will be left once again pondering why in the world my parents have an affinity for Hoosier basketball.

The picture on the left is my first half Hoosier face

And the picture on the right is my second half Hoosier face.

Stay tuned to see what face I bring out based on tonight's performance.

Lots of Love,

Bennett

Pirates and Progress

Happy 4th Birthday (a little late) to Camden! We celebrated pirate-style over this past weekend...complete with an adorable and tasty pirate ship cake that my sister constructed from scratch.

Camden, Papaw and Bennett hanging out!

Thank you to all who responded with wonderful sleeping/napping advice. We really appreciate all the support and have been making progress. I have learned consistency is key and with a little more time, I think we will have it down. This photo is before the IU/Northwestern game - where we were so hopeful for a victory. Looking forward to next year's team! The bear (complete with the varsity "I" pin) was a gift from a favorite IU alum.

What Nap?

This is a photo of a sleepy Bennett one evening this week. Bennett will often happily play in his stroller while Zach and I make, eat and clean-up from dinner. On this evening, Bennett just sat clinging to his blanky and trippy duck (which Zach named because no normal duck is this many colors) while trying with all his might not to fall asleep. Naps have become our challenge as of recent. Bennett sleeps wonderfully in his crib all night (and for this we are thankful), but has a different idea of daytime napping. For him...45 minutes.

We welcome any suggestions, as I have been reading BabyWise and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, but still am not having much luck.

Here is a sleepy, napping Bennett from a couple weeks ago...lost his paci, so he decided sucking on his blanky would do the trick. This photo symbolizes what we hope he will transition back to (nice, long naps) sometime soon!

Couldn't make the baptism?... Don't worry we've got you covered

Bennett's baptism at Immaculate Heart Of Mary.

Special thanks to godparents, Chris and Amy.

We would also like to thank the videographer, Kevin.

Story Time

Zach and I love reading to Bennett. Each night we read a few books to him, and Bennett seems to enjoy this bedtime ritual. A few nights ago, Zach was anxious to read to Bennett and when I came into our bedroom this is what I found...my sweet, wholesome little boy reading the SI swimsuit issue with his dad. Somehow this is not what I had in mind when selecting bedtime stories.

Playmate

Here are a couple recent photos of Bennett and Cooper. Cooper is Bennett's younger cousin (by two weeks). We have a good feeling they will be great pals as the months and years progress.

Although, Bennett might have a little catching up to do. Cooper has two older brothers (Camden and Carson) who are doing a good job of teaching him how to be a tough little guy.

February 6th - A Big Day!

Happy 31st Birthday to my sister, Amy. We celebrated on her birthday at my parent's house in Kokomo - always fun to have the family...and four boys under four together.

Happy 20.5 Birthday to my brother, Andrew. He is officially counting down until August 6th when we can all enjoy a brew at a bar or restaurant of his choice. These next few months will fly by as he leaves in 2 weeks to begin a whirlwind spring baseball season with Valparaiso.

Happy 3 months to baby Bennett! He is growing and changing daily. Yesterday I was able to make him laugh out loud by tickling him. We had a great 3 month well baby visit on Friday. Bennett weighs nearly 12 pounds (10th percentile) and is 24.5 inches (50th percentile). Time to pack away all of his newborn and many of his 0-3 month clothes.

The New Addition

Bennett before bedtime - smiling and a little talking. Check back for his latest stats as we head to his three month appointment on Friday. Bennett's biggest acoomplistment to date (at least according to his parents)...sleeping from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. a few nights ago!

Gorilla in its Entirety

A night of great stories coupled with friends and food to celebrate Grandpa's 60th Birthday. Plus a surprise singing Gorilla.