Happy Birthday, Bennett!

This past Friday, November 6, was Bennett's first birthday! As I am sure all new parents say this, but it is true, "We can't believe it has already been one year!" It is hard to believe one year has past since we welcome him into our lives. Over this past year, Bennett has warmed our hearts a thousand times over, made us laugh and even cry. He has already taught us much about life and wanting to be a good, positive role model for him.

A picture from November 6, 2008...just a couple hours after meeting Bennett for the first time...

...and on November 6, 2009. We could not get him to look at the camera...very busy.

This past Saturday, we celebrated Bennett's birthday with family and friends OUTDOORS at our home. The weather was unseasonably warm - a treat for the little ones to play outside. More pictures recapping the weekend are forthcoming.

Pig or Monkey?

We misjudged Bennett's halloween costume this year...we think a pig would have better suited our little guy as we spent the weekend, we were so looking forward to, with a sick little boy...typical, right? We are just happy to report that he is on the road to recovery and we hope to have a healthy boy in time for his first birthday...only 3 days away!

Our weekend did inlcude a brief trip to the ER after 3 days of a yo-yo fever and the start of vomiting on Sunday. Doctors at the hospital discovered left and right ear infections and the possibility of H1N1 or maybe just a viral infection. Antibiotic and around the clock motrin seem to be doing the trick - today has been much better than the previous 4.

We did make it out for a visit to both Zach and my parents' houses' on Halloween. Above Grams is showing Bennett his new sword.

Sitting with Poppie - the hat is always the first to go in his sock monkey costume. I have one chance to get a hat on him, if I fuss with it, he immediately realizes he has something on his head and wants to take it off.

We continued on to my parents' house - strategically arriving after the Prather boys (which was a total bummer to miss them) so we didn't risk spreading any illness to them. We were excited to spend some time with my mom's cousin, Frank, and his wife, Rita, and their dog...Jack the Dog (pictured above). They are visiting from HHI.

Look at that belly! He had just finished eating...most days he closely resembles a trash compactor at the dinner table...eating everything in sight. Still, at the ER, he only weighed in at 19 pounds. I think he has Zach's high metabolism.

Clarian North

Oink oink

A Monkey at the Zoo

This past Sunday we attended ZooBoo with my parents and my sister and her family. Bennett, dressed as a sock monkey, joined his cousins - the dalmation dog, triceretops and the pirate for a fun day! It was also a crowded day - with all the fun festivities and great weather, I think many other families had the same idea.

Our sock monkey and memaw and papaw closely watching the elephant as he is about to smash (and eat!) a pumpkin...

Here goes the smashing...

It was fun to meet up with my little cousins - Will (firefighter) and Madyson (High School Musical cheerleader). Every other child is looking at the camera...not bad.

Bennett's favorite part of the day was the aquatic exhibits. Here he is looking at the sharks and playing in the water. Twice when we tried to walk away from this, he began crying - we were finally able to distract him with the huge picture window of brightly colored fish.

Great Depression Be Damned

"The Fall in Indiana is so beautiful," remarks my wife. Well from my perspective when I view this picture I see right through the "beauty" for what it really is...... A great deal of work ahead.

"Great Depression be damned." This thought went through my head repeatedly. As I walked out to the front lawn today, rake in hand, carrying trashbags, layered for warmth and ipod set to a new playlist I could not help, but hate the Great Depression. You see I had hours of work and thousands upon thousands of leaves to pick up and I also had a perfectly healthy and capable young son inside. It was the Great Depression that brought an awareness to the public and also brought an end to child labor. My son is almost one year old and can practically walk. So I ask, why can he not be subject to hours of monotonous labor and strife? Raking and picking up leaves is a rite of passage for all young lads. We have all done it and he needs to get himself outside and give Dad a hand. Growing up I partook in yardwork and various tasks. Now I am not trying to say I had a hard or difficult childhood, but I helped and worked my fair share. I mowed lawns, raked, took out trash, bussed tables, washed dishes and even worked on an assembly line for a summer. Bennett, instead, gets to live the life of luxury. His days start with someone getting him out of his bed, feeding him and then helping him get dressed. He then gets to play before taking a nap. Up from his nap he eats a little more, plays and then it is time for another nap. Up from another nap he plays, eats, plays some more and then it is off to bed. As I see it he has plenty of time to help out with the household chores. We are not raising him to be a prince or in this case princess.

So as I gear up, grab the ipod, add another layer of clothes and get ready to start day two of the endless attack against the falling leaves I curse the Great Depression and the lessons it taught America about Child Labor Laws. Because of this Bennett is inside napping, but as I see it he should be out here with a rake and big smile because he is getting the opportunity to help Dad.


This is what we have to look forward to today.