birthday boy

Last week we celebrated Ben's birthday. He had a test the next day, so that put a little damper on the party- or shall we say extended the party until the weekend. Before work Ben opened one gift which was a jar of peanut butter filled, chocolate covered pretzels (I was skeptical at first too, but they really are amazingly good), so he could have a study snack for the day. When Ben got home from work he had a dinner of his choice, brats on the grill (it was such a man dinner), opened gifts and got to see Rhone in his special shirt for the day. Then out came the chocolate caramel brownies with the best frozen vanilla custard from Freddy's (if you live where there is one you should give it a try and they have a military discount). Thanks to everyone who wished Ben a happy birthday by sending gifts, cards, or calling!

On Friday we went out to eat at the Salt Grass Steakhouse (yet another man dinner) and watched Taken. Ben has been wanting to see the movie for a while, so it worked out great for a little birthday fun. Here's to another great year for Ben.

Ben and Rhone in his shirt for dad

Ben opening up a box of ammo for his new gun. (Notice Rhone playing with the paper.)

Making a Birthday wish.

being a mom is....

This year was my first Mother's Day so I thought I'd do a little post about it. (Yep, I know it's a week late, but well that's life as a new mom.) Ben and Rhone did a great job of making it special. I got some yummy Krispy Kreme doughnuts for breakfast and Rhone must have known it was a special day because he slept in past 9:00. I also got photoshop so I've been having fun learning how to use it. We took the picture on the right just before we went to church. Most days I don't feel like a mom, but then I have these little moments where I realize that I am. A few days ago, I was locking up the house for the night and saw Rhone's little hand knit dinosaur next to all my work stuff and in that little moment I though, yep, I really am a mom. I've learned how nice it is to sleep for 8 hours straight, how hard it is to get curly hair out of little chubby fingers, and how exciting it is to watch Rhone learn new skills. It's been such a blessing and a growing experience to have little Rhoneburts in our lives (and my and Ben's moms too, who give us lots of love and appreciated advice).

top of the chart

Rhone got to celebrate his 4th month with a trip to sea world (see previous post), a new pair of jammies, and a check-up. Rhone is our little entertainer. He has such a funny personality and he LOVES attention. Every once in a while Rhone will laugh not just do his baby giggle. I love hearing it, but he mostly does it for Ben. During tummy time he can turn a full circle, basically he's high centered on his tummy, so he just pivots around it. It's pretty adorable. He also started sucking in his bottom lip (see top left picture in collage), loves standing up and can sit unsupported for a little bit before loosing balance. He is getting the eating from a spoon business down pretty well too.

Rhone's check-up went well and he is as healthy as can be. Rhone has always seemed to happy and healthy to me, but strangers kept making so many comments about his weight that I was starting to get worried. So it was reassuring to hear that he's just a healthy breast fed baby and there's nothing to worry about. Rhone is as big as they get- he's at the top of the weight chart at 99% for his age (20lbs 3 oz). No wonder all the strangers were shocked, I guess you don't see the top of the chart everyday. He's almost 26 inches tall (a bit above average). We are so grateful to have such an energetic healthy little guy! And of course here are a few pictures.

We bought these PJ's on Rhone's actual birthday and he wore them that night. We took these pictures because we didn't think he'd be able to wear them for long even though they are size 6-12 months. Notice in the center picture how much they are gaping open. (I got photoshop for mother's day so I've been playing around with pictures.)

Rhone standing up in the exersaucer (a walker without wheels). To me, he looks like a little boy not a baby in this picture.

new skills?

Here are two of Rhone's latest skills. Mostly for the grandparents to see, but you can watch too if you want.

In the first video he is eating rice cereal after we got back from swimming in our neighbor's pool (that's why he looks naked). In the second video Rhone is giving crawling ago during tummy time, too bad he can't get his tummy off the ground ;)

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you moms out there!

a little of everyday life

This weekend we went to the Sara Evans concert at Sea World. It was so much fun. It was super family friendly and we got great seats. This time we were better prepared and Rhone had real ear plugs in.

We got this picture from our seats.

Rhone sporting his neon orange earplugs

Rhone has been so serious about watching us eat lately and he's been so social when he eats, so we decided to give some "solids" a try. Rhone had his first experience with rice cereal. Today was the 4th time and he is finally getting the hang of it. He would open his mouth super wide and then he would dive at the spoon if Ben wasn't quite fast enough.

This is Rhone all messy at his first eating.

Here's a lizard on our back porch.

Other than that life is the same old, same old. We have about a month left here in San Antonio. Ben is staying busy with sims and computer classes. Rhone and my google job are keeping me on my toes. I can't believe it's already May!! Speaking of it, Happy Cinco de Mayo!