Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Vacation!

So, I still owe a few things before I can get on to our Door County vacation report.

1) Our week with Marissa, our friends' 2-year-old. Our friends Brant and Nicole went on a rafting trip to the Grand Canyon and left their daughter with us for the week. It was so much fun. We got a chance to try out the "two child" thing, and I think we did pretty well! Both Marissa and Jackson are such easy kids, and they played together quite well.
2) A picture of Jackson pointing to his belly button. Still working on this one. I'll get it soon. I'm very sorry, Mike and Jenny. :)

Now, on with the Door County news. On Saturday, July 14th, we packed up my dad's SUV and embarked on a drive across the entire state of Wisconsin to the peninsula of Door County. Poor Jack didn't know what we were doing to him. Of course we tried to leave around a naptime in hopes that he would sleep well in the car, but that didn't exactly happen. Once he would fall asleep, his head would begin to drop and he would startle awake. But we eventually got to our destination, a lovely little cabin on Clark Lake, an inland lake on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula. We came to learn that the location wasn't very child-friendly, so it was a bit of a challenge keeping Jackson safe and entertained, but we had enough other things going on to make the time fun. The poor boy also didn't sleep very well the whole trip. The three of us had an unfinished attic for the week, and he was just so out of his comfort zone. He never actually napped in his crib, and nights were a little trying. But again, we survived! Our days were spent at a couple different beaches, a couple different petting farms, lots of fun shops and restaurants, and a winery. Here are some photos from our adventure. Enjoy! :)


Kayaking with Poppa. Notice his cute little life jacket--that's his favorite part!

Blowing bubbles with Mimi.

Kissing a bear. What a nice boy.

Bottle-feeding a baby goat at a farm.

A day at the beach!

Just relaxing.

Asleep with Mimi---this is how most naps happened all week.

Gotta love it! A diaper and sneakers. Classy. :)

Driving a tractor all by himself.

Working on the farm.

Feeding friendly goats.

Feeding friendly horses with Uncle Sean.

Dan and me on our 5th anniversary.

One of the happier moments in the car, watching Little Einstein on the DVD player.

Yay! I've been meaning to get this done all week and now I'm done!
Have a great day! :)

Friday, July 13, 2007

Get out of town!

That's what we are doing. Getting out of town. Tomorrow morning, we will be on our way to Door County, WI for a week with my parents and brother. A much-needed break and we are so excited! It will also be nice to have a week off from making cookies.

Coming next week:
  • Tales of our week with Marissa. Our friends went away for a week and left their 2-year-old with us. It was fabulous, but we're glad we only have one child right now. :)
  • A picture of Jackson pointing to his belly button (requested by Mike and Jenny). It's really cuter than it sounds.
Have a great weekend!

Monday, June 25, 2007

Hidden risks of vaccinations

Jackson had his 15-month appointment today. I didn't think he would have any shots, but it turns out that he was scheduled for two. Poor boy! Anyway, vaccinations can be a pretty controversial topic in the parenting world. In fact, many parents choose not to vaccinate their children because they believe the risks outweigh the benefits. When you take your son to his well-child visit, you must sign consent forms for each vaccination being administered and answer a few routine questions.

As I left the clinic and began to drive home, I had all of this information running through my head. However, as I glanced back at Jackson sitting in his carseat and chewing on one of his new bandaids, it became clear to me that the most underrated risk of childhood vaccinations is the obvious choking hazard.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Lucy's new friend

As I walked by the stairs this morning, I glanced down at the door and saw this:


This is Lucy. It isn't unusual to find her sitting or lying on this landing. There are often birds, squirrels, or other cats that get her attention. This morning it was the adorable little chipmunk you can see on the step outside. Lucy was so fixated on this little guy. And the chipmunk was obviously aware of Lucy, because he was totally frozen.

So, cute picture, cute story. But it doesn't end there.

A few minutes later, I was walking down those stairs to go for a walk with Jackson. Lucy remained fixated on the chipmunk, but the chipmunk could obviously sense my presence and was aware that I was larger than a house cat and could probably inflict more harm than said house cat. So the chipmunk scampered, and at that point I noticed that there were actually two chipmunks on the steps. They were both really frantic and Lucy was just going crazy. If she could have formed words, I'm sure it would have been something to the effect of, "I know you don't EVER let me outside, but PLEASE! Can't you see these perfect little playmates just WAITING for me to join them?! Come ON!" But I didn't listen. I proceeded to the garage, where the stroller is. As I opened the garage door, I noticed that both of the chipmunks had made it to the bottom of the stairs and onto the sidewalk. And they kept going, I imagine trying to get away from Lucy, who, consequently was still safely behind the window and very much indoors. I, on the other hand, was now within a few feet of them. This fact FREAKED them out. I would have thought that chipmunks, especially pairs of chipmunks, would have a game plan to implement when they are faced with impending danger. Well, one had a plan. He scampered back across the sidewalk and under a bush. The other one? Not so much. He decided to run INTO the garage and UNDER the car. I screamed. (It was one of those moments that you forget you are a million times bigger than bugs and rodents and you wonder why they make you scream). Jack was just confused. I grabbed the stroller, put him in it, closed the garage door, and left for our walk. When I returned from the walk, I opened the garage door, put the stroller away, closed the door and went inside. Once again trapping our little friend in his new home.

So, we are now the proud owners of a garage rodent. Hurray! His poor little buddy is probably wondering where the heck he is. :) (Actually, we have a big hole in the seam of cement/asphalt where our garage door comes down, and there is definitely enough room for him to escape. Whether HE has figured out that fact yet remains to be seen).

In other non-related Bennett news:
  • On this day in 1980, I entered the world for the first time. That actually makes it sound like I have entered the world again since then. I haven't. It just sounded like a more interesting way to say that it's my 27th birthday. Yay!
  • Last night was the second week of the Maple Grove Farmers' Market. I was sold out by about 6:30. Yay again!
  • Jackson's new "words" are "uh oh" and "Mmmmm." He tested out the latter after he stole a cookie off the cooling rack the other day. I was doing something in the kitchen and heard from the dining room, "Mmmmmm." I turned around to see him holding a cookie and chewing like crazy. There were two adorable little bites out of it. Oh, too cute. I couldn't be mad. :)
That's all for now. I hope the first full day of summer is finding you enjoying the sun, now that it has officially made an appearance!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Cookies....so many cookies!

It's 11:37 and I am staring at cooling racks full of warm chocolate chip cookies. That can only mean one thing. I had a heck of a craving tonight.

Or--tomorrow is the first day of the Maple Grove Farmers' Market and I'm selling cookies at the Cookie Nook! Yeah, that's more like it. :)

I hope you can all come out if you are in the area. The Market happens every Thursday (rain or shine!) from 3:00 to 7:00 through October 25th. It takes place in the Maple Grove Community Center parking lot. There are tons of vendors selling lots of fun stuff. (Beware--there is another cookie seller. Ignore CC Cookie Company and keep walking toward the Cookie Nook!)

We also have a website in case you are desiring yummy cookies and can't make it to the Market. I do special orders! Just go to www.thecookienook.com. It's a little under construction, but keep checking back!

All right, just one more pan to get out of the oven and it's off to bed. 23 more dozen tomorrow and we are good to go!

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Sleeping babies and new hair

Here's a cute shot of Jackson sleeping yesterday. I had to wake him up in the morning. What a sweetie!

The next two are of my new haircut. I have wanted to chop it off for a while, and finally had the guts last night.
There you have it. Off to work! Four more days! :)

Friday, May 25, 2007

Fun with Mimi and Poppa!

At the request of my mother, here are a couple of cute pictures of our boy. The wallpaper on her computer at work has a picture of Jack in his snowsuit. She says it's cute, but it makes her cold. Oh, fine. Here is something new!

Here he is, being Superman with my dad. The pajamas are a replica of something Dan used to wear day and night as a child. There is a cape and everything! He's such a little superhero. :)

This is Jackson sporting his new bike helmet with my mom. My parents got a child carrier for their bike, and Jack wasn't crazy about it. But he looks darn cute in the safety gear!

That's all for now. There are many more pictures that need to get onto the computer. Once I find the time for that, I'll let you know. :)

Happy long weekend!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

blogging, burgers, birthdays, and brooms

So I have been neglecting my blog lately. I'm sorry. It could be worse. Jeff hasn't posted since Christmas. (Yuletide Musings anyone?) Don't even get me started on Joel. But I digress. I'm back, and I have some mindless things to say.

I had a really good hamburger today. Do you ever see a commercial for something and the advertising does its job so well that you run out and get/eat whatever it was, only to be sorely disappointed? Well, I have seen this particular Ruby Tuesday commercial for their Triple Prime burger, and we finally got there today (to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday) and I got it. I was not one bit disappointed. I think it was one of the best hamburgers I have ever eaten. I'm still reveling in the scrumptiousness of it!

Jackson is the coolest kid ever. He is almost 14 months, and he is running around and babbling like crazy. Someone pointed out that I didn't write him a letter for 13 months (which was April 19th) and asked if I am done with that now that he is 1. Here's the thing. I'm not done, because it's one of my favorite things to do. But there really isn't something new to report every month these days. So my plan is to do it at 18 months, and then maybe every year. Also, the prospect of doing it every month once we have four kids is a little daunting. :) The woman whose blog I got the idea from only has one child, a daughter, who is now 3. She still writes her newsletter every month. They're on month 38!

One thing that I would have written in Jack's 13-month letter is about his new fascination with brooms. It is absolutely hilarious! He spotted a big push broom on our deck a few weeks ago and hasn't forgotten it. He stands at the sliding door and babbles at it. ("Come on! Let me play with you!"). He got his hands on one at the house I do daycare in, and proceeded to carry it around all day. It got to the point where he screamed when I had to take it away to put him down for his nap. What a kid! Well, since we are Swiffer people, we did not have a broom to offer our son. What awful parents we are. We quickly remedied the situation at Target a couple weeks ago. $1.39. I guarantee that's the cheapest toy I ever buy him. And probably the one that will give him the greatest enjoyment!

That's all from our neck of the woods. I hope you are all enjoying this unseasonably warm weather. It makes me long for summer!

Monday, April 09, 2007

baby humor

In an effort to find some information on weaning, I found this funny list on breastfeeding.com. Enjoy!


If Men Got Pregnant

Maternity leave would last two years... with full pay.

There would be a cure for stretch marks.

Natural childbirth would become obsolete.

Morning sickness would rank as the nation's #1 health problem.

All methods of birth control would be 100% effective.

Children would be kept in the hospital until toilet trained.

Men would be eager to talk about commitment.

They wouldn't think twins were so cute.

Sons would have to be home from dates by 10:00 PM.

Briefcases would be used as diaper bags.

Paternity suits would be a fashion line of clothes.

They'd stay in bed during the entire pregnancy.

Restaurants would include ice cream and pickles as main entrees.

Women would rule the world.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

24-hour bug takes a 24-hour break

So, I woke up at 1:00 in the morning on Sunday night/Monday morning VIOLENTLY ill. I spent an hour or so in the bathroom, and somehow made it back to bed. I made Dan stay home from work because I couldn't fathom taking care of Jack in my condition. Other than the occasional visit back to the restroom, I stayed in bed all day. I ate a few bites of soup for dinner. I sprawled on the couch to watch the Twins season opener and 24. I thought I was feeling better, but I actually still felt pretty crappy going to bed at 9:30. Well, then Jack woke up at 3:00, and on my way to his room, I thought, "Wow, I am totally back to normal!" Not a bit of the "yuck" feeling left in me! Yesterday was great. I felt 200% better. I got lots done around the house to make up for Monday. I went to bed. I woke up at 4:00 this morning and thought, "Are you kidding me? You weren't done with me yet?" Again, I spent some time on the bathroom floor and eventually made it back to bed, just in time for Jack to wake up and refuse to fall asleep again without nursing. I dozed off and on until 6:45, but it was really nothing substantial, and before I knew it, Jack was up for good and Dan was leaving for the day. Now I'm wondering just how long this is sticking around this time. I have to say that I don't feel AS awful as I did on Monday, but it's still a chore to keep up with Jack when all I want to do is stay in bed all day, sipping Sprite. :)

Monday, March 19, 2007

One Year

Dear Jackson,

Who would have thought that the feeling I had looking at a positive pregnancy test on July 7, 2005 would turn into the feeling I have today, celebrating your first year of life? It's amazing to think that you have been blessing us with your presence for a whole year!

It all started simply enough. Well, as simple as nine (ten) months of pregnancy can be! But after the pregnancy and 30+ hours of labor, we had a baby. Just like that, we went from a childless couple to the parents of an infant. Talk about scary! But you were pretty easy on us. :)

I got seven weeks off of work to spend with you, my new little bundle of joy. It was nice to be able to take our time getting used to each other and settling into this whole new experience. I learned very quickly that I had made the right decision about not returning back to work in the fall. How could I leave you all day? :)

Unfortunately, I did have to go back to work and finish out the last five weeks of the school year. But you had fun everyday with Mimi, Grandma, Kathleen, and Mandie. In May I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day. What a wonderful feeling!

Before long, it was summer and we had all the time in the world again. Your personality certainly started to show through! You very quickly proved yourself to be an extremely delightful kid. As it got warmer outside, you got to discover more of the world around you. We all discovered that you preferred the baby carrier to the stroller, as evidenced by your screaming the entire second half of a walk!

As your personality developed, so did your recognition of and appreciation for the people around you: Mimi, Poppa, and Uncle Sean, Grandma and Uncle John, and lots of friends.


In August, you took your first plane ride--to Seattle for Shauna's wedding. You did great on the plane and loved all of the fun stuff we did in the city. Soon after we returned, school started and we started daycare together.

September also brought cooler weather, a runny nose, and your first taste of solid food. Yum!

Six months was a big milestone. Not so much at the time, but looking back, the first six months of your life went really slowly and the last six months have just flown! Not to mention that you don't even look like a baby anymore. You're a little man!

For Halloween, you were a dragon. And a scary one!

For Thanksgiving, you had a cold. And a bad one!


For Christmas, you were just the best little kid celebrating your first Christmas. You got lots of presents and got to be a part of lots of traditions.

January brought the new year and a new big milestone for you--you FINALLY slept through the night! And what a difference it made for all of us! Luckily, you have kept it up!

We also got to experience some of Minnesota's finest snow--you loved it! You also started walking all over the place. Yikes!

All of this has brought us to where we are now--one year old. It's incredible to watch you grow and learn new things and figure out how stuff works. You're a smart little kid! We've enjoyed every moment of this first year, and we're so excited for many more!

Love you, dear boy

Mom :)

Saturday, March 17, 2007

One year ago (again)

Friday, March 17, 2006. Normal day of school. I wore green. I drove straight from school to my doctor's office for my 40-week appointment. She regrettably informed me that although I was continuing to efface (cervix thinning out), I still was not dilating at all. Bummer. I left mentally prepared to be pregnant for at least another week. Three hours later, I was sitting in bed watching "Reba." It's something I hadn't watched before and haven't watched since. I think I was reading too. I remember feeling like I was getting the flu. Not stomach, but I was achy and feverish and just felt yucky. Then I had some odd cramps. "Surely not contractions," I thought. "I'm going to be pregnant for at least another week!" But they kept coming with some consistency. Weird. So I went to bed (Dan the snorer was sleeping downstairs--I didn't want to disturb his sleep with this possibility of news--one of us should be sleeping!). I was able to sleep with minimal cramp disturbance until about 3:00 am Saturday. I still didn't bother Dan until about 5:00 am, when I thought I had lost my "plug." (Fastforward to just before my water broke--I definitely had NOT lost my plug that morning. Yuck.) Anyway, he got up with me and started timing contractions. We called the hospital and they said to come when the contractions were a certain length and a certain distance apart. They weren't yet. So we called my doula, who came and waited out the day at our house. I remember going for a very short walk outside. I remember eating grapes. I remember Dan getting the video camera out and knowing that I'd regret him making an account of my blown up body. (I did). I remember making the decision to go to the hospital at 3:00 pm. In hindsight, I would have known that the contractions I'd been having for a few hours were nothing compared to what I would feel later on. I would have waited longer at home. I will next time. I remember Dan driving like a maniac to the hospital and our doula trying to follow him without breaking the law. We got to the hospital safely. I was wheeled into the labor and deliver triage area. They checked me. 2-3 centimeters. Crap! I should have waited! I will next time. So we walked around the LD floor. And we walked. And we walked. And we finally got a room. I was hooked up to an IV and all sorts of monitors. I changed into my own clothes. Something needed to feel familiar. Even if it was a nightshirt I'd bought at Kohl's only a week prior, it wasn't a hospital gown, and that's all that mattered. At some point, I remember getting into the bathtub. It didn't feel as good as I'd hoped. They decided to check me again at about 8:00 pm. Still 2-3 centimeters. Seriously? If contractions this bad aren't doing anything, I don't even want to know what kind are in my future! Since I hadn't slept since 3:00 am, I was given an antihistamine to help me relax and maybe even sleep between contractions. They also gave me a shot of morphine. I wish I hadn't gotten any of it. I won't next time. Although it was nice to sleep between contractions, it was quite the rude awakening when one came on. And the morphine just made me throw up and did nothing for the pain. After a few hours, the antihistamine wore off and I was completely coherent again. And things were starting to get serious. They checked me at 11:00 pm and I was about 8 cm. Yay! Something actually worked! Well, then all hell broke loose. For two hours, I was in what they call "transition." It's a really nice name for something that makes you feel like you want to grab the nearest sharp object and cut the baby out yourself because you're not sure how much longer you can deal with the contractions. For at least an hour of it, I had the urge to push with each contraction, but I couldn't because I wasn't fully dilated. Unless you've been through it, you have no idea how hard it is to stop your body from pushing. It's the craziest thing I've ever felt. FINALLY at a little after 1:00 am (30 HOURS since the first contraction), I was allowed to start pushing. My first push broke my water. After only a few more pushes (when it's still just the nurse coaching you through what to do), the nurse had to go get the doctor because this kid finally meant business and was coming very quickly. (I've heard first-time moms push for an average of 2 hours). The doctor came in and I continued to push. I really don't remember much of the pushing, actually. It lasted about 25 minutes, but I really only remember the very end of it. The doctor told me to give her a really hard push to get the head out. I gave her a really hard push and the whole baby came out! I guess I meant business too. At 1:36 am, Jackson Reed Bennett came into this world in all of his 9-1/2 pounds of glory. They put him up on my belly and all I remember thinking (after he lifted his own head up to look at me--no lie) was that this was a big baby. The next thing I remember thinking was how hungry and tired I was. Once I was stitched up and cleaned off and had my little bundled up babe, I was allowed to eat. It was the best hospital boxed lunch I've ever had. :) As for the sleeping, that didn't really happen until Sunday night. It was way too many hours to be awake at one time. But God gives something amazing to pregnant women and new mothers. It's an energy that is completely unexplained. I knew I was exhausted, but I knew I wasn't going to die. I would make it. I had this new life to take care of. I had to make it.
Reflecting on all of this a year later makes me remember how hard it all was. But there is something in me that can't wait to do it all again.

For those of you who stuck with this until the end, thank you. It was really more for me. And I realize that not all of this was one year ago today, but I thought it would be silly to split it up into three days. :) Plus, Monday (his actual birthday) will be his monthly letter from me.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

One year ago...

...was my due date! I remember anticipating that date for nine (ten) months. I remember the feeling of seeing that date come and go and wondering when on earth this baby would come meet us. My, how the year has flown.

More to come in the following days!

Friday, March 02, 2007

Snow day!

The title doesn't actually go with the pictures below, although it seems that way. The title refers to the fact that most of the state is closed due to snow today. And that's a great thing for someone who does daycare for teachers! Although, it took Osseo forever to actually call it last night. Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Anoka-Hennepin were all closed for today by 9:00 last night (along with other big metro districts). But Osseo made us sweat it out until about 10:00. But nevertheless, we have a snow day, and it's awesome. It's even more awesome that it's Friday and we have a three-day weekend! Anyway, getting on with the pictures, last Sunday, we ventured outside with the Jack man and had some fun in the snow (you know, from the storm before this one we just had?). We got him a sled for Christmas, and this was the first time he was able to experience it. And he loved it so much! It was adorable! Here's proof. :)
(And thanks to Liam for the use of the awesome snowsuit!!)

Getting ready with Dad.

Here we go!


Oh, so fun!

Slow down, Mom!


Whoa, I think I'm done now.


I love my boy!

We set him down in the snow to get a picture of him just sitting there surrounded by white. He immediately rolled over and got stuck. Well, it's the thought....

Monday, February 19, 2007

Eleven months

Hey my dear boy,

You are one month away from being a year old! That's so amazing to me. Time continues to fly and you continue to amaze us with your sweet ways.

I am excited to say that you are sleeping through the night! Finally! You are consistently going down at about 7:00 and waking up at about 6:00. Sometimes you go back down for a little while (today you went back down until 8:30! Wow!). At least you are starting to figure out your nights, but as they have gotten better, your daytime naps have gotten worse. I guess if it's one or the other, I'd rather have the night sleep. :)

You are eating more and more these days, too. You LOVE grapes. It's kind of a pain, though; to avoid all choking hazards, they need to be peeled and cut up. But it's worth it because you are in your glory when there is a pile of them in front of you. You also started eating cheerios, which are just great fun (and cheaper than gerber puffs, so thank you).

We brought you to the nursery at church for the first time yesterday. You did pretty well. I can tell you have a little separation anxiety starting to set in lately. We have a babysitter at Dennis' when we have Soulmates, and it was a rough time for you on Saturday. You just don't want to leave people you know and love! Sweet thing.

The big news this month is that you started taking steps. You are still pretty tentative, but you do stand by yourself for longer periods of time and kind of lunge toward things. You have brand new shoes to help you, and you love them. You also love to give kisses, and you are very good at it. :) They are usually open mouth, tongue out, but we like them anyway. You are just so affectionate. You even try to kiss the kitties! They aren't as tolerant as we are....

There is a new friend at Leishman's these days. Dena gave birth to Kenna a couple of weeks ago. So when she is done with maternity leave in about a month, we'll have one more baby in the mix! You are very curious about the baby. I'm sure you just want to love her, but when you go at her with your hand in a fist above your head, we get nervous.

Bless you, baby, in this last month of your first year. And thanks for all of the fun you add to our days!

Love,
Mom


Hanging with Daddy (and sporting some pretty rosy cheeks!)

Eating a duck in the bathtub.

Eating Grandma's walker.
Playing with Homer and Kaelin.

Watching "Dora" with Connor. You manly men.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Sweet boy

Here are some semi-recent pics to hold you over until Monday (11 months, pictures and all).

So happy to be playing! Nevermind that the cats have stollen all 4 balls that make this game any fun....

Sleeping with daddy. Hmm, is daddy sleeping too?


Playing with Homer the dog. What a nice, tolerant dog.


These are the girls I watch--Kaelin, Reagan, and Remi--in addition to Jackson and Connor (Kaelin's brother). They don't always dress like this.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Oh, this is big

Jackson is (almost) walking.

To the point where his cute little suede-bottomed leather shoes weren't cutting it anymore. Yes, we ventured into the cold on Saturday and got REAL baby walking shoes. Oh, that was fun for the checkbook. But they're adorable.

It's a little surreal to watch him let go of things and just stand there. Then he'll take a couple of steps and look at me like, "Um, I'm not sure what to do now" and then fall to the ground and crawl the rest of the way to his destination.

And we thought crawling was a big transition. There's REALLY no stopping him now. :)

Monday, January 29, 2007

It's bathtime!

Well, Jackson had his first "big boy" bath last week. When he was super little, he took baths in a plastic tub; once he could sit up, he graduated to the kitchen sink. That is consequently my first choice--easy on the back. But he was getting cramped, so we decided to give the big tub a try. Boy, did he think that was a great idea! Here are some pictures that Jack is bound to rip to shreds someday. :)

Mmm....turtle....

(excuse the red eyes.....)