First Steps!!!

This morning I stood Bennett up and he stood on his own and took three steps!! Then I stood him again and he took four steps!!! Of course he was taking these steps quickly as he was leaning towards my outstretched arms, but he did it!! And Mike was there and saw it all too!! It will all happen quickly now I'm sure - within the next couple of weeks...this is an exciting time yet I keep thinking of all the dangers around - sharp corners, hard floors...I guess bumps and bruises are part of learning and, well, we survived. I'll try to capture some video when he is home this afternoon to share the beginning of this exciting milestone!

Fall Updates

I can't believe B is almost one year old!! He is so much more interactive. We have a couple of new games that we play - one of course being peek-a-boo. B walks (holding onto furniture) around the couch then slowly sneaks up on us - and we pop around the corner and shout "Boo!" He laughs and repeats it over and over! He also likes to be chased, thrown up in the air and fake-dropped. He likes to take one step towards you, wait until you make some goofy noise then he turns and runs away while squealing with laughter! Then he turns back and waits for another goofy sound - he loves to play this with Mike. Here are some other new things happening in B-land...

Chili in, Chili...

I made batch of Mexican Chili and although a touch spicy, Bennett loved it! He even cried when I showed him the bowl was empty...he ended up having two B-sized bowls of chili!


The next day when I made a bowl for lunch, B crawled over to investigate. I dipped my spoon in the sauce and let him slurp at it and again, he was quite upset when I finished the last bite!


Yum, Chili!!! We have also been blessed with an extra-gassy baby!


Look how BIG my teeth are!!

Two on the bottom...



...and one on top (the top right erupted two days ago and the left is visible under the gums!) [Courtesy shot of yogurt on the face!]


Another view of his top tooth

Playing with apples in the front yard



There's that pointer finger!


Some of the apples were too big to pick up with one hand but that didn't stop little B from trying. He would set down one apple to pick up another with both hands, get a good hold on it and then try to pick up the first apple. Of course, he had to set down the apple he was holding onto and the cycle continued.


Finally! Success at having one in each hand!


Home Projects - Landscaping (or should we say land scraping?)

The bushes in front of the house appeared original (1968) and were massively overgrown. If we had opted to trim them back there would have only been branches left and no greenery.


Another view of the front of the house.


Mike used the Patriot truck to remove the fence posts and pull out the bushes.


And, well, the bushes are gone. And now the house looks more like a trailer than ever before!


At least this part was cost-free (minus fuel for the truck) and we definitely have a chore ahead of us in the spring!


Recipe for Mexican Chili (Too easy!)

1lb ground turkey (browned)
1 can kerneled corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can black beans
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (or try 1 can regular/1 can with chilies)
1pkg taco seasoning (also good with the low sodium version)
1pkg dry ranch dressing mix (don't bother with the "low fat" - they are the same prior to making actual dressing)

Pour all ingredients (including canned liquids) into the crock pot. Heat. Enjoy.

I tend to use all Meijer ingredients unless brand name is cheaper and the entire dish is less than $15 - Mike and I (and now B) can enjoy 3-4 bowls each. This is a great winter/cold day/no time to make dinner recipe!

It's Back!

It seems my posting abilities are back on track!! Blogger almost lost me there....
This is my favorite picture from the past weekend. It was hailing and B was staring longingly outside as little pellets bounced around the deck.

Check out these chubby leggers in new tube socks! Ha!

I want to throw my computer down a well...a deep, unending well consumed with fire...

**********EDIT************
Scroll down to see new pictures of the Fierstine's and Halloween


Well...I would love to post some pictures but I am unable to use the "copy" "paste" function!!!!! ARGHHHHHH!!! I Cannot Stand Computers!!! So I right-click the photo, click "copy," then when I right-click on the blog, the paste function (and cut,copy and delete) are grayed out. This is SOOOOOOO frustrating!!! If anyone knows how to fix this problem --**PLEASE**-- tell me!!!

Fierstine Family Visit

Well, I have found a way to post the pictures but let me tell you....it has been a real challenge. I am so beyond fed up with this program/software that I don't have the energy to narrate except this: My parents, Margaret and the kids all came to visit last weekend and we had an awesome time together. Saturday Aunt Kat and Uncle Phil came to visit and Sunday we went to Dad and Barb's for a Halloween visit with the Tobers. Enjoy the pics -- they were hard earned! (also I can't edit and add text where I want to so you'll have to take these pics for what they are!) Also, the pics of B in his Dragon/Dinosaur costume were taken at daycare with his girl-buddies Meghan and Saige.

Random Pictures of Family...



































































































...I am at the end of my rope. If anyone knows of a good website for blogs let me know...

80's Bonfire

I'm just going to post the pictures (as a slideshow)...they are worth more than 1,000 words!