Learned Something New

Ben has learned something new today and I think it is hysterical! He has figured out how to pull his arm out of his shirt... and does so over, and over, and over. Ben chews on his shirt sleeve (he started doing this when we began weening him off his pacifier) and holds onto the end of the sleeve with his teeth and then voila', he can pull his arm out! Is he one smart cookie, or what?! Now he just needs to learn how to put it back on.

Thanksgiving Day

For Thanksgiving, we went to my brother's in-law's for the day (thanks for having us Ron and Noreen). We had a great time, enjoyed a wonderful meal and were happy to spend a day with family. Ron and Noreen have a really cool basement with a beautiful bar, lots of TVs, pinball machine, slot machine, real train crossing lights/alarm and an ambulance siren. It is definitely an adults playground!


Ben took a liking to everything their basement had to offer, but was especially fond of the slot machine. It didn't take long for him to figure out how to push the buttons to make it spin and as soon as the machine started spinning Ben started cracking up! He stood there and kept on pushing and laughing until he was too tired to stand (for Ben, this is about 5 minutes on his feet).


So, when Ben's trach comes out... no Disney World for him, we are going to Vegas baby!

Ben's Sleeping Style

Ben has a whole crib to utilize while he sleeps but for whatever reason, he wedges himself right up to the bumper pad. He wouldn't dare leave an inch to spare either! This is a time when I am thankful Ben has a trach... if he breathed through his mouth/nose, this might be a problem.

Isn't it a little early for this?

I got a little behind with Ben's laundry and didn't realize until it was time to get Ben ready for bed. So, we had no choice but to put him in his Christmas PJ's. He looked so darn cute in them I just had to post a picture. I'm sure the nurse thought we were crazy when she took his blanket off in the morning.

Mason Mini Marathon

Last weekend, the city we live in (Mason) had a mini marathon consisting of a 5k, 15k and a kids run. Mike and I participated in the 5k run with Ben. By no means were we the first to cross the finish line, but we had a great time and everyone was very understanding of our constant need to stop and suction him. Ben seemed to enjoy the ride in his jogging stroller and although it was chilly, we didn't have any rain. The whole event was nicely done and the proceeds raised go to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. We decided to make this race a family tradition and maybe next year we can tackle the 15k!

Mike loading the jogging stroller back into the car after the race. Good thing we only lived a few miles away because the trunk didn't close with the stroller and we had to tie it in!


Ben was very tired after the race! The cold air really tuckered him out.

Trick-or-Treat

My mom and I took Ben to a couple houses for trick-or-treating while Mike passed out candy at home. Ben was a little cow this year, with cow bell and all! Since Ben can't eat any candy, we only went to a few houses (otherwise I felt like I was just taking him around to get myself candy - especially when someone asked me what candy was his allowed to eat). We sat outside our house the rest of the night and passed out candy while Ben sat in his car and watched. He seemed to be really interested in all the kids coming up to us. We really lucked out and had great weather. Not too hot, not too warm... just PERFECT!