Philip's 9 month appointment

We went to the doctor today for Philip's 9 month appointment. It went great and he was deemed perfect!

We visited the doctor last week when Philip came down with his first illness - a cold and high fever. It was diagnosed as a virus so I was glad to get him checked out again today. I just wanted to make sure it hadn't moved to his ears and it hadn't! He looked great!

Here are his stats:

Weight: 21 lbs 14 oz (69%)
Height: 30 inches (92%)

Philip is 9 months old!

Our baby is 9 months old! I can’t believe it!

The biggest difference we have noticed in Philip this month is that he no longer has that wide mouth toothless grin – he now has a wide mouth 2-teeth grin!!!

His bottom two teeth popped through this month. It has been funny to watch him get used to them. Though they aren’t “full grown” yet, he is having so much fun running his tongue across them. I guess that is a weird feeling to go from noting in your month for 9 months to something poking out.

In addition to his teeth, this month has also produced his first word “Da Da”. Philip has also started waving bye-bye and clapping. He is able to hold up his bottle and feed himself. Everything is going into his mouth so we have to be careful of all the little crumbs Jackson leaves behind. We have pulled many a Rice Krispies out of his mouth!

Still no steps, but he is pulling up on everything and letting go. He will balance for a few seconds and then plop down. He did fall for the first time this month, but it wasn’t while standing. He was just sitting on the kitchen floor playing with a toy and fell backwards. It surprised us all – especially him!

One of his biggest accomplishments for the month is he spent a week away from Mommy, Daddy, and Jackson when we went to Disney. When we all got back together, I could tell him missed Wesley and me, but he really was glad to see Jackson! They have played and played together over the past several weeks.

It is so sweet to see their friendship develop. One of their favorite games is “Get Me” Jackson starts running around the downstairs in a circle yelling “Get me, Baby Shilip” and Philip crawls after him. Usually both are laughing and enjoying it until Philip gets bored and starts playing with something else!

I am one blessed Mommy!

Philip - 9 months old

He was not amused with all my picture taking today!

He standing!

This child has his mouth open in more pictures than me!!!

How the Y was won

Last night was the last of three fall events we had with the YMCA. Our first was back in September where we went to a reception honoring the Decatur/Dekalb Y. The next was in October. It was the YCEO golf tournament awards dinner. Very Nice! Wesley actually was the guest speaker for that event and did a fantastic job! I forgot to snag a picture of us there which is a shame because we don’t dress up like that too many times a year!

Tonight was the annual YMCA Volunteer Appreciation dinner. It was a western theme – How the Y was won. We got to dress up in our cowboy attire and enjoy a relaxing dinner out. Since it honored YMCA volunteers, Wesley invited our good friends Ashley and Rocky Wyatt to join us. Rocky is very involved with Mission: Atlanta.

The Y puts on some fabulous events and I love going to them. Wesley isn’t a huge fan of all the conversational mingling, but he goes because he knows how much I enjoy the night out with other adults!

Here are a few pictures of the night. The professional photographer snapped a few for us as well. If they turn out better, I will repost.

Howdy!

Rocky and Ashley

Aren't they an adorable couple!

Melting Pot

Last night was Girls Night Out! We headed to the Melting Pot for a nice, relaxing dinner and celebrated time together as friends.

We also celebrated with Katey and Baby Izzy. Ashley and I were not able to attend Katey’s church shower so last night, we had a mini-shower for her. It won’t be too much longer until we all get to hold the newest additional to our group of little ones!

Kate, Priscilla, Katey, Ashley, and Leanne

Weekend with my boys

Wesley was asked to speak at the youth retreat at his parents’ church this weekend. He left on Friday afternoon. The boys and I stayed back with high hopes of entertaining lookers to our newly listed house for sale! (Wishful thinking -no one came by this weekend)

I wanted to keep us busy so Friday after naps, we headed to the YMCA. After a quick run, Jackson and I went to the indoor pool. We were having a great time until out of the blue he informed me that he wanted to leave. Why? Because he wanted to go play with Philip! (Yay! They do like each other!)

Saturday morning, we went back to the Y for another run. This time, Jackson wanted to stay with Philip in the play center. After lunch, we all went down for rest time. Philip quickly went to sleep, but Jackson wanted to play. I told him to play in his room and I was going to relax for awhile. I guess I fell asleep because the next thing I knew, Jackson was in my room showing me his masterpiece….

I have no idea how he found this picture or where he got the pen, but at least he vandalized a picture of himself instead of one of someone else! I really liked that picture too – I am glad I have another one!

After naps, we headed to the Mall of Georgia. We rode the train, watched a Christmas parade, and ate dinner before leaving the mall for Toys R Us. Jackson bought a new toy and Philip got diapers and formula…how fun! To end a great night, we stopped off at Krispy Kreme for a late night treat. Yummy! It was the perfect way to end a great weekend with my boys!

Poor Philip. He wanted to taste the donuts too! Maybe next time.

Election Day

We voted today. Did you?

Trick-or-Treating with Sam!

I arrived home from the church’s Fall Fest and quickly got ready for Trick-or-Treating with the boys.

A Bender family tradition is croissant dogs and Doritos on Halloween, and we had invited Kate and her family to join us. They came with a delicious pot of Taco Soup and we enjoyed dinner and opening the door for early Trick-or-Treaters.

After everyone was filled, we piled the kids into the wagon and took off through the neighborhood. I wasn’t sure how the boys would do, but they quickly figured out the fun of trick-or-treating.

By the end of the evening the four adults and two infants stayed at the sidewalk, and the two boys would march up to the door together. It was so cute watching them have so much fun together!

I found two adorable monkey outfits at the local consignment store. I thought Jackson would love being a monkey like Curious George, but I was wrong! He had nothing to do with his monkey costume but Philip humored me by at least keeping his on long enough for a few pictures. Wasn't he a cute little monkey!

Ben and Wesley with the two little ones

Packed up and ready to go!

Philip lasted two minutes in the wagon. He much preferred Wesley's arms! Jackson though loved loading up in the wagon, traveling two feet to the next house, and climbing out to go ring the doorbell!

Our first house - Mrs. Sharon, Mr. Jason and Morgan

Big Boys!

After some successful trick-or-treating we headed in. We were able to get this cute picture of the boys before the costumes came off.

Look closely at this picture - see the two canisters of Pringles in the back? Those were what the boys got at the last house along with a bubble wand. They were also handing out balloons but they were all out of those by the time we got there! Definitely the best house of the night!

Kate brought cupcakes that we let the boys decorate. Here is Jackson with his...

And Spiderman with his. It was hard to decorate with those muscles!