The Bennett Family

Summertime Blues

2011-08-08T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Summer is drawing to a close for the Bennett family and I am sad to see it go. It has been a summer full of first and many memories.

Presley runs more these days than she walks and climbing in, on, and over is an everyday occurrence. She gets so excited for herself when she reaches her goal. Climbing into her highchair was one of the first accomplishments and now it is going down stairs, however the other day the gate was left open and she made it down to the first landing all by herself! Gave me a heart attack!

We have spend many days playing with all of our buddies. We visited the Brentwood Library most Mondays to have songs, stories, and a lesson in foreign language with Miss Charity. If it was too hot, we went to Jump-mania or hit the swimming pool.

Presley even made it up to Cameron, Missouri for the Bennett family reunion. She was such a good baby, cutting teeth and all, and slept like a pro at Aunt Jennifer and Aunt Kim's house.

Later in the summer Presley and I even got to be movie stars and shoot a commercial for a local credit union here in town. Check out the link!

http://extras.ky3.com/CreativeManager/View.php?EmailID=1216

We have spent so much time together as a family getting comfortable in our new house and neighborhood. We love being here and have enjoyed having friends and family over.

Presley received her MMR shots (I was terrified and she did just fine--as usual) and weighed in at 22 lbs. 5oz and 30.75 in. Still holding strong at 50% for weight and 75% for height. Dr. Steele believes that she will be of average weight and little on the tall side, thank you Jesus for giving me a child with above average height! If you know the Crocker's we aren't tall...at ALL!

I am excited for Presley to start "school" this year. I just know after one week she is going to go from saying babbles and a 10 words to complete sentences. She is growing way too fast for me to keep track of it all.

However, I have been able to observe her and I have determined she is super special and just an absolute joy to be with.

Looks it's a Bennett Tornado!

2011-06-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

We have felt like we have been through a tornader! Packing up one house and moving into another in six weeks, thank you so much to our friends and family who helped us move and continue to help us move in new furniture. Presley loves her new home. We introduced her slowly, having her come with us when we would bring boxes over and she would race around in her walker in the sun room. My mom watched her while we moved and brought her back that afternoon to check out her new "crib." This is her in her room on her first day in the house. She loves all the space to run, having a toy room with a drawing table and a toy chest that she can easily pick what she is looking for.

Presley and I have spent many of our days going to story time at the Brentwood library (really close to the house) and visiting many of their afternoon programs. Here we are at Toucan Jam Band. This group was fantastic, telling many fables and folktales. All the while introducing the kids to different parts of the world, their music, and instruments. Presley was so intrigued and loved every minute of their performance.

We have also had several play dates with swimming partners. Presley loves swimming and has no fear of the water. She thinks it is tons of fun to go under and had blowing bubbles mastered in an afternoon. We are currently working on "open and close" with her arms to get her used to moving her arms and legs in sequence. I know she will not be swimming this summer, but there is hope that next summer she will take to the water with a pair of water wings.

Birthday invitations are piling up in our mailbox like Q&A letters to Heloise. That is okay, Presley and I enjoy any excuse to have our cake and eat it too.

For Father's Day we spent the evening at Todd's brother's house and we brought dessert with Todd's new ice cream maker. It is so cool that his birthday and Father's Day are about a week apart, he always gets good gifts and we reap the benefits from them. Presley was excited about the ice cream maker and enjoyed eating it just as much. I told Todd that this machine with bring us together for more happy occasions over the next 20 years than we could ever imagine

I hope not to wait so long before the next post, but we might get busy having a good time!

The First of Many

2011-05-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

We made it, we did it! We successfully planned and survived Presley Ann's first birthday party. After much planning and then re-planning we finally settled on a new location (Doling Family Center) because of the never ending rain!

Presley arrive fashionably late in her new blue sports car, honking the horn and cruising in her adorable 50's outfit (Etsy). The little onesie and bloomers were a simple solution to not wanting to overdo the theme with her outfit.

We had fantastic chefs and bakers for this event. Vickie Gilmore from Sweet Moments Custom Cakes brought us fantastic milkshake cup-cakes. We enjoyed vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate all garnished with a paperstraw and cherry on top!

My friend Jennifer Campbell created these delicious cake pops in chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet flavor. These were a huge hit and I highly recommend them for dessert or party favors at any party.

Then we had Chef Todd Bennett who cooked and served up 100 hot dogs. Later that day, Todd and a family friend were discussing that he finally feels like a dad since he cooked up a large quantity of hot dogs! I picture in the future many more ocassions when we will be serving hot dogs to the masses.

The kids made their own candy goody bags from vinyl record bowls filled with bubble gum, twizzlers, swirl suckers (personalized with Happy Birthday Presley from Oriental Trading company) and my personal favorite Starburst jelly beans. These treats then filled their gift bags with pinwheels, sidewalk chalk, plastic swirl straw, and a thank you note. I loved putting together these treat bags!

Everyone made their way into the room to make their own cherry soda, hot dog, and chips. I consider these a staple of any party.

I was so excited for everyone to sing Happy Birthday to Presley! When we lit the candle she was more interested in the flame than the icing. It took a moment or two and little encouraging, but it didn't take long and she was diving into the icing eating handfuls---eek! Sugar Rush!

Presley was joined by all of her friends who were glad to help her open her presents. That lil' girl was spoiled rotten! She got a car for her first birthday from nana (which she was wheeled into the party with--sooo cute), a drum and music set, clothes and more clothes, a water table from my sister (Max was so excited for Presley to open it!) and one of everything from Toys-R-Us. We could seriously go into business renting toys for the day there are so many of them.

We ended the festivities with a bow and Presley thanked everyone for coming and celebrating with her.

Though this party was a party and I had a blast planning and preparing, I don't want to forget that this day was more about celebrating with close family and friends the miracle that is Presley. I look at her and I think about my kids at school and I have to just say "Wow!" It is amazing that they are even here and that they grow up to be big, strong, and smart. How did I ever get so lucky to have it all? This day was absolutely magical and we would have never made it this far if it weren't for our family and friends.

Presley Ann, I know you won't remember this party, but I hope that one day you see all these photos and watch the video to know that you were crazy loved by everyone!

You lil' stinker!

Seven come ELEVEN, it's a winner!

2011-04-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

We are four days shy of Presley's first birthday! Say it ain't so! I felt like the months of my pregnancy had gone by extremely fast, I only had the best gift waiting for my at the end of April. However, this first year with Presley has escaped me. I wonder if I really took it all in? Will I forget some of the most precious moments I have had with her?

I remember going to the hospital on Wednesday night around 8:45 and having to wait...wait? I've been doing that for nine months! I was thrilled to get this show on the road and I am not lying when I say I was excited to experience labor. It was not all I thought it would be (the needle poked in my back three times I could have done without), but it was wonderful nonetheless and I was blessed to be able birth my healthy perfect daughter. On the other hand I think Todd has been shaking in his boots since the night we went to the hospital.

It has been a learning curve for us both, but we have got this down. She wants me in the mornings to sing and dance with her and daddy in the middle of the night (wink wink) to snuggle and bury down deep into his chest. I know that she feels she is safe and protected in his arms and I hope that she always knows she will be. A binky in the mouth does not make you a bad momma, it makes you compassionate enough to know when she has had enough and needs to soothe. Safety 1st products only attract the baby to the unsafe place in your house, they would never now the edge of the credenza was sharp if you didn't plaster foam all around it. The best toys are the ones in the kitchen drawer. Grandparents are the best babysitter/nurse/playmates. No amount of sanitizer and wipes will keep your baby from catching a virus, that's what insurance is for. No matter how much of a fool you may feel like, she loves when you preform. If your gut was a real person it would be a publisher, editor-in-chief, and be an MD, because the books, magazines and doctors don't know squat when it comes to "your" baby. You'll loose the weight when you loose the weight. No drop, pill, or DVD is going to make it come off; except your "new self."

Yes, this year was a learning experience. Todd and I never realized that our patience would be tested to all outer limits, that sleep deprivation actually gives you some crazy energy, that middle of the night cries mean big trouble with a baby that has slept through the night since two months (don't grumble we set out to have that baby sleep trained as soon as possible), that a dog was meant to mop the floor of a self-feeding infant, that bedtime routine is something to rock-paper-scissors for, and learning that your heart can double in capacity. It takes a lot of love to get through the first year. Love for your family, love for your baby, and love for your spouse. There is not another man or lil' girl that I would rather love than these two.

Presley Ann, as your first birthday quickly approaches take it easy on momma and daddy. Slow down just a little bit so that we can remember all the wonderful things you are today, let me look at you a little bit longer with avocado all over your face and banana in your hair, let me brush your golden strands of hair just one more time, and let me tell you for the 101th time today that you are my precious baby and I love you the most.

Perfect Ten

2011-03-31T20:38:00.000-07:00

We are almost there, yes we have embarked on our 11th month and we are less than 30 days from Presley Ann's first birthday. But, I don't want to get ahead of myself there is still so much to celebrate and enjoy in those 30 days... I don't want my baby growing up.

Presley entered into her 10th month with a double ear infection, something the nurse kept telling me was just a cold. Call it mother's intuition, but I knew my baby had more than a cold. We began our rounds with bubble gum flavored amoxicillin which Presley enjoyed very much and within ten days she was feeling much better. Fast forward 48 hours later and the kick off to my Spring Break and we had a sick baby again! The ear infection had not healed and I was a sad momma. That would make two of my extended vacations from work with a sick baby. With a new medicine in hand we healed over the weekend and began our week of mommy and baby dates. We bolted out the door the first day of Spring Break to enjoy our newly purchased members of the zoo pass. Presley loved it! The zoo was packed with kids enjoying the nice weather and besides people watching, Presley enjoyed looking at all the animals too. Some of her favorites included the giraffe (Sophie in real life), brightly color frogs of the rain forest, and the hip-hip hop-hip-pop-anonymous (hippopotamus). At first she didn't know what the large-mud covered animal was, then I recited a line from one of her favorite books When You're Not Looking:

Hippos like to calmly wallow,

Knee-deep in a muddy hollow.

But when they want to feel divine,

they climb the tress to swing from vines.

...when you're not looking!

Right after I said that she looked at me, the hippos, and then pointed! I said, "Yes Hippos!"

We made our way around the zoo and because she had behaved so well I took her for a ride on the train. The breeze blowing in through her hair and the tooting of the horn was the best part. I like to think to myself that she told all of her babies that night about the fun day we had at the zoo.

The rest of Spring Break we continued to get over the ear infection and attempted several play dates and outings that were later canceled because of either a fever or bad weather. That was okay with us because Presley could find better things to do like hang out in a drawer or the dog crate. I do not encourage either, she just like small spaces right now.

It was time for me to go back to work and I was sad to leave my baby, we had had such a great week together (though I felt I needed a vacation from my vacation since we dealt with late nights, early mornings and lots of crying from ear pain). I knew it wouldn't be much longer until I would be home with her for the summer and we would be able to spend several afternoons at the zoo and exploring her new world.

Presley Ann has grown so much over these past few months. From babbling to actually saying new words (momma, dog, duck, ut-o, dada), playing funny games (in and out), cruising all around the house, sliding to get out of a chair, and even experiencing the cutting of even MORE teeth. I want to freeze her, keep her just this way forever.

Loving Pop-pa

2011-02-26T21:31:00.000-08:00

It's been three years since my dad past away and anyone whoever said it gets easier with time lied. Sure the day to day is better, but you find yourself at very special moments in your life wishing he was there to celebrate or share the joy with you.

Presley Ann sometime reminds me so much of him. From the way her deep blue eye just shimmer when the light hits them just so, to the deep cupids bow above her upper lip. I know that they would have been the best buddies ever and I just hope that for the rest of her life I will be able to show her all the experiences he would have. I know one of the first things that I will do when she is really able to understand and take her to a Cardinal's game and buy her her first baseball hat! Then, I will teach her to be a fish in water, I will have to drag her out of the pool. I'll show her how to cook the biggest breakfast and appreciate classic rock music. She may never really like football, but she will long for the smell of fallen leaves and cold air; a true indication that fall has arrived (my favorite season). She will know how to wash and detail her own car, nothing makes your more proud than to drive your freshly washed car. She will know to be kind to friends, do what is right, and be honorable.

That'll be Pop-pa's girl!

Loving Pop-pa and missing him today.

Nine Divine Months

2011-02-26T17:48:00.000-08:00

It's been a month full of snow days and I have enjoyed all the extra time with my lil' darling. She is still a busy little girl. She pulls up on anything and everything that she can, pulls out and down whatever is on the table or in a drawer, and talks all the time. Todd caught her the other day saying "ball" and whenever she finds her dalmatian puppy she grabs it, gives him a big kiss, and says "dog." The best might be at bath time when she grabs the duck and says "dddddddduck" She really likes the sound of "d."

We had my nephew's 2nd birthday this month and it was a ton of fun to see the babies together. It is extremely hard to believe that it has been two years since my mom, green grandma, and I blazed the trail to Kansas City in the middle of a rainstorm. We all wanted to make certain that we were there for the precious arrival of Max!

We get to see each other about once a month, but I wish we could do it more often because the babies are more attuned to each other and love playing together. It makes me look forward to the days when they can play together and maybe even cause a little trouble.

Presley is on the move and wants to walk, but is lacking the core strength to hold herself upright. Recently there was a news report on the importance of tummy time, which as a teacher I am more than aware of the need for tummy time. Therefore, I am perfectly content with her taking her sweet time and building up her upper body strength and leaving walking for when her body is really ready.

Presley had her 9 month check up and though her chubby lil' cheeks and thighs would make you think otherwise she came in at 19 lbs. 5 oz. 28.75 in. The doctor was glad to hear that she was doing so well eating table food and encouraged us to keep doing what we are doing. She is not big on meat (unless it is a chicken nugget and I don't want to start that habit) or many vegetables other than carrots, but she sure does l.o.v.e her fruit and waffles. That girl has ate more waffles in the past month than I have in my entire life!

I am proud, I rejoice, and I am appreciative of the small things....she is the reason I am all these things!

She's Going to be a Beauty Queen

2011-02-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Momma

2011-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Last year I trudged through the snow and ice to get to Garbo's to celebrate my 26th birthday, I was 27 weeks along and feeling great. I remember being surrounded by friends and family and wondering if I would ever be able to do this again with a little one on the way? Fast forward a year later and I was able to celebrate with just friends and family the weekend before my birthday thanks to Nana's generous babysitting offer. Then on my birthday I woke up to a foot of snow and a blizzard in progress. Not quite what I was hopping for on my birthday, but I was snowed in and I couldn't think of anyone else that I would want to be snowed in with other than Presley Ann.

I spent the day in my PJ's till noon, took a long peaceful shower, played and played some more with Presley and then rocked her quietly to sleep. It was a blissful birthday!

She's a lot cutier on the outside!

Eight is Great

2011-01-23T13:24:00.000-08:00

Presley Ann's eighth month has been an adventure, the only other thing that could add more to the month is if she cut more teeth (which wouldn't surprise me). She was kinda crawling right after Christmas, but now she is full throttle. That includes crawling into the kitchen to dump the doggie bowl, into the laundry room to turn over a basket, and into the office to get the dog bone.

After we mastered crawling we started to pull up. It absolutely amazes me that it takes all of one afternoon for them to go from being on the floor to upright and moving around. She loves pulling up on anything and in return we have had a lot of bumps and bruises on her forehead. Here are some of my favorite pictures of her pulling up and what was on the other side.

I had a slightly unexpected snow day last week, so Presley and I spent the day just hanging out and doing chores. She likes to help cook and clean, except she does more tasting that cooking and more exploring than cleaning. When Todd got home we took Presley for a spin (or a slide) down the driveway courtesy of the twins down the street that let us borrow their saucers. Presley likes the snow, but she doesn't like it when it touches her.

We even got invited to our first birthday party. Our friends the Willmeth's celebrate the 3rd birthday of their little girl Brooke Raeleigh at Springfield Gymnastic and it was a ton of fun for Presley. She liked being able to crawl around everywhere and everyone and really enjoyed watching all the older kids. We even got an adorable party favor (a little lady bug necklace with her name on it) and had strawberry cake--YUM!

We started eating our vegetables with our fingers these past few weeks. Presley was getting really good at picking everything up with her fingers, so I thought it was time to put that new skill to good use. The first few attempts was extremely messy, but she is getting much better and it makes dinner time fun and enjoyable again. Todd and I get to eat dinner sitting down, talking, with Presley Ann there too. No stop and go feeding, mom takes a bite, Presley takes a bit, dad picks up sippy cup, repeat.

It am in awe of how fast she is growing up. I cannot believe next weekend she will be 9 months old! How did this happen? I thought I just brought home my pint size little love and now she is huge and smart, but she is still my little love.

Holy Cannoli

2011-01-02T13:17:00.000-08:00

Today we are on day 6 of being sick, Momma and Dadda included, but I think I finally figured it out. I was taking the dog toy out of Presley's mouth (a daily event in our house) and I saw somthing white. "Oh great, paper!" I thought. Nope, two MORE TEETH! That makes four teeth in the past two months. She is going to be eating steak by her first birthday if she doesn't slow down.

The Christmas tree and decorations are down, the floors are moped and vaccumed of anything she could possibly put in her mouth (fingers crossed) and I am back to work tomorrow. Looks like our little Momma-Baby vacation is over. At least until March!

Lucky Number Seven

2010-12-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it has been a lucky month or not. We began the month with an assumed stomach bug, but it ended up being her two front teeth--just in time for Christmas!

Presley Ann celebrated Thanksgiving out at the Bennett family farm and was even allowed to have a little bit of mashed potatoes--YUM! On Thanksgiving day she began this whole snorting thing whenever she laughedor smiles at someone. It is absolutely hilarious and her cousin Chris can make her do it best.

We ventured out the day after Thanksgiving to pick up a video camera, best purchase ever. I love pretending like we are part of a TLC film crew documenting all the small moments in Presley's life. We have caught her crawling a few times, she will go about three to five crawls and the sprawls out on her belly to army crawl. Nonetheless, if you put her down and walk away she's coming after you!

We had our family photos taken at the first part of December by a friend of mine Meg White (Matrone). She recently moved back to Springfield from Alabama and has a small photography business. We loved our experience with her and the way the photos turned out, I cry just about every time I look at them because they captured the essence of the whole day---a cuddly family (it was freezing outside that day).

Christmas was extremely special for Todd and I this year. We celebrated for three whole days with family, but it was the best early Saturday morning with just the three of us. Presley of course didn't know too much about what was going on, all she really knew was that there was lots of paper and string to play with. I tried my best to soak it all up, I didn't want to forget the funny things that her and Max did at Nana's house, her adorable little Christmas outfits, and the way my heart sank just watching her with Todd. I also got one of the greatest presents ever, a little blue box! Yep a Tiffany's bracelet to commemorate my first Christmas as a momma.

After all the celebration we woke up on Monday with a 102* fever, oh my word! She has never had a fever before and it has been horrible. I feel so sad for her, she's uncomfortable, she is plugged up, and just wants to be held (which I am more than willing to get in extra cuddle time). The doctor said the words that I hate to hear even for myself, "It's just a virus and it will have to run it course for 3-5 days." That means no quick fixes. Thank goodness I have this week off from work so that I can just be here with her, this would be even harder if I was trying to go to work.

I am so emotional these days when I think about her and how amazing it is that she is even here, we are truly blessed to have such a spirited and healthy little girl. I think a little bit of the emotion also stems from the fact that in four months my baby is going to be 1! How does that happen?

Here she is fresh out of the bath with a dose of Motrin! Doesn't act like she is sick at all, does she?

Six One Way Half a Dozen the Other

2010-11-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

One way or the other our lil' girl is growing up. We've made it to six months and she has really blossomed! We began our month with Halloween, Presley attended her first of many Spooktaculars with our good friends the Willmeth's. We also took her with the family to trick-or-treat with her cousin Max, Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Culley and Aunt Amy, and Nana Crocker. Presley tried to dig deep into the candy bowl, but I had to tell her not this year.

We didn't make up to Columbia to celebrate Homecoming, but Presley was rooting the Tigers on to victory against OU. MIZ-ZOU!

Presley is really on the move these days. Some of her favorite days are spent jumping in her Baby Einstein jumper--she goes nuts! Strolling around the house in her walker to see what's cookin'. Or--drumroll please---getting up on her hands and knees and rocking. We are inching closer and closer to her crawling, therefore Todd and I are going to brave the shopaholics holiday to get a camcorder so that we are able to document her first scoots across the floor. She's also has the best friend and girl could ask for, Peyton James. They are buddies and spend dinner time licking dinner off of eachother and squealing loudly (PJ from getting his ears pulled and Presley with delight!)

This Thanksgiving Todd and I are thankful for the blessing called Presley Ann. She has brought so much joy and laughter to our lives and we are thankful each day for happy, healthy, rosy cheeked lil' girl.

5 Golden Months

2010-10-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

Presley Ann is 5 months old! and she is doing it in true Crocker-Bennett fashion. She started off with a small cold that took an emotional toll on me. I hated her not being herself and feeling bad, it wasn't that bad it was just a runny nose with no fever, but she was waking up three times a night and that is so unlike her. I melted in tears for about a week straight at work---needless to say it was a devastating. But there was a catalyst for the runny nose and cranky behavior----TEETH and two of them at that! She started to cut one and about five days later we noticed there was another right there beside it on the bottom. Therefore, she has been chewing and chewing and slobbering and slobbering on everything. It's pretty cute in my opinion.

She has also discovered her voice---lots of yelping with bubbles and sputtering that follows. She really is quite the charming lil' girl.

We also had a little falling out with our photographer this month. I signed up for a photo package from Lamb portrait before Presley was even born. The deal was to get her photos taken at birth and every three months there after that. I told that we would take the pictures, view them within a week or so, order, and receive the photos about 3-4 weeks after the session. WELL...each session we did not receive the pictures until she was almost the next trimester old. Needless to say Presley will not being fulfilling her contractual agreement because I am just sick that it takes so long to get her pictures and that I can't share them with our family and friends in a timely fashion. Lamb portrait takes great photos, but what is the point when I am looking at a picture of my baby at 3 months old when she is nearly 6 months now?

The search begins for a new photographer to photograph our family for a Christmas card---yes we will be that family that sends a card with us happily strolling through the leaves. We've earned it and I want nothing more than to share my lovely family with our friends and family.

Keep posted and be looking for your Christmas card in the mail!

Four!

2010-09-05T18:49:00.000-07:00

Just had to put a play on words in this month's post. So what has been happening lately? Well everything of course. Presley is still on the ball with this rolling thing and we have found a new toy, they are called toes and they taste mmmmm mm good! Todd and I both attempted this feat and it didn't work out in our favor, wonder why?

Presley Ann has also begun to enjoy some time in her bouncer. At first she didn't know what to think of it, her feet wouldn't reach, and I think that frustrated her (I know how you feel lil' lady). Look at her now! She loves the piano that lights up. Speaking of, how much do piano lessons cost? She might just turn out to be the next Mozart. We also had to invest in a playyard because she began rolling over, over, and over again and pumped her head--several times.

My friend and roommate from college just welcomed their first into the world August 30th. Trevor Burk White was 7 lbs. 11 oz. and healthy as a horse. Michelle had a difficult pregnancy, she was on bedrest for 13 weeks and battled diabetes the entire time. As soon and Trevor was born her blood sugar returned to normal and she was an extremely happy camper once she had a Mountain Dew and hot dog.

Presley also had her baby welleness check up with more SHOTS! Boo, but I will let you all know her stats later.

Growing like a weed, but as beautiful as a flower. This is my lil' girl Presley Ann:

Apples, Books, and Crayons

2010-08-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

Yes, it has finally arrived...SCHOOL! That also means that it is time for Presley to go to "school". Presley started going to the sitters' house this past Monday and has done really well each day. Miss Terri does all the things that Presley loves like riding in the car and talking. She talks to all the kids in the van on their way to and from morning practices and then takes a cat nap or two in Miss Terri's arms. It really does make Todd and I feel so much better about leaving her knowing that she is happy and safe.

As for her three month milestones she is beginning to really roll around, this is proving to be difficult when it comes to putting a diaper on. She is also grabbing anything and everything and it all goes straight to her mouth. So if you come to visit her just know that whatever is on you is fair game and will probably get drool on it. Oh the drool is new too and there is lots of it. She loves to stand, push with her legs, army crawl (without actually making any progress), and attempt to put her entire fist in her mouth--comical to watch. The biggest advancement this month would have to be that we started cereal and she loves it--most of the time. She was a hungry girl and eating 9 times a day so I pleaded with her pediatrician and they said "She's hungry, let her eat!" and so we did.

We wrapped up our summer time together by visiting a friend of mine that I made in yoga and her little girl. Presley and Kenley were born about two months apart, but were strikingly similar at birth---sista' from another mother maybe? When we arrived to see the new baby Kenley reached out to hold hands with Presley and they just smiled and cooed at another. It was the sweetest thing and I swear that these girls have known each other since they were in the belly.

We also attended our first Slip and Slide party at our friends house. Though Presley didn't slip nor slide, she did enjoy a nice dip in the shallow pool at the end to cool off. She loves water and looks too cute in a swimmysuit (that's what I call it). It makes me really excited for next summer when we can actually go to the pool.

I am really going to miss spending the entire day with Presley, she is tons of fun to be with and watching her explore her world and discover it makes me tear up. No one ever told me or I just wasn't listening when they said you will be amazed and swell with pride when it comes to your child. I suppose it is now time to share this wonderful little bundle with the rest of the world.

I can't help but count the days until Thanksgiving Break when I get to be with her for more than just the weekend.

Three Years and a Lil' Lady

2010-07-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Though this maybe a play on words from the hit 1990's movie staring Ted Danson it couldn't be more fitting for our lives these days. Three years ago Todd and I met under a white gazebo in Jamaica and exchanged vows with the ocean as our backdrop. It was a beautiful despite the 100 degree weather at ten in the morning. I remember not being nervous at all just in a hurry to get there so that I could marry Todd--this was a hard feat considering most Jamaicans are on Jamaican time. I remember arriving for my hair appointment about ten minutes early (standard here in the states) and tapping my foot impatiently for twenty-five minutes. Regardless of how the day began it ended with Todd and I lying next to each other on the beach, a cold drink in our hand, and a shiny wedding band on the other.

Three years later we are no longer just two, but three---a family. Presley couldn't be more of a lil' lady these days. She laces her fingers together and gently lays them across her her chest while she eats, followed by and extremely loud belch and a polite little smile. She has brought more joy and laughter to our marriage and makes me feel complete.

Three years ago it began with a smile and a kiss and ended like this

Happy Anniversary!

Two Months....

2010-07-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

It has felt like a horse race this month and Presley is in the lead! We ended last month with a short trip to Kansas City to visit Aunt Jennifer and Cousin Max before we jogged over to Cameron for Todd's family reunion. There, Presley got to meet her new cousin Alex that is 5 months old and she kindly shared her play mat with him after lunch.

Carolynn (Lee's Sister) hosted the event and was all about Presley. The two shared secrets in the bedroom and had girl talk for about 5 minutes straight. Presley did EXTREMELY well on the long car rides, she slept the entire way up and back. I don't know how much longer she will be able to hold out however, we might be buying our time on quiet car rides to northern Missouri (please make through MU football season?!)

As for the developmental milestones this month Presley has made new friends..yes a monkey, fish, and frog. Todd's good friend from college (Chad Jansen) sent us an item that was not on our registry, but he swore by it. He was right! She loves this lit up sound machine. She garbles and coos at the animals and really gets excited when I sing along with the melody.

Presley has been working out too. Reaching and grabbing for rings, doing baby push-ups, mountain climbing (or just on the floor and our stomachs), swimming (watch out Michael Phelps)as well as---drum roll please---rolling! She has done it both ways now on her own. It is still not a common occurrence in our home, nonetheless we are extremely proud of her.
We also had to endure something I have dreaded since the day she was born....SHOTS! I swear it, I even had it in my birth plan to wait to give her the Vitamin K shot till after she met me because didn't want her first thoughts about me to be literally painful. Presley went to her two month check up and I am happy to report she is as healthy as a horse. Here's her stats:

11 lbs. 7 oz.
23 1/4 in.
75% tile for height and weight
Meeting all milestones

The shot part you ask? I did more crying leading up to the appointment than I actually did that day. Todd was there for moral support and he really thought that he was going to be the one that would have to hold her hand and embrace me afterwards, but I did really well. I held Presley and loved on her so much after she got poked THREE times :( Shots are the necessary evil in my book and with as much research and reading that I did leading up to the day all my fears and anxiety dissolved after she made it through the weekend fever free and happy.

SHOOOOOOOO! What a month it has been. I am a glutton for chaos can't wait for next month!

Being Mom and Dad

2010-06-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my wonderful mom (Nana) Todd and I were able to get out of town for 24 hours to St. Louis.
Months ago I bought tickets to the St. Louis vs. A's game for his birthday/Father's Day. It was hard work getting out of town, but once we were on the road it all came back to me---that is how to just be a wife.

I have read in several of my magazines and doctor books that it is hard work getting back into the groove of being with just your spouse sometimes and I always thought---ahh not us!? It really is tough. It took 45 minutes for Todd and I to get the conversation rolling in the car, never mind just sitting next to each other in the front seat seemed foreign. Typically one of us is in the back on binky patrol.

Once we arrived in St. Louis we were well on our way to an enjoyable weekend filled with hot dogs, nachos, and a few Bud Lights. It took me back to about a year ago when Todd and I were talking about starting a family and "living up" our last summer "together." I am so glad to know that after this weekend we can still "live it up together" as husband and wife and mom and dad. It's a different kind of fun and it takes a lot more work to clear your mind and focus on just the two of us, but I feel it is well worth the effort.

I love Todd dearly as a husband and now as a father to Presley. What a wonderful man for Presley to have in her life; the perfect model of how a man should treat her and believe in her, just the way Todd has me.

I am glad that we were able to celebrate his first Father's Day together just the way he would have wanted it:

The Cardinals and Presley!

Love you Big Papa!

It's only been a month...

2010-06-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Presley is growing so fast, weighing in at a little over 10 lbs. and 22 in. she is our "lil' butterball."
Todd describes this past month as evolving. Presley grows so fast and learns new things everyday and just when her daddy and I think we've got her figured out she goes and changes on us again.

I would have to say that one of the most special milestones this month was the morning that she smiled at me when I said good morning to her. It absolutely melted my heart and the more and more she smiles and coos the more reassuring motherhood becomes.

You go so long with little to no repsonse from your child:
* I massaged you after a bath, do you like it? No response
* Yum lunch...is it good? No response
* Good morning! Straight face

Now she and I can chat all day long! I love it!

I also go these stickers called Picky Sticky, you put one of these decals on a onsies once a month and ta da! Watch your baby grow!

I am looking forward to all the next major milestones like rolling over and a small attempt at crawling maybe by the end of the summer!

Our First Week

2010-05-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

We have had a wonderful and tearful first few weeks with Presley Ann. The first night was all that we expected, up every hour to eat and cry a little, before she would nuzzle down into our arms. I knew that babies slept a lot, but this girl would have slept all day if I would have let her. We went to Presley's pediatrician Dr. Steele about 5 days later and she had gain 4 ounces already, what a chunk! I dread the two month check up because they informed us this is when they will get their first round of shots--ouch!

Todd went to Minneapolis this week and was gone for three nights, when he came home on Wednesday after midnight I was so glad to see him, I kissed him, and then looked him square in the eye and said, "Don't ever leave me with a two week old that long again."

We have realized that being a parent is hard work, it's not like we weren't aware of what would happen, but living it out is a different story. The bad days have been greatly out numbered by the good days and watching her grow and change each day makes it all worth it.

It still strikes us when we look at her or put her down at night that she is all ours! We get to keep her forever!

First day: Bath, clean diaper, nap--not too bad

Momma and Presley trying on hair bows

Our friends the Gredell's---first visitors with dinner.

Introducing PJ to Presley---he is adjusting well

First doctors appointment--she had gain 4 ounces and was told she was extremely healthy

Visiting El Taco our favorite, but after a battle of soiled diapers and throwing up I don't think I will eat it again and nurse.

Presley LOVES bath time, I think it is because I took a bath every night when I was pregnant.

She looks so small in our big bed, but still takes up so much room.

Nana and Presley on Mother's Day

The new Bennett Family on Mother's Day

Momma and Presley. My first Mother's Day

Mom and me on Mother's Day

Green Grandma, me and Presley, and Brown Grandma on Mother's Day
Ma Bennett and Presley

Presley Ann Arrives

2010-04-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

April 29th 2010 will now be a very special day in our home. Presley Ann Bennett graced us with her arrival at 2:17 p.m.

Todd and I came to the hospital around 9 p.m. the night before to be induced with a cervical ripening agent. I went from 0.5 cm, to 2.0 c.m within about 4 hours. They decided to give me another dose of the ripening agent around 4 a.m. then the contractions began to get a little worse and I woke up Todd and told him I needed him to just hold my hand. Turns out I needed a lot more than that, within the hour the contractions were so bad (5 in a row with no breaks and very high) I begged for an epidural that took about an hour and a half to get (I don't like waiting).

Once I got the epidural though I was a happy camper, I even offered to share my orange popsicle with Todd. From 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. I moved from 4 cm to 8 cm, my WONDERFUL support nurses (Summer Azeez--Linda's daughter in-law, Kegan, and Kim) let me rest for about an hour and then I was at 10 cm +2 and ready to push.

I didn't know how I would do having Todd right there in my ear coaching and cheering, I never did picture him being the kind that turn it into a sporting event of sorts, but he was the best. Telling me how impressed he was and what a good job I was doing. Never once did he say anything along the lines of "I know this is bad" or "yah I feel the same way," he knew I was the only one that could feel this amount of pain and pressure to "birth" a child.

After three long, very tiring hours, we finally had our little girl!

Daddy Cut the cord and was so proud to do so!

7 lb. 2 oz. 20.5 in

Everyone has been telling Todd and I for months about how special this day is going to be and I feel that we knew good and well what was in store for us. In all honesty I don't think we had any idea of how miraculous this would be. I was so proud and in love the moment I saw her and the whole time I pushed, sweat, grunted, and just felt exhausted I kept going because I knew my little girl needed me to do so.

It still surprises me when I look at her to know that she is ours, that they are going to let us take her home when the week is over, and that she is the result of love, patience, and true bliss.

Bennett Family First Photo

April 29, 2010

Waiting.........

2010-04-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and we have made no progress since last week....disappointing I know! We only have to hang in till the 29th, Dr. Lehnert said if she does not come on her own that we will go in on Wednesday night for a cervical balloon, stay the night, and then start pitocin Thursday morning. Though I did not plan to have the tail end of pregnancy so thoroughly planned out, I have come to accept that whatever is best for me and the baby will just have to be done.

This really makes me begin to wonder what kind of personality she is going to have. Will she be a home body? Stubborn? Hard to get out of bed in the morning? Always late (like her mother)? I may be reading into it too much, but I feel like she has developed such a personality already I can't imagine how this isn't part of it as well.

Keep posted and no later than Friday the 30th we will have pictures and an update of lil' Missy!

We are Ready!

2010-04-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

With only two weeks left we are so ready for this lil' girl. I do not have a lot of patients when it comes to something that is really exciting, so these past few weeks have been torture!

However we finally finished the nursery. I was just waiting for all the final details to be nailed up. I love her little room and just sit in there sometimes rocking. It's so quiet and serene--that won't last long.

I found the bedding online and was able to then style the room around that. I have one final piece to hang up after her arrival--it's her initials, but we are waiting to reveal those initials.

The black and white paintings above her crib were done by Krista Mello my art teacher at Willard Central. She did a great job, I just said I want black and white, a little girl with a ponytail, and birds. Ta da---two beautiful original paintings!

Keep posted for lil' missy's arrival---we will post pictures and an update when she arrives.

Crib and art work.

Todd put a really sweet baseball on top of her dresser and we have already started her piggy bank. The Lazy-boy is super comfortable and I can't wait to rock and read books to her.

Daddy working on her bouncer.

April Showers bring April Babies

2010-03-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to fabulous friends and family this little girl is going to be set! We have several showers over the next few weeks given by family, friends, and co-workers. It is amazing the amount of love and support Todd and I feel with the much anticipated arrival of our first.

1st shower hosted by: Becky Crocker, Connie Snider, Momma, and Ashley Snider

The arrival may be sooner than later than we expected though, I went to my first weekly appointment today and was told that I was "effaced" and that she was head down-face down. A good way to be, or so I am told. The doctor said something along the lines of maybe about 3 more weeks which puts me about 2 weeks ahead of my due date. Needless to say I went home and began packing a suitcase, I just don't want to be caught off guard!

Keep posted over the next few weeks, I plan on posting pictures of her nursery and more photos from our baby showers.

Liz Gredell was the hostess for my girlfriends shower

All my girlfriends

32 Weeks

2010-03-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

Wow! We only have 8 weeks left, it has flown by. I feel like it was literally last month when I told everyone we were expecting that was August and this is March!

Todd and I made it through Lamaze and parenting class just fine. The cold afternoons made it easier for me to get up and go, but Todd still dreaded missing out on Sunday's. All in all we are glad that we went and feel just a little more prepared for the arrival of this baby. Todd and were sitting together the other night and we just sighed, we have 8 weeks left but there is something going on every Saturday for the next 6 weeks. It makes me a little nervous to think that the small amount of time we have left together will be devoured up with parties, family, and last minute errands. I guess this is what prepares you for the go go go lifestyle with babies.

Wish us well and keep posted for photos of our showers and the nursery!

26 Years

2010-02-01T19:41:00.000-08:00

Today is my 26th birthday and I have celebrated all weekend, but there is one thing that I felt like I kept forgetting to celebrate. The fact that I have made it 7 months without any complications, I have had an extremely healthy pregnancy, and that I have a husband that grows just as eager everyday to meet this lil' girl.

Yes, turning 26 isn't quit the milestone. However, there is something to be said for how far I have come in these 26 years. I know I will look back on today and I say something along the lines of, "I was so young and naive of all that was to come." Either way this has been a spectacular birthday and I can't wait to celebrate the next one with a sweet lil' girl on my hip and my husband by my side.

A New Year a New Baby

2009-12-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

Todd and I made it through the holidays and my Christmas break. It included a quick trip to St. Louis to watch the Mizzou vs. Illinios game and a late night downtown (I wasn't cut out for all the fun and had to be put to bed around 12:30). Then a three hour drive in the rain back to Springfield for Christmas Eve and Nanna Crocker's house, Christmas afternoon at Ma and Pa Bennett's, Saturday with Kim and Carl, then a Sunday afternoon we wrapped up painting the nursery! We even made it to a Blue and Gold game to watch Hillcrest defeat Moutain Grove (in real Crocker fashion) Woosh! We felt really busy, but took it all in knowing that this was the last Christmas break that it would be just the two of us.

23 weeks

New Year's Eve, here we go 2010!

I some times sit and just stare wondering what life will be like in a year? In my daydream I envision rising early to feed and play followed by a little mommy time to wrap up a chore at home, then off to lunch with daddy, another quick errand or visit and then back to the house for a nap. I don't think it is an unrealistic vision of what next years' Christmas break will hold, but I am sure there are a few details I am missing.

Either way, we are busy at the house getting the room and all of it's parts in order so that we can make time for lamaze class, nursing class, exercising, and a little together time too---can't forget about mommy and daddy!

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

2009-12-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

Yep, even after the paper clip and Chinese calendar told me otherwise Todd and I discovered today around 11:30 that our first born will be a little girl. Todd was silent just taking it all in, he was mesmerized at what he saw on the screen. She was so beautiful: long legs, longs fingers, heart shaped face, and round eyes. I can't wait to finally meet her. It all came rushing over me and I began to cry, this was right after the nurse said that it was a girl and she asked, "Did I say something wrong?" I told her no that I was just so happy to know who "she" was. When the nurse left I looked over at Todd and he said, "I am already worried about boys." I just laughed and confessed that I was too.

I don't know how I would have felt if I would have waited until the day she was born to find out who she was. All I know is that right now neither one of us can concentrate on anything else but this little girl.

An heaven help her, she is going to have the best hairdresser and accessories in town---I am her mother and what else would you expect?

Here I am--what up momma?

2009-11-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

Ah! Yesterday was so exciting, I visited the doctor and unfortunately he had been called out three times that day and was gone for good by the time I got there for my appointment. However, Leah (nurse practitioner) was able to see me and went ahead and listened for the baby. He (we'll just pretend it's a boy) was moving about and every time we heard the heartbeat he would kick or roll over.

Then she got the sonogram machine to take a look. At first it was just the top of his head, then he turned his back on his (literally), finally he rolled over and showed us his face and a little wave---what up momma? Then he was back to his ball just showing his back.

I think it is so amazing to be able to see your baby in the womb before you even met them. It is even crazier that this baby already acts and looks like one of us. I think the little divot in his chin looks just like Todd's and being annoyed about taking pictures reminds me of Todd too. The only thing that slightly reflexs me is that he is a mover and shaker.

We go some time the first week of December to find out the sex, but we will not be revealing it to ourselves or anyone else till Christmas---HO HO HO Merry Christmas it's a ----?

15 Weeks

2009-11-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

We head the doctor tomorrow for a routine check up and I am hoping that he finally puts that tape measure over my belly. I have been waiting since I found out I was pregnant for him to measure my belly. Now, ask me in four months how eager I am to be weighed or measured and I might have a difference of opinion. Either way, we look forward to ever opportunity to see Bubba growing or to hear him having a good time!

They need to write a book about all the fun you get to have while you are pregnant--I am just in awe of all that happens each day. I always dreamed of having a family, especially when I met Todd, and now that we are starting our family I can't believe it is happening to me--I feel so lucky.

14 week 6 days

Hope for the Hooters

2009-10-18T06:54:00.000-07:00

We did it! It was freezing, but totally worth it. Early Saturday morning many supporters of breast gathered at Jordan Valley Park to walk for the Ta-Ta's. Bubba, Michelle, and several other friends made our 3.5 mile trek through downtown Springfield. My friend Michelle put together the group and raised over $725 for Breast Cancer Research--that's awesome. We had a great time and enjoyed our well deserved complimentary granola bar and water at the end.

If you know of anyone who has battled cancer or is struggling right now, be their cheerleader! Support them on their long journey or congratulate them on their strong will to live and beat this Booby Monster.

I looking for a Heartbeat!

2009-10-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

So it may be cheesy that this is a Don Johnson song title, but I couldn't help thinking of it as Todd and I strolled into Dr. Lehnert’s office last Monday. It had been a month since our last visit and we hardly even saw the lil' guy, let alone heard anything at the previous visit. I was so excited to hear the pitter-patter of his (I know I will jinx myself for calling it a him before we actually know) heart. When Dr. Lehnert placed the doppler just below my belly button I felt a rush of blood and tears----there it was, a heartbeat! 160 beats a minute--moving fast just like his mommy :)

I will have to say there are few moments in my short 25 years that I have witnessed that were incredible, moments where you freeze and do nothing but awe at the wonder of it all. I sat there just grinning ear to ear at Todd. "That's our baby!" I said.Dr. Lehnert ended the visit with a short phrase every women wants to hear, "I need you to put on 10 pounds." I replied gladly, "Whatever you say!"

Here we are now at the 3 month mark and I cannot believe it has gone by this fast. I spent the weekend cleaning out my closets--yes plural I have two that I have taken over--in order to make room for baby. I was exhausted and cranky when I was done, but I admit it and know that I over did it. Todd and I started to look through names this weekend and we did more goofing off with names than really making a dent in them. It's hard work coming up with a great name that will follow your child throughout his life!

Over the next few weeks “bubba” will be making a visit to the Cancer walk in here in Springfield and the Mizzou vs. Texas game the following weekend for homecoming. We are starting early so that he knows it is only acceptable to be a Mizzou fan in our home :)

Feeling a Little Pregnant

2009-09-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

I am at around 8 weeks right now and beginning to feel a little pregnant. My morning sickness, well it was all day, finally went away and I am beginning to feel more like myself again. Minus the ever increasing waist size. Dresses were my thing for the past two weeks, but this week I have ventured into my early fall wear and I am plesantly surprise that I can zip and button most pants---for about two hours---after that I look like I just finished eating a Thanksgiving dinner. These early weeks are a lot of fun for Todd and I. We talk a lot about making plans and what little "bubba" or "bubette" will do when they grow up. I guess the worry and anxiety hasn't set in just yet.

2009-09-09T14:41:00.002-07:00

2009-09-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

Momma and Papa

2009-09-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

I found out I was pregnant on the first day of school (August 18th). I was so thrilled and shocked that I called Todd ten minutes after he had left the house. When Todd came home I proudly showed him the three test I had taken, all lined up in a row: one pink line, one plus sign, and one blue line. For the first couple of days it was extremely hard to wrap my mind around what it was we had done, but soon after I was in full mom mode!
It has been a crazy few weeks keeping this little secret, but we are thrilled to share the news and journey with our family and friends. We hope this blog will serve as a bridge between friends and family we don't get to see often enough.

Thanks you for visiting and keep posted for updates on the Bennett Family.