Mr. Fix It

Dawson loves to help Chad with anything that has to do with tools. He always wants to follow Chad out to the garage and then gets all excited when he sees a stack of screwdrivers. The other night Chad was putting on seat cushions that my Grandma recovered and Dawson couldn't wait to get in there!

Enjoying the Season

I love this time of year!! I couldn't wait until after Thanksgiving to start playing Christmas music. No surprise to a lot of you...our tree went up the weekend after Thanksgiving. We didn't know how Dawson would do with a tree in his play room (aka: our living room) so we decided to be safe rather than sorry. We actually put the tree up on a table, thank goodness we have vaulted ceilings. It felt a little funny at first but I'm sure it's saving me plenty of "no no's". It's the perfect height for Dawson, he'll walk under it with his arms up and it's just barely out of his reach. Here it is: Last weekend Chad and I took Dawson to a Holiday Festival at the Ferry Terminal. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were there and they have a gingerbread house contest that is amazing.

We took Dawson to the festival last year too...look how sweet and little he was!Of course Dawson had the most fun playing peek-a-boo with a wall structure.

Here is our gingerbread house. Tina was so sweet to give them to all the kids to decorate. Dawson was really into it at first but lost interest after I wouldn't let him touch too much since it all went into his mouth, maybe next year.

Unfortunately since we don't have a mantle to decorate by the fireplace I had to improvise and hang our stockings from the hutch. I'm sure Santa will still be able to find them! :)

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Baby #2

We had our 20 week ultrasound on Friday and it was amazing! Baby was cooperating and moving all around for us to see. I've been able to feel baby move since my 17th week (I didn't feel Dawson until I was 22 weeks) so it was so incredible to feel it move and then see those movements on screen. We chose not to find out the sex of the baby at the appointment. We did have the ultrasound tech write it down and put a picture of the "proof" in an envelope so if we decide to find out before the due date we can open it at a special time with just Chad and I. We are both so on the fence. At one point, we think it would be such a wonderful feeling filled with so much anticipation and excitement if we waited to find out until delivery. But of course the planner in me, and Chad being not the most patient :) just wants to know so we can be ready. Honestly, we'd be okay with either sex, especially obviously as long as the baby is healthy. I'll admit, deep down I would love to have a little girl but I now know how much fun a baby boy is and can only imagine the fun (& trouble) Dawson would have with a brother. My intuition is definitely feeling boy, in part because of my two pregnancies being so similar and it may also have a little to do with the "Bennett boy curse". We'll have to wait and see what happens. Do you think Chad and I are going to be able to make it the whole way without finding out? :)

Here are some pictures of our beautiful baby.

Big Yawn. Baby was waving to us!

Baby has all ten fingers and ten toes.

The ultrasound tech even did a couple 3-D pictures for us. Technology is amazing!

I love this profile picture with baby's arm curled up and then the other one poking out on the side of it's face.

So what do you think, boy or girl?!

Stoneyridge Farm

We took Dawson to Stoneyridge farm. He loved running around getting totally dirty and playing with all of the pumpkins. To see all of the pictures we took go to: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaNnDFo1ctmLjI&emid=sharshar&linkid=link5&cid=EMsharshar. Here is a sneak peak at a couple of my favorites and some of the "comparisons" from last year:

4 Months & Growing!

Trick or Treat

I'm a little late with the post...but Dawson's first Halloween was a lot of fun!! In the afternoon we went to Fairhaven for their big trick or treating event. We let Dawson run around and check out all the kids (and adults) in their costumes.

His rooster costume was a huge hit!

His first piece of Halloween candy-a Tootsie Roll (no, I didn't let him eat it).

In the evening we went to Lynn and Shane's new house to take Dawson and Aiden around the neighborhood.

Each time someone would open the front door Dawson tried to run in their house. I guess he is a little young to get the whole "take the candy and leave" concept.

Aiden was pushing Dawson around in the red wagon.

Hope everyone had a fun & safe Halloween!

Mardi Gras?!

Dawson got into the Halloween tote and this is how the rest of the night looked... I think this picture should win Dawson an award for "The Best Kisser Ever!"

4th Annual Pumpkin Party

We had a great time again this year with family and friends visiting, eating & carving pumpkins! This has been a really fun tradition that we want to keep up so Dawson can look forward to it every year as he gets older.

The Dinosaur & The Rooster

(Aiden & Dawson)

Cutest rooster I've ever seen!

Nate & Riley enjoying some chili...and ice.

Dad broke out the power tools to carve his pumpkin.

Pumpkins

Some of the carver's checking out their masterpieces. Tyler & Aiden wrestling.

Dad's and their boys.Happy Halloween!

Guess What....

WE'RE PREGNANT!!Surprise! Or at least it was for us. Chad and I had talked about trying to get pregnant with baby #2 once Dawson turned a year old so our kids would be close in age. When that time quickly came we (I) was starting to rethink the timing wondering if it was too soon. Little did I know I was already pregnant as we were celebrating his birthday. We found out when I was about 8 weeks. Yes, I took 3 tests because I just didn't believe it happened without even trying. I was in a bit of shock at first but now am totally thrilled and can't wait for Dawson to be a big brother. I'm 14 weeks and the baby is due on April 17. Oh, and for those of you thinking that it might be twins this time...we've already had our first ultrasound and there is only one in there (thank goodness!). Yesterday at our doctor appointment we got to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time. So exciting!

California

We went to California for a week and had such a good time. Dawson's first vacation was a huge success. It was the perfect combination of relaxing and entertainment. My mom, Grandma, Dawson and I flew down together, then Chad met us a couple days later. Dawson did unbelievably good on the flight there. He started out with a little nap and than was so content sitting on the tray table playing with toys, laughing and people watching. Unfortunately the flight home was a different story-a complete meltdown (that left me in tears also) and a poopy diaper have made us decide that we will be driving the next time.

Dawson looking out the window with Nana before take off.

Everything was so funny!

The first couple days were the most relaxing. We went to Redondo Beach one day and had lunch on the peir, went on a walk around Shari's neighborhood to see all of the cute houses and just hung out. Once Chad got there things got busier. The first night we went back to Redondo Beach to see an old car show and then have dinner at Ruby's Diner.

Dawson loved this car at the diner and had a fit when we had to get seated at our table. The next day we went to Hermosa Beach to play.

Dawson liked playing right where the water came up on the beach. He wasn't so sure when Daddy took him out into the big waves, he was holding on really tight.

Oh, and since I've been so bad about blogging (our computer was broken for awhile so I have an excuse)...Dawson is walking now. He really started on September 20 when some of his friends were over. They were all walking around and Dawson just got up and started. He did better and better but still crawled too. Right when we got to California he started walking around constantly and now is a pro.

Universal Studios

Chad and I left Dawson with Grandma, Nana & Shari for a day and went to Universal Studios. It was really nice to have a "date day" and spend time with just the two of us. Although, the whole time we talked about how much Dawson would have loved to see certain things there. First up was the Hollywood Studio Tour. We saw Jaws :)

and we went down the real set of Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives.

This is Carlos & Gabbi's house.

There was a new Simpsons ride that was really fun.

Jurassic Park was one of our favorites.

Chad had to pose with the van from Scooby Doo.

Hollywood & Laguna Beach

We met the Wantz family in Hollywood. We went to the Chinese Theater and looked at all the handprints, walked down the Walk of Fame and had a delicious lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. Then John took us on a drive through Beverly Hills, we went down Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard to check out all the high end shops-no celebrity sightings.

Chad & Dawson at Arnold Schwarzenegger

Maia at Marilyn Monroe Me at Johnny Depp

Afterwards we went to see John & Jama's new house. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures. It's such a cute little house in a really nice neighborhood. It's really close to Laguna Beach so we went down there to play, get coffee (it was a chilly night), and walk around the town.

My sweet boy walking around on the beach.

Dawson thought it was so funny when I would walk us out on the beach and then run back before the waves crashed on us.

There was an art gallery in town that we went to (I can't remember the artists name-started with a W) and it was the most amazing, beautiful paintings and sculptures focused around whales and dolphins.

Maia outside looking at the fountain. This was right outside the gallery.

We had a great day with the Wantz family and miss them already!!

DISNEYLAND

I couldn't resist....we took Dawson to Disneyland. We were not planning on going because we thought Dawson was a little young to appreciate it but I couldn't stand the thought of being so close and not going. For those of you who don't already know, Disneyland is my favorite place ever!! We had a blast! Of course Dawson won't remember any of it (a little overwhelming I'm sure) but I think he had a lot of fun.

The park was all decorated for Halloween. Princess Castle in the Magic Kingdom We took Dawson on eight rides throughout the day. This was right before we got on Dumbo.

Disney's villains were out for Halloween. Dawson met Jafar (from Aladdin), Cruella (from 101 Dalmations) and this is the witch from Snow White.

The trip would not have been complete without a visit to Minnie Mouse...

...and Mickey Mouse.

Daddy & Dawson taking a stroll down Main Street.

Jama, Maia & Ezra met us there and we all went on the Jungle Cruise together. I can not explain how jealous I am that they get to have annual passes to Disneyland-my dream! :)

The kids stopped to feed the ducks.

We took Dawson to Toon Town to play and burn off some energy.

After that my cousin picked Dawson up to take back to my mom at Shari's so Chad and I could spend the rest of the evening at Disneyland on our own and go on the big rides. We had so much fun!

Playing at the Park

Dawson and I went to play group last week and met up at Lynden City Park. It is such a great park! So much fun stuff to climb on and play with and the best part is that it's completely fenced in! These pictures don't really look like he's enjoying himself but I promise he's usually full of smiles anytime he's in a swing.

Playing Around

Sorry for not being very good at blogging lately! To be honest, we have not been doing a whole lot so there isn't much to post. With the weather getting colder we've been spending a lot more days playing inside and Chad has been busy getting the siding on the house finished up so we can hopefully paint before the weather really turns. I finally got the camera out the other day because Dawson just seemed extra cute while he was playing around...

We keep some of his little toys in these baskets and he has become obsessed with sitting in them to play. He also loves to play in the shower-it's perfect for peek-a-boo.

Making out with himself in the mirror. :)

Practicing his walking skills. He's doing good but he just needs to work on his balance.

7 and 11

Dawson's making some progress with walking! We were not sure if it would ever happen but he's finally giving it a try. He regularly takes 3-4 steps and right now his record is 7 steps. Wish him luck to keep it up and get it down soon so his mama's back isn't sore from carrying him around every night! Dawson's having no problem in the teething department. Right now he has 11 teeth including 2 molars and there are 3 more working their way through. I think my poor boy has gotten used to the pain because even though the teeth keep coming he doesn't seem to be hurting or fussy from them which is a huge relief. Here's a picture of all his pearly whites:

One Year Check-Up

Dawson had his one year check-up with the doctor on Friday. Everything went great, he behaved very well while the doctor checked him out and he is very healthy. Poor baby had to get four shots but he handled those amazingly well too. It's time to start giving Dawson whole milk instead of formula and he gets to try a lot more solid foods now that he's hit the magical "one year" mark. Here are Dawson's stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 10 oz. (25%)

Height: 30" (50%)

Head: 46 1/2" (50%)

I was really surprised that he is only in the 25th percentile for his weight! He eats so much but it goes to show how much he's burning since he's so active.

Here are a few pictures that we took in the doctor's office.

Birch Bay

We went out to Birch Bay last week and met Shane, Lynn and Aiden to play. Dawson was anxious for me to put him down and he was not afraid to get dirty! Shane & Aiden trying to build a sand castle.

Lynn and her cute pregnant belly!

Ewww...seaweed.

How cute is that face?!

This picture doesn't do justice to show how dirty Dawson was. I had to wrap a towel around him in the carseat and come home and get right in the shower with him.

Fun at the Fair

Dawson had a great time at the fair! We spent a lot of time looking at all of the animals and watching kids on the rides.

Dawson's favorite was definitely the cows!

This was Big Ben. He weighs over 3200 pounds and stands over 6 ft. tall.

Chad was fascinated by him and we had to go back to look at him about 5 times. Baaaaa

This was the only ride that Dawson went on...unfortunately he didn't meet the height requirement for everything else.

Ponies!

Dawson's first bus ride. There was a free shuttle that picked us up by Lynn & Shane's house and dropped us off at the fair.

All smiles after a fun day at the fair.