Hold On For a Picture Overload!

Yesterday afternoon we had Tessa's 3rd birthday party at a local park. Given our recent 80 degree temps we were all a little surprised at how chilly and windy it was. So windy that the balloons kept popping...but perfect weather for kids running around and playing.

Tessa was so excited all day. We started the day with a special breakfast at Sophia's, then Jeremy took Charley to baby gym while Tessa and I picked up our bug cupcakes. She was so excited at the 'cupcake store', I thought she might pee her pants.

After everyone got a good nap, we headed to the park!

Tessa wanted a Sid the Science Kid party, hence the bug cupcakes

Eventually I gave up on the balloons after the wind popped like 6 of them

Tessa got a special Sid shirt to wear and I got her matching hairbows on Ebay. See me torturing her by doing her hair. Beauty is pain sister!

Tessa practiced making three fingers




The kids loved being outside on the playground

and Charley loved the balloons!


Tessa got a bike from us. We don't have a trike so I wasn't sure she'd know what to do, but she hopped right on with confidence and took off!


She kept saying "look guys, watch dis!"



Some our favorite people came to celebrate






I hid a bunch of toys around the shelter and the kids did a Sid scavenger hunt for science-like things...toy magnifying glasses, dinosaurs and bubbles. They got to keep their loot as their party favor.



Tessa picked a spider cupcake


it was so windy that the flame only held for like 3 seconds




the cupcakes were a hit, money well spent!

What kind of silly Mommy chooses the green icing to give the baby, instead of white? Oops.




thanks for all the wonderful gifts!
Mommy's first thought is reorganizing and purging some old toys to make more room. I'm a little OCD like that.


When we got home I thought she would want to ride her bike up the street but she was too tired. She did play with her new Little Mermaid bubble machine for a long time though.


Rachel tried pop rocks and couldn't get enough!




Mamaw and two of her great grandkids


A perfect day was had by all!

Tessa's 3rd bday Video

Another amazing video production from my husband, capturing Tessa's 2nd year. As always I'm amazed at how much she's changed and how much we've done!

Make sure your sound is on, and click the star shaped thingy to make it full screen. Enjoy!

Tessa's 3rd Birthday Video from Laura Sargent Bennington on Vimeo.

Same Shot, Different Girl

1st Birthday


2nd Birthday


3rd Birthday

Tessa's 3 Year Portraits

Simple Pleasures

This just makes me happy...drank our milk from a glass bottle and then turned it into a vase from some fresh cut lilac from the yard. Ahhhh.

Note To Self

After your baby has spent about 10 minutes grunting and straining at the dinner table, you may assume that his full diaper is the end of his efforts and it's okay to let him run around the bathroom naked during bath time.

Don't be surprised if he takes a giant poo on the floor. Laugh it off, clean it up.

You may be surprised, however, when he takes yet another giant poo on the floor. And then pees, and then laughs.

(reason #100 why we took the carpet out of the bathroom)

The Best Laid Plans

Today the older girls at Tessa's ballet school put on Swan Lake at the high school auditorium and I just knew Tessa would love it. Problem was Jeremy was on a rail car trip with Andy, and every other Charley babysitter I could think of was also already engaged.

And then I thought of Becky who never gets to do girly things in her testosterone filled household. So I invited her to take Tessa to Swan Lake while I watched Charley and David (the older boys were also riding the rails). What a great idea, and both were excited.

And now I must issue an apology to Becky for Tessa's very loud and public meltdown that occurred about an hour into Swan Lake, resulting in their leaving the show early. What came over her, I couldn't say....but apparently "I want my Mommy" was the phrase of the day. So sorry also to the patrons of Swan Lake for the apparently ear piercing interruption.

And thanks again Aunt Becky for taking her. At bedtime I asked Tessa what her favorite part of the day was and she said 'seeing ballerinas with Becky'....so she must have had fun!

Meet Poppy

I have a friend at church who is possibly the craftiest person I know. I'm pretty sure she could make anything she put her mind to. She could probably craft a fully operational car out of wool.

Well she made a little doll for her daughter that is so cute, and when Erin saw it one time she kept talking about how much she loved it. So I commissioned my very crafty friend to make us a doll!

Yesterday we went to visit Aviana and family, and surprised her with Poppy...her very own one of a kind original handmade doll.
She has wool hair and colorful clothes, and is just the perfect baby size. Tessa was very very excited to present Poppy to Aviana. She held her in the car all the way there.

Avi was so happy that she gave me a good cuddle as a thank you (that's Tessa's hair bow she was borrowing)

Avi and her new friend.

If only I were as crafty as my friend. I think I would *like* to be crafty but put no effort into doing so. Knitting, sewing and things like that both intrigue and scare me at the same time. Maybe I just need to find my medium?

Because I Couldn't Resist

Tessa's 3rd bday is right around the corner and she is getting a bike with training wheels. And she knows it too...every bike we pass she says 'my bike, for my birfday!!', even motorcycles.

I didn't need to buy anything else but couldn't resist this kid sized Ergo, which is the same carrier we use. Only $12.50! She can put dolls in it.


Here's a very unflattering picture of Tessa riding in the real thing. It's the world's best carrier by the way. It goes from infant to I think 40lbs and can be used on front, hip or back and is easy to put on.



We are having her party at a local park with a "Sid the Science Kid" theme, her favorite show. She's asked over and over for a Sid party, so that's what we'll have! I got her a Sid shirt and we'll have a scavenger hunt around the shelter house. And of course I couldn't resist these cupcakes with bugs on them (click #22): Cupcakes

I was considering getting some plastic test tubes from Oriental trading for us to make virgin jello shots, but I've run up my budget already. Oh well, I'm getting excited!

She Intimidates Me a Little

The Proverbs 31 woman, what a gal. You may have heard her referenced in your church or bible study and come to realize that she is a super-chick. She is sort of the biblical ideal of a strong wife who watches over her family.

But unlike today's soccer mom standard, I think the Proverbs 31 woman has something different going for her. She is not stressed out or taking anti-depressants. It says instead that she is 'clothed in strength and dignity' and relying on the Lord to get her through the tough times.

When I get caught up in the minutia of daily life around the house...the laundry, the diapers, the purchasing prepping cooking and cleaning up of food and more food....I try to think of the Proverbs 31 woman. She is busy busy too but takes JOY in her lifestyle, because it serves the Lord.

Those seemingly unimportant tasks are more important than I estimate and if I do them with strength and confidence that God is working in my household, I can only assume that they make Him happy.

So I will continue to strive to be like her in my own way. I wonder if she likes to watch TV as much as I do?

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her women servants.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Easter Week With Jess

How many pictures can we take in one week? Apparently about 160 when Jessie's in town and we're out and about having fun.

In Jessie's five days here we went mall shopping, out to eat, to Hobby Lobby, made Easter eggs and cookies, visted Conner Praire, worked our asses off in exercise class, visited baby Aviana, got a sitter and went out as adults, and went to the church Easter egg hunt. Whew!

Here's a photo recap of all the fun. Some have captions if you hover over the picture.

We miss her already!

Bring on the Pain

I whipped out a calculator and estimated that in his short little life, I have nursed Charley more than 2500 times. The same would go for Tessa actually since I nursed her until 14 months as well. So a personal record of 5,000 or more times.

And tonight was the last time (at least for a while that is). Charley has been nursing only at bedtime for a couple weeks now but now we are done. It was a little hard to detach him, knowing what was in store.

So today for the first time since July of 2006, I am neither pregnant nor nursing anyone. I think it will take a few days to know what to do with myself....to not be physically needed (or leached from). A new era for sure.

One thing I know for sure is that the week ahead hold pain for me. By Wednesday I'll expect to be crying and leaking, and perhaps I'll try that old wives tale by putting some cabbage in my bra.

Happy Easter!

What a great week we just had. You'll have to excuse my lack in posting as I was distracted by one of my favorite visitors, Aunt Jessie (Jeremy's sister). She was in town again all week...pictures of that to follow soon!

Yesterday we had to bid her an early farewell before heading to church for Easter service and then down south to family festivities in North Vernon. What perfect weather for some outdoor time and an egg hunt.

We ate of course...ham and fixings, deviled eggs and angel food cake. I'm hoping that the walk up to the pond and back burned all those calories, but somehow I'm doubtful.

After that is was time to hunt and play!

I know one little girl who loves playing with her baby cousins


The hiders hard at work, the more creative the better (although I was sure that Bill's shimmy up at 20 ft bird feeder was bound to land him in the NV hospital)


The hunters at the ready

After the egg hunts at preschool and church, Tessa was a pro and meant business. She was upset when it was over even though her basket was overflowing.



David liked popping them open and eating the treats


Charley preferred to stay put and have a ball with some Easter grass




Do you think she has enough?


Mom brought along some balloon rockets that were hours of fun, even for the grownups. I wonder now how Mamaw's going to get the balloons off her roof though.


Tessa and her great-Mamaw


Tessa introducing Charley to peeps. He wasn't quite sure if he liked them but he liked pulling them apart and licking them.


Three generations






Tessa played hide and seek with Ashley. She doesn't quite understand how it works but loves to play. She likes to just run around the house counting and then scream 'I see you!'


Doesn't Jeremy look kinda cool here? Ah, the art of illusion :)


David, almost 2


Later the boys went fishing at the pond while Tessa stayed in and played dollhouse