So much for getting some help from Stanford to pull the wagon!Saturday, February 27, 2010
Brothers
Many of you know that we refer to Stanford as big brother. So it is only fitting, we suppose, that he want to be a part of Benjamin's wagon rides. Stanford hops right in and the two of them are like two peas in a pod!
So much for getting some help from Stanford to pull the wagon!
So much for getting some help from Stanford to pull the wagon!
Mama's G Funk
Mama caught Benjamin sporting some interesting adjustments to his wardrobe recently-pants hanging below the diaper and one leg snugly wrapped around his knee...he better not be modeling this after any young men he's seen at the mall!Man time around the fire
Spring is right around the corner here in Raleigh and Dadda and Benjamin took full advantage of the gorgeous weather to spend some man time outside grilling and having a drink (adult beverage for Dadda, prune juice for Benjamin) next to the fire pit. Dadda is teaching Benjamin about all of the fun things they will do someday soon!
Ode to Blueberries
Sweet, dear blueberriesYou are the object of my desire
I love you more than any other nummy
I want to eat you as fast as I can
There's no need for chewing!
You make me the happiest baby birdie in the world!
Will you be here again for lunch and dinner??
A Special Valentine's Treat - Benjamin's First Steps
Benjamin took his first steps on Valentine's Day!!!
He had taken a couple of steps in late January and again in mid February but Mama hadn't "counted" them since it had just been a few seconds of excited wobbling.
But there was no mistaking it this time. Mama and Dadda arrived home from their weekend away and Benjamin walked from Mama to the coffee table a short distance away. And then, without any further practice, our little boy walked all the way across the bonus room as if he had been doing this his whole life...what's the big deal?! :)
To save you from the chaos of squeals, laughing, and loud cheering from Mama, Dadda, Gwamma, and Gwampa that was captured in the videos of his first walk, Mama decided instead to share a video of him walking a few days later right before breakfast.
We are in awe of how quickly he has mastered this new-found talent! At this rate he'll be running and jumping to his heart's content next week! :)
If only Mama could freeze time...
He had taken a couple of steps in late January and again in mid February but Mama hadn't "counted" them since it had just been a few seconds of excited wobbling.
But there was no mistaking it this time. Mama and Dadda arrived home from their weekend away and Benjamin walked from Mama to the coffee table a short distance away. And then, without any further practice, our little boy walked all the way across the bonus room as if he had been doing this his whole life...what's the big deal?! :)
To save you from the chaos of squeals, laughing, and loud cheering from Mama, Dadda, Gwamma, and Gwampa that was captured in the videos of his first walk, Mama decided instead to share a video of him walking a few days later right before breakfast.
We are in awe of how quickly he has mastered this new-found talent! At this rate he'll be running and jumping to his heart's content next week! :)
If only Mama could freeze time...
Friday, February 26, 2010
Weekend with Gwam and Gwamps
First, we have to say that Mom and Dad were right - a weekend away together WAS perfect and we are so thankful they "pushed" :)Gwamma and Gwampa had been waiting for the opportunity to take care of B overnight and Valentine's weekend turned out to be the right time.
While Mama and Dadda enjoyed a beautiful weekend tucked away in a log cabin in the mountains of VA, Gwamma and Gwampa ate up (and I do mean that literally...I was afraid no cheeks would be left when we returned!) their alone time with Benjamin. Needless to say they were in heaven!! And so was their grandson!
Thank you for all the fun Gwam and Gwamps! We LOVE you!!
PS. Gwamma, Benjamin would like you to know that he still dreams of your french toast and ghoulash
And Gwampa, each morning he asks for his coffee mug so he can sip coffee (pretend of course) while reading his bookies...just LIKE his mornings with Gwampa (see below)!
Winter Wonderland
A lot of people think tropical when they think Carolina but we're here to tell you that in North Carolina you get all four beautiful seasons INCLUDING winter! And that does include SNOW! Benjamin experienced his first snow storm last year when he was only 3 weeks old (the day President Obama was inaugurated) but this year when the snow arrived he was ready to jump right in...literally! And Dadda was ready for some fun with his make-shift sled aka garbage can lid.
His favorite part was eating the extra snowballs Dadda made that he wasn't throwing at brother Stanford!
We loved having Uncle Marky and Aunt Jess here to enjoy it with us...and we're very glad they made it out of all their crazy snow in WV!
The Boys
Dadda's favorite Saturday morning is a walk to the little corner store for creamer and a chat with the old southern gentlemen heading out to fish, all with his little boy along for the ride in his backpack. (And boy do those gentlemen love our little guy as their morning send-off!)Dadda loves this so much that Mama catches him carrying Benjamin around the house this way just for fun! :) Can you tell they like this?!
If you had these cheeks smiling and waving while riding on your back wouldn't it be your favorite thing in the world too?!
Chillin with Godfather Jimmy
Awesome Uncle Jimmy came to visit Benjamin for his first birthday; he is so lucky to have such a cool godfather! And we are SO lucky to have such a great friend!
Benjamin loved every minute of their time together - he got to show Uncle Jimmy the sights (and Uncle Jimmy got to explain to him in detail why Notre Dame far exceeds Duke University! :)) And thanks for strapping on the gear and carrying your 26 lb godson all across the campuses Jim! :)
And even though Uncle Jimmy is officially off the market (can't wait until August 20!!! :)) Benjamin was very proud to show his Uncle how he "cruises" for the ladies when we're waiting to get a table! Yep, that is Benjamin's typical pose! :)
Showing Benjamin the tastiness of bean dip with the guys was, in his mind, a definite fair trade! :)
Benjamin loved every minute of their time together - he got to show Uncle Jimmy the sights (and Uncle Jimmy got to explain to him in detail why Notre Dame far exceeds Duke University! :)) And thanks for strapping on the gear and carrying your 26 lb godson all across the campuses Jim! :)
And even though Uncle Jimmy is officially off the market (can't wait until August 20!!! :)) Benjamin was very proud to show his Uncle how he "cruises" for the ladies when we're waiting to get a table! Yep, that is Benjamin's typical pose! :)
Showing Benjamin the tastiness of bean dip with the guys was, in his mind, a definite fair trade! :)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
HAPPY 12 MONTHS OLD !! HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BENJAMIN!!
January 7, 2010 has arrived; our baby Benjamin is 1 year old today!
Mama and Dadda could not be more proud! What a year it has been and what a beautiful boy he has grown to be!
From our little hospital burrito to our big cake-eating, smiling, amazing little boy. We love you so very much!
Although it's cliche, it seems like it really was just yesterday that we were getting to know our little baby in those first few moments in our hospital room. Even then we could not have imagined how much he would change our lives for the better or how much joy he would bring us. We have loved every minute with him, yes, even through the early sleep deprivation!
Benjamin, your Mama and Dadda know you are the very best thing they have ever done and we love you forever and ever. Happy First Birthday Birdie!!
Now let the PAAARTY begin...
Benjamin celebrated in style with all of this friends and Gwamma and Gwampa who stayed an extra week just to be here. A very special THANK YOU to Gwamma for her help and guidance in helping Mama make your very first birthday cake, a choo choo train!...a project that took nearly 4 hours just to decorate! Clearly I am not concerned about setting a precedent!
ALL the time on the cake was entirely worth it when Benjamin raised his arms in triumph after those first tentative bites as if to say TOUCHDOWN! He was clearly in heaven and has since recognized a cake where ever it may be (grocery store, books, etc.).
We are thankful to all of our friends and family for enjoying this special moment with us! It will be a wonderful memory for Benjamin for all the years to come!
Mama and Dadda could not be more proud! What a year it has been and what a beautiful boy he has grown to be!From our little hospital burrito to our big cake-eating, smiling, amazing little boy. We love you so very much!
Although it's cliche, it seems like it really was just yesterday that we were getting to know our little baby in those first few moments in our hospital room. Even then we could not have imagined how much he would change our lives for the better or how much joy he would bring us. We have loved every minute with him, yes, even through the early sleep deprivation!
Benjamin, your Mama and Dadda know you are the very best thing they have ever done and we love you forever and ever. Happy First Birthday Birdie!!
Now let the PAAARTY begin...
Benjamin celebrated in style with all of this friends and Gwamma and Gwampa who stayed an extra week just to be here. A very special THANK YOU to Gwamma for her help and guidance in helping Mama make your very first birthday cake, a choo choo train!...a project that took nearly 4 hours just to decorate! Clearly I am not concerned about setting a precedent!
ALL the time on the cake was entirely worth it when Benjamin raised his arms in triumph after those first tentative bites as if to say TOUCHDOWN! He was clearly in heaven and has since recognized a cake where ever it may be (grocery store, books, etc.).
We are thankful to all of our friends and family for enjoying this special moment with us! It will be a wonderful memory for Benjamin for all the years to come!Tucson Traveler
I think this might be too cute to be considered a "carry-on"!?
Benjamin also got to share the Christmas spirit and magic with his extended family in Tucson, AZ; our little traveler made his first cross-country trip to Dadda's home town.
He got to meet his Uncle Nathan, Great-Grandma Leonardo,
Great-Uncle Michael, and cousins Sean, Linda, and Sophia for the very first time. What a special trip it was!
Benjamin loved spending time with his Nana and Grandpa John and he was in heaven getting to see all of the Christmas lights! :)
He fell in love with Ms. Sophia and they were singing together before the end of an hour! We 
have no idea how he talked her in to pushing him around in the wagon but we'll figure that out later.
Although he'll argue that it must be his iphone (which Benjamin was certainly amazed with) Uncle Nathan can't deny the fact that his nephew ADORED him! He'll be back soon to stay with Uncle Nathan!!! (Hee hee!)
It was a whirlwind adventure of visiting our loved ones, touring the desert canyon, picking 
oranges from Great-Grandma's tree, and giving lots of kisses. (That orange didn't leave his sight for 24 hours...even when he was too tired to keep his eyes open! :))
We can't wait to visit again soon.
Benjamin also got to share the Christmas spirit and magic with his extended family in Tucson, AZ; our little traveler made his first cross-country trip to Dadda's home town.He got to meet his Uncle Nathan, Great-Grandma Leonardo,
Great-Uncle Michael, and cousins Sean, Linda, and Sophia for the very first time. What a special trip it was!
Benjamin loved spending time with his Nana and Grandpa John and he was in heaven getting to see all of the Christmas lights! :)
He fell in love with Ms. Sophia and they were singing together before the end of an hour! We 
have no idea how he talked her in to pushing him around in the wagon but we'll figure that out later.
Although he'll argue that it must be his iphone (which Benjamin was certainly amazed with) Uncle Nathan can't deny the fact that his nephew ADORED him! He'll be back soon to stay with Uncle Nathan!!! (Hee hee!)
It was a whirlwind adventure of visiting our loved ones, touring the desert canyon, picking 
oranges from Great-Grandma's tree, and giving lots of kisses. (That orange didn't leave his sight for 24 hours...even when he was too tired to keep his eyes open! :))
We can't wait to visit again soon.A First Christmas!!
Oh, glorious Christmas. You have finally arrived!
Christmas 2009 was even more spectacular than we could have imagined! Sharin
g in such a special holiday (Mama's most favorite!!) with our amazing little boy was so special - Benjamin experiencing Christmas morning and all of the wonderful moments of the holiday was like experiencing it ourselves for the very first time. And we were so blessed to have Gwamma and Gwampa and Aunt Megan, and Daniel too, here to celebrate with us!
Benjamin was quite the looker in his pin-striped suit for Christmas Eve mass where he spent nearly the full 1.5 hours telling all the young ladies in our row that the candle on our aisle was "hot", "no touch".
Aunt Megan didn't need an alarm clock come Christmas morning as Benjamin woke everyone right on time (6am) to run down the stairs and find what Santa had delivered. Despite the enormous ball pit that Santa had brought (which we were certain would be the favorite) Benjamin was most enthralled with his red radio flyer tricycle. That and the lights on the Christmas tree were the best gifts
he has ever received!
Baby Benjamin is OUR best Christmas gift ever!! We can't wait to spend many more Christmases together as a family! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night... (and a happy new year while we're at it :))
Christmas 2009 was even more spectacular than we could have imagined! Sharin
g in such a special holiday (Mama's most favorite!!) with our amazing little boy was so special - Benjamin experiencing Christmas morning and all of the wonderful moments of the holiday was like experiencing it ourselves for the very first time. And we were so blessed to have Gwamma and Gwampa and Aunt Megan, and Daniel too, here to celebrate with us!Benjamin was quite the looker in his pin-striped suit for Christmas Eve mass where he spent nearly the full 1.5 hours telling all the young ladies in our row that the candle on our aisle was "hot", "no touch".
Aunt Megan didn't need an alarm clock come Christmas morning as Benjamin woke everyone right on time (6am) to run down the stairs and find what Santa had delivered. Despite the enormous ball pit that Santa had brought (which we were certain would be the favorite) Benjamin was most enthralled with his red radio flyer tricycle. That and the lights on the Christmas tree were the best gifts
he has ever received!
Baby Benjamin is OUR best Christmas gift ever!! We can't wait to spend many more Christmases together as a family! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night... (and a happy new year while we're at it :))
Meeting Santa
Who would have thought that lunch time on a random Tuesday in early December would be the most popular time to meet Santa? Well, in Raleigh, apparently it was!
A big thank you to Gwamma and Gwampa who stood in line with Mama and helped entertain little Benjamin for more than 2 hours! The wait was worth it as Benjamin, rather than crying or being scared of the man in the red suit, acted as though he had found his dearest long lost friend. He sat and chatted with Santa as though they had known each other for years. He even offered him one of his most prized possessions (a travel size shampoo bottle).
Benjamin is VERY excited for Christmas when Santa will visit his house!!
A big thank you to Gwamma and Gwampa who stood in line with Mama and helped entertain little Benjamin for more than 2 hours! The wait was worth it as Benjamin, rather than crying or being scared of the man in the red suit, acted as though he had found his dearest long lost friend. He sat and chatted with Santa as though they had known each other for years. He even offered him one of his most prized possessions (a travel size shampoo bottle).
Benjamin is VERY excited for Christmas when Santa will visit his house!!HAPPY ELEVEN MONTHS!!
Our birdie is 11 months old! Not only will he celebrate his first Christmas in a few weeks but our next Happy Birthday wish will be for the grand 12 months - 1 YEAR OLD!
We'd like you to note that the monthly sign is no longer safe sitting peacefully next to our little guy - now Dadda has to hold it up only milliseconds before the camera clicks otherwise the paper is a goner! :)
HAPPY ELEVEN MONTHS to our beautiful boy! Mama and Dadda love you more than anything!
We'd like you to note that the monthly sign is no longer safe sitting peacefully next to our little guy - now Dadda has to hold it up only milliseconds before the camera clicks otherwise the paper is a goner! :)HAPPY ELEVEN MONTHS to our beautiful boy! Mama and Dadda love you more than anything!
So much to be THANKFUL for!
Benjamin's first Thanksgiving was fabulous! In true Messmer tradition, Benjamin was welcomed in to the Thanksgiving chaos we have all come to know and love - 19 people (that's not a typo!) and two dogs all staying in the Messmer house - eating, laughing, passing gas, watching football, and enjoying the glorious madness that is a Messmer Thanksgiving!
Mama couldn't resist using his first turkey day as yet another excuse to dress him up...and although the canoe was cute, how could we not put him in the roasting pan for more photos?! He was more edible and delicious than any turkey! :)
Benjamin was also welcomed in to the "turkey bowl" tradition and bundled up to cheer on his Dadda, Uncle Marky, and cousin Tommy (ok and maybe Uncle Marky's friend Mark :)) while they tried to burn off all the yummy Thanksgiving pies!
Ok, so maybe the leaves were more interesting than the game! :)
How crazy will it be when someday he is out there playing and his Uncles are watching?! :)
Happy FIRST Thanksgiving Benjamin!
Mama couldn't resist using his first turkey day as yet another excuse to dress him up...and although the canoe was cute, how could we not put him in the roasting pan for more photos?! He was more edible and delicious than any turkey! :)
Benjamin was also welcomed in to the "turkey bowl" tradition and bundled up to cheer on his Dadda, Uncle Marky, and cousin Tommy (ok and maybe Uncle Marky's friend Mark :)) while they tried to burn off all the yummy Thanksgiving pies!
Ok, so maybe the leaves were more interesting than the game! :)
How crazy will it be when someday he is out there playing and his Uncles are watching?! :)Happy FIRST Thanksgiving Benjamin!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Our ND Boy Comes Home
Although Benjamin stood on the Notre Dame field while in utero this was his first "real" visit to his beloved Notre Dame and his proud Papa was nearly busting at the seams! Benjamin got to see Dadda's dorm all decked out for the big game!And he even had lunch with the marching band - getting a lucky irish head rub from one of the drum line who thought he was the best looking little guy in an ND jersey who he had ever seen!
Someday we'll share with Benjamin that we prayed for him at the grotto when he was still only a twinkle in our eyes, that we brought him (before we ever knew him) to hear the live version of the fight song (versus the version through headphones wrapped around my belly that he listened to each night while he was comfortably nestled in Mama's belly), and how on this trip, his first to ND, we were so excited to introduce him to such an important place in our lives. He sure did make his ND Daddy proud!!
GO IRISH!!!
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