Irish Roots

There's no place like home for the holidays so the Leonardos took their merry clan on the road back to their midwest roots stopping first for a WONDERFUL weekend in South Bend, IN to introduce Benjamin to his loving and ENORMOUS Irish family!
He loved staying with Great-Grandma "Gigi" Sharon and Randy and we can't thank them enough for their perfect hospitality (and free baby-sitting too! :)). And it was so much fun to introduce Benjamin to the whole Donlon clan - he is the luckiest little guy to be a part of such a great family!





We can't wait to see everyone again soon!

HAPPY TEN MONTHS!!!

Our beautiful birdie has reached the double digits in months! And his Mama can't believe it! Is it really possible that in 8 short weeks he will be one year old?
We love you SO much Benjamin!!

Trick or Treat!

Benjamin LOVED his first Halloween festivities as did his Mama and Dadda (and Gwamma and Gwampa too who celebrated with us because they couldn't resist their first grandchild in his little orange pumpkin costume...who could!?!?! :))Although he wasn't so sure about all the crazy kids running circles around him as we walked through the neighborhood he certainly enjoyed saying hello to his friends when they opened the door to find his big smile. By this time next year he may actually know what they're putting in his pumpkin too! :)
HAPPY FIRST HALLOWEEN BENJAMIN!

And he's off to the races!

In true Benjamin fashion, our little beauty decided to take his first crawl on October 28, a warm, wonderful fall evening as Daddy was sweeping the patio and Mommy and Benjamin were enjoying a quiet picnic on the back porch. Benjamin saw his dinosaur just out of reach and decided it would be a good time to get his little legs moving! :) Luckily Mommy was constantly on the look-out for this special moment and carried her camera with her everywhere so it was all caught on video.
We thought we would share yet another video taken just a few hours later as Benjamin was getting ready for his bath and had already become comfortable moving about his nursery with his new found freedom!
We are so proud of our amazing Benjamin!

Those are MY thighs!!!

For those who are already planning to nibble on Benjamin thighs as a side dish at Thanksgiving....watch out! Mama's got first dibs on these deeeelicious thighs! :)

Benjamin Goes to the NC State Fair

It doesn't seem possible that it was one year ago when Sam and I were walking (correction - by that time I was just beginning to waddle) around the State Fair; enjoying corn on the cob and introducing our sweet pea in Mama's belly to the sights and sounds of fried food, farm animals, and carnies (sp??). :)
What fun we had introducing Benjamin in person to his first State Fair this October!
Despite the frigid 55 degree weather (bizarre for a mid October in Raleigh) we bundled our little monkey up and watched as he enjoyed all of the sights AND sounds. The animals (and blue ribbon watermelons...his father's son!) were by far his favorites even though he continues his fascination with carousels too!
Dadda loved his corn yet again this year :) (SO many good toppings!) and the kettle corn was the perfect way to wrap up the afternoon! See you next year State Fair...watch out for our little man then...can we even imagine what next year will be like?? :)

Notre Dame Saturdays

Benjamin shows his true ND spirit no matter what the weather! :)
Whether he's sporting his #23 jersey (thanks Uncle Jimmy!) or his ND fleece snuggie (thanks Mrs. Briggs!) he's always certain to let everyone know he's a born and bred Irish fan! Dadda is so proud!!! (Can you tell?!?!)