Pictures of a different baby
April 28, 2006 | Filed Under General | 4 Comments
We’re having a morale boosting contest at work to see who can identify their co-workers from their baby pictures. It is tough! I dug this picture out for the contest and figured I would share it with you too. My dad took this picture, developed the film, and printed it. It has always been one of my favorites. I believe the bear was a gift from Grandpa Pobocik and my mom still has that rocking chair. With any luck, the outfit is long gone 
It is interested to see this picture when I look at Ben everyday. I can see a little around the mouth and the baldness is definitely familiar, but mostly, it is just more evidence that Ben is a Daddy clone. Don’t you think?
-R
The unexpected
April 27, 2006 | Filed Under Eaglet | Comments Off
While we were in New Jersey, Ben learned that we had snacks stored in the diaper bag. If we left it within reach, he would pull out a sandwich bag of treats or a single serving bag of Craisins and bring it to us to open. Because we like to encourage bad behavior, we would open them for him and let him snack. Now that we are back home, Ben keeps looking for snacks in the diaper bag. He’ll proudly carry over an small wrapped package to me to open, but he is disappointed that it is never what he expected. Now the diaper bag only holds individually wrapped Wet Ones, which aren’t nearly as delicious.
-R
Thank God he’s a country boy
April 26, 2006 | Filed Under Eaglet | 2 Comments
Ben is adding new words all the time. Last week, he started saying “Bye,” but he pronounces it “Beh-eye” (insert Southern drawl). It is pretty much the cutest thing, although confusing. Where did our Minn-e-sot-a boy pick up a drawl? Finally I remembered that the new teacher in his class is from Alabama. We are completely supporting this southern word, as we now pronounce it “Beh-eye” too.
His other new word is a very well enunciated “NO”. He really likes this one, as his will gets stronger and his tricks get craftier. Imagine his delight when he figured out how to open the mini fridge at the hotel to help himself to snacks…
Finally, trying out the YouTube revolution, check out this video of Ben playing fetch with Rob and Wendie’s dog Bruto. Sound is a must.
Ben and Bruto
Please let me know if you prefer to watch videos this way or with our other method. Now that the prodigal child (the Fuji camera) has returned home, we should have videos more often.
-R
The Garden State?
April 26, 2006 | Filed Under Photos, Travel | 5 Comments
As we made our way through the airport in Newark, I thought, “Yup. This is New Jersey.” As we took the train to the shuttle to the horse drawn carriage to the canoe to our rental car, across the sprawling Newark airport and into the city, I thought, “Yup. This is New Jersey.” When we finally settled into our car (free upgrade-whee!) and made our way toward our hotel, I thought, “Wow, is this New Jersey?” As soon as we escaped the dirty, industrial Newark area, New Jersey spread out into rolling hills of GREEN, GREEN, GREEN. It is the “Garden State” indeed. Of course, we took no scenery shots (bad!), so you’ll have to take my word for it.
Despite the weather’s best efforts to put a damper (it was damp indeed) on the festivities, we had a great time at the reception. We arrived just in time to hear Rob and Wendie perform. It was good to hang out with Jake and Annie, and meet Luke’s special friend, Jenn. It was also great to hear her talk, as she is from Mass. and sounds like a Kennedy. Ben and I called it an early evening, as the main band was too loud for midget ears. It was probably for the best, as the little guy went napless for the day. We returned to the hotel and snuggled in bed watching Pretty Woman until bedtime.
We started Sunday with breakfast at IHOP, before saying good-bye to the travelers. A lengthy nap, a drive through New Jersey, and exploring at a church followed. We enjoyed dinner at Wendie’s brother’s house before calling it a day.
Monday was more driving and exploring and another lengthy nap before heading over the Rob and Wendie’s. Ben enjoyed meeting Bruto (what a nice dog!), and Jason got a ride on Rob’s classic BMW. What a surprise, he liked it! We collectively scarfed 8 dozen clams, 2 baked potatoes, 2 orders of fries, coleslaw, a grilled cheese sandwich, and 6 lobsters before making our way through $20 worth of Big Buck Hunter. Whew!
Tuesday was a flurry of packing and waxing (the scratch out of the rental car), before cruising through the housing projects of Newark looking for a gas station. After spending what seemed like a lifetime getting through security with a carseat, stroller, laptop, diaperbag, 2 adults, and a toddler, we looked up-up-UP to see Patrick Ewing towering above us. After a moment of quiet consultation, I approached to ask if we could get a picture of him with Ben, which he politely refused. I think it was this rejection that caused Benny to SCREAM on the plane. Luckily, it was short lived, and we returned home last night to our cuddle puppies. The more we travel with Ben, the happier I am to return home.
-R