Nerf Wars and Chuck E. Cheese's

I have been promising Benny for sometime now that he could get a Nerf gun when his Daddy returned. I just didn't have the energy to chase and search for all of the bullets myself I guess. The other day while at Walmart, I told Nick of my promise. He marched off and promptly returned with not one, but two Nerf guns. Sometimes I forget that I really have two boys. The boys have been playing with them non-stop, mostly in the basement, but upstairs too. I have been really relaxed about letting them pepper any and every flat surface in our house with sticky bullets. Benny isn't strong enough to cock the gun himself, so Nick loads it and then hands it off to Benny. They are constantly switching the guns, and that itself is part of their game. When Benny is ready for a reload he says "Cock me!", which makes me laugh every time. This combat photo was difficult to shoot, as I was the target while taking it. Soon after, I received two bullets to the forehead. It's difficult to be the mom......
One cold and rainy day this week, we headed to Topeka for a little bit of shopping and fun. We decided to take Benny to Chuck E. Cheese's (Where a kid can be a kid, as Benny likes to call it). First we went to the mall, and made the kids endure a bit of shopping. Then we surprised Benny by taking him to Chuck E. Cheese's for pizza. We have been once before, but on a Sunday afternoon when it was really, really busy. Thursday afternoon is a lovely time to go, as the place was almost deserted. It was so empty, even Sophie got to walk around and join the fun!
Benny is doing much better bonding with his Dad. He even let Nick put him to bed one night this week. I know he is going to make a lot more progress in the coming weeks. It is so good to have Nick home!

Sophie's new trick

I've been meaning to do a post since our reunion, but there isn't much to report. We are enjoying some much needed normal family time. Nick has a really light work schedule while they reintegrate. He gets to enjoy some time with us in the morning, goes to work for a bit, and is home well before dinner time. We have been working in the yard, and playing lots outside. Sophie loves her daddy, and has really taken to him. The other day she refused to eat for me, all the while looking and hollering at Nick. He came over and took her plate from me and she immediately started to eat for him. Of course I'm glad she loves her daddy, but really is that all the thanks I get?

Benny is having a more difficult time. He has been really clinging to me and won't let Nick help him do anything. I still have to do the bath, read the stories and put him to bed. I know it makes Nick really sad, so I hope it changes soon! I have been trying to give the two of them some space so Ben has no choice but to let his dad help. We'll see......

Sophie continues to amaze her daddy with all of her tricks. She is one busy girl! Ben was such an easy baby/toddler, and Sophie is proving to be much more of a challenge. Our apartment in Germany was small and easily baby proofed for Ben. Baby-proofing a house is much more difficult. Just when I think I have it all taken care of, Sophie finds something else for me to fix. We have had an ongoing struggle(for me) and love affair (for Sophie) of Smokey's water bowl. Just when I think her affections are changing, she goes back to the bowl. Lately, we have been playing the 'will it sink or will it float game', and just plain splashing is always a favorite. She knows it is naughty, because she usually tottles over by the bowl and waits until she has our attention. Once she does, she dives (I really mean it!) into the bowl. She giggles and giggles. The other day I thought it was funny when she decided to try the food bowl out as a little seat! Just this morning I picked up some Cheerios from Sophie's breakfast off the floor and tossed them in Smokey's bowl for him. A little while later while doing dishes, I looked backed and guess who was eating them? No, not Smokey, Sophie! Yuck! After lunch today, we went into the family room to play. Sophie picked up a toy and tottled back into the kitchen. I started to get up and follow her when I heard an unusually large splash. I figured she had dumped the toy into the very full bowl, but to my surprise, Sophie was sitting in the water bowl! Luckily, she was stuck (probably that super absorbent diaper sucking up the water and holding her in!), so I grabbed the camera and snapped a few pictures!

I know you are thinking, 'Just move the bowl!', but I have no idea where else to put it!

Reunion 2008!

Nick arrived safe and sound yesterday afternoon! We had been getting ready all week for the ceremony yesterday. We made signs, hung up banners, decorated and cleaned the house. Nick's parents are here, and they have been a tremendous help. It seemed that the seconds were slowly ticking by, but yesterday afternoon finally arrived. I think Sophie could sense our excitement, and refused to take a nap yesterday morning. She was one tired girl by the time Nick arrived, but she has taken right to him. We had a bit of a dilemma when it came to getting dressed. Sophie and I had new dresses to wear, and Ben had a new polo shirt. However, the weather took a turn for the worse, and it was in the high 30's and snowing! We finally decided on different outfits and headed out to pick up daddy.


Nick arrived to Topeka in the morning, and then all 325 soldiers he was with were bused to Fort Riley for the ceremony. The building was overly packed, and by the time the ceremony started it was standing room only. I had visions of Sophie toddling to her daddy, but it was so crowed we could never put her down. The soldier's all walked in in formation, and then the Chaplain said a prayer, they played the National Anthem, the General spoke, and finally the soldier's were released. We of course saw Nick when he marched in, but he had no idea where we were. It took about five minutes to find him, and by the time we did Benny and I were separated from Nick's parents and Sophie. It was hard to get good photos, since it was so very crowded.


We are already one happy family again! It seems that the sparkle has been restored to Benny's blue eyes. He is just so happy to be with Nick. Sophie has taken right to Nick, and Nick has already jumped in with the parenting duties (4 am bottle!). We look forward to spending some much need family time together. Nick will return to work next week, but will have a fairly light schedule. In early May he will start 30 days of leave. We don't have any major plans yet, but a trip home to Michigan seems in order.


Oh, and of course Benny had to wear a hat to the ceremony, but proudly took it off for the National Anthem! I think I need to go join Ben and Nick in a game of baseball, but I will post more later!

Oh, Happy Day!

Today is the day! Nick will be returning from Iraq later today! I woke up this morning to an early morning phone call. First my heart sank, and then I saw the caller ID number was from Maine! Nick and his guys are already in the States, on a refueling layover. Can't wait until he gets here, Benny is so excited! I will post more when I can!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Yesterday was Sophie's first birthday! I can hardly believe that it has been one year since our baby girl rushed into the world! The deployment has made the year seem long, especially since Nick left 7 weeks before Sophie was born. He wasn't supposed to miss her birthday too. But when I think of the year in terms of Sophie and how she has changed, it has flown by.

When she was born, she was just over six pounds, and had a full head of jet black hair. My how that has changed. She is walking like a champ now, and hardly ever crawls. She has ten teeth and will eat just about anything you give her. I think the only similarities from when she was just born and now would be that she still won't sleep through the night.

Sophie has a spunky personality and is just so much fun. I enjoy every minute I spend with her. She is going to be quite a fun little girl. She has brought so much joy to us already.

We didn't do much to celebrate her birthday. We are waiting for Daddy to come home to officially celebrate her first year. She didn't open presents, we are saving those, but Big Pa did buy her a cute wooden duckie yesterday at the hardware store. She hasn't figured out that she is supposed to push it, and instead she carries it with her as she walks. We ate lunch at Panera Bread and brought home a big blueberry muffin for her to enjoy after dinner. She ate a good bit of it, but I think she enjoyed tearing it apart more than anything. Later, Big Pa shared his chocolate pie with her. He thought she should have a real treat for her birthday. Can't wait to have a real celebration!

Happy 1st Birthday Sophie!