Big, big SMILE!!!!!

Not sure what's up with the quality of these videos, but you can still hear them fine. Mommy gets home tomorrow. YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!

Missing Mommy

Laughing, Laughing, Crying, Laughing

While this may sound a little like crying, it's not. Ben IS laughing. Sure, he needs to learn how to make his laugh sound a bit more like a laugh, but with time, I'm sure he will.

Elijah meets Ben and sleeps thru the introductions.

Elijah Holliman has become the first baby, other than Ben, to appear on Ben's Blog. As you can see, he was really impressed and in awe of the whole experience. At almost exactly one half of Ben's age, Elijah will realize in just a few short weeks how very special an honor his appearance is.

Congrats Holliman family!! You must be proud.

Rebecca Lobbys for Blog Post

In an unprecedented move, Rebecca has become the first lobbyist of Ben's Blog in an effort to secure her own Ben/Rebecca post. While Elizabeth and I have yet to receive any monies for blog spots, we are taking offers. Please make checks payable to Ben's College Fund.

Here you go Rebecca and don't forget to send the check.

A Few Highlights from Last Week

....more to come tomorrow.

When One Preacher is Just Not Enough

Ben had his baptism yesterday, and we were lucky enough to have three pastors handle the service. First, we have Preacher Newman, the older gentleman, who actually preformed my baptism when I was Ben's age in about this same location in the church. Also present was Preacher Larry, the bearded, robed pastor, who not only helped out, but who also incorporated Britney Spears, The Simpsons, My Name is Earl, and U2 into his sermon yesterday. Quite impressive. Finally, Brother Dave, yeah, he also married Elizabeth and I, was the third participant, and doesn't he look good in his robe?. Ben is truly a "blessed" little boy.

We also had a nice crowd at lunch as you can see.

Ta in the We-end

You may or may not get this movie reference from Nell, but as you will find out, it's not about Nell Carter from Gimme a Break with child star Joey Lawrence, formerly of Dancing with the Stars. Enjoy!!!!!!

Ben Helps with Yard Work

I wish I could say that we finished raking the leaves this past weekend, but as you can see from this video, there are plenty of leaves yet to fall. In fact, you cannot even tell that we raked Saturday. The yard is completely covered again. At least we have a third person to help with the work this year.

Mornin' Playtime

Finally...a Rocking Chair

We have been trying to get a rocking chair since before Ben was born. In fact, I had planned to go out and get one the day he was born, but his early arrival kept me from shopping that day. Also, about a week before Ben arrived, my parents actually gave us money to go buy a rocking chair as our house warming gift. Well, that money got spent responsibly, of course, but not on a rocking chair.

Needless to say, the chair has been needed, but only finally arrived yesterday thanks to a graduation present for Elizabeth from her mom and Julie and Rick. From the video, Dateline "Catch a Predator" style, you can see she likes it.

You can call her Dr. Mommy

As most of you know, Elizabeth successfully defended her dissertation on Friday, and she is now Dr. Elizabeth Anderson Swaggerty, but you can call her Dr. Mommy. These pictures are from Elizabeth's defense. Thanks to Rebecca since Dr. Mommy and I both forgot to take any pictures.

Sink Bath at Mamaw and Papaws

I thought I had a picture to prove it, but you'll have to take my word for it. In these pictures, Ben is taking a bath in the sink at my parents house. The good thing about my parents living in the same house I grew up in is that I get to see Ben doing some of the same thing I got to do when I was little. One of those things, taking a bath in THAT VERY SINK!!! As you know, that wouldn't be an option for me now, but Ben seemed to have fun.

We will also post Elizabeth's pictures after her dissertation defense is Rebecca will email them to me. Thanks Rebecca.

BIG SMILE!!!!!

Pumpkin Head and Mommy's new doo

We forgot about the hat. It really does pull the outfit together.

Also, look at mommy's new hairdoo. Ain't it purty?

REVEALED!!

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!

What is this?

A Jack-o-lantern, yes? But what else?

Ben is NOT a perfect baby...but we still REALLY REALLY LOVE him!!!!!!

It has been about a week since I last posted pictures or updates. Why you ask? Well, Elizabeth has officially gone back to work and is finishing up her dissertation. Needless to say, she is busy. What does that mean? It means Ben and I get to spend most days ALL day together.

Ben is also on a new schedule, a really good schedule. He goes to bed around 9pm, wakes up to eat sometime around midnight, and then sleeps until about 6am. It's great for Elizabeth, and I don't mind the uninterrupted sleep either.

However, it also means that Ben is awake during the day for LONG periods of time.Most of those times he's easy to hang out with, and my buddy and I have a good time. Other times, like today however, there is nothing I can do to help him relax and get comfortable. He moves from the swing to the chair to the mat to me holding him and back to the swing, but he just isn't happy. I feed him and burp him and change him, but still he's not real thrilled about the afternoon. I now know how those parents feel who always look strung out, at wits end, and ready to pull their hair out.

Luckily, he then looks up at me and smiles and all is forgiven and better. I mean, how could you stay frustrated at a face like this? You just can't do it.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Ben's first Halloween.

Belly Time and Laughing with the Grandparent

Ben's workout routine is increasing each day. Sometime next week, we're going to move him up to squats and crunches. Bellytime pretty much wipes him out right now. You have to remember that is jaws are about 1/3 of his entire body mass and lifthing his head is like you and I lift a bag of concrete with our necks. Now, that's a strong kid.

Also, Ben's workout routine will be disrupted this week, because he is unlikely to have time to squeeze in a workout--Mamaw and Papaw are here to keep him busy (as you can see).

Sleeping Ben

With Mamaw and Papaw on the way to visit, Ben decided to spend Sunday resting up for their visit. As you can see, he slept anywhere we put him down.