Anyone Know the Address for Dear Abby?

Okay, so he's absolutely adorable, but here's a peeve...

Everywhere we go, people talk about Ben's hair. Now, I know redheads aren't extremely common, but they're not extremely rare, either. I married one. Her mother, sister, cousins, aunt, uncle, are all red headed. I have several red-headed cousins. One is the son of my father's twin sister. My grandfather was a red head when he was a kid. So clearly, it's in the genes. 

But can I mention again that I MARRIED a red head? So most places where this irritation occurs, she's present as well. 

Still, people ask. Constantly. They bound over innocent bystanders in restaurants. They leave their carts full of groceries and walk over to our line at Kroger. They call over their spouses in Target to "come look at this redheaded boy...!"

"Where on earth did he get that red hair?"

I guess I should be flattered, and I'm actually dismayed that I haven't posted this before now, but the following story takes the cake. 

Dear Abby,

You'll never believe this one. 

A few weeks back, Jenny and I were at the Dollar Store at the bottom of Cantrell hill. We had a few things we needed to get for his birthday party, and we aren't exactly close to a Wal-Mart. Now, you never know who you're going to see in there, much less what you're going to find to buy. Dollar Tree is a fount of bargain-priced goods and socially-awkward shoppers. 

One of the funniest people I have ever seen shopping in this particular store was a postal worker...in full gear, drinking an Icee and listening to her iPod. In the middle of the day. Your taxdollars at work, my friends. 

Okay, so back to this particular morning. We were stocking up on plastic ware, tissue paper, gift bags, party favors, etc, when this crazy lady makes a b-line for Benjamin. Without asking us his name, or even if she can touch him, she starts rubbing his hair. And I don't mean patting. I mean rubbing...messing-up...seriously re-arranging the kid's follicles. 

She looked straight at us and said, "You know, it's good luck to rub a red head..."

As if this weren't strange enough, she then turns to Jenny - who had completely made herself up for our errand running - and began to rub Jenny's hair. She totally put her hands on my wife's head and began to move those hands about. A COMPLETE STRANGER. 

Is this acceptable anywhere? Have we lost all sense of boundaries? Are people completely out of touch with social mores? I think we must have just stood there with dumbfounded looks on our faces for at least two minutes. 

True Story.

Another First...

Today was our first haircut...

Ben has needed one for a while, but we wanted to wait until after he turned one. So, after spending a few days at Grammy and Granddad's in Jonesboro, we decided Saturday would be the big day. 

This is where we went...amazing concept. No nail techs...no chemical treatments of any kind, no nauseating salon stench at all. It was such a pleasant experience. The staff was really great. 

Ben amused himself at the train table as we waited, which was only for like 3 minutes. These people have it going on...

Ben got to sit in a fire truck chair, which he was all about...

First came the misting...he didn't even flinch.

The came the pulling, combing, and tugging. Still, not even the batting of an eye. 

Then, out came the scissors. 

Needless to say, we had the camera in hand the whole time. 

Waiting for Mom's approval. 

The finished product!

I think Mommy may have been the most excited over the whole event. Ben did wonderfully. Never a flinch, tear, or gripe. 

Thanks to Audra and all of our new friends at Pigtails and Crewcuts!

It's Like I'm Finally Super-Preferred

So those of you who log on will have to do without today's newest pictures of Ben. I feel like just amusing myself with a few musings for the evening. 

When I sold Hondas a few years back, we had a status called "Super-Preferred." If you were classified as such, then you basically got the A-list rates on financing. When they advertise leasing and financing incentives, you usually hear them say with approved credit, or for well-qualified buyers. Well, Super-Preferred indicates that you are well qualified, indeed. 

So Friday, I was out working in my backyard, and I remembered that the dogs would need a space at the kennel next week while we visit my parents. So I pulled out my cell and called the vet. Yes, I have the vet on speed dial.  When you have a Lab with a pension for chewing indigestable objects and an adventurous Beagle, you need your neighborhood vet on speed dial. 

So I called - without identifying myself, and said I needed to board my dogs next week (next week being spring break). The receptionist hesitated and then said that they really didn't have any space. At that point, I said, "Well, it's Bailey and Annabelle, they can stay in the same run." 

She quickly replied, "Oh, we've always got room for Bailey and Annabelle. I didn't recognize your voice, Mr. Bunch."

It was as if I had arrived. As if, after twenty-two years of school, I was someone that people yielded to. Isn't that arrogant of me?

Now, I'm probably not super-preferred in the eyes of Honda American Finance. I'm probably not in a position to even be browsing the lot (relax, parents and in-laws...I'm not car shopping again...). But as far as my local Vet is concerned, I'm a safe bet. My dogs are well-behaved, well housebroken, and apparently a pleasure to be around. 

On to the next observation...

Tonight I was making a pizza for dinner. And yes, I meant making. We buy the plain pre-made crusts, then build the rest ourselves. My family has been doing this for years. And Jenny and I enjoy it. I know Ben will think it's fun one of these days. 

I like to control the amount of sauce on the pizza. I like it really thinly-spread. I hate globs of red pizza sauce making a mess all over my plates. And that got me to thinking about The Biggest Loser. 

I love seeing them go out to eat and try to be good. It is really ironic to see someone who is still 100 pounds overweight asking if the pasta is cooked in oil or water, or if they can have their veggies steamed instead of sauteed. The wait staff must think this is odd. I also think they probably go back in the kitchen and say something like, "Order In. Steam the veggies. Lard Butt at table 62 is worried about his saturated fats."

One Year Photos

Well, it was a beautiful day to finally get out and do his one year photos...

Enjoy!

Stick to the Status Quo

Benjamin went to his first High School Musical today...although it was at an elementary school. 

His Aunt Holly (Aunt Bee Bee) led her music students in a short version of High School Musical. Ben absolutely loved watching the kids. 

Ben and his Poppa

Ben and his Pippi

Ben and Aunt Bee Bee

"Wildcats everywhere, throw your hands up in the air..."

Completely tuned in to watching the kids... 

Clapping for Aunt Bee Bee at the end of the show...

What a fun way to spend a rainy Thursday afternoon!

Monday Cuteness

Somedays, Mommy and Daddy just have to get on the floor and play with the kid...

He loves to knock down the blocks as soon as Daddy stacks them up.

After playing on the floor for a while, we headed out front to swing for a bit...

And we sang, "If You're Happy and You Know It"

This is how he claps...so cute.

Have a terrific week!

It's Like Having to Toss Out Your Favorite Blanket

For a good part of the past fifteen years, my Thursday nights have ended the same way. Well, that is until recent events (marriage, career, a son, and the advent of DVR) have forced and at the same time enabled me to watch it at my convenience. 

ER. I can easily classify it as my favorite TV show of all time. There have only been a handful of episodes that I haven't truly loved. The one they aired as a live episode was pretty lame. I took issue with Keri Weaver's Lesbianism, but continued to tune in. 

I knew that it would be hard for them to end the show well, and a couple of seasons back I felt as though they had missed their chance to go out on a high note. But with the Fall 2007 season, the writers and actors have come back in true ER fashion, and have since delivered on what I believe is the most astonishing season ever. I have loved watching the episodes of the past few weeks and seeing how they would manage to bring the original cast members back through one last time. 

I look forward to the last three episodes with excitement and sadness, but also a true sense of nostalgia. I have followed this show for exactly one half of my life. I know it will live on in syndication for decades to come, but it is still hard to see it go. 

As I think back on fifteen years of ER, I realize that most of the show's most memorable moments have occurred during the departure of the characters. In fact, my two favorite episodes are the final episodes of Mark Green and Peter Benton. 

In fact, Benton's last dialogue with Carter is my all-time favorite line of the show:

Carter, choking back tears, "Hey Peter...I'm a good doctor because of you."

Benton, smiling and beginning to jog away, "No you're not. But keep trying."

Birthday Events...A Year's Worth of Milestones

Thursday was Ben's actual Birthday. March 12, 2009. Ben turns a year old. 

We started the day with a trip to Shipley's for breakfast. A couple of weeks ago, I bought the Kia version of a car seat for my vehicle (Jenny has the Maserati), so now we're able to pile in my "beater car" (see film Just Married for meaning of Beater Car) and not have to play X-terra shuffle in the driveway before we leave. 

Anyway...what better way to start your birthday than by a trip for donuts? Even if there was freezing rain all over Central Arkansas.

Ben loves sitting over to the side where he can turn and watch the guys make the donuts. 

Ben loves donuts on winter mornings almost as much as his Dada

Ben enjoys cake donuts, but since it was his birthday we also 

let him have a sugar-coated donut hole. 

You can almost hear the "mmmmmmmmm!"

Mama's excited because her chocolate-covereds were warm from the oven...mmm!

Not a fun thing to do on a birthday...having your one-year checkup. 

Ben was 22 pounds and 2 ounces, which puts him in the 25-50% range. 

He had the stomach virus last week, and lost a few pounds. 

His height is 30 3/4 inches, which puts him in the 75-90% range. 

We also had a lead screening, which was good to do since we live in 

an 80 year-old house. Thankfully, his lead levels were totally normal.

Later, Jenny's parents and sister came over and we grilled steaks.

Aunt Bee Bee made a cookie cake. 

He's definitely got some Tidball icing-lovin' blood in his body...

So here's the rundown of Ben's accomplishments by his first birthday. 

He walks

He stands without pulling up

He brushes his teeth

He says Dada, Bay (Bailey, also works for Annabelle), Buhh-ee (His bunny

stuffed animal), Bye-Bye, Uh-Oh, and, last night, he said Mama!!!

He throws a ball and goes to get it

He opens his toy drawers

He opens and closes doors

He goes and picks up Bunny when asked "Where's Bunny?"

He turns pages of his books

He turns on his Busy Ball Popper

He drinks out of a sippy cup

He claps to "If You're Happy and You Know It"

He says E-I-E-I-O

He laughs back at you

He claps along to music

He dances 

He turns towards the TV when he recognizes a show coming on

Stands on his head (with his feet still on the floor, of course)

He plays "Where's Bennie?" Like Peek-a-Boo

Waves Bye Bye

Raises his arms for you to take off his shirt

Signs All-Done

Picks up his foot when you're getting ready to put a sock on it

Lays his head on the floor when he's tired

Stacks the rings on his ring stand toy

Favorite Things:

Shows: The Wonderpets, Curious Buddies, Backyardigans

Foods: Strawberries, NutriGrain Bars, Cheerios

Stuffed Animal: Bunny and Elmo

Toys: Ring Stackers, Busy Gears, Wagon with Legos

Pastime: Playing in the creeper room at church

Friends: Lizzie (10 days younger), Sam (5 mos older), Lila (15 mos older) 

Thomas (year and a half mos older)

Songs: Itsy Bitsy Spider; Old McDonald

Least Favorite Things:

When Dada leaves for work

Real Veggies

Diaper Changes (this just happened)

Shots

Albuterol Inhaler

The gates at the kitchen and hallway openings

What a kid. 

What a Difference a Year Makes

Jenny and I are sitting in our living room watching the idol results show. 

This time last year, we were at the hospital, sitting in the Labor and Delivery waiting room, watching idol, waiting to move into our room for the next 15 hours. 

Waiting for IVs to start

Waiting for vitals to be checked

Waiting for labor to be induced

Waiting for water to break

Waiting to see if he really did have big feet

Waiting to see if he was bald or had hair

Waiting to see if he was fair or dark

Waiting to hear him cry

Waiting to become a family

What a difference a year makes. 

Little Icing-Covered Fingers...

So today was the big day. Ben's birthday party was at our church in the Fireside Room (sort of like a clubhouse). We decided on a western theme, which basically meant we had to spend very little money on decorations...always a plus. 

We were really pleased with the turnout...you never know who will actually come to one of these things...we had:

Jenny and Todd, Jenny's parents and sister, Todd's parents, brother, and 

niece, Jenny's Aunt and Grandmother, Todd's cousin Ashley and her son, 

Harrison (you've read about him...he and Ben were born within hours

of each other...) Lauren and Spencer (wife and son of our youth minister), 

Mark and Vicki (our new Ed./Admin. minister and his wife), Jenny's best friends 

Suzanne and Hillary, Hillary's husband Josh, and of course, the Birthday Boy himself...

This was the room when you walked in. We had a couple of murals painted on the walls, cowboy boots, horseshoes, rope, hats, and other western items scattered around. 

I painted the cactus mural for above the gift table. These are just the presents from Jenny and me, my parents, and Jenny's parents. He racked up by the end of the morning. 

Jenny's mom labored for hours making him a rocking horse cake. I didn't manage to grab the camera in time, but when he got near this cake he pulled one of the wheels off (an iced cake donut) and went to town. 

He's just about to get into his cupcake. Icing on his face is from the wheel incident above. 

And what fun is a cupcake unless you drag it through your hair?

A few moments later, with a clean face, riding his rocking horse for the first time. 

The wagon with legos was a big hit. 

Enjoying several things at once...curly ribbon, Wonderpets Beanie Babies, and Hillary and Josh's gift...a pull-along frog. 

With Josh's help, Ben scored his first basket on his first birthday. 

Ben with his one-and-only cousin, Abby Lynn

After the party was over, the mess was cleaned, and Benjamin had napped for a while, we drove out to Wye mountain. I've never heard of this place before. Basically it's this little community way out Highway 10, where a Methodist church hosts this hillside of jonquils. It's free to the public (though they accept donations), and a fun getaway on a spring Saturday. It was really overcast when we went, but we got a few good images anyway. 

He's not too thrilled by this point in the day...the car ride out was 

long and he would rather be at home playing with his new presents...

Slightly intrigued, or maybe he's just humoring us. 

It's hard to believe he's turning one. Some of our good friends in Dallas just had a baby last night, and it's weird that we were in the same boat a year ago. He has changed so much, but he is so much fun to be around and to watch. 

Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can get out this week and take his real 1 Year portraits. Stay tuned...