What We're Up To

It's been a while since we have posted stats on what our little man is up to...figuratively and literally.

At thirty months...

He's up to 32 pounds. We don't know his exact height or percentiles because he's never at the doctor...PRAISE THE LORD! We certainly have a healthy little guy.

He talks non-stop, though much of it is incomprehensible because his passy is in his mouth. Yes. He still has a pacifier. We're trying to leave it in the bed when he wakes up, which works some days and doesn't work other days.

He loves our house...which is sad since it's temporary. We think it's because it is so open and we don't have to have as many gates as we did in the other house. He pretty much has free rein of the place. We don't know if he's a little sensitive from the move, or if he's going through a clingy phase, or if he just simply likes to be at home, but when we are out for very long (or sometimes only a half hour) he tells us he wants to go home.

He LOVES babies. So much that he has to pet them when we see them around town. Or at church. When I pick him up from the play center at the gym, he's usually in the baby room with a worker looking at babies in swings or exersaucers. He completely gets that we are having one. I don't know how, but he does. He pats Jenny on the stomach. He helps me take her Zofran to her every morning, and he says, "Mommy Take Medicine. Mommy Gonna Have a BAY-bee." He says things like, "Mommy Gonna Have a BAY-bee...I hold...Bring to my NEW house."

And he's constantly putting the emphasis on the wrong words. It's so cute it makes us want to slap ourselves.

He talks about his family all of the time. At least once a day he's in his crib talking about Pippi and Poppa and BB... or Grammy, Granddad, Unk John, Abby Lynn. He can't just say something about BB. Or Abby Lynn. It has to be the full association of who belongs on that side of the family. Again...so cute.

He has quite an active imagination and these days he's very concerned about the Crocodiles, Alligators, Snakes, Bees, Rhinos and Ghosts that are after him. He's not scared...he's just playing. But he'll run up to us and tell us that a Crocodile got his toes. Thankfully, he knows what to do in every situation:

If we see a Crocodile or Alligator, we "Punch it's NOSE"

If we see a Rhino, we "Grab its HORN"

If we see a snake, we "SAY HELP! A SNAKE"

If we see a ghost, we "SAY BOOOO!"

He counts very well from one to five and he definitely has one-to-one correspondence down. He's had that since last Christmas. When he's too busy to really count in detail, he simply looks at a group of objects and says, "five nine ten."

Yesterday afternoon he was helping me in the yard. We're trying to clean up all of the leaves and sticks and other tree shrapnel so that when the pecans fall we can pick them up. Side note...he calls Pecans CaPohns...

So he was in and out of the storage room in the carport and he discovered his swing from the old house, and demanded that Daddy FIX! Daddy would have gladly fixed, but we needed more nylon boat rope to suspend the swing. Again...he had to have it right then. So we cleaned up and went to Lowe's. All through Lowe's he told workers and customers that he was "buy rope" so "Daddy fix my SWING"

(Notice too that where I have shown all-caps his volume increases twofold)

While we were there, he picked out a strand of candy corn lights (7.99...and worth every penny...they're seriously cool). This morning when I pulled him out of the bed, he wanted to go straight to the lights that are now swagged over his armoire. He counted the eight candy corns that he could see...from one to eight, without missing a beat.

And speaking of his bed, he's still in his crib. And he LOVES it. I'm not sure what the battle is going to look like when we move to a big boy bed in January, but I'm fearful of the transition. He fell out of it that one time back in the summer, and since then he hasn't made a single attempt to get out.

We still sleep 12 hours a night and take a three hour nap every day. I know, many of you hate us. But we're blessed that way.

We're NOT blessed when it comes to food. He eats very sporadically and if he likes something once, he'll probably not like it again for a while. There are a few standards, however, that we seem to survive on:

Hot Hots (Eggo Waffles)

Gikigen (Chicken Nuggets). He'll tell you from McDonalds or Burger King

Orange Juice

He's wearing 3T in basically everything and we are about to have to buy new shoes. We're looking at either a 10 or 10.5.

He's into Dora (gag), Diego, Little Einsteins, and Backyardigans. We try to start out the day with PBS Kids because it makes us feel like we're doing something developmentally appropriate.

He doesn't sit and stare at the TV all day...he's constantly playing and doing. But yes, the TV is pretty much always on for him in the background.

He goes to Mother's Day Out from 930-1230 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (we pick him up early because he naps best at home) and he has Community Bible Study on Wednesdays. He loves his Bible Study class, his school, and the fact that Daddy's office is adjacent to both. He usually stops in to see me on the way home, and he's used to seeing me during his day, which works out well.

His MDO teacher, Mrs. Chris, is from New York. We absolutely love her. She says things like, "He's so cute I just want to pinch his cheeks, that one."

Or, "He tells me his name is Benjamin Bunch, and I should want to take him home he's so cute."

We love her. And her accent.

He's not into Music, which is problematic because he has to go to music both at MDO and at Bible Study. In fact, this December he will have to participate in the program at Bible Study. Which will either be a hoot or a complete disaster.

SO....that's where we are. Jenny is 16 weeks tomorrow. I'll post a pic of her ever-expanding belly. Seriously, she's not showing that much...she just thinks she is. We will either find out what we're having tomorrow at the OB or next Thursday at Baby Views.

Until next time, have a great midweek!

Game Day

Today we had both of our families together at Jenny's parents' house. We visited, ate, and of course watched the game.

These pics were clearly taken BEFORE the game ended...such a sad loss.

Abby in her Appliqued football t-shirt, and Ben in his

Woo (Pig) Sooiee smocked tee. Both by Jenny.

Couch time with my two favorite Bunch kids.

We are so FORTUNATE to have two sets of parents who enjoy spending time with each other. Thanks for keeping our family gatherings harmonious!

September 22

Happy Birthday, Mom.

If ever two people were kindred spirits, it's us.

For all of the time spent...

- Loving all things fall...Leaves, Pumpkins, Candles, Autumn Mix, Party Mix, Gourds, and opening the windows when it's 60 degrees out

- Re-arranging furniture. It's an addiction. And you're the source.

- Surviving Dad and all of his mishaps...The broken golf club through the window, the "no junk" phase, storing hundreds upon hundreds of golf clubs in various locations, and the infamous Canned Ham Fiasco of 1991.

- Forgiving me when I put Tide in the Dishwasher

- Not being angry when I "just had" to wake you up during a Sunday afternoon nap to ask something incredibly important.

- Telling me that if you could pick from all of the girls in the world for me, Jenny is who you would have picked.

- Turning a blind eye every time Bailey or Annabelle climb on your bed, sit in your chair, or tear something up...

- Telling Benjamin that you and Granddad "Love him every day"

- Coming every time you were called...

Happy Birthday, Mom...Chris...Grammy

We love you dearly.

Todd, Jenny, Benjamin and (___________).

OBU Graduation, May 2002

Cone Bottoms Hall

Current Administration Building

Mom's Former Dormitory

September 19, 2008

Happy Anniversary, Hillary and Josh.

It was at your wedding, two years ago today, where I took this insanely perfect picture of our little man. I think he was the best looking thing there, aside from the beautiful bride.

Hillary...thanks for your friendship to Jenny through the years. Your shared sewing misadventures will hopefully continue for a long, long time.

Josh...it's great to have a friend who is on the same road...thanks for always listening to me ramble about the frustrations in the life of a young children's pastor.

We are so thankful to God for bringing you together.

Happy Anniversary!

All in a (Half) Day's Work

Listened to a Bible Story...Check

Looked at Books...Check

Sang a Song...Check

Played with Friends...Check

Played with Toys...Check

Built with Blocks...Check

Made an Art Project..Check

Discovered Nature...Check

Played with Puzzles...Check

Painted in Shaving Cream...Check

Tee Tee'd in the Potty...Check

A Little Boy who Loves His class...Check

Hip Waders and Bent Coat Hangars

This morning I performed my first-ever Baptism. I was initially going to baptize one of my third graders, but as it turned out I also baptized twin 7th Grade girls. Not my first at this church...my first ever. And I didn't take "Life and Work of the Pastor" in Seminary, so I had never practiced this.

I think it went well...although I feel like I slobbered all over myself, everyone else said I was a natural.

At this church, white robes are a thing of the past...the candidates wear a swimsuit with a 2BC Baptism t-shirt over the top. At the end of the day, they take the t-shirt home as a souvenir. The pastor performing the baptism wears waders and the same t-shirt.


This was my first time in waders...and I'm not sure if this is a normal thing to happen or if I didn't have them on correctly, but as I entered the water, an exercise of physics occurred. The force of the water displaced the air inside the waders. No, bubbles did not emerge...nothing like that. They simply became SKIN TIGHT. I actually wondered after a while if my circulation was being cut-off. I then experienced the terror of what ifs...


What if I pass out from lack of circulation?

What if, as I exit, they make some sort of noise...like a balloon with all its air being let out...filling the church with crude sound effects and rolling waves of laughter?


What if they're so stuck on me that I can't get them off and the volunteers and parents of these kids have to cut me out of these things??? Thank the Lord I listened to my mother and wore good underwear...


By the Grace of God...none of that happened. I exited the water, the waders loosened, and I was free and dry...and ready to conquer the next challenge.

We have uniformed, off-duty police officers who work the children's building on the weekend. Earlier this morning, I had overheard one of our elderly members pleading with the officer on duty to help her retrieve her car keys from her locked trunk. (And this will likely be another post all-together...Conway PD is no longer allowed to do this unless it is a true emergency...apparently someone sued the PD for scratching the paint on their car when they came to their rescue...seriously people).


Anyway, I was walking from one building to the next when I saw this poor lady - whose daughter had now arrived to help - trying to pry the car door open with a coat hangar. I stood with them for about ten minutes and tried to guide the daughter through the process. After several attempts, she gave up. I took the wire, and (seriously here) within about 15 seconds had the door open. I may have a career in auto theft ahead of me.


So all in all, it was a productive morning. Baptisms, car break-ins, lots of fun and just another day at Second Baptist, Conway.

And on a random note...this is the check-in slip that prints when you bring Benjamin on Sunday mornings. The pictures were taken our first morning at 2BC, so he was not yet sure of his surroundings.





Does he NOT look like the school bully?????? This pic kills me. I'm changing it this week so as not to terrorize his volunteers or other children. Still...it cracks me up!

A Season of Firsts...

UPDATE

We were just laughing about this and I decided to share...

His new thing is to name all of the characters of the Backyardigans...not just while watching the show, but at random times throughout the day.

Austin...Tyrone...Tasha...Pablo...and "Eee-lu."

He calls Uniqua "Eee-lu." Now I ask you, does it get any cuter than that?

****************************

Well as we close chapter 1, our first month in Conway, we wanted to take a moment and share a few other firsts we have experienced this week.


First Day of School (Mother's Day Out)


Pics of the new backpack are coming...Jenny has a new computer and her software wasn't loaded in time for her to monogram the new bag.


First day walking in with my Penguin Lunchbox all by myself...

I love this one...it's like he paused for a moment to think about what was in his lunchbox...

First time walking in and playing with friends...

And this morning...first day of Community Bible Study (This is his third year, but the first time he will be able to sing in the Christmas Program. Beware other parents, your seating is limited. Because everyone we have ever known will be there for this...)

And first picture of baby bump. 13 weeks tomorrow and growing!

The (Rest of the) Story of September 7

It was noon on a Wednesday. I had come back to my apartment in between an 11 o'clock class and a 1 o'clock lab. After having lunch, I pulled my trash bag, tied it off, and headed downstairs to the dumpster.

It was somewhere around the third to the last step that I looked up and saw her coming.

Like everyone does at a college of only 1,600 students, I spoke. Probably something uber-cool along the lines of "Hey."

But she went a step farther with her reply. I'll never forget the ring of her sweet voice..."Hi, Todd."

I went a few feet further before it registered. That girl just said my name. Hmmmm.

Immediately the gears started turning. Who was Jenny Tidball? I knew who she was, but what was she about? Who was she friends with? Where was she from? More importantly, who was she dating and how was I going to move in on him?

The answers came over the next few days from the usual sources...friends, classmates, her sorority sisters. From Little Rock. Education major. Seriously sweet. Most importantly - single.

Our paths would cross again over the next couple of days...like Saturday afternoon when I ran into Jenny with Rebecca and they laughed at me for leaving early to "get a good seat at the game," and by the OBU/Henderson Game that evening, I could not take my eyes off of her.

I called her on Monday evening around 7:30 to ask her out. Suzanne answered. I didn't tell her who I was, or what I wanted, just that I would call back. Over the next fifteen minutes - in what could only be described as a fury of phonecalls, runs to so and so's apartment, and estrogen-laced mass hysteria - Jenny discovered (even small liberal arts campuses in the early 2000's had caller id...) that the phone call came from two doors down from her friend, Sarah.

Moments later Sarah's roommate came running to my door to let me know that Jenny had figured it out, she was home at the moment, and she was surely expecting me to call again.

I can only thank the Divine Hand of Providence for this all to have happened, because in those few moments, it occurred to Jenny that I was probably calling to ask her out. She had a few moments to prepare...to not be caught off guard. And more importantly, she had a chance to decide to say "Yes."

Our first date was pretty low-key. I had been cautioned by our mutual friends not to come on too strong. No flowers. Just dinner and a movie.

So, feeling like Mexican was a safe choice, we headed to Benton and Cafe Santa Fe. I knew right away that she had a sense of humor. She seemed to be quite amused with the massive Chimichanga they served me. Our movie wasn't such a good choice. Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Completely stupid. Completely opposite of our taste.

The end of the date was where I knew something had happened. No, it wasn't with the goodnight kiss - which, again operating under the advice of our friends, did not happen - but rather on the drive home. We were talking and laughing so much that we completely missed the exit on the freeway.

I walked her to her doorway, said goodnight, and we parted ways.

September 8 was complete agony. Not wanting to call (again with the friends' advice) until Monday, I casually kept an eye on her parking lot for most of the afternoon and evening. Her car was gone. I was unaware that she had decided to drive home to Little Rock on Saturday morning, and that possibility never entered my mind. All I could think was that she wasn't home and she must be out on a date with another guy. How had someone not snatched her up? I must me competing with someone and her friends just didn't tell me. As it was, she was at home discussing me with her sister. "He's going to call me again...he's going to want to go out again. What do I say? What do I do."

Her sister, cutting right to the chase asked her, "Does he repulse you in any way? Does he seem to have questionable character? Is he ugly? Does he seem to be morally challenged?"

Thanks to my future sister in-law, Jenny was able to prepare for the inevitable second date.

Still, while she was at home soliciting advice, my world was complete agony. All day.

I had plans to call her on Tuesday. Give it a few days, call her, see if she wants to go out again, etc etc etc.

Tuesday was September 11, 2001.

What kind of low-life calls and asks a girl out on the day the world is ending? Or the day after, for that matter?

I waited until Thursday. Again, she said yes. This time we started with Miniature Golf, then went to dinner. We had such a great time at dinner that we went on to a movie.

Those of you who remember the days after September 11 will recall that the networks quit showing violent movies. Everyone was so overwhelmed with terror that mental health professionals recommended a break from guns and explosions.

It was a Saturday night, and Jenny had told me that she was going to Hot Springs with some sorority sisters to see Zoolander.

I was at home in my apartment, flipping between seven or eight feel-good movies...You've Got Mail, Father of the Bride, Family Guy, Sleepless in Seattle...it was crazy.

My phone rang. It was Jenny, calling to ask me if I had seen all of the great movies on at the same time. We talked about it for a minute, laughed about how we were both flipping from channel to channel, and I then asked her why she was home and not with her friends at the movie. I asked her if she wanted to come over and watch something, and she did.

Hours later, her sister discovered that she had ditched her friends to (hopefully) hang out with me. When Jenny told her this, Holly stated - very simply - "My work is done."

And with that, we were inseparable.

Thanks Suzanne for saying "I don't know who it was but he sounded really cute!" when you told her someone called.

Thanks, Sarah and Shannon, for playing the part of the silly girls running back and forth from our apartments.

Thanks, God, for putting me (trash bag in hand) on the course to intercept the love of my life en route to the dumpster.

Thanks, Ouachita Baptist University, for being the kind of environment where you meet your future spouse.

Nine years, and it just keeps getting better.

It's In the Air

It's finally here!

The weather at my parents' has been perfect. Yesterday the weather channel app on my phone said "81 Degrees...Feels Like 80." I guess that is our first wind chill factor of the season.

Ben's ready to call his Hogs from the driver's seat of his new Razorback Jeep, courtesy of Uncle John.

This feels like our year...GO HOGS, GO!

12 Weeks

Jenny had her 12 week appointment this morning, and we are happy to report that all is well. We are just a little over a month away from finding out what we are having. If you're in Central Arkansas, are of the child-bearing way or plan to be of the child-bearing way, Baby Views is something you should definitely look into.

We did this with Benjamin because Jenny wasn't scheduled to have an ultrasound at her OB until 21 or 22 weeks, and we were dying to know what we were having (for those of you who don't know, Benjamin has been the only baby out of an ENORMOUS family to carry on the Bunch name...so the stakes were high).

What we did not expect was to have a lengthy appointment with a talented and well-trained Ultrasound Technician who gave us an astounding sense of peace about our growing baby. She is a former OB US Tech, and now works independent - so whatever she tells you is not a true medical diagnosis. She can, however, tell you if she sees anything you might want to have "looked at more closely..."

She looks at skin folds for markers for Downs. She looks for signs of spina bifida. And of course, if your little peanut is cooperative, she tells you what you're going to have. The room was comfortable and relaxing, the images were thrown up onto a massive screen in front of us so that we could see things perfectly, and we walked away with photos and even a DVD of the entire experience. The cost is minimal and she does a great job. Look into her.

Sorry - I honestly didn't mean for this post to be a Baby Views spot, but I truly am a fan.

Anyway - we're twelve weeks, (insert deleted comment about Jenny's pregnancy weight status) and the doctor says she's doing great. Benjamin still thinks it's a girl...only time will tell. At the first appointment, Dr. Simmons ...aka Our Hero...listened to me talk about the severity of Jenny's sickness compared to the first pregnancy, and said very non-chelantly, "Probably a girl..."

Today he listened to the heartbeat and said, "I think it's a boy."

Who am I to question nearly 50 years of delivery expertise? We LOVE this man. I don't care if he hands us a boy or a girl...as long as he's the one to do it. The first thing that came out of my mouth when we were contacted by our new church was, "Simmons can still deliver our kids..."

He's that important to us.

In other news...according to our What to Expect iPhone app, baby number two is developing gastric motility and white blood cells! WOO HOO!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!