A favorite song

In the early months of this your second year, you are loving to sing!  In addition to giving a great rendition of U2's song, "Love and Peace or else," you are learning some of the old Catholic classics, like this one, Regina Coeli, which you performed when our good friend Fr. John DeRiso was over.  You got a little distracted, but all in all a winning performance!

The Benedrew!

Its February 2012 and you have just had a great visit from Aunt Meg and your cousin, Andrew.  You two became buds, so dad gave you one name:  The Benedrew.  Here are the two of you at Grandma and Grandpa's...

These two years!

Well, Benny Boy, you are fast approaching your second birthday!  Just looking back on all the pictures from the past year makes it clear that we have been a busy family, and you have shared in some great times!  Summer saw us traveling to Canada for Aunt Teresa's final promises at Madonna House.  That was probably among the last of your classic "Benedict Sleep Disasters."  You had us (your mama and grandma mainly) up good portions of the night.

But your sleeping has improved.  Is it to the point where we can now smile at your sleep antics of years one and two?  Well, maybe not yet!  But one thing is for sure:  aside from sleep, you have been a total delight.  This Fall has been a time when talkative, social and sweet personality has really emerged.  One of the greatest parts of your life to watch is how totally devoted you are to Grandma Gehred.  You two are quite the pair.  Sometimes, after a day spent at their house, you will see us and say "go home!!!"  Not as in "let's go home," but rather, you go home and I stay with Grandma!  She is, as we like to say, "Benedicted." 

Thank you, Benny, for two amazing years of life and love.  You are a total gift to us!  And even despite many hours of sleep deprivation, you have been--in Grandma's words--"perfect"!

Riled Up by Grandma's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Ryan

Washington, DC Friends!

What a great trip in November, 2011 to our MANY friends in DC.  First we went to see the Turners--Andy, Avis and their son Jack--at their farm in Maryland.  This first pic is of you and Jack chewing on some collards or chard or something.  If the Griffins lived on a farm, you (and mama) would be quite content.  While at the Turners we were also visited by the Barnidges.  Here their two girls, Isabel and Maggie have just presented you with a truck set that you still use!  Then on to stay with cousin Caroline (and Griffin and Catherine, too!) and Aunt Bev and Uncle Tien.  You had great fun there, and Caroline made sure we had many pictures of the week!

Halloween 2011

Your second Autumn.. AND FIRST HALLOWEEN.  You were a big hit in the neighborhood.  We were invited to the home of your Halloween-loving Godmother Kathy.  You helped her pas out candy, and pretzels, to trick or treaters.  Of course you were a trick or treater yourself in the awesome DUCK costume, given to you by your Aunt Angie. By the way, Halloween was great for your parents too.  While you handed out candy, we were inside eating homemade pizza made by Kathy and Sheila.  Now that was a treat!

What do YOU say?

Summer Fun

"Caroline"

Easter was followed by a special visit from your aunt Bev and your cousin Caroline--you quickly learned her name, saying it especially in the morning after you woke up, since she was there to help feed you and play with you.  It was a great visit, and the first time you showed off to Bev and Caroline your mobility skills!

 

 

Grandma Gehred's Travel Machine

On the move

In addition to your laundry basket rides, and walking of course, you are learning all kinds of ways to get around! Like this scooter (which talks to you in Spanish!) from Aunt Chris, and the bike at Grandma and Grandpa Gehreds.  Then there's Hubert, who you like to size up for rides now and then!

 

The Birthday Boy

It's hard to believe, but you have turned 1 year old!  And we had a nice little celebration to mark the big day.  Your mama made a homemade, all-natural healthy birthday carrot cake.  Now, she could not resist putting some good icing on it, which papa let you eat in good measure, which may be why you vomited all over your cute birthday outfit!  But not before you had a great time showing off all your talents, babbling all kinds of sounds, the ability to point, and getting very, very close to walking on your own!  Indeed, you are growing up very fast.  What an amazing first year - thank you! 

the New Blue.. it Fits!

Well, Benny, after much pressure from family and friends, we finally decided to provide a more suitable ride for you... so no more '94 Geo Prizm about to rust out from the underside up.  You have upgraded, to a 2007 Honda Fit.  Everyone is happy, the car rides great and still gets excellent gas mileage... plus gets greaty traction and maneuvers very well in the snow.  As you can see below, our blue boy fits perfectly, though so far the Chocolate Lab has been banned from riding along!  So thanks to all who encouraged us and helped make this happen!

CHRISTMAS 2010, Griffin Style

Well, you were quite a hit in St. Louis!  We traveled on Dec 18, stopping in Indianapolis to see our friend Bomani at Pendleton, while another friend, Elliott, capably kept an eye on you.  Then to St. Louis.  And all of this in our new Honda Fit.  You were a pretty good trooper in the car, only one or two meltdowns!  Once in St. Louie, we stayed for ten days and you saw Grandma Peggy, EVERY AUNT and UNCLE, and EVERY COUSIN on this side of the family!  And each had their special gifts and talents for you.  For example, here is Artist Annie with another great picture she drew for you!

Here is your cousin Jack sharing his gift of FUN with you, on your VERY FIRST sleigh ride.  You were not amused and ended up crying, while Jack went on to about ten more runs down the hill.

And here you are with Aunt Christine... she has quite the touch with you, able to calm you when needed and keep you happy!!

On Christmas Day, thankful for the gift of each other!

A final picture before you cried your way out of another family sleigh ride!

The Holy Family?  Well, a pretty happy family... at least when we get some sleep!

Granma Peggy instructing Farmer Ben on his new Chirstmas gift, a barn,

Here you are with your cousin Caroline.  Whenever she is around, she takes such a good care of you.  Over Christmas, she woke up early to help feed you, play with you, watch you:  she even changed some diapers!  And you thank her with big smiles!

Grandma Peggy loves her favorite Christmas guest of 2010:  you!

The Griffin Boys, human and canine

You have begun to take a great interest in the House of Hubert!  Now, the dog is not exactly as fond of you, but he behaves himself and we hope he warms up a bit!

Fun Around the House, Standing or Sitting

A Flea-ting Autumn

Embarrassing,  Yes, it is Halloween night and your papa is posting for the first time since August.  In my defense, let me give you a rundown of the craziness of the past 2 months:

-Our beloved doggie, Hubert, got fleas, and some of those fleas thought it would be fun to bite you.  Now your Grandpa (Doctor Deacon Lt. Colonel Deputy Vice Prefect of Corby Greg Gehred) assures us that the fleas were harmless.  But we wanted to kick their annoying little flea butts anyway, so we have turned the house upside down, employed the full strength of Borox Power (ask Mama about that) and then even had an exterminator.  We think the situation is good now, but wowsers has it taken up our time.

-Your Continued Allergy to Sleep.  Okay so it is not a REAL allergy, but you sure do not enjoy sleeping kiddo!  Good for you that you are so good natured, fun, lovey, happy and altogether amazing, because the nighttimes have been rough, and Mama and Pap are exhausted.  Way too exhausted to post!!!

Nonetheless, we can at least post some good pictures from September and October.  Here they are...

 

MEET THEM IN ST. LOUIE, LOUIE

Well, you ended your first summer with a trip to St. Louis, where EVERY one of your Griffin cousins was there to greet you.  It was the first time that your Aunt Bev and Uncle Tien's kids got to meet you, and one of them, your cousin Caroline, took a special shine to you, and helped to take care of you by feeding you, watching you and entertaining you.  Look how happy she is in the picture below, just to be sitting right next to you!