HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

One year ago today at 10:43 a.m. our precious Benjamin was born!

This morning Ben and I celebrated by singing "Happy Birthday" and enjoying a blueberry muffin. In true Benjamin form he was able to experience every different type of emotion during the 30 second song. HA! Curiosity. (Note: Hat on.)

Anger. (Note: Hat off.) Stunned. Shyness.

JOY!

Happy Birthday my little love!!

We love you to the moon and back!

We are headed to the doctor Wednesday so stay tuned for a more detailed one year update.

Life Lately

What has this sweet face been up to lately?

Well... last week we met Granny G, Aunt Betty, Ellen, Claire and Robert for lunch at the club. It was so much fun catching up with such sweet family.

Benjamin loved getting special attention from Ellen. It was so nice chatting it up with such a seasoned and wise mother.

Benjamin has a thing for blonds. :)

I would leave Benjamin with Claire any day... I wish she lived closer.

Over the weekend, Will went out and bought a new jogging stroller. Benjamin got all bundled up and headed out for his first run with Daddy.

He LOVED it.

(and so did I! Did I mention Will also took Hank with him?

45 minutes alone in my house = heaven.)

Uncle Rett spent the night last night and Benjamin loved getting some extra uncle time in. We love Uncle Rett! Benjamin is OBSESSED with anything electronic (cell phones, home phone, remote, ect.) and we normally don't let him play with them.

See below. Remote in hand.

Phone in hand.

Spoiled. I guess that's what Uncles are for?

Benjamin's Straw Face

It's probably my new favorite thing that he does. I just love to see that little pout.

Benjamin's Bed Head Face

We have no clue how it gets like this.

Benjamin's Pondering Life Face

He was amazed by the rain.

Benjamin's I Just Ate Face Yes. That is food in his hair making it stick straight up.

Benjamin's Making a Mess Face

Well, that's what life has been like lately.

I am now going to go clean up the following...

Christmas 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Benjamin had a wonderful first Christmas!

It was filled with lots of family, traveling, gifts, some tears, and tons of LOVE.

Gibson Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas Eve with the Gibson side on Amanda's birthday. My parents were so sweet and got a babysitter for Benjamin so all the adults could go to dinner at Brio to celebrate.

We enjoyed walking to the restaurant cuddled in the cold admiring all the Christmas lights.

Will and I were excited to be baby-free...

... so was Amanda!

Gibson Christmas

Christmas morning we all woke up, ate a yummy Tula-cooked breakfast, and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. What a special tradition Tula started! The little boys were very into the candle.

Luke made sure I knew every person in the nativity scene.

"Joseph. Baby Jesus. Shepard boy. Mule..."

Pop got in some good wrestling time before eating another yummy Tula-cooked lunch.

It is hard to tell but Benjamin was having a meltdown in the photo. Uncle Brian was trying his best to calm him down.

Pop and Audrey

Look at that outfit. Precious.

Luke and Tula

Opening gifts.

Benjamin loved his new chair from Uncle Grant.

I love the progression of the next three photos. Benjamin is known in my family as a beautiful baby BUT the ugliest crier. He is also famous for laughing one second and crying the next. Where did he get this trait from? :)

I will let the photos do the talking.

Take One.

Take Two.

Take Three.

Take Four.

On the real Christmas morning Benjamin enjoyed some coffee with his Pop.

He sure does love his Pop!

Before we headed back to Fort Worth he soaked in all the pretty decorations Tula had put up all over the house! You always leave Mckinney feeling full, rested, have a few more items in your car than you came with, and SUPER loved.

Schmid Christmas

We headed straight from my parents house to Miss E and Boot's house. Benjamin sure does have a lot of people in his life that love him.

Benjamin couldn't wait to eat a delicious lunch prepared by Geeb and Miss E.

First one at the table and the last to leave. (Just like his mama!)

King Benjamin

"Thanks Geeb for my new toy!"

Benjamin could 'walk' all day.

I know he is going to love life once he can all on his own!

Miss E bought a remote controlled floating shark at the Fort Worth Museum. It proved to be very entertaining!

Benjamin loved watching it.

What a life kid.

(Note: No beer was consumed by the baby.) We had a great time spending Christmas day in Fort Worth!

Neptune/Dodge/Gibson Christmas

This past weekend we loaded up the car and headed to Austin for our last Christmas 2011 celebration. My family really takes Christmas celebrations to a new level.

Memaw posing with all three great-grand kids.

Oh Benjamin. Why? Why? :)

Tula and Pop with their babies babies.

No words needed.

I know I shouldn't but for documentation purposes I must include another 'ugly face cry.'

Got Milk!?

I don't think that bow belongs to him.

Audrey, Alexis, and Riley

Memaw is aware of Benjamin's love for Abby and bought him an Abby themed book. It was a huge hit. I think Benjamin is trying to recruit another member to join his fan club. She seems pretty interested!

The weather was super nice all weekend. Benjamin enjoyed playing with Auntie E and Riley outside. Boy, that Auntie E sure is entertaining!

Amanda and I joke with each other about gradually becoming more 'mom.' We now sport the 'mom body,' 'mom dance moves,' 'mom pony-tail,' and added another to list this weekend.

The 'mom kick.'

(Note: Her intense face. Awesome.)

Amanda's picture more accurately displays the 'mom-ness.'

Our little Romo's had a ball playing. At one point, Luke was literally pulling Benjamin across the porch.

Best Buds.

"What are we looking at cousin?"

Memaw and Pepaw made sure everyone received lots of gifts. They have always been so generous and thoughtful with their gift-giving.

I have best grandparents ever.

Benjamin's favorite place in the whole world.

Tula Love.

Audrey with her bearded Daddy.

Tiny Cute Romo one second...

Screaming bath boy the next. :)

We had three wonderful Christmas celebrations. We feel so blessed to love and be loved by so many people!

Benjamin can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!!