Special Present!!!

We all got a very special early Christmas present this year....a new little baby on the way!!! I'm about 14 weeks along and hanging in there :)
I promise I haven't purposely waited this long to post our good news (I'm not that secretive or unexcited), but I just haven't been able to do anything but the bare minimum. Chasing a toddler with nausea and now headaches takes it all out of me. I'm lucky I survived Christmas!!! I'm looking forward to feeling better, a quiet January to start cleaning out our cluttered house, finding out what we're having, and most importantly getting good news that the baby is healthy!!!
Wade has no clue how much his life will change in about 6 months. We'll just keep letting him live in his own lala land as long as possible. But as my belly begins to grow, I know he'll start to wonder what is up.
Beau is excited, and a little scared of entering newborn world again. I know we'll jump right back into it when the time comes, but who really likes sleepless nights and crying babies? Of course no one, but the blessings far outweigh the bad stuff. He's very project oriented (as am I!) so I know he'll be excited about the upcoming home projects ahead to get ready for this baby.
We'll keep you posted as things progress, but right now we're just happy to tell you there's a baby the size of a lemon in my belly!!!

This is our 7 week ultrasound. Beau was sweating until they confirmed only one baby in there. Twins seem to be all around us lately, so he was nervous we might get double trouble!



9 weeks. My doctor snuck me in for a peek. It was such a surprise treat!

13 weeks. Look at this little person!!! We were able to see "it" waving, swallowing, kicking, crossing it's arms and legs, and flipping all over the place.

Wade in his big bro shirt!

And an earlier picture I used to spread the news to some friends...

Even though it was super early, I had my whole family together for Halloween so we spilled the beans. As everyone was posing for this picture, I yelled "Wade's going to be a big brother!!!" Well the camera was on timer and it took a few more seconds to shoot so everyone went from smiling to confused, and back to smiling by the time it took. We all just look EXTRA excited about Halloween!

For Beau's family, we had Wade wear his big brother shirt around them. It took a few minutes for everyone to notice, but they were thrilled!

Merry Christmas from the Benichs!

Pink Pig

We ventured out to partake in an Atlanta Christmas tradition....the Pink Pig. Wade had a blast, but it was a lot of work on mommy and I can't say we'll do the same next year. Basically it's just a blinged out 3 minute train ride with history. The highlight of the ride for Wade, was getting to do it with his best buddy Wyatt (and Michelle and Lauren too!). They were both so giddy when they saw each other that I thought they might pee their pants or pass out or both. Every time we leave the house Wade asks if we're going to see WyWy. And if I say no, he just looks at me hurt and confused like "why not?"
After waiting for a long time we finally made it close to the front when Wade decided to crawl between all the adults' legs, under the rope, past the ticket taker/guard, and jumped onto the train. I then had to follow his path, apologize to all the people we cut in front of, get our tickets stamped and found him sitting perfectly smiling waiting for the train to start. The boys were so good they got to sit on a train car all by themselves. They were so mesmerized the whole time and never thought of moving. It was a fun (yet exhausting) adventure!

The big boys sit by themselves...

Lauren liked it too!

Wade kissing the pig. Why will he kiss inanimate objects so freely, yet is so stingy with people kisses?

Happy boys

On the way back to the car everyone wanted to hold everyone else's hand so we were in a big hand holding circle until I broke free to take this picture. I just love the silly joy on their faces. Isn't it great to get such a kick out of something so simple, holding your cousin's hand? LOVE IT!

Life is good on a CHOO CHOO

27 hours of fun!

Robin and I had a very short rendezvous in Charleston to celebrate our former boss's retirement. We'll use any excuse to play in Charleston (where we met, worked together, and became such good friends)....but Robin Hardin's retirement was a GREAT reason! Congratulations Robin H.!!! I hope you get to relax and learn how to do nothing :)

So in just 27 hours...we ate at some of our favorite restaurants, spent time with former coworkers and friends, slept in, relaxed without our exhausting toddlers, shopped down King Street, and talked each others' ears off. I really didn't take many pictures, but here are a few...

Robin L, Robin H. (the retiree), and me

Robin, me, and Alicia (still there hosting wonderful events for MUSC students!)

We had a little too much fun messing around in our old office...

Millie Kate's Baptism

We were lucky enough to be a part of Millie Kate Gray's baptism on December 6. She was of course a perfect little angel and stole the show. She was dancing and kicking in front of the whole congregation. So precious!

MK is the happiest baby you've ever seen!

Wade was in full effect at the brunch. He found the candy bowl...and when mommy wouldn't open yet another peppermint, he took it to daddy. SUCKER!

Two words: CHOO CHOO

The love affair with trains that I've blogged about before is still going strong and intensifying with every passing day. After the Thanksgiving choo choo experiences in Charleston, Wade is just in love. I'm not at all surprised that a toddler boy would love trains this much. It's practically in their DNA. But I was very surprised at how quickly the obsession has taken ahold of him. When he first wakes up in the morning, I hear him start to babbling....mommy? daddy? choo choo? Then the rest of the day is consumed with choo choos.

Books about trains...

Trains around the Christmas tree...
Trains to ride (and refuse to get off)...
And trains to watch on tv and on mommy's iphone...

I thought Thomas & Friends was THE train show we were going to be watching now. But little did I know there is another train show, Dinosaur Train. And what could be better than a a show about trains AND dinosaurs??? Wade calls it "Roar Choo Choo". He is in heaven.

We're even trying to make an addendum to Wade's wishl ist to Santa and add a train table. We'll see if it can get to the North Pole in time :)

"Watch the FEET!"

Oh Wade, you have no idea who you are dealing with when you kick and scream at the bearded man in the red suit. You'll learn in time.

We ventured down to Phipps for a visit with Santa. I knew how it was going to go even before Wade woke-up on the wrong side of the crib. I knew he was going to freak when I plopped him on Santa's lap. I just didn't know how ferociously he would kick, promping Old Saint Nick to say, "Watch the feet! Watch the feet!" I tried hard not to laugh. But as you can see, I was the only one laughing in this situation. I figure we're 0 for 2 in the Santa department. Last year, he peed all over Santa (see picture below), this year he kicked him in the Claus family jewels. Santa sure is a good sport!!!

(2008 Santa visit, Wade had no clue Santa was even there)

After Santa, we made our way to lunch, passing the courtyard fountains. Wade went straight up to Nonna, patted her purse, put his hands out and said "pennies". Is this kid trained or what? Or are we the ones trained because we both proceeded to empty our change purses?! It was hard to get him to smile for pictures because he wanted to throw pennies, but we got a few shots...

("no more pennies????"

I would not have survived the experience without Nonna! I thank God everyday for Nonnas, Dedes, Poppas, and Grandpas that can help with the tantrums and still love the little devil just the same!! THANKS NONNA!!

Potty Boy

Wade now understands what "going potty" means. He helps me let the dogs go out to "potty" and is very interested when anyone else is going potty (note to self: lock the door). So we had to get a training potty so he could start getting used to the idea of using it himself. He thinks it's the coolest toy ever. Everytime I change his diaper, he runs to the potty and sits on it for a bit. Then he wants to wash his hands. Again, all because he thinks it's a fun game. He is definitely not ready for potty training (neither is mommy for that matter). But it is fun to see him explore and strive to be a big boy! Hey Wade, it doesn't actually work well when you have your foot in the potty....

Neely turns 1!

I truly can't believe Neely is already 1 year old! Where did this year go?
Happy Birthday sweet Neely!

Big sister Caroline's so proud of her sister!

Polhill Family 2009!

Polhill Family 2008!