Benton at 2 months...

Jackson and I took Benton to his 2 month check-up today. Doctor Hom said that Benton looked really great. He weighed 11.84 lbs. and was 23.43 in. long. That puts him in the 56% percentile for weight, and the 71% percentile for height. His head measured in the 25% percentile. Benton is such a good baby. He is smiling and cooing alot now. He also has started to sleep for 6-7 hours straight in the night so I am finally getting some decent sleep. He loves to be held and cuddled tight which is so fun. He also loves to be sang too. We are so happy to have him in our family, he is a really special baby boy.

"How is your job?"

This morning as Jackson and I were sitting having cereal together at the table, he looked over at me and said very inquisitively,"How is your job?" I was very surprised by his question, and I thought it was so cute that he has learned that when we are eating at the table that it is a time to have conversation about what is going on in our lives. Eating meals together is very important to me, I really feel that eating and talking together will help to keep our family close.

The week of July 24th...

This was a busy week. Actually, I guess that every week is a busy week now that we have two kids. In fact, I don't remember being so busy in all of my life. On tuesday night we all went rock climbing for young womens. When I asked Jackson if he wanted to go he was really excited and he ran into our bedroom to make sure that daddy's rock climbing shoes would fit.
When we got to the rock wall, I told Jackson that it was okay to get a little bit dirty and by the end of the night there was not one spot on him not covered with dirt. Benton was a little angel- he really likes being outside. The girls had so much fun, and they all did such a great job. What a fun night! Thursday was the 24th of July and so we got up early to go to the ogden parade.
We never missed a parade when I was growing up. My grandma and grandpa Vogt used to go really early and save us a good spot. My dad took on that role this year seeing as how he is now the grandpa. He got up really early and found us the perfect spot right out in the sun. Jackson would have liked the parade if he wasn't too busy trying to get himself a green gun. Because he was having a two year old moment, we had to leave the parade early. Later that night we had a barbeque with our friends the Dutsons. After dinner Mo and Dave put on a firework show. The kids thought it was great. Jackson loves fireworks almost as much as he loves gum. Jackson and Aubrey loved to help light the fireworks and then run.
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On Friday night we took Jackson to the Roy Aquatic Center. It is such a great little place- in fact, I think it is one of the best swimming areas that I know of. Everything about the kiddie area was just right for Jackson. The water was just his height, there were water guns for him to shoot, fountains for him to run under, and a toad water slide which I think he liked the best. I am so glad that he loves the water. It will be fun when Benton is swimming next summer. Mo keeps telling me that he is going to buy another boat. On Saturday Jackson and I went to the Palmers for Michelles baby shower. Jackson had so much fun playing with his cousins, I am glad that he has cousins his age. I hope they will always be friends.
Kathi had fun holding Benton, he gave her lots of smiles. At eight weeks old, we are still trying to figure out who he looks like.

By the end of the shower Jackson was so tired he climbed up on Sarah's lap to rock in the swing. Sarah is his eight year old cousin.

Birthdays are good for you, the more you have the longer you live...

This weekend was spent celebrating my 31st birthday. I can't believe I am now in the over 30 category when just a few years ago that seemed like such a long time away. I spent most of this past year pregnant with Benton, and I am so glad that he is finally here and healthy. He is starting to be a much happier baby which will make it easier for me and Jackson to get back into our regular routine. Jackson loves his baby brother. He is always concerned about him and wants to make sure that Benton is taken care of. He helps me take care of him everyday. He is so proud to show him off to people- he says,"Do you want to see our baby brother." I hope they will be the best of friends. I can't remember what I have done on all of my past 30 birthdays but what I do know is that my parents have always made birthdays a very special day. Mo and I will carry that tradition on with our own family. Saturday morning Mo and I met my parents at the Ogden Farmer's Market and we had lunch on 25th street. After lunch we took Jackson and Benton to the zoo. I told Mo that next time I wanted to take the kids to the zoo in the summer he needed to remind me what a bad idea it was. It was really hot. Jackson wanted to spend the most time not looking at the animals, but getting wet in the mister. He did really like the alligator.
Although it made him nervous the first time we saw it, as we were leaving he wanted to know if he could go see it again. After the zoo we went to the gateway so that Jackson could play in the fountains and I could do some birthday shopping. Jackson loves the fountains. As far as he is concerned not much could be funner than running around with other little kids as water sprays up on you. After shopping we met up with Shalee, Colby, and April for dinner at Bucca Di' Peppo's. It is a family favorite. After church on Sunday(my birthday) we all headed up to Snow Basin for a concert and my Dad, Mo, Me, and Jackson all rode the gondola to the top of the mountain. It was beautiful- there was even a big patch of snow still left on the Middle Bowl Circ. We hiked to it and Jackson had fun throwing snow balls in July. Snow Basin is one of my favorite places and it was a great place to spend my birthday. I have so many great memories there, and I can't wait until our boys can ski and enjoy it with us. After the concert was over we went to my mom and dads for a dinner, presents, and cake and ice cream. Jackson picked out my cake. Mo said that Jackson was positive that it was the cake that I would like best. Jackson even decorated it for me with red squeeze frosting and sprinkles. I think he had more fun squeezing the red frosting into his mouth. This birthday I am so grateful to have such a great family to love and care about me. Mo is a great husband and father. He is my very best friend. I am also so happy to have my two little boys. They make me smile and laugh everyday. They bring me true happiness. I am also thankful for parents who always love and support me and the example that they have set for me in raising my own children.

Benton smiles...

At 6 weeks Benton gives us his first smile. We hope this is the first of a lifetime that will be filled with smiles.

When I grow up I want to be a little boy...

Every night before Jackson goes to bed he wants to know,"are we going to have another fun day tomorrow?" Every day for him is an adventure- he always finds the fun in whatever we are doing.

Benton Robert Palmer

Yesterday was a very special day for us... It was the day that Mo was able to give our new baby his name and blessing. We feel so blessed to have Benton as a part of our family. He is such a sweet baby who loves to cuddle and to be held close. Mo blessed Benton with health and strength, charity, and the desire to choose our heavenly fathers correct principles. After the blessing we had all of our family over to celebrate. It was a big crowd, and I am so thankful that we have so many people to love and support us- especially our boys. Benton is named after his grandpa Vogt who both Mo and I look up to immeasurably. I am sure that Benton and his grandpa will become the best of friends.