A hit!

Hello Gramma and Grampa,

YOU SAW AN ELEPHANT?????? So cool. Was it? Was it a happy elephant? Oh please say it wasn't a chained and scarred elephant. We'll think it was happy and devoted to it's owners like Mathey.

Speaking of which, he was a success! It was like he had practiced for years for his opening debut. Mommy opened the door to the stage and out he came on his own, in front of the whole church, and daddy sat in the front pew so Mathey could see him and Mathey ate his treats for the whole sermon and almost made it through communion but when the ushers were coming back up to the front, he barked at them. We were so proud. The second service he ate the treat in record time and then started strolling around so mommy went and took him offstage. He was a hit.

The sermon was about prayer and the Luther quote "that you would pray as a dog takes after meat" and Mathey eating his treat showed really how truthful our prayer life should be. Drooly, noisy, fully engaged. Not clean words with no heart. It was a really good metaphor. After church mathey was a hit with lots of kids, adults, and seniors alike.

To cap off, Al Rowney was taking family shots, and the timing was perfect, so hopefully the pictures turn out because mathey is in them. Aren't you proud you're related?

Lovingly yours
Benjamin

day twenty one

Hi Gramma and Grampa

Mommy read your comments out loud and (hic)daddy wanted to know if you were counting his chins or mine :)
We had a good (hic) day today, daddy went to get some needed dress pants and shirt and (hic) tie from the Mayor and not only did we meet his father (who told us what a colic-ee baby he was (hic) and that he didn't speak until he was three) but the very dressy very intimidating tailor who helped us just about squealed when we told told him not only do we own a Mathey, but he was across the street in the car. (hic) So now, Mathey has been inside Atch & Co.! Mommy says we are high class.

I had (hic)mommy up every hour last night, and she doesn't know if it's teething because I have nothing more to show for it. We all went for a family jog today, the sun was (hic) shining and the sidewalks finally plowed from our 25 cm storm last week.

We get to turn the calender (hic) over and see what day you come home. That makes me very happy. (hic)

I love you
Benjamin

oh, and (hic) I have the hiccups.

(hic)

very smart

Grampa and Gramma

Daddy was home at lunch today, it was awesome! He had a research day and had to fill out applications for the fellowship spots available. Then we went and bought Mathey some treats for his stage debut this Sunday and bought extra to make sure he liked them.....he does.

I am sitting on my own now, as long as I don't rock too much.


Mommy puts me on the couch or in the crib in case I fall over (which I do). And this blog has been a learning experience for me, as soon as mommy puts me on her lap and starts the computer, I know to lean forward and hit my hands on the desk, like she does on the keyboard. I am very smart.

I love Sophie, and I can now get her into my mouth easily. I chew on her legs and head and feet all the time and then mommy has to change my shirt because it gets drool-ee. Mathey and I have so much in common. I hope I don't say that when I'm in highschool :)

Mommy and Daddy look forward to seeing your photos when you get back, and we all miss you. Ok time to go get ready for bed.

Kisses and hugs galore
Benjamin

day nineteen

Hi Gramma and Grampa

I would tell you to hold tight to someone's hand in busy markets like the one you described. Don't get lost!
I would also tell you to wave at the warm sun for me, as it's brrrrcold here. We are all doing well, I had a lovely day, going for a walk and then a surprise afternoon as daddy came home at lunch (wow) and so we had a boys day while mommy went to work. mathey went with her to practice for his big show this sunday at church. He is very exited.

My teeth still bother me, and I haven't anything new to show for it, and my hair is going to be so long when I see you mommy threatens to put it in pigtails.

I love you
Benjamin

Auntie Wu!

I got to spend the WHOLE afternoon with Auntie Wu!
And she let me pull her hair
and eat her hands
and she ate my hands
it was the best of times!

And she changed my diaper and I gave her a doozy.

Mommy Mathey and I went for a very very cold walk today
mommy felt it the most, and almost lost her sorel a few times

daddy had CARMS interviews and wine and cheese today
but only cheese for daddy because he is on call

Mommy's job is so far so lovely. She looks forward to what she can do but for right now is getting a feel of what her responsibilities are. She is very happy to be a part of the church staff this way.

She also has Ephesians almost in rehearsal (three person show)and is excited about that.

Daddy has to go in late tonight so is taking a nap, sometimes the thought of working late is enough to tire one out.

And to make up for my cranky-ness I am extremely giddy right now. kick kick kick, shriek shriek coo, kick kick kick.

and daddy got mathey to lick my feet tonight and boy does that tickle. Grampa you should try.

I love you
Benjamin

day seventeen

Almost time to come home Grampa

m yuytghvtghnu7hn


Benjamin wrote the above, I have no idea what it said, maybe it's top secret grampa and gramma language.

or it could say

"boy am I cranky!"

it probably says

"gramma and grampa come home I miss you....and I'm cranky"


love
Benjamin

I found Sophie!

Hi Gramma and Grampa,

Today is a new day, I can grab Sophie and stick her in my mouth quicker then you can say my name! And daddy was shuffling cards tonight and it made me laugh and laugh and laugh.
Mommy, Mathey and I went for a small walk (it's cold again) around the field today and even though mommy wore her sorels, she got snow in them! I was all bundled in the sled, and when we got home, I showed mommy how big I was by sitting in the sled and watching her while she shoveled. I am growing fast (way too fast).

I wouldn't like a fish massage either, that sounds gross. But I would like the warm weather and the view of the country side. I would like the leaves on the trees and the short sleeve temperatures.

For now I will settle with Sophie.

Love
Benjamin

day fifteen

Snow snow snow!

We have lots and lots of snow and we went 4 X 4ing and pulled and pushed other people out from being stuck, and went to church and only about a hundred people showed up, and next sunday Mathey is going to be onstage at church, and mommy can't even take the credit (nor responsibility). One of the pastors wants to emphasize Luthers comment on how he wished he had the discipline to pray like a dog chews a bone. The pastor figures Mathey's a good choice so everybody can see him. I wonder if he'll drool.

And I'm teething still gramma with nothing to show for it except a low energy mommy and daddy. Daddy and I spent a lot of time together today pushing snow with Franklin, that bumpy thing just rocks me to sleep so quick, I didn't even make it out of the alley before snoozing.

Anyways, like I said, I'm teething, so must go.

love you both so much
Benjamin

plowing in the snow

It has been raining snow all day long, and as soon as you finish shoveling one area, you have to start all over again. Both of your neighbors were out three times and we will go and re-shovel tomorrow. Mommy says she loves it, and daddy says he loves his big tires. Mommy looks for paths to shovel and daddy looks for drifts to drive through. Your children are crazy!

And daddy plowed me through snow in the Chariot today with Mathey, mommy stayed home and when I found her later, she was sleeping!!!

And daddy says about his fellowships "couple open in Halifax and still waiting to hear from T.O" We shall see.

And James has a heater and it's so quiet we think there is something wrong with the engine and then realize there is NOTHING wrong with the engine, we just haven't heard it for so long.

And mommy found that when she puts this plastic jar opening thingy over the drain in the shower, it makes a very nice tub for me and I kick kick kick like crazy and love it. Almost as much as I love food....and water. Come home soon grandma, I want to drink water with you. And Grandpa, I miss your songs.

Love,
Benjamin

day thirteen

It's getting colder again. Guess I won't plant my garden today.
It's really good to hear about your days, Mommy reads your comments to daddy while I chew on his thumb, nose, or whatever else is close by.

Mommy asks if there are lots of flowers and trees where you are.
Daddy says he's working on fellowship spots, not electives, sorry for the confusion.
Mathey had his boots on today, and played like crazy in the football field behind our house. I was in the sled you gave me, and looked around until it got too windy and mommy laid me down and covered me up so I could snooze.

Daddy is on call but he's home, yay! And today has been a nap day after all, mommy was pleased, she organized the basement. Auntie Samantha and cousin Hannah are coming next Tuesday for a visit so Auntie Wu doesn't know it yet but we're going to watch a certain 6 hour movie and she's coming!

love you both.
Benjamin

teething is tiresome work

Welcome back Gramma and Grampa!

I am delighted to hear all your travels, and glad you have made so many friends. We look forward to hearing all the details when you come home.

I didn't sleep much last night and today's naps have been short so mommy is really hoping I'll sleep tonight and have big rests tomorrow. I'll let you know what I decide. Daddy is working on elective spots and is finding out a lot of them are full so please keep us in mind when talking to Jesus that He will show us clearly where He wants us to go.

Is the sun hot enough (not on bus trips with pink scarves mind you) that you are getting tanned? Do you wear sandals on your feet and shorts? Is the food really spicy? What time of day does the sun rise and set? When you look at the moon, where is the face? Is it on it's side like in France or completely upside down?

I'm going to go make mommy read to me.
We all miss you

love
benjamin

day eleven

Mommy, Mathey and I are planning the garden!

We're done with winter, yes sir!
How are you Grampa and Gramma?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Have you been to any church services yet?
Is the food very different? I bet the people there are wonderful?
Is it only in Canada where people keep to themselves? Is the sense of community different there? I know these are big questions for someone small like me, mommy and daddy are helping out a bit.

I'm eating ground up regular food three times a day now,
today was chicken, potato and apple.
Yesterday was stir fry and I seem able to handle broccoli better when I eat it myself rather then mommy eating it first. She's still hesitant to feed me onions though. I appreciate that.

Daddy and mommy send their love.
and Mathey too.


xoxo
Benjamin

bang bang bang

Gramma and Grampa

Ok time's up, I've been very patient and waited a few days for you to be out of reach, but time's up!

Today was so nice outside, we went for another long walk, and Auntie Wu went costco shopping with us and mommy made her do all the work because she was holding me the whole time. Today was another tooth ache day, so I spent a good deal in mommy's arms. I'm very good at finding my toes now, and am getting quite solid in many many many areas. My hair almost needs another cut, and my smile is getting wider, another sign of me growing up way too fast.
I laugh like crazy whenever Mathey walks by, and I reach out to him and he kisses my hands. I also have realized I have not only a loud scream but a loud loud loud one that I try out occasionally for grins. Daddy swears it stops traffic.

Daddy is studying very hard, he is working towards learning now how to study the best he can for fifth year, so every night he's at the books. Mommy and I are very proud of his efforts, though hard it is to not have him to ourselves. And I think Mathey has finally realized I'm ok to live with. I go for walks with him, and laugh at him and have all kinds of food on me for him to taste. We'll be best friends in no time.

I miss you both, come home soon and hear my laugh. Mommy says it's the most amazing thing she's ever heard.

Your Benjamin

day nine

My mommy is GREAT! When my teeth hurt me and I wake up every hour she comes and rocks me back to sleep.

My daddy is GREAT! He let me lay on the floor and scream, scream, scream (not crying just finding my loud outside voice) while he studied.

My doggy is GREAT! (not to be confused with daddy). When I sit on the couch downstairs so does he. He even kicked daddy off the couch.

My Auntiw Wu is GREAT! She lets me pull her hair and jam my finger into her eye.

My Uncle Cameron is Great! Whenever I wear airplanes I do it for him.

My Grandma is GREAT! I miss her lipstick kisses and her surprise visits!!

My Grandpa is GREAT! He's learning how to help people in Cambodia.

I come from a good family!

Love Benjamin.

Sabbath

Hello grampa and gramma,
I have been very good today, I was as cute as could be at church, and even smiled at Erica when she introduced me to Eli, her beautiful son.
Daddy worked on Franklin today which always makes daddy walk a little brighter and mommy had a nap so she's now 'in her words' able to willingly contribute to society for another week.
Mathey took us for a walk and showed us all his haunts, this tree stump, that corner of the fence, and now I am tired so I am planning on squirming until I can get mommy off of the computer and focused on yours truly.

love you both
benjamin

day seven

Hi gramma and grampa
We all look forward to hearing about your visit with the surgeon and learning how you can help out. The killing fields and tour you took sound so sad. Only seven left, how very very sad. We wonder how God can stand it.

Here we had another above temperatures day, so we walked the loop twice, and once with me in the backpack. Mom says I'm heavy. She hasn't seen heavy yet! But I'm cozy and comfy in there, so much she wore me around the yard after the walk, chasing Mathey and doing very North American things like organizing the recycling. Daddy came home, was on call but put a few hours of studying in. He's trying to get himself into a good strict schedule now with studying every day but Sunday.

I love you
Benjamin

nobody's gonna mess with our baby.

Hi gramma and grampa

When I read your comments out loud of your days, daddy remarked that you must be seeing some very difficult things. We are blessed, so blessed to live here and choose what foods to eat, not wonder when food will come again. We could so easily be anyone of those dear souls you meet. We feel it.

Mommy has started her job at the church and I went with her yesterday to church and found it all rather boring. I think if she keeps going on Thursday mornings I may ask to come and spend some of that time with you. You can let me know.

We hope so much that the lessons you are learning in Cambodia you can share with us (besides how to drive) when you come back and we can all incorporate them into our lives for the Glory of God.

I love you
Benjamin

day five

Like I said, good thing there's shocks!
Hi Gramma and Grampa, gramma did you get more sleep?
It is a blessing to all your family here that you write little observations of what you see in the day, we see Cambodia through your eyes!
Mommy says she's not good at blogging and the only suggestion she would make to downloading photos, is to sign in as if you were her (her email address, and password that she emailed you) and then hit 'post blog' after you have signed in. Stu or Susan could show you. SO essentially, post a blog like me instead of a comment. Make sense?

Today I played with Auntie Wu. She is perfect as always, and I bit her and pulled her hair. I love her! Her and Uncle Cameron's house is moving fast, and I would tell you more except daddy has some water that I'm hoping he'll share. I also chewed a bit of apple yesterday (being cute has it's advantages).

It's gotten cold here again, but don't tell grampa. Tell him the tulips are blooming and daddy's getting a tan.

much love
Benjamin

I feel like chicken tonight!

Hi gramma and grampa
Guess what????
Daddy fed me chicken and yams!!!!
It was amazing, I was so happy I jumped in my excosaucer! And Mathey has become my new best friend, I don't know what has made him so devoted, but he's often by my side, especially when I am eating. What a companion. Did I mention I ate chicken?
Really, yum yum.

I went for a walk with Mathey and mommy today and mommy says I'm almost too big for the snugli. Daddy got home before 7pm and so we went for another walk, this time I was in the Chariot and it is awesome (second to chicken), and I'm glad mom and dad opted for the shocks, as they are not the gentle-ist of drivers. They tell me the strollers worth the money and mom says daddy was right to get it.
Can't wait to see photos, feel free to write a "hello Benjamin we love you" in one of them. Hee hee.

Love
Benjamin

day three

Well mommy and daddy cheered like crazy today,
I looked at them whenever they said my name
from wherever, whenever.
I didn't have the heart to tell them I've been doing it for a while now.
Silly parents.

Mommy and I played under a blanket today,
that's where the photo came from
and I've been tired and teeth sore today
so I had a little tylenol and a good nap
and then mommy, Mathey, and I walked to the University
and found daddy driving from City to RUH for rounds
(we prayed we would)
and daddy went back to work and we came home
Mathey was M-u-d-d-y!!! and mommy was tired
but I was refreshed because I slept through it all.

daddy is on call, but is home right now
so we are going to spend as much time with him as we can.

Love you both

missing gramma

today daddy fed me sweet potatoe! Mommy says gramma makes the best sweet pototoe this side of the ocean. Here's hoping next fancy meal I'll get some. Today also brought a sled ride (very nice weather), a car drive for groceries (thank you gramma) and then quality time with daddy as he studied about something gross in his textbook. I hope you are both doing very well.

your Benjamin

day one

to gramma and grampa

mom is trying to convince me to fall asleep on my own
she first gives me a bath (on the stove!)
then gives me some food (very yummy)
then makes sure I'm clean from head to bumb
and wraps my arms so they won't flail about
places me in the crib.....and....

I talk and disagree with this whole process for about an hour!
my cuteness will take me far.

I love you
Benjamin