Wordless Wednesday - Nothing to see here

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out 5 minutes for mom, Go Graham Go, Two of a Kind, Working on a Full house and Parenting by Dummies!  

Stay Home Day

It's almost always interesting in our house.

Cooper and I had a "stay home day" as he calls it.  We started the morning out with him telling me to rock the baby.  He then told me to not hold the baby so tight.  Then we had to feed the baby.

Obviously, the baby likes cheerios and craisins and is wearing his Thanksgiving hat.

While I was starting the Thanksgiving cooking, I heard some commotion down the street that Cooper would enjoy.

When I was making dressing, I noticed it was terribly quiet in the house.  And I found this ...

It's already been a long day, and it's not even noon.  After he got this straightened out, I went up in our attic to hunt for some baby items for my little sis.  When I came down, I found this ....

Yes, that is a giant wad of fur on the floor.  Poor Ben, because Cooper tried to vacuum him next.  When will I learn to not leave unsupervised at all times? He eventually took a nap so I was able to accomplish a couple of things.

A dressed turkey, screwed-up mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce made, and another trip to the grocery store for more potatoes later, we both survived the day.

Well, one of us did.  Here's wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving Day tomorrow.

Reading to my Ben Ben

Cooper loves Ben.  He decided he needed to share his teddy bear and night night with Ben.  Then he thought Ben looked tired, so he decided to feed him a bedtime snack of animal crackers and read him a book.

 This is Ben's favorite resting spot.  Usually his fused leg is propped up on the railing.

 Ready to read a little "Princess and the Pea."

 Check Ben out wincing at the animation. 

"That's better.  I'm an old dog and can only handle so much excitement.  Thanks for the snack," love Ben.

I think Ben loves me ... And other thoughts

"Mommy, I think Ben loves me."

"Why do you think that?"

"I just do. Ben needs a bubble bath. I have to get back to work because I can't sit here this long."

I feel sorry for Ben. Don't you too?

Wordless Wednesday - A boy and his Ben

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out 5 minutes for mom, Go Graham Go, Two of a Kind, Working on a Full house and Parenting by Dummies!

Nightime Happenings

A couple of weeks ago, we moved Cooper's bed up from off the floor.  We haven't put the frame up yet, but he still has a bedrail.  For the last week, he has not slept well including falling out of bed several times.  We can't figure that one out since he has a rail. 

On Tuesday night, he appeared in our room around 1:15 saying there was a monster.  J took him back to bed, where Cooper kept telling him there was a monster on his back.  J ended up laying down with him a few minutes because he thought maybe since Cooper slept with his back to the wall, that was scaring him somehow.

Then last night, he would not stay in bed.  The first time, he crept down to the midway point of the stairs.  I took him back up and put him back in the bed.  A few minutes later, he was at the top of the stairs because I closed the gate.  This time he told me there was a monster on his back.  I checked his back to make sure there wasn't something there like a scratch or bug bite.  Nothing.

So I told him that we wouldn't let any monsters into his room.  He didn't seem convinced, so I called upon reinforcements.  Cooper loves Ben, so I told him Ben was right downstairs and he wouldn't let any monsters come up the stairs.  Ben would eat any monsters who try. 

That seemed to satisfy him, and we had an uneventful night.  I hope I haven't scarred him with some crazy story about Ben easting monsters, but we are talking about monsters here.

And then there was tonight.  He wanted J to read to him, then had a meltdown when I wasn't there to read after that.  I got him calmed down, and we talked and read for a little while.  He can actually finish most of the sentences in Goodnight Moon.  So neat to see these processes happening.  I laid down with him while we were still reading.  When the book was finished, I laid my arm across his body trying to snuggle with him.  He told me "Get off of me."  I responded to him that I was trying to cuddle.  And this is the sweet part.  He turned to me, pulled my neck closer to him, and started gently rubbing my face and hair.  Too adorable.  He can be such a cuddler, but only on his terms.

I hope we are over the monster business for now.

Wordless Wednesday - Oh, to be Ben

At least someone loves him enough to cover him up.

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, check out 5 minutes for mom, Go Graham Go, Two of a Kind, Working on a Full house and 7 Clown Circus!

Wordless Wednesday - Poor Ben

As much as this dog drives me crazy at times, moments like this make me love him ... just because he puts up with this treatment from a toddler. Check out that crazy "smile."

Cooper loves Ben, but what does Ben think?

I guess Cooper thought Ben was cold, and maybe he needed a hug or a toddler to ride him.

I can't believe how lucky we are to have a dog like Ben. For all his idiosyncrasies, he tolerates a lot from Cooper. Pay careful attention to Ben's head and expression. It didn't change once throughout this entire episode. Yes, he looks pitiful, but I think he doesn't mind so much.

Oh, and don't worry Mom, I washed the blanket before Cooper slept with it.

Ridem' Cowboy

Further evidence of how good a dog Ben is. No matter what they say about him, he will put up with anything.

I titled the last one "Hi Ho Ben-o Away."