Benjamin is 3!

This past weekend we went to celebrate my nephew Benjamin's 3rd Birthday! I cannot believe 3 years have gone by already. He is such a sweet boy and a blessing to our family.

I didn't get many photos from the party, but here are a couple...

Family Picture

My friend Shannon grabbed a couple shots of us while we were at a wedding for my friend's daughter. She did a great job!

Crawling and Pulling up

Two days after our visit to the Doctor for Eden's 9 month visit, she began crawling AND pulling up! Two big accomplishments in one day!

9 Month Check-up

We took Eden in for her 9 month check-up on Thursday (May 31st). Dr. Hilton was mainly checking her gross and motor development as well as social development and growth (meaning no shots this visit). She checked out well in all areas! I was concerned because she isn't quite fully crawling yet, but the doctor was encouraged by how she was able to manuver and felt she was fine.

She is quite a tall girl, as we know. She measured at 29in long (90th percentile). She was also 19lbs 5oz for weight (70th percentile). I had a feeling she would weigh in around 20lbs. I am getting quite the workout when I hold her these days!!

One bit of good news: Eden's tear duct problem is gone as far as we can tell! When she had her ear infection and a round of antibiotics about a month ago her eye cleared up and she hasn't had any issues since. We are so thankful God healed her little eye and that she will not need to have the tear duct procedure! I asked the doctor if her eye clearing up was related to the antibiotics she was on and he said that is not typical, so he didn't have much of an explination, but we are all just so happy it has cleared up.

Beach Trip

The week before Memorial Day we went to Mexico Beach with 2 other houseparent couples, who are dear friends of ours. This was the first week of our 2 week break before the summer program begins at the Ranch. The weather was gorgeous and it was the perfect way to relax and have fun!

I was a little nervious about how Eden would do on her first vacation with being in the car for 7 hours and sleeping in a new place, but overall she was amazing!! She was a trooper :).

I couldn't wait to get down to the water and to see what Eden thought. Needless to say, I think she was a little overwhelmed and not sure what to think of the waves!

Since it was our first day, we decided she was probably tired from traveling and that she might do better the next day with a good nights sleep.The next day she did much better! Our friend Julie dug a little baby pool in the sand and Eden really enjoyed it.

She really loved playing with Benjamin, too!

She played until she was too tired to play anymore and napped on the beach with daddy.

We had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called Two Crabs. Some of the best seafood we have ever eaten!

The guys braved the oysters - yuck!

We spent the next couple days relaxing on the beach, swimming, reading, eating and napping. It was a great vacation!

By the last day, Eden was enjoying the beach and loved playing in the sand. She was even screaming at the waves as they roared up on the shore! (It's easier to be brave when you're sitting safely in daddys arms!)

It was so nice to go to the beach with friends! We really enjoyed their company and willingness to lend a helping hand. We really hope we can do this again next year!!