Missing Daddy...AGAIN!

A little of what we were up to while Daddy was gone...

Annabel's hair got longer again!

We video-chatted with Daddy!

We visited Grandma Mary Kay at her school.

Daniel had fun sitting at Grandma's desk and eating snacks.
He loves pretzels and he's totally into candy corn!

We took a break at Grandma Cheryl's house.

Annabel had one super messy diaper...and was happy to play naked afterwards!

Daniel slept until 8:45 on one fluke of a morning! I had to wake him up!

Annabel fell asleep while waiting for Daniel, who was at his big boy class.

Annabel LOVED coming with me to get Daniel up every morning. She recognizes his door and she smiles the BIGGEST smile when she knows we're getting her big brother!
(Sorry the picture is so hard to see- not the best lighting,
but it was the best example of her big smile!)

Daniel had the most fun painting a picture frame for Daddy. He would have kept going on and on if I let him. Blue was his favorite color, he said, so the frame actually ended up being mostly blue.

Annabel has started to really kick her feet out of her button down pajamas when she wakes up in the middle of the night- and she gets mad about and it's really frustrating for me, too, because she just gets so mad and so worked up, and you have to start all over buttoning them up. So I'm doing an experiment and trying out all her zippered pajamas- it's working out a little better! This is a new thing since Daddy left.

Daddy left to "work far away" Australia again two weeks ago. We knew this return trip was a possibility even before he went the first time, but just like last time, the trip didn't get it's final approval until the last minute. The trip was originally supposed to be in September- I'm glad it wasn't- that's our birthday month and Daniel was still adjusting to his new big boy/independent class which would have been harder if Daddy was gone. This trip was also supposed to be for THREE weeks- which none of us could bear (well, we probably would have been fine- it's just SO long), so Ben told them he would only go for two weeks. Thank you, Ben! So, anyway, we knew this trip was coming and while I knew we'd miss Daddy tons, I also knew we would all be fine, just like last time.

Things were different this time, with the memory of Ben's first trip still so fresh in our minds, in Daniel's mind. Daniel definitely missed Daddy. And Annabel is a little older now and she changes quickly...especially in two weeks. Knowing that Ben was missing these subtle changes and new happenings (like her "butt-scooting"!) made it harder for both of us, too, I think.

Just like last time, I thought I'd share stories of how we missed Daddy and the things we did while he was gone.

Before Ben left- Funny story: Ben was testing out his new inflatable neck pillow to make sure it worked all right. Daniel took one look at it and said it was a "boppy for Daniel"- and he's right, it does look like a small boppy (the nursing pillow I use for Annabel) sized just for him! Too cute!

Saturday October 15- Ben left after lunch time, but he had spent the morning packing AND working, so we didn't really hardly see him much that morning- it was good prep for his actual absence. He did take time to sit and eat lunch with us and hang out with us until the limo arrived, so that was nice. Daniel was fine when Ben left- me, not so much. Daniel waved and waved as Daddy rode away. And as we turned to go into the house, Daniel stopped at the stoop at our front door and waved one last time and said "bye"- it was so sweet! Ben was already out of sight by this time, but it was just so cute that Daniel thought to do this- as if Ben could still see him. I loved it. Of course, I had tears in my eyes for quite some time- already missing Ben, wondering how the next 2 weeks would go. Daniel just kept hugging me and saying "Don't worry Mommy. Daddy always comes back." That alone kept me crying! I was just amazed at how sweet my boy was and how he was comforting me.

As Ben texted me his updates that he'd checked in and so forth, I told Daniel that I was "talking" to Daddy. So then, Daniel wanted to talk to Daddy, too, on the computer like we did last time. He ran into Ben's office and sat in Daddy's chair at the computer all ready to talk. It was so cute. I explained that Daddy had to fly for a very loooong time before he could talk to us on the computer- Daniel was very confused, he told me very emphatically that Daddy drove away. I said yes, but then he has to fly! So cute. Anyway, Daniel continued to mention talking to Daddy on the computer on and off all day that day.

At nap time, Daniel really wanted Daddy to read him stories, but he did okay and got over that just fine. After nap, he woke up saying "Daddy Daddy Daddy" and when I went in, he told me he was trying to call Daddy and make him come back. This was when it hit Daniel more that Daddy was gone and would be gone for a while.

The final realization, complete with a big meltdown, came after dinner. Daniel wanted to go outside and as we talked about what we needed to put on to go outside, Daniel wavered between wanting to go out and not wanting to go out...and something just switched and he just melted. Daniel cried on the stairs for close to 10 minutes. It was so sad. And he didn't want me. He wouldn't let me near him- he'd just up a step if he saw me. So I gave him space and just let him let it all out- he needed that. It was a hard 10 minutes for me- listening to him cry so hard, but I knew it was what he needed to do. We all need that sometimes- I get that. Finally he let me hold him and comfort him and then we did get outside for some fresh air and that felt really good.

I managed to give BOTH kids baths that night, all by myself! Go me! During Annabel's bath, Daniel came up to help at some point, and then he went back downstairs to play on Ben's tablet some more. When I came back down a few minutes later, Daniel was crying again. He had somehow found the album of pictures Ben had taken on the tablet and some had Daddy in them- cue meltdown two. Daniel saw that picture of himself with Daddy and he just melted again. "I want Daddy." He cried, not as long, but still a little bit.

At bedtime, we had a surprise waiting for Daniel- I had gotten one of those recordable story books at Hallmark, the Cars book. It was just waiting for someday, for Christmas, for whatever. Well, this was the perfect time to do it- Ben could "read" Daniel a story every night while he was gone! Daniel LOVED his "Daddy book"! It was a hit (and we read it every day!). Daniel otherwise did just fine with bedtime. In fact, we kept hearing what sounded like fireworks and I was so puzzled, but Daniel stroked my cheek and said "Don't worry, Mommy. It's just fireworks." So cute. How can you be worried for long with that reassurance?

Sunday and Monday October 16 and 17- Every time we were on the way home, Daniel kept saying "Daddy's home" or "Daddy can get me out (of the car seat)" or "Daddy can play now"- this went on for a few days actually. I just reminded him that Daddy was still far away in Australia and usually he was fine without further upsets.

Ben called every day while he was gone. Monday was the first time Daniel talked to him (it's over 20 hours total door to door to get there and there's a 16 hour time difference- so our Monday was Ben's Tuesday- Ben had spent his Monday resting after the long trip). Ben called as we were getting ready for bed. It was so cute to see Daniel's expression- he was so excited to talk to Daddy. And he loved hearing Ben's laugh and being silly with Daddy- he talked and talked about that for days. You have no idea how much Daniel needed that minute to be silly with Daddy.

Wednesday October 19- I made plans to talk to Ben on the tablet (Ben didn't take his tablet this time- he left that because it has a working camera and he could see us for the chat this way!) on Wednesday afternoon. Daniel had still been talking about it, so it was a date. We could see Daddy and he could see us. The two kids sat in bed in front of the tablet and Ben could see them. Annabel happily chomped on some toys. Daniel chatted and showed Daddy his toys. He especially loved waving to Daddy and trying to make Daddy laugh- he really wanted Daddy to laugh. We had a good time video chatting! We all needed that. And as soon as we said goodbye and I closed the tablet (it's attached to a keyboard), Daniel wanted to open it up and do it again! He literally thought Daddy would be there again. And after his nap, he asked again...and now he thinks he can talk to Daddy every time we're on the tablet. Needless to say, I didn't get the tablet out much after that! I didn't want to confuse him!

Rest of Week 1- Like I said, the first week was hard. Daniel was really testing limits, trying things to get more attention (which I didn't even know how to do sometimes since he really was getting SO much of my attention already), but we pulled through just fine, we really did. We kept really busy actually. We had something on the calendar every day- and I'm not usually like that at all; I'm such a homebody. But with Ben gone, it was nice to get out and do something- time went faster that way. And it gave us things to look forward to, it gave us some fresh air, and some interactions with other people- since I'm sure Daniel got tired of me, perhaps why he was acting. Or perhaps he was acting up because we did too much- he's a homebody, too. Anyway, we did just fine. And by the end of the week, I knew we were going to be okay.

Week 2- By the second week, Daniel had stopped asking for daddy. We had an awesome week all around! We were still busy, but not as busy so that may have helped. Plus, we'd just gotten into our groove, our routine, and we knew how things were. We made a project for Daddy- we painted a wooden picture frame for him and framed his favorite picture of the 2 kids from the photo shoot. Daniel LOVED painting the frame- he painted it for the longest time and would probably have kept going if I let him! So that was fun.

Grandpa Gary took Daniel to the rest of his swimming lessons. Daniel had been going underwater with Ben, but he would NOT go under for Grandpa- but that's okay. Otherwise, he did just fine with lessons. And when I told him a couple days ago that Grandpa would take him one more time and then next time Daddy would take him- Daniel's face LIT up and he exclaimed "That's a BIG DEAL!" (Daniel's cute way to say "good deal"). He was so excited to see Ben again.

Daniel was also excited to decorate and carve our pumpkins. I told him when Daddy gets home, we'll do the pumpkins, and Daniel said that Daddy would be done working far away. I said yes Daddy will work from home again. Daniel simply said "First Daddy will play!" You bet he will! Ben missed the kids SO much!

Favorite moments of week 2-

Wednesday October 26- When we were out running errands and I was getting Annabel in the K'Tan, Daniel hugged my leg and said, "I love you so much Mommy. I love you all the time." Awww. Melt my heart. See? Right there- that made my week!

Friday October 28- Grandma Cheryl came over to give the kids their Halloween goody bags. They loved the goodies found in them. Annabel mostly liked the bag, but she had fun with the toys, too. And Daniel LOVES his new Pez candy dispenser, also called "those back tooth things." Daniel also got suckers and he shared one with Grandma right away- it was blue. A few minutes later, Daniel very seriously said to Grandma, "Don't put that bucket (Annabel's red shape sorter bucket) in your mouth, Grandma. Your tongue is blue!" We were cracking up!

Friday October 28- As I headed upstairs to put Annabel to bed, Daniel came over and gave her a hug and said, "Good night, Annabel. I love you so much, Annabel." Again, so sweet!

Today- Saturday October 29- Today was the day Ben came home, finally! I purposely didn't tell Daniel that Ben was on the way home, because I know my son- he'd have been bouncing off the walls and wanting to see Daddy NOW or wanting to look out the window again and again and again. And he wouldn't have napped- he'd have been too excited. SO, we played all morning, we had our neighbor's twins' 1st birthday party to go to, and then both kids took naps- I still didn't tell Daniel even then. Ben's flight arrived while they were napping and he was well on the way home towards the end of their naps. Daniel woke up about 2 minutes before Ben got home (I still didn't tell him)- he couldn't have timed that better! Annabel had been awake for a while and had already had a messy diaper which meant an outfit change- also minutes before Ben got home. I was practically exhausted with the whirlwind of activity- waking kids up, changing diapers and outfits- by the time Ben walked in the door. And then, just like that, there Daddy was right in our front hallway! For Daniel, it was like he was never gone- or at least like he was only gone for 5 minutes, because Daniel was all ready to play and be silly with Daddy- kids sure don't waste one minute!

How did Annabel change while Ben was gone, because you know she did:
Her hair is longer now and I swear she's bigger, chubbier in her thighs. She turns and reaches for you if you're sitting next to her- she really wants to climb into my lap now. She scoots on her bottom- it's subtle, you can't see it really, but you notice it when you look at her five minutes later and she's 10 inches away! Annabel also raises her arms when she knows you're going to pick her up. She's also started rolling again, so much so that changing her diapers has become a challenge! I'm not sure I could have stood for her changing much more than that...she has to save some new things for Daddy, too! It's a good thing Ben's home now because Annabel is really changing fast these days!

Welcome Home, Daddy! We missed you tons!

Daddy's Return from Down Under...AGAIN!

Annabel looking so pretty, waiting for Daddy!
(This was before her diaper mess...so Daddy didn't see her in this outfit!)

HURRY HOME, DADDY!!!

Daniel was very excited to get a new blue AND black car from Daddy!
The kids also got adorable Australia t-shirts. Thank you so much, Daddy!

SO-Yes, you read that right. Ben was in Australia again- for the second time this year, the second time in Annabel's 6 months of life so far, a second time WITHOUT me! I still want to go someday...

Anyway, Team Mommy/Daniel/Annabel did just great! We missed Daddy tons, but we really did just fine. We're really glad he's back though!

How did Daniel do this time? Well, it was a little harder this time. Daniel very much remembered when Daddy was gone last time. Two days before Ben left, we told Daniel that Daddy was going to work far away again. Daniel remembered where Ben went- "to Australia" and immediately exclaimed "Daddy's going to get me a BLUE car this time!" (Ben got him a red car last time- Daniel remembered that and now this time he wanted a blue car- I made sure Ben knew this!) And that was all that was said about Daddy going away on Daniel's part. It wasn't until Ben left that Saturday, and not even right when he left, but later that day, that I think it hit Daniel. He just melted. I will never forget it- Daniel went and sat on the stairs in our front hallway and cried and cried and cried. He wouldn't let me near him for about 10 minutes, and then he let me in, he let me hold him and comfort him, and somehow I managed to distract him with going outside for some fresh air for a while. Anyway, it was heartbreaking how Daniel cried. But otherwise, Daniel was comforting me- he kept saying "Don't worry, Daddy always comes back" and giving me hugs when I had tears in my eyes. That was just so sweet! Beyond that first day, I'll be honest- our first week was HARD, Daniel was testing limits a LOT, but we got through it just fine. And the second week, well- it was wonderful, it really was. I was so pleased and so proud of Daniel. We just had an amazing week! It was nice to get into our groove and get our routines down pat and just really all enjoy each other.

How did Daniel react when Daddy came home? Daniel had just woken up from his nap, I was finishing up changing Annabel's diaper, and all of a sudden Daniel heard the garage door to the house opening ever so quietly and he rushed to the front hall to see "what was that?" and there was Daddy! He exclaimed "Daddy!" with the biggest smile on his face. And then it was like Daddy was never gone- just like last time. Daniel fell right back into playing and being with Daddy like he had been here all along. Ben was very tired, but he was a good sport and of course very ready to play with his little guy again!

And Annabel- I swear I've never seen her smile so big; she was clearly very happy to see Daddy, too! Well, it's either that or she felt much relieved having been freshly diapered after her big messy diaper ruined her brand-new "Daddy's girl" outfit literally minutes before Daddy arrived. I'm not kidding! I could NOT believe it!! I tried to catch her before the mess happened, but I was too late. At least I got pictures of her in the outfit before this all happened. Ben had been texting me along the way home (he took a limo home, too) with where he was and he was seriously just miles away when this fiasco happened. Seriously baby girl? Oh well- at least she had a back-up outfit with "I love Daddy" on it (I didn't get a picture of that outfit- we were too busy playing and catching up with Daddy!) and I was able to quickly put that on her. I had just finished getting her dressed again when Ben walked in. Ben was glad to have missed all that fun! It was pretty good timing, I'll say. Anyway, she just happily played away and smiled her winning smiles all night for Daddy!

We're sure glad Daddy's back home safe and sound!

Annabel's 1st Swing Ride!

We enjoyed some very nice fresh air again yesterday. We played in our yard for a bit before lunch time. Then our friends Patricia, Delilah (Daniel's age), and Asher (Annabel's age) invited us to join them at the park. It occurred to me that we hadn't been to the park in a long time- certainly not Annabel, and certainly not since she's been sitting. So we tried her out in the swing! Annabel loved it! She was so happy and relaxed and just loving the motion and the breeze. Daniel and Delilah had fun digging and playing in the sand. We just really enjoyed being outside- after last week's rainy week, I needed these beautiful weather days we're finally having again! Too bad rain and chilly weather is on it's way again... We'll enjoy it while we can!

Annabel is just absolutely determined to get the grass...blankets do not stop her!

"I think I'll just move the blanket...that will make getting grass easier!"

Enjoying some sunshine!

More wind blown hair!

Fun on the swing!!

Just chillin'!

Cute smile!

You can see Daniel and Delilah playing in the background. They played so nicely together for the longest time. Apparently they were working together to fill that white chair's seat with sand!

I love how relaxed Annabel looks here...hands together and all!

Daniel checks out Annabel's ride!

Daniel wanted to hold the camera on the way home. He took this picture of somebody's front yard. And of course he took lots of pictures of the sky, the sidewalk, the tree tops, etc. But this skeleton was quite interesting- he asked me to go back so he could take a picture!

So that was Annabel's first swing ride...just as the weather is getting chilly again, too! Hope she likes it as much next Spring! We had fun trying it out!

On the Move!

It's official! Annabel is on the move! Well, she is if she's on her butt and if she's VERY interested in something just out of reach. She's been working and working and working on scooting on her bottom for the last several days and as of yesterday, she actually scooted about a good foot away. It's been such a subtle change for a week now that I hardly noticed it. She'd begun to lean forward and really reach for toys while sitting, almost tipping while doing so (she did fall a few times- part of the learning process! Daniel of course would run and hug her!). But her scoots at first were barely noticeable- maybe an inch here and there, and even a few slight turns...but I finally realized, that yes, she was actually moving forward this way. And yesterday, we were home all day (for the first time in a long time- we've had something on our calendar every day for over a week; it was nice to just be at home all day and not have to get in the car and go somewhere for a change- I'm such a homebody, I needed a day like this- so did my kids!), so Annabel finally got lots more practice scooting. At lunch time, I looked over at Annabel at one point, studied her with squinted confused eyes, and all I could think was "wait a minute, I put her down over there didn't I?" She was a good several inches from where she started! She continued to do this all day. I LOVED it! I'm SO excited and at the same time I'm all sad she's growing up so fast. How can my baby be moving around already?!

So I got the idea to take a picture where I put her down, wait a bit, and then take another picture so you could see "proof" that she'd scooted. Clever aren't I?! It was a fun mini project for me! You'll have to look closely, though. I didn't "mark" where she started. I'll try again though!

Daniel was so excited for her, too, in his own way. He's all "I have to clean up my toys so Annabel doesn't get them" now. That's a good boy- we'll see how long that lasts. Daniel has been very good about making sure Annabel has her toys within reach and not his, but now that she's gonna be moving, we'll have to be extra careful. Oh boy- we're onto new adventures now!

Here's Annabel leaning forward- you can just make out how much she's tipping her legs and butt to do so. When she's absolutely determined to get something, you can bet she's leaning forward and really reaching!

Here's the proof: Note where Annabel started. About a good foot away from that diaper caddy you see there on the right.

I know the angle is all wrong for the "proof" but you can sort of see that she is now directly in front of the caddy! I did NOT move her at all...this is all Annabel!


Annabel has also really started to reach for me when she's sitting down. She will turn, lean, do whatever she needs to do to reach for me where-ever I am. Especially now that she can "scoot", she's practically climbing into my lap sometimes! She's also starting to raise her arms when she knows I'm going to pick her up. SO SO cute! I'm loving this, too! It's been a fun couple days around here!

Photo Shoot 2

Yesterday we did part 2 of our photo shoot, the outdoor part, since it was such BEAUTIFUL weather this time! I was glad to get some crisp fresh morning air and see what we could get for the kids' pictures outdoors. Thank you SO much, Jason, for taking such wonderful pictures two weekends in a row! I'm thrilled with them all!

And of course, we got another 70 or so super fun pictures...and I had a hard time choosing just a few as always. I'm not complaining though- I love them all! We got some more candid pictures this time, too, and that adds to the fun.

This is a sweet picture of Daniel- I especially like that he's holding onto his well-loved lion!
That adds to the charm for me.

What a GREAT smile! I think this is my favorite picture!

Another cute picture!

LOVE the thumbs up!

I think this is so cute, too.

Daniel shows off a stick he picked up. He was very interested in the sticks (hay?) he saw all over the ground.

Look closely and you can see Daniel's cute expression!

This picture makes Daniel look so young...it reminds me of his two-year-old pictures...
Oh, to be so young and carefree!

At least Annabel wasn't catching flies this time, but the best we got were grins...still no "usual" happy smiley smiles. The pictures are still very sweet! And this time, I put her in that pink striped shirt that's my favorite!

Watching her brother...love her toes!

What a look she's giving us!

I love this series of pictures of her looking up!
Again with the eyes...and that beautiful soft baby skin!

Throwing some leaves...

Even I joined the fun!

Another cute picture of Annabel.

What a grin! And those eyes...sparkling blue!

Yep- you saw it coming, didn't you?! Annabel was very interested in those leaves! I was pulling them from her hands and mouth about every ten seconds!

Sort of a hug!

Me being silly...I put Annabel's sunglasses on, more just to distract her from the leaves. I also gave her the toy keys. It worked. And I love this picture- she's just like, what the heck?!

Mmm...yummy keys! Her favorite toy.

So those are our pictures, well, just some of them like I said. Now which ones to frame?!!? Can't wait to get started! I'm so excited about how the pictures turned out! They really do capture my children well. Makes my heart sing!