Travel Tips

I'm fully aware that our advice and our experiences will change every time we travel with Cameron, but when it comes to being away from home and/or flying, there are some things we have learned.

#1 If you have a lap infant, make sure that your airline knows ahead of time and be sure to get a boarding pass for him or her. They'll appreciate it when you go through security. Also, it's not a bad idea to take a copy of your baby's birth certificate. We were only asked for it once, and it wasn't a big deal that we didn't have it, but after thinking it over I realized that they really have no idea who's kid it is that you're traveling with.

#2 Give yourself plenty of time at the airport.  If you're a go-with-the-flow kind of person you'll be fine, but if you're not and you know your anxiety will be running you ragged, give yourself extra time on top of your extra time and stay calm.

#3 If your baby is in diapers, ALWAYS change him or her right before boarding or heading out on that road trip. The planes have changing stations should you need it, but it's a tight space.

#4  You're going to think of everything that you have in the comfort of your home and probably want to take most of it with you, but really think about what you're going to need. Oh and always look to see if there's a washer/dryer where you're staying when you travel. That will help limit any over-packing.

#5  Depending on how long you're staying, I suggest taking a days worth of diapers in your carry on and at least one bottle over what you think you'll need while you're in the airport and on the plane. You can stop and buy diapers and figure out your bottle situation once you get there.  If you're pumping, fly with your pump. Don't check it! Trust me on this.

#6  Look into baby rental companies. In bigger cities, there are a lot of companies that will rent strollers, car seats, cribs, etc so that you don't have to travel with so much extra stuff. Also, if your baby is big enough, do the umbrella stroller - it's so much easier!

#7  Since you're not packing a ton of diapers, you have the room so take one towel and one crib sheet with you for your trip. Not every baby likes everyone else's washing detergent and it helps them adjust faster sleeping on something from home.

#8  If you're still nursing, keep in mind that even though you're on vacation, what you eat and drink is what baby eats and drinks.  If it's not your usual diet, it's not their's either. If you're feeling a bit off, chances are that baby is feeling slightly off too.

#9  On the airplane, feed your child at take off and landing (this includes the decent as well). Or if your baby does the pacifier thing, use that too. The action of sucking will help equalize the ears, this goes for any age. Once baby is older and not doing the pacifier thing,  try a lollipop. It helps, trust me!  On our return flight, Cameron ate all of his bottle and we were still descending so we added a little water to his bottle just to keep him sucking. It worked like a charm!

#10  When visiting family, remember that if you can get overwhelmed, so can your munchkin. If the family is anything like mine they want as much time with Cameron as possible. Rightfully so, he is super cute.  However, I had to remind myself that between the car seat, stroller and everyone wanting to hold him and love on him, he needed some alone time and some "stretch out time" also. There were multiple occasions where I set up a blanket and sort of created a fort underneath the table that we were all sitting at so that he was still part of the festivities but was getting his own time also.

This list is just a start and definitely. Work in progress. It'll just be a matter of time before we're traveling again. Might as well take advantage of the lap infant while we can!

Surprise!

This weekend we flew to Florida to surprise Tim's Grandmother for her 80th Birthday!
Warning: lots of pictures ahead!











Cameron flew for the first time and was an excellent traveler! We were so thankful that he was so good! It definitely helped that we worked together (Team Benton), and that we all stayed calm and patient. I'll do a separate post on travel tips that we learned in the process.  Let's just say I'm a firm believer that your child responds to your reactions and your emotional cues.

Grandma was very surprised and loved having everyone together! I know I wasn't the only one that got choked up watching her face and seeing everyone go to hug her as she entered the party room.  I was finally able to meet the rest of the Benton's that I hadn't and Cameron was able to meet some of his roots too! We even got a group photo!

It's not shocking to me that we come from a long line of funny Benton's. The hysterical sense of humor that I find in Tim sneaks out of his family members too. We were laughing into the wee small hours of the morning every night in Florida.

The cousins took a spontaneous trip to what they call "Downtown Disney"; thankfully everything in Disney is kid-friendly...even bar hopping and clogging! :)

We believe that family comes first and we're glad that we've already started passing on that philosophy to Cameron. He's going to be a world-class traveler in no time flat!

Cameron's Firsts:

First flight... check!

First surprise party... check!

First merry-go-round... check!

First trip to the bar... check!

First family vacation... check!

Lets talk dimples

Dimples here. On his hands.













Dimples there. On his feet.













Dimples Everywhere.

Hmm, I'm beginning to wonder if dimples run in the family. It's ok, these dimples have me smitten. They can stick around for a little bit longer.

Flu - 1; Flu Shot - 0

I'm not a super radical person when it comes to vaccinations, but there are certain things that I'd rather not put into my body just because. I don't want to get on a soap box or discuss all the crazy pros and cons of vaccinating. I know there are some very strong-minded opinions when you dive into that pool. I'd rather just tell you a funny story.

When we took Cameron to the doctor last week his pediatrician asked us if we'd like to get flu shots while we were there. Tim looked at me and started smirking because he knows that I never get the flu shot, and I don't want to ever get it. Without getting into a debate or discussion about my reasoning, I just said that I know a lot of people get sick after getting the flu shot and that I didn't want to get sick. She said that doesn't happen unless you were already sick before getting the flu shot. Hmph. Then she went on to say that because Cameron wasn't eligible to get it until he was 6 months old (and especially since we're getting ready to take a trip) that she "highly recommends that I get one so that it will pass on to him". She got me. Right there. The fact that it was needed for Cameron had me relax my shoulder/arm and get a shot 5 minutes later.
In the meantime, Tim made fun of me thinking that I was scared of the shot. Um, excuse me, I just had a baby... a shot certainly isn't going to scare me now.*

And you want to know what...5 days later I was sick! I TOLD YOU SO! I blame the stinking flu shot. I like to think that I have a very good immune system, but this thing is for the birds (not bird flu, but you catch my drift)!

All I gotta say is that the flu beat the flu shot this time. We'll see how often I get sick this winter season, but next year it's on:  this Benton plans on beating both of them!

Classics!

The weekend was rainy and cool here in Austin, TX and we lucked out with two tickets to a car show and auction downtown. Tim was reluctant to take Little B with us, but from what I had heard on the commercials, they mentioned that it was "fun for the whole family". I mean it was no circus, but hey...why not! We're not in a terrible-two's stage and the more we get him out of the house, the better he will be right?

Anyway, these cars were gorgeous and the auction was very neat to watch. I have to admit that I was a bit over-stimulated. I was watching people in the "audience" and the guys working the auction, not to mention the owners of the cars and the cars themselves. I can't imagine the kinds of auctions that bigger cities like Vegas get!

It was a fun outing and a few people even commented on how good Little B was! (Two points Benton's!)

Cameron and I picked out our favorites and I couldn't help but giggle at some of the auctioneer's comments. They really do try to sell, sell, sell! Can you blame them though, there's nothing like a classic, shiny, car!

Four Months

Dear Little B,
Today you are officially four months old! At your check up on Friday you weighed in at 16.9 pounds! I gotta tell ya, you're Daddy & I were expecting 20!  You have rolls on top of rolls, but we love every piece of you...even the crumbs that sometimes get stuck between the rolls! :)

You are groovin' to your own beat this month and giggles are just the beginning! You love your toes and are trying to figure out how to do more with your hands. You are rolling and scooting and boy do you look ready to move when you're on your tummy!  Oh and did I mention, you're totally sucking your thumb. It doesn't matter what I try and do to stop it from happening...it's like a magnet to your mouth.

Time is flying by and we're having fun! We took you to a car show this weekend, and you were a hit! Friends with older kids came over last night and you weren't quite sure what to make of them and all their noises!

Your gums are swollen and there's drool everywhere. You've tried strawberries, watermelon & grapes. You watch people intently and you love music.  You've figured out how to watch me from your mirror when I'm driving and you think it's funny when the dogs are in the car with you.  Best of all though, you love snuggling up on your side next to your Daddy and falling asleep or when I scratch your head  as I read you a story (just like your Daddy).

The world is a magical place with you in it, lovebug, and this is just the beginning! We're on a roll and there are big things happening all around us, I'm so glad you're a part of our world.

Happy 4 months Punkin'!

We love you to the moon and back.

We should all laugh like this!

Peek-a-boo

Someone has a doctor's appointment this morning!

We're all wondering what his fightin' weight is these days.  Stay tuned...

What the heck is a bumbo anyway?

A few years ago the "bumbo" was all the rage in baby products. Well that was until people started leaving their kids in them on top of tables and counters and tragic things happened when kids got a little too strong and the child went falling in the bumbo. They did a big recall and had replacement parts to strap children in, but really the biggest lesson learned was, "hey - keep an eye on your kid" or I know, "keep the bumbo on the ground".

Regardless, this little thing seems like the simplest concept, and I'm not sure why it wasn't thought of sooner. I couldn't believe that they were running $50 these days and actually cheered when I found one at a resale shop this weekend. A little disinfecting and Little B has a Bumbo too! He's digging the desk (I know it's more like a tray, but we like to consider it his desk so he can work.)

Our boy is getting bigger day by day!

If you're happy and you know it...

Shout it from the mountain tops!

I need to just take a minute and say these 3 little words: I am happy! It's not often that you take a minute and breathe in the good life. Typically, there's always something going down and sure there's room to complain...but as I read Cameron a book the other day, I thought, 'man I'm happy' and I felt like I needed to shout it from the mountain tops. OK, ok, so maybe there aren't mountains in Austin, but you catch my drift.  

Happy is:

 * playing on the floor with my munchkin while my old dog lays in the corner watching

* Tim screaming, "Family Meeting!" or "Hey Family!" throughout the house

* singing "Jeremiah was a Bull frog" while Cameron splashes in the bathtub

* going to work and feeling like I've accomplished something and then rushing home knowing I've accomplished even more!

* dancing in the kitchen

* talking with my Grandparents and laughing about how they need to start lifting weights before they come spoil Cameron again

* watching Cameron's face as he licks on a slice of watermelon or tries the juice from a grape

* sitting outside on a beautiful day breathing in the good life

Boys will be boys, but...

Recently I found myself giving some "advice" to a 12 year old boy that I know. Advice that I gave my husband when we were dating. Advice that I give all men and will give Little B on a regular basis. Laughing now as I think about how my conversation started, I decided it was time I write down some of my suggestions for Little B now...

I understand that boys will be boys.  I'm fully expecting all of the silly, crude and inappropriate things that boys do from Cameron, but as a rule there are some things that are just not acceptable - especially not in public!

As I told this 12 year old boy, if you ever want to pick up chicks, or to make a good impression, here's what you need to know:

A) Whatever you do - NO loogies. period. Don't do it unless you are sick and hawking up your life. AT HOME. That is by far the only time it is acceptable to spit, hawk or spew a loogie.

B)  Do not snort your snot. I don't know what other way to explain it, but your sniffing so hard it snorts your snot all the way and then you don't have anywhere to spit that loogie you've just worked up so you're now swallowing you're snot - we know. It's beyond disgusting. Just blow your nose. please.

C)  I say this in the best way possible. There is no need to scratch or adjust yourself (you know which parts  I mean). If it's bothering you that bad, go to the bathroom. I don't need to be having a full conversation with someone that has their hand grabbing at themselves. Eh sure, boys will be boys, but why does that make it ok? It's unnecessary.  

D) Girls like a guy with a sense of humor. This is so true...but (big but), if you're going to be funny, be witty, be charming. Sense of humor does not equal crude, cruel or obnoxious.

So be boys. Get dirty, have fun, wrestle and do boy things, but I'm going to work my tail off teaching my little boy how to be a quality man that doesn't completely gross me out.  The biggest fight will be drinking out of the container. I'm still working on Tim with that one. In a Benton World, we are all works in progress.

Friday Quickie

This is how Cameron and I feel about all of the heavy politics that seem to be on every corner!

Side note: I'm feeling extra spunky about the weekend, I think it's because I have plans to get my hair done tomorrow...and boy does it need some attention!

Quality Time

There's a lot we try and squeeze into our weekends and this weekend was no exception!  A three-day weekend (Oh Labor Day, how we love thee!) just meant more time to pack in extra helpings of fun!  It was the opening of dove season and the "unofficial" end of summer, although in Texas summer typically feels as though it's 85% of the year!

Did I mention it was a "blue moon"? My picture doesn't do it justice, but we were trying to show how big and bright the moon was compared to how big Cameron is. Hmm...pretty sure we failed.  Either way, it's a funny picture.

Cameron loves his dogs.

Good morning!

Are you ready for some football?

Cameron and I giggled that we had doves all around us, but Tim was a bout an hour away hunting .

Playing all weekend can make for some tired boys!

Someone has found his feet and boy are they fun!

We had some family time digging through treasures at the annual flea market in our small lake community with a delicious breakfast afterwards. Tim was able to go dove hunting on opening day (it's like a holy day in his eyes) while Cameron and I played lakeside and even found ourselves having a cat nap.  Tim and I were even able to get a little QT in of our own while Cameron went on his first sleepover. You'd think we would have caught up on sleep & silence, but instead we did the lake like we used to...with loud and silly friends!  That's life in a Benton World though...never dull and silent!

Sneaky

I am learning to be a sneaky stage mom! More on the holiday weekend tomorrow...
Until then though, here's some laughs from these two hooligans.

It's true, I am smitten.