October 17th, 2009

The girls had a big day yesterday! We went to The Hairy Elephant for the girl's first haircuts. They both did great. Stella was a little bit upset at first, but she ended up getting a beautiful haircut. Emerson seemed to enjoy her haircut. She even liked the blow dryer! Cousin Ruthi went with us and got her hair cut too!

Trying to convince Stella that she wanted to get her haircut!

Emerson ended up going first. She decided to sit in the 4x4 jeep! That's my girl!

Emerson watching Yo Gabba Gabba!

So cute!

I couldn't believe that she liked the blow dryer!

Emerson's new do!

Stella decided to sit in the 4x4 jeep too! They obviously want their mommy to get a jeep!

Stella trying to push the blow dryer away!

Stella in the jeep watching Yo Gabba Gabba!

She didn't want a bow!

BYE BYE BABY MULLET!

We got to spend a little bit more time with Will yesterday afternoon. Mamaw Ruth hadn't seen him in over a month! He is such a good boy!

All of the Ebbinghaus-Benson cousins.

Ruthi was excited to spend some time with Will.

We decided that we were ready to get an outside kitten in July, but we had difficulty finding one. We ended up deciding to wait until Spring to get one since it has been so cold. Then we discovered an entire litter of kittens while running errands with Mamaw Ruth and Papaw Marty yesterday. I decided that 2 kittens are better than 1 since Winter is coming! James wasn't very happy because he only agreed to one kitten. Our compromise was that we would keep both kittens, but James would name them! These are our new kittens: Hoosier & Colt!

Baby Colt!

Baby Hoosier!

October 16th, 2009

Our baby girls got their first haircuts today! These pictures aren't great because they were taken on Mamaw Ruth's phone. I will post more photos and videos later.

Stella's new style


Bye Bye Baby Mullet!


Emerson's new style


Emerson sat so patiently while she got her hair cut!

October 11th, 2009

Aunt Karen and Uncle Larry came out to visit us this weekend. We had a great time visiting with them, and the girls loved playing with their pumpkins and gourds. We weren't able to go out to dinner since James isn't getting around very well yet, so Aunt Karen and Uncle Larry brought dinner to us. They made us a fabulous steak dinner, and then Aunt Karen made us a huge breakfast this morning.

Emerson and Stella playing with their gourds. Stella kept throwing them across the room, and Emerson actually took a bite out of one of them! We eventually moved the pumpkins and gourds out to the front porch.

Stella went to Uncle Larry as soon as he walked in the house, and she didn't leave his side the rest of the time they were here. She even tried to leave with them this morning!

Emerson enjoying her gourds.

Aunt Karen showed the girls how to ride their pony double!

It was hilarious! There are videos of the pony rides at the bottom of this post.

Emerson and Stella opening their Halloween cards from Great Grandma and Grandpa Benson. Thanks Grandma MaryAnn and Grandpa Bob!

Aunt Karen reading to Emerson.

Aunt Karen reading to Stella.

Emerson cuddling with Aunt Karen. They are buddies.

Stella harassing Uncle Larry!

Stella didn't want Uncle Larry to leave.

The girls were naming body parts. Of course "bebo" (belly button) is their favorite!

Emerson was trying to push Stella off Uncle Larry!

Here are the crazy pony rides. They are both starting to try to stand on the pony. Their cousin Molly must have taught them that!

October 10th, 2009

James' surgery went very well. The doctor was able to repair his knee, and his meniscus wasn't torn! He is going to relax this weekend and is planning on going back to work on Monday.

The nurse wrote "yes" on his right knee and "no" on his left knee! I thought his shaved leg looked very pretty!


We were able to spend some time with our nephew, Will, on Friday evening. Will's life has been turned upside down over the last few months, and we haven't been able to spend much time with him. We were so happy that Wade brought him over for us to love on him! Will was so happy to see his daddy.

Wade Jr.

Emerson was so sweet to Will. She calls him "buddy!"

Stella kept trying to take Will's toy!

Will would act like he was going to give her the toy, and then he would pull it away!

Emerson pointing to Will's ear. She also "honked" his nose!

Stella being indifferent. She might have been intimidated by Will's size!

October 8th, 2009

Quick update:
We have had an unbelievable week, and it isn't even over yet! Please keep my nephew in your prayers. He is in the middle of a custody dispute, and we all just want him to be safe and happy. After talking to our pediatrician, we have decided to put Stella back on her reflux medication. She seems to be struggling with acid reflux again. We were pretty shocked since she has been off of her reflux medication for about a year. Finally, James will be having knee surgery on Friday morning. He has always had bad knees and has already had one knee surgery, but the pain has gotten much worse over the last few months. We are hopeful that the surgeon won't find any major problems, and his surgery will be a routine procedure to help eliminate his discomfort. Please pray that he has a speedy recovery. He is planning on being back at work (on crutches) on Monday!
Aunt Karen and Uncle Larry are coming out to visit us this weekend. They had a pumpkin patch party at their house a few weekends ago, but we weren't able to make it. Since we couldn't take the girls to their pumpkin patch, they are going to bring the pumpkins to the girls! I will post pictures early next week.

October 4th, 2009

I had originally planned on having the girls wear their birthday outfits, tutus, and tiaras as their Halloween costumes. They won't wear the tiaras, so I decided to look for witch's hats instead! I found them last night, and the girls love them! They played in them all day!

Emerson must have thought that Rambo needed a witch's hat too!

Stella was trying to walk in her daddy's slippers!

Emerson is still teething, and isn't very happy about it.

Stella is ready to trick or treat!

For about a week, the girls have been asking to play in Stella's crib after nap time. It is so sweet!



Auntie Tina sent the girls new hoodies from Mackinac Island!

Thanks Auntie Tina!

They love their hoodies!

Stella waking Emerson up from her nap.

I laid Emerson down for her nap with a shirt on. When I went in to get her she didn't have a shirt on! I couldn't believe she was able to get her long sleeve shirt over her head!

Grandma Natalie and Grandpa Kim sent the girls Colts jerseys! They are adorable! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!





The girls love playing on our bed. They figured out how to jump on the bed this week! Stella throws all of the pillows off of our bed so she has plenty of room to jump! They have also started jumping in their cribs...I hope their cribs are sturdy!