Two Years Ago Today...

...we welcomed a 9 pound 7 ounce baby boy (yep, you read that right) into our family. Our sweet Benjamin Davis arrived and we couldn't have been prouder.

Our first photo together

Our first kiss

We had known that July 28th would be his birthday for several months and I can still remember the strange feeling of walking into the hospital that day knowing that in a few hours I would meet my son. And what a wonderful first meeting! He was crying and puffy and, as mentioned before, ginormous! But, besides my first baby boy, Davis was the most beautiful child I had ever seen! I spent my days in the hospital napping and cuddling and watching movies. Kevin and I kept saying we had never had a better time in the hospital!

The first picture of "My Boys"

Davis is my joy. He is so full of personality and curiosity. He is strong-willed and determined. He loves his family and especially his big brother. Lately, he has become a little parrot, repeating everything that is said.

Brothers

It's hard to believe he is two today, but if I forgot, he would remind me - "It Dadis birfday!" and "Dadis twoooooo!" Silly Goose!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!

We Have Flowers!

I am no gardener, but I plan to learn. Really. I will learn. But, for now I get to enjoy what was already planted...and pretend I had something to do with it! I love black-eyed susans and I was so excited to discover that I had some in my front yard (confession: I was not 100% sure of what they were until they started to bloom!).

I have always loved the pictures of children wearing white and posing so sweetly in front of the beautiful yellow and black flowers. In a perfect world, I would have dressed my children and taken their picture early in the morning when the light is perfect. But, you and I both know that sometimes you have to take what you can get! :) So, we snapped a few pictures at about 8:00 a few nights ago in our very best play clothes.

Drew did a great job posing for Mom - I have trained him well! But, Davis. Sweet Davis. Precious Davis. Davis of the "I Never Stop Moving Tribe". We did the best we could. Kevin finally caught him "sniffing" the flowers as we were on our way inside! I really do love those pictures - the candid ones - the best anyway, but really, couldn't he give his Mom a "Cheeeeeze" every once in a while like all the other 2 year olds?!

Happy Birthday Everyone!

Last Saturday was a birthday celebration at the Fleming house! We had such a wonderful time celebrating Mom, Melissa, Neil, and Davis. Well...there was a lot of Davis celebrating, actually. You'll see the evidence in the pictures. So, it's official - my child is rotten.

Davis had a blast in his new kiddie pool and he loved playing in the sand and water table with Hayden, Carleigh ("Yah-yee", in Davis-speak), Sadie, and Drew. Kevin grilled some awesome hamburgers and hot dogs, and I just had so much fun hanging out with everyone!

Davis' favorite part of the party was (no surprise here) the presents! I knew ahead of time what Melissa had gotten him and I was so excited! Melissa's favorite toy as a little girl was her "Cozy Coupe". She loved that thing! Some of my most vivid memories of Melissa when she was little involves that Cozy Coupe! So, it was perfect that she got Davis his very own car - actually, his is a little fancier than Melissa's model. Davis has a Cozy Coupe firetruck! He has been having so much fun with all of his new presents this week!

Here are some party highlights...

Our Birthday Boy!

Cousins in the Kiddie Pool

A boy and his firetruck.


Happy Birthday Everyone!
(Although Davis chose the cake - told you he was spoiled!)

Blowing out candles for everyone!

Nemo cake is delicious!

A boy and his scooter.
(Not as cool as a firetruck, apparently.)

So funny. He really loved "reading" his cards!

Hooray for Birthdays!

The firetruck was so popular that the kids got really resourceful and sneaky to get a turn! I actually got pictures of one attempt! We laughed so hard about how smart 2 year olds can be when they really want something!

"Hi! So...I've got this really cool tractor if you want to trade!"

"You're getting out?! You must want to trade! You are so generous!"

"I'll just put my arm right here to help you get out. Really. I'm just helping."

"Thanks so much for sharing!"

Tooth Fairy Time!

Drew FINALLY lost both of his front teeth! He lost one of his front teeth a couple of weeks ago, but I just couldn't bring myself to post any pictures because the other one was loose too and it was just hanging there! It really was pitiful looking - for 2 weeks!

Finally, I ordered Kevin to "Get that tooth out!" last night. He was successful and now Drew keeps saying that they feel SO WEIRD! He is adorable without those teeth, but it won't last long because I can already see the grown up teeth peeking through.

The tooth fairy did visit last night and we put both of the front teeth under Drew's pillow. He decided that she could take them both at the same time, although I don't think he would have waited if he had known he would have to wait two weeks!

I too, Davis!

We were sitting at dinner tonight and my little boy put his arms around my neck and said, "I too, Mommy!" Then, he said it again and again. It took me a few minutes, but I realized he was telling me that he loved me. Then, I started to cry. I know you moms and dads know exactly what moved me so. I know he loves me - I can see it in so many ways - but, today he told me that he loves me (unprompted, by the way). Davis also "toos" Daddy and his Drewy. He has told us all many times tonight. We feel loved.