(Been working on this post for almost 2 weeks now.  OOPS.)

Hi.  My name is Andrea and I am terrible at blogging.  I think about it often.  I just can't find the time to sit and do it.  I almost never get on the computer when the kids are awake and if I do, it's work related.  And then when they are sleeping, I usually have a ton of work stuff to do .... or you know, occasionally  I like to eat, sleep, hang out with my husband or watch a little tv.  Sorry.  So here's what's been happening around here.....

Bentley's first birthday came and went.  We had a fun day and then had a party for him ... a few weeks later.  I'm just behind on life, I guess.  So here he is, just about 14 months now and turning into a little boy way too fast.  He finally started walking a few weeks ago.  We noticed a long time ago that his right leg is really turned out (both are, but the right leg is more) and when he would walk with the walker he'd keep the right leg straight and struggled to take steps with it, which would end up with him almost dragging it behind.  The more he started walking, the more concerned it had us - especially because it seems to cause him to really struggle when walking without assistance.  He ends up walking almost sideways leading with his left leg.  However, he is walking all the time now and I think he's getting better at it. UPDATE: The boy can move FAST now.

Bentley doesn't say as many words as Ryder did at this age, but some words we've heard him say are: mama, dada, more, dog (which he also signs and it's adorable), water, hello, what?, yea, and ball.  He babbles all the time and sounds like he's talking about something really important.  I love to watch him play because he does everything Ryder does, exactly the same way and it's so cute.  He thinks Ryder is the bees knees.

Ryder is growing up way too fast too!  I was just thinking about the days when I used to carry him everywhere and now I hardly ever get the chance to hold him.  Some days we butt heads non-stop - he's quite the defiant little cookie, but I am already so sad that there will come a day when he is in school and not home with me every day.  He is such a smart boy.  He LOVES numbers and constantly has to look at the clock to see what time it is.  The fact that he can tell time is a problem sometimes - he wants to know what time we are going to do everything and if we don't do it at that EXACT time he will have a meltdown.

The garbage obsession is still going strong.  I won't pretend I am not looking forward to the day he outgrows it.  His little brother is quickly learning to love the garbage too .....

Fun at the children's museum!

Ryder is terrified of my vacuum, but loves his.  As soon as mine is put away he comes out of hiding to do some vacuuming of his own.

And it's a good thing we have 2 toy vacuums, because Bentley has to get it on it too.

One day Ryder got the letter magnets off the fridge and spelled this out on the floor, all on his own!  Pretty impressive since he did it by memory and didn't have the box to look at or anything.

This little boy just loves to eat!  He snuck into the pantry and helped himself to a snack.

The day before his birthday we took him to Peter Piper Pizza for his first pizza - he loved it!!

Always happy when he's eating

We woke up one morning and discovered that baby quails had hatched in our backyard!  This was kind of a dream come true for me - baby quails are SOOOO cute!!!  Long story short, when they tried to flee our yard, 5 babies got left behind and we hoped the parents would come back for them but they didn't.  Luckily the wildlife rescue center was willing to take them in if we dropped them off!  I've convinced myself that all 5 are alive and living a great life. :)

A failed escape attempt - I may have given them all heart attacks taking pictures of them...

Sorry, quail overload - they are just so tiny and cute!

One of the rescued ones ..... seriously, how can you not love an animal that is born with a "party hat" on? :)

Our little man

For a couple days Ryder wanted to wear his fireman costume all day ... and he actually let me take a picture!

Ryder feeding Bentley cheerios

Such a dramatic little guy

Bentley's birthday and his first time in the pool (I think?)

He cried when I handed him to Rudy, but was happy once I got in with him

After swimming, we went out to dinner and then to the zoo for Summer Zoo Nights - it was a great birthday!

He was really excited about his present!

And thankfully we found a pack of cars in Ryder's closet that hadn't been opened (I think we gave it to him on Christmas and then hid it away), so we wrapped it up and let him open it so he wouldn't feel left out :)

One year old!!

We made a quick stop in target one day.  I needed one thing so I stuck Ryder in the stroller and carried Bentley - My arms were exhausted from carrying Bentley in one maneuvering the stroller around with the other so while I paid, I stuck B in the stroller with Ryder.  They both loved it!

12 month photo shoot