Benjamin Michael Eddy Jr's very 1st Birthday.

Last Saturday evening, there was a special celebration at Mimi and PopPop's. It was Benny's 1st Birthday. I'm not real sure where the last year has gone and how that little boy is one already...but apparently it's true.

Leslie went all Martha Stewart and carried out a pretty awesome train theme for the party, complete with "bubba gum" and soft train party favors, cute little train whistles for all the boys, and even different train-subject books for all of the boys! Note the little train banner with Ben's picture as engineer, and these cute little trains in the yummy cupcakes. (I was good - I only had a bite of each cupcake - one of Julie's coconut and one of Mom's chocolate). I was also pretty good at dinner (barbecue from Henry's Smokehouse - again, yum)...it was hard to refrain from eating a huge plate and/or from getting seconds, but somehow I did.



Max was tossed around at this party like a "hot potato"...but Chris and I were able to enjoy our meal without a baby in either of our laps, which was nice.










(that's Uncle Paul back there)



Ok, ok, on to the birthday boy:



He had the cutest little train shirt. Unfortunately you can't see it in that last picture, so I'll have to post this one, which Julie will probably hate because her eyes are squinty (sorry). Actually, it's really just one eye.



Benny had a lot to do at his party. He had to mingle with his guests:



find time to eat some dinner:



humor Mom and Dad for some photos:






entertain everyone with the traditional one-year-old-cake-destruction:











and open gifts:







Shew, that was a lot to ask of a one year old! But he did great.
If I judge this party by the three most important requirements, it was definitely a success.

Party Requirements:

EAT






DRINK




MAKE MERRY







(Why is it no surprise that Nathanael was taking charge of the Merry-Making?)

And, of course, no Eddy family gathering is complete until we have submitted the cousins to a photo session. I have tons of these, each funnier than the last, but I'll stick with a semi-decent one here:



(I can't wait until somebody has a girl that we can stick in the midst of this boy-ness!)

Anyway, great job Les and Ben - I predict that little Ben has some super fun parties in his future! Happy first year Benny!!!

Ok, and since this IS the Ludwig family blog, a few pictures of the Ludwigs at the party (we were actually there, honestly!)

Gift Idea

If anyone is ever looking for a gift idea for me, let me make it easy for you:

6 Months Old!!

Max was officially 6 months old on Friday. We had to take advantage of the fabulous weather (mid 70s!) with a photo shoot in Mimi and PopPop's back yard. I was MUCH more excited about this idea than Max was, but he did his best to humor me...to a degree.

Outfit change #1...still hanging in there!



I think he's starting to get the hang of this!






So Max, should we move on to outfit change #2??
Hmm....let me think about it....



What should I do??



Let me just rest a little bit first.



Ok, I'll do it...but then I really need to take a nap!



Here's my professional model pose. I saved the best for last.



The day ended on a high note, when Chris got home from a week in Germany!
Saturday was also lots of fun - we got to celebrate Benny's first birthday. That will be a post unto itself with lots of fun pictures.

Today was also a big day. Max was due for his 6th month checkup and Chris had the day off so he got to come with us (he would have had to come anyway, since I cannot go alone to appointments where Max is due for vaccines - wimp.) Wait, did someone say vaccines????



Max actually did great with his vaccines - he got 3 in one leg and one in the other with very minimal crying. He was pronounced a healthy boy and we learned that he is 64th percentile in weight, and 83rd percentile in height so he's staying true to his original curve. His head has gotten bigger though - it has surged up to 56th percentile. He's doing everything he is supposed to be doing and more. He even started standing on his own this weekend!! (wink wink)





We love our boy!! (And our new carpet!)

Home Improvement, Ludwig style.

We're going for the "Industrial" look around here...what do you think?

I CANNOT wait for our new carpet tomorrow. I seriously cannot believe I am this excited about carpet. Carpet. AHHHHHHH, new carpet.

Until then, we are doing what I guess could be considered "urban camping" - at least that's what I'm calling it.

Bailey has requested that we speed this process along. She really does not appreciate being delegated to - gasp - a DOG bed.

It's a week of Birthdays.

Happy Birthday Nathanael! I cannot believe it has already been 2 years! Maybe by next year you'll learn how to blow out your candles :)And how to eat a cupcake without choking:



But one thing's for sure: You couldn't get any sweeter.



So, I must be a glutton for punishment, or maybe I should be a cat herder, because I never get tired of trying for "the great cousin photo"...it does seem downright unattainable.

Max, why does Sam keep complaining that you're so heavy?


Uh, Max, do NOT touch me.


Fine, then I'll touch Nathanael


Let's get out of here; this kid's all hands!


Where'd everybody go??


haha, boys, I got the last laugh - I stole your Daddy!

Natey, I can't wait to see what you get up to in year #3!