Benscoter Family: May 2013

May 1st was an exciting day for our family since it was the day Joe started his training on the C-17...our last bout of training before moving to New Jersey. Thank You, Jesus! During the rest of that first week in May I was running around Cape Cod with Tyler in tow to get all of our last minute appointments in. On May 7th I had a blast going to the Red Sox game with Evan at Fenway park. We had some amazing burgers and drinks at Boston Beer Works before watching the Sox lose to the Twins that evening. However, we did not let the loss damper our mood...we had fun learning about one of the Red Sox's pitchers-- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, drinking $5 Coke, listening to the foreigners behind us try to figure out how baseball is played, and doing the wave! Simply put: it was an AWESOME night.

Early the next morning, May 8th, my Dad, Sophia, Tyler and I began our day long adventure to Oklahoma. We were lucky enough to avoid major traffic issues into Boston but we were forced into "valet" parking when we got to central parking at the airport. That just meant we had to leave my car in the middle of the 6th floor parking deck in a spot that was on the complete opposite side of the parking deck from where we needed to be. After commandeering two luggage carts for our three suitcases, two diaper bags, backpack, and wiggly children, we were off to the check-in counter. All went well at the Logan airport since a very nice lady gave us a ride to our gate in one of those fun golf carts. Once we got settled in the gate area, Sophia decided to throw one of the most massive fits I have EVER seen. Much to my dismay she would not relent. I ended up giving her what she wanted (a whole cup of Auntie Anne's pretzel bites) in order to give our fellow airport patrons a break. We boarded the flight and Sophia was relatively well behaved the whole flight since I let her eat whatever she wanted...fruit loops, pretzels, you name it. Our landing was quite turbulent and I certainly felt sick. Once we arrived at our gate in Minneapolis Sophia threw up all over herself, our aisle, and her seat. She was totally beside herself...crying, screaming, and reaching in her mouth to get rid of her throw up. Remember how I told you she ate a whole cup of soft pretzel bites by herself as well as fruit loops?!? Yeah, it wasn't a pretty sight. Anyway, we got off the plane ASAP and headed to the ladies room to get cleaned up. I got her in her spare clothes and I wiped off my shoes and took off my jacket. My Dad grabbed a wheel chair and I sat down with the kids on my lap and he pushed us as fast as he could to our next gate which happened to be on the total opposite side of the airport. We only had a 30 minute layover so we had to be quick! We got there in time and were able to change our seats so that we could all sit near each other. That flight was relatively uneventful and we made it to Oklahoma City on time. Unfortunately, we forgot the plastic bag with all of our throw-up clothes in it on the plane and although I tried several ways to locate it, it was never returned to us. Oh well. Joe was waiting at the terminal for us and the kids were so happy to see him. We grabbed a quick bite to eat, dropped my Dad off at the airport hotel, and then drove 2 hours to Altus. Whew!

Other than that, our month has been relatively calm. Tyler clapped for the first time on May 11th! I had a great Mother's day on May 12th...we went to church, brunch, we all took naps, then went out to eat for a delicious steak dinner.

We spent Memorial day weekend up in Oklahoma City and had a fabulous time! On May 25th we spent the morning at the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial site and Museum. It was one of the most amazing memorials I've seen and a very informative museum. They had several items displayed that were found under the massive amounts of rubble and several videos of survivors and family members of the victims recounting their story. We went to a great pizza place for lunch then went back to the hotel to play in the pool. Afterward, we at a great Cajun place for dinner. On May 26th we had a blast at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Sophia even fed the giraffes! She was a little timid at first but then she really enjoyed it! We also heard an elephant making a loud trumpeting sound which was really exciting. On May 27th we visited the Oklahoma City Science Museum, had lunch at a local BBQ place, then drove back to Altus.

On May 30th, Nana and Papa came to visit! Sophia and Tyler were very excited to see them and to get showered in gifts as usual! The night before they came I had the following conversation with Sophia:

Me: Sophia, Nana and Papa are going to be here tomorrow when you wake up!

Sophia: Bring me presents?

Me: Maybe!

Sophia: I think so!

Me: (Laughing)

Sophia: It gonna be fuuuuuun!!!!

Lastly this month, Tyler rolled from his back to his belly for the first time on May 31st! He is making great strides with both his gross motor skills and his feeding skills. He now likes to eat corned beef hash, BBQ sauce, marshmallow cream, hummus, cheeto puffs, sunflower seed butter, and a variety of crunchy snacks from Trader Joe's. He is still not able to manipulate thin liquids such as his formula but he is getting better each day.