Ben's milestones (April 2003)

Your crawling (YEA!) April 1, 2003
First night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did great (slept in your bed) April 4, 2003
Second night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did good until a bad storm woke you (you slept w/us) April 5, 2003
Third night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did great (slept in your bed) April 6, 2003
Fourth night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did great (slept in your bed) April 7, 2003
You said “Bubba” for “Uncle Bubba” April 7, 2003
Fifth night of ‘Ferber’ method – not so good (woke up at 1am, slept w/mommy on couch) April 8, 2003
You met the Easter Bunny and were frightened
You pulled up in your crib to your feet (Yea!) April 8, 2003
You traveled around the coffee table on your feet April 17, 2003
You said “wow” April 17, 2003
You were standing, let go of the TV stand, and you stood alone for a second April 18, 2003
You said “Mama” and I knew you meant it just for me (your so sweet) April 20, 2003
Your first Easter (we went to church and then had lunch at our house w/your mommy and daddy, April 20, 2003
Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Bubba, Aunt Claudia and Uncle Ray)
You learned to open the bathroom cabinet April 20, 2003
You scratched mommy below her eye and when I said “ouh” you said “Momma Ouh” April 21, 2003
Your eating table food (finger foods) and enjoying it April 23, 2003

Ben's milestones (April 2003)

Your crawling (YEA!) April 1, 2003
First night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did great (slept in your bed) April 4, 2003
Second night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did good until a bad storm woke you (you slept w/us) April 5, 2003
Third night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did great (slept in your bed) April 6, 2003
Fourth night of ‘Ferber’ method – you did great (slept in your bed) April 7, 2003
You said “Bubba” for “Uncle Bubba” April 7, 2003
Fifth night of ‘Ferber’ method – not so good (woke up at 1am, slept w/mommy on couch) April 8, 2003
You met the Easter Bunny and were frightened
You pulled up in your crib to your feet (Yea!) April 8, 2003
You traveled around the coffee table on your feet April 17, 2003
You said “wow” April 17, 2003
You were standing, let go of the TV stand, and you stood alone for a second April 18, 2003
You said “Mama” and I knew you meant it just for me (your so sweet) April 20, 2003
Your first Easter (we went to church and then had lunch at our house w/your mommy and daddy, April 20, 2003
Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Bubba, Aunt Claudia and Uncle Ray)
You learned to open the bathroom cabinet April 20, 2003
You scratched mommy below her eye and when I said “ouh” you said “Momma Ouh” April 21, 2003
Your eating table food (finger foods) and enjoying it April 23, 2003

Ben's milestones (March 2003)

You went from sitting up down to your hand/knees from your left side March 4, 2003
You ate Barley cereal for the first time March 5, 2003
You ate strawberry Cheerios (cut into fours) you can’t pinch them to pick them up yet - soon : ) March 5, 2003
You threw up tonight after mommy fed you Barley cereal : ( March 6, 2003
You took a bath in your blow up duck tub
You were sick all day – throwing up and diarrhea March 9, 2003
You clapped your hands for daddy and then for mommy (on purpose) March 9, 2003
You went to the ER at Children’s b/c you were sick and needed fluids by IV : ( March 10, 2003
You drank from a grown-up cup March 11, 2003
You were on your hands and knees and went to a sitting position March 18, 2003
You fell out of mommy & daddy’s bed … AGAIN March 20, 2003
You produced the sign for milk (YEA!) March 20, 2003
You learned to dance (to Daddy’s horrible music : ) March 21, 2003
You took your first crawling steps (YEA!) March 22, 2003
You learned to crinkle and snort w/your nose March 24, 2003
You pulled up to the coffee table (but on your knees) – almost there! March 27, 2003
Mommy felt your two front bottom teeth coming in March 28, 2003
You used your pincher skills to pick up lint on the floor March 28, 2003
You’re getting all around – almost into a full crawl. It won’t be long now. March 28, 2003
You learned to play w/the door stop March 28, 2003

Ben's milestones (February 2003)

You got up on your hand and knees and starting rocking back and forth (trying to crawl) February 7, 2003
You tried macaroni n cheese at Black Eyed Pea (spit it out) February 6, 2003
Your first time to play in your pack-n-play February 9, 2003
You stuck your foot in your mouth (on purpose) February 9, 2003
You pulled your moon/bear mobile string by yourself while lying in your crib February 18, 2003
Mommy & Daddy dedicated you to God in front of the church (Pure Heart Fellowship) February 23, 2003
(Lots of people watched you be dedicated and were over for lunch afterwards: Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Oma, Aunt Claudia, Uncle Ray, Uncle Bubba, Aunt Marnie, Aunt Gracie, Ashley, Drew, Mommy’s friends: Miesa and David, Uncle Bubba’s family: Larry, Cheryl, Johnathan and Jennifer).
Mommy sat on the floor and rolled the ball back and forth w/you. You rolled it back to me February 24, 2003
Mommy felt your top tooth coming in (center – right) February 25, 2003
Mommy felt your top tooth next to the center one coming in February 25, 2003
Mommy felt your top tooth coming in (center –left) February 25, 2003
Mommy felt your top tooth coming in (top, right of center) February 25, 2003
Mommy & Daddy started teaching you sign language (more, eat, milk, cat, book) February 26, 2003
You slept on your stomach last night (on purpose) February 26, 2003You waved hello and goodbye to a baby in Baby Gap in TE Mall (on purpose) February 28, 2003

Ben's milestones (January 2003)

January 10, 2003 You met your great grandmother Bernice Wilson for the first time. She came here for mommy & Daddy’s wedding and you just loved her. She loved you so much and you were so comfortable with her.

January 11, 2003 You were the ring bearer in mommy & daddy’s wedding

January 12, 2003 Your first snow -Oma was watching you while mommy & daddy honeymooned : )

January 13, 2003 You first time to sit in a restaurant high-chair (Chili’s in Mesquite)

January 13, 2003 You sit up by yourself in your high-chair while Daddy was feeding you

January 14, 2003 You grabbed your woo-woo for the first time

January 20, 2003 You rolled over (back to stomach) for mommy for the first time

January 22, 2003 Daddy saw you roll over (back to stomach) for the first time

January 25, 2003 You rolled from your back to stomach and from your stomach to your back

January 29, 2003 You had unsweet ice tea in your bottle at TownEast Mall w/mommy

January 30, 2003 You had (and loved) some of mommy’s strawberry/banana smoothie at the mall

January 30, 2003 You sat in the shopping cart baby seat at Wal-Mart for the first time

January 31, 2003 You fell out of mommy & daddy’s bed in the middle of the night : )

Ben's milestones (December 2002)

December 6, 2002 You started using your tongue to talk

December 16, 2002 You started Stage 2 baby food (Chicken Vegetable Dinner)

December 21, 2002 You tried Aunt Claudia’s mashed potatoes (didn’t like them)

December 23, 2002 You rode in Daddy’s truck for the 1st time w/Daddy (it’s Daddy’s birthday)

December 23, 2002 You fed yourself w/your bottle, holding it all alone

December 23, 2002 You rolled onto your right side by yourself

December 25, 2002 You drank from an apple juice bottle (w/a nipple) (see picture)

Ben's milestones (November 2002)

November 5, 2002 You started stage 1 baby foods (Green beans)

November 5, 2002 Mommy felt your very first tooth coming in (lower, front and center)

November 7, 2002 You learned to chew on teething ring

November 12, 2002 Your 2nd tooth came in (lower, front)

Ben's milestones (October 2002)

October 4, 2002 Held your bottle alone for the first time.

October 4, 2002 Met your Oma for the first time. Oma came to visit you. She stayed for 3 days so she could Spend time with you. We did lots of fun things while she was here.

October 5, 2002 Went to the State Fair of Texas for the 1st time w/Daddy, Mommy & Oma

October 8, 2002 You grabbed your toes and played with them for the 1st time

October 18, 2002 Ate cereal w/a spoon for the first time

October 19, 2002 Got and played in your ultra saucer

October 25, 2002 Tasted and enjoyed a sugar free Popsicle

October 25, 2002 Started trying to turn over

Ben's milestones (September 2002)

Sept. 11, 2002 You slept all night in your crib at Uncle Bubba's

Sept. 13, 2002 Slept in your new bedroom in your crib in your new house all night long. (8409 Victory Street, Rowlett, Texas 75089)

September 25, 2002 You reached for mommy from the changing table

Sept. 26, 2002 You ate cereal for the first time and slept all through the night w/o waking up

Ben's milestones (August 2002)

Your first smile

August 19, 2002 Had your 1st bath in your baby bathtub. You didn’t really like it. You were fussy so Mommy hurried through your bath.

August 26, 2002 You slept through the night. Mommy & Daddy woke up frantic the next morning b/c we hadn’t heard you cry all night. We thought for sure something was wrong. There you were still sleeping peacefully beside Mommy.

August 28, 2002 Got jungle gym and played in it. You had such a good time. You were still little and wasn’t sure what to do, but you had fun.

Ben's milestones (July 2002)

July 20, 2002 Your umbilical cord fell

July 28, 2002 First day to go to church . We finally got up the courage to take you to Church. You did good and slept through the whole service.

Your circumcision ring fell off

Had your 1st bath on the floor. Mommy gave you a sponge bath on the floor w/a towel, wet cloth, and a little bit of water. You were a little unhappy about it at first, but you warmed up to it. (see picture)

Happy Birthday Benjamin Robert Wilke!

It’s the happiest day of our life – your finally here

Mommy’s water broke at 7:30 a.m. Daddy was about to go to work, leaned down to
kiss me – I tried to get up and my water broke. We went to the hospital, after we stopped
at Starbucks for coffee and a donut for daddy. Mommy labored for 15 hours. You had an
arrhythmia in your heart. After I dilated to a 9 and stayed there for 2 ½ hours the doctor
decided to take you by cesarean section at 10:30 p.m. We were so happy – we were
worried about you and just wanted you to be born so we could make sure you were ok.
You weighed 8 lbs, 6 ounces and were 21 ½ inches long.

June 20 Met your Gramma for the first time. She came to the hospital when mommy was in labor and Stayed until after you were born and she was able to see you.

June 21 Met your Papa for the first time. Papa was working when Mommy went into labor, but He came to the hospital the next day to see you

My baby - I felt you move!

My sweet baby. I was taking a hot bath and you kicked me. It was so great to feel you moving inside of me. I'm so thankful for you and I can't wait to meet you.

A Day of Change for our Country - 9/11

Today was one of the worst days of History. There was a series of terrorist attacks upon the United States of America. Four commercial passenger jet airliners were hijacked by Al Qaeda Terrorists this morning and two of the planes were crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one plane into each tower, causing the collapse of both towers within two hours. The third aircraft was crashed into the Pentagon. Passengers on the fourth hijacked aircraft attempted to retake control of their plane from the hijackers, which crashed into a field in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania killing all on board but in the process saving many other lives. Approximately 3,000 people died in these attacks. including a number of fire fighters and rescue workers.

It's a sad, sad day for our country. A day that will change our country forever. My heart goes out to all of the people in NYC that were involved in this terrible attack.

I had just gotten to work (Settle & Pou) when I heard the news. Went into the office and it was on all of the TV's. David works in downtown, so I immediately start freaking out and trying to call him. He, of course, isn't answering his phone. Finally got in touch with him and he was walking around downtown, but on his way home.  Everyone either stayed home or was going home. He's in a federal buidling - so it wasn't safe for him to be at work. I am just pleased he's safe and glad he's going home!

Here's some pictures from this tragic day in history!

September 11th will be a day that is never forgetten in this country!

The day it all began .....

I was in downtown w/my cousin, Sherri, at a custody hearing for her son, Jaron. We had a break for lunch - so we went to Enchillada's Restuarant in the tall green building by the courthouse. As we walked in - we noticed a table full of guys (about 20 of them, to our delight :) I immediately spotted this handsome guy in the middle of the table. He had bright blue eyes and was gorgeous. We sat down at our table - and my back was actually to them. Sherri kept telling me that he (the gorgeous guy w/blue eyes) was looking. So I would turn around, look over my shoulder and smile at him. He, of course, would smile back.

Lunch was over and it was time to leave. As we were leaving - our eyes locked, and we smiled continually at each other. I probably should of just walked over and gave my number to him. But, as out-going as I am - I was a little nervous. Afterall, I was only 20 years old. And I could tell he was older. Plus - there were so many of his friends, and I wasn't sure if I would embarrass him or myself, for that matter :) So ... I did the only logical thing. I paid the Cleaning Lady of the building $5 to give him my phone number.

I stayed and watched to make sure she gave it to the right guy. I saw her walk over and give it to him - and he smiled.... really big!

I was a happy camper ....

Now, I just had to wait for him to call ....