4 Months Old

Benjamin's Likes: People, Hippo, Bath Time, Mommy and Daddy's undivided attention (emphasis on undivided), food, outside anyone talking to him (unless it is nap time and don't even think about making eye contact with him), smiles, babies,smiles being outside.
Benjamin's Dislikes: The Car, missing nap time (maybe this is Mommy's dislike), and being ignored.
The pictures are some of his many expressions.
Benjamin keeps my hands very full, but I would rather have my hands full than empty.

Wedding

The Wedding

Working his magic

Rolling

ONE

TWO

THREE!

I left out step 2 1/2, a little nudge from Mommy to help him over.

Freeze!

Freeze! Put your hands in the air!

One Slow Weekend

This weekend was the first weekend John has been home in May. He leaves again Thursday for three days, comes back one day and leaves again for six days. To the disapproval of both sets of parents we decided not to go to the lake with the LeMasters or Richardsons. We decided to stay at home and do nothing. It was nice. Saturday morning we got up, ate breakfast, and walked around our neighborhood and looked at all the garage sales. Sunday we got up and went to church, got a pizza to go, took a nap, and then went to my sister Marla's for a cookout. We both enjoyed the nice relaxing weekend, but decided next year we will go to the lake.

Family Reunion

My favorite outings growing up were going to family reunions at the lake. I know, I know, I must have been one deprived child. I have so many fond memories of camping. Sitting by the camp fire hearing stories, getting hit in the face with a frying pan by my uncle, watching my dad and uncle running with an aluminum boat over their heads during a lightning storm, being attacked by fire ants and running down the hill yelling for help and my brother just laughing, fist fights, being stuck in the pop up listening to books on tapes while the adults were obviously having a much better time outside, almost drowning in our camper, almost being punched in the face by my dad while sleep walking...
I could go on for hours. I want my son to have fond memories of camping too. Our family is getting bigger it seems by the minute and I think it is time to start our own family reunion. What?!? Why, you may ask, we see each other all the time. And yes, we do have family get togethers, but no over nighters and THAT is when you create lasting memories. When? Where? Those questions I do not have the answer to and would like to hear some input. Of course we would need a family, kid friendly place to go, preferably not too far away or too close. Of course it should be during the summer. So, comment away.

Waiting

Waiting for a special lady to put that arm around.

Frustration

Benjamin has had diarrhea since Monday and has slept horribly. I am tired. I get home today, walk in the house and it smells like something has died. I go into Ben's room and see doggie diarrhea on the floor. Dayton has not had an accident in over 2 and half years. He is a hundred pound dog and has quite the output. Back to Ben, he is gassy and it interrupts his naps. I switched formula, which to be honest wasn't thrilled to do. The main ingredient in this formula is corn syrup, but it did seem to make a difference, but now it seems everything is back the same. I would prefer to go back to exclusively breast feeding, but I am scared he will stop gaining weight, plus its nice to have some freedom. I am calling the doctor tomorrow for some words of advise.
Ben really is a good, happy little boy. He does cry and fuss quite a bit, but I would too if I was that gassy and wasn't getting enough sleep. To top it off he spits up all the time and large quantities. It's projectile. I am frustrated, not at him, but just the situation. My poor baby boy seems to have one issue after another. I want to be a super mom and swoop in and fix everything, unfortunately I can't find my cape. Any advise is appreciated, prayers are appreciated even more.

3 Months

I can not believe that Benjamin is already 3 months old. Everyday he changes. He slept through the night for the first time on Friday, then Saturday, then Sunday, THEN Monday he woke up every 3 hours. At least I got three good nights. He talks all the time, ALL the time. When he is not talking, he is fussing or crying. His vocal cords stay warm all day long. He is quite social, a flirt..he loves the ladies.
His likes: Bath time, his hippo, Elmo, his mobile, to talk to Mommy and Daddy actually, anyone that will listen and most importantly respond, eating, his changing table, laying in bed with Mommy in the morning.
Dislikes: Being ignored, riding in the car (sometimes), nap time, being startled, stopping in the middle of feedings.

To the Mothers in my life

These are the things I have learned from the mothers in my life.

Grandma-How to stay strong, hold your head high, and not lose your cool.
Marla- How to be a friend to your child.
Jenny- How to be organized and how to run your house like a well oiled machine.
Jessica- How to be gentle, delicate, kind and patient.
Pat- How to be giving AND to cook like a 5 star chef.
Mom- How to be a Christian mother.

I admire all the mothers in my life and the examples they are to me. You all have many more traits that I admire, but now that I am a mother my time is limited : ) Happy Mother's Day!

New Car!

John and I got a new car today! It was very exciting and a long day. I haggled with the sales guys for 2 1/2 hours. I refused to back down and we got the price we wanted AND a free tint job. John said he was proud of me : ) So we got a 2008 Ford Escape, its greyish green, and only has 19 miles on it. I think the lowest number of miles on a car I have had is 80,000. We were at the dealership for almost 5 hours. Ben was awesome!

All Free

I really like Benjamin's nurse and doctor. All the formula in the picture was free! I asked for a sample and they gave me all of it and told me not to buy ever, just keeping asking for more when I run out. You don't have to tell me twice!
This summer our church is going to be doing Saturday activities instead of Wednesday evening services. Here is a list of classes if anyone is interested.
6/7 Health Workshop with Dr Lance
6/14 Concealed Carry Class
6/21 Scrapbooking Workshop
6/28 Crocheting Class
7/19 Cooking Class
7/26 Fishing Workshop at Bass Pro Shop
8/2 Self Defense Class for Adults and Children
8/9 Wills, trust and other legal needs
8/16 prayer walk
8/24 Marriage Workshop with Harry Layden
The only ones that have a cost, that I know of, are the concealed carry class and the marriage workshop. Let me know if you are interested!

Look at the size of those HAMS!

Pictures for the Daddy

Lil' Buddha Belly

Infantino Front 2 Back Carrier

This is the greatest thing ever! Well, not ever, but I have gone from only having one hand free to two hands. Benji seems to really like it too. Today I was even able to go outside and play fetch with Dayton. He fell asleep when I was washing his bottles and I was able to get him out and put him in his bed without waking him. Bonus: I can feel a slight burn in the muscles in my thighs when I wear it. Not only is it a carrier but a work out device as well.

Joe Cool

Early Mother's Day

I have been eye balling this gem for a few months. It is the Bissel Pet Hair Eraser. oooooo......awwwww. I have been hinting to John that I wanted, have to have, this for Mother's Day. It was on sale at Target so I got to get it early! I was so excited to use it. I turned it on and Benji started screaming. hummm, I guess I will have to wait until he is asleep.