Ben has officially outgrown his baby bath tub. We have moved on to the sink for now. I don't know how long this will last, he has discovered his splashing skills.

Welcome to the Jungle

Monday morning I walked into my Physiology class and "Welcome to the Jungle" was playing. Hmmm...am I in the right class? About 3 minutes later and big guy, with long white hair, a bandana wrapped around his head, harley boots, shirt, and vest on, walked into the class. "I am Dr. Peabody and this is Human Physiology." Interesting. I must say, his class seems to be just as interesting as himself and I am really looking forward to this semester. I have a five credit math class that I am taking online. I am not a computer whiz, but I do consider myself very computer literate, but I am having some difficult just figuring out how to do the online class.
I am slowly but surely getting our house ready to sell. It is exhausting and somewhat overwhelming. We found a house in Sand Springs we are interested in, but we must first sell our house. Now some fun pictures.

6 Months Old

My little boy is 6 months old. He is 18.6 pounds (75%) and 25 1/2 inches (25%). I know, John and I both laughed about it. John calls him our little catcher. I guess he didn't get John's tall and lean genes.
Likes: Mommy and Daddy, Dayton, Jumper, Exercsaucer, Outside, his bottle, Bananas and Apples, ice water out of his sippy cup, Mommy's funny songs, Daddy's chest hair (he likes to pull it), Daddy's arm hair (he pets John's arms, it hilarious), Walks, watching us eat, other little kids, especially girls with high pitched voices, car rides, ice, baths and books.
Dislikes: being ignored, naptime, shots, seeing a bottle and not getting it, not putting the food in his mouth quick enough, Dayton to walk away from him, being woke up, doing things not on "Ben's Time".

6 Months

The ABC's of things I am grateful for

I have been down and stressed, so I have decided to focus on my blessings.

A. Animals
B. Baby boy Benjamin
C. Chicken Casseroles
D. Dark Chocolate
E. Easter Eggs. I really love coloring easter eggs. I can't wait to hide them for my children.
F. Family
G. God
H. My hair, its thick and shiny.
I. Ice, I love lots of ice in my drinks.
J. John
K. Kisses
L. Love
M. Music
N. My Nieces and Nephews
O. The opportunity to go back to school
P. Pepsi. The sweet nectar of the gods.
Q. Quiet time, ahhhhhh quiet time.
R. Rafts. I love laying on a raft in water.
S. Sugar. I dig it.
T. Television.
U. Umbrellas
V. My Voice
W. Washing Machines. Could you imagine washing everything by hand?
X. X-tra kisses.
Y. You. I am grateful for every person in my life.
Z. Zebra print. I really like animal print, even if it is out of style.

Hmmm, I do feel better.

Looking

I am looking for another house to clean. I would be available every other Wednesday 2:00-5:00PM. I charge $40.00 for 2 hours or $50.00 for 3 hours. Any type of house work I am up for, deep cleaning, organizing, laundry, or just "normal cleaning".
We are also looking for a house. Yep, we are planning on moving. Where? Sand Springs. I know, I never thought I would move back to Sand Springs, but at this point in our lives John and I both agree its the best place. Our plan over the next 5 years is to get out of debt. To start off we want to get a smaller mortgage. Have you eyes peeled for 2-3 bedroom homes, preferably in Prattville, safe neighborhood, fenced backyards, around 75,000 to 90,000. Now we need advice on where to start on selling our home.

This and That

I went to a cooking class on Saturday and it was so much fun! One of the chefs from Akin's came to our Church to do a class. I didn't realize they do cooking classes at Akin's bimonthly at no charge. They only do it at the 51st and Memorial store, but if it is anything like the class on Saturday, it would be well worth the drive. A few tid bits I learned: If you cook pasta and put in a ziploc bag it is good for ten days (perfect if you need a quick dinner one night), Smart Balance "butter" is the best diet margarine to use cooking, spray cheese on top of casseroles, pizzas, etc. with PAM before cooking and it prevents it from hardening and sticking together, try using organic tomatoes if you have problems with reflux, if a recipe calls for whipping cream you can use milk with 2 tbl spoons of cornstarch, you can dry your own fresh herbs by laying on a paper towel, leaf by leaf, cover with another paper towel and microwave for 5 minutes, cooked then frozen pasta is good for 6 weeks, spaghetti is the cheapest meal to cook for a lot of people. I also got four new recipes. We tried them after the class and they were delicious and easy to make.
Benjamin is really enjoying his baby food, maybe too much. I have no idea how much he is suppose to eat. I figured when he is full he will stop eating, but he just keeps opening his mouth. He has his 6th month (I know already 6 months!) appointment next Thursday. He is becoming such a big boy. His new favorite toy is Dayton. He loves Dayton. He talks to and laughs more at Dayt than me or John.
I start school in less than two weeks. My stomach churns thinking about it. I am very excited, but am realizing how different being a student will be now that I have a child.
Well, thats it in the LeMaster's household. I hope everyone is doing well.

Charged With Neglect

Updated: Mother of mauled baby accused of neglect


By DAVID SCHULTE World Staff Writer
8/4/2008 5:53 PM
Last Modified: 8/4/2008 10:38 PM

A 17-year-old mother whose 2-month-old son was mauled to death by a family pet is accused in a police affidavit of child neglect.

Police allege that Linzy Earles has a history of drug abuse and was neglectful when her baby, Zane Earles, was “eaten alive” by a black Labrador puppy at the home of his mother and grandparents, Stan and Holly Earles, in the 2900 block of East 102nd Street on July 28.

On that day, police received a call from the Emergency Medical Services Authority about a reported dog mauling at the home, according to the police affidavit.

When officers arrived, they found that Zane, who had been left unattended in a baby swing for about two hours, had “suffered multiple dog bites” and had “been eaten alive” by the puppy.

Authorities pronounced the baby dead at the scene.

When the mauling occurred, Linzy Earles was asleep in her bedroom 65 to 85 feet away from her son at the other end of the house, according to the affidavit.

Initial reports indicated that the baby’s grandmother was also asleep on the far side of the home.

His father and grandfather had left the home earlier that morning.

The affidavit indicates that Linzy Earles was “taken off juvenile probation on June 2nd for drug charges.”

Police have obtained a search warrant to retrieve blood and hair samples from her to determine whether “she was under the influence of alcohol or narcotics during the time that her baby was left unattended and eaten alive,” according to the affidavit.

A positive drug test could indicate why she was unable to hear the baby’s screams when he was being mauled, according to the affidavit.

Police have also obtained a search warrant to conduct a decibel test at the home to find out whether the baby’s screams could have been heard from the other end of the house and to collect any bodily fluids that may have been left by the dog when it walked through the home after killing the baby.

The Labrador was taken to the Tulsa Animal Shelter, where it was euthanized at the request of police so that evidence could be recovered from it, Officer Leland Ashley said last week.

It could be several weeks before all of the tests connected to the case are conducted and a report is completed by the state Medical Examiner’s Office.

Family members have declined interviews and have not returned phone calls.

Police have been called to their home three times previously since May 2007. In May and June last year, police were dispatched there to investigate reports about a runaway.

In May of this year, they were called to investigate a report of an attempted first-degree burglary.

Growing Up

This week Ben has started putting himself to sleep. Monday, I laid him in his crib with his blankie. I turned on his mobile and then he started fussing. I turned off the mobile and started to get him out of bed, but before I had the chance, he stopped crying, and plugged his little mouth with his thumb. I watched out of view for awhile and sure enough he went right to sleep. I was so proud, but also heartbroken. I enjoyed our little rituals before naps and bedtime. I have a feeling he is going to be quite the independent little boy. What a man he will make : )

Labrador Mauls Baby

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ Police say a puppy has attacked and killed a 2-month-old boy who was left unattended in a swing.
Officer Jason Willingham said Monday the baby was mauled by the Labrador at the boy's home and died at the scene. He says the dog will most likely be destroyed.
Authorities have not yet released the infant's name.
Willingham says the baby's mother and grandmother were home, but nobody was in the room at the time.
Police are unsure why the dog attacked.
The child's body was taken to the Medical Examiner's office. Willingham says police will forward their investigation to the district attorney to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

When I heard this on the news yesterday I was sickened. My immediate reaction was what is wrong with that dog! After doing some reading my reaction changed. What is wrong with the parents? The puppy was only 3-4 months old. Anyone who has had a labrador, or any puppy knows they chew on everything! My sweet Dayton chewed all the siding off the back of our house. Thats just what Labs do, they chew. From the news last night, it looked as if there home was an apartment. How could they not hear that baby screaming? It seems really fishy to me. I do feel sorry for the mom. We all make stupid decisions, must of us do not lose a child because of it. I wouldn't be surprised if they charged the mother will neglect. It is just a horrible situation. I am curious the outcome. Anyways, I thought I would share this story in case you missed it on the news last night.

What Makes Me, Me

While in the shower this morning I was thinking about what I do, and do not like about myself.

Dislikes:

1. I constantly think I have upset someone. If someone walks by me, that I know, and they don't say anything, I automatically think I have done something to upset them. I may have only said hi so them in the last 4 hours, but maybe my tone was wrong. Maybe they thought I was saying they looked high. Maybe they didn't hear me when I said hi and they think I am ignoring them. Did I accidentally spit on them while taking and they were offended? The endless concerns go on.

2. I am emotional. When I tell someone something nice about them I get teary eyed.

3. I sometimes have nothing to say. This sometimes comes across as being moody. (Shut up Jenny, I am not moody. That right bringing out the S word.) I really have nothing to say, not because I am upset, I just have no input.

4. I get my feelings hurt...really easy.

5. I care about what other people think of me.

6. I hate my stomach. If I could just cut out my midsection and stick my head on my legs it would be great.

7. I am scared of squirrels, bugs and mice. Not normal fears.."oooo they are gross." I have actually ran when I thought a squirrel was chasing me, more than once, more than ten times. When I have to kill a bug, I cry. Not because I am sad to kill it, I have this irrational fear that it is going to jump on me. ( I have never thought what it might do while it was on me.) Mice, mice are just sneaky, and small and have teeth. I picture them gnawing on my feet while I sleep.

8. I cannot drive in the rain. Let me rephrase, I cannot be in the car when it is storming. John had the priveledge of seeing a full blown panic attack in the car when it starting raining on our way home from Oklahoma City. In my defense, I did total my car on the Turner Turnpike in the rain.

9. If I read something, its true. I take everything as a fact. Did you know Elvis is still alive?

10. For someone who cares so much about what other people think, I share a lot. Maybe I share too much. I learned in Psychology revealing your vulnerabilities is how you become close to people. The more I thought about this, the more it made sense. The people in my life who share very little personal things I am not very close too.

Likes

1. I am funny. I make myself laugh a lot. If I can make someone else laugh during the day, I think that day is a success.

2. I have pretty eyes.

3. I am kind hearted, compassionate, and empathetic.

4. I am a good, no, a great cook.

5. I can sing very well.

6. I am a very hard worker.

7. I am physically strong woman. (Not in a creepy way.)

8. I can joke about my downfalls.

9. (How sad, its getting hard to name things I like) I am emotional. I know I listed this as a dislike, but it is also one of my likes. I'm real. I cry when I am sad, you can tell I am angry when I am mad, I laugh way out loud when I am happy.

10. I share a lot about my life. I have been burnt, I have felt vulnerable, but thats what makes me, me.

A few of my favorite pictures

Pinching Pennies

We have NO cable. And yes, this was our decision. In order for me to stay home with Ben we have had to trim the fat, cable being a big chunk of fat. We changed our internet service (to a slower service, we really can't tell a difference though), telephone server, and of course cable. We were paying $130 plus for these services, now we pay around $60. John and I have yet to drive each other crazy without cable, so I think it was a good decision. I have also changed some of my shopping habits. I no longer buy bottled water or pop (saved about $25 a month), no ziploc bags (we use reusable tupperware, not much of a savings though), I go to three different grocery stores to get the best deals and spend an average of 3 hours a week looking at grocery ads, cutting coupons, and finding internet coupons. I saved about $40 in coupons last shopping trip. I don't use lights during the day, I just open the blinds. We don't eat out. Well, we occasionally do. I've eaten at a restaurant maybe 3 times since Benjamin was born and I eat fast food maybe once every other week. I have also started cleaning houses, two houses. There is just something humbling about cleaning someone else's toilet. It puts gas in my car though!
I'm curious. How does everyone else save money?

5 Months Old (I'm a little behind)

Likes: Mommy and Daddy, Sesame Street, Car Rides (yep, this moved from the dislike side last month), Bottles (he now gets excited when he sees them), Exersaucer, Dayton (He loves his doggy), being outside, the water, bath time, Hyland teething tablets, sitting on Mommy's lap during dinner time with spoon in hand, his mobile, pacifier, and his airplane blankie.
Dislikes: His Jumper, teething (we all hate this), eating cereal, waiting too long for his bottle, nap time, the music at Church (he screams every Sunday when they start singing).

The Blue Hole

Today John, Benjamin and I went on a little road trip. We went to Salina, Oklahoma to the Blue Hole Park. I was surfing the internet one night and came across a website dedicated to "blue holes" in the United States. There are three in Oklahoma, the one in Salina being the closest to us. I was so excited and shared the exciting news with Jenny. She rained on my excitement and told me we had been there before when I was little. Oh well, so it won't be my first time, but I don't remember the first time. I pack enough to stay a few weeks, but with a baby you CAN'T forget anything. We leave around 9:30AM. The drive is beautiful. We come to Salina and turn on to a side street. The Blue Hole is only 7 miles away. Seven miles is a long way when it is a curvy, curvy road. Five miles in, it hits me. I didn't pack a bottle. What kind of mother am I? We turn around once we get there and drive back to Salina to the teeniest, tiniest grocery store. They don't have regular bottles. I end up with a sippie training cup. Benjamin doesn't seem to mind, he is just thankful for the milk. When I say this place in is the middle of nowhere, nowhere is an understatement. It was beautiful and shocking that there is water this clear in Oklahoma. You can see the bottom, no matter how deep it is. The water is about 50 degrees, no lie. It will put hair on your chest. There really isn't any sand, but there is rock beaches. Shoes are a must on our next trip and a tube or air matress. Our day was cut short by thunderstorms, but overall, it was a fun day. The park is family oriented, no alcohol allowed, no pets (although, I saw quite a few), there is a concession stand, its $5 for the day or $10 to stay the night, there are a few cabins (more like sheds with air conditioners), it wasn't too crowded, and there was some good people watching (I believe I have seen most of these people at the Fair).

Happy Independence Day

John love the fourth of July and sequence. He is going to kill me.

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today, I married my best friend. John is a kind man. He is sensitive and compassionate. He has a silly sense of humor that drives me crazy, but always puts a smile on my face. He is a hard, hard worker. He is a wonderful provider for our family. He tells me I am beautiful, daily. He compliments my cooking. He is honest. He is so affectionate. It drives me crazy, but I miss it when he travels. When he looks at me, my heart still flutters. He is beyond a great father. Seeing John with Benjamin, makes me smile from head to toe. He is smarter than what he gives himself credit for. He is our protector. His smile lights up a room and my heart. I met John in July 2004. October 2004 John told me he loved me. February 2005 I knew some day John would be my husband. In November 2005 John and I started looking for engagement rings. On January 14, 2006 John proposed to me. I said yes. July 1, 2006 I married my best friend.

Big Boy

Spur of the Moment?

Friday night I went to be at 9:00. I know, I am so wild and crazy. John got up with Ben and let me sleep in till 10:00 AM! I guess I was really tired. I have really been wanting to get our produce and whatever else I can afford, locally grown. Saturday morning when I finally rolled out of bed, I went to the Farmer's Market on Cherry St. What an odd array of people. You have the original hippies, yuppies, new age hippies, and me. I got there too late and there wasn't a lot left. There is another one on Monday on 15th and one on Wednesday on Peoria. I think I will go to both of these. After the Farmer's Market disappointment I was itching to spend some money and find a good deal. I went to a consignment store on 33rd and Harvard called The Children's Closet. I have gone in there a few times and they have really cute clothes, somewhat pricey for consignment, but they really do only take the best of the best and only name brand. They had everything marked down 20-75% off. I had been eyeing a diaper bag, but it was $42.00, but it just happened to be 75% off. When I got home we were all sitting on the back porch and I made the comment, "What a great day for the lake." John replied, "Do you want to go?" My reply, much to John's surprise, was yes. We left within 15 minutes and spent the day at Grand Lake. It was so much more fun than the times when I try to plan everything to a T. It was a wonderful Saturday.

Pictures

Traveling Weekend

On Friday John and I decided to drive to Blanchard to see his friend Joe's new baby. While we were there I wanted to stop by Cancer Care to see Ana and to show off my handsome little boy. We also wanted to stop by and see Jenny and the boys. We left Tulsa at 10AM, stopped at Cancer Care at noon, was at Jenny's from 2:00PM to 6:00PM and was at Joe's from 6:00PM to 9:00PM and arrived back in Tulsa at midnight. It was a long day. Ben was awesome (for the most part). He was pretty cranky at Aunt Jenny's, but I think he was just trying to be louder than her boys combined! The trip back to Tulsa was the longest for me and the worst part. I am petrified of being in the car in the rain. I can't think of a word strong enough to explain the fear I have of being in the car when it rains.
Saturday morning we left to go to the family reunion at Feyodi Park at Keystone. Awesome Food. I had told John how wonderful the food was and the large quantity. He was not disappointed. I love being around family. Good food, good weather, good family, great time.
Sunday we went to Checotah for Father's Day. We left the house around 10:30AM and got to Checotah at 11:30AM. We were greeted by Dayton who had stayed the weekend with Grammy Pat and Papa Rodger. Benjamin woke up early from his nap, so I knew I was in for a long day. Pat had two kittens she had been feeding baby formula to that I got to see; teeny, tiny little things. John's grandma Johnnie Marie came over and ate lunch and I got to meet Matt's girlfriend. We left the LeMaster's farm around 7:00 and stopped by John's aunt and uncles. Benjamin got to play a little bit with his cousin Jonathan, who is 8 months old. The day was filled with good food, good weather, and good family.
I was glad to be home.
Today Ben had his four month appointment. He is a healthy little boy. He is about 50th percentile on height and weight, The shots we not horribly bad and developmentally he is right on track.

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