a year in review

January

February

March

April

May

June
*yes i'm huge. This is a pic after my water broke just before we rushed off to the hospital!

* 28 hrs later I got to meet my wonderful baby boy!

July
August
September
October
November
December
Wow. life is different than last year.
God is good.

If I've learned one thing as a mom....

it is to improvise. case(s) in point:
A. Sometime Benjamin just doesn't want to be put down. That makes getting ready in the morning difficult. Solution: put him in the sink. He smiles and laughs at himself and he is close to mommy. Hubby apparently thought this was amusing.

B. When son is crying b/c he is tired but also needs a diapers change....let hubby change him while I nurse him leaning over the changing table. diaper is changed, baby goes right back to sleep with minimal fussing. (add that to one more reason that breastfeeding is wonderful)

Merry Christmas

Hello All.
Hubby and I were very fortunate this year. The cosmos aligned perfectly for us.... Christmas was on a Friday, we were not on-call, and we did not have to work Saturday!!! Which meant, we got to take Benjamin down south to see his Auntie Zarah, Uncle Kerner and Great-grandparents and the plethora of Mooherd family members. Then, we got to swing back through the "city" and see Hubby's side of the fam. One big holiday weekend extravaganza. The Lord has certainly blessed up with wonderful families, and despite the business of the season, it was a great to relax with those we love for Christmas.
Benjamin did exceptionally well. He lives a rather subdued life of quietness at mom and grandma's houses, so the long car rides, loud houses, bright lights, TV, and lots of people wanting to hold him could have been disastrous. Now mind you, all of the above mentioned chaos did result in a maximum of 30 minutes of napping in a 6 hr period, but despite the sleep deprivation, he was quite a charmer. (the car rides were another story. lots of crying, then when we would stop, he would just smile at us, only to begin his screaming fits when he was buckled down again.)

Not only was this the first Christmas for my little man, this was also the first Christmas for me as a mom. It made me think a lot of Mary, and in case you were just wondering what weird things my mind comes up with, here were a few of my "christmas" thoughts":

• Hmmm, if Jesus was anything like my little man, it was NOT a silent night when he was born.
• I wonder if the smell of the animals made Mary nauseous while she was giving birth in that barn.
• Jesus was a breastfed baby just like Benjamin
• If I was Mary, the last visitors I would want was a bunch of strange "wise men".
• It is amazing the trust God must have had in Mary to allow her to raise Jesus.

Other thoughts about Christmas that I have to one day reconcile. Why do Christians celebrate Santa and Jesus's Birth simultaneously? It is confusing enough for adults, but it must be very confusing for little ones that know that presents come from Santa under the Christmas tree, but Baby Jesus was also born in a manger. If I'm to teach my children (well, child currently) anything, I would, in theory, like for them to learn about and celebrate the birth of our Savior. How can presents, Santa, snowmen and Christmas trees compare to that and why should Jesus have to "compete" with that?
These are just my thoughts, Hubby and I have not yet decided what to do once lil B gets old enough to know what's going on. If you're up to commenting, what are your thoughts on the above mentioned ponderings?

And a few pictures from the travels....

MMM I love chomping on my hungry catepillar "antlers" in Aunt Zarah's new kitchen.

(yes, my mom called them antlers instead of antennae. Unfortunately, I've been struck with the same disease that causes jumbled words to randomly come out of my mouth)

I want those Oreos in my stocking!

Yippee Christmas Morning!

ooh, I love my musical toolbox Uncle Randy and Aunt Tracy got me.

I also had a great time sitting on Great-grandpa's lap!

Roll over, roll over, and they all rolled over....

Stop it with all these pictures!

It's true. Benjamin finally rolled from his back to front. He has been rolling from front to back for weeks. I placed him in his crib to play while Hubby and I ate. I heard a large scream, and lo and behold, Benjamin was on his belly. Despite not being too fond of that position, he has continued to roll over since then. I guess I'm getting closer to needing to baby proof the wreck that is currently our duplex!
Because I need to get going to finish up my Christmas shopping, I'll just leave you with some recent pictures:

Lounging on mom and dad's bed

Helping dad out with my bath

Flashing mom my bright eyes

gnawing on my big toe, yum yum

Winter Wonderland

Here in C-ville we are experiencing a winter wonderland! Unfortunately, even though school is closed, Benjamin still gets up early and I still had to go to work. Ah, to be a school kid again!
I have been avoiding going outside with Lil B at all costs. Getting around in the winter with a 5.5 month old is a hassle! He is out of his infant carrier b/c he hated siting in it, and he was too heavy to lug around anyways! So, we carry him in and out of car, but also must appropriately dress him for the cold, but not have a heavy coat on him while in the carseat. Oh my, the dilemmas! And, gasp, I don't even have a pair of mittens for the poor boy! Benjamin has graciously been knitted or crocheted a bazillion hats, and no mittens....but all the mittens at the store come with a hat. I am just going to suck it up and buy a hat-mitten combo I guess. Thankfully I have a garage I can park in, or this would be way more troublesome.
Anyways, the snow is beautiful. On Wednesday Benjamin and I watched kids and their parents sled down the middle of the street (a busy street might I add)......and I taught Benjamin a lesson. Never do that. When we move, I will also have to teach him the "do not sled into the lake" lesson.

Gma Cow continues to enjoy singing, playing, reading books etc to Benjamin on the days I work. She has learned that he goes down pretty easy for a nap if she bounces on the edge of the bed with him in her arms. She recently got a beautiful glider, and discovered that he can be rocked to sleep, but it takes a lot longer.

Benjamin is growing up fast. He loves to "walk" around our duplex in the morning. He also loves sitting up and playing with his toys. He is happy to be on the go, and seems to get tired of one position pretty easily. He can now do a 180 degree turn in his crib in a matter of minutes, which is quite comical to me.

Benjamin is now very used to his bedtime routine, which, most nights is a wonderful thing. After his bathtime (6:30-7), one of us reads him a book, he nurses, and either falls asleep nursing, or shortly thereafter. He is almost always in bed by 7:40. and it is way way way easier than it used to be. Downside, if we have something to do between 6:30-7pm we either can't go, or are stuck with a fussy/about to meltdown baby. I'm going out to eat at 5:45 tonight to celebrate a friend's birthday....hope it goes well : )

Today I had a "photo shoot" with Benjamin. Here are a few that didn't make the cut for the Christmas card (which I still have to order!)

My favorite new chew t!y

Rubbermaid tupperware lids!

Our livingroom/kitchen painted!

Happy Thanksgiving

5 months old today!

5 months 2 days ago, I had no idea what life with a baby was like. I could only assume that said baby would been to be diapered, and fed alot, not that I knew how to do either of those though.

Much like my response to my husband when he proposed ("Is that real?"), when the nurses brought Benjamin out from behind the curtain (I had a c-section), I thought to myself "Are you sure that's mine?" Granted, I may not have thought this had I had a vaginal delivery, but I'm from the Show-Me State...and I never saw that baby come out of me : )

Benjamin is now sitting up on his own for a few seconds before he flops to the side, or on his face....he isn't too fond of that. He loves standing and "jumping" around. Jabbering, and making extremely loud noises, especially when he's tired. He is used to his bedtime routine, and protests (screams) if we don't get him to bed on time.

Benjamin and I during nighttime "story time"

He is rolling from tummy to back on a daily basis, and is really good at pushing up. I love this time in his life. He wakes up with the biggest smile, looks around for me in a room, and is just the cutest little thing on the planet! As cheesy as it sounds, I can't imagine my life without him.

How embarrasing, mom is taking pictures of me in my undies again!

See how I gouge myself when I don't get my fingernail clipped every other day

We are very ready for Thanksgiving. We are headed to "the city" to see Hubby's family and have turkey day at his sister's house. But, we are very lucky b/c Hubby has Wednesday off (as do I ), so we will have time to look for tile (bathroom, kitchen, etc) and door handles. And, since I only work Monday , Tuesday, Thursday. I don't work from Tuesday to Monday, yippee! (poor hubby has to work Friday and Saturday)

House News: We have wood flooring! They lay it, cover it, then sand and finish when the house is more done! It is White Oak and will be stained a darker color.

Over the river and through the woods

to Hubby's Grandmother's house we go....
This weekend we took our farthest trip yet to Omaha, NE. I was very apprehensive about the car trip. My wonderful son is still not a fan of riding in the car. But, he did remarkably well! We stopped twice in the first 45 mins, and finally got him to sleep. He slept for about 1.5 hrs! We stopped for him to "eat" and headed out again. Hubby and I took turns sitting in the back seat to "play" with him.
When we arrived, we were surprised by hubby's two cousins (and their husbands) that live close by! We had a great time visiting and playing with Benjamin. He was having such a great time that he wouldn't stop to nap. Which meant by 6pm we were having melt-down time. We were able to give him a quick bath and off to bed he went. He did reasonably well at night, and we had another great day on Sunday.

Benjamin and Mimi

Benjamin having a fun time at Mimi and Pappaw's house
Proud Great-grandparents
Benjamin chillin' with Pappaw

However, when we started to pack up to go home. The keys were missing! Guess who had them last...me : ( Crap, this is why hubby doesnt trust me with keys, I'm notorious for losing them. We searched high and low. Through the bags, under the couch, in the drawers, peaked through the car windows, everywhere! Where did we find them??? think about somewhere that you would never look....that is where they were..... the dirty diaper bag. bleh! (I did get to suggest that hubby look through there, so I wasn't all that stupid)
Anyways, after only a few minutes of crying, Benjamin was fast asleep, and slept for almost 2 hrs!
It was wonderful to he his grandparents, and I'm so glad that they got to see Benjamin. Next trip, my grandparents for Christmas. 5 hrs in the car. Please say your prayers!


In other news, we have a driveway!

Benjamin started grabbing his toes!

Catch 22

I love my job. Yes, it can be very hectic and stressful working with the public and other healthcare professionals, but I get a great sense of accomplishment out of a long hard day at work...however, that means I'm not with my son. ::momma guilt:: I'm about the luckiest person in the world to have my mom watch Benjamin, but being away means I miss things...like the fact that he rolled from his belly to back twice! And this is the "for real" rolling, not the "I'm a tiny little squirt and I get so mad that I accidentally flip over" type of rolling. : )
The good thing about working is that it does give me a break, and I feel much more mentally prepared to handle "meltdowns"..

Benjamin's current favs:

• Patty cake
• Hokey Pokey
• Exersaucer (he practically dives out of our arms into it)
  
• "flying" in the air
• Looking at himself in a mirror
• Getting his shirt taken off
• Little tickles on the tummy/underarms (ticklish like his mama!)
• Bathtime
• Waking up in the morning (he is all smiles)
• gnawing on anything
• Grabbing paper (sunday coupon section was his fav) and chewing on it (yeah,yeah, the ink probably isn't good for him....he just does this when Gpa Cow lets him)
• Staring at the bouncy seat from afar
• Nursing
  

Benjamin's current dislikes:

• Going to sleep (we often resort to running the vacuum to calm him down, then he will sometimes conk out)
  
• Being propped up in a chair
• Riding in a car for a long time (short distances, much improved!)
• Getting his jacket on (probably learning to associate this with the carseat : (
• The bottle

Benjamin with his favorite chew toy: Grandpa's hand!

Look, I'm starting to push up! Tummy time is much more fun these days.

In other topics, I recently came across a cosmetics database. It lists almost all products on the market, and the amount of potentially harmful ingredients ( such as products that cause cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, allergies, or other concerns such as an irritant, organ system toxicity, neurotoxicity, etc).
It has in them and ranks them 0-10 with 0 being the least harmful/toxic, and 10 being the worst.
Feel free to visit it and plug in your shampoo, face moisturizer,etc. It is quite eye opening.

Since I've been begged

I guess I will post some more pictures. Lafa and Square are correct, Benjamin does change so rapidly. He is a very happy baby and laughs when we tickle under his chin or on his tummy. He has started jabbering really loudly, especially when he is very tired. He had about 1-2 weeks of being really easy to get down for a nap, now it is a major struggle. I think he has way too much fun when he is awake, and just doesn't want to miss a thing.
On Tuesday, I went to the monthly Breastfeeding Support meeting at the Health Center. I really enjoy talking to other moms who have been bfing longer than me, and others who are pregnant and have yet to start. I also like that we get to weigh our babies at the meeting. With clothles on, Benjamin weighed in at 14 lb 4 oz....and I know that his clothes don't weigh a pound, so he certainly put on some weight from his Dr. Appt the week earlier (13 lb 5 oz naked).

"Reading" his new book (Circus McGircus, thanks for the BN gift card Marilyn) during tummy time

Thanks for my "green" sleeper Aunt Danie

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

Nighttimes.
Better than a few weeks ago. We have been faithful about our nighttime routine:

• 6:30-7pm Bathtime with Hubby and we dim all the lights in our house
  
• Sit on one of our laps and read as many books as we can until he is fussy(1-3) The Big Red Barn is our current favorite.
• Lay on our bed and sing quiet songs (poor boy has to listen to his momma's bad voice)
• Nurse sometime in there depending on his fussiness level and when he last ate.
• As we can tell he is getting really sleepy, we either rock him to sleep (by that I mean walk around with him in our arms going up and down, patting on the back, playing lullabies in the background, and sometimes singing "She'll be comin' around the mountain" because it has lots of verses) Or I nurse him to sleep. The nursing works well, but is a habit I really would rather not establish.
• If all else fails, we resort to running the vacuum to calm him down.
• He generally falls asleep by 7:30 to 8
• If we are lucky, he sleeps in 3 hr increments.
• The darn time change = 5:30 awakenings. not fun.
• But, last night he slept until 7am (by that I mean he went to bed at 8pm, was up at 11, 12:30, 3:30, 5:30, then 7) It still felt like sleeping in.

Downside to all of this. He is starting to only want his mamma. Yes, it is nice and sweet, but when he awakens in the middle of the night, it would be nice if he would let my dear wonderful hubby get him to sleep.

House:
Yeah, drywall!

Scott and Benjamin in the entryway
Great Room
View from great room to entrywayWe also picked out the stone that will be on the exterior of the house, and I'm almost ready to order the cabinets.

What I need to do:
Get cabinets ordered
Pick out linoleum color
Find tile for bathroom
Pick out house colors (interior and exterior)
Pick out door knobs, kitchen pulls, etc
Order all bathroom cabinets and pick out countertops
oh the list goes on. : )