Splender in the Grass

Tom, Ben and I were privileged to fly out to South Dakota (thanks to Tom’s parents!) last week. It was Ben’s and my first visits to Tornado Alley, the Midwest, America’s Breadbasket, and whatever else it’s referred to.

The trip was the Bermuda Triangle of events! Tom’s baby sister Erika was sealed to her husband Chris in the Bismarck, N.D. Temple, Tom’s other sister Charity had a new baby blessed as well as a daughter baptized. And because everything is so spread out in the Midwest it meant a LOT of driving; I estimated we spent 16.5-17 hours driving. Needless to say having a toddler in a car/car seat for even half that length is brutal…BRUTAL!!! :

Some of the highlights: (Not in any particular order)

1.     Possibly my BIGGEST priority I was looking forward to was going through Tom’s family albums so I could FINALLY see what he looked like as a baby, a kid, etc. Before the trip I had seen literally only TWO photos, his newborn hospital picture and his Kindergarten photo… For the record I am a BIG photo album looker-lover. I don’t even care if I don’t know the people I’m looking at, I simply LOVE and super enjoy getting to know people and feeling their emotions through photos! =) But this was a special treat since I SO wanted to experience that same awesomeness with my hubbies moments. Unfortunately, with the very limited amount of time to do this I only got through one photo album; birth through about 3 years old. AND I have to say Ben looks amazingly like Tom! It’s been difficult for me to see Tom in Ben at all, when I look at Ben I see, well, BEN or I see my side and the closest to Tom I ever see are the nephews on his side coming through. But WOW people! Tom as toddler is Ben now. That was possibly my favorite moment! I look forward to our next trip out whenever that will be to see more pictures.

2.     Gosh okay this actually might be my favorite moment! Saturday was the longest stretch of driving going 3.5 hours one way to Bismarck not including pit stops. So by the time we drove back that evening Ben was exhausted, HECK I WAS EXHAUSTED, especially since there was a good 20 minute period where he was uncontrollably screaming, red-faced, gasping for breath, fighting, and nothing I did would calm him down including taking his out of his seat and holding him in my arms, which I did many times throughout our journeying. (Judge me all you want people, until you’ve lived it you REALLY have NO clue how hard and long a baby can scream especially when you are sitting there in their view- it only encourages them more.) Anyway, when we returned to Aberdeen, SD our first stop was the hotel where Tom’s parents where staying and while they went in their rooms freshening up, Tom and I let Ben go wild in the large grassy area outside. He was in heaven. It was like the last 10 hours hadn’t happened. It was the only time I had my camera close at hand and we were able to take photos proving we ever visited. Thus, the pictures included in this blog that you’ve seen on FB.

3.     I always knew Tom was good with kids, especially with his niece and nephews when they came out for our wedding but I got to see it again this trip. Whereas I get worn but by kids in ohhh about 10 minutes I saw Tom HAPPILY play and keep them entertained for a few hours; that’s right HOURS! In fact, I got my nose in a huff a little about it! “We finally have time together and he’s playing with the OTHER kids over his own kid!” But I never got too upset, those kids love their Uncle Tom they see at most once a year and though Tom only sees Ben in the mornings before work and most of Sundays only I can’t wait for Ben to get bigger because it’s Tom’s favorite stage- when they CAN play back. =) Loving babies comes easy to me, of course, they are so sweet and small and helpless and you don’t mind changing their yeasty diapers and you don’t care if they spit up, but kids……kids are WORK! They talk and talk and argue and don’t understand reason and truly, I don’t have patience. I fully admit it. So all together it was a good reminder how Tom’s enthusiasm for playing with kids is not only adorable but will be my lifesaver in the future!

It was a treat to see Tom’s family including grandparents on both his sides, and his super sweet Aunt Terry, an uncle, etc. I really did luck-out in the in-law department! (What a weird expression, wouldn’t luck-out mean a bad thing? Like how striking-out is bad???)

Walker, Carpet Ranger

We've got a walker. Well he's been walking for a few weeks now actually but this is me finally blogging about it. Ben's still very much Ben- laughs and smiles at EVERYONE! It's pretty awesome to have this little Mr. Concernicus who always have this "in deep, analytical thinking face" but quickly and generously gives adorable dimpled smiles to any one anywhere. I feel really proud to have such a friendly, loving baby (like I had anything to do with it).

Ben's eating is still very typical him too. He's finally open to most pureed foods but isn't taking to solids very well. I try to not stress about it and just take it as this is what he's slow at. He does still love cheddar cheese, some cinnamon rolls (only when they are fresh out of the oven NOT any older) and only likes to drink water- hates milk, OJ, apple juice, etc. which...is just fine with me, I really don't like the idea of sugar drinks anyway.

Breastfeeding ended officially ended 4 days ago too and its awesome. I mean I do like that sweet bonding time but he's really and so were my boobs ;) He has FINALLY been sleeping through the night, as in 12 hours! Its happened a handful of times now and a few in a row, then a few rough times in a row and then back to awesome nights all slowly pointing (fingers crossed) to the norm being 12 hrs nights indefinitely.

We're moving the middle of next month and like anyone knows its been a PAIN! We checked out over 12 different places and funny enough we think we might be going back to our old place! NOT the same apartment but same location. However, we are waiting to hear back if that will even work out b/c.....get this....."we make too much money" WAHHH haha. Not even close people. In a nutshell its one of those situations where we are too rich for section 8, 42 housing but everything else is super out of the question. Long story short, we found a foreclosed property a few weeks ago going for NOTHING people but after we considered property taxes, normal expenses, etc. it cost well over a third of our take home which is OUT of the question but we weren't too bummed, it reminded us in a positive way we are still on the path we feel good about! :D

The fall is right around the corner...isn't that INSANE??? Tom will be in school again meaning we'll basically see him on on Sundays only well...he's now in Elder Quorum so maybe not even Sundays but like everything else I'm happy for our situation, I wish we were through this stage already BUT I'm grateful for it. Just a couple days ago I had thee worst wave crash in the history of J.D.Clark and while it sucked so bad it was a beautiful reminder to me how loved and taken care of I am by the world's most patient and ever-so-quick to make his woman happy- man!
 

2 Years, 2 Steps, 1 Word

Anniversaries are pretty cool. Whether its our wedding anniversary, day we met, first kiss, whatever- they’re fun! Tuesday was Tom’s and mine 2^nd anniversary, pretty cute, huh?! Though I feel I’ve known Tom forever I feel like we’ve been married for a couple weeks and yes I mean that in the best way! =)

We began celebrating the week prior by FINALLY going to Temple together. It was wonderful, we hadn’t been able to go since November which is especially ridiculous when we live 10 minutes away! Tom had that night off from Apple so we got a sitter and didn’t let anything stop us!

July 17th started off awesome! Tom made breakfast. I was craving biscuits and gravy (my favorite breakfast of all time) but of course I don’t eat that yummy stuff and instead he made my typical go-to: bacon and cheesy-eggs-with-salsa oh and a diet cherry dp to help get the AM pills down. –I don’t know how people take pills with water, it’s just not smooth enough for me.

Then he put on our song, “Try A Little Tenderness” –sung by Michael Buble and danced while Ben watched.

After we got showered Tom drove us to Mt. Tabor. It’s funny since Tom and I have been reading the Old Testament I now know Mt. Tabor is biblical reference! Anyway, Mt. Tabor is this quiet, beautiful park that overlooks Portland and has a couple water reservoirs or water treatment plants or whatever the bodies of water are for- they’re pretty!

I remember the first time Tom took me there, I remember we weren’t officially dating, I remember it was a hot summer’s evening, sun was getting low and shooting all hues of fuchsia, magenta, and green across the sky. I can NOT for the life of me remember his exact words during that first walk but it was something along the lines of how much he loved who he was being with me and how he’d never known anyone so good and approachable. I know I felt the same.

It had been over a year since the last time we visited our favorite spot and obviously Ben’s first time, it was nice.

We came home so Ben could nap, Tom and I even dozed off for a few watching Man VS. Wild (its our latest library rental craze we’re into).

After Ben got fed, changed, watered, etc. we did more running around including walking around the mall doing some window shopping (but not too much, its just depressing seeing and WANTING everything- you know?) and picking up some baby food. We were totally planning on taking Ben with us to dinner that evening but by the time 6pm came around and he had had little if any floor time and instead in a car seat, stroller, highchair, crib all day I was scared of what dinner in a restraunt was gonna look and sound like! I suggested we try going another night (fully knowing this night worked BECAUSE Tom had requested it off months ago from both jobs- later doesn’t happen) and just pick up a pizza or something but Tom said, “Nope, we are going out!”

Here’s the story about California Pizza Kitchen: It’s the place Tom took me to on our first date. It was the greatest date ever, possibly only rivaled by the night we got engaged; I say possibly because I kept forgetting I WAS on a date! I was so relaxed and just having fun talking, I didn’t feel like I had to work at thinking of something witty and clever to say or worry that I was talking too much or not sounding smart, etc, I simply had a GREAT time sitting across from him thinking, wow this is so nice, and he’s so fun, and funny and interesting! So here’s where it gets funny, the waitress comes over and asked, “is this all gonna be on one check or separate?” I looked at Tom, who hesitated, I really have no idea if it was a genuine 2-mississippi pause or a half Mississippi, I just know I am SUPER weird about money and took his “hesitation” as he couldn’t afford to pay for me- probably b/c I was/had been broke for SO long that I assumed he was too. Anyway, I answered the waitress, “we can do separate.” Tom said, “you sure?” Which only confirmed my suspicions in my mind since he didn’t insist, then the waitress loudly jerked, “Ah goin’ stage!” I’m pretty sure I wanted to drop-kick her.

Anyway, with all of our on-again, off-again and finally officially ON, courtship, engagement, etc., we never went back. In fact, it was kinda a slightly sensitive subject, sensitive like a 4 on a scale of 1-10 because I didn’t want to consider it our FIRST date when I paid for myself! Haha but come on, it WAS an awesome date despite so I’ve let it go.

So here we were, Ben’s to his limit of patience, Tom and I want to make this sweet return to FULLY rectify our first date mishap but not sure what to do. I texted Ash. She texted right back (NOTE: THANK YOU for being such a FANTASTIC texter-backer-quickly-person along with being a REALLY good go-to person!!!!) Ash came over and we went out, I even wore heels!

We sat in the booth across from our original spot- it was symbolic! Lol We had a good dinner, nothing fancy, I had a salad (surprise) and Tom had a pizza.

We talked, funny enough, about our ex’s for awhile, lol I know –weird but it was fun, then we talked about our 5 year plan, consisting of: getting out of debt completely, getting Tom through school AND if POSSIBLE getting into a house, which we then talked about how its gonna be frustrating working so hard to pay off 66K only to get into a mortgage for more??? UGH.

On our way home, Tom being Tom asked the question we’ve asked each other often since we were dating -how is he was doing as a husband and father and for me to give it to him straight even if its hard to hear. My HONEST reply? I didn’t want him to change ANYTHING he’s doing. He still comes through the door with a smile for me no matter how late it is, how many hours he’s worked, even if he’s stressed and needs major cave time, asking what he can do to make my life easier, just holds me when I’m having a tough day, week, month, whatever, insists he thinks my body is super hot even with my extra chub, works incredibly hard for me and Ben AND he’s SO flippin’ good with Ben. I remember a particular day when I was huge and pregnant, we were barely getting by and living on faith and I asked Tom, “So do you think the honeymoon stage is over?” Tom turned to me, smiled and said, “not even close!” It was just a month ago I was having a really bad day, actually it was more like REALLY hard few days, I called/texted about everyone in my phonebook but no one returned my call or even texted back and Ash was out of town. By the end of the umpteenth day I was miss crazy and I was sure I had worn out Tom, treating him like a girlfriend. After another big sob episode I looked up and asked, “Why do you think none of my friends are calling me back? I don’t think I’ve insulted anyone, not all at once at least. Is it because I’m crazy now?” Tom just shook his head and shrugged. “I’m sorry I have days like this, believe me however much its NOT fun for you, its REALLY not fun for me… Do you think the honeymoon stage of how you see me is over?” Once again he stroked my forehead, shook his head and answered, “Not even close Jess, it’s just begun.”

When we got home from our date and heard all about Ben going down in typical TIRED BABY throwing a fit way, we were sorry Ash had to deal with it and THANKFUL we didn’t take him with us! After Ash left, we checked on Ben, popped in a redbox and fell asleep soon after.

Our anniversary festivities aren’t over yet though- we are excited to go see the new Batman movie sometime next week. It will be our first movie together since Inception.  

In other news: I had chocolate on my anniversary. Peanut M&M’s and Junior Mints, specifically. Before I fell asleep watching the movie. I was a bit hesitant, I didn’t want it to cause me to go into a freak-out, in fact I could have very well not had any and been fine since I went an easy 7 painless weeks without. I wanted the test! I passed. I haven’t craved it since or missing it or anything. It doesn’t mean I haven’t had a wicked sweet tooth though- PLEASE… its been so bad I feel like I am living minute by minute some days resisting the urge to eat oatmeal raisin cookies or anything for that matter especially since I have NEEEVVVVERRR been so strict diet wise and getting nowhere, I can not express how demoralizing it is to work so hard and have no physical results! It was not like this years ago, I didn’t try half this hard and I lost quickly and it stayed off. I am super confused and am not sure what I’m missing and not sure Dr. M will have any advice for me either. Plus I re-read my diabetes books but there’s not a whole heck of a lot advice for individuals described “there are even some people who do not lose weight easily if at all even with a zero carbohydrate diet…but finding encouragement to continue the lifestyle even if it doesn’t produce weight loss” I think I’ve mentioned before I could try cutting out diet pop and cheese, after that I have nothing else to cut out. Maybe I’m not eating enough fat? I wouldn’t doubt it.

I do have ups and downs and on my down days I don’t want to eat my foods I am tired of so I simply won’t eat- of course that doesn’t help, I know. For a moment I thought cutting breast-feeding down to twice a day was helping but I think it was just a coincidence and probably water weight loss.

Tom: Got raises at both jobs- one was a HUGE raise, I think like 35% more. It's awesome and will make up for my lack of income especially since my job did major cut backs and I only work one day a month which I'm fine with. But anyway WAY TO BE AWESOME BABE!

Ben: Starting 4^th of July night BEN SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT-FIRST TIME EVVVERRR! . I checked on him twice because I was conditioned to. He continued to sleep through the night for a few days but then…night #4 or 5 he woke up around midnight crying in a panic/pain way, no fever, no coughing, no tugging at his ears, etc. I gave him baby advil the second night and it helped, it helped night 3 and a few more after. I’ve asked a few people and I think Ben’s going through a growing spurt and having growing pains. I’m wondering if it is the reason for his super cranky episodes during the day too?

Ben took 2 steps by himself on July 15^th. It was a fun moment! He still needs to learn to stand up without pulling himself up with something first and then the walking will come. I’m not pushing walking, it means he will that much more work sooner.


This Morning- July 23d he said his first word: Dadda. At first we thought it was a fluke but he has said it several times since! His dad was pretty proud =)

It's ALL about HIM!

I thought I would give an update and show off my adorable Baby Benjamin aka Benjamite or Bjorn-Jamin as Uncle Brian calls him =) This first video when taken 2-3 weeks ago.

Here are some cute photos

These with dad were taken in March but I love them so much I want to show them off:

 Here was just a couple weeks ago hanging with Grandma and Grandpa!

 Ok so last Sunday we went to the new visitors center that opened at the Portland Temple and Ben was given an oreo and a chocolate chip cookie (and yes it was no temptation for me) but he was given them without our permission which kinda tweeked me but not enough to do anything but complain now. Anyway, here he is loving that oreo (I threw one cookie away, 1 is enough for a 9 month old) 

And because its a Miracle of miracle I want to show Ben finally getting into food! YAY!

The Young & The Restless

The last few months have been pretty tough in all aspects.

Tom has been working harder and longer hours than ever before. It's hard on all of us. I stay up until he gets home. I've NEVER been a night owl, its not a comfortable thing for me but when he's gone I'm nervous and get all dumb and think I hear burglars/rapists every few minutes (of course its only the fan blowing on the creaky doors) Last week started off with Tom getting a call at work Monday letting him know there was a visuals night THAT night at Apple sooo once he left RVKunh's he went directly to his final then went to Apple getting home at 4:45am- this means I basically stayed up that late too since I am a BIG 'OL scaredy cat and think I here all kinds of break-ins happening. Then Tom got up Tuesday went to RVK and then had another visuals night getting home at 2:45am -again along with him I didn't sleep much.

WEDNESDAY was suppose to be the day he was going to just come home after RVK buuuutttt he was asked to cover a shift sooo again no family night. Thursday was long and short at the same time. Ben and I drove out and saw Bek, she's so sick, poor lady and all the while Ben SUPER needy. Thank goodness Bek, Isla, Billy, Liam, AND especially WREN were SOOO good with him! Then on the way home he fell asleep for the first hr and then SCREAMED the last 45 min I was RACING home, you better believe it!

FRIDAY was WEIRD! I woke up very tired and feeling fine and I was in the middle of a conversation when I got an immediate on-set of cramps (note: while I have had countless periods since Ben was born I have had almost no cramps) the cramps were BAD right away, no gradual progression just BOOM bad. Then just as quickly as they started they were HORRIBLE. I was doubled-over and just trying to focus on breathing. I had nothing in my stomach and thought I NEED DRUGS GET SOMETHING IN MY GUT NOW! It took about 5 min to just get some milk I didn't get half it down when the cramps made my stomach hurt bad too- I had to go "THE BATHROOM" cramps got worse and I crawled to the bathroom. Once there the cramps turned to WORSE in fact they felt like contractions! I SWEAR they were WORSE than the WORSE contractions I had when I was in labor with Ben.
Tom took me to my doctor. Doctor didn't know what was going on- it wasn't a constipation issue, it wasn't gas, and i'm pretty darn sure it wasn't a cyst since I've had dozens and dozens and they have always been on ovary or the other this pain was directly in the middle of my uterus. Dr.'s best guess was it may have been due to my birth control, Implanon?
I was glad I was there since that DANG bc has been causing crazy, annoying, no-pattern periods since Texas. I WANT IT OUT!!! I know how flipping fertile I am but I think this stupid BC is causing more harm then good.
LONG story short: I have NEVER and I REPEAT NEVERRR been so strict diet-wise EVER! But I have not lost any more weight since the Texas trip, I HAVE lost inches for sure but the lbs aren't budging. I'm not so upset about the number as I am about what its saying about the possibilities.
I realized my bc is progesterone only kind and at the time I got it I was like ok maybe this will be better for me since I am already so full of progest., testost., and estrogen. BUT progesterone raises LDL's were as estrogen will router-balance that raise and since I'm being pumped full of MORE of it- it is a good guess why my weight isn't budging.
I am also still breastfeeding. That's a good possibility why its not moving either. I AM winging Ben, slowing, but surely.
And my thyroid is still so junked up. I go into another appt with the endocrinologist this month.
I talked and rambled all my frustrations and woo's to my Dr. and honestly, accidentally came off like "Dr. F, you don't know about diabetes and PCOS!" I didn't mean to! I was trying to say that I really feel like I'm getting sicker, my tolerances are way more sensitive- I THINK I need to be re-tested for diabetes or more so hyper-insulin-resistance. Dr. F did go ahead and have my blood drawn to check all my hormone levels while adding he isn't a fan of Atkins diet and recommends South Beach more. Don't get me wrong I LOVE my doctor! What I'm frustrated about is I thought I was being very clear that I knew/know my limitations of food/diet and then he told me to try something that will have me eat MORE than I already know I can't without raising blood sugar.
I am MORE frustrated that I don't know what the fudge to do. I feel like I am climbing a steep mountain, grudging against the wind too. But its not stopping me, I'm still pushing.
I talked all the way home. I talked for another hour and a half when we got home. I cried and talked in circles until Tom said: you sound like you are grieving, grieving the body you worked hard to get and reading/researching that due to things out of your control you may not get it back.
NAIL ON HEAD.
I accept that there are persons with insulin resistance who will not ever achieve goal weight and I am looking like I fit into that category but I am fighting it.

YESTERDAY I realized (while working) that I fight my lot because I have really believed (quietly) that IF I do what I've been doing LONG ENOUGH then I will change my make-up like DNA, everything. It's so silly.

CHOCOLATE- I haven't really wanted to talk about it for several reasons but I think I can now. It's been a month without. This is not me like every time before quitting with a count-down to when I WILL give in again, this is me for ALWAYS. Very long story short, the last month, chocolate-wise, has been the fastest EVER! =) It feels like I gave up yesterday and not a thousand years ago. I am feeling very good. I have been working at really figuring it all out and letting it go. The letting "it" go means not chocolate, not really, but my insecurities. Of course that sounds so easy, its not, I've had tons of freak-outs and needing to talk out my thoughts and feelings but not once have my insecurities brought me to the place of "plotting" how to get chocolate. I HAVE had bad sweet-tooth's lately but that's not anything new- goes with the territory with everything described above. Tom really believes there will be a day I will have chocolate and not have to have it constantly thereafter. I think so too but its not in my thinking at all now. As far as I'm concerned chocolate does not exist in the world any more. When I see it on tv or in the grocery store I honestly think EVERY TIME oh that's so sad its not here anymore, it was eliminated from off the earth!

BEN: Is so close to walking, he pushes objects across the floor while walking. He eats more and more (tho still not a TON) I'm pushing but I can't make him...you all know! I'm winging him well he gets mommy milk before one nap and still in the middle of the night and when he wakes up- like food, he doesn't like his sissy cup. I've tried juice, watered-down juice, he does NOT like those. I made my own decision about cow so I went with it, he takes it (warm or cold) slightly more than water....
Well now I have to run him to his 9 month check-up/shots

When in Doubt, Color Your Hair

Fact I: the first time I EVER colored my hair was on my 14th birthday. I spent the next 8 years coloring so often I had really no idea what my "real color" was until I quit the winter of '04 when I shortly after found out I had (for the most part) been coloring my hair pretty darn close to its natural color. haha HOWEVER, my natural color is mousy-brown with blond and red high-lights.

Fact II: I've never owned a blow-dryer, or hair spray. Only when my mom bought a second curling iron did I ask to have the old one. I used that one maybe twice all together last year. Reasoning? I hate the smell of "cooked hair" and I hate the look of "cooked hair" on anyone. I just don't understand it? Like, spend so much time drying, straightening or curling- all that work everyday or however often JUST to ruin your hair, leaving the ends broken, lighter color than the rest???? It's gross. What I DO own is 2 different leave-in moisturizers and a leave-in frizz stuff.

Story: On Sunday I put mouse in my hair for the first time in EVER I put it in in an attempt to control my frizz and maybe help define my curls since my hair is not quite straight not quite curly. Mouse didn't work I came home from church looking like I had come straight from "bedroom hair"...what must my ward think? -For the most part I go with wet hair lol
Anyway, Sunday I had all this waxy weird ick on the top of my head and I just assumed it was from the mouse since it wasn't there before. Next day, more wax even after shampooing, then the next and the next.....It was GROSS. So last night I had had enough of looking like I was a grease-monkey and when Tom got home I drove to McDonalds and sat out side sucking in their WiFi to google about this issue.

Findings: Lots of chicks writing about it, most with the exact same story- perfect healthy hair, hardly use/never use hair-dryers, etc who all of a sudden got a waxy/greasy issue on the crown of their heads. Mostly its caused from build-up from shampoo-conditioners. I usually change up my shampoo/conditioner ever 6-8weeks but I think I was really liking the cheap but nice Suave so that's where I went wrong.

Solution: Apple-Cidar Vinegar. Wash your hair with it. This morning I tried it. I used more than half the bottle (some even flicked into my eyes- only cool) than I didn't add conditioner to my roots, just ends.

Results: It worked about 85%. It's amazing how difficult it is to get that waxiness out people! It's kinda like if you got candle wax in your hair. GRRROOOSSS

What's next: I decided last night that IF the vinegar didn't work I was just gonna color my hair (since my latest color is a bit too dark from my own color causing my roots to appear even MORE mousy). I really wanted to take a coloring pause since I didn't care enough more if my grays started showing but my thinking is coloring has to strip the wax out, right? In fact, I have a theory about coloring!!!

Theory: If and when my kids ever get the dreaded LICE I'm coloring their head with ammonia! That lice shampoo is as effective as hoping for a wish to come true by throwing coins in a fountaine. I THINK ammonia would kill them- I'll ammonia/color their color their natural color and hope for the best which leads me to my...

Conclusion: I think coloring your hair is awesome. It's a fun change of seen, if you totally hate it than color it something else. I'm such a believer/user of leave-in conditioners and moisturizer everytime I get hair cuts I also am told my soft and healthy my hair is even WITH all the coloring that goes on and I also say the same thing, "Because I don't blow-dry or treat it like I'm making toast!"

Cloud 9 (months)

Gosh where to begin...hmm I think I'll start from the present and work backwards. Wait no, the pictures don't reflect that ..but ...the pictures are out of order really soooo....I'll talk about whatever and whatever order. hehe

Well Ben had a check-up today, one day shy of 9 months. He is 15lbs15oz (with a diaper and socks) in the 2% tile for weight and 1% tile in height. I feel so bad for the little guy he is gonna have such horrible growing pains some day! He's alllmmmooosssttt graduated out of size 2 diapers but more note worthy HE'S INTO EVERYTHINGGGG. He's opening cupboards and banging those pots and pans, he's munching on plug-in cords every chance he gets. He's totally bored with his toys and ready for the stuff under the kitchen sink, detergent and cleaners and stuff that will blind and burn but he's determined dang it. 

Benjamite (as I've been calling him more and more lately) has been acting very close to a terrible-2 year old than a 9 month old. Yep, that's right, he's even throwing fits, and throwing his head back. Tom and I are doing our best to keep on top of it along with his vocal, ear-percing screeches he does- we say, "Hey! NO." But he just smiles back. 

The thing I can't seem to figure out is for the past week he's been waking up around 10pm-midnight just screaming, like PANIC screaming. We'll try to let him scream it out until you KNOW he's not gonna stop and nothing calms him down except for nursing.... He won't have a fever, no messy diaper, I am always watching for him tugging more than normal at his ear, if he's constipated, etc. but none of those things are present. I've been thinking about it and I think there may be a correlation between the days he's had some kind of dairy product and when he's having a freak-out. I've also noticed TONS of gas along with the uneasiness. We'll see, today is trial #1.

Good news though, HE'S EATING FINALLY! Miracle of Miracles! It adds up to one of those Gerber fruit or vegetable containers a day along with 1/2 a jar of meat, which he seems to prefer over the other foods and I'm VERY happy with that! I'm gonna do my best, not psycho-ie of course, to limit grains, starchy vegetables and fruit. Of course I'm gonna let my kids have a pop now and then (i.e. Holidays, vacations). And for goodness sacks, no I'm NOT judging anyone of you who DO allow those things- please. Your genes are YOUR genes and my genes are my genes- you do the best with what ya got (and hope I get better on the other side!!!!)

Also, he's cut one top tooth and working on the other. And he's a pro at rolling his tongue completely over. 

This was the beginning of May I saw Tom holding Ben and starting to drift off, when I grabbed my camera Tom opened his eyes and smiled nicely at which I said "NO. Close your eyes and act like you were sleeping like you were two seconds ago!" So here's Tom totally looking like he's faking and Ben with him "Mr. Concernicus" look wondering why Mom is so weird. The answer is yet to be determined.

This is in San Antonio with Tom's sister Cassi, her husband Bryce and their kids: Baby Keegan and Action-Jackson! It was so fun visiting with some of Tom's side of the family- they are AWESOME people, inside and out! (Not that I saw their insides, you know what I'm saying)

Here's another pic in San Antonio. Someone keeps their house temp at 500 degrees thus the reason I'm red and shifzing all over while everyone else is freezing!

Ben loves laundry time. He likes walking from one machine to the other and sometimes, as seen here, he wants a piece of both (i'd make a bad pun here but I'll resist)

This is a cute little recording of Ben being Ben!