Random thoughts from me

Happy Halloween!!!

2006-10-31T20:49:00.000-08:00

What a nice day we had. We took the kids Trick or Treating in Uptown this afternoon. It's really nice, they block off main street and all the shops hand out candy. Afterwards we went to Walmart and then we dropped Walter off at youth group. We went to Trick or Treat a few people and then got a call from Walter to meet him at TCBY for yogurt. Only one student showed up so he was taking her out for a yogurt and needed us to meet him. After that we went to the grocery store and then have spent a nice Tuesday evening at home as a family - wow it's been nice.

Ben was "Cowboy Spiderman" and Becca is Dorothy. I made her costume and almost want to have another little girl so someone else can wear this costume. I guess I'll just have to pass it on since having another child is not in our plans.

I've been tagged by Amy

2006-10-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

Amy Chose to tag me so here are my answers to the questions asked.

What do you like most about where you live?

I love the views that I have of the area around us. I love that we are just a short distance from lakes, fishing and camping. I love that I can see deer every morning and evening from my back and front yards. I love that it doesn't get too hot. I love that we have seasons. I love that it is a small town and there is always someone we know where ever we are at.

Is there anything strange about where you live?

How about there are two state prisons on the out skirts of town. Our towns population includes those inmates in those prisons.

What's one of your all time favorite music albums and why?

I don't really have a all time favorite music album. If I have to choose it would be any album by Third Day. It always uplifting and since I know most of the songs I love singing along.

Did you have a passion for something as a kid that you still have now? (if not, what is one of your passions now?)

I've always had a passion for reading and for sewing. As a kid I loved cross stitching and now that passion has turned into my sewing maching and quilting and sewing blankets and other things like that.

What do you like most about having a blog?

I love having a place where I can put down my feelings. I really us this as a journal and so it's nice to have a place where I can process things that I'm feeling.

Ok, so now I have to tag someone - how about two people.

Heather and Maggie

Senseless and Tragic

2006-09-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

This last week our town lost three teenagers all on the same day. One girl lost her life to a six month battle with leukemia, she was sixteen. The other two deaths were because of a drug overdose, the boys were a sophomore and the other a senior in high school. Because of God allowing us (mainly Walter) to do Jr high ministry at church, we knew the girl and we knew the brother of one of the boys. It hits close to home but maybe, just maybe we made a impact in their lives.

My memory of the young lady, Zara, will be her gentle spirit. She was physically beautiful, but more than anything there was away about her that was gentle and sweet. She first came with us to winter camp. I don't think Ben was a year yet. She asked to hold him and she was so gentle and he enjoyed playing with her. She always had a smile and I remember even then saying that I want to have a daughter who has the kind of character that I saw in Zara.

I don't know the two young men. My heart goes out to their mothers. What a senseless way to loose a child. It makes me want to hug my children all that much closer.

This whole thing has made me rethink our involvement in youth ministry. Maybe, just maybe, we are making a difference in some of these kids lives. It a hard ministry, you never really know if you are making a difference. Are kids there because they want to learn about God or is it because they want to have fun. The balance of doing both is a delicate one. The conclusion I came to is that we need to continue - we have a message that the world needs to hear and God has given Walter the passion and desire to serve. Maybe I need to get out of his way more and let him do that.

The other conclusion I came to is that I will love my own children as long as they are God's gift to me. I will hug them tighter and play with them more, so that if the Lord chooses to take them or me before I'm ready to have that happen, we will have sweet, sweet memories to hold on to.

YES AND NO

2006-09-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

Becca isn't a big talker, she grunts, whines, signs if we make her and nods her head to questions. Now if she were our first child we would of course be very worried about her and wonder if there is something wrong because she's not talking. But she's very similar to Ben, except she whines A LOT more.

Today was one of those afternoons when she got up from her nap crabby. She only wanted to sit on her daddy's lap and grunted at Ben or I if we got to close to them. As we are watching a movie on TV there is a commercial with a mom and pre-teen/teenage daughter arguing. I look at Becca and asked "Are you and mommy going to argue like that?" and she nods "yes". We chuckle. I ask her if she's going to argue with her daddy and she nods "no". I know she didn't really know what she was "saying" but knowing that it is close to the truth makes it funny.

*******************************

In other news, I've went back to work. I'm working for a local CPA firm here in town doing bookkeeping. I love it because of the flexible hours. The kids are going to daycare and Ben's learning so much from Deb's new preschool program. Becca's learning that the world doesn't revolve around her and that not everyone gives into her when she whines. It's nice knowing that my kids are together and that I pick them up after lunch and bring them home and have them take a nap at home.

The best part of me working again is that I again have an outlet. Instead of watching the latest on Fox news or getting into people's business that I have no business getting into. My depression has improved. You know the saying "A happy momma makes a happy family" and that definitely where we are at right now.

13 months - Becca

2006-08-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

This last month you have officially started the "toddler" stage of life. You no longer crawl anywhere but walk or run everywhere. You still aren't talking much but you have picked up the signs "more" and "please". The sign for "milk" is still your sign for "give me". If the signs don't get you what you want you happily use your voice or shall we say screams. Ben is still your favorite person and you follow him wherever he goes. I think your favorite place to terrorize him is while he's taking a bath. You can make it from the living room, up the two steps, across the dining room and down the hall before I can get up off the floor. You proceed to go into the bathroom and scream and your brother "URRGGHHHHH!!!!" only said in a girly high pitched voice is what your daddy and I hear, followed by a "mom, dad, Becca's bothering me". I can't wait to see what your brother and your relationship will be like when you are 14 and he is 17 and you are both in high school together. Will you still be yelling at him?

You are still our little garbage disposal, you eat anything we put in front of you, except white food. The other night we gave you a bit of baked potato and cauliflower. You wouldn't eat either. I hope you don't become as picky as your brother is.

My Becca Grace,
You are getting to be so fun, I can't believe that a year ago I would hold you and cuddle you. Now a days it is a rare event if you let us cuddle you. Yesterday you woke up early from your nap, all you wanted to do was cuddle. Moments like these I am learning to treasure because before I know it we won't have them.

Love, Momma

Her name is Becky and other cute things

2006-08-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

*When we named Rebecca we wanted her known as Rebecca or Becca. Ben lately has taken to calling her Becky. It's cute to here him say it. I don't know if he calls her this because we call have called him Benny for so long or exactly why. Up until this time she's been known as Baby Becca or just Becca.

*Another cute thing Ben's started doing is praying for our meal. His prayers always start the same "Bless this food to our bodies and our bodies to Your service" It's the part after that where we learn exactly what he's thinking. Sometimes he will pray that we all will go to Walmart after dinner so he can get a notebook or sometimes it's praying for ice cream after his bath. He also will thank the Lord for things that stand out to him. Today he thanked God for a good nap. It's wonderful to see that it just isn't words that he's repeating but he's also bringing wants and desires and a thankful heart to his God.

*Since Walter and I fell in love (6 years ago this month) he has told me 3 reasons why he loves me every night before we go to sleep. It is something that we do to our kids. The other night Ben and I were having a 'pajama party' (watching a movie while daddy was at the church working Friday night). After the movie was over I turned out the lights and he wanted to cuddle. I started telling him reasons why I loved him and he started telling me reasons why he loved me. "Because you are the best cuddler" "Because you are my best buddy" "Because you love me" Does parenting get better than this? I don't know how it could.

Summer is almost over

2006-08-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

And where did the time go? In just 4 short weeks we will be back to our regularly scheduled program. Ben will be going to Debbie's and doing preschool there in the morning and Becca and I will be dividing our time between the gym, MOPS and I'm sure plenty of other things.

It's actually been a great summer. We haven't done anything "big", heck we haven't even gone to the lake once! Ben's done Bible Camp and VBS that were each a week long. We celebrated birthdays and went to the fair, enjoyed days at the park and for the last week and a half we've enjoyed going and meeting Walter for lunch each day. He's had a class at the county ed office and since we never get to see him during work hours at the prison it's made for a nice diversion.

The last few weeks have been busy with MOPS stuff. We finally had our first meetings last week and I'm really excited about the women that I'm working with and the vision that the Lord has given each one of us. Just a few more weeks of planning and then the school year kicks of and we are on to new things.

Happy 1st Birthday, Rebecca

2006-07-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday my baby turned one. Here is my beautiful daughter one year ago.

And here she was on her birthday.

This year just went by so fast, there have been a few times that I just wanted to yell "STOP" so that time would freeze so I could savor and remember each and every hour of the day. I couldn't and her birthday was here before I knew it.

Rebecca started walking a few days before her birthday. Now she tries to walk first and if that doesn't work then she will crawl. We also realized that she understands more than we thought she did.

We went to the Fair Parade in the morning. She enjoyed watching all the people and animals. It was during nap time and she wouldn't sleep during the parade, but as we packed up to head for the car she crashed in Grandma's arms. We relaxed at home in the afternoon and then had Grandma and Papa (who came from central California) and Grandma Barb and Papa Al over for dinner. Walter BBQ'd and we enjoyed and nice meal. Becca enjoyed having all the attention focused on her. Benjamin helped her open her presents. She got her own pink princess "thinking chair" and a baby. She loved her baby and hugged it as soon as she opened it. She also started burping it. She was so cute sitting in her chair with her baby. If Ben got close to either she let him know that he needed to get away by yelling at him and swatting at him.

She doesn't say very many words. But like I said earlier she knows more than we think. We can ask her to get her baby and she will look for it and go get it. She is using a few signs, although what I thought was her sign for "milk" is really her sign for anything that she wants to eat or drink.

She is eating everything now and after this last can of formula will be totally on people food. She only has about 3 bottles a day, first thing in the morning, after nap and before bed. We will start weaning her off those when we are done with formula.

At her 1 year check up she weighed 20 lbs exactly and is 27 1/2 inches tall. She is on the short side and is in the 30th percentile for both weight and height. She's just perfect!

Becca - What a year we have had. Daddy, Ben and I are so blessed that you are in our family. You brighten up all of our lives. My favorite sound is you and Ben laughing. He makes you laugh like no other can. Even though you fight over the chairs or because you think you need what Ben has, you are really good friends with each other. Ben is the first person you look for when you get up in the morning. I can't wait to see what this second year of your life has in store for us, but with your beautiful smile and joyous laughter I'm sure we will all have fun in the process. You are my joy and I love you more than I can say! Love, Momma

In My Daughter's Eyes

2006-07-13T08:24:00.000-07:00

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero

I am strong and wise and I know no fear

But the truth is plain to see

She was sent to rescue me

I see who I wanna be

In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal

Darkness turns to light and the

world is at peace

This miracle God gave to me

gives me strength when I am weak

I find reason to believe

In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand

around my finger

Oh it puts a smile in my heart

Everything becomes a little clearer

I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart

has had enough

It's giving more when you feel like giving up

I've seen the light

It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future

A reflection of who I am and what will be

Though she'll grow and someday leave

Maybe raise a family

When I'm gone I hope you see how happy

she made me

For I'll be there

In my daughter's eyes

It hasn't been until lately that this song has taken on a new meaning in my life. When I first heard it a few years ago I thought it was a beautiful song and had a nice message. Now looking at my daughter who will be celebrating her first birthday in a little over a week, it's taken on a whole new meaning.

I never have thought I was pretty or beautiful, I've always been overweight and so never thought I measured up in the looks department. The other day after Beccca's bath I was holding her up to the mirror and it was her beautiful face and mine, I realized how much she is starting to look like me and I realized at that moment, if she is beautiful, then I too must be beautiful.

Last year when I had Rebecca I remember how I kept saying "I love you" to her in the hospital. Here is the bad mommy moment - I really didn't, I thought if I kept saying it over and over then maybe that "to die for love" that I had with Benjamin would kick in and I would have that over powering feeling again. It honestly wasn't until she was about 2 or 3 months old that I finally felt that. I remember the guilt and how I was ashamed to admit that to anyone. But around that 2 or 3 month mark she wiggled her way into my heart with those beautiful blue eyes, joyous laugh and with the help of the Lord, making me realize that He gave me this daughter to learn things about myself. He didn't give me the wrong child, he gave me the child I needed to learn the most about myself.

When I see her strong will in action or her fierce determination or the way she cuddles into her father, I see glimpses of myself, some things I don't always like (fighting until she gets her way - do I do that? hmmmmm..... Unfortunately yes). But at those moments it is when I pray for the Lord's refinement in my life to get rid of those things.

She is going to learn to be a woman from me, what kind of woman will she be? It's the woman that she sees through her eyes and that causes me to keep looking into those eyes to find the woman that I am so that I can refine those things that will help her be the best she can.

My prayer is that just like the last part of the song "When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me For I'll be there In my daughter's eyes", she will see how much I loved her and how happy she has made me - joy, love, pride and most of all a contentment are all things she has brought into my life.

Birthday Party Fun

2006-07-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

What a fun birthday party we had for Ben yesterday. We had so many people come and enjoy the evening with us. We had a dinner of spaghetti, Caesar salad, bread and watermelon. Everyone enjoyed visiting while the kids played in the yard and on the swing set. Before dinner we played "Pin the Flag on Mailbox" and the kids seemed to enjoy that. Walter also did another game with the kids while I was finishing up dinner. Everyone spoiled Ben with gifts and he enjoyed going around and giving hugs and thanking everyone. In the next day or so I need to write thank you notes.

Here is a list to help me remember.
Kristin and abbey - Lego police and rescue station
Jackson, Michele & Kids - Superman color book and markers
Grandma and Papa - Blue Reebok short outfit (Ben says his soccer outfit), Brown shorts and shirt, Blue shorts and shirt, Jeff Gordon shirt, CARS book, Lightning, Mater, and 2 boxes of Mac 'n Cheese
Grandma Barb and Papa Al - Shorts and button down "church" shirt, Silly Songs with Larry CD
Tony, Kelsi and Hannah - Air Rocket
Bob, Jen, Miles and Olivia - Water Guns and Joseph DVD
Rose & Kids - "Ants in Pants" Game
Jon, Tami, Colton, Rylee and Avery - $$$$
Lydia, Bill, Grace and Hannah - Blow up bed
Daddy, Mommy & Becca - Soccer ball, shorts, shoes & socks, Boom Box, Worship CD.

And today is my birthday. Just like every birthday since Ben's birth, it is spent recouping from Ben's birthday. There is no other way I want to spend this day!

Happy 4th Birthday Ben

2006-07-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

Today my Benjamin turned four years old. It seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital and were celebrating each milestone of his first year. Now we are getting to know the boy that baby once was.

Ben is a wonderful, sensitive boy. He still wants to cuddle each morning. I have to remind myself that NOTHING is more important than sharing that time with him because soon he will not want to. He loves his sister and although she's starting to bug him a little bit more and they are starting to have little "tiffs" every now and then. Usually it's because Becca has found something of his and is playing with it. Those moments happen several times a day it seems but they are always intermixed with moments when I hear both of them giggling in the other room. When I ask what is going on I hear "I'm making Becca laugh". Oh what a good big brother.

Benjamin - Momma still sees that little baby that I remember stealing my heart 4 years ago. You will always be the person who made me a mom - who gave me the job that I always wanted. Although there are times when you frustrate me and we have a battle of wills, there is no other thing that I want to be - I love being Ben and Becca's mom. I can't wait for you to start soccer this fall. You told Papa today on the phone that you are going to run down the field and score a point. I'm sure you will do it with your whole heart!

One of my favorite things that you just started doing is singing praise songs. Your favorite song right now is the new Matt Redman "Never Let Go". As you sing the chorus to the song it is my prayer that you will come to understand how true that song is. God will never let you go son, through the calm and through the storm - he is there. In every high and every low that you will experience in life he is there holding on - never letting you go. As I hear you singing songs that you listen to while the radio is playing, I will ask you who the songs are talking about. You will tell me - "Jesus". It makes me realize that your dad and I are doing a good job. We are teaching you what matters most.

I want you to know how proud your daddy and I are of you. You are very well behaved and enjoy life to it's fullest. I can't wait to see what this next year of life will bring our way, but I can rest assured that no matter what it is you will face it with a zest for life. With you here we will laugh and enjoy whatever may come to us.

I love you, oh child of my heart,
Momma

Parenting is hard work

2006-06-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today has been one of those days that just has been difficult. Benjamin is really testing his limits and although I'm trying to remain consistent it seems like all the interaction I've had with him today has been negative. I finally had to call Walter this morning and have him give Ben a good talking to. Why is it that even dad on the phone is sometimes more effective then mom?

I can't decide if this attitude that he has developed has anything to do with him turning 4 in a few days. I almost want to threaten him with not having his party on Sunday but that would not probably happen so I don't even want to threaten that if I'm not going to follow through on it.

Hopefully both Becca and Ben will take long naps and give me a break for a bit. How many more hours till Walter gets home?

11 Month Update - Becca

2006-06-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that another month has already passed? (I know I said that last month, but it is just going by so fast!) This month Becca started taking her first steps. She takes about 4 at a time and then goes to crawling. She has fell in love with Ben's "Thinking Chair" and loves to sit in it and rock back and forth. She usually sits in it while I'm checking e-mail or surfing the web.

She is more determined and strong willed as ever. If she wants something she goes and gets it, if she wants something and she can't get it she whines and whines about it. She will cry at the drop of a hat if she feels tears are warranted in any given situation. It's great but also very trying at times. Luckily for her she has a brother and two parents that are as strong willed if not more to help mold her into shape!

Ben and Becca have started fighting this month. Ben gets upset because she's playing with something of his (even though he hasn't played with it in forever) and will try to get it away from her. She will hold on and whine (or scream) about it, causing him to whine (or scream) until I have to take it away from both of them. Just think - another 20 years or so of this.

Becca - I keep thinking that last year at this time we were getting ready for you to be born. I was wondering how you were going to fit into our family. God knew what He was doing because you fit in perfectly! It's almost like you've always been here. You love all of us and get so excited when we walk into the room. You flap your arms like a bird getting ready to take off. You have started entertaining yourself, which is so nice. I don't have to be right there quite so often. You do pretty well being left in the nursery at church, although I was a little afraid with Ben moving up into a new Sunday School class you would not like being left alone. You did just fine. You are so independent and want to do so many things on your own, but I love that you still want to cuddle when you get tired or you just need to rest for a few minutes before you go onto your next activity. All my love, child of my heart! Momma.

Taking Steps

2006-06-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

For the last week and a half Becca's been taking steps. The most she has taken is 4 at one time. I think she is still figuring that crawling is a lot quicker than walking at this point. Before we know it she's at the other end of the house - that's how fast she is.

Bible Camp

2006-06-21T08:22:00.000-07:00

It seems like Ben's getting bigger each and every day. This week he has been going to Bible Camp. The first day was a little trying as he didn't want to listen and kept wandering off in the woods. I probably over reacted but I was so upset when they told me this. They asked if he had ever participated in something like this. He's gone to AWANA, Sunday School and Deb's. He's used to structure. Ben came home, got a huge talking to and threatened with consequences that Walter and I were willing to follow through on. Yesterday he was back to his ol' self, praise the Lord!. He followed directions, didn't wonder off and listened.

So here we sit, he's so excited this morning to go to Bible Camp. He just asked how long until we leave. Only a few more minutes, son.

Can I have this dance?

2006-06-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last night we were getting ready to go in two different directions. Walter and Ben were going to 8th grade graduations and Becca and I were going to visit a friend. I dressed Becca in a little dress and she looked so cute. Ben stood up bowed in front of her and just like Prince Charming asked her to dance. He says "You beautiful Becca and look like a princess, can I have this dance?" Oh my....does that just melt your heart or what?

Momma

2006-05-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

Ben's been calling me Momma lately. I can't tell you how much I love that name. For a long time it was Mom or Mommy...but now it's wonderful name Momma.

"Momma, can I have more watermelon"

"Momma, can I go outside to play"

"Cuddle me, Momma"

I don't really know why I love this so much, maybe it's because what I call my mom sometimes. But whatever the reason it is melting my heart hearing Ben say it.

What a blessing my little guy is!

10 Month Update - Becca

2006-05-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

Has it been a month already? This month has gone by really fast. Becca's still crawling everywhere, but she's taken to standing and last night even stood without holding on to anything. I think her first steps are just around the corner.

Becca had a Dr's visit this month. She's doing well but is slowing down on growing. Since her 6 month check up she's only grown 1/4 of an inch and is now weighing 18 lbs. She's on the petite end of the scale.

I think Becca has decided she's not a baby anymore. She wants to eat what we eat, follows Ben wherever he goes and basically lets her opinion on things be known! The last few days have been hard since the things she sees Ben eating are things that she really can't have. She knows the difference between a cracker and a piece of cheese - and lets us know she knows :)

Girly -
This first year is flying by. Your laugh is so wonderful and we enjoy the squeals and shrieks that we hear when you see your brother or dad. You are very strong willed and I hope that serves you well in life. My prayer is that I can help mold that into being strong willed for the right things. We are finally having to tell you "no". It seems like every time we turn around you are getting something that you shouldn't. You are so cute when you make the little "o" face and shake your head. I can't wait to see what this month has in store for us and all the new things you will do.
Love,
Momma

What a morning!

2006-05-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

This morning we've found out our cars were broken into during the night and that Walter's wallet and the church's digital camera was stolen, we've talked to the police, credit card companies and got a call saying that his wallet had been found. All before 8:30 this morning!!

Hopefully this will teach my husband that he needs to lock the cars even though we live in a small town.

Buzz cut

2006-05-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

So last night I decided that we were going to save 10.00 and give Ben a haircut at home. So we all went outside, set him on the patio table and started the buzz cut. Here he is with all that beautiful blonde hair.
Here is the picture of the first swipe with the clippers.

And here he is when the clippers broke and I had to stop and run to Walmart and get another one. Can you believe he wanted to go with me? He stayed home - nice and safe, away from the view of neighbors.

And here is the finished product. He's so excited because he says "I look just like daddy". Walter wants to know where he got that freakishly long tongue.

"Cuddle Me Mommy"

2006-05-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ben asked this several times this morning. I was kind of crabby and had a killer sinus headache and just really wanted to get things done and not take the time to do it. So finally after a little breakdown I sat down and cuddled Ben. That's all we both really needed. We sat there and just enjoyed hugging. After this we both had a much better morning and got out the door in a timely fashion.

Is there anything better than cuddling with your kids? Not in my mind.

Self Brag

2006-04-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Because of Ben's pukes last night I didn't feel comfortable taking him to the gym daycare this morning. I was cranky because I really wanted to work out and do the circuit training today. So as I was feeling sorry for myself I realized that I could do it at home! I have the book and I have everything I needed to do it (a timer and myself), so why did I need Jill to be pushing me? I did it twice just like we would do at the gym. Yeah ME! Normally I would have just let it slip by with having intentions of working out, but today I actually put it into practice.

Ben loved exercising with me. He kept on telling me I'm just like "Sporticus" on Lazy Town. Becca liked standing up on my while I did 7 minutes of sit-ups. Ben marched with me while I did 5 minutes of walking lunges.

Why do I blog?

2006-04-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Heather has a good post about why do people blog. Here is a list of my reasons:

1. I blog to put my thoughts down and to hopefully remember them.
2. I blog about my kids so hopefully I remember little things in their life.
3. I blog to keep family updated on what is going on.
4. I blog so that maybe, just maybe, someone would be interested in what I have to say.

So what about you? Why do you blog?

PUKE

2006-04-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

It seems like every few weeks we have this stomache bug that goes through our house. Tonight Ben was going with Walter to the gym and as he gets him out of the car Ben says he has to puke. Yep, sure enough he did. He was fine for about 3 hours or so and then threw up the bananna's that he ate. It seems like if one kid is happy and healthy the other kid comes down with something and then the cycle just keeps going. I'm so praying that Becca doesn't get the pukes. Ben handles it so well and usually makes it to the bathroom, but my poor little girl just can't do that and she just doesn't understand why she can't eat as much as she wants.

So tomorrow I'll be home, stuck inside on a beautiful day! Hopefully I'll be able to get things done, but I'm really sad that I won't get to go to the gym in the morning. I NEED to work out, I feel so much better when I do.

9 Month Update - Becca

2006-04-21T22:28:00.000-07:00

To think that in 3 months we are going to celebrate Becca's 1st year of life - it goes by so fast.

This month has been one of great developmental growth. Two weeks ago Rebecca started full-on crawling. Gone are the days where she stays within a 3 foot radius of her toys. She now can climb the stairs into the dining room and the rest of the house is her domain. She loves the bathroom, especially the toilet - much to my dismay - especially since Ben pees standing up and always isn't the best aim :)

We took Becca to her first dentist appointment last week. She got her two pearly white bottom teeth cleaned and then we realized her top one was coming in too. This week while that top tooth was coming in we had fever, snotty nose, diaper rash and general 'pissy-ness'. She didn't sleep well this last week and just whined most days. Thankfully today it seemed like she was back to her normal self.

Becca has started eating finger food. She loves bananas, cherios, and teething biscuits. Since it seems like she has more of a sensitive stomach than Ben, I haven't given her many table foods yet. I guess I just need to do it and see how she does.

Her personality is still developing. She's very demanding and lets us know exactly what she wants. She does well being left as long as her brother is close by.

Grandma and Cousin Cole spent a few days this week with her. She took to Grandma quickly and even looked her way when asked "Where's Grandma?". She would be fine with Grandma as long as I wasn't able to be seen, if she saw me then she would want me to hold her. While Grandma was here we also cut Becca's hair for the first time. Just a little trim to get that comb-over out of her eyes when the wind blows.

She loves her bath and is fearless about crawling around and getting her toys. She loves getting naked but doesn't like getting dressed or being rubbed down with lotion after her bath. I think it has something to do with being still.

Becca-girl,
Mommy has sure enjoyed you this month. When you are sitting on my lap and we are singing together it makes me so happy that I get to spend this time with you each day. You are a very easy baby most of the time. You love to go shopping and be around people, but like your momma you need your down time and time just to be at home with your own things. You said "momma" tonight as I was getting you dressed and it made my heart sing. Of course it was more whining and complaining that I was getting you dressed, but still - I heard "momma". You are such a good cuddler and I love the time that I can spend looking at you after you have fallen asleep in my arms. I love kissing your cheek and telling you how much I love you. You are very curious and a little fearless. This is how your brother was at this age. I'm so glad that you are secure and are excited to discover the world around you, but I'm also a little sad to see you grow and realize that you are a person apart from your dad and I. It will be fun to see what you learn this next month. Daddy thinks that you might be walking before long, afterall you have a big brother to keep up with. I prefer that you wait a few more months before you start tackling walking upright - I'm just not ready to have you gain that independence. My prayer for you is that you always know how much I love you and how I think you are wonderful. I'm always amazed at how much my heart fills with love each time I look with you. Just when I think my heart is so full with love and that it couldn't possibly hold anymore, I look at you and feel my heart stretch and fill with more love for you and for Ben. Thank you Jesus, for sending me Becca!
Love,
Momma

Who are the best parents you know?

2006-04-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

This question was posed to a bunch of moms. People said their parents, grandparents, etc., but one mom had the courage to say said that she and her husband were the best parents she knew. That has always stuck with me. She was confident in her parenting style to know that she was doing a good job. I didn't take it as a prideful thing, just the truth. If that question was now posed to me I would say that Walter and I are the best parents that I know. Do we do everything perfect, heck no! We make all kinds of mistakes, but we are confident in what we are doing because we know that we are doing the best with the knowledge and the tools that God has given us.

I got to thinking about this today because I really have two pretty confident kids. I took them to the dentist and Ben marches back with the hygenist like he knows exactly what is going on and what he is doing. Becca lets people hold her and never really gets super upset if someone new is around. She looks for Walter and I (or her brother) and as long as she knows we are close she's just fine.

I'm proud to say that I'm one of the best parents that I know. My kids are happy, healthy and fun to be around.

2006-04-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today was a pretty good day. I got a lot accomplished. I worked out for an hour with Jill & Jen. Came home and watched Abby and Steven for Jill. Had lunch with Jill. Ben took a good nap and Becca took an ok nap and I was able to do the dishes, fold clothes, do some laundry and finish Becca's Easter blanket. Walter got home we relaxed a bit and got so excited when the next LOST DVD arrived. We just watched two episodes tonight. We went back to the gym around 5:00 and I took Jill's aerobics class. So my body is sore, but I realize it is getting healthy. I told Walter that my life basically consist of church, the gym and home. I guess it could be full of worse stuff.

Tomorrow I really need to start working on the filing for my client. It's going to be a big project and with the sick kids last week I really didn't get on it. Hopefully Becca will cooperate and take a good long 3 hour nap tomorrow afternoon and I can get a good deal done. I'm thinking it's going to be between 10 and 15 hours of billable time when it's all said and done. Yippy!

Hopefully I'll also be able to figure out how to add pictures to my blog. I have some cute ones of the girly taken today. I can't believe how big she's getting. This weekend has been one of discovery for her. She's figured out how to open drawers in the bathroom and kitchen, she realizes she can crawl anywhere she wants. She has figured out how to climb the stairs to the dining room and kitchen. She also is finally eating finger type foods. It's taken forever to get her to eat anything that has texture in it. Oh the joys of the next few months of her learning her limits and us saying "no" quite a bit.

2006-04-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

I think Spring is finally here! Yesterday was in the mid 50's and today is supposed to reach 60 degrees.

This week has been kind of weird. The kids getting sick on Tuesday. Walter came home for part of Wednesday and then yesterday he had jury duty. He was the first one to be excused. Oh well, it had to do with an inmate throwing liquid at a guard. Since it was an assault case the liquid was most likely a bodily fluid. Dang nasty inmates!

Today is off to the gym and then to pay bills. I don't really know what we have going on this weekend. Hopefully the weather is nice and we can do some things outside.

2006-04-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

I hate puke, hate it, hate it, hate it.

Last night we were going to Gracie's birthday. Becca throws up on the way out there, thinking it was just like last Sunday when she threw up, Walter took her home and changed her and they came back out to the party. Ben and I stayed and Ben was having fun with the kids. All of a sudden Bill says that a kid got sick in the bathroom. I ask Ben if it was him and he told me "I have the pukies". He went in, threw up in the toilet and then went back to playing all without saying a word. So we leave, apologizing on the way out the door.

My poor boy was sick all night. Right now he has the dry heaves. He's been drinking water and even that makes him sick.

This has also shown me some of the things he's picked up from me. As he was walking to the bathroom he turns around and says "Come on, mom" I go in there and sit on the side of the tub, he then tells me to rub his back. These are the exact things that I made Walter do when I had morning sickness with Ben. Sometimes I just have to laugh at how much he sounds (and acts) like me.

Praise the Loooorrrrrddddd

2006-04-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ben and I just got back from a trip to Wal-mart. As we get in the car KLOVE is playing "Blessed Be Your Name". This is one of my favorite praise songs. Ben starts singing at the top of his lungs and starts air drumming. When I ask him what he is doing he says "Praising the LOOOOOORRRRDDDD, mom" Can't ask for more than that.

The morning after

2006-04-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

I expected to be a lot more sore than I am today. I knew it would hurt after my first workout. I knew I was using muscles I didn't know I had - There is pain EVERYWHERE! But I'm very proud of myself and actually feel good. Good enough to decide to go shopping today at Costco and to check out the new mall.

I'm really surprised how good I feel about myself and I hope I can continue to keep this feeling going.

No Pain, No Gain

2006-03-31T10:28:00.000-08:00

We just singed up for the gym this week. Bother Walter and I need to get healthy and be more active.

So today I went with Jill & Jen to the gym. We are doing "The Biggest Looser" workout plan and eating plan. HOLY COW! Jill is a great motivator and kept encouraging me to continue even when I thought my legs would give out and I would fall.

So today was day one, it will be interesting to see how I feel the rest of the weekend. Monday we will be back at it 3 days a week.

When I wanted to give up the verse "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" kept going through my mind. It always helped me keep going.

My Evil Snarky Side

2006-03-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who is delivering her baby today, or hopefully today. She was first induced on Thursday, still no baby. The latest word was if it goes on too much longer she will have to have a c-section. Part of me (the Snarky side) really hopes she has to have one. After I had little Rebecca she told me "If I have to have a c-section it would be a total failure" I asked her what she meant and she basically explained that anything less than a vaginal, natural birth is a failure. "Gee, thanks" I said as I laid in bed recouping from my c-section.

I have had a c-section with both my children. I don't feel like a failure at all. I'm actually very glad that c-sections are available to me. My son was induced almost 4 years ago, that was an emergency one because he failed to do well during the induction. With Becca we went to the Hospital that morning and knew that we were having a baby in just 3 short hours. It was a wonderful experience.

I actually pray that my friend has a great delivery, however she has the baby. My specific prayer is that she has the delivery that God wants her to have. I'm just hoping the delivery God wants her to have is a c-section. :)

Joining the blogging world

2006-03-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

I guess I should join the 'in' crowd and start a blog. I hope to write about my children, my husband and my life. Normal everyday stuff.