It just gets worse...

A few posts back I wrote something about things getting better. So this time I thought I switch things up. Actually Ben decided to switch things up.

I was summoned upstairs by my nephew tonight to find out he hit his older cousin with a very large toy, and pulled two of his girl cousins hair. I separated him and sent his dad after him. In a moment of insanity Will left his side for a minute. Well a minute was all it took. The markers were found and Ben wrote all over moms piano, wall, chairs and couch. He was nice enough to point out we had missed cleaning the mirror he had markered on as well when we missed that. Before you all feel really glad your son isn't as crazy as my son- I think you should know it was washable marker. I assure you he would have never colored with permanent marker.

 Really though- overall Ben is not too bad. He's got his dads mind his moms energy and a will that just doesn't quit. I am really very impressed with the strong individual we have for a son. Even if most sundays it takes all I am to not run out of the chapel screaming…. Ok enough of Ben lets talk about James…

We recently found out he is in the 91st percentile in height. He is 10 months old and wears 18 month old clothes. He is only in the 30th percentile in weight so he is skinny and tall like his dad. Another wonderful development has been his first tooth!  It took 9 months but it is there and there is another bump underneath his gums that seems to be promising to pop up anytime. As for smiles- he always has them. One of the women in the Relief Society told me today- "I used to think James just really liked me. But as I watch him he smiles at everyone-- I'm not his favorite after all." And it's true - everyone feels special around this kid and I love it.

As for Will and I, we are stumbling around in the dark trying to figure out how to be good parents. Days like today I feel like we're failing miserably. I can see how that first child can be such a learning curve. WE have NO idea what we are doing! I hope we don't ruin our kids :) Life is consistently busy for me trying to keep up with housework, kids, and work and Will's business. Finding a minute to myself is just not in the cards at this season of my life-- I'm not complaining - but I will be if I've gained 60 pounds by the time I get a minute to exercise someday ;)  But really I'd give it all up and so much more to have the family I do and to be together. I do love my life and I was kidding-- It does get better everyday!

Binky and smiling

I don't really have time to write as much as I used to. Every minute of my weekday is chuck full of child raising or working/writing. I can't neglect this blog for one more minute though- so husby with toothbrush in hand waiting for me to come to bed will be waiting just a few more minutes :)

Ben: It wasn't a drama- I held off for sooooo long on taking his binky from him. I didn't want him to be sad for days on end and cry for hours upon hours. The morning we took away his binky he cried a little but then it was over. He hasn't looked back since. He sleeps fine with out it and whenever he bumps his knee or hits his head he doesn't need it as a crutch to suck on. So come to find out I was the baby not willing to give up the binky-- how many lessons will I need to learn.

Next, I'm going to paint you a graph in your mind. If you could sketch the length, loudness and frequency of tantrums over the period of 18 months to 4 years old the line definitely goes up and up and up. I had NOOOOO idea what I was in for. Ben has such a strong will and when I tell him he can't have any more soda he slams his hands on the counter jumps up and down and cries like I was taking away his left arm.  Holy cow man! I feel like all the tanturming has me regressing. I think  the length, loudness and frequency of my own tantrums are definitely headed up on the tantrum scale. Being the bigger man here is hard - especially when tantrum number 62 from the day is on it's way. Now lest you think Ben is over the top he is not. He is average I think. No one told me - I"m just saying no one warned me about the terrible two not being just a bunch of cute flour on their face moments-- they are TERRIBLE :)-- and wonderful of course.

James: I have never met a more smiley baby than this little man. He is extraordinary! At church wherever I sit I've got instant friends to my right, left, behind and in front. He engages everyone- I can't even carry a conversation without some pause in the middle to have them google at this kid who is smiley their way. He is soooo sweet!  Other things about James as he is now 9 months old. He still has no teeth and does not crawl. He is great with Ben even though I can't even put a number to the times Ben knocks him off of his seat everyday. They laugh together and Ben is always bringing him toys. I hope they will become the best of friends- They are already off to a good start.

Hubby and I. Will is doing some writing work to become a medical writer and I am doing more writing work for an Au Pair firm. We keep busy and we are happy. So we can't complain. We'll I better get off - I think my hubby has already fallen asleep!

Talk to ya sooner than last time!!

Summer

One more thing- I got glasses for the first time in my life! 34.5 years old…