Horrible, Terrible, no good very bad day!

...And when I say day I mean month. June 2012 will go down for us in infamy.  We are soooo glad it's over. Well our drama is not over- but the intial "hit" is over. Every week and sometimes day brought a new challenge.  The month began with Ben breaking his leg and two days later Will found out that he did not pass the boards-- a test he studied 8-10 hours a day for six months. It was pretty much one of our last ditch efforts to get Will back to becoming a practicing doctor. Moving on-- our home is admist a short sale and two weeks before we were supposed to move we are having to redo all of the paperwork and get new approvals--- additional time and paperwork problems sometimes scare away the buyer--- we are hoping this does not become the case. O and did I tell you we are frantically searching for jobs in our house. Will and I have had some glitches come up with his benefit and we are living off our little savings right now-- Yikes! I am looking for work I can do from home and Will is looking for work he can do in the medical arena so we can jumpstart him into a different career. O well, with all this going on- I won't mention the part about the actual place we are going to live when we do move out (hopefully in the next couple weeks) is still undetermined. We've got some hang up going on associated with our living situations as we have them planned so may move up to my parents or I actually thought I saw a cute little spot down by the river that might be nice for some temporary refuge.  I hope this post is not too much of a downer--- we already spent last month being sad about it so we are looking forward to a brighter future this month ;)  In the meantime we aren't moving to Austrailia cause I hear they have bad days there too....

As for our little munchins--- Ben is speaking more in sentences, and trying harder to communicate ideas with us-- which is really stink'n cute. He wobbles around on his cast like it is nobody elses business. The cast comes off in a week and a half and I can't wait!  Even though I don't think his injury has scarred him for life- I think it has scarred me for life ;)  As for Little James.... He is two and a half months from his estimated time of arrival and wiggling and jiggling like it is nobody's business. I have gained 17 pounds so far and am starting to experince more back aches. My heartburn is still pretty consistent but does not wake me up in the middle of the night as often.  We are prepping for the arrival of James this month by trying to wean Ben off the binki and settle him in a toddler bed.... Wish us luck!  We'll I'm signing off. I hope some of you are still out there cause we are still here :)

p.s. Don't worry admist our sorrows we did find a way to leave our home in the month of June... below are pics of us at the Hill Air force Museum, the chalk art festival, a lunch at Subway after going to the Treehouse Museum and at a time share in Eden. If you notice I am not in any pictures... that was in fact by design-- My sister cut my hair and understood me wrong when I told her how short to cut it... basically by the end of the day I looked like a cross between a cockatoo and a boy.

 

Friends, James, and Test results (almost)

 My Ben is a blabbering fool right now, and I mean that in the cutest of ways. He talks and talks and talks and talks. It is sooooo cute!!! Most of what he says is not in my particular vernacular, but none the less it is talking!  Of the particulars that are in my vocabulary: he knows the names of most fruits, common animals, and common everyday household items like tooth brush and shoes. One of his recent adorable habits are starting the alphabet at the letter "Q" and moving on down to about "U." I mean don't get me wrong he can start at "A" but generally chooses not to. We are approaching his 20 month birthday on Friday this week and age developments include acknowledging when he has poo poo in his diaper, taking me by the hand and leading me places he wants to go, climbing up and down furniture, and squealing like a girl whenever he sees his favorite toddler friend Boston (see below).

Now onto James, our baby in waiting. James is a little over five months old (interuo, of course). He is a wiggling and jiggling inside, and his dad has felt him kick a couple of times already.  I am not sure his weight, I think he is close to two pounds but not there yet. I have gained nine pounds total so far, so I think we're good in the belly area.  This pregnancy has been different from Ben's pregnancy, some of the differences include, less nausea, more heart burn, less energy, more constipation, and ok I think that is enough info for now ;)

Will and I have been busy birds- studying for his test. Well he has done the studying and I have done the constant care of Ben, even in the evenings-which has made it complicated to participate as much in my calling in the young women's as an advisor. Will's boards were divided into two days over the past two weeks and last Wednesday we finally finished six months of none stop studying. It's nice to get to see Will again, on a more regular basis (see below). Now, however, everything we had on hold for the last half of year is back on the bracket… which is a little unnerving-- finding a job, more radiology experience, building a apartment in Will's family's basement so we have a place to live after we sale the condo we are in currently, and so on. We are hoping to find out the results to Will's test June 4th--- but we may not be in this particular batch of score results. So wish us luck!  Well I think I've covered the whole family- so until next time- remember to brush your teeth.

It's a Boy!

Leaping Lizards I've got another one on the way!  We had the ultrasound to tell us so this past Tuesday. I had already wiped the slate clean of having a preference for a girl or boy --  knowing either would be great.... but as I heard the news that Ben would have a younger brother I couldn't help but dream of the two -- walking in one anothers footsteps- recieving the priesthood, serving missions, finding wives... I want nothing more in the world than to have my children find their best friend right beside them throughout their lives.

I've attached a picture of the ultra sound that just makes me melt. I can almost see the features our little guy will have. Throughout the ultra sound he wiggled and jiggled and crossed his legs and stretched--- we've got a real active one in there :)  I couldn't wait to get home to tell Ben about his new little brother -- and while I know Ben has no idea what is ahead, I remind him everyday! He's going to be a big brother! I am so excited to be carrying another boy and it was equally exciting to find out so far so good- two hands, two feet, working organs and a strong heart beat.


Ben's first Easter was great. He attended two easter egg hunts and slept through both afternoon sessions of conference the next week. I got to listen to all the talks because the morning sessions he was a pro at keeping himself occupied.

As for the drama in our lives- it is all in Ben's mouth right now. He has been squawking off and on for two weeks straight so far, and finally signs of why have emerged-- his back teeth. Those molars are really killing the kid. They have come with bruises on his face, blood, and even a hematoma (aka..blood blister) on the back right side where one is trying to emerge but has not found sucess yet like the other ones. It has meant a lot of hugs for me but also very little time to do anything else but tend to little Ben. I hope his "pain" goes away soon.

We'll I better be off. I was up til 2 am last night with pregnacy heartburn--- so I can't wait to make it up tonight ;)

Summer

Lew

OK, it's high time I stop wallowing in self pity, and I start talking about the most important thing that has happened to me this year, Lew!  I am moving into month four of my pregnancy and my baby and belly are growing. Her inutero name is inspired by Will--- "Lew" is roughly how you would pronounce his name backwards. The nickname will advance to "Lew, Lew" or stay the same depending on the gender, which we will find out somewhere around April 18th next month. I already talked about the major first trimester differences between Lew and Ben-- I was a lot more tired and less nauseous. So far in my second trimester I am still a little tired by have yet to experience the back aches I did with Benjamin. I heard the baby's heart beat last week. Actually I recorded it and have played it several times since. There is nothing more comforting at this stage than hearing your baby's heart pounding! Ben of course does not get that I am carrying his new sibling in my tummy-- but he will be hard pressed not to notice his mother's weight change in the coming months ;) I plan on transitioning Ben to a toddler bed this summer- just months shy of his second birthday.  I also plan on weaning him from his binki in the next few months. Currently he only uses it for sleep… this is to cut down on binki competition when Lew is born.

As for my little rascal-- he is tearing it up.  Literally, my face is evidence of the fact. One bright and early morning I was pulling myself out of bed after getting Ben from his crib. But it obviously wasn't fast enough for my little tyke. He took and sunk his fingernails into my nose and then quickly crossed them through my cheek. I looked really funny for a few days. The pic below, you can tell my scar is on the mend, but the first few days were a gash of red puffiness.

Speaking of Tyke's I got Ben a Bike. I had scoured the DI for at least two weeks before I gave up and searched the internet for a good deal. He is now the proud owner of a tryke---  I was sooo excited for it to come in the mail, as it was sent to my mom and dad's place, I called my parents everyday to see if it had arrived, and the moment it did I ran up to claim our prize. Will then spent the next hour trying to assemble it while Ben climbed all over him and the bike parts. The next morning Ben woke up and wanted nothing to do with us, he just wanted his bike. So fun!!  I've uploaded a pic. of the bike but he is sleeping now so I'll get you a picture of him on the bike later.

As for Will and I, we are moving. In a moment of insanity, we decided to see if we could move in with Will's parents. And actually it was the first moment of sanity I felt in months.  I've been crunching numbers and moving in with family was the best option…. but my parents were out of space, Dale wouldn't let Will and I have their master bedroom and I didn't think Will's parents would be possible (a. cause they didn't have an apartment for us to live in, and b. because I'm still weary of whether or not we would be compatible under the same roof- We're sooo different :) So as for a. we offered to help build and pay for an apartment in their basement, with some of our last savings-- they didn't take us up on either offer- they did however tell us we could move in and they would build and pay for an apartment to be put in their basement. as for b. -- I don't think that will ever change. But I don't believe they are holding out for b. and I am learning to let go of b. for my own good. Really I don't believe I would have felt peace in this move if the Lord didn't have a way for us to accomplish a, and b. I'm hopeful that our relationship with Will's parents will be all the better for it. Besides- they are so sweet for making a. happen ;)

So with Will taking the test and me growing exponentially, and us moving, these next few months are going to be big ones.  Keep us in your prayers!

Summer

Back again

Whoa, I missed all of February blogging….. this can only mean one thing….. My little grumpy pants self was trudging through a first trimester of pregnancy. And boy was I grumpy…. at least when I was awake. I won't even tell you of the number of phone calls I sent to my message machine and times poor Ben brought me a blanket because he knew the bed is just where I hung out. I am thirteen weeks and due September 13th of this year. Just a couple of weeks before Ben's second birthday. I decided I suffer less with post partum and more with first trimester partum. I can't decide if my least favorite trimester issues was that I had to sleep 11+ hours a day or was grumpy 88 percent of the time. On a great note though-- I wasn't nauseous at all!!!! I did throw up once out of the blue at midnight once, but that was not repeated.

So let me catch you up on my little star. He is talking up a storm lately. He repeats most things we ask him to. And says words I didn't teach him…. like "cool." Whenever he reads his books he knows at few words (aka pictures' s name) on each page. He loves to read and O he loves his belly button.  I know we weren't on the topic of belly buttons but I thought I would seg-way into it. The kid walks around with his finger in his belly button. Especially when he is tired or sensitive.  And I'll let you in on a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone. I am a belly button lover too. I have always found comfort in touching my belly button…. who knew stuff like that was genetic :)  Ok well I better get to fixing my little man and my big man their dinner.  Stay tuned until next time… I'll try not to skip any more months of blogging.

CAR

My little man Ben is really doing the toddler thing as of late. He walks wherever he goes, screams when he doesn't get his way and his favorite word is "CAR."  Its the first word he says when he wakes up in the morning and the last word he says before he goes down at night. Speaking of sleep.... I have felt like an ubber cool mom as of late. Without any intentional training my little guy can go down for a nap and or bedtime with his eyes wide open... he will then either sleep or talk for the next 30 mins than go to sleep. I kinda sorta gave up on any of that babywise train of thought -- it was too stressful for me to feel like I was making my little man sleep when I wanted him to sleep.  I wanted him to sleep because he wanted to sleep. Not saying anything about the sleep methods out there but anything too planned in the realm of naps and sleeping, freaks me out because then that means I can or am doing something wrong when plans fall through.... Anywho I just feel cool cause Ben sleeps close to 11 hours at night and 2 to 3 hours during the day without any pre-programed plan!

Also another baby moment that has me feeling like I'm doing an OK job is Ben eats with a spoon almost better than I do!  He is detailed like his dad. He takes the time to look at the food and carefully lift the spoon to his mouth, once the food is in place on the spoon of course. My neighbor couldn't believe the difference between her 18 month old and 16-month-old Ben. They ate lunch together and Ben kept all of his taco soup in his bowl until devoured with a spoon... meanwhile her daughter's dinner was spread all over the table.

Listen to me blabber... I may be boasting it up too much-- my only consolation is that this blog is more private so the world doesn't know how Bencenteric I am ;) As for the rest of my life... we have an offer on our condo-- but it will take another few months to be approved--- as it is a short sale.  In the meantime I've been planning life after this condo and it looks a little tight. Honestly though I have no idea how we've made it this long (close to 3 years without a job) and we still have some savings!  I know the Lord has blessed us and I know he will continue to bless us. Here's hoping for a  prosperous year!

Summer

The Perfect Day

Will and I spent our anniversary at the Hotel Monaco in SLC.  My brother Ryan and his wife gave us the reservation for our Christmas present. This present actually beats out my all time favorite gift - a black mountain bike - I asked for it back when I was 10 years old and three years later I had given up hope -- than stumbing into the family room at 3 am that Christmas morning the beautiful creation was next to the tree. I was smiling for the next month. Well this years gift, of a hotel stay, will have me smiling for years. A day and a half, with just Will, we started off by wathcing MI 4, and later wandered the streets of Downtown Salt Lake, we spent our time eating way too many calories at the local resturants, and played a highly competative game of checkers at which I barely lost--- he only had about six kings left. Soooo close! We than finished up the evening with a bunch of episodes of "the Middle,"(our favorite tv show right now) and the next morning we sipped gourmet hot chocolate, while reading a pictoral book about Utah's history. I only had one real "panic moment" the entire stay away from Ben, a few hours into our trip I missed him so much I almost canceled the whole extravaganza, but I stayed strong and had the time of my life.


 

 

Speaking of Benny Boy.  He is cropping right up.  Will and I were starting to lose hope of ever having Ben take more than three steps without prompting and in the last few days he has taken five steps and even more (with prompting).  I can't believe our little angel is on his way to becoming fully mobile! He also said his first sentence last week--- it went like this "if I ever get out of this home I'm going to buy me a red rider bee bee gun".... just kidding.... He said "Go Outside!"  he loves the word "Go" and "Car" - I believe he uses those words most frequently. Will and I-- "mommy and Daddy"  are close seconds.  Now whenever he screams I can tell him to please quiet down and articulate-- and HE DOES!  It's sooo cool. Of course I don't use the word articulate-- I just tell him to ask for what he wants instead of scream ;) Below are pics of Ben in his first trip to the Zoo...We were able to reunite the little monkey with his real parents... you know the ones he learned his little arm leg scoot from...



 

 

Well I believe I've written enough about this year's Christmas to give you a good idea of it's wonderfulness. Ben did open one  present this season-- it's just too bad it wasn't his and it was a few weeks before Christmas. Besides that his cousins, parents and uncles and aunts did most of his present opening. I think if he could talk he would say his toy truck from his uncle Nate was his favorite. Well I best be off to the new year-- lots of resolutions to fill ;)

Christmas Eve at my parents

 

Guess who is older...You'll never guess ;)