Wednesday, August 17, 2011

We're an eternal family... living one day at a time!

I just have to say that yes we are alive...
no i haven't forgotten about my blog...
I've just been too lazy busy to sit down and write about our lives!  

Ben is 10 months old!  He is still just as fantastic as ever!  His adoption was finalized May 19 2011.  And he was sealed into our eternal family July 16 2011! I have plans for a more detailed account of Ben's big day at the temple- coming soon.  Ben was able to meet a whole slew of family!  And he loved every minute of attention!!! 

He is just getting so big!  I don't want to admit that he is getting taller.  But I do love that he is becoming even more animated and confident in himself!  Ben has this sweet and feisty BIG personality and he is just happy as a lark to share it with everyone he sees!  And he has the cutest dimples any mom could ever swoon at.



Ben Loves:
Pulling himself up to a standing position
Eating "real" people food 
Walking with mom or dad's help
Walking along the furniture with out any help from mom or dad
Toppling over the laundry baskets- esp if they are filled with clean laundry
Shaun the Sheep
Veggietales
Giving kisses (although at the moment he's being a little stingy!  lol)
Pulling mommy's hair
Throwing his food
The Bathroom- we've had to keep the door closed otherwise he crawls like a mad man in that direction to play in there. 
Chewing on the Wii remote
Mommy's cell phone
His blue blanket from g-ma and g-pa G

Ben Hates:
Taking naps
Eating baby food
Being stuck in his exersaucer
Yo Gabba Gabba - he gets the biggest scaredy cat look on his face, then he starts screaming bloody murder!  it really does terrify him (and i don't blame him.  it is one freaky show)
Being contained for diaper changes
When daddy is away
Not being allowed to play with mommy's cell phone
Going to bed
And when mommy has to say "no"



Life is really good at the moment.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

“We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves"

 
Benjamin is 5 months old!  And he is just fabulous!!

His favorite things right now are:
Bananas- we've started eating solids yummy
Biting- we've got two little bottom teeth sticking out
Laughing- sooo cute!  and sooo hearty!  no girlie laughs here
Fake coughing- which i'm convinced is part of him trying to laugh
Sitting up- which he can do unassisted for about 10-15 minutes at a time!
His Toes- he loves to grab them when he sees them, not tasting yet
 Headbutting- he likes to put his hands on either side of my face, scream, and then WAM!

Things we're not quite sure about...
Apple juice- he'll drink it but you should see the look on his face!
Bath time- he's never really hated it but we're still not lovin it!
Rice cereal- he'll eat it but he'd much rather have bananas!
Rolling over- actually he absolutely hates rolling over!


 

 We love having Ben around!!!!!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

If we are going to pay this much for crab it better sing and dance and introduce us to the Little Mermaid!



 Matt & I enjoyed a wonderful date night over the weekend.

And can I say 'Thank Goodness!'?
I sooooo needed it.

Motherhood is kicking my butt! Add on top of that, Matt working, and you've got one frazzled Courtney.  I think that besides sleep, the thing I miss the most is the ability to just go see a movie on a whim.  There's something about finding a sitter that is so difficult for me.  Maybe it's the time suck of having to call around- maybe it's the need to make a plan- maybe it's the possibility of people saying no.  I don't know but when Matt got called in to do a quick out and back trip last Friday the only thing I could think of was DATE NIGHT!

See, when Matt gets back from a trip he gets several hours of "rest time".  Time that he doesn't have to be 15 minutes away from the airport.  Time to not stress!

And then the planets aligned!  My very good friend Brittany called to see if I wanted to go shopping.  I, of course, jumped at the opportunity...but only in exchange for free labor! *evil laugh*

I had:
Matt available stress free for a few hours after work
A wicked sweet babysitting team (Brittany and her husband)

I needed:
A movie selection!



Season of the Witch

We originally wanted to see Tangled, but we got there 10 minutes late.  So we decided on Season of the Witch with Nicolas Cage.  It was very good.  A little different than I was expecting, but then again I'm not sure what I was expecting!  It was pretty intense.  It felt like time stood still!  We both loved the twisted perspective on the black death, aka- the plague!

Stadium seating, surround sound, dimmed lights, a handsome man seated next to me, and freshly popped popcorn were the perfect therapy for a frazzled mommy!  I'm looking forward to the next time the planets align and I get to go to the movies again!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Get excited and enthusiastic about you own dream. This excitement is like a forest fire - you can smell it, taste it, and see it from a mile away.

My Christmas present finally came in today!!!

I'm sooooo excited!

Matt this year got me a studio lighting set!!  

Strobes!  I got Strobes!!!

I was able to play a little bit with them tonight.  I'm loving the results.  Grandma was so kind to pose with Ben.  Here's an example of what I'll be able to do from now on. 



 Ps. very little post editing was done!  Practically perfect straight out of the camera!
I feel sooo spiffy!

We'll be doing family photos real soon!