There are sticky notes all over my walls

All over the house there are little pink post-its labeling each room: office, Ben's room, master bedroom, laundry, etc. The floor is littered various boxes with similar labels. Most are opened and half empty, but some are still sealed shut.  They are just waiting for their contents to be revealed and subsequently organized. 

We've moved.  

Left the cold air and snow of Detroit, for the sunny and warm (soon to be scorching hot) Las Vegas!  And while I am ecstatic to finally be here, I am having difficulties unpacking.  Zero motivation.  So tonight I am playing on the computer listening to Ben sleep in his room.  Matt is downstairs watching a little tv- the news about whose winning the caucus here in Nevada.  And I'm happy... I'm content in this moment.  Because I'm at home.  So I think the pink post-its will stay on the walls just a little longer, as I relish in this bliss of being at home here in Vegas. 

...now, if only I could figure out how to get everywhere...

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.

“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!!!!!

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!

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!

"Everyone carries around his own monsters"

My monster, you ask?

A 10lbs little boy named Benjamin!

Who is currently, and thankfully, asleep in his swing.  Allowing his mommy(aka- me) some time to make herself a tasty dinner, watch a movie, and clean the kitchen.  And yes, that is all at the same time!  I'm even managing to get some blogging done!  

Honestly, it's Heaven! 

I am having a blast getting to know Benjamin!  He is an amazing baby!  Completely handsome, smiling up a storm, and winning over all the hearts of everyone that comes in contact with him!  And while we call him our little monster, he is normally very easy going!  But Ben has definitely found his voice and he loves to see how loud he can be.  And he loves to stand.  He gets the biggest smile, sticks out his tongue, screams, and then starts trying to bounce!  It's sooo funny!

Well, I hear my little monster starting to fuss, which probably means he wants something to eat.  So I'll leave you with just a few pictures.

Enjoy!

I know I do!!!

 

Since We've Been Home

 

 

 

We are loving having Ben home!  He is a very good baby.  He sleeps, he eats, he poops...he has mastered two out of the three.  It's amazing!  He has almost doubled his birth weight.  And he is meeting all of his milestones so far!