Ryus, Jessica, Ben & Mary Jane

Family Photos 2011

2012-01-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

October 30th, 2011

We were so very blessed to have been able to get Amber to do our photos this year! Ben did amazing but Mary Jane....

Not so much!

Actually she was HORRIBLE!!!

But we love what we got!

2012-01-20T17:10:00.001-08:00

October 29th, 2011

We had Ben's 3rd birthday party at John & Sue's House this year and it turned out FANTASTIC! We had our own hayride and lots of treats and the best swings in the whole world!

Ben loves TOY STORY so he was Buzz LightYear, Ryus was Woody, Mary Jane was Jessie and I was Mrs. Potato Head!

We had lots of family and friends that joined us!

Playing catch up

2012-01-19T16:55:00.000-08:00

October 2011

So I am attempting to play catch up from October, so pardon the thrown together posts from here to January!

October 8th

Ben was riding his bike on the ramp and was attempting to do a superman seat grab (oh wait that is motocross)) anyways he fell and broke his foot!

Ok, it really was not that cool of a story...it goes a little more like this...

Ben fell off the couch!

The Doc wanted to cast him but we were able to talk him into a walking boot instead! Ben had it for 3 weeks and wore it religiously!! By the end of 3 weeks it was hard to get Ben to part with the nasty thing! But he looked so cute in his "Wee walker boot"

Finch Top 10 Moments of 2011

2011-12-31T14:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Hoildays

2011-12-31T13:52:00.000-08:00

No words for her!!!

2011-10-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

It still AMAZES me how you can have one child and feel the way you feel about them! And then you have a second child and they just slide right in next to how you feel about the first....

ITS A BAUTIFUL THING!

4 month update

2011-09-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane was 4 months old September 10...so I am a little late on this but better late then never in the blogging world

Miss Mary Jane is such a chunk!

Weight 15 lbs 1.5 oz 80%

Height 26 in 95%

Her now:

Loves to be talked to more then a fat girl loves cake!!
Loves her brother
Was sleeping thru the night but that has ALL changed
(any advice will be appreciated)
Sleeps in her swing, but now i am trying to get her to sleep in the crib
(any advice on this would be appreciated)
Takes 4 to 5 naps a day
( I am talking cat naps for the most part)
She went from a semi-colicky baby to a very enjoyable baby!!
Skipped 3-6month clothes and went right to 6-9 months
Hates to get dressed
Loves bath's, but only if she has a warm towel when you get her out!
(spoiled already)
Found her feet
Reaches for everything!
Drool MONSTER

She has the best brown eyes, and looks so much like her daddy!

Camping in Telluride!

2011-09-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we went camping in Telluride with my family! It was beautiful and definatly COLD! While I did not get any pictures of us ACTUALLY camping..I got a few when went to visit the town of Telluride! We went on a gondolla ride to the ski village, hit up the farmers market for some fresh KETTLE CORN ( a Ryus & Jessica Family favorite) ate @ SMUGGLERS and walked the streets of this beautiful town! Needless to say we will be back!

Bumps and bruises

2011-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

this is what you get when you have a quarter pipe in your garage and a 2 year old who can ride a bike with no training wheels, a husband who thinks its cool to have scars

Quarter Pipe

2011-09-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

When Ryus got bored last Sunday he built a quarter pipe in our garage!

What does your husband do when he gets bored??

BUMBO girl

2011-08-29T14:55:00.001-07:00

I {heart} these chairs!

It is so nice to add one more thing to

do with Miss Mary Jane while I cook!

i love them so much i hunted a purple

one down for a baby

shower this weekend!

so fun watching this little girl

get bigger!!!

Beloved ipad - R.I.P

2011-08-29T06:58:00.001-07:00

My lovely husband left the ipad on the roof of my car!

And when the speed limit changes in Bloomfield, due to the road construction , it flew off and was ran over a million times!!

Currently taking donations to replace!! I miss my beloved ipad!

Dear iPAD,

You were always there for me when I am stuck nursing a cranky baby and she never wants to let go!

You taught Ben his shapes and colors in spanish!

You entertained Ben when we had a long drive or were at the DR office!

You were always there late at night once the kids were in bed to check e-mails and catch up with the outside world!

You were there when i needed a recipe and my printed would not print, I could just take you in kitchen with me!!

I will miss you!!

SWEETNESS

2011-08-18T07:02:00.001-07:00

So...as usual, we set up shop in the kitchen and attempted a 3 month photo shoot! I thought there was total failure, but I was pleasantly surprised at my children when I went to go edit! I guess i didn't need to lock them in the closet for being so bad....kidding!

This sweet girl has ME, not daddy, wrapped around her finger! I just adore her!!

3 month stats:

14.25lbs 25 1/2 inches long

99% in height

82% for weight

Sleeps from 10pm-6:30 (most nights)

Champ eater

Beautiful brown eyes

loves to be talked too

laughs like crazy when tickled

loves Ben as long as he is not, literally head-butting her

takes short naps during the day

a little dramatic

a touch of colic, but that is starting to fade!

Miss Mary Jane has melted all of our hearts, I think we will keep her!!

July 1st

2011-08-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

I just love this little boy! Especially his red mustache! These were taken during the weekend of July 2nd. We spent the weekend at Dj & Jessica's wedding friday and saturday

Ryus's cousin was getting married on July 2nd and we were out for the rehearsal dinner and were able to get a few pictures of Ryus and I with Mary Jane! I just love these!!

Mariatchi weekend

2011-08-11T07:46:00.000-07:00

On June 1th we went to ABQ and hit up the annual Gonzales Mariatchi weekend! My family on my grandmothers side, every June has this weekend! It was going to be the last one so we knew we had to go! We had tons of fun listening to music and eating the BEST mexican food!! I know I look pretty white but my grandmother is a Gonzales, so there's a little hispanic in my blood!!

Mary Jane's birth announcement

2011-08-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

FRONT

BACK

The birth

2011-08-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

So now I will take you back to Monday May 9th! A very anxious day for me! I went to my dr appt to find out if my cervix was ripe enought to induce on the 10th! I was due on the 6th so I was getting super frustrated at this point. The dr gave me the ok to be induced with cytotec, a cervix ripener. I was barely 2cm dialated and 60% effaced.If that did not work then I was scheduled to go back home...boo!

Tuesday morning about 7:15am the cytotec was inserted. I waited until 8:30 then I got dressed and Ryus and I walked for 2 hours outside around the hospital to try and get things going. The Dr came in about 12:30 and said I was 3cm and about 80% effaced. Dr Priebe said that she was going to go ahead and just break my water. The very next contraction I had after my water was broke was super pain full, I thought "oh" crap I remember this feeling from Ben, this sucks!! THen my second contraction sent me in panic mode, it was HORRIBLE!!! All i wanted to do was to get up and move around but they made me stay in bed until they could get the babies heartbeat to make sure she was not in distress from the water breaking. The L-O-N-G-E-S-T 10 minutes of my life!!! They saw super bitchy Jessica come out for sure!! I told Ryus I can not do this I need an epidural! Let me remind you this was only 10 minutes of pain, I kept telling myself that I was such a wimp. I am only a 3, can you imagine what a 10 feels like!! They finally let me get up and I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom (#2) the nurse said that if it felt like that then the baby was probably coming. She wanted to check me but I told her " NO WAY" cause then your going tot tell me that I can't have an epidural and then I am going to freak on you lady! She nodded her head and said " I will disregard your comment on the bowl movement and go get the doc for the epideral! I continued to shoot Ryus the stink eye in the bathroom while I labored in pain on the bathroom floor on all all fours....I was DYING!! It took about an hour from breaking my water to getting the epideral! The epideral dude (can't spell what he really is) hooked it up and made me feel absolutely nothing. He was my hero!

The nurse then checked me and I was at a 10!! It was time to push!

In just 2 pushes...

Miss Mary Jane was born!!

It was such a great labor, except for the hour of pain! I was so proud to say that I was not as big of a wimp as I thought I was. I was only a 3 but went to a 10 in 1 hour! PAINFUL shiz! I know that If I just would have waited like 30 minutes I could of had a natural birth! But who was I fooling, I had no desire in my entire body to do it natural!Plus...30 more minutes would of felt like an eternity! Epiderals are the best thing ever invented! And I will stand by that!

P.s. there is another post after this too! Trying to catch up!

3 Month update

2011-08-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mary Jane was 3 months old! We are taking her official 3 month pictures tomorrow but I wanted to share these 2 photos.

Mary Jane so much looks like her brother, even tho these pictures dooooo NO justice to the real deal in person!The picture above are of both of them at 3 months old! Besides the fact that she has brown eyes and Ben has blue I feel like she is Ben all over again when I look at her. But boy do they differ in everything else!

Blogging has defiantly been put on the back burner, but I have tons of pictures that I will be catching up on soon! What can I say, the whole 2 kid thing now is STILL kicking my butt! But you all knew that. Just wishing they napped at the same time, went to bed at the same time and decided to be cranky butts when Ryus was home! But no such luck!

Mary Jane

2011-05-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

Mary Jane

May 10th, 2011

3:56pm

7lbs 4oz 21inches

6 days late ;)

Still here and still pregnant

2011-04-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

So no pictures to follow this post.

(can't stand the 9 month look right now)

I am 6 days away from my due date

and I am showing no signs of this

little girl coming anytime soon.

Even the Dr's are saying the same thing!

I have prayed this whole 9 months

about wanting a great birth, getting

to the hospital in time,

being able to get an epidural, if wanted,

being able to

breastfeed and have an AWESOME delivery....

somewhere in there I forgot to ask for her to come

when I wanted her too...shoot

where was I at for that one! Stupid me!

So as of Tuesday I was not ready for her to be here yet

but had a Dr. appt and thought for sure I would be dilated and effaced

some what cause my due date was 8 days away! Oh no

I was neither,and my cervix was still too

high to even get too!

I was pretty depressed that my body had

not started the process! Its weird cause I am not in a hurry

but it was still depressing to hear that. This is the week

I ENVY you C-SECTION ladies!!!! You have the exact date, time

and there are not worries and sadness and all the emotion

that comes with not knowing ANYTHING about your own baby and body!!!

And boy did I forget how much I HATE everyones 2 cents!

I know she will come when she is ready, and believe me

I am sure it makes for a better delivery, but I just wanted my body to show some sort

of sign that there was an ending to this soon!

And I am sure there is but I just want to avoid being induced....

PITOCIN = THE DEVIL

and I want nothing to do with it EVER!!!!

So my plan is to be sad and complain and hope that I did it all for nothing,

because I do still have 6 days and a lot can happen in 6 days!!

And thats always my luck when I FREAK out about something and stress

it ALWAYS turns out OK!! So here is me

FREAKING OUT!!!!

32/33 Weeks

2011-03-16T06:53:00.001-07:00

It is so hard to take your own maternity photos!

I find it hard to want to pay someone when you

have ALL the stuff to do your own!

SO I set up shop in the garage once again...

and had My BF Bonnie take the pictures...

and hope for the best!!

As of tomorrow we have 6 weeks left.

Thats crazy talk to me.

But time can take its time!

I am really starting the uncomfortable

part of this pregnancy but I still am

not ready for this baby to come!

I am prepared as far as STUFF

But not mentally ready to have 2 kids yet!

IT SCARES ME!!

So any advice from you moms on the 1 to 2 transition...

GREATLY APPRECIATED

I left the HOT momma ones for Ryus eyes only

Rag-a-Muffin NO MORE

2011-03-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

Ryus and I FINALLY got sick and tired of having a shaggy little boy!

Or might I say GIRL...

cause everywhere I went that is what people would call Ben!!!

I will admit he was starting to look pretty rough!!!

I mean it ALWAYS looked like I never brushed his hair,

but I had...like 4 times before we walk out the door!!

I was very sad when this day came.

I was a little teary eyed during the haircut

I even hated it after words

But now that I see the BEFORE pictures

I am loving it more and more.

He is so HANDSOME once again!!!

This was Ben's 1 year picture!!!

I feel we are back to this little HANDSOME boy!!!

Ben's Big boy bed

2011-02-02T15:15:00.001-08:00

So Tuesday night we moved Ben into his NEW room with his new bed! I felt really good about doing it, but Ryus was a little nervous!!! I layed him down and he got up twice before he finally fell a sleep! He slept all night! He still is all over the place and ends up at the end of the bed!!!

The only expense we really had for the room was the bed,the comforter ($25 TARGET), some fabric to make the pillows and some paint! Other then that we used an old dresser and painted it, I used the old canvas art work I had in his old room, painted it used some sheet metal Amber had and she VINILIZED the letters for me. It ended up being a pretty cheap project!! Now its off to start the babies room!! I have all the furniture just need to girlify it!!!

Other milestones that I have failed to blog about is POTTY TRAINING!!! I can't say that he is potty trained yet but we are very close! If I could just get him to stop peeing in the shower...I don't mean its time to wash your hair shower I mean...no water running and he gets in with all his clothes off pees in the drain and then gets out. I sometimes really want to get mad at him but I just keep thinking that is better then in his pants or on the floor!!! The #2 we really have to work on but for the most part he likes the no diaper thing. There is no turning back either cause he will just take off his diaper and try to use the toilet or shower! I am using the no yell or punish approach because I have no energy to get mad right now!!!

The Belly

2011-01-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

With both pregnancies I have tried to take belly photos

to show the progression of the pregnancy.

I was comparing this one with Ben's and it was funny to see

how close I am with both babies...

kind of makes me feel better...you know to know....

that you are not currently F-A-T-E-R

with this pregnancy!

These photos are the current pregnancy at

6 weeks

18 weeks

26 weeks (currently)

No matter how beautiful what us as women are able to do...

carry a baby,

its hard not to feel like a cow...

I mean I waddle like one...

I sure eat like one...

even smell like one at times ;)...

Enough rambling...enjoy the ever growing belly

Cradle Robbin

2011-01-13T14:15:00.001-08:00

I found this lovely piece of work at a yard sale for

$10 dollars

Used a little

black spray paint

fabric

and my magic wand....

And i now have a cradle for

this little girl to sleep in!

Baby Girl

2010-12-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

BABY GIRL FINCH

DUE MAY 4th, 2010

I am ever so amazed every time

I look at these photos of our little girl

(still trying to get used to saying that)

technology is truly amazing and I feel

so blessed to feel such a connection

with her thru this!!

My favorite is the top picture she

just looks so sweet!!!

I must say I have had so much fun

looking at girl stuff that I have found

the creative part of me again...

and it feels good!!!

Oregon Shoot

2010-11-06T08:03:00.001-07:00

My super close (should be my big sister) friend in Oregon asked me to do some photos of her girls while I was there, so we packed the kids up and went downtown Eugene (jackpot) and found some awesome locations to do the shoot at. Here are a few of her girls and

Ben!

Benny's Birthday

2010-11-02T14:44:00.001-07:00

Ryus and I had Ben's Birthday party at Sutherland Farms this year! It would of been better if Ben would not have woke up at 4am and then went back to sleep until 10:30am. When we were on our way out there he fell asleep and slept half of his party and woke a grouch! I did not dare sing happy birthday or open presents. Oh well.......

My sweet boy....what you do that melts my heart everyday:

You can not be without your kiki (blankie)

Your a daddy's boy when he is home

LOVE LOVE motorcycles & cars

Love your Bonnie too

You call me Messica, 75% of the day

Everything is the color purple

You are a great counter

You are in your terrible twos but if this is how terrible you get I might survive!

You stay up way to late(9;30pm)

You are so sweet to babies and just love to love on them, you will be an amazing big brother

LOVE gum, you ask for it everytime we are in the car, and you actually chew it for the most part

Your the healthiest eater, you love cucumbers, almonds, alvacadoes, dried cranberries, water, green tea (weird) cheese, sugar snap peas, bell peppers & carrots

Love your new scooter, and can ride the heck out of it!! Even with a helmet!

You are a great sharer

BENNY BOO is almost 2

2010-10-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

Ben will be turning 2 on OCTOBER 30th and I won't have anytime to take his 2 year old photos so we did them on Friday! This is ALL I get in 5 minutes before we have our meltdown (which means MY meltdown)

MOMMA LOVES YOU BENNY BOO

My NEW BaBY

2010-09-04T11:04:00.001-07:00

If your part of Ryus's family then you know all about the goodies he comes home with from Page Arizona every week or two! But for all of you that are not familiar, let me fill you in....

Ryus is the King at finding good deals, not sure

if its the economy and people are trying to get rid of toys

for some fast cash, or if

Ryus is truly his mother (she finds deals too) But the last 2 months he has came home with a 3 wheeler for Ben....

(Love this picture!)

a pop up camper, a Rhino,

Honda CBR1000

and the new LOVE of my life....

HONDA XR 100R

Ryus and i have been riding every weekend and I am obsessed with it!! and Ryus puts Ben on the front of his bike and we make it a family event!!!

Sharing your bed

2010-08-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the honor of sharing my bed with Ben... for 2 nights! Why you ask...not sure! But my side was on the left (picture left)

I had my PAC (point and click) on the dresser and thought I would share what it looks like sleeping with this mattress stealing, cover kicker offing 20 month old! (yes...I made up that word...just now!)

(could not imagine if Ryus would have been home)

Just for fun

2010-07-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

I feel quite often that I neglect this little boy! So...Ben and I set up shop in the garage and had a fun filled 5 minutes taking pictures this morning! If those wings could only fly!

Hawaii

2010-07-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

So I am a total slacker when it comes to blogging and it has been a month 1/2 since we went to hawaii! But none the less here are some pictures of the trip! Ben wanted nothing to do with the water but loved the sand!! I very rarely could get a picture of him looking at me, he was so occupied by the sand!

ALOHA

2010-05-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

The whole FINCH clan is headed to Hawaii this week and we are so stinking excited!

We are staying in this town!

Hoping to see lots of these!

And doing lots of this!!!

ALOHA!!!

Boy being a BOY!

2010-05-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ryus was working on the backyard and Ben was his helper! This was the fun outcome! i love having a little boy!!! They make the best messes!

Easter & Miss SaYloRs B-day

2010-05-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

I am a slacker when it comes to blogging! These photos are from March & April!!

Miss Analyse

Ben Loves the PINk mustang!

Chloe, ALivia and Allison

Ben...hunting for eggs. Saylors birthday was super close to Easter this year so the kids hunted eggs filled with goodies!

Miss Saylor!! Happy Birthday!

Analyse showing Ben the ropes!

Chloe, Ellie & Saylor

EASTER 2010

I let Ben color easter eggs and he had so much fun! What a mess!

Uncle Chad took the kids on 4-wheeler rides after the egg hunt!

I thought Ben would have cared less about hunting eggs but he was ALL about it this year! I am truly enjoying Ben getting older. I have so much fun with this little boy. The last 6 months I have really found the tru joy of being a mother! (not that I didn't before but I just love the toddler age, if only they would come out this age. Well...without being 26lbs!)

EASTER

2010-04-05T20:17:00.001-07:00

It is so hard to get pictures of Ben now! Now that he walks and talks and has his own agenda! So this is the best of the best!

p.s. I know that Ben needs a haircut, but Ryus won't let me cut it! He wants a little surfer boy!! He had a mullet but I finally convinced Ryus to at least cut the back!!! Boys....why do they have to have an OPINION

Best $55 dollars ever spent!

2010-03-14T08:25:00.001-07:00

We bought this for Ben after he played with his cousin Analyse's 4 wheeler! He loves it! He is so his daddy ALREADY and stands on the seat and drives it and BELIEVE it or NOT can steer pretty good for being only 16 months!

Its AMAZING how fast kids learn! When ever it gets stuck he gets off and pushes it backwards and turns it and JUMPS back on! Well, actually he throttles it first just to make sure, then he gets off (just another example of his daddy)

Long boring Catchup

2010-02-26T16:00:00.000-08:00

So...I have been MIA for a while now! Here is what I have been doing the last few months!

My mother and grandma gave me this new comforter and pillows for Chistmas and I have been dying to redo my room for ages now! I found these AWESOME lamps at TARGET and my SIL Amber ma

de the sweet dreams vinyl, she is so AMAZING at what she does! Visit her blog HERE, she is very very affordable!!!

I had tons of missed matched frames so I painted them all black and used Amber AGAIN to make me a super FABULOUS vinyl piece for underneath!

My SIL Savanah showed me how to make these diaper wipe

case cover's and I have been having fun looking at WONDERFUL fabric to make them! They are super simple and fun to give for gifts! Thanks Savanah! Your the best!

I am obsessed with this rock band fabric that I found, I am sorry to say that I hate the whole puppy dog and trains for boys, but I love rock N roll and SKULLS!!! I made my first blanket and am so very proud and addicted!

STOP reading here if you are not ready for the NOVEL part of the CATCHUP!

On to a more heavier note...my best friend Bonnie has had a rough month and I have been trying to be there for her and her family for ALL of it! 4 weeks ago she fell on ice at the DURANGO airport and broke her ankle and her leg ( she started a new job the week before, therefor she had no insurance and of course was terminated because she was unable to stand, therefor unable to do her job) She was also on her last semester of college! This could not have happened at a worse time for her! A week later she had surgery (totaling RIGHT now @ $25k) and 2 days later her WONDERFUL father had a mirror image stroke on BOTH sides of the brain! So not only was she trying to figure out what she was going to do with her life, like paying hospital bills, trying to finish school, find a job! But now her dad was trying to HOLD on to his!

Bonnie and her dad

I luckly was there with Bonnie when she got the call, so I was able to be there for her from the start! It has been a l -o-n-g journey and I know we STILL have an even longer journey ahead of us! Her dad has improved beyond doctors belief and we feel so very blessed! This expierenced has opened my eyes to A LOT of things that we take for granted...like our parents! I also have found how important it is to be happy and to live life doing things that make YOU happy!

I feel like I have taken my life for granted, just even the little things like having health insurance! I worked @ State Farm for SO long that I have every insurance under the moon, I am just thankful I can afford to have what I have! I hate feeling like I can't help Bonnie with her troubles, but ALL i can do is be there for her and help her look on the BRIGHTer side of things, even if I find it hard to see!

The most BEAUTIFUL girls in the WOrlD

2010-01-07T09:54:00.000-08:00

There are not words to describe how much these 6 women mean to me! I have basically known them since 1st grade! They are such strong, beautiful, big hearted, CrAzY, lovely & just plain amazing women! Its been awhile since we have ALL gotten together but it felt like nothing had changed...and I mean nothing... we are all still feisty and believe me we still remember EVERYTHING from High School ( the good ol days) We talked about passed crushes and what they NOW look like, the beautiful babies that we had the honor of leaving with the husbands and we ate some KILLER food!!!

GOOD TIMES!!!!

Randomness @ ITS fiNEst

2009-12-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

Ryus and I found that Ben loves maple syrup and likes to suck on the bottle with his pants half down!!! I just love finding these kinds of things! So now Ben gets syrup on his waffles instead of applesause or yogurt! RYUS INSISTED!!!

P.s. I have always wanted a really good POINT & CLICK cheap camera to just whip out for these SPECIAL occasions and I can't seem to find one! I got a NIKON COOLPICs on BLACK friday hoping I would love it and not so much!!! I am tired of missing out on funny stuff because I am trying to put on my lens and check my settings!!! So...sorry such horrible pictures!!!

Christmas Cards

2009-11-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

I need addresses for Christmas Cards!!! I got them done and I have none of your address that I blog with so please let me know!!!

My e-mail (and don't laugh I have not changed it since I was in 8th grade) is

asskickinjess2001@yahoo.com

or find me on FACEBOOK!!!

Thanks!!!

More Photos!

2009-11-22T07:50:00.001-08:00

I just got the disk from Amber and I could not help but want to post these other photos! I just love them!!!

Ben's one year picture's

2009-11-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

this is my FAVORITE!

We went to Amber Dawn's Photography when Ben turned 1 and we are so HaPPY with our picture's!!! Thanks Amber you are so AMAZING!!! If anyone needs a photographer call Amber...she's GREAT!

We have a walker

2009-11-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

3 days before Ben's birthday he was getting better about trying to walk, but then the day after his birthday it was on!

Every chance he gets to walk he does, he holds his little arms up to balance and he takes off! Craziness I tell you!! But I LOVE it!

I feel so bad for him cause he crash and burns ALL the time and he just get right back up and tries again! What a trooper!!

SO far he has walked from the dishwasher around the island into the den and to the computer desk, for you who have never been to my house that is quite the walk for a beginner!

Organi-Candy

2009-11-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

My best friend Bonnie started an organic candy company in Durango and A LOT of her proceeds are going to a local girl that has cancer. Bags of candy start at $3.50! Every little bit helps!!! She takes paypal!!!

organi-candy.com

Visit the website for more info on CANDY FOR KIKI!!!

Happy Birthday/Halloween

2009-11-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

Here is the first round of photos from Ben's party!!! We had a costume party!! So fun!!!

Robin & Little Red Riding Hood (scandalous)

Ryus as the JoKeR

Ryus, Ben & Paxton the BoXEr
Tylon, Alivia, Alli, Ben & Ryus

Chloe & Ellie

BATMAN, ROBIN & the JOKER
The cake and the goodies
Singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY
I LOVE CAKE!!!

Happy Birthday!!!

2009-10-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

My sweet boy is one today!!! I still can't believe it!!! The sad thing is he has an ear infection on his birthday!!! But he is still being great!! I finished the top part of his cake late last night, I am little disappointed but what can I say...I am no Martha Stewart!!!

p.s. The top picture is his invite!

Playing in the Leaves

2009-10-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

My little g-a-p tooth boy!!!!

Ben did not like the leaves being thrown but loved to sit in them!!

Oregon Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-19T08:05:00.001-07:00

Everyone is posting their Sutherland Farm pics so it made me want to dig out our Lone Pine Farm Pumpkin patch pictures when Ben and I went to Oregon.

These are not very good photos because we had to hurry so we did not get caught with Ben sitting in the pumpkins!!!

The Ranch in OrEGon

2009-10-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

My super duper good friend, basically my sister, has a family ranch in Oregon that we went to, to take pictures of her girls. Here are a few that I got of Ben!!! Ben loved the ranch and the cows, he really loved to dig in the dirt and there was something about the angel statues that he LOVED !

P.S. I have tons of photos from my trip that I am in the process of posting!!!

2009-10-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Ben was 11 months old yesterday and here is what is important in his little world!!

Milk in a sippy cup, he chugs it like I am going to take it away
Obsessed with opening every drawer in the bathroom and putting it all in the bathtub ( at least it is not the toilet yet)
HATES to nurse
Will eat everything, but loves avocado's, any pasta, nectarines, grapes, rice cakes, multi grain cheerios, cheese, watermelon, cucumbers, peas and carrots and edamame!
When he is done eating he throws all the left overs on the ground
Loves to throw his sippy cup on the ground and say "UT OH"
LOVES LOVES stairs
He can flirt with the girls already! thanks Ryus!!
Blows kisses, kind of! he puts his hand on his mouth and says "mmmmm"
Stands up on anything he can find and loves his little walker!!!
Love's Cody dog and sits at the back door and call for him!!
He loves his blankie, but not obsessed, it is a good mix!!

Baby on a Plane

2009-09-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

So if you read my last post you know that I am leaving for Oregon on Friday!! On A plane, with a 11 month old!! I am scarred poopless to do this!!! I have my sucker ready for take off and landing to pop his ears any other advice? I was thinking a dvd player with cartoons!!

Oregon Here We Come

2009-09-28T09:35:00.001-07:00

Friday Ben and I leave for Eugene Oregon on a Jet plane pretty sure I will be back again...I think!!! KIDDING!!! I am so excited to go back and see my friends, my college, go shopping ,eat some killer food, enjoy the beautiful views, watch the Ducks play and hang with 2 wonderful little girls!!!!! I can not wait to show Ben the ocean!!!

Very sad because I will not see Ryus until October 16th, he left for work and will be back Friday night and we leave for Oregon on friday morning so we will miss him before we leave, so sad!! I get back on a Monday and then he gets back from work that Friday so a very long time. Ryus is back to work, as long as he takes care of himself and does not push it, this is a good thing!!

Official

2009-09-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

it has been 12 days since ben has nursed.So...I am going to say its official, ben weaned himself! It was bitter sweet and very hard at first, but now it is such a nice FREEDOM!!! Jessie I figured out how to wean our boys, just flick him! KIDDING!!

I am still pumping so I don't get engorged, and Ben love his half milk half breast milk. I wwas scared to give him milk at first but did not have much of a choice, but it has gone really well. When I give him him sippy of milk he chugs the whole thing at once!! CRAZY KID!

CrAsH!

2009-09-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ben's first battle wound from trying to walk!!

NURSING STRIKE

2009-09-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

Ben's top tooth FINALLY came in and now he thinks he can bit me!!! Well... he really bite me yesterday and I flicked him and we both cried!! I cried becuase it hurt so damn bad, and he cried because it hurt his feelings! Then when I was going to nurse him for the last time before bed he decided to bite me again...I flicked him and then kind of tossed him to Ryus and then cried again, from the pain!

So since this morning Ben has refused to nurse one single time and has been a monster and will NOT take his naps and I feel so horribly bad!!! I looked some things up on the internet and a lot of them say that this can happen, they will go on strike for a few days and then they will eventually come back to the boob!!

I just have this horrible feeling that he is weaning himself and it hurts my feelings because I was not quite ready for it! And besides what do you do...I can't give him milk quite yet and heck no with formula...and the sound of pumping again...well....that would just SUCK!!! I feel very lost and little hurt!!

****And the whole biting the nipple thing really FREAKIN hurts, it is almost the worst pain...ALMOST!!!*****

Ryus and the Wheelchair

2009-09-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

So let me tell you the whole story of how Ryus is now in a wheelchair!!!

He decided to jump and 75 foot jump on his dirt bike in Page Arizona ( where he has been working) he landed it put when he landed there was a bush (very large Ryus says) (huge) and he tried to ride a wheelie over it but failed too and his bike hit the bush and stopped and he was launched over the handlebars. The handle bars hit just below his knees! He shattered his helmet but got back up and rode the bike back to his friends house. The next morning he was not able to walk so his dad sent someone to go get him and bring him back home.

We really HATE SJRMC so we went to Mercy in Durango and they x -rayed his legs and they found nothing!!! THEY DIAGNOSED HIM WITH BILATERAL KNEE PAIN....LAME!!! And said that if he was not better in a week go see the Orthopedics, so we did and low and behold he had fractured both tibial plateaus and he needed to be in braces and a wheelchair, absolutely no walking on it for 6 weeks!

He had his follow up today and everything looks good, he still has 2 weeks before he is released for work. So...another 2 weeks of having him home. Which has been so great for Ben, he is such a daddies boy now and he for sure knows who Ryus is!! Its weird having him in my space during the day but I am growing to like it!! Pretty sure this will be the only time Ben and I will ever have Ryus home like this...until retirement!

Ryus is the master at popping wheelies in the wheelchair and has already grown to love being in one, he wish's he could be in some kind of olympics for the wheelchair bound!!! He tells me the other day as he is riding a wheelie in his wheelchair with Ben sitting in his lap..." do you think Ben thinks he has the COOLEST dad?"

So...if you know Ryus please come and see him he gets a little bored and needs someone to talk too!!! Well..besides me and BEN!!

10 months

2009-08-31T20:25:00.001-07:00

Yesterday Ben was 10 months old, and to celebrate he woke with a snotty nose!!! Poor guy!!! You first birthday is right around the corner and boy do your daddy and I have a WONDERFUL FANTASTIC birthday planned for you, and we don't even care if you won't remember!!! Cause we WILL!!!!

Here are a few things about Ben:

He weighs 20lbs 4oz

Crawls EVERYWHERE

Stands on EEVERYTHING

LOVES avocado's, eggs, cheese, & pasta

LOVES that his daddy is home

LOVES his daddy's wheelchair

LOVES to wave at absolutely EVERYTHING

Can open drawers and cabinets, and has to empty EVERYTHING out of them, I actually don't mind this!! It keeps him busy while I cook!!

Ben has to throw every piece of left over food on the ground when he is finished eating, this really bugs!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE when he gives me kisses, and actually gives them when I ask, MY FAVORITE!!!!

*****so my next post is a Ryus update about his legs, so stay tuned!!!!************

Married to Evil Kinevil

2009-08-19T19:03:00.000-07:00

So on Monday Ryus decided to jump his motorcycle...

This was the outcome....

We had thought he had broke both legs but greatfully he did not, he still can't stand and we are not sure what exactly is wrong but he is getting better everyday.

Trouble!!! Capital T!!!

2009-08-17T13:39:00.001-07:00

This is what I found Ben doing this morning!!! I just laughed and grabbed my camera!!! I LOVE that he is getting into everything, I really am enjoying him at this age. But I know it will only get worse!!!

Old house of Pictures

2009-08-14T20:42:00.001-07:00

This last week I took tons of pictures with the family at this old house that had burned down. There were only a handful of walls standing and there happen to be a red wall. IT WAS FAB.U.LOUS!!!! Here are a few of Ben...look on Amber, Savanah and Leah's blog's in the next week or so for their kids photos, LOTS OF FUN!!!

WAS I DREAMING

2009-08-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

BEN SLEPT ALL NIGHT LONG LAST NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS LIFE!!!! HORRAY FOR HIM AND ME!!!!

For you who have not been following this on facebook, 4 nights ago I decided that I was tired of being tired and that I was going to let Ben CIO (cry it out). So I bucked up and stuck to my guns and he did GREAT. Here's the run down:

Night 1: He woke at 11:30, cryed for 10 minutes went back to sleep. Woke again at 1:00 cryed for 15 minutes went back to sleep. Then woke at 7:00.

Night 2: He woke at 4:30am, cryed for 1 hour and 20 minutes (that was a little hard) and slept until 7:00.

Night 3: I think I heard him once, but it was only a peep and then he slept until 7:00

Last night: I did not hear him once and he slept until 7:00am

I wish I would have done this months ago, but I am glad that this (knock on wood) has worked!!!

Oh and if anyone knows how to fix my post, it wont let me change any of my font anymore, I cant make it bigger or change the color or font style....help...I am tired of having boring font!!!

My big 9 Month old

2009-07-30T13:25:00.001-07:00

Today Ben is 9 months old!!! He is such a big boy now...he army crawls everywhere and can now go from his tummy to his butt with no help...and he stands by himself holding on to things. Such a big boy!!! He weighs 19lbs 4oz, he has not been gaining as much since he started crawling, and he is 29 in long! He has become a mommas boy since teething and he now has 2 teeth!!! He loves to watch Yo Gabba Gabba and Blue's Clues, I try to limit TV but it is hard!!

Now the not so great things he does...he is refusing to eat baby food and will only eat what I am eating. We are trying to learn sign language and right now the all done sign is all he knows and he uses it after the first bite of food...so annoying!!! He hates to be in his high chair and car seat...also annoying.

Ben & Pax 1st Camp Experience

2009-07-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

we took the boys camping this last weekend at Junction Creek and we had so much fun!!! Junction Creek is literally 8 miles from the middle of Durango, so we did not have to travel very far!!! Ben loved to be outside and he did so good, until it as nap time...but who could blame him!!

And Paxton was great...we all tryed really hard not to tell him NO and just let him explore and he did awesome, we did not lose him and he only got one knot on his head...good job Chad!!!! Paxton's favorite thing was that he got to play with a hammer when daddy was not a around and all he would say is I'm ham, I'm ham!!! think thats short for I'am hammering!!! I just love that little boy!!!

We ate very well and had a great time with Chad's family!!! Only thing missing.... Rochell!!!!

And there are lots of pictures thats why I did a slideshow and it is being stupid and it sometimes shows all the pictures and sometimes not!!!

Picnic in the Mountains

2009-07-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

The weekend before last we took Ben to Hermosa park and had a picnic and played in the creek! ben loved it!!! He would not stop smiling!!! Thus...we decided to take him camping this last weekend!!!

Look who has a tooth! And I didn't even go to Med School!!!

2009-07-20T10:03:00.001-07:00

So about three days after Ben's doctor tells me he is not teething and just has an ear infection....he pops this first pearly white!!!! Don't you just love doctors and their wisdom!!! PLease disregard the food all over his face!!!

Getting older

2009-07-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

Since I got 1 year older and wiser yesterday, I thought I would share these wonderful words from a very wise 90 year old!!!
This is something we should all read at least once a week!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch..

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree
to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than
crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with
God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up
the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no
idea
what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you
shouldn't
be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But
don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful
or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make
you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But
the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after
what you love in life,
don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the
fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is
special.

22. Over prepare,
then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to
wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words
'In
five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of
your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else
does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of
anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of
it now.

36. Growing old
beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved..

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting
everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone
else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you
need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still
a gift."

To teeth or not to teeth Part 2

2009-07-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Since Friday I had thought Ben was starting to teeth, which he still has no teeth yet so I was still not sure what to expect when this happened... It has been pretty rough the last couple of days. Ryus is again out of town, so I had to be the single mom during teething...not fun!!! Ben was pretty good in the morning and early afternoon, but by 4:00 he was not a happy camper. He wanted me and me only, he had a fever, and was very sensitive, I mean very sensitive. @ night he was waking every couple of hours and still would have a fever.

So this morning my mothers intuition told me that maybe there was more than just teething, so off to the DR.s office and low and behold he has had an ear infection...NOT TEETH! So that makes 2 ear infections to date and more ANTIBIOTICS...which I hate!!! I had thought earlier that maybe it was an ear infection and I tryed the olive oil and garlic trick...that did not do the trick !

So I am patiently awaiting the teeth, but the good thing is that Ben is not the terror I thought during teething, and I get another chance to see if he is a good teether or not. I still think there is a tooth coming, so we will see!!

8 Months

2009-06-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

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My sweet boy is 8 months old today!!!

As Ben gets older I have more and more fun with this little boy!! I wouldn't say he is a mamma's boy, but if his daddy was home every single day he would defiantly be a daddy's boy, he has the best smile when Ryus walks in the door, he loves his daddy.

I speculate Ben is about 2 weeks away from crawling, he is so close...he kind of does the butt in the air thing and then pushes off with his feet!!!

He is sleeping much better now, which I am greatful for. I just let him do his own thing and I just make sure he is on a good bedtime routine!!!

Ben tries to copy everything we do now and it is so funny...my favorite is when I close my eyes and open them really quick he tries to do it and it cracks me up...FUNNY BOY!!!

Ben loves his sippy cup with water...and only water. He hates to try new foods and never trusts me in the mornings when I first feed him, he always looks at me first opens his mouth 1/2 open and then makes sure he likes it before he opens his mouth all the way. WEIRD! He loves the video camera and knows when its on and will just stare at it, and will not do what ever I am filming him for....stinker! He is starting to like more and more people and quit having a thing for only Blonde's, he has now been much more accepting to brunettes.

He is water dog in the pool and only says mamma when he wants something. Ben has the best hand eye coordination, he can pick up any thing and points at the smallest things. His favorite song is patty cake and itsy bitsy spider, and he is very close to clapping when you sing patty cake. He also loves to dance!!!

My monster child is 19lbs and I can barely carry him in his car seat anymore, I try not to when ever possible, but I hate taking him in and out of the Jeep.

I am finding that my child is the bully child and steals everything away from any other children...like his cousin AJ's pacifier. Never has Ben been a pacifier baby and hates when I give him one, but he loves AJ's.

Last but not least...Ben shakes his head no over and over again and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen. All i have to do his tell him to get crazy and he does it, it makes me smile every time.

HAPPY 8 MONTHS!!!!

My motorcycle jumping HuBBy

2009-06-23T12:10:00.001-07:00

Ben and I went out to watch Ryus jump at the Blanco track! I just loved watching him do this...it is so SEXY!!! Rarrrrr! Anyways...Ryus is AMAZING at this, he is also one hill climbing machine!! Ryus loves to be on his bike...hence that is why he has 3 of them! Do you think I have 3 of any thing?kidding!! I am a huge supporter of Ryus and his dirtbikes, he has such a love for them, he already talks about when we can get Ben on one!!! Oh...and that we are only having boys, no girls. Hay...girls can ride bikes too...I will prove this to him very soon!!

Swimming

2009-06-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

Ryus and I, my brother Jake and Rochell and Chad took our boys to the aquatic center on Saturday. The boys did so good, they went down the slide and they were not afraid to be dunked!! The pictures did not turn out very good, but atleast we have some for memories!!!! It was a GOOD TIME!!! Bring on SUMMER!! PLEASE!!

Trying to be CReaTiVe

2009-06-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

So I have been wanting some cool hats for Ben, but I am refusing to pay $30 for them. SO....I thought I could make them, I downloaded a pattern for a cool hat with a brim on it and try ed...i failed miserably!

So....the next best thing is to take the yarn to my master crocheting step mom and have her do it for me! It turned out pretty cute! I am begging her to make a brown one for Ben!!!

What am I thinking that I can do this kind of stuff, its hard, especially when its a pattern written in some kind of babble that I am sup post to know..

Curious Case of Benjamin Finch

2009-06-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

I only named this blog that because I watched that movie this weekend and I LOVED IT! Benjamin was such a kind man, i just loved his character and demeanor. I had also watched 7 pounds and Will Smiths name in this movie was Ben also. WHAT A GOOD NAME, because Will's character in this movie was also a great man. I just hope my Ben is as kind hearted as these movie characters named Ben....

Cousins

2009-06-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

This is Ben and AJ, my brothers youngest son, they are 2 months apart!!!! Aj is such a sweetie, I just love his smile, which is very rare that I did not get one in these photos!

More Wedding Photos

2009-06-04T09:22:00.000-07:00

Happy 7 months!!!

2009-06-02T11:27:00.000-07:00

On the 30th Ben was 7 months old!!!! Happy 7 months my sweet boy!!!

JAKE & TRISTEN's wedding photos

2009-05-31T18:37:00.001-07:00

Here is a sneak peek at the photos Carrie did for Jake and Tristen! I just love how beautiful Tris looks and my brother cleans up very very nice...he was so handsome!!!

They are the cutest couple...I just love them together

my brothers awesome family, i just love them so much!!

Our beautiful diva shoes, I am the odd ball with the black ones, because I have the biggest feet in the world....size 10...don't tell anyone! They did not have my size in the purple

Finch Memorial Day Baseball Game

2009-05-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Random Photos

2009-05-27T07:18:00.000-07:00

Ben is such a good sitter upper now, I am in trouble because crawling is next!
Love those eyes!

My BrOtHEr did it!!!

2009-05-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

On saturday my brother Jake got married to Tristen and it was the best wedding I have been to!! I cryed from the moment my brother walked out, he was so handsome and Tristen was so beautiful!!! Everything just fell into place on that day and it turned out great and I danced my little butt off with my hubby and Ben!!!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful son, he did so well at the wedding I was so proud, he didn't cry 1 time and he just danced with us and smiled the entire wedding! I will post pictures as soon as they are done!!!

An ode to an old friend

2009-05-18T17:15:00.001-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of hanging out with one fantastic mother of 3!! I was not sure how she did it but she does and she does it so well. I was so proud to see her be so under control, I mean she was more cool then me.... and I have just one!! I defiantly look up to her and I hope one day that I can be as great of a mother as she is! I mean... to only 2, I could never and would never have more than that!!! I love you Tess and you are so wonderful!! I now know that you could handle 7... no problem!

Take 5,6 & 7

2009-05-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

Ben's sleeping problem has not gotten better! I feel like his allergies are better, so I am not too sure what is going on! I feel like I have a newborn again!

He has been going to bed at 8 and waking at between 9 &10 and then again at 1 and 4,5, & 6.

Last night Ryus was finally home and Ben had woke at 10 and Ryus said let him cry and so I did for like 3 minutes, only because I have a plugged duct and my boob hurts so bad that I needed him to relieve the pressure, so when I picked him up he started arching his back, kicking his legs and was uncontrollably crying and would not stop for 10 minutes. He usually doesn't take it this far when I don't pick him up right away. Ryus said take him outside, so I did and he stopped. Not to sure if it distracted him or maybe he was hot. Ryus then tryed to take him and he was having none of daddy, so he finally nursed and went back to sleep. Not to sure if his tummy hurt, cause he ate a entire jar of squash and oatmeal. But it matters not what it was at this point because he is up every single night like this for the last week. I am deathly afraid that this will become a habit! And I feel very confused because I don't know if there is something wrong with him, or is he having a growth spurt or are his allergies really bothering him. I would like to make him cry it out and let him figure this out on his own, cause I am lost right now, but I am scared that he really needs me.

TAKE 4

2009-05-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

So...Benadryl does nothing for my son!!! I finally got the guts to give him Benadryl and it did nothing!!! For the last month I have been trying to make my son a better sleeper and that all went up in smoke and I am very pissed about it!!! I made the mistake of falling asleep with Ben while he was nursing (because I am so exhausted) and now he won't go to sleep without nursing again. I feel horrible because he is not feeling well, he woke this morning with his eye madded shut. Now I can't tell if he has pink eye or if his allergies are making his eyes that way!!!

Last night he woke 5 times and wouldn't sleep unless I nursed him, so I did, because I am desperate and he is not feeling good, so I feel bad!!! Ryus is gone for 2 weeks and I feel very alone and I hate every minute of this!!! How do people have more than one child? Oh yeah...they probably were told early on NOT TO NURSE YOUR CHILD TO SLEEP!

Sleepless Night Take 3

2009-05-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

So I am officially running on E! Last night will mark night 3 of no sleep! What I think are Ben's allergies have officially taken over our lives!! We went to the DR. yesterday and the doc can't find anything wrong with him, except the obvious...running nose, dry cough, watery eyes. So we are chalking it off as allergies, but they really suck!! Ben has not slept this bad since he had an ear infection.

I am so sad because I can not even take him out in this nice weather to enjoy. If I do the poor guy starts oozing out of his eyes and nose.

The doc said to give him ZYRTEC, but I don't see it working!! I am very tempted to give him BENADRYL before bed to knock him out!!! Poor kid needs some sleep! And so do I!!!!

Its OFFICIAL...

2009-05-04T08:14:00.000-07:00

Ben loves carrots!!!

Such a loser

2009-05-02T18:01:00.001-07:00

So I feel that my entire blog is about my son, and it actually is! I am such a loser, my life revolves around him of course and these days I am stressed about baby food, poop and sleep! Where do i begin? ADVICE WELCOMED!!!

Sleep...I get none since daylight savings time! Ben has been horrible, he was sleeping 7 hours straight and then went to waking up at 11:30 and 2:30 and it is killing me!!! So...I quit breastfeeding him to sleep at nap time and put him on a schedule, but it did not help his night time sleep problem. I did baby wise and baby whisperer, hasn't helped, not that I have been perfect at it but I can say my son does sleep in his crib during the day and he does not need my boob to go to sleep. But I have not wanted to put him in his crib at night yet, but he has slept in his bassinet since 6 weeks old, he does not sleep with us, thank goodness.

I actually put him in his crib last night for the first time at night and I hated it, he still woke at the same times and it drove me nuts that he was not an arm length away, so to heck with that for now until I feel better about it! Plus Ryus is out of town for 2 weeks and I get lonely sleeping by myself. I am up for advice! I am actually starting the wake to sleep..which is I wake and feed him 1 hour before he normally wakes so like 10:30 to try and throw off his normal 11:30 waking, we will see how that works! I am leaving the cry it out method for last!!

FOOD!

He is 6 months old now and he loves cereal and oatmeal, but hates green beans and carrots. We are working on carrots and it seems to get better and better everyday! keep your fingers crossed! My crazy mom (child nutritionist) said not to give him the sweet stuff first, and its not working, but for her sake I will plug away at the carrots and green beans!! Don't tell her but I gave him bananas in his cereal today!!!

PooP

all i can say is that it is just wrong!!! Ever since solids, it just is bad news! Can I breastfeed forever? I actually feel bad because he struggles to go now, and I refuse to give him juice. I do give him water tho!!

My Big 6 month old

2009-04-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from Ben's 6 month shoot!!

Today Ben is 6 months old! And I am with Jessie on celebrating half Birthday's.

So...Happy Birthday my sweet boy!!

The Zoo!

2009-04-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

MY BOYS!!!

Paxton telling me to stop!!

Look at those baby blues, what a cutie! I love this boy!

I love the little baby monkey's hair in this picture

Please excuse the hair, the wind was blowing, I swear I know how to do my hair...most of the time

Rochell, Chad, Tyke, Ryus and I took the boys to the Zoo today! I could not believe how cool it was. Ben was kind of interested in the animals but he needs to be a little older, but the adults loved it! He did so good, Ryus and I had him in the sling and he didn't make a peep!!! He is such a good baby!!!

New Favorite

2009-04-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Grandma Sue Sue brought this over for Ben to use and he loves it more and more every day!! He actually loves to jump his self to sleep, which I have yet to get a picture of. He isn't as good as his cousin Chloe but he is working on it.

Meet BeNNY B

2009-04-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

I thought he looked like a little thug baby, so his thug name is Benny B! Ya heard!

mY f1rSt EaSTeR

2009-04-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Loved Oprah Today!!

2009-04-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

I watched Oprah today and loved it! To all the moms out there you should of tuned in, it was awesome!!!

I feel so much better about myself, I am not alone!!

What a day for FirSTs

2009-03-30T13:51:00.001-07:00

Last night Ben rolled over... all by himself!! Which I missed, but dad, grandpa John and Uncle Tyke all got to see!!

ANd of course I missed it because I am the one who has had the video camera on Ben for weeks now waiting for him to roll on film...and its not that it was not on film...but that it was not for me!!! I am the one with him 23 3/4 hours of the day!!! Sucks to be me!!! OH well...I am over it! I will wait my turn! BOO!

Ben also found his feet last night as well, I am so excited to see him grab them, I have been showing him that he had feet for a while but he showed no interest!!!

And also...Ben has found out that the hairy guy that sleeps next to his mom is actually someone very important. HIS DADDY!

If you don't know Ryus's schedule you wouldn't understand! Once Ben gets used to Ryus being here, he gets sent out of town so its been hard for Ryus to really connect with Ben, I mean he connects with him but Ben just has to warm back up to him once he gets home! But now Ben lights up when Ryus walks in and follows him when he walks out of the room. He loves his daddy and I love that BEn has finally made that connection!!! He actually smiles more for Ryus then me!!!

SO...I was in left field

2009-03-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

So...Yesterday Ben took a turn for the worse and had every imaginable symptom a child could have...fever, running nose, cough, diarrhea, watery eyes, would not eat and was very unhappy.

I took him to the Dr....Finally! I was trying not to be obsessive first time mom. But poor guy had been miserable for 5 days and I was thinking teeth or a cold, and the Dr. would give me nothing and I would waste money because they would not be able to do anything.

So low and behold Ben has a horrible ear infection in his right ear and the start of one in his left ear. Poor guy, I felt horrible thinking it was his stupid teeth. The doc gave him antibiotic's and he is doing much better, I was not happy with having to give antibiotics but the doc said that he really needed them. And they are truly a blessing at this time, because I am starting to get my sweet boy back!!

SO when in doubt...don't think teeth....think ear!!

Thank you to the moms that wrote in!!!

Too Teeth or not to Teeth

2009-03-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

So...if anyone could tell me what is wrong with my son..I would love you!! I can't decide if he is teething or if he has a little bug. Here's the details...

2 days ago he had a low fever about 99.2 when he woke up...he was great all day long then he woke from his 4:00 nap and was not a happy camper, he cryed for a very long time (this is not like ben at all). Later that night I got him to bed with no crying and he woke up every 2 hours not upset but just like he couldn't sleep, again a little fever. He woke the following morning and he was the happiest boy, like usual. Then he woke up from his 4:00 nap and he was a mess, crying and arching his back it was very sad for me. I gave him Tylenol before his nap thinking it would kick in while he slept, but no help. I finally got him to sleep about 7:30 after a rough evening and he woke about 9:30, not upset, just awake, may I add he has not ate since 4:00pm. He was not hungry either. I got him back to sleep to have him wake a 11:00, he was a hungry boy and pigged out, i checked his temp and it was 100.2, so I gave him Tylenol and put him back to sleep. 3:30 rolls around and he is up again, i check his temp it is still in the 100's, so I attempt the Tylenol again and he throws up all over the both of us and my just changed sheets. Shoot... so I wait for an hour and give him more Tylenol, but he doesn't want to eat. So I stay up with him until 5 and then he eats. We wake up this morning and he has a temp of 99.4 but no more throw up and no more crying!!! Is it teething or a bug?

So here is the symptoms in a nut shell...low fever, no excess drooling,crying fits late afternoon, but not at nighttime, threw up once, some coughing, waking up every hour in an half. See why I am confused, if he was sick wouldn't he have a higher fever, if he was teething wouldn't he be drooling and wanting to chew on things!!!

Sorry for the long story but I am really frustrated, is this kid teething, but he is not drooling a lot!!! HELP!

Not on my watch

2009-03-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

So I love following Jessie Pennington's blog and I find it funny how right after Crew does something Ben does!!! I feel like I copy her blog, but I swear Jessie are boys are just alike!

The other day at Grandma Sue's Ryus had Ben on the ottoman tickling him and Ryus turn's to look at the TV and I turn to look at Ben and...low and behold Ben learned to do a back flip...right off the ottoman!!! He cryed and cryed and cryed some more and was a very sad boy!!!

It broke my heart to see that he was so scared!! But the most exciting part (as if there should be) was that it was not my fault!!!

I have pictured the day when Ben would roll off the bed and I would cry because I would feel like a horrible mom...but now Ryus can ! Sorry sweetie!!! I just really thought is was going to be me!

Many Faces

2009-03-18T09:28:00.001-07:00

He found his tongue!!

Ryus wanted to take Ben for a walk in the stroller yesterdayc ause it was so nice!! I thought he needed a hat to keep his bald head from turning red and I could not help but love him in this hat...hence all the photo's!!!

I hate Daylight Savings

2009-03-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

Whoever invented this needs to get a real job, because before BABY I loved this time of the year...more sunshine...who wouldn't love this? But since Ben doesn't understand what the heck is going on... his sleep pattern is all jacked up!!!! And it's really wearing on the momma! So...to you.. the guy (cause I'am sure it was a man) that decided that changing the clocks was a good thing...until Ben starts sleeping again....I roYAlly HATE you!!!

Family Photo

2009-03-18T08:10:00.001-07:00

Family photo from Rochell's wedding!