Host

Ben hosted his first official "at my house", "come on over girls", play-date last week.  I'd say that based on the fact one girl was sucking his toes (shoes) by half way through, that it was a success!!  Some men work for that their whole lives.

As with most playdates at these ages, it was just as fun for the moms as the babes, and a bit more interactive for the older set as well.  We SAHM's are hoping to keep it going every week or two as an outlet for all of us!

 

Charlotte preparing to go in for the toes.

 

Cadyn and Luke were pretty enamored with each other.

In other news of late, Ben tried carrots last week and is still in his 5 day trial.  By day three however, he sits with his mouth open as soon as he hits the high chair and grunts with an open mouth for more without completely swallowing the previous bite.  We are working on manners and slowing down.  As his cheeks already prove, eating shall not be an issue with this one.  Sweet potatoes are on tap this week-pics to follow.

Last week and weekend were sunny and warm and filled with activity.  Playdates, and dessert dates, and shopping dates and good-bye parties :(.  Monday morning has greeted us with a fresh coat of ice like only Kansas can (in my experience at least),  and we are prepared to hunker down until Thursday when the ice and snow have departed.

 

We got to break out the Flaphappy sun hat from the Criswell's on Fri. and Sat.

 

What a difference a day makes-bundled for our weather-thwarted weekly walk with Cadyn and Tisha.

In honor of said cold, I picked Ben up, blanket and all, after his 630-730 am nap this morning to snuggle in my lap.  He quickly fell back asleep where I ate up every second of sweet baby snuggling bliss and tried not to move for more than an hour.   You couldn't sell that bliss if you could bottle it 'cause it's priceless.

5 Months

As there is not "well-baby" visit at 5 months, I popped into the Dr. yesterday to weigh and measure Ben.  At 5 months he weighs 19.4lbs.  I didn't do the oz. conversion and he had all his clothes including 2 shirts on.  I would guess he's right about 19lbs.  He was 25.5 inches long.  His percentiles are unchanged at 85%, and 30% respectively.  He's usually skipping one more bottle a day and has started cereal and yellow veggies so we'll see if the percentiles start to come together. 

Until today, I had only witnessed Ben pass large stuffed toys from one hand to the other, but he is now passing smaller teething rings and toys so we can check that off our 6 month milestone list.  He is also definitely sitting with support, but the rolling over still alludes us.  I guess I know what we'll be up to the next 4 weeks :)

 

31

Yep, this is my 31st post in my dear little mommy blog.  It also just happens to be my 31st birthday-did I plan that-you know I did!!  It actually just occurred to me a couple weeks ago so I'm only a little crazy.  

Some friends were discussing the big 3-0 a couple weeks ago and how they took it in stride or were excited but had absolutely no issue with turning 30.  This was not the case for me last year!!  

We were smack in the middle of our one and only IVF cycle and I was sad.  So sad.  30 had a lot of personal meaning for me in terms of motherhood.  30 was the age I was always going to have a baby on my own if I wasn't married.  What's worse is that marriage was just a bonus for me-not a life requirement.  I was always more concerned with being a mom than being a wife.  But there I was-with a more amazing husband and life partner than I could ever dream up-and no babies to be had-literally!!

Ryan and Molly had even begun planning an elaborate surprise party in Colorado that I quickly put an end to.  I was not in a mood to celebrate-or to fake it for anyone else's sake.  I apologized then and will say again that I am sorry I didn't let those who loved me try to make it special.  I do also strongly feel that it's ok to be sad in life and to do what you have to to take care of yourself.

But MY OH MY! what a difference a year makes.  Despite the mess and failure that was our IVF cycle,  I quickly grew excited with the prospect of adopting.  Ryan and I had discussed it earlier in our journey and I was so glad we both entered the decision with fully open minds and hearts.  Now would I have bet the farm and my little finger it would take longer than 6 days to be chosen as parents, you bet!!  But I wouldn't change a thing.  Through all of our trials and tribulations on the journey to parenthood, a voice in the back of my head said, "someday this will all make sense and you will know it was supposed to happen this way."  For many months, well...years, I hated that voice.  Now I would just tell others who hear it, that it speaks the truth.  I sometimes even felt guilty wanting a baby when I had such an amazing husband.  I would tell myself that he should be enough and that some people will never know that kind of love.  Well, the universe had different plans for us, and at 31, I could not be happier.  I am embarrassed to admit it, but I usually weep with joy at least once a day at the amazing life and beautiful boy we've been blessed with.  I might need to reference this post when he is 13 and driving me crazy!!

On the lighter side, in honor of my birthday, Ben tried his first non-cereal food today-homemade butternut squash-and LOVED it!  He is also working on a tooth, but after the last two days, I made it clear to him today I had not asked for a tooth for my birthday.

As a birthday/Christmas gift to myself and perfectly timed at the start of my 31st year, I have signed up to be a Thirty-One gifts consultant.  I have long considered becoming a consultant for other home based businesses but have always taken issue with the fact that I wouldn't buy or couldn't afford said product based on the quality.  I received a Thirty-One gift for Ben's baby shower and immediately ran to the computer to look for the store it came from.  It was then that Thirty One was revealed to me and my head started spinning.  It was important to me that whatever it may become, that I personally funded it, so I waited for some Christmas gift money and signed up.  I'm putting no pressure on myself or my friends or family, but simply hope it will be a fun creative and social outlet for me.  And if it allows me to take my husband to dinner once a month, well then that's just the icing on the proverbial birthday cake :)

Wichita Collegiate School

Early last week I noticed a television commercial for an open house at the WCS's Early Childhood program.  I mentioned it to Ryan, and before leaving work that night he asked if we were going as a friend from work was headed there too.  We decided there was no harm in checking it out-never too early to prepare for something like school, right?

WCS is a highly acclaimed private school on the east side (of course) of Wichita.  I did forget to ask if they even allow children from the west side.  The WCS program starts at 2 years old and follows a typical academic calendar.  Your child can attend MWF or T/TH for half days.  This program was actually affordable??? $3000 for the year.  A friend broke it down based on the 9 months, half days, etc., and it seemed like a little less of a bargain.  Then again, I think I'm starting to become jaded by the inexpensive costs of childcare in Wichita in general.

Each person that greeted us asked looked around and over Ben's carseat as if they were hoping there was another, older child we were looking at the school for.  They were then very impressed that we were planning ahead-or so they said!!  I was stunned to meet the Headmaster, who was warm and smiling, yet professional.  The head of the early childhood program was also warm and relaxed.  I guess all of the staff seemed more genuine then I expected-not a snob or turned up nose among them.  Shame on me for going in with preconceived notions!

Overall, I /we, were very impressed by the school.  I will say I wondered how different the 2 year old program could be from the daycare's and preschools I worked at over the years.  Based on the teacher and curriculum, I was less impressed by this program than the 3-4 age classes and up.  At age 3, you can continue with a traditional or a Montessori based program until kindergarten when all children head into the lower school with a traditional curriculum.  At age 3 the prices also increase and make a STEEP jump at kindergarten.  Short of us winning the lottery, we could never afford to let Ben attend beyond preschool. And no, unlike the Mom/room advocate who also happened to be a Dr., for us it is not a choice.  She mentioned that you "have to decide whether you are willing to make sacrifices for your children's education."  While I applaud her career, success, and wholeheartedly agree with her sentiment, for us, that sacrifice might mean the roof over our heads, so it's just not a choice we can make.

I'm glad we checked it out and can compare other schools when the time comes-here's to hoping those other schools have mountains to the west rather than cornfields!

loveys

I read in Parents magazine last week about babies picking Loveys.  I remember being surprised at the age seeming so far away, (9-12 months maybe?) but it's 4 am and I'm not going to stumble down into the dark family room in search of a magazine!

My surprise is rooted in the fact that Ben has 3 Loveys already. There is Max, the reindeer dog from the Grinch, "dog" or "pup" from Grandpa Ken, and Jellycat, who is actually a tiger made by the brand Jellycat, but the name stuck.  When Ben first received Max as a gift, I thought he would be put away with the other Christmas things-think again!!

Ben LOVES his loveys, especially at naptime, but anytime really.  At any moment of unhappiness they can console him like no other toy can and they are a must for each of his many naps during the day.

He doesn't need or use them at night to fall asleep, which is good, but curious.

Following are a few shots of Ben with his Loveys....

I remember my sister's "greenie," large green pillowcase with a very small down pillow inside.  I remember one particular night of running back to the daycare after greenie because she couldn't live without it.  

I'm torn about purchasing back-ups for the Loveys???  The practical mom side of me says, "yes, you must, for your own sanity!!"  The baby doll loving, velveteen rabbit believing, way too many stuffed animals as a kid side of me says each well loved Lovey is special and cannot be replaced with a look-alike.  For now, I'm gonna stick with the originals, but I'll keep you posted!

Picture Update

I seem to keep starting posts that get too profound and heavy for my little Nugget's memory blog, so I'll just share some pics from the last week and a half since we've been home from AZ and leave it at that!

 

Had some fun with these upside down shots

 

 Ben's concerned contemplative look is now taking a back seat to smiles

World Traveler #2

Last wednesday January 5th, we set out on our second plane trip-this time with Dad in tow.  It was much easier with two hands but no less eventful!!  We headed back to AZ to join other family in saying a final goodbye to my Grandma Theresa.  The services were beautiful and we all thought Grandma would be very pleased.  She'd be most pleased knowing it brought family together that hasn't been more than 10 years.


But I digress, let's not forget the eventfulness!!  On our first leg to DEN, Ben made it less than 10 minutes before-BLOWOUT!!  I'll spare the dirty details but let's say you've never seen two people pray so hard for that little light to go off that meant we could sprint to the bathroom.  I went so far as asking if the flight attendant had scissors so we could just cut Ben's shirt off, but with four hands and a mile high bath we got everything under control.


Ryan had requested In and Out, so that was our first stop and Ben's second visit there.  Beyond that, we spent three days relaxing, enjoying family, basking in the sun and paying tribute to an amazing wife, mother and grandmother who inspired many.  Those who knew her will do well to attempt to live as she did!!
Thanks to Dad and Aunt Terri for the wonderful food and to Kelley for dealing with so much!

A shoe-in for the next e-Trade commercial

 Ben's Grandpa Ken, Bill and me at the Fountain

With my Grandpa Ken

Ben with his Great Grandpa

Grandpa with his brother Don and SIL Leah

(Leah is Belgian and told some amazing stories about running from the Germans in WWII)

Ben's beautiful 2nd cousin Halia

Dear Ben #1

Dearest Darling,
As I hope this blog becomes a cherished memory of your life, I've decided to write you here occasionally when the world moves me to.  Read these notes when you're 15 and we're frustrated with each other or when you go off to school someday and can't admit you're homesick but can find comfort in these words.


We just sent your Dad back to work after almost a week and a half of having him at home with us.  You have SO much fun with him-your face lights up any time he looks at you.  It was fun to be a big happy family for a while but I'm also very glad to have you back to myself during the day.  I didn't realize how much I love our daily routine, from story time to tummy time and every sweet smile in between. I truly cherish our days together. 

You've started smiling a lot and babbling on and on.  I just can't get enough of your laughing and talking and told your Dad last week, "how will I ever tell him no if he flashes me that smile?"  For both our sakes, I hope I learn some restraint before you start asking for more than formula.  


You are on the brink of rolling over.  You get up on your side and teeter, teeter, and alas back over you go to where you started.  It scares me to think how I will cheer at your sporting events when just the possibility of you rolling over has me jumping up and down coaxing you on.  I get very excited thinking about what the future holds for you.


Right now, I lovingly refer to you as Nugget, Nuggs, (yes, Nuggs) Monkey, (actually my childhood nickname) and Ben Ben (when you babble Ma Ma).  It will be fun to see how your nicknames progress.  Your Dad and I had many names for each other along the way between Baby in the early days of dating, and Love today.


I love you Nugget. 
Until next time,
               Mom