Me 'n' my boys

2009 in Black and White

2009-07-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Baby stuff!

2009-07-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

Hmm... time for an update, I guess! For anyone who hadn't heard, I'm pregnant!

So, that out of the way, I had my first appointment a week or so ago, at 15 weeks. It was VERY late, because I had just finally gotten health coverage. Anyway, I went in, and it was generally just kind of a negative experience with the specific doctor. I'm sure she's a wonderful doctor usually, but she was either having a bad day, or just the chemistry between us wasn't great. I had a feeling it was the latter, on account of several off-hand comments she made that just felt judgmental or condescending. Now, I'm not stupid, I know there are gonna be a lot of people who will judge/condescend a young mother of two, pregnant for the third time (already!), but I don't think I should have to get it from my doctor, right? So anyway, I switched to another midwife, one who was my OB throughout my second pregnancy (Thanks, Debbie, for recommending her!) , so my next appointment will be with her.

Anyway, one of the issues we talked about at my appointment last week was how far along I am, versus how far along I THOUGHT I was. Based on my last period, I had been counting 15 weeks. Based on my measurements, the doctor said, "No, there's no way you're 15 weeks, more like 12 or 13. I'm moving back your due date 2 weeks(from Dec. 31 to Jan. 15)."

Okay, no big deal, I don't care when my due date is, but I brought up the fact that my measurements were 2-3 weeks on the small side consistently throughout both of my previous pregnancies. Her response was, "No, that's not really relevant", and just brushed it off, saying that if we had to, we'd adjust the due date again at my "14-week" ultrasound, but that she thought that if anything, it would be even later than she had first said. So I shrugged it off (but left confused, because I really FELT farther along than 13 weeks).

So, I went in for my 14 week ultrasound yesterday (pictures will be included!), and when the ultrasound tech asked the date of my last period, I told her a brief summary of the due date thing, and she said that I definitely seemed a little big for 14 weeks, but we'd go by the baby's measurements. Come the end of the exam, she told me baby's size corresponds to a due date of Jan. 1. So, I'm back to being 16 weeks, the due date is back where it was-- and we're expecting a New Year's baby! ...Or, more likely if this baby follows his/her older brothers' lead and comes along a week or so early, a Christmas baby.

The infamous freaky face shot. For anyone who isn't used to seeing ultrasound pictures, no, it will not come out looking that scary and evil. The ultrasound picks up the bone strongest of all, so what you're seeing there is pretty much the baby's skull.

Cute little hand :)

...And, last but not least, what I gotta say is probably the cutest ultrasound picture I have ever seen! You can see adorable little button nose, and kissy lips, and a tiny chin! I don't think I've ever gotten such a clear, cute profile with either of the boys, even at the later ultrasound.

IT was cute seeing how wiggly (s)he was being! So tiny, but just all over the place in there! I still can't feel it yet, but I don't think it'll be long, I felt the boys' movements at around 16-17 weeks.

Oh, and the other semi-big news from the ultrasound: She looked... and said she "didn't see anything between baby's legs". So, it's not for sure by any means, but it's looking like it could be a girl! I guess we'll find out in 3-4 more weeks at my 20 week ultrasound.

Hahaha... I'm STILL laughing...

2009-06-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

I just picked up the invitation to Jack Runnels' 90th birthday party (for anyone who isn't related to the Martin family, "Grandpa Jack" is Daniel's great-grandpa on his mom's mom's side, and contained on the invitation is a picture of young Jack, and Jack today, both handsome, pensive-looking, black-and-white photographs. I've heard it said many times that Daniel is the spitting image of young Jack Runnels, but until now had never seen a picture. In my opinion, there's certainly a strong resemblance, but I wouldn't get them confused for sure), to show Benjamin, and pointed to the picture of Jack from yesteryear and asked Ben who it was. He had to think about it for a bit, but he did call him Daddy, so apparently he sees the resemblance.

He then pointed to Jack today, and said, "Who's that, Mama?" So, I turned it around and asked him, "I don't know, who is that, Ben?"

He answered, almost immediately, with no small amount of reverence in his little voice,

"That's GOD."

I'm serious, my stomach hurts from laughing at this point...

Oh, and earlier, as I was saying goodnight before his nap, Ben was laughing for no apparent reason, so I asked,
"Why are you laughing, Ben?"
"I'm laughing at Daddy."
"Why are you laughing at Daddy?"
"Actually, I'm laughing at Bobo."
"Oh, okay... why is Bobo funny?
*pause* "Because... I want to give Mama something."
*chuckle* "Okay, what do you want to give Mama?"
"I want to give you a fish. I want to give you a fish, and some lunch."
*laughing* "Okay, thank you, Ben! I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, Mama." *Rolls over, thumb in the mouth*

Oh, and one of our little night-time routines: I've usually, but sometimes sporadically, said the "I'll love you forever" thing to him since he was a baby when putting him to bed, and recently, he's adapted it.
Me: "I'll love you forever..."
Ben:"I'll like you always.
Me: "As long as I'm living..."
Ben: "My girl you'll be!"

A while ago, he made me start saying "My BIG BOY you'll be", instead of "My baby", and out of the blue, a few weeks ago, he interrupted me and told me I'd always be his girl. I thought that was so cute!

What a big boy!

2009-05-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

So, I posted about our first attempt at going diaper-less... it was not a success, so we slowed down and waited. Well, in the last week or so, Ben has gotten WAY better at staying dry between potty breaks, so I thought we'd whip out the Cars underwear once more and give it another try, see if it'd work any better. He did great! He wore them from around 10 AM to after 1 PM with three or four potty breaks, and no accidents, not even a drop! He's napping in a diaper now (SO not ready for sleeping dry yet!), but we'll try again after naptime, I think.

I know, I'm not going, "Woohoo, he's potty-trained, let's throw out the diapers!" FAR from it. But it's a good, big step. And I know there'll be accidents-- most likely today, but if not, then soon. (It just can't be that easy, unfortunately.) But that's okay, we're on the road to "I'm a big kid now!", and that's good enough for me!

Naughty Baby!

2009-05-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

We went on a walk this afternoon, it's been a beautiful day! Isaac sat behind Ben in the double stroller, and Ben helped me "Stop, look and listen" for cars before crossing the street. Each time we reached the other side, he'd yell, "We're safe!"

As we walked, out of the blue, Ben turned around, saying "Ouch! Don't pull my ear, Isaac!", so I stopped and walked around to check. Quick glance in the back revealed Isaac, leaning back comfortably, innocently-- apparently too far back to even reach Ben's ear. So, concerned, I checked Ben's ear for a possible bug bite or something. Nothing was obvious... until I started to walk back around, and Isaac grinned and lunged forward as far as he could (farther than I thought he could have!) and reached his little hand out to yank on Benjamin's other ear! Silly, mischievous little boy!

Oh, and...

2009-05-06T13:13:00.001-07:00

Just a few more cute things I forgot to add to the last post:

"Garbage-Q sauce" = Barbecue sauce (I LOVE this one!)

"I'm makin' a home, real fast", he says as he carefully sets out all the plastic animals in a precise line on the coffee table (or the floor, or the table, or the chair, or the toy shelf...)
(Ths one I think he may have picked up from his cousin Natalie, because he just started doing it seemingly out of the blue right after Juli, Adam, Natti & Maggie left after visiting a couple of Sundays ago-- but he sure grabbed onto it! He "makes a home" for the animals every day, often a few times!)

When Isaac hits him (and Isaac does hit him... I haven't had a lot of success yet teaching Isaac to be gentle with his hands, he really enjoys slapping anything and anyone near enough :/ ), Ben says, "No, Isaac, don't hurt your brother!"

Ben: "Mama, I pooped in my diaper!"
Mama: "Uh-oh... we better go change you-- what does it feel like, Ben?" (trying to get him to think about it, every single time, so next time he'll tell me BEFORE and do it on the toilet)
Ben: "My bum is wet, and fwose (gross), and slimy. And nasty!"

Speaking of potty training... we're doing the chart again, and he's been doing pretty well, he's been going on the toilet 3-5 times a day, and his diapers are staying dry between more often. I tried "big-boy underwear" today for the first time, with a plastic diaper cover on top to catch leaks. During the 40 minutes between putting it on, and going down for his nap, he went potty on the toilet three times ("Mama, want go potty on toilet!" twice, and me asking him once)... and had two accidents ("I peed in my underwear!". In 40 minutes. 5 times. Is that normal?? I don't know if I can handle taking him to the bathroom every ten minutes all day long (if he'd even asked for it instead of just having accidents)?

In general, I'm a fairly patient person... but potty training may be the thing that does me in! I really understand now why moms try to get their older child trained BEFORE they have another! It's hard spending so much time in the bathroom with Ben, while Isaac's awake, playing, or in the exersaucer. He gets lonely... and when he gets lonely, he gets LOUD!

Update?

2009-05-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

So... "The update post".

Where to begin... it's been just short of a year since I stopped posting. It's been a long year, with well more than it's own share of ups and downs.

Just for the basics, I guess (eh, most of you probably know all this, but I'll put it up here anyway just in case): Daniel and the boys and I are now staying with Diane and Loy (Daniel's parents). We were tight financially for a little while even with steady work for Daniel, but then when Daniel had a hard time finding work after his job at the bank didn't work out, he had a couple of short-term temp jobs, and things like that, but it wasn't enough to keep us on our feet. We lost the apartment about a month ago, and Loy and Diane graciously offered us their spare bedroom (really Diane's sewing room, so now their dining room is overflowing with the craft supplies we displaced, sorry Diane) until we can get back out in our own place again. Thank you, Diane and Loy!

It's a little humbling, of course, being our own family, but being dependent on someone else for a place to live. But all in all, it's worked out well-- and I'm so grateful (to Loy and Diane, and to God) that we have a roof over our heads. When it comes down to it, our boys are fed, we're warm and safe-- those are the important things. Pride? Psh... ;)

But anyway, Daniel's working two jobs now (one full-time, one part-time), and we're hoping to be able to move out again within a few months. I know Daniel's parents love us and the boys and are glad to have us here and help us, but I know how surprisingly large an impact small children can have on a home and lifestyle, and so obviously it'll be good for everyone involved.

More recently, I heard the terrifying news that my Dad had been diagnosed with cancer, just a few weeks ago. He'd been having a lot of pain for several months, and after a series of tests, the doctors proclaimed that he had cancer. He was scheduled immediately for surgery about a week ago, which, thankfully, seems to have gone perfectly (although it was of course, painful for him, and he's still going through a rough recovery (so prayer for relief and healing for him would be greatly appreciated!), and, while there is still further testing to be done, he seems to be cancer-free as of now, thank God!

The past year has felt like a roller coaster, with little bumps, and peaceful lulls, and exhilarating climbs, and terrifying dips and dives that make you hold on for dear life just to get through. Well, the lows certainly show you what (or Who) you're clinging to!
Through all the circumstances, all the trials, all the joys, I've seen God's hand at work constantly (well, I may not have always seen it at the time, but it was there!) and He's brought me so much closer to Him, through the hard times, and the easier times.

Whew... what else? Well, of course, there's been a plethora of day-to-day things I can't possibly remember to post about... alas, those may be lost :(

Anyway, to summarize: Life is tough. God is good. :)

Moments in a day with Benjamin

2009-05-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

Ben sits and observes me, painting my fingernails.
"What are you doing, Mama?"
"Painting my fingernails. It's for girls." (anticipating, and warding off, a potential "Paint Ben's fingernails?")
"No... it's for sillies!"

The other day, Ben was playing with Uncle Joey, who was playfully "bonking" Ben on the head. Ben laughed along for a few minutes, until he'd had enough-- at which point, he backed up, and said authoritatively, "Top (stop)! Don't bonk my bald head!!" Emphasis on bald. I guess he remembers before his hair grew in (somewhat), and he was, affectionately of course, called baldy by a lot of us.

Okay, mostly Daniel and me. :/ It was pretty funny though.

Every morning, Ben has a bowl of "oh-p'd'-lal" (oatmeal).

Earlier today, he was struggling with a "duck" toy (stuck-- with words that begin with an s before another consonant, he drops the s. Hence, "top" = stop, "pace" = space, and "duck" = stuck. I'm not sure why the t comes out as a d, he's pretty good with t's otherwise...), and I was heading over to help him, when he wiggled it out of wherever it was "duck". I said, "You got it? Good!", and he said "Get it, Got it, GOOD!"

Oh, he's working on tracing letters and numbers now, and doing great! He can recognize a LOT of written words (not so much reading, I know, probably more memorization... but I think it's partly that he knows the sounds of the letters.

Anyway, I know it's been a LONG time since I've posted... this isn't really "the" update post, just the "first time I've sat down to type up a couple of cute things" post.

I have something like a billion pictures to post, but am struggling with uploading them. So hopefully I'll get those up sometime soon.

That's all for now though... :)

2008-07-30T16:10:00.001-07:00

Isaac's First Month

2008-07-27T08:13:00.001-07:00

(To view it larger, so you can read the text, click on the Scrapblog link on the bottom right of the video, then click "View Full Screen" above the video on the window that pops up)

2008-07-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

The boys and I went over to my parents' house the other night, it was fun. My nephew was there too, I hadn't seen him since about 6 or 7 months before Benjamin was born, so it'd been a while! The house is currently under renovation, so there's not a lot of living space inside as of yet, but they've got a great firepit with chairs all around, and a big swing, and a trampoline, all in the GIANT backyard-- Benjamin has been just having a ball when we go over there. It's really nice, just sitting around a fire and talking...

Anyway, I got some pictures...

Ben with Grandpa Neet (my dad)

Dump truck!

Motion blurs... he was busy!

Perfect timing-- I had just aimed the camera to get a picture of him just sleeping, and he smiled for the camera!

Isaac with his Aunt Liz

Mom and Dad

My nephew, Kai, and my brother, Nate (And see what I mean about the backyard? It's like a freaking park, it's huge! SO much room for Ben to run around, it's great!)

Liz with Isaac again

Grandpa, Ben, and Grandma

Ben playing

Something about Ben...

2008-07-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

I know it probably seems like it's all about the baby... but here's an update about the big boy-- and boy, he sure is now!

Benjamin had his long-overdue 18-month check-up on Monday (he's 23 months)... and, of course, as logic would indicate, his vaccinations were overdue as well. So he had a whole lineup of shots to get caught up on... six, to be exact. *grimace*

That was certainly an experience.

First off, Isaac, being only a month old, was with me as well-- I still haven't left him with anyone yet, and I didn't think about how much harder it would be to comfort Ben after his shots while also taking care of Isaac...

Then, when we got there, despite how long it has been since Benjamin has actually seen the doctor, he almost seemed to remember it. That, or he somehow has an instinctive fear of medical environments. He was fine going into the clinic and checking in, but when we turned down the hallway towards the pediatric area, he wiggled his hand out of mine and plopped down on the floor, whining. He flat-out refused to walk, so I ended up picking him up and carrying him into the waiting room, along with Isaac in his car seat. (Yes, that's tricky, not to mention heavy. Yes, I've had to do it several times, often up three flights of stairs to our apartment. You can just call me "SuperMommy".)

But then, when we got called in, at the sight of the nurse coming out for him, he did the same thing, sitting on the floor acting scared. He was NOT happy with the nurse having to weigh and measure him, it was so sad, poor Benjamin, all naked and just sobbing on the little baby scale, trying his hardest to get back into my arms. And when he finally held still enough to get his weight and I picked him back up, he literally clung to me, legs and arms wrapped tight around me like a little monkey... I was so surprised that he reacted that way, he's ordinarily never like that with new places or people.

He actually did fine with his doctor when she came in-- she's really great, when she was listening to his heartbeat, she asked him if she could "hear the doggies barking", and that got his attention!

But then, the worst part, the shots... I had to hold him down on my lap while he got three in each thigh. When the first one went in, he kind of jumped and squealed, looking down at his leg-- then turned his head toward me like he was asking me to stop it. He started crying, "Mama! Mama!"... and the part that made me tear up and feel so bad was when, about halfway through, his cry turned to "No, Mama! No, Mama!" I felt so terrible!

Oh, and he is now 29 lb (I actually thought he was heavier, home scales put him closer to 32 lb, and I think the weight might have actually been off because he was grabbing onto me so much, but I don't know), 33.5 inches tall (or 2' 9.5"), and his head circumference was 20.5". In percentiles, he's heavier than 7 out of 10 boys his age, and shorter than 6 out of 10, and, if there were such a thing, his head would be bigger than about 12 out of 10, lol. His head measurement is just way above the line on the chart... I always said he had a huge head-- I think it's just to make room for all those brains.

Anyway... other than a tough day at the doctor, he's doing wonderful-- still my sweet, smart boy (well... sweet most of the time, he IS almost two after all).

He really has been surprising me with how fast he's been learning lately. We've kind of been working on the alphabet for a little while, and all of a sudden, he can name quite a few letters on sight, and he recognizes writing as letters almost everywhere-- he'll just randomly burst out with "A! B! D! F! Y! A! C!", when he sees signs, or even the letters on, say, the car, or a diaper.

The other day, he was looking at a card that my grandma sent us that said "BABY BOY" on blocks on the front, and he pointed to each block in order, and said, "B, O, Y!"

And we're beginning on numbers, too... he doesn't seem to get 1, 2, 3, etc, the beginning numbers-- but once we get to 5, he can say 6, 7, 8, 9, and sometimes 10 with me!

He's so smart, I'm so proud of him!

Oh, yesterday I watched him bring a box of Nutrigrain granola bars, that I give him for a snack sometimes, over to the ferret cage, set it on top of it so Boots came up and was sniffing up at it, then pick it up again and, with a serious face, say, "Dishis mine. Mine." As if he were just keeping her informed, letting her know so she wasn't confused.

Pictures

I love his grin! (This particular grin was working double-duty and chewing apple slices at the same time-- which made his dimple even more prominent!)

I think he's ready for a gymnastics class! Probably not one likeNatti's, though... JUST gymnastics, I don't think Daniel would be too fond of the idea of his son doing ballet and tap!

Yes, that's Isaac's arm... no, he wasn't as close as the picture looks... and no, no one was harmed in the making of this photograph.

He is such a good big brother! He's so cute with "his baby", when I lay Isaac down on the floor for tummy time, he always lies down next to him and talks to him, or just looks at him, or, as in this picture, just sweetly pats his head.

This is odd...

2008-07-16T11:56:00.001-07:00

I just now discovered that Isaac's ears are rather different. From each other, I mean. It's hard to describe, I'll just have to attach pictures to show the difference.

Right ear:

Left ear (flipped to make comparison easier):

See what I mean?? That's a pretty drastic difference, if you ask me. I think it's funny, and of all the oddities of the body he could have, it's pretty cool. It's a funky quirk, but it's actually almost unnoticeable unless you look at each side of his head in turn over and over again (I actually felt bad that I hadn't noticed it until now-- until I showed Daniel, and I had to stand there, turning Isaac's head to show him each side over and over again, at least 5 or 6 times, before he caught it).

....He's probably going to hate me when he gets older. I'm posting his physical oddities on the internet for all to see, lol. I think it's adorable!

Pictures

2008-07-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

My beautiful baby boy!

These ones make me laugh... like father, like son? Somebody's been paying attention!

4th of July

2008-07-10T14:11:00.000-07:00

Not much to blog about lately, just kind of sitting at home-- but I thought I'd put up some pictures we got on the 4th, just for the sake of keeping this updated.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag..."

(This was the outfit from GiGi that Isaac was GOING to wear on the 4th... until he had a massive spit-up incident all over it. )

Ben's first sparkler!

Benjamin actually seemed to be having a good time with the fireworks-- he had a couple of his own boxes of pop-its, which he enjoyed immensely, and then he shared a sparkler with his Papa, and even watched, with interest, some of the louder firecracker types-- but, unfortunately, at some point, he seemed to realize his deathly fear of fireworks, and we were confined to the house, at times with him trembling in apparent horror at the louder ones. Poor baby, I felt so bad for him, he was really scared. Fortunately, having the fan on in the bedroom at home drowned out the noise, at least enough for him to sleep.

Isaac's two-week Well Baby check-up

2008-07-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

...was today. I, not surprisingly, was running late, but we made it just on time (well, with a minute or two to spare before it would have been too late, anyway)!

The basics: He's already quite a bit past his birth weight, weighing in at 8 lb, 7.5 oz already, and he's apparently grown a half inch in length (barring, of course, measuring discrepancies)-- and his head now measures an inch bigger around than at birth. Hey, I'm just glad he came out when he did, instead of waiting until a week past due, if it would have made that big a difference!

The jaundice is slowly but surely fading away.

His umbilical cord stump had fallen out two days ago, and I'd noticed it looked a bit odd, there was a little circle right in the middle of his bellybutton where it was still the same raw-looking yellow of the cord. Turns out it was a piece of the cord that should have come out with the rest of the stump, and his doctor had to chemically burn it out with silver nitrate.

Beyond that, Shellee, you were right about his tongue, good eye! I asked about it, and she said that while it looked like he could stick it out far enough, the frenulum was definitely still attached. So, we have to make an appointment with the specialist surgeon (way out on the west side of Portland, of course), so he can take a look and clip it if it needs it.

Other than all that... he's a healthy, happy two-week-old!

And, what would a blog post be without some pictures? :)

I love that little kissy face!!

And, of course, another gas smile (or whatever...)-- they're irresistible!

Benjamin ate a hamburger "like a big boy"!

No, he's not allowed to stand on the chair like that... stinker.

Awwwww.....

One week old!

2008-06-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

Isaac was born a week ago today, and he's doing great! Not much to write about, except he decided to mark the occasion by explosively pooing across my legs while I was sitting on the floor, changing his diaper this morning... Other than that, though, not much going on.

Oh, he went on his first "outing" yesterday! Juli and Natti brought dinner over, and we went to the park down the street to have a picnic! Natti was so sweet with Isaac, she kept wanting to hold him, and she wanted to know "Is it okay that baby Isaac can sit next to me?", and when I was getting set up to nurse him, she even wanted to know if she could feed him! I told her that that wouldn't work very well... but that, when Isaac is older, if we ever start bottle-feeding him, she can try feeding him with a bottle.

After we ate, Ben and Natti swung for a while. Benjamin would have been happy to never get out of that swing, he was having so much fun! After a while, though, we went back to the blanket, and Natti and Benjamin just burned energy running around and around. Anyway, it was fun!

Well, my big boy is about done with his lunch, and my one-week-old is waking up, and looking hungry (but nothing new there), so I better finish up!

My budding artist!

2008-06-25T18:18:00.000-07:00

"Dinosaur", by Benjamin Johnson

I set Benjamin up with crayons and paper at the table earlier this afternoon, and let him have at it. He had fun (and bonus for me, it kept him entertained for a good 20 minutes)! When he was done, I was telling him what a good job he did, and how nice his picture looked, and I asked him, "What do you want to call it?", and he said, "Shyshore!" (dinosaur).... yes, I'm sure it could well have been affected by the fact that he was wearing his dinosaur pajamas (and yes, he's been in his pajamas all day, as have I).

I wanted to upload a video, but it was 144 MB, and the max allowed on blogger AND photobucket is 100, and I don't have any video-editing software, and even if I did, I wouldn't know how to use it... so oh well, this is it!

Oh, and I didn't see a single crayon with a bite out of it! :)

Also, as you may have heard, Ben's been working on learning the alphabet-- so far, he gets excited, and repeats up to around "G"-- but he knows A, B, C, and D pretty well. He hasn't said them in order by himself yet, but he'll repeat them perfectly, and when I say one, he'll usually say the next one if I wait for him. So this morning, while I was changing Isaac, Ben was playing with the wipes container. He started pointing at the word "HUGGIES" on the top of the container, and, pointing at individual letters, started saying, "Ay! Dee! Bee! She!(c) Ay! Bee!" Okay, so they weren't the right letters, but he knew they were letters!!

I'm so proud of my smart boy!!

Day #5, in pictures

2008-06-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

Benjamin has been so sweet with Isaac so far. There have only been a few times when I had to really tell him to be gentler, in general, it seems like he just knows. He's been helping me with Isaac's diapers, too: he'll sit next to me and watch, and pull a diaper out of the basket to hand to me, then, if his attention is still engaged, he'll hand me wipes (okay, so sometimes it's a few too many wipes, but it's something!), then when I'm done, he'll take the dirty diaper to the trash. He loves pointing out Isaac's body parts-- I've been trying to discourage pointing at his eyes, in particular, but he also knows his head, his cheek, his nose, his chin, his arm, hand, toes, etc.

He was tickling his foot here-- unfortunately, it turned out a little blurry :(

...And holding his hand while he slept (awwwww)...

I absolutely love moments like this one, just holding him against my chest while he sleeps so contentedly... there is nothing in the world so relaxing, I think.

Cute little profile! (And, as you can see, his eyes are no longer oddly puffy)

These next three make me laugh! Those are tickle smiles, I was feeding him, and he kept dozing off, so I was trying to get him to latch back on, and it made him smile, by some reflex-- he was doing it for a good five minutes before I thought to grab the camera!

Isaac's first doctor visit

2008-06-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

I took four-day-old Isaac in for our Mother-Baby visit at the hospital today... He's gained back almost all of the weight he'd lost in the hospital, he's 7 lb, 9 oz right now, so just shy of his birth weight! Mild jaundice, but nothing even on the charts for risk, so no big deal.

That's really all that the appointment was... it felt a lot more rushed, I remember Benjamin's first visit was a lot more comfortable, as if the doctor was really interested in how we were doing and trying to offer help with all the little things, and this time it was just the technical stuff.

Oh, and the doctor also felt the need to let me know that I am "WAY too young to have two children these ages!" (with a smile, though, whatever that means). I never know quite how to respond to things like that... "Thank you!" "No, I'm clearly not, or I wouldn't have two children, hmm?" "Okay...?"

I always just end up resorting to a polite smile and half-nod. Eh, it was just kind of funny.

On another topic, Daniel's really not feeling well... :(
He's been throwing up, and just generally feeling icky. He's sleeping now... I hope he feels better soon. I need him! ;)

Seriously, though, he's been so awesome, I literally could not have handled the past few days without him taking care of Benjamin (and me!) so that I could focus on Isaac, and get some rest. I love you, babe!

2008-06-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Awww... I love this picture... <3

He really is so cute!!!

...And more pictures!

2008-06-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

Look at those loooong fingers/fingernails!

I thought this was cute... one of the t-shirts the hospital provided-- "This side up!" (kind of funny, too-- I was at a Kaiser hospital, but the shirt is a Providence one...)

......................................................................................................

Here's a cute little picture sequence-- I was just holding him, and took all of these pictures within the space of a minute or two. I LOVE his expressions!!

(This one's my favorite, I think!)

......................................................................................................

Tiny baby toes! :)

Picture post!

2008-06-23T22:28:00.000-07:00

This'll probably be overload... but oh well. Enjoy!

This little series of pictures was taken by Juli (Daniel's aunt), and put together in sequence by Daniel's grandpa. I had to steal it, because it really does just perfectly sum up the whole thing, beginning to end-- just a whole lot shorter!

(It was technically actually 5:55, this was taken just a minute or two late.)

Father and son...

He makes the funniest expressions!!
See the little tufts of red? Like father (and big brother), like son.
He's had so many of those little fake gas smiles, they're so cute!!
Me and my boys...

Welcome, baby Isaac!

2008-06-23T03:29:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it! 39 weeks and two days of pregnancy, and 28 hours in the hospital, and we've got a beautiful baby boy to show for it.

Isaac Otto Michael Johnson

born 5:55 pm on Friday, June 20th

7 lb, 11 oz

20 inches

I'm sure this will be the first of many, many blog posts written at night, while nursing, so expect plenty of simple, quickly-written, flash updates like this one.
I do have plenty more pictures, so I'll try and put up a picture post within a couple of days here-- but I'm thinking it's just about back to bed time...

Uggghhhhhhh...

2008-06-19T09:44:00.001-07:00

Wow, that was fun.

I had 12 hours of regular, rough contractions yesterday, from 4 in the afternoon to 4 am, but it went away. That was rather anticlimactic.
But I think we're going to attempt all the "natural" labor encouraging stuff today, so anyone who wants to be there, be ready!

Oh, and for those (female) family members who want to be there, I've changed my mind (again)-- I know, I originally said I didn't want anyone other than Daniel, my mom, and Diane, but I've decided I would love to have more support there with me, if anyone wants to be there-- especially because my mom won't be able to make it up here. (She's in Central Oregon, with my grandma)

Anyway, everyone will get calls when we go... hopefully it won't be much longer!

39 week appointment today

2008-06-17T21:10:00.001-07:00

So, I think I posted this last week, but I had my 38 week appointment last week, and was 2 cm.
Today, I had another appointment, and I'm 4 cm dilated now. Getting closer!

It was actually kind of funny, last week, my midwife told me that at today's appointment, I would have the option of choosing to have her "strip the membranes", which is basically just a slightly rougher way of checking my cervix, and it functions as a pretty natural way to speed up the onset of labor if you're getting antsy. When I got home, Daniel asked how it went, and I told him about it, and he looked at me, puzzled: "How can she strip your memories?-- and what would that have to do with starting labor, even if she could?"
Just had to laugh... they're easy words to mishear, but totally different implications!

But anyway, we decided against it, even though for my own purely selfish reasons, I wouldn't have minded helping things along a little. Being nine months pregnant is, to say the least, uncomfortable. But since I'm obviously moving along somewhat, I decided to just wait and see-- and if nothing's happened by my appointment next week, then I'll do it.

2008-06-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from a while ago, but they deserve to be posted! This is Natti, Benjamin's three-year-old cousin who loves to "smuggle", with almost anyone available. Apparently, one Friday night not too long ago, none of the grown-ups were available, so she decided to commandeer Benjamin for a smuggle on the dog's bed! I couldn't resist pictures...

You wouldn't know it by his blank expression, but he was about done here, ready to get up-- but notice her fist gripping his t-shirt! I felt bad, I didn't even notice until Adam S. (Natti's daddy) pointed it out.

This is the wonderful diaper cake that Juli made for my baby shower! Thank you, Juli! And thank you, Diane, for buying all the little onesies and blankets and things inside!

I thought this was cute... I can't believe he was ever small enough to fit in that carseat!

I was at my parents' house the other day, and Benjamin was playing with my sister-- he loves his aunt SheeShee (Lizzy)!

And my little muscle-man! This picture is so funny, it looks like he's really trying to lift the table, with that perfect little bodybuilder pose!

This one's gonna be long...

2008-06-17T09:09:00.000-07:00

So, as the days tick down to the end of any sembleance of rest and calm in the Johnson household (AKA the birth of child #2), I've been scrambling to make sure I've got everything for the baby together and ready. Kinda last minute, I know, but I finally found a bassinet on Friday-- in pristine condition, at a garage sale for $40! Not bad, huh? (Yes, that is a very messy kitchen in the background...)

So, this is it, as it came. Cute, huh? I really like the old-fashioned look of the floor-sweeping skirt (makes it sound like I'm talking about a wedding dress!), and it even has the same exact vibrating, musical, light-up mobile that I loved on Benjamin's bassinet! Here's a close-up of the detail-- brown and blue, my favorite baby colors this time around!So, that was the bassinet before... and this is it after I "customized" it, with a roll of brown ribbon that Juli used for my diaper cake and gave me the leftovers (by the way, Juli, how much was that roll of ribbon?...and it was at Target, right? I think I could use another roll or two, I've got other projects in mind!), some blue ribbons I had for scrapbooking, and lots and lots of hot glue.

Isn't it cute? I feel so accomplished!

Oh, I also got the crib taken apart a couple days ago-- and that sucker was very uncooperative! Two of the Allen bolts were completely rounded out inside, so after trying over and over again, I finally ended up using a screwdriver point to literally carve a hexagon shape inside the bolt. I think when we put it up again, we'll just buy new bolts to save that trouble later...

So, for the less technical stuff...

Benjamin's been sleeping in his "big-boy bed" (otherwise known as his crib mattress on the floor, with a blanket and pillow) for a little over a week now, and I've actually been surprised at how successful the transition has been! He gets up maybe once or twice, but we just go back in there, and tell him to go back to bed, and that's usually all it takes. Daniel's better at putting him down, though... when I do it, sometimes he gets up over and over again, but it's like he takes Daniel seriously or something, because when Daniel puts him back to bed, he doesn't get up again!

Last night, though, I laid him down, and he fell asleep in bed without getting up once! Yay! Of course, that could be because David and Joey were spending the night, and he was worn out from playing... oh well, whatever reason, I'll take it!

Our morning routine lately has been Benjamin waking up and coming and getting into bed with us to snuggle for a little bit before we get up. I have been so tired lately that I am very happy with this arrangement, and often am able to sneak in 10-30 minutes of extra, much-needed sleep that way. So, the other morning, Benjamin climbed out of our bed, and I had kept my eyes closed for a few more minutes before getting up-- and when I did, I found him sitting in the bassinet, playing with the mobile!! I wish I would have gotten a picture, because it looked so silly, he's so big in it-- but I didn't want to encourage it at all. All I could think of was the possibility of him doing that a week or two from now, when there'll be a tiny, fragile newborn inside the bassinet!

I've got more pictures/stories of Ben, but I think I'll just start a new post, this one's getting loooooong!

38 weeks today...

2008-06-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

I had an appointment with my midwife yesterday, and was surprised to find out that I am already not only 2 cm dilated, but also 50% effaced! Now, that's totally normal, and even routine for most women, but for me, that means it's going to be soon! With Benjamin, I was in the hospital, having contractions a minute apart before I dilated past one.

Oh, and for anyone who heard my concerns about the baby possibly being breech (I was feeling lots of little kicks WAY down low, where I knew the head should be), she checked, and his head is most definitely down, and just about engaged. I'm measuring a little bit on the small side (35 cm, at 38 wks, it should be right around 38 cm), but it's no big deal at all, I measured small with Ben, too.

That's all the technical stuff.... totally incidentally, I now weigh exactly what I did when I went into labor with Ben, so as far as I'm concerned, it's a go-ahead from me! ;)

Of course, between now and July 4th, my midwife will only be in Labor & Delivery on Thursday the 19th, so it would take some planning to try and have the baby with her assisting. But oh well, that's how it goes.

I guess I should probably add a picture... this was a couple of days ago, but close enough! As you can see, all my shirts now leave a lovely little gap over my pants/skirts-- or, as Shellee pointed out at my baby shower, "Your belly's hanging out!"

Nature boy

2008-05-21T18:36:00.001-07:00

I've discovered that Benjamin is a real outdoorsman... there is nothing he loves better than just playing outside in the grass. He can entertain himself indefinitely by simply examining stalks of grass, or meticulously plucking the petals off of a flower (think "loves me, loves me not..."), or comparing two pinecones, looking for differences (or signs of edibility, which, of course, leads to "Oh! Ewww, stop, no-- Benjamin, we don't EAT pinecones, they're yucky!")

Fortunately, I can entertain myself for some length of time by capturing these moments on camera.. but unfortunately for Ben, my camera's battery runs out before his does, and I'm usually ready to go back inside within an hour or so.

Oh, well, there's always the next day... and the next, and the next, and the next!

2008-05-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

Just a few random pictures of Ben in the car...

His feet are so cute!

SO done with the paparazzi!

Anyway, yesterday, it was incredibly warm, somewhere in the high 80's to low 90's, I think (in case anyone missed it, I'm sorry, it was beautiful!)

Daniel decided he wanted to go fishing at MHCC-- more to get outside than really do much fishing, I think. Obviously, bringing a toddler (and a wife?) doomed it to be much shorter, not to mention louder, than your average fishing trip. But it was fun, letting Ben run around while Daniel fished for a while. Benjamin was fascinated by the gravel on the path. He kept bending down to pick up handfuls, and then either throwing them back on the ground... or dropping them in the diaper bag. That was fun to clean out... I think there are probably still several in there. Oh well.

I showed him how to blow the fluff (petals? No... what exactly IS that stuff?) off of the dandelions. He gave a valiant effort... but ended up kissing them instead, which of course resulted in a very fuzzy-mouthed little boy, as we had just shared a small cup of ice cream, much of which was still all over his lips.

I love this one... click it and look at the large version. The string of drool from his chin is clearer that way ;D

Multnomah Falls: trip #1 of the summer

2008-05-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

We went on our first hike this summer with Daniel's family a week or so ago, it was so nice! Ugh, even the easy hikes are tough when you're carrying 20+ extra pounds, though! I think Daniel and I had an equally hard time on the uphill hike, though-- he had all 30 lbs of Benjamin on his back in the hiking backpack.

Daniel and Ben taking a break on a little bridge along the trail.

David sitting on a tree overhanging the trail. I took the picture wrong, it doesn't show the 15-ish feet above the trail that the branch is.

There were lots of beautiful Trilliums along the side of the path the whole way-- and then there was this one, standing tall (well, as tall as a 3-4 inch tall flower can stand, anyway), smack dab in the middle of the mud of the trail.

Just a nice view of the trail ahead...

Aww... the little family. Don't ask what Daniel was scowling for, no idea. I think he was just trying to ruin each and every picture. This one was the best out of the 15 or so Diane took!

Contractions already??

2008-05-16T09:50:00.001-07:00

These are two slips of notepaper I used to keep track of the Braxton Hicks contractions I was having the other night (the numbers in parentheses are how long a few of them lasted). Yes, they were literally 2-3 minutes apart for over three hours (I didn't start writing them down until they'd been going for over a half hour, and I stopped writing quite a while before they actually went away. (Oh, and the super sloppy section is when I asked Daniel to write them down for me ;)

It did eventually stop-- obviously, or you'd all have been invited to see the new baby by now!-- but then the next morning they were back, 5 minutes apart for several hours. Ugh... I think my body thinks that it's ready for delivery-- and I can't say I blame it! I'm only 34 weeks (and two days), but I feel like I've been pregnant for a year!

But I did think this was kind of strange... I called my midwife and left a message, and she still hasn't even called me back! I was surprised, even though I didn't feel like I was actually in labor, I would have thought that my midwife would have viewed a 34-week pregnant woman having contractions two minutes apart for three hours as at least somewhat urgent. Guess not, though.

Anyway, I guess it's still possible for Great-Grandma Martin (GiGi) to be here for the birth, if that keeps happening!

2008-05-01T00:45:00.000-07:00

Benjamin wanted to add the finishing touch to a birthday card I made the other day, so I let him help out... I think he got more marker on himself than on the card, though!

Also, I think we need to get a set of crayons... markers aren't so great with this toddler, I think!

He wasn't so thrilled when I took the marker away...

Nesting

2008-04-30T23:57:00.000-07:00

Nesting instinct
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

"Nesting instinct refers to an instinct or urge in pregnant animals to prepare a home for the upcoming newborn(s). It is found in a variety of animals (both mammals and birds) and can occur in human mothers as well... It is commonly characterized by a strong urge to clean and organize one's home, and is one reason why couples who are expecting a baby often reorganize, arrange, and clean the house and surroundings."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To be completely honest, during my first pregnancy, I was highly skeptical of this whole "nesting" idea.... I certainly never experenced it for myself. However,this time around, I hit 32 weeks, and became a crazy woman. I've never been much of a housekeeper, unfortunately, but the past 3 or 4 nights, as soon as Benjamin goes to bed for the night, I've spent the next several hours uncontrollably scrubbing floors, organizing closets, reorganizing furniture, etc.

The only problem is that I obviously can't do anything in our bedroom at night, because Benjamin is sleeping. So, today, my mother-in-law Diane was kind enough to watch Ben this afternoon so I could clean up and rearrange the bedroom.

I moved Benjamin's dresser into the closet, moved other things around, cleaned a TON, filled two bags of garbage and one of clothes to give away, flipped the mattress and moved the bed, and --my favorite part--put the beautiful new bedding set, a birthday present from Loy and Diane, on our bed.

Now we just need to get a new dresser set...

Then, when I finished in the bedroom, I sorted through all of Daniel's computer games, filed them in a cd holder, and threw out most of the game cases that were just taking up space (yes, I had his permission... and I made sure to save all the activation codes first!)

I used the idea (writing the codes all down in one place and getting rid of the separate papers) that you mentioned on Sunday, Juli, thank you!

Anyway, whatever the nesting instinct is, I'm certainly not complaining! I feel so productive, and the apartment looks so much nicer!

2008-04-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

"The Sharper Image corporation is filing for bankruptcy, so they're closing half the stores nationwide. No, we're not the only store closing. No, ALL of the stores are not closing, just half."

"We don't know the exact date we will close our doors for good, we're going until we sell out our inventory. "

I think I could say those sentences in my sleep, that's how many times I've said them in the past week. I just started working for Sharper Image, where I worked over the holiday season, again. We've been a little strapped for cash lately, and they, coincidentally, just came to be a little strapped for associates, so they gave me a call, and it all worked out. I'll only be working for about a month, so hopefully there will be no babies delivered in the middle of the mall...

I swear, I cannot for the life of me understand how women can work up until they give birth, with no problems whatsoever. Maybe it's the difference between a "cushy office job", as Daniel said, and working retail, standing up all day, I don't know... but my feet/back/legs are killing me already, and I haven't even been working again for a week!

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy working, it's something to do, it's adult social contact (not that spending all day, every day with my widdle chubbalump muffin pie honeybunch cutieface isn't entertaining enough... but sometimes I crave actual conversation. Admit it, moms, we all do.), but ouch, standing behind a counter for hours on end really is quite a different thing when you're 7 1/2 months pregnant!

To add to that, yesterday I was particularly tired for whatever reason, looking forward to being able to sit and relax on the train ride home-- until I heard over the intercom, to many groans of disapproval among the commuting crowd, "I apologize for the inconvenience, folks, but the train line is experiencing a power outage, and so you're all going to have to get off at this next stop (7th), and ride shuttle buses all the way down to the 99th train stop."

No big deal, right? I'm pretty flexible, I don't mind switching to a bus. But when I got off the train and saw the crowds of people, at least 400, waiting for buses, and the way they all literally swarmed the first bus that pulled up, pushing and shoving others out of their way like there was no tomorrow, my heart sank a little.

Three or four buses later, I got on a bus, but I was one of the last people to board, and apparently they're not kidding when they say "Chivalry is dead". I mean, I hate to sound obnoxious about it, but really, when there are 30+ guys sitting comfy on a bus, staring at at least 15 women (one of whom was holding her very young infant, and one of whom is me, who is at the moment feeling VERY pregnant) standing, lurching around trying to stay vertical, and not ONE of those men offers up his seat, it makes me a little sad for the state of the world.
So anyway, I stood on the bus for over a half hour, before finally making it onto the train home. Walking up the stairs at home took about all the energy I had left.

Anyway, this was supposed to be just an update on what's been going on with me, but it turned into a mini-rant/pity party, so I apologize for that, and I'll just shut up now.

Shoes

2008-03-26T13:28:00.001-07:00

...and flowers.

A boy and his Daddy

2008-03-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

The other day, it was (deceptively) sunny outside, so we ventured out to the park. Turned out, sadly, the sun was hiding not-so-bright and sunny intentions... it was pretty chilly and windy. But we stuck it out! Benjamin was having loads of fun just running around anyway, so we hung out a while. He would just run up and down the path, pausing occasionally to excitedly show us a rock or twig he'd "discovered".

And then he just wanted to hang out with Daniel, just walking around with him, sometimes holding his hand, sometimes running ahead, other times lagging behind, just following.
I really like these pictures... I feel like they really capture how much Ben looks up to his Daddy in the way that he just follows him around so trustingly.

Pictures

2008-03-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

There is something just so irresistibly sweet about a baby's toes, isn't there? I had to take this picture several times before it turned out clear-- these toes are wigglers!

The munchkin was having a hard time going down for a nap again today, so we went for a drive to help him fall asleep. Worked like a charm, he was out like a light by the time we got back home. I got some cute pictures before we went back inside, though!

He's so angelic when he's sleeping... why can't he be like that all the time?-- just kidding, of course!

And hey, guess who else the drive put to sleep... Like father, like son, huh?

"Me? Obey Him?"

2008-03-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Today's post is about something that's been on my mind for a while. I read an interesting book several weeks ago that was given to me by my mother-in-law, Diane. I honestly don't remember what her opinions on it were when she gave it to me, it was a while ago.

Anyway, the title of the book is "Me? Obey Him?", by Elizabeth Rice Handford. Now, when I saw that title, I automatically thought that the "Him" was referring to God. However, a closer look reveals that the theme of the book, as stated on the cover, in fact, is actually "The obedient wife and God's way of happiness and blessing in the home..."

That really caught my attention, because the subject of wives and obedience/submission to their husbands really is a difficult one, one that I struggle with and wonder about often.

The book is, of course, based upon the scripture passage Ephesians 5:22-24"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." (emphasis mine)

Now, this is a passage that I think most Christian women are aware of, and it is a difficult one for some. I have heard the "wives should submit to their husbands" part translated as "obey", in some translations.

Anyway, I actually agreed with much of the book, it was a lot of repetition of basic Biblical values--at least, until the section titled, "But What about The Problems?".

An example the author gave was of a woman she had counseled, who had told her of a situation she had faced with her husband. The woman's husband was a non-Christian alcoholic, and one night, when he was drunk, the couple was fighting about it, and he told her to "just get out", and she did. The author told her that that is not obedience, that she was being a "rebellious wife, and her rebellion had nearly destroyed their home".

The author goes on to say that, essentially, women should always obey their husbands-- even over God. Even if a man tells his wife to do something directly contradictory to the Bible, she says that women are to obey.

Now, my problem with that, is that the verses above are followed by these:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." (emphasis mine)

I guess my problem with the author's concept of complete and utter, unquestioning obedience, no matter what, is that I feel that those commands are somewhat interdependent. I personally think that there are situations in which a woman should not obey her husband, such as when his commands or demands directly counter Biblical values. I don't know, maybe I'm a bad wife for thinking so... but I just innately disagree. What do you all think? I know Diane and I have had talks about this, but not to this degree, I don't think.

(Disclaimer: This was typed out over a period of an hour or so, in between trying to lay Benjamin down for a nap, so please forgive me if it's terribly disjointed.)

Ahhhhh...

2008-03-13T15:52:00.000-07:00

*Deep sigh of relief* He's finally napping...

Over the past few days, Benjamin has realized that he is the proud owner of an until-now hidden skill: he can climb up and step right out of his crib and playyard. Until now, we knew he could swing his leg over the side, teeter precariously, and eventually drop, but we also knew he didn't particularly like that way (the "falling on his head" part was the deterrent, I think), so it didn't happen often. However, now if he decides he wants a change of scenery, out he goes. And he's so good at it already, I can't even hear him from the other room if the door is closed. He's already wreaked havoc in the bedroom once... books strewn off the bookshelf, clothes from his open dresser drawer tossed haphazardly across the floor, even an old, forgotten art kit I had underneath the bookshelf opened, and its contents experimented with (and apparently my little mischief-maker is also an aspiring artist-- but that's for another blog) .

Anyway, so this new little discovery has highly complicated naptime and bedtime.... before, I would just rock him, sing to him, do our little routine, then deposit him in his crib awake. He'd play for 10 minutes or so, then happily drop off into slumber. Now.... not so much.

I just spent over an hour trying to get my poor, sleepy toddler to stay in his crib. Over and over again we'd rock, eyes drooping, then I'd lay him down when I felt he was sufficiently sleepy. The minute I walked out the door, it was like his cue to climb out and follow me. I tried the gentle approach: Picking him up, hugging him, singing, etc. all over again, then trying again, several times. Didn't work. I tried sitting close by in the rocking chair singing to him, hoping he'd fall asleep, and firmly saying, "No" when he started climbing. Nope, didn't work either. I even tried swatting his chubby little bum every time he'd climb out, but that didn't work, as we apparently have the world's toughest baby. Nothing hurts him-- at least nothing I've seen happen to him, and I'm not going to go try and find something that will! So spanking just isn't all that effective with this little guy.

Finally, he ended up just crashing in my arms. He was so tired, he didn't even budge when I laid him down. And... now I need a nap.

I know, I'm a terrible mother, I should be so excited and proud of my big boy for learning and developing this newfound independence. But no... I think I'm kind of in mourning for the loss of my little, dependent, needy (and easily contained!) baby. Sure, it's fun to watch him growing-- but not when he needs a nap but doesn't want one!

Can't wait for tonight! Maybe I'll conveniently have to go grocery shopping around 8:15, and my darling husband will have to take on the task. Of course, if naptime is any indicator, it'd have to be one looooong grocery trip.

I know I should post a picture of him sleeping soundly to go along with this post-- but there is no way in this world I'm going near him with a flash right now!!