In five days I will have a six month old. Unbelievable. This is the age I always imagined myself looking forward to when I was pregnant. I thought he wouldn't be eating solids until now. Wrong. We started that at 41/2 months. But this is an event that I was excited about. It is so much fun to pick out what he will eat and organize them in his food cabinet. Another milestone that can usually be expected around the six month marker is sitting up on their own. This will be so much fun because our play time can be more interactive, and bath time can be more than laying in a hammock while I hum the Titanic theme song. Not that I won't miss the serenity that our bath time brings; it will be different and wonderful.
Today, I guess my excitement got the best of me because even though he is not quite sitting up by himself, we practiced sitting up and practiced and practiced some more. He went for a whole minute without me even touching him. He was so focused on his new exciting toy. So, I know he can do it. And, when bath time rolled around, he had his first bath with mommy in our tub. It was the one of the BEST moments I have had with him to date. There is nothing like holding your baby close to your heart while he just lays there calmly in the water. It's 9:00 now, and he is sleeping soundly for the night.
He took a 31/2 hour nap today, which is a little unusual for him. I think all the extra activity wears him out, not to mention he's a growin. The time we were given was swell spent. We definitely watched 4 episodes of 24 Season 7. We're addicts. We do this with 24. Watch the heck out of it, and then go without anything until the next season comes on DVD. Tomorrow we are going to the Astros game with the Fash side of the family. Should be interesting considering it takes place during Ben's nap time. We shall see.

today is the day that the Lord has made

today is a glorious day. the dogs are at the groomers (thanks ann), and it is a beautiful day in tx. ben and i went on a walk this morning. he tried out the swing at the park for the first time. loved it! he was just looking around at the trees and birds. i have a moment right now while he is by my side rolling around and stretching to reflect back on the last 6 months.

i feel overcome with happiness when i think about the blessings in my life. God has graced me with my perfect husband, a healthy baby, a loving family. i mean this is what it's all about. there are so many distractions that can lead me astray and unfocused, but when i have a moment like this, when life is so gloriously simple, i can really sit back and remember what is most important.



ben, i love today and you don't understand when i tell you. actually, you laugh in my face, but i want you to know that i am overwhelmed with it, and i promise to teach you how to love like this one day too!

love this!

old mcdonald had a _____

Rolling
Eating solid fruits and veggies
laughing
sleeping through the night

WE LOVE HAVING A 5 MONTH OLD!!!



Ben is not at the point quite yet where he is crawling and getting into stuff, but is so animated! He does something new everyday. Today, he lifted his butt up in the air when he rolled over. Oh, and before he takes a bite of food, he'll go "MMMMMM." And, in the car, if he is fussy (needing to get home after mommy kept him out too long), singing Old McDonald calms him down. So much so, that I have to keep singing until the farmer has dolphins, lions, and dragons on the farm.

loving life with the little one

So, Ben is now 4 1/2 months old. Where does the time go? He amazes me daily with all his new accomplishments. Tonight he sat so relaxed on my lap as we watched tv together. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes tight to savor each second of his sweetness on my lap. I love him so much, and he told me he loved me too by squeezing my finger. Ben tried his first solid food besides rice cereal tonight. We started him on squash. He seemed to like it, and he wasn't too weirded out by the spoon either. He would bite it intently hoping to get more. On July 1st, I got my first real laugh and a few days later while we were in CO, he laughed for his daddy. We got that one on video. Even though it is hot here, I am reminded daily how blessed we are to live here so close to our family and friends. Some things Ben loves: Baby Einstein videos (he will actually giggle at his favorite parts), reaching for the lotion bottle after we change, his elephant friend and car seat companion, his grammy and his lola, tickle- scratch, tummy kisses, rocking, strolling in the jogger, wind, when daddy comes home, napping during the day (hooray), discovering things with his mouth, when mommy or daddy come see him in the morning, sitting up, listening to the grown ups talk, swimming, bath time, and so much more. :)

I cannot believe I have a 3 month old!!! Ben is one of the greatest joys that life has to offer me and I feel so blessed that he is in good health, especially today.
Last night, some of the ladies in my neighborhood all got together to play bunco. One of the sweet ladies on my street was there, Missy. I have run into her just a few times. We always say hello when we're on our walks. I have borrowed a wine opener from them... typical friendly neighbor exchanges. She has two precious little kids. Laura is 4 I believe, and little Sam is 2. Last night someone mentioned that they had just donated blood for Sam. I asked Missy how he was doing, and come to find out, he has a disease that affects the way his body breaks down food and makes new blood. He has to get periodic blood transfusions and to top it off, he now is diabetic, among other things. He has a little backpack that he carries around with an oxygen tank. It is a progressive disease. He is TWO YEARS OLD and the only life he knows is one in and out of the hospital. As sad as this story is, I was more touched by the joy that Missy brought to the group last night. She has an infectious laugh and the best attitude about life. They are Christians and walk by faith moment by moment because they realize that life is so fragile and precious and that it does not belong to us, but it belongs to the Lord. Such an example of faith and endurance! I had no idea just living two houses down that Sam's condition was a severe as it is. The family always is seen with a smile on their faces, and I have seen Sam playing with his toys in the front yard while his daddy works in his garage shop. I am so moved by their family and my thoughts and prayers are with them.
Yes, Ben has acid reflux and he will probably get sick a few times, but we are so humbled and so blessed that he is healthy.
So blessed.

Last weekend was our big family reunion and Ben was the youngest family member there, so he got lots of attention. We had such a great time at the ranch with everyone. I have such a wonderful extended family, and feel so blessed that we all got to get together. My grandmother has 4 other siblings and each of them have pretty large families of there own. There were probably around 50 people all together. Jessica came to take pictures for us...can't wait to see those!!

What's up with Ben lately? Well, he found his toes. Every time we get him in his bouncer, he grabs for his feet. This week he has been growing like a weed. He now drinks 3-4 ounces of bottle, so mama has been working extra hard to keep up with his needs. I am still breast-feeding, but he is liking the easy flow of the bottle more and more. During some feedings, he actually demands the bottle instead of me. A little sad, yes, but all that matters is that he is getting enough nutrients no matter how he gets it.

Around the house: We now have a house right behind us, so Will and I are on a mission to do some extra landscaping in the back for some much needed privacy. I hope these neighbors will be as wonderful as all of our other ones around us...

Things we are looking forward to: Our trip to Colorado in July, our many baseball games this summer with a bunch of different social groups, our 2 year anniversary, helping my parents find a new home after Sara graduates, Ben's first swimming session, going back to church, and spending time with our families this summer!

In our prayers: Mama J.'s surgery next week, Ben's health, Will's back pains, my dad's shoulder and knee healing, wisdom to be good parents, Mandy and Lane, Rebecca's family,