no more mangos

My little dude had a bit of a hard day yesterday. My mom and I went to SMASHBURGER for lunch...so delicious. Afterwards, we had planned to stop by Garden Ridge and look for baskets. I took Ben out of his carseat to burp him and change him in the car. We didn't make it to the car, though. He threw up right there in the parking lot. I went on to change him and held him for a bit until he calmed down. We were not to far down the road when he started making this sickening gag look as if something was on it's way up. My mom pulled over, and i took him out of his seat again. He threw up again in another parking lot. At this point I just wanted to get him home. This was more difficult than I imagined. Ben is exhausted from hurling and it was nap time. He wants to sleep, but this mucus stuff keeps making him cough and choke, so we have to pull over on the side of the road like 3 more times. I'm thinking we'll never get home, and my mom and I are both very concerned and upset. We end up driving straight to the pediatrician. He falls asleep in my arms, so we wait for a little bit before going in. Turns out, he was allergic to the mangos I gave him this morning. Dear Gerber, don't make foods for babies that most adults have trouble digesting. I have never been allergic to anything, and had no clue that mangos are like nuts and strawberries...stay away (atleast until they get older). These were just simple 2nd food mangos, but his tummy did not like them. I learned my lesson. We are staying with simple foods that I know he is good with form now on.

I too am always thinking of names for our future children, pets, friends future children...I love it, so I thought this would be fun. My all time favorite girl name, Olivia, has been the name I have wanted to name my baby girl (if I ever have one) since high school. Ben, was VERY close to being called Finn (Will loves this name, and it is growing on me). Although if we have another boy, the chances of him being named Finn are slim to none (come on, Ben and Finn).
Girls:
Olivia
Lily
Mae
Hannah
Addison
Boys:
Ben
Jonah
Finn
Sam
Charlie

go to www.spearmintbaby.com to play along!

remembering 9/11

Today is a very sad day for a lot of people who lost loved ones 8 years ago today. I remember exactly what I was doing on that day. I was driving to school and turned on the radio, and was annoyed that every station had news on. Then, I stopped and actually listened to it, and thought the world was ending or something. I called my mom first and asked them if they had heard what happened and probably tried to get out of going to school that day. The whole day was pretty much a blow off. Everyone was talking about it and all the tv's were on. In English, we were in the library watching the news. I think I may have had a volleyball game or something that night too. Today eight years later I was driving in my car listening to the radio and different callers who were telling how it affected them. I'll be honest, I have a hard time getting emotional over an unknown third party tragedy, but today was different. I started thinking how blessed I am to have all my family alive and well. My husband works right down the road, so he's able to be with Ben and I so much. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I am so proud of my husband. He is the most helpful, loving man. I couldn't help but imagine, as I was trying to trigger some feelings for these people who woke up today without their husbands, my life without my good morning kiss, my personal [pasta] chef, my walking buddy, my laughing buddy, my BEST FRIEND.
Needless to say, it would hurt. And, so I say a prayer for those wives especially who lost their husbands in 9/11. Lord, give them courage today and wisdom in understanding that his death was a part of your perfect divinely inspired plan.

Thank you for your love, Will.

first time on the swing at the park in our neighborhood

check him out

Happy half birthday Ben!

My baby is 6 months today! For the occasion, mommy bought him a quilt to roll around and play on. After the weekend we had, I was so thankful that he had a good day today. On Sunday night we had to take Ben to the ER because he had thrown up 4 times in a two hour period and the on call physician said it would be a good idea to take him because there is a risk at this age to get dehydrated. We were greeted by a condescending nurse who apparently thought that us being there was a waste of time. We were there for over two hours and we learned nothing that we didn't already know. He drank some pedialite and they gave him some nausea medicine and we were on our way. We were very scared, but humbled with the fact that there are other families who pay weekly visits to the ER or Texas Children's. We were reminded to count our blessings. The past six months of mommy-hood have been extraordinary. I am a different person than I was before: a more selfless person. Ben's needs come before mine. To care for someone this much is a very rewarding thing.

Here are some pictures of Ben's first haircut. He was sitting in his Bebe pod playing with this toy. I have been wanting to do this for like a month. I just grabbed some scissors and committed to the idea. He was fairly still the whole time. I just trimmed up his neck and the sides. He looks so handsome!


fun in the high chair

like father, like son
love from auntie Al and sosa

priceless expression
discovered what bouncing is all about
mommy is so much fun to play with :)

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!