isn't it funny?

I was thinking the other day while showing homes with Deborah how coincidental and strange it is how people are connected. It amazes me that the places you shop, the food you like, the neighborhood you choose to live in, all can determine the people you are connected with, and potentially your future friends. I was thinking about my neighbors the other day after having stopped and talked to many of them on one of my daily walks with Ben. I just thought to myself how incredible it is for all these awesome people to be living within a one mile radius. It actually isn't fair to the rest of the population. I thought about it a little more, and realized that not everyone may agree that these are the perfect neighbors. We are all here because we like the neighborhood, location, jobs, schools, community, etc. These qualities brought us here and these qualities bind us. I love it!
And then I realized, I do not see my pediatrician, chiropractor, gynecologist, or dentist out and about. You know why? Because I do not run around in the same circles or go to the same places as these type of people. Their unique professions have taken them to other neighborhoods and grocery stores where assumably other doctors and dentist frequent. It's stereotyping I guess, but I like to think of it as a form of market research. I'll call it social research.

Here are some places I rendezvous around town:
For Grocery: HEB
For Pizza: Candelaris, Pepperoni's Delivery, Bolli Brothers
For Mexican: Lupe Tortilla, Escalantes, Berry Hill, Bob's Taco Station
For Shopping: Nordstrom, Katy Mills, but mostly internet
For Hair: De Vero Salon
For Massage/Facial: Spa at Cinco Ranch
For eyebrows: Sunny at Genesis Day Spa
For a workout: Lifetime
For a nice walk: South Lake Village
For my toddler: Little Gym, Stomping Grounds, Houston Swim Club
For a movie: Studio Movie Grill
For a date: Mockingbird Bistro
For a deal: Kohl's, Last Call
For a splurge: Whole Foods
For a cupcake: Ohh La La
For a coffee: Kosmos or Dunn Bros.
For toys: Learning Express
For something handmade: etsy.com
For Worship: Berachah Bible Church

For the kid, I prefer:
Pampers diapers
Enfamil formula
Earth's Best baby food
Dr. Brown's bottles

Speaking of the kid:
Ben took a half step on Thursday night while we were over at my grandparents house for dinner. He is able to stand up on his own for approximately 4.5 seconds, which is an eternity for a 10 month old. Today he took a couple steps from Will's arms to the couch! I am so proud.
Lately I have been working on Ben's little playroom and am also in the throws of planning his First Birthday Party. The theme is going to be the alphabet: B is for Ben. I am working on a special book recounting his first year, a birthday banner, and painted B letters for the party. That MAY be all I will be able to do from scratch. :)
For the playroom, I picked out this fabric. My grandmother and I are going to make some cute curtains and maybe some chair cushions with the fabric. I am so excited to be able to make something so special with her!

ben's first graduation

For the last four months, Bn and I have been going to the Little Gym in Katy for the Bugs class. It is so much fun for him and for me. During this time, Ben has gone from learning to sit up to now crawling, pulling up, and assisted walking. Not to mention whoop-dee-do's, crawling through tunnels, exploring the gym, bar raises. The second class we attended, we did an exercise called "pass the baby." Basically, you hand-off your child to 'strangers' who are probably a little nervous that they will be the one that makes your baby cry. Ben did NOT like this game in the beginning. He was one of four who cried. Well, I am happy to announce that today, as we wrapped up the semester and reviewed what we have learned and how the kiddos have progressed, Ben didn't cry. He may have not been thrilled by looking at some unfamiliar faces, but he didn't cry. He has surely progressed since we've started. I am so thankful for this time that we get to spend together. I am one proud mama today. :)

and here's my beach boy from our vacation to Cayman...

Our first Christmas with Ben Levi

On Christmas Eve, my sister in law, Elise, and I were talking about Christmas traditions and how we always wonder what traditions other families have. I love traditions. And I love them because they just happen. It's not the same to say, "we are going to start 'such and such' tradition." The way my family does Christmas is how we've always done it. I have never once celebrated the season with another family or gone somewhere else other than home. When I was little, I assumed that everyone did what our family does on Christmas. Naive, I know. In case you are curious, here is a little snippet of what I know as Christmas.
We always celebrate Christmas Eve with my maternal grandparents, Papa and Grandma (or Shriv as I often call them semi-jokingly). "Pre-Will" our family of five would go over to their house around 4:00, do a little meet and greet, dinner around 6:00, and the rest of the evening would be spent talking, eating dessert, and opening gifts. My two sisters and I could always expect to receive a pair of pajamas to wear on Christmas morning from grandma. My papa always makes an elaborate ordeal out of his gift giving. He will build it up for weeks. I don't know how many times I have heard, "this is the best present ever, you just wait!" I can just hear him now. He is such a joyful man. He loves giving, surprises, and being the life of the party. My grandmother never ceases to amaze with her homemade cheese ball (no one can touch to this recipe. guaranteed), sweet potatoes, turkey and gravy, pecan pie, pumpkin pie. All from scratch and all magically delicious. The food is always served hot, every nook and cranny of her home is decorated perfectly with Christmas. Even at 25, all the kids, myself included, open a stocking from Santa. When I think of Christmas Eve at Grandma's, I think of home, my childhood, and dreams coming true. When I was little, this is what Christmas Eve was. Now, I am so blessed to spend this time with my family AND celebrate with Will's family. There gathering is much larger than ours, but some how manages to wrap up faster. I think it is due to the organization in the kitchen. This year, we went to Will's mom's new house. It is so quaint and cozy. ALL the Herfort cousins come together. They are all around the same age, and they are all like best friends. It has been such a joy watching them grow up together. I have known the youngest, Logan since he was like 8, and now he's in college. Okay, wow...never thought of that. I'm old. One of the many things I love about this evening with Will's family is the spectacular cooking. And there is enough for everyone to go back for thirds. Will and his siblings draw stockings for one of the other siblings. This I'm pretty sure is Will's favorite expenditure because he has 100 dollars to spend on an 'extra' fun gift for a surprise recipient. The highlights for me this year were watching Ben discover his new toys, and watch Ella's reaction to getting her new Mustang convertible. Ann drove it down the entryway herself, and Ella's jaw dropped.
Christmas Day is always spent at my parents in the a.m. Before Ben, Will and i would roll out of bed, exchange our own gifts, and drive to my parents for breakfast in our pajamas. This year, we had to be all ready before we arrived at my parents because we had a full day of coming and going. For breakfast my mom makes an egg casserole that is to die for and a danish kringle sent from our family friends in CO. We drink coffee and talk about Jesus. My dad usually prepares a message/lesson before we open gifts. If you know Debbie Fash, you know that her favorite things in life are giving and her family. And when you combine those two with her favorite time of year, we have a recipe for a lot of packages. This is something she loves to do for us. Every year, I am reminded of the grace in my life. I am so undeserved of my eternal life, yet I have a relationship with a forgiving, graceful God. This love is demonstrated to me by my family on Christmas when we are given so much so undeservingly. This year, I did not know what I had opened until we got home and I had time to go through everything. Ben kinda had a rough morning with all the excitement, and I spent most of my energy trying to keep him happy. Later Christmas Day, we get together with my dad's side of the family. Huge group. On this side, we all chose a charity, and then draw names to see who you share your charity information with. It is neat to see where everyone's heart has been throughout the year. We also make it over to Will's dad's house Christmas Day to see them. They always have a very low key, relaxed, come and go sort of thing. It is so nice to go over there and just chill.
On Sunday, we go over to my dad's DAD's side of the family. Big gathering as well. This time is always the most untraditional and a bit awkward to be quite honest, or atleast it was when I was little. Now, it's a fun party,
One of my favorite traditions we have have the Sunday after Christmas is just girls. Usually it is my mom, sisters, and aunts. We meet after church to see a movie. This year it was It's Complicated. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Really warm and funny. Overall, we had such a great time seeing ALL the family. I am blessed to have everyone here, and although it may seem stressful coordinating all the gatherings, it is worth the time we get to be with each other.

Here are some of the few pictures I took. There are more floating around out there. Don't worry.

sally in her tinker bell costume. Deb, Donnie, Kris, and the kids came over to our house the Tuesday before for a little Christmas celebration and fine eating. :)

a few of my favorite people
polo baby

Will and I wore cheesy Christmas sweaters for our Christmas Eve functions, but forgot to take any funny pictures together.
A little mommy break
first gift of the night, a toolbox from uncle Lane
Will likes Christmas.
Ella opening her gift from Wheel and RaRa.
Christmas morning. Ben in his union suit.
Ben crawling through his cool activity door from Gramps.
loves his John Deere tractor from uncle Logan!
the cutest boy in the world!

dear ben,
The last 10 days, you have been moving! It's been a long journey, but you finally learned to crawl on your knees. You have been so patient with this. We can see on your face how proud you are. If you see something you want, you focus in on it and you're off. You like to climb up on the coffee table, the couch, the entertainment center. Which brings me to my next point...you are responding to "NO" very well too. We don't have to say NO very much. Usually it's when you're about to put one of Georgi's toys in your mouth. I feel sorry for the dogs because all your toys look like theirs or squeak or make fun sounds. How could a pup resist? And you seem to be most interested in playing with their toys. You have also learned that it is more fun to throw your food on the floor and watch the dogs eat it than eating it yourself. Chloe has suddenly taken an interest in your eating habits.
I wonder why? Your favorite is still bath time, although now we take it to a whole new level. With mommy as your sidekick, we play with our sticky letters that go "SPLAT", our ducky friend makes "bubbles, bubbles, bubbles, and then water water everywhere", and you laugh when Chloe jumps up and licks the side of the tub.
You are my sweetest little friend.

I am so excited for you to experience your first Christmas. It's so funny, our Christmas tree doesn't have a ton of ornaments, but out of the few we do have most of them say "Baby's First Christmas." This holiday season will no doubt be so special with our first baby. Our new family. This year we are giving you a cell phone, car keys, bath toys, and a pull up play station thingy. And you have a lot more coming once we get to grandma's house.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Enjoy a little video of my crawler boy:

growing pains

Today I am exhausted.
My sweet 9 month (tomorrow) babe is teething his top front teeth AND learning how to pull up, crawl, and guided walk. Whoosh. The last few days, he has been a totally different baby. Our "perfect" routine of going to bed around 8:00 and waking up at 8:00 is out the window (for now, knock on wood).
Last night we gave him his usual night bottle at the usual night time, and let him play and wear himself out until he showed signs of tiredness. The tiredness came around 9:30. We put him in his bed. Waited. Tick Tock. Nope. I mean, screaming crying. We took him out of his bed. I KNOW...this is a problem, but what do you do? We let him play more and ended up giving him another bottle at 10:30. My question would be, was he really hungry? Cause he was sucking it down as if he didn't eat all day. Do teething babies gain an appetite? And before I tried to put him down again, I wanted to exhaust my options. At 11:00, we put him back down. Again, screaming. Poor guy. Not five minutes later, he throws up in his bed from crying so much. Awesome. By 11:30, we're in the car, and we don't even get out of the neighborhood, and he's out. He woke up again at 3:00 am with me for yet another bottle, some tylenol, and a LONG walk around the house until he fell asleep in my arms and I laid him in his bed. He woke up this morning at 10:30. Needless to say, we're off schedule, and I don't know what to do. I welcome any advice.

The good thing is I love mothering. This is my job right now and I think I do it pretty well. I feel like these trials as of late have led me to reevaluate my time and priorities, and have made me and Will be on our knees before the Lord.

After our rough night, I couldn't wait to see Ben's shining face when he woke up this morning.

white christmas?

There are a lot of things I love about today. Will took a sick day today because his head was hurting, but it turned out to be the best day he could have chosen.

Because IT SNOWED. We went over to my grandparents house where the snow was covering the ground. She made open faced grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup---a cold weather tradition at the Shrivers'--- We even got a little pre-Christmas homemade pecan pie. I love pop-in's at my grandma's..She always has some kind of yummy treat waiting for her guests. I need to write a blog just about her; she is an inspiration. I am so thankful we went over there to spend this snowy day.

It snowed in Katy as well, but not near as much. It was magical. Every street we turned down, I found myself saying, "ooh look at the snow..i love this day." Even the slums of Rosenberg (where we went to get WIill's title for his car) looked a little more inviting with white roofs.

my parents' house 10 minutes down the road

our humble abode got a little too

Have a Merry day, friends!

in the last two weeks...

i can pull myself up in my crib

crawl...sort of. looks more like a wounded soldier

play outside

swing on my new swing that daddy was so kind to set up
and giggle all the way home