Blessed Life

I'm not sure if it's possible to feel so blessed, yet overwhelmed at the same time. I am completely obsessed with my gorgeous little boys, while also feeling that maybe I've taken on more than I can handle. I'd like to think that I'm a capable person, but just being home with two small boys at all times pushes me to my limit. That being said, most nights I lie awake asking God to let me keep these children forever. I am currently reading a book based on World War II, which often reminds me of the luxery I currently live in. It is a quick reminder of the blessings in my life when I feel that maybe my life in unfairly hard (which I'm embarrassed to say is an everyday thought). Here are a few pictures on the cutest boys and some of their happenings: Collin: - He is such a sweet baby and is constantly smiling and babbling at whoever is holding him. - Collin LOVES his big brother and can't stop staring at him whenever he is within eyesight. - He has starting playing with little toys including a ball rattle and a giraffe. - Within the past week he has started rolling onto his side. - He screams like someone is torchering him whenever he's forced to do tummy time (which makes me cringe so tummy time usually only lasts about five minute). - He started sleeping through the night (meaning until around 5:30am) at seven weeks. He started making it to 7:30am, and then back tracked the past few weeks to 4:30am. I shouldn't complain, but it's killing me! - He loves to be held, but also lets you know when he wants to be put down. Blaine: - He is such a character. I am constantly laughing at the words that come out of his mouth. - The other day I tried on a skirt that I got from Target and Blaine walks in and says, "Mom, you a princess?". Yes, I am. - He follows me everywhere. I had a rough morning with him yesterday and he kept telling me he wanted his daddy. I left him to eat lunch and went to feed Collin. The next thing I knew he was right behind me, telling me he wanted to sit with me. I can't ever get in the shower without him following me and playing right outside the shower door the entire time (usually with my make-up). - Blaine's favorite words are "what you doin' Mom?". That is exactly what he says all day long as he's following me around. I can be doing the exact same thing and he'll still ask me four different times. - He likes to play the guitar just like his Daddy and asks me to sing while he plays. - When we put him down for his nap (yes, he still takes three hour naps whether he wants to or not) or bedtime, he makes us go get him water (even if he already has it) so he can hide under his blanket. When we come back, we have to ask where he is and wait for him to pop out. - He loves Collin and is constantly getting in him face and petting him. - He tells on people all the time. Whenever I kiss him (he doesn't let me kiss him unless I ask and he approves at the moment), he runs to his dads and tells on me. - He just turned three last Thursday. When I asked him how old he was going to be, he said, "four". I said how about three? He said, "No, I want to be four!". Whatever, he looks four anyways... - I was teasing him the other day and told him that I loved his little bum. Then I said, "you have a huge bum". He replied, "no Mom, YOU have a huge bum". Thanks... - He's very protective of our family and little Collin. We went with my sister and her family to Souplantation without Ben. My sister came to get Collin while we were in line to help me out and Blaine would not let her have him. He threw a huge fit and put one hand on the stroller and the other on my arm. - Blaine likes to pretend that he is a cat. He goes around saying, "meow". Then when you ask him a question or he wants to say something, it sounds like this: "meow goodnight meow meow" or "meow uh-huh meow". And for the Gus lovers: Poor animal gets completely abused and neglected, and seems to understand that he is on the bottom of the totem pole. Blaine continuously harrasses him. But we still love him.

Collin

Our family has officially switched from four members (I'm including Gus regardless of others opinions) to five. Collin Benjamin was born on February 18th at 8:39pm, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches (almost the exact same as Blaine except that Blaine was 21 inches long). I was induced at 8:30am, but this child decided he was too comfy and didn't want to budge. The doctor broke my water at 4pm, and I was dialated to a 7 at 7:30. At that point everything went fast, and Collin was here. To me, he looks exactly like Blaine did and even has some of the same mannerisms. However, he's way easier! I'm not sure if that's because I knew what I was getting into this time (the constant feedings and sleep deprivation), or if he's just an easier baby. He's so much fun and Blaine LOVES him. I catch Blaine lying next to him all the time, putting his face in Collin's and patting his head. I'll ask Blaine to do something, and he'll tell me, "no, I'm looking at baby". Blaine likes to watch him eat, and then tells me, "I want to eat". I'll ask him what he wants to eat and he points to my other boob. Haha! I've been trying to tell him that he won't like that, but so far he hasn't given it up. When I burp Collin, Blaine gets really upset and says, "don't spank him mom!". It's so cute to watch Blaine with Collin. There is a little bit of jealousy (mainly with blankets and being swaddled), but for the most part Blaine is so good with him. When Collin is crying, he tells me to hold him. Juggling two kids hasn't been as hard as I originally thought, but I feel really bad for Blaine because I feel like he's stuck inside with Collin and I all the time. Luckily this isn't actually the case since I have so much family around to help. Here's some pictures:









And now a few funny things from Blaine:
- We were trying to teach Blaine that he was getting a brother soon, so we would thank Heavenly Father for our brother in our prayers. He obviously didn't get the concept and started adding brother onto every phrase: "thank you for grandma brother, and for Carly brother" etc. Then one night he started added colors into the phrases: "thank you for carly pink brother". Ben and I started cracking up in the middle of the prayer when he randomly said "thank you for daddy's black brother". Haha! Apparently Ben has a brother I didn't know about...
- He mimiks everything we say and lately he's been saying, "I don't belize it" (I don't believe it).
- He insists every night that he needs to watch idol (American Idol).
- He has already become a master manipulator. When it's time for nap time or bed, there are always five hundred things he has to do first including: eat lunch, get water, get his toys, give dadda a kiss, etc.

LIfe has become that much harder and that much more fun with these two little guys. But I wouldn't change a thing.

Ready for the New Year!!

So I go on my blog quite often, not to update but to see who else has updated. Each time I promise that "next time" I will update. It's difficult for me to admit that I never actually have the intention of updating (I hate when people don't do what they say they're going to). Lately I've listened to others talk about using their blogs as scrapbooks or journals to account for their family's history. When it comes to my family's history, I'm a complete failure. I don't scrapbook anymore, I don't journal, and I always forget to take pictures. I'd like to justify my actions by letting everyone know that my time is taken up by much more valuable things, such as researching just how much arsenic is in the apple juice my child is drinking and trying to save money from the krazy coupon lady blog. However, in the long run I'm not sure which is most important, but maybe I should find a way to fit in both (disclaimer: I might change my mind in a month when I add another family member). So here's our family update for now:

- We are currently on day five of potty training. Blaine is doing amazing (I think. I have no experience to compare it to) and is now constantly sporting Lightening McQueen undies. We're pretty sure he's working the system though since he seems to eek out only a little at a time in order to receive m&ms every five minutes. Potty training may seem to be working but his healthy diet has taken a turn for the worse.

- Blaine acknowledged that there is a baby in my stomach for the first time the other day. This doesn't mean he even a little bit understands that this baby is going to come out and be his brother and steal half our attention.

- Blaine likes to say his prayers with us. We start him out, and then he lists all the things he is thankful for. This usually includes the entire cast of Disney Cars, dada's truck, the BIG tires, the BIG ball, the little ball, and usually some assortment of family members.

- He likes to sing primary songs before bed, and lately has started singing along with us. I'm always shocked at how many of the words he remembers. He pretty much knows the entire song (not saying he know the exact words, but something that sounds like them) of "I hope they call me on a mission", "I am a child of God", "Heleman's Army". and "I have a family here on earth". It's so cute to hear him sing it.

- Someone taught him how to say "stupid". Nothing makes Ben and I more angry than when he repeatedly says "stupid". I keep telling him that's a caca word and it makes people cry, but he doesn't seem to listen to me.

- He blames everything on someone else. It's usually "Tyler did it", or "Gus did it", regardless of whether they are anywhere in the vicinity.

- He's very particular about what Ben and I are doing. Sometimes he comes over and says "what doing?". But most of the time, he's bossing us around. He says, "no mom, sit down", or "come on dad" and grabs his hand to lead him somewhere.

A few pictures to enjoy:












And here's a quick family update for those interested in the rest of us...

- Gus has been spending his time lounging around the house, only showing excited if someone comes to visit or he thinks we're taking him on a walk (which is becoming less and less these days).

- Gus' best friend, Cooper, graces us with his presence every once in a while in order to properly chew up the plants in the backyard and wear out Gus for the next 24 hours.

- Baby Mack #2 is due February 25th. So close, but not close enough...

-Still no name for Baby Mack #2. We're thinking we'll follow in Blaine's footsteps and name him when he's a week old. Maybe then we'll agree...

- I (Jessica) am working on-call as a counselor at a crisis house (averaging about one day a week). Otherwise working full-time as a potty trainer and mom.

- Ben is working on setting up an ipod repair business that continues to grow. He also sales alarm systems in his free time.

And because I struggle, I never actually sent out these cute Christmas cards: Designed by my sister, Natalie. Pictures taken by my cousin, Shad.

Two Boys!! (Or four if Ben and Gus count)

I know this post is boring with no pictures, but I feel like I'm in panic mode to get some things down in writing about my little boy before he grows up! A little update on me: I'm five and a half months pregnant with another boy! We're so excited! I've been working the past few months at an adult crisis house, which I love, and keeps me super busy. Ben has been working from home, which has been nice (most of the time) and he's been able to watch Blaine when I work. Anyways, Blaine news:

- Blaine has somehow come up with the phrase "Oh my gosh!" (I don't think this is a common phrase in our household but maybe I'm wrong) and says it all the time. He says it when he sees a tractor, or anything cool. We went to the pumpkin patch last night and he saw the bounce houses while we were still driving. He started yelling, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!", to which I was trying to quiet him since Ben was on the phone.

- He likes to call people crazy. The other day in church we were sitting by Carissa and her family, and they did something to which Blaine cried, "Cweesa and Brandon CRAZY!". Haha!

- When we come in to get him from his nap or in the morning, he immediately yells, "Good Morning!".

- We were trying to talk to him about going to the bathroom, specifically pooping. So I was letting him know that everyone poops. I started naming off that dada poops, mama poops... He began to help me by naming off everyone he could think of and saying that they poop: Grandpa poops, Cweesa poops, Gus poops, etc.

- He calls his Grandma Belnap, "Tim". We're not sure where he got this from but we can't get him to change his mind. Grandpa counts as Grandma and Grandpa, and Grandma is Tim.

- He thinks every slightly sad face is crying. He looks at it and goes, "crying?".

- Ben got him a cowboy hat from Lake Powell that he insists on wearing everywhere, even to restaurants. If I forget his hat, I have to turn around and come back for to avoid a complete meltdown. We actually lost the original hat on the plane on the way back from Seattle, so we had to quickly get him a new one.

- He brings his toys everywhere. If I tell him he can bring one, he keeps saying "one more" and gets about ten toys (usually cars) and stuffs them in my purse.

- He thinks any drink in a cup with a straw is a Coke or Diet Coke. So he's constantly asking me for a Coke. I feel really embarrassed when he asks me in public places, and I want to explain to people that I do not give my two year old Coke.

- He names off all the cars from Disney's Cars. When he names Dinico, he calls it Diet Coke.

- He makes us sing him songs before bed or his nap. He keeps naming them to see how many he can get us to sing. His favorites are: Comission (I hope they call me on a mission), howmuch (How much is that doggy in the window), they're so good to me (Families can be together forever), and born (We have been born as Nephi of old...).

There's more but that's all for now!!

2 Years Old!

We celebrated Blaine's 2nd birthday for a month straight (or at least it felt like it). I insisted on throwing an extreme Cars birthday party (bounce house included), which ended up being a little too much for my overwhelmed two-year old. Lesson learned: Two- year olds are scared of bounce houses. At least some of the other kids enjoyed the large attraction, including myself.


We got Blaine a big wheel. Too bad his feet don't reach the peddles...



Carissa and her professional Cars cake.




Blaine sneaking extra bites of the birthday cake.


During Blaine's actual birthday (May 31st), we were in Newport with Ben's family for the week. Britta and Amanda threw an amazing plane party, cupcakes and banner included.

Five Years

Today Ben and I are celebrating our five year anniversary. I must admit that in the beginning I never thought we would survive to the five year mark. Placing two type A personalities together can be volatile, but we made it. And life is better than ever (at least now that Ben's law school finals are over). April 15th (our actual anniversary) was bipassed due to overwhelming stress and nerves on both our parts, and was replaced with today. So here's to five years, and maybe five more...just kidding!

Blaine's happenings:

- Easter was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house where we had a big dinner and easter egg hunt. It took Blaine a while to catch onto finding the eggs, but once he did he spent his time throwing them against the retaining wall.

- The other day I took Blaine to the park, and we brought his Toy Story ball to play with. There was another mom there with her son and a ball as well. Blaine spent his time following the mom around saying "varoom, varoom". I had to explain that apparently her Cars ball was cooler than our Toy Story ball.

- Blaine is pretty good at sharing when I ask him to. But once in a while, he has something he really wants (like candy), and it's really hard to share. I'll ask him for a piece, and he'll reach out his hand and almost put the candy in my mouth, only to change his mind and stuff it into his own mouth. While eating the candy from the easter eggs, I asked him for a piece, at which time he quickly found all the pieces lying around and stuffed them into his mouth all at once so I couldn't have any. I guess we'll have to work on that.