Gettin' Nothin' for Christmas?

Our very exciting trip to the local RC Willey ended with Benson having his first Santa encounter. It went exactly as I anticipated. See photos. The following day I got 3 seconds of video of the very same reaction. Only it was a different Santa, and he received a gift. A light up ambulance with sirens. How can a little guy be sad about that?

Oh well, at least he has a good sense of "stranger danger."

Doesn't that face just say "Merry Christmas to all!?" Well, more like "Mom, please save me!"

no such thing as nothing

I haven't written in SO long. It's not that my life is boring (as it has been here and there in my past), it's because it's so full! Benson is crawling, this makes life VERY exciting. I have been decorating for Christmas and trying to keep up with an increasingly more difficult job. The Young Women also keep me on my toes with activities and events and lessons.

Mitch, Benson and I recently spent some time with great friends in Island Park. It was a wonderful and relaxing time. Actually it was the most relaxing vacation I've been on ever. There is something so wonderful about having nothing pressing to do.

Thanksgiving was perfectly uneventful. Well, except for when Mitch's grandmother was lost. She'd forgotten where she was supposed to be for dinner and ended up at another relative's house. This was the day that Benson officially learned to crawl.

This time of year has been so fun for me because Santa is once again real, only this time I am Santa. I found myself awake at 4:30 on Black Friday to wait in a long line for a $9.99 Little People 50th Anniversary Farm. I just know that Benson is DYING for that little cow and tractor. As I waiting in line (a really long line. . .alone), I realized that kids really are the cause of their parents craziness.

THIS is a good crazy. One I hope to enjoy for much longer. I love all of you that put up with me and support me and give me therapy through being my friend and confidant. Merry Christmas and thank you.

These are going to be my Christmas Cards. At least, they will be if I get around to having them printed, get them addressed and actually mailed. Here's to hoping. . .

My little monkey

Benson's first Halloween was great. Nothing exceptional or out of the ordinary, just fun. He was a monkey and the cutest monkey I've ever seen. He paraded around Syracuse High School with the daycare kids. He didn't make it past my classroom though, because (bless his heart) he likes his mom more than he likes collecting candy. I'm sure that will never change. He visited Grandma Beth's house, then helped to pass out candy to the neighborhood spooks, then visited the Young family. Sad for the Young's though because by that time, the only scary thing going on was his attitude. The pink shades are part of Aunt Shanna's costume, but he thought they were awesome.

Aunt Shanna

To all who know her. . .I'm sure you are aware Shanna (my sister) is awesome! She is an extremely skilled person in many areas. Her photography is amazing and she's never even had any formal training. I made the following scrapbook page in honor of her and to show off her skills! She's also fantastic at home decor, child care (loving Benson), being a darling sister, and she's just about to graduate from Marinello beauty College! But, I love her most because she loves my boy and is SO sweet to him. Benson thinks she's pretty cool too! So check out a sampling of her talent and leave a comment if you'd be interested in partaking of any of her amazing talents.

PS. Shanna, I hope you don't mind me posting all of this information!

LOTOJA

This is WAY late, but still just as exciting. . .
Mitchell rode and rode all day long on September 12th. He rode into the finish line at 11 hours, 23 minutes (44 seconds if we are to be precise.) Every feed zone he would tell us that he was feeling good. The only negative thing I heard the entire day was that he couldn't possibly eat any more of his liquid nutrition. I secretly had hoped that he wouldn't have had such a great time, knowing that he's likely going to want to do it again. I know how he feels though, marathons are so addicting, I can't imagine LOTOJA being much less of a high.

Here are the pages that I made from that long, long day:

Vacation Convert

Many of you know that I have a less than positive attitude about vacations. You may have heard me say a time or two "It's just SO expensive and when you come home all you have is pictures. I would rather spend money on something that will last longer than a week." Well, I'm singing a little different tune. I still think that vacations are outrageously expensive, but I am seeing the value in vacationing.

We recently returned from Seattle and I really enjoyed myself. This is what changed my perspective:

1. Walking busy city streets
2. Police on horses
3. Shopping
4. Hole in the wall eateries
5. Relaxing in the hotel with my family
6. Kind hotel employees
   
7. Garmin GPS
8. Riding the fairy to an island
9. A nice couple with their baby at Jimmy Johns
10. Pikes Market
11. Walking the busy market
12. Performers outside the 1st Starbucks
13. A cute deaf family at the car rental place
14. A row of old men smoking on the street
15. Patient husband (while I shopped)
16. A whole package of Oreos
17. The Space Needle (mostly the gift shop)
18. Hot pink hair and too many tatoos (none on us!)
19. Valet Parking
20. Walking busy city streets

It was a very fun time. Thanks to Mitch for all of his amazing planning and for agreeing to go city this time rather than tropical!

I'm Adopting

Don't stress out Mitch! READ ON. . .

I came across this in a lesson that I taught a while back and it's been sitting on my dresser for months. I decided that I'm going to adopt it as my personal motto.

What is success?
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

Thank you Ralph Waldo Emerson!
Sincerely, Amy

Benson's Scrapbook-I finally learned how

For Benson's Grandma

Benson's Grandma wanted me to post my scrapbook pages and since I haven't yet take the time to figure out how to do a slide show, here they are one after the other. I really just need to go and get them printed out and hand them to her.

Can't Say Enough

I have felt overwhelmed with gratitude lately and I want to share with everyone! I have had some experiences lately that have helped me to realize that you can't take life too seriously and you can't take it for granted either.

I am surrounded by wonderful and amazing people, my family, friends and neighbors! So many of them don't know how incredible they are and put themselves down. Some of the people I love don't know how much they influence my life for the better. If you are reading this and doubting your worth, stop. Please know that you mean the world to someone. Be willing to look at yourself positively and see the good you do.

I also want to suggest that selfishness and jealousy are poisonous. They only bring out ugliness and pride. I wish we could end this.

Take life for what it is: a happy time to share with those you love.

Squealing Summer

Well, my summer has officially began. Benson and I have had some fun days and taken a few naps. He has started this hilarious happy squeal that at times is ear piercing. We wonder how he doesn't have a sore throat! He is also can recognize his name now. Smart boy!
Benson has been patient with my new hobby of digital scrapbooking. He sits and swings next to me. I'm still not great at it, but it is very fun. I've had at least 3 requests to post more of my pages so here they are.

Until next post I'll be hanging out with my boys. . .Aren't they both so super handsome!?!?!?!? This was Mitch's First Father's Day. I can't believe we are REALLY parents. It's the most fun difficult thing ever.


My sister and I had some fun when we found some old Easter Egg Kit Tattoos. I had one that matched Benson. His looked better though.

No comment on this one. It speaks for itself.

Delayed

Yes, it should be time for summer break. Unfortunately, my summer has been delayed. I have one more week until I get to sleep in and play all day with my 15 pound best friend.

I've done a couple more pages of Benson in my [VERY little] spare time. It's usually late at night when he's in bed.Mitch and I have also started to speed read the BOM (at night) as a goal with the YW's. 90 days to read it all! I will sleep. . .later.

My Attempt at Digital Scrapbooking

Here are my first few pages that I have tried. Of course they are all of Benson. He's just growing so fast that I know I need to document some of it.

Daddy (Mitch) Rocks!

I just wanted to say a public "THANKS" to Mitch! He has worked long and hard to make our home better. Check out the flowers and bushes he planted! He is great and does much more for us than just yard work. So Mitch, here is a BIG thank you and we love you!!!

LOVE,
Amy and Benson

PS. Benson and I share a similar amount of enthusiasm for yard work. (See picture to the right)

Sitting and Spitting

Benson is growing so much and so fast! He's got some new tricks. The first one is him sitting, not on his own, but that is becoming his preferred position. He'll stick his elbows back and push his head forward trying to sit up. The funniest part is the labored look on his face. We have been playing a little game where I help him into the sitting position and give him a horsey ride on my leg while holding his hands. (We've even been seen in the office of Syracuse High School playing on the floor. No shame, none at all.) He loves it so I of course love it too.

Benson is learning that if he reaches his hand out when he sees me he can also feel me. It's so dang cute. This means that he can also reach out and hit his toys and play.

Then the spitting. This isn't the spit-up spitting. This is raspberries and slobber spitting. He's showered my face several times and seems to get a thrill doing it. He's growing so fast and learning so much. Being a mom is more fun than I imagined!

Benson visits the Chiropractor

If you can't tell, I'm definitely back in school. I haven't posted for so long. It's hard to get around to the fun stuff when work is hanging over my head. But, enough complaining. . .

A few weeks ago Benson went to visit the kind people at the Health and Wellness Clinic. My mom has worked there for years and wanted to have them all meet little Benson. When we were there they asked if he's a good baby. I told them that he's PERFECT, except for a little spit up problem. They suggested that he get an adjustment, so after some deliberation I agreed. Benson didn't fuss or anything during or after the adjustment which consisted of just a little tap from a hand held triggery thingy (that's the technical term I'm sure.)

Immediately after Benson spit up. Dr. Hendricks said that it's actually a good sign. A little later that night Benson had his first major blowout. He also was burping on his own. The spiting up lessened. He even SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT. I took him back only days later for a follow up and the same things happened: immediate spit up, burping, and lots of pooping (this time he pooped in Dr. Hendricks office for all to hear!) He again SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT.

Benson went in for a total of 6 visits. While I was somewhat skeptical and others were completely non-believers I must say that it worked! He was taking medication for it, but the chiropractor helped much more. There was a noticeable difference after the first visit. He still spits up some, but not nearly as much and not nearly as often. He now SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT 5-6 nights a week!

I recommend just trying it for almost any ailment. The chiropractor has worked for me, and now it's worked (amazingly well) for Benson! Everyone is SLEEPING much better now. Thanks Dr. Hendricks and Health and Wellness Clinic.

Call them at 544-4333. They are on Main Street and Gordon in Layton across from Krispy Kreams.

Spring Blessing, I mean BREAK

I couldn't have timed it better! How great to have Spring Break after only a couple weeks of work. It's given me needed rest and some very special times with my little Benson. He is becoming so much more aware and so expressive! I used to have to work to get a smile out of him and now he gives them out just for looking at him.

Benson has been trying so hard to get his thumb. He will try for hours but he keeps it tucked in like he is doing the letter "T" in sign language. Another big even was the night that Benson slept through the night. When my alarm woke me up, I ran in to his room and immediately touched his face to make sure he was still alive. I totally startled him and he gave me a dirty look like "geez mom, give me a break!" His spitting is getting better with the medicine that the doctor gave him. This comes as a major relief to Mitch. Although, last night the unthinkable happened, Benson spit up on his biking clothes. Mitch stated "I'm done with it (the spitting up)" handed the baby over to me and immediately went to wash his biking gear. It's funny to me that it still freaks him out so much, but I know that he's only been spit up on a handful of times, not hundreds of times.

How grateful I am for my awesome little family. Mitch couldn't be more wonderful! He is patient with me and my drained, grouchy self. He motivates me to be better and compliments me on my progress in my new mothering skills. He is much more than I give him credit for and I want the world to know that I know he is more than I deserve! (Just don't get any ideas, I'm still keeping him even if I don't deserve him!) Thank you Mitch!

Back at school

I'm at school right now writing this blog post. I wish I was with my baby!

I know this is random, but I am showing an awesome student how to blog. It's basically a lesson on technology and how to use it for a leisure activity! I DO wish I could be with my baby 100% of the time though. Spring break is coming soon. . .

More Photos

I told some of you that I would post more of the pictures taken by AK Studios. So, here they are! Enjoy and feel free to comment on how gosh darn cute he is! It helps me to maintain sanity during the late nights. (Yes, still. From what I hear it goes on for months and months.)