Ben 9 month stats

Weight: 22lb 7.8oz (79%)
Height: 29" (75%)
Head circumference: 46.4cm (80%)

To compare, Abi's 9 month stats- (the percentiles are different because of male/female)
Weight: 22lb 13oz (97%)
Height: 28.6" (97%)
Head circumference: ??? (couldn't find)

Ben and Abi are very similar in height and weight at age 9 months, they were very similar at 6 months too, and well, they were both 8lbs 6oz at birth :)  They are little clones of each other, I think they even look quite a bit alike. Ben only had to get one shot today and the sweet little guy didn't even cry. I just realized that Ben has been thriving outside my body for as long as he was developing inside-werid.

Abi dog

Not only does my daughter like to have me tell her to sit and stay on the dog bed while I pretend to feed her in the dog dish, I turned around yesterday while feeding Ben to see this-LOL!

 Abi likes to line up her toys all over the house everyday, see example below......

Yesterday I looked over and Ben was laying on top of this doll with it's whole face in his mouth. It made me crack up and I ran to get the camera. This is the best picture I got but it looked like he was having a make out session with this poor doll. Between this and always grabbing for his junk he is such a boy!!!! It is possible that the doll was leading him on, after all she is naked :)

"Vacationing" with kids

If you can call it "vacationing". This makes me laugh, I'm sure most parents can relate-

“Well I’ll tell you something. This is no longer a vacation. It’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun. I’m gonna have fun.  You’re gonna have fun. We’re all gonna have so much f__ing fun we’ll need plastic surgery to remove our goddamn smiles. You’ll be whistling ‘Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah’ out of your a__holes!” ~Clark W. Griswold from “Vacation”

Dear Abi and Ben,

I pray you will grow up to be happy well balanced individuals. I hope you will have compassion for others and enough self esteem to not let others walk all over you. I hope you are intelligent and successful but never snooty. I hope you love deeply and have sorrows, for it builds character. I hope you can celebrate your victories, admit when you are wrong, and most importantly have humility. I hope you cherish your family, have passion for your spouse, and know the love of holding a newborn baby. I hope we can give you the tools you need to be great. I pray god grants you the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, courage to change the things you can, and wisdom to know the difference.

Love you always, Mom

 Good morning, it's breakfast time!

Abi wanted me to take a picture of her owl tank.

On the move, Lindsay's shower

My sweet little mister is crawling, backwards that is. So it is only a matter of time before he takes off. Yesterday was his 9 month b-day and he has his 9-month check up Weds. I can't wait to see how much he weighs, I'm guessing he'll be in the 90th percentile for height and weight just like sister.

So happy Lindsay could come over so that I could have a bridal shower for her. We had a good time and she looks absolutely radiant and beautiful!

Happiness times two

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

This little guy is getting so close to crawling.

On a completely unrelated note, over the weekend I attempted to do 'the worm' (the dance move that is) and I am finally recovering from being sore in places I didn't know I could be sore! Move over Pilate's and yoga, seriously just try doing the worm it a full body workout (or the hot worm-LOL). Brad says some people are just born to worm and now I know I am not one of them :)

Flower girl

Here is my little princess in her flower girl dress. Will she let anyone take her picture? Will she make it down the asile? Will she speak one word to anyone at the wedding? Probably not but she looks darn cute anyway!!!!

Maggie Mae

Maggie Mae Samuelson turns 6 years old this month (we think) that is 48 in dog years! We don't know her birthday since we adopted her from the shelter but at the time they guessed she was about 6 months old. She is a mutt but mostly lab. She won the parent lottery when we brought her home, she was sick with kennel cough, and one unruly pup. She has turned out to be a pretty good dog and Abi's best friend. Her beak is getting grey and she is slowing down, but she is still at the prime of her life. Maggie is also a hero..... A few years back our neighbors electrical box blew up in the middle of the night and their house caught on fire, it knocked all the power out on our street. Brad and I were sound asleep when Maggie leaped over the baby gate and jumped on our bed. The exploding of the electrical box scared her to death and she jumped the gate to find us and hide. I ignored her but Brad woke up enough to see a glow coming in our bed room window. He looked over at his clock and our power was out so he got up and looked out the window to see the side of our neighbors house on fire! He woke me up and called 911 as he was running over to wake them up. I went outside and started yelling at our neighbor to get out. Our neighbor is an older man that lives alone and he did get out with only smoke inhalation but the fire fighters said he barely got out in time.

     Ohhhh, look at that grey beak, a face only a mother could love

By popular demand

I made this salad for a BBQ over the weekend and everyone keeps asking for the recipe so here goes. I am a chronic non-measurer when it comes to making salads so I apologize for the guesstimating.

Tex-Mex Pasta salad:
1 box whole wheat rotini pasta
2 cans corn (drained)
2 cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 sweet onion (diced)
cherry tomatoes (chopped)
Southwest Ranch dressing (Fred Meyer brand, low fat)-about half the bottle (maybe more?)
regular Ranch dressing-a generous squirt or two

(I think adding sliced black olives, cubes of cheddar cheese, or cilantro would be good too)

We had a lovely weekend with friends and family and a great Father's Day! It was so nice to have a weekend off work and actually be home! There is just never enough time a day to love my kids and get everything done on my list. Well, that's OK someday they'll be all grown up and I have to love them why I can still catch them and hold them down to give um kisses. Which makes me wonder, why do I keep torturing myself by reading the Bissing's family blog 'Three times the fun' that I posted a link to a while back? It makes me so sad and brings me to tears (Brad found me crying in front of the computer last night) but I keep going back because I just can't stand the thought of forgetting about Owen, the triplet that passed. I know children pass everyday and mothers learn to cope but I hope by the family knowing how many people are reading their blog and spreading word about their son that I am helping them grieve. I hope to have Owen's memory live on in my family by holding everyone a little closer and giving the kiddos a little extra lovin-even as my list gets longer and someday I'll have time to workout :)

We went to a family wedding this weekend and Abi is so shy she wouldn't talk to anyone. At times I soooo wish my daughter wasn't so shy so everyone could see how silly and funny she is. But for now I'll just have to keep my precious goofy days with her all to myself (and Brad and the grandparents) which really isn't so bad. After she starts preschool next year I have feeling her personality will change.

Ben got another tooth this weekend! The first night I have ever spent away from him and he decides to get a tooth, the nerve :) He has his two bottom teeth already and now he has a top tooth but not a front one it's the one next to it so he is officially a snaggletooth-LOL!

 I should have gotten a picture of Ben before his blowout, luckily I brought some extra sweat pants :)

Happy Daddy's Day

Oh, (sigh) basking in this rare time when everyone is sleeping and I have a minute to myself to reflect on the day. Abi had her last swim lesson of this session today, and she got her first report card! Overall she did pretty well and graduated into the next level up 'puddle jumpers'. She will go underwater, which is a big step for her, although I won't say she's totally comfortable with it yet. We also went to park today and played outside in yard so my little girl (that doesn't nap) has got to be exhausted.

I've got to say Happy Daddy's Day to my wonderful husband! Brad and I met when I was 20 years old (back in day before I had a cell phone or digital camera) and he was 21. Now it is 10 years later, we are married and have two kids and he is the bestest daddy ever. He adores Abi and Ben and I know there is nothing he wouldn't do for us. He works so hard, up at the crack to work all day and then by himself with kids all night when I am at work, not to mention everything he does around the house, working out, and studying to get certified. Did I mention he cooks and grocery shops-and he is taken so don't even think about it!!! :) Abi absolutely adores her daddy, she is going to have him wrapped around her little finger no doubt about that. I love that Ben is so much like Brad, sweet and simple, happy and easy going. Together we make one happy little family and I wouldn't have it all with you-love you honey!

Happy Father's Day to our dad's! They are super hard working guys and gave us so much growing up. We wouldn't be who we are today without you :)

 One of the oldest pictures I could find of us on the computer-I think from 2005? Maggie was a pup and I love our teal leather couch

Last day of swim, so sad this picture came out blurry-they are too cute

 I could not live without this little face, I just want to kiss it all over

 ??????? -We saw this at the pet store in Mill Creek town center because Abi wanted to look at the cats.

Working momma

At times I hate going to work, although I like my work, because it breaks my heart a little knowing Brad and the kiddos are at home and I want to be with them. On the other hand, aahhhhhh, I get a minute to myself and I can sit down! The other great thing about work are the very large west facing windows that let me bask in the evening sun (when there is sun that is) and watch the sunset, but still doesn't hold a candle to tucking the kids into bed and giving them a kiss goodnight. Yesterday Abi said "Do you have to work today", I said yes, she said "why? to make monnay?" LOL

Watch me, Watch Me, WATCH ME!!!

Abi is at the "Mom, WATCH ME!" phase. Every two minutes, "Mom", "Mom", "MOM!!!", "Watch me." Then she does somthing silly like turn around in a circle and fall on the ground. I can't help but laugh although it makes getting anything done around the house rather difficult. It seems like I am always 'watching' her be silly or 'watching' her pee on the potty, not to mention taking care of baby brother. Abi likes to call him Buster bean, it's soooo cute it melts my heart. Although my little girl has her moments she can also be as sweet as can be, out of nowhere she'll say "daddy, I love you soooo much" or "mommy, I love you all day and all night." That makes my life complete and makes me forget her 2 going on 4 year old attitude. I don't have much new to say about Ben, besides I love him to pieces. I literally probably give his little chunky cheeks at least thousand kisses a day. He is not crawling yet, he seems content to roll and scoot everywhere, and he has not gotten any more teeth besides his two bottom ones. I am kind of in love with his gummy smile so I think I'll be sad when his top teeth come in. 

Chickens

I haven't posted about the chickens lately so I thought I'd give an update. We are still thinking they are both hens, yay! They will hopefully start laying eggs in July or August when they are about 6 months old. They have at least doubled in size since we got them, they are called "barred rock" chickens and are rather beautiful as far as chickens go. I think we are going to fence off part of the yard for them because Maggie likes to go mess with them and get them all worked up by running circles around the coop and barking at them. This will keep Maggie away from the coop and out of our vegetable garden since she likes to eat our tomatoes and pea pods off the vines. This will also allow the chickens to get out of the coop and wander part of the yard, so we can say we have brown organic free range eggs, LOL. The chickens are starting to develop personalities and a pecking order has been established. Linda "the bitchy one" is the alpha female of the coop. She is the dominant one that bosses Betty around and frankly I'm a little scared of her. Linda is an early bloomer her face has turned red and developed much more than Betty (the late bloomer). Betty is sweet and scared of everything, she runs and hides if a loud car drives by.

 Linda

 Betty

Our bumper spinach and broccoli crops

Few pictures of our new white trim, LOVE!

I've been looking for other blogs to follow since my friends are lame and have yet to start their own, and there are so many mommy blogs out there. I stumbled across a blog by a woman with triplets and I thought shes got to have some funny stories! I wasn't expecting what I found on her blog, I found myself sobbing like a baby. I wanted to share the blog because it touched me so much and really makes me so greatful for the life I have with my babies. Everyday I spend with my kiddos is a blessing. 
http://bissingfamily.wordpress.com/

The day tragedy struck-
http://bissingfamily.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/2011/

Ouch!

Abi fell over backwards in her kitchen chair booster seat last Friday and hit her head on the hardwood floor, ouch! I was a little worried because you hear stories of kids and adults that bump their head and having bleeding in the brain. But not to worry we are the family of the hard heads, a little ice and pampering and she was back to misbehaving and talking back in no time :) Then I stepped on a lego and bruised the bottom of my foot, ouchy, oh the life of a mom.

After 6 years of living in our house we finally got all the trim switched over to new white trim this weekend! It looks so much better! One house project done, 1,000 more to go......

Sunday we went to the park. Ben is at the best age for photo ops, I just love his little chunky smile.  

Afternoon at the park

It's a girl and Mrs. Bigglesworth

Lindsay is having a girl!!!!! I'm so excited for her. It's funny because I thought she was having a boy and I'm always, always wrong (even with guessing my own!). I guess I can start consigning my boy clothes, since ALL my friends are having girls.

Sammy update: well, she is mostly shaved, I've started calling her Mrs. Bigglesworth (from Austin Powers). I was all ready to say we've had no hairballs in weeks, then she puked up a hairball this morning. One hairball every few weeks is a far cry from the daily wet piles of hair and food I would find on my pillow. So a shaved Sammy might be a permanent fixture in our house. The other day I walked by our room and I did a double take, I remember thinking what's that on our bed? I looked again and it was Sammy. She's not the prettiest kitty on the block, and I'm not sure what we'll do come winter but it works for now.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful that I'm learning to take deep breaths and not let Ben's teething tears or Abi's sassiness frustrate me.

Thankful that I'm learning to sit down when I'm tired and cuddle the kids instead of worrying about house work.

Thankful that my kids make me a better person.

Thankful to love and be loved by my husband.

Getting older

Proof:
I go to bed before 8:30pm most nights including weekends
Not only that but I prefer to go to bed that early
If I don't get up until after 7:00am-now that's sleeping in
I can't wait to have more time to do house, yard, sewing projects
We eat dinner at 5pm
What I wouldn't give to just sit and read a book
We spend Friday nights at the grocery store and/or Costco
I drive a minivan and it does not embarrass me, I think the haters are secretly jealous :)
I can't drink like I used to
"Tired" is my permanent answer when someone asks how I am

I never knew I could love anyone so much, until these two came along. Sometimes I think, holy cr-p my mom loves me this much. Abi spent most of the day yesterday doing anything and everything she could to make Ben laugh, causing both Brad and I to laugh as well. Something about hearing the laughter from small children makes everything all right. I hope they continue to get along and play nicely together as they get older. I would have posted a picture of them together but neither one would cooperate :)

All done

I'm feeling a little sad today because all pumping/lactating has come to an end. I guess you can't help but feel you always want to give your child everything and you feel bad when you can't. At least I can celebrate the fact that he did nurse for 7 months, and I pumped for another. I nursed Abi for 11 months so with Ben that was my goal but he is a different kid and he had a different plan.

Potty time

Well, some success to report. All pee goes in the potty, no accidents to report except a dribble here and there. Matter where I am or what I'm doing she will go to the bathroom and potty by herself then show me. Abi is a full time undie wearer by her own request, except at night, but still no poo in the potty. When she has to go number 2 she asks for a diaper then promptly fills it. I'm trying to get her to at least poo in her diaper in the bathroom or sit on the potty with her diaper on. It's a work in progress, but better than nothing!

So much fun so little time

Swim lessons with daddy

 Friday we went to the zoo, my pass expires at the end of the month so I'm going to try and squeeze in as many visits as possible before then. This time Abi really liked the monkeys especially the loud ones that were up in the trees hooting. She liked the tiger which was roaring and pasing around its cage but it also scared her a little. What else, she liked the Meer cats, elephants, and bears. This is a picture of Ben watching sister ride the carousel.

 Abi picked a pretty, girly, flowery horse.

 Sunday I rushed home from work just in time to get us ready for a birthday party, Abi absolutely loved the trampoline! She had so much fun that she threw a huge temper tantrum when it was time to go, embarrassing yes, and screamed the whole way home, lovely. Too much fun on too little sleep is a recipe for disaster. My little strong willed Abi gab makes me laugh, even during her melt down I couldn't stop laughing. On a daily basis this girl makes me laugh, she can be such a goof! She is our sugar and spice and everything silly.

Oh my sweet Ben Ben, I love you and your sister just the same but I am so in love with the stage you're at right now. While your sister often tests my ability to be patient, you are mellow and sweet and smiley and make everyday perfection.