Where has the Time Gone!?

It feels just like yesterday that this beautiful, grey-eyed, tiny (even at 7lb15oz ) baby entered our world. He changed everything in it so dynamically, that now it's hard to remember the days before. Our little man is such a firecracker these days, rightfully born in the month of July - the month of the lion - because he is our little wild man, dubbed "Benzilla" for good reason. He wreaks havoc, completely opposite to that of his sister, leaving blocks, juice, and crumbs in the wake of his path!

Benman is the most joyous little guy though, and his laugh is infectious! He lights up the room, shining bright for all to see...happy and outgoing yet sensitive and tenacious at the same time. He's got a mind of his own and strong-willed even before one - this little man can move mountains if he really puts his mind to it. I think we're in for trouble already!

How big are you?? "Sooo big!" 9 months old at the lake - April 2013

I've been wanting to write this post for months now, and I've waited so long that Benjamin has his first birthday this week!! It suddenly occurred to me that I haven't been "around" online for the entirety of a pregnancy - conception to birth - a heck of a length of time, and now our little man will be a year old this week. Where have I been? Where has the time gone?! Well I will tell you exactly where the time has gone, and I downright want it to slow down. I have been right where I've wanted to be - purposely thrown in the middle of shaping and molding two tiny lives and enjoying, and admittedly sometimes escaping, the day to day of toddlerhood, sibling rivalry (already), and all things first year baby. I've wanted to be here with you all so badly - writing, sharing, communicating - but what I have thrown myself into - building, growing, nurturing - is so much more important than any blogspot could ever be. Yet, 9 months later, I still have the desire to write personally - more so for my children to read later in life than anything else, but I certainly want y'all to be here with us along the way. I hope to post more often, less words (yeah, we'll see!) - more pictures, recapping the joyous times, the not-so pleasant tantrums, and the absolute hilarious things our children do on a daily basis. They keep us entertained - that's certain!

10 months cheezin

Benjamin Scott will be one year old this week - on the 25th, and we are in such awe (and disbelief) of this little person that he has become so quickly.  He's got lots of tricks up his sleeve y'all, and he is the center of attention - and a lil' nut- keeps us laughing along with his sister. Benji's been walking for a month now, and we can't believe our eyes. After such a chunky little baby, it's shocking to see these little legs propelling him throughout the house! He's a smart little guy, climbing onto anything and everything, taking interest in cars and trains, and man, does the boy have a thing for his mama! - shoo.wee. It's the cutest thing, it really is to me, but we are right in the middle of separation anxiety, which can get pretty ugly. We're working on that slowly but surely. For now, I'm enjoying letting my baby be a baby because soon y'all? Soon, he will be too big for this mama's arms, and I'm relishing in the little moments while they are here!  Sweet Naomi Garner already politely declines hugs sometimes - who does that?!

11 months crawling to mama!

can you do all the ironing from here on out, please? ... I asked nicely!

I will be back by week's end about sweet ol' Benjiboy's birthday party. Intimate and sweet - that's how first birthdays roll around here. Good food homemade in my kitchen, good music in the backyard, and a family and two sweet puppy dogs I couldn't be any more proud of.  It's about time to celebrate the littlest big guy around.

For now, I leave you with some of our most recent pictures - we spent both Father's Day and July 4th weekends with Andrew's family - to Albany for Great Gma's 90th birthday and to the NC mountains for the 4th.  It rained the entire trip to the mountains, but we had a blast anyways cooking in every night and spending time with everybody. It's just perfect up there this time of year, so we got to stomp around in it anyways and catch up with friends too. Summertime is just perfect up there - rain and all!

Father's Day 2013 - 3 generations

a REALLY BIG piece of my heart is represented in this picture!!

at Memama and Papa's in the mtns

Naomi's posin' break from puzzles - this girl and her new poses.

she loves to make you laugh!

Getting a midday walk in between storms!

Ben loves his Papa - even said Papa while we were there!

listening to Deddy play

Memama's collection of puzzles were the hit of the trip!

rainy July 4th time with Memama

no, he is!

he's so crazy.

I'm about to be ONE, yall!! :)

"More Work for Mama" is the General Rule!

Poor Naomi Garner.  For the past 5 days, she has been down and out with a heavy cold that she just can't shake.  And I can't seem to get her better fast enough! Imagine a sleepy, grumpy, stopped-up,  pitiful toddler trapped in your house with you for days upon days.  We are all going a little stir crazy around here, and it's now the weekend...By golly, get better, little one!

Pallets on the floor, lots and lots of snuggle and movie time, saline and decongestant drops in the nose as often as she'll allow, cough syrup - homeopathic store-bought and my own concoction of lemon juice, hot water, and local honey, 4am bath time, musical beds...I am one tired mama!  There's this Berenstain Bears book Sick Days that has been our motto this week.  Mama Bear runs around trying to do everything for everybody until she's down and out by the end of it all.  Well, I totally feel where Mama Bear is coming from, except, luckily, I am not sick yet. 

Emergen-Cs and multivitamins have been my close companions this week, and I have upped the ante on Vitamin D.  We haven't been getting outside near as much as I want to, and I can totally feel the effects of no sunshine. So, I'm taking 20,000IU of D3 instead of my usual daily 10,000.  It's been so pretty here too.  I hesitate to let Naomi outside a lot because she wants to jump on the trampoline and chase the dog.  I certainly don't want her overdoing it, but I also don't want us at each others throats, so I'm planning on painting with apples in the driveway this afternoon.  With all the apples we still have from our Boston trip, it should be a lot of fun. 

idea for this afternoon

Benjiboy and me hanging in there!

Speaking of Boston, I haven't had a chance to upload any Boston pictures since we've been home.  I'm pretty sure Naomi caught whatever virus she's got from touching EVERYTHING on the four planes we flew on, but germs are bound to happen.  Next trip though, I'm going to be extra cautious and intense about germ control.  Hand washing, sanitizer, clorox wipes - the whole shabang.  I wasn't careless this time, I made sure she washed hands before touching Ben, but I wasn't as cautious about her putting her dirty hands in her mouth, rubbing her eyes, etc.  Now I know, and you do too! Be the overly hygienic mom on all trips, got it?  Save yourself the week of pain that I've had!

Benji is doing well, although he woke up a little congested.  I gave him some saline drops, and he seems to be fine.  The nurse at Dr. Ramos' office also told me to put 4 drops of breastmilk in each nostril at every meal to up his immune system even more.  The natural antibodies provided give him an extra boost by doing it that way.  How cool is that?  How cool is breastmilk??  I am a firm believer in it's healing properties because it works!! And with my little scooter-pooter Naomi not eating so well this week, I've been sneaking breastmilk into her smoothies - one of the only thing she'll eat.  She needs some of those antibodies too to beat this nasty virus she's got!

We've missed her very first picture day this week, and with the recurring fever, we've missed both days of school.  I am grateful and fortunate to be able to stay home with her and get her on the mend.  She's been pitiful, and I'm constantly tired.  Benjamin is still as happy and content as ever.  Such an easy babe - just goes with the flow....thank goodness!! :)

School, Stroller Strong Moms, and Benjiboy Too

My little girl is in preschool, and I can hardly believe it! We've got her enrolled two days a week now, and she LOVES it!! She comes home telling me all about her day playing on the playground and singing songs with her friends.  The refrigerator is covered in her art work, and she's so proud.  Her "hoo hoo backpack" is hanging by the door.  She looks forward to each day, and I love being a new "carpool mom."  Seriously though, I know it sounds kinda lame, but setting an alarm and waking up before everyone to fix breakfast and start chores, laying out clothes the night before - I really do love everything about it.  I love being a mama.  It's by far the BEST and most rewarding job I've ever had - and I get to do it the rest of my life! High five to that! :)

sweet kids at bathtime

random day in Forsyth - just shy of 2 mths old

proud big sister!

While Naomi's in school playing with her frans, I've started up at Stroller Strong Moms of Savannah in beautiful Forsyth Park.  It's a great way to get exercise (think cardio kick-your-butt exercise), and it's a great way to meet with other moms three days a week.  I am LOVING having a new fitness routine where I can take my kid(s) and have a trainer to push me to try harder.  I can set up a DVD in my living room all day long, but I need the extra push from others to take it to the next level. The other moms and the trainer help to do that, and 9 weeks postpartum?  I am having trouble keeping up! It does get easier, right?

stroller strong moms!

I'm liking the challenge, but Benjiboy isn't digging it so much.  I skipped out today and yesterday to get things situated and organized for an upcoming trip, and Benjamin has been able to take a good nap both days.  On the days I go to exercise, he hardly gets a morning nap and cries throughout my class kind of stressing me out.  I know the "routine" with baby number two is more difficult than it was with just one baby, but I don't really like him to cry - at least not as much as he does when I'm there.  So, I'm kind of torn right now between sucking it up and continuing the classes or doing what my mama instinct tells me to do - sit it out until he's a little older and rock my baby to sleep in the mornings.  Besides, he's only this little once.  I'm going to try it again next week.  There are other babes his age, so we shall see! 

Benjamin is now a little over two months old, and he is full of personality.  He's been smiling (on purpose) since he was around 6 weeks old, and he's been laughing a lot more for the past couple of weeks. On September 30, 5 days after his 2 month "birthday," he BELLY LAUGHED hysterically at a silly noise I was making.  It was such a highlight - squinted his eyes like his Deddy always does and just let the laughter roll.  Too cute.  He's a big ol boy, putting on the pounds what seems like daily, and he is already fitting into 3-6 month clothes.  3 month clothes are almost too small at this point.  Gosh, don't you just love chunky babies?  I could kiss every wrinkle and dimple on his little body! Sweet lil thang.

a visit to Macon at 2 mths old

smiling sweetly at his Granddaddy

chuckles!

time with Uncle Alex

 

The next few are from a night at Jazzfest in Forsyth Park. Naomi's getting her groove on! 

 

More pictures to come soon, and I will be uploading videos soon as well. Hopefully, I can find (or be told) of a new software or program to aid in picture organization. Sorry the blog's lookin so sloppy these days!  Keep posted!