Musings of a Mother

Well a lot has been going on...as well as not going on. Really just depends on the day. On this day, Andrew starts his well deserved Spring Break. I think he's going to spend most of it relaxing, as he should! He's been working really hard.

As for me, I've been working on some of my new year goals. Not as faithful as I'd like, but its still progress of a sort. I'm researching more about photography. Its getting clear that just taking pictures isn't going to work until I learn how to enhance what I have. I also made the goal to get up-to-date on scrap-booking for Bennett and Zoë. They're still really young, so I shouldn't stay behind for long. I have finished Bennett's first year and have Zoë's started. I will admit that sometimes I've gotten a little carried away with it (like the time I stayed up til 4am working on them...), but I had just forgotten how much fun it was to do it!

Bennett is talking more and more. Still mostly gibberish, but more common words are appearing. This past week I learned something, kids can swear, even when they've never been exposed to it. But in this case, its more of trying to say a similar word and not getting it right. Won't tell you the actual word. I just hope he doesn't say it in front of anyone we know!

Zoë is in a unique situation. She is very frustrated with her moving skills. I think she wishes she were more mobile, but physically she just isn't. She can scoot backwards, push up on her knees, but no crawling or going forward. Just rotating in place or moving backwards. She also has not been sleeping well. She usually sleeps in her car seat, but is now starting to reject the sitting position. But if she's put in the pack and play, no matter how tightly she's tucked in, she promptly rolls onto her tummy and cries because she "can't" sleep like that. I hope she figures out what she prefers soon because I sure haven't got a clue!

Bennett and Zoë are very fun together. Now that she is a little older, I think she is beginning to become more aware of Bennett and enjoy him. He loves to say her name a lot and tries to share his toys. The cutest thing happened this morning, Bennett came into our room this morning. He saw Zoë sleeping and he started saying her name over and over. She stirred awake, looked around, saw him and burst into the biggest smile. Just melted my heart! It reminded me of what my mom used to say, how we have who we have in our families for a reason. I hope that they will continue to be close as they grow older.

Sharing Time

Bennett and Zoë recently got a package. Zoë got a new baby blanket and Bennett got a big bouncy ball that has something inside it that flashes when dropped. Bennett tends to play more independently, but yesterday he wanted to share it with Zoë. She didn't care too much either way, but Bennett seemed really happy. Zoë still loves being on her tummy and spends most of the day on it, until she needs to be flipped over because its too limiting. Bennett loves talking, and is copying more words. I'll try to see if I can get a video of that sometime, and of Zoë talking too. She is very vocal too! Two really talkative kids...no wonder I look forward to nap time! ;)

February Update

Here are some new pictures and a video. We are all doing very well. Benny loves running around and yelling (in delight), and Zoë is such a mover. Yesterday she mastered the skill of rolling from her back to her stomach. This is typical, but still really strange. Only because Bennett was on the later end of the gross motor spectrum. It just feels like she's growing up too fast.

She loves playing with the tulle of her Sunday dress

When this picture was taken, Bennett was 31" and Zoë 21", only a 10" difference!

Zoë rolling and Bennett Singing

Bennett's First Haircut

Bennett has finally reached the point where he needed a haircut. His very first one, its amazing that it hasn't happened already. Someone in our ward cuts hair, so we took him there and got a great deal. His hair is pretty wavy so it took a little while to get everything straightened. And it doesn't appear that he has really lost any baby curls, lucky us! So here is the classic before and after shots. I think he looks great!

Before

Almost a little mullet growing in the back! And what long bangs!

After

Kandid Kamera Kids

A video collage full of fun things! ;)

Christmas part two

Its a good thing I posted some Christmas things earlier, seeing as its taken us this long to finish! But in my defense, we've had a rough couple of weeks. Bennett really enjoyed all of his presents this year, favoring the big construction trucks and the bubble-blowing lawn mower the most. We also had Andrew's family come for the weekend. It was fun seeing everyone and hopefully they had fun in our tiny apartment. They were also able to help participate in Zoë's baby blessing on the 26th. Zoë started to cry during it, every father's nightmare, and was made a little more dramatic when I had to hold Bennett back from rushing to her side with verbal outbursts such as: "Uh oh!" "Baby" and "Help!" It was pretty funny.

Here's the holiday montage highlight:

Playing video games

Reading a book with Aunt Marlowe while wearing Monster pjs

Our Christmas mermaid

Present from Grammie Harvey

Yay for new toys!

Christmas part one

Merry Christmas! We hope that yours was just as good as ours! We have been so very blessed this year. Andrew finished his 17 credit semester with straight A's, Bennett is learning new words nearly daily, Zoë sleeps through the night, and I lost all the weight I gained with Zoë. And those are just a few of the miracles we've experienced this holiday season. We've got more pictures and videos, but we'll post those later.

The stack of presents Santa left for our good boy

The rest of the stockings

My parents found a special Night Before Christmas book that records your voice so Bennett and Zoë could hear them reading. Its light activated, which is why I keep turning the book towards the light. Here's a partial clip. It cut short because the camera got too full.