Buggy Ride

he's cute huh? he likes the shopping cart, or "buggy" as they call it here in the South. You can see his feet whipping around, he kept doing that! It was too cute.

I started thinking about things that I will miss someday. Don't know why- I don't mean it in a sad or depressing way. There are just some things in life I know wont be the same and I want to remember those moments.

• Ben cuddling with me at night during bottle time. I love it when he plays with my fingers, or looks back to touch my face for just a second I guess to check if I'm still there. Cuddling with his blanket on his face. He'll actually let me rub his head and tickle his face and I love how his heavy eyes get heavier and heavier as I do it.
• After his bath he's pretty ready to go to bed. So getting his jammies on is quite annoying for him. If his towel is still on the changing table he'll snuggle with it on his face like he does with his blanky when it's time for sleep. I can always tell if he's sleepy if he snuggles with something like that. He's ALWAYS done that. I love it.
• Him giggling during nightly prayers at his crib. After bath and bottle we put him in his crib and turn his sleepy music on, and then we say prayers. For some reason he thinks it's funny and will lay there and giggle at me. I think it's super cute.
• He makes this little mouth noise. I wish I could describe it or even do it, maybe I'll be able to get it on video someday- but it's on my list of my 5 favorite Benny sounds.
• He loves his car blanky and his bed blanky. When we put him in the car he automatically grabs his binky and his blanky sometimes with out even looking. Both blankies have about the same texture. He doesn't love any other blanky as much as these two. He puts up with them... but prefers the others.
• Ben loves to say hi to people. BUT he gets sort of shy when they say it to him first. He feels much better about it if he does it first.
• He loves looking out windows and doors. His new thing is crawling up to the windows and if the blinds are down he'll try really hard to move them, or get under them. He doesn't even have time or the interest in playing with them- he just wants to look outside. He loves outside.
• Dropping Cheerios or any food on the floor for "ah-yee", or Ally our dog.
• How he still makes sucking motions with his mouth when he sleeps. STILL.
• The way he puts his binky in his mouth. It's really one of the cutest things (in my humble opinion) to watch.
• Everyday when I go to see him, I call Ryan as I'm walking in so he can hear our interaction with each other. He loves hearing how excited Ben gets to see me. I also always let Ryan say hi to him, and now lately whenever he sees the phone he says "hi!".
• His cute baby laugh and how he gets the hiccups anytime he laughs really hard.

Okay, there's more- but that's good for now. We're all a little worried because my oldest brother Greg is in the hospital and has been in and out of it for the last month or so. He's got incredibly bad migraines and now has heart arrhythmia and getting the two under control is really challenging. I really feel for his wife and girls and can't imagine the stress and worry that it's put on their shoulders. I wish we were there to help. Much love to them.

We Live in a Beautiful World

We've been enjoying the Spring weather. It's really been beautiful. And it was just as beautiful today as it was two years ago when I married my sweet love. I got BEAUTIFUL tulips today and a card that sings Queen's "My Best Friend". Perfect!!!! I took some photos today of the trees and flowers, just because I can't get enough of the flowering trees... even if everyone else does! They just make me happy! Now the pines on the other hand... not so much. Stupid pollen. I think my kid is getting affected by it too.Ben's THIS close (imagine me putting my fingers REALLY close together in measurement) to walking. He's taken a few steps here and there, but is still not totally confident and still has some balance issues. But I know as soon as he gets it, he'll be running- not walking.
It was my mom's 72nd birthday Saturday. We as siblings got together an iChat conference with out her knowing and we all sang Happy Birthday to her. She was tickled! I'm like 100% sure it made her day. I am so grateful to have a wonderful mommy, even though I'm oh so far away from her- she helps me and supports me so much and I appreciate it. I can't wait to see them. Hopefully it will be soon. I am very homesick. Stupid economy.
Last year when my parents came out to visit, my dad and Ryan planted a Purple Leaf Plum tree for Ben. We call it "the Ben tree". It bloomed this year and the leaves are now starting to come out. I think it's quite lovely and I hope we have years to enjoy watching both our Benny and the tree grow!
I am so tired. I don't ever feel like I can catch up. No, I'm not pregnant. I think being a full time working mommy and wife starts to wear on you after a while. I need a vacation! Have I mentioned how excited I am that Andrea is coming next month???? Cuz I am. YAY! Okay, I'm going to finish watching Biggest Loser and go to sleep.

2 years

Here's to Ryan and I for making it another year! Although it wasn't a necessarily easy year, it has been WONDERFUL. Year two has brought us a little son, a closeness we've never had before, and I am so grateful more and more each day for my husband and eternal companion. I love you Ryan Smith! I am so glad I get to have you as my best friend forever. Happy Anniversary Lovey!

Happy Birthday to ME!

I have lots to write about, but I just wanted to quickly write about my WONDERFUL, AMAZING, LOVELY, TERRIFIC, FUN, Warm and FUZZY birthday weekend. Friday night we went out to eat as a family (the 3 of us) to Zaxby's! YUM! Saturday morning, my actual birthday, Ryan went to go meet a guy to sell some bass guitar... stuff... after telling me like 10+ times "Hey Heather, Happy Birthday". He even woke me up at 5am to tell me! Then I got on iChat with my BFF Andrea and she emailed me my present. At first I thought, hmmm... she's emailing me my present? Then when I opened the email it was an E-TICKET confirmation for her to come out and visit us in a month! YAY! As she said her presence is my present! Then Ryan got home and he made it out to seem as though he hadn't gotten me anything for my birthday yet... and I was a little sad, just a little though because I knew he WOULD eventually get me something. And as we were making breakfast he said "what's that?" on the counter and it was a PRETTY GREEN NANO! YAY! He's good...and well, as in previous blogs I hint well. That afternoon we dropped Ben off at Ryan's parents and we headed off to dinner at Cheesecake Factory and then went bowling! We had fun, and it was nice to have an evening with our friends. Ben had A LOT of fun with Nana and Poppy giggling and playing.

Don't know if you can see it, but Hillary put my name in as Heather Happy Bday. Cute! (All the pictures are from Ryan's iPhone...so they're a little on the grainy side.)

Then Sunday... as if my birthday wasn't good enough, we headed over to Ashley and Jacob's for our usual Sunday dinner and as I walked in I heard a "SURPRISE!!!" Yes... I am one special CHICK! I am loved! Ashley and Ryan conspired together to put together my second only in life surprise party- and the first doesn't count because I found out about it before hand. But I was kind of embarrassed because I was in my "comfy" clothes and wasn't really dressed for the crowd- BUT it was as expected, a surprise! Delinda was there and lots of people I haven't seen in a while. I felt so loved and special... it really meant so much to me. My 30th birthday was so awesomely awesome. (Yeah, I made that up... so?)Thanks Ashley and Ryan, I love you guys lots n' lots.
Also... I will elaborate on this when it's not after 10pm and time for bed, but Ben's REALLY close to walking. Tonight Ryan and I were trying to get him to walk to and from each other by bribing him with toys. He took a couple steps but then chickened out and sat his butt down. BUT... the video shows how he's prepared himself for it! He loves these walking toys and you can tell he's gotten good at it! He's so big and cute!

More to come...

Friday the 13th... again?

Now it's Heather's Birthday Eve! The eve of my 30th! Wow! I'll be 30! I'm pretty darn excited for the 30's. The 20's was rough and tough but TONS of fun. I think of all that I got to experience, people I met, places I went, getting married and having a baby, finding out how to kind of be responsible... I experienced a lot. Can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings and to experience my 30's. Look, I'm working a decade at a time.
I'm sitting here at my desk listening to the disco ball my wonderful coworkers placed in my cube for my birthday decor feeling a little blue, I have to admit. It's just that it's still REALLY hard to have Ben at daycare for me. (Obviously I just got back from seeing him!) I thought I'd be somewhat over it by now, but I'm not. I thought after a year I'd be a pro daycare mom. There's not much I can do about it right now though... other than basically get over it until things change. But the fact of the matter is I need to just get used to the idea that I might never get to be at home with my kids. It makes me sad knowing that he'd much rather go to one of the teachers there then come to his own mommy when I go to visit him. I'm sure there's good reason for it, but since there's a lack of communication (verbally anyway) it's hard to know what's going on inside his little head. I kind of think (and hope) it's because it's the classroom next door to him where all the bigger kids go and he REALLY loves going over there to play. Anyway, I'll get off my soap box and stop feeling sorry for myself now and move on to another subject.
Yesterday, I did a HUGE boo-boo. It's kind of humorous now, but it wasn't then. Ryan and I try to car pool as much as possible and in a rush to get out the door yesterday we left the garage light on. Ryan pulled back up in to the garage so I could get out to turn it off... but instead of turning the light off I pushed the garage door button! Whoops! And yes, it came down on the car because it wasn't pulled all the way in. Whoops! LUCKILY between Ryan gunning it and me trying to quickly think of which button to push again- we didn't occur too much damage. There was some, which I think Ryan fixed pretty much thank goodness. I felt like a big jerk though.
Still do... but I'm super glad it wasn't worse.
I'm very glad the week is over. It's not been too bad, my husband has been super sweet to me this week (not that he isn't usually), work has been okay. We found out last week that there were pay cuts and now today some people got laid off. So it's a little weird around here lately. I am just grateful to have a job. And I'm excited because tomorrow we get to drop Benny off with Nana and Poppy and we're going to dinner with friends and then bowling. Have a good weekend all!

A Weekend of Firsts

We had a busy weekend, what's new right? It was good though and well spent. Friday night we were pretty tuckered out from the week, which is usually the case, and so we rested. Saturday we woke up and took Ben to get his first haircut. My coworker Jen's husband is a barber so we took him there since it was someone we knew (kind of), and he's done lots of first haircuts. Ben sat on Daddy's lap the whole time and was a champ. Of course he's a wiggle worm, but we managed and he only kind of got annoyed once. Being the smart Barber Wil is, he suggested to bring one of Ben's movies, which helped a lot. Then daddy got his haircut, BUT since it was Ben's first, he got a certificate! We got to save some of his hair and tape it to the certificate.

Before and After!

Wil The BarberThen it was time for Ben's party! We got home and cleaned up the house the rest of the way, cooked and the troops started rolling in. We had a lot of fun, the weather was absolutely PERFECT, and Ben was really good! (He did get a 2 1/2 hour nap which really helped!)

Here was the cake eating. He liked the frosting a lot more than the actual cake of course. He was pretty cute.

Not sure why I decided that I needed to growl when forcing his hands in the cake... but whatever. Opening presents... look at how he's sitting! I love it!

After presents, he was pretty worn out... some people had left, we gave him a sippy with milk and he was OUT.

He also graduated to his new big boy car seat thanks to Nana! He really loves it and really didn't take much to adjust. He spends a lot of his time in the car with me, so I think that's why he does so well. He loves it though, it's a whole new perspective for him.

So it was a good weekend, we had fun! I'm going to bed now, because I went to bed late last night and I'm tired. Here's a little giggle to cheer you up if your feeling blue, or just to cheer you up!

The Ladies Man

I made it to Friday! Here is a true description of Ben in his daycare class, as he IS the only boy in his class. (I know... what are we doing to him already!) What's funny is Jiznin got us this shirt for Ben before he was even born! I guess it was predestined for him to be a "Ladies Man".

I am so excited! I am off early today, taking Ben to his 1 year check-up and then we get ready for tomorrow! AND it's supposed to be like 70 today! I am rolling down the windows and enjoying it!

*My mom told me I needed to put a disclaimer that I was feeling REALLY out of it yesterday when I wrote this.

• It Thursday. It's almost 3. I have a headache and just want to go home.
• Ben is standing a lot on his own.
• Someone is using vinegar with their lunch and it stinks.
• I want a Nano. My Mini is kind of old school... not that any thing's wrong with that. I like the green and orange ones. They're cute.
• It's nice out today. It's supposed to get in to the mid-70's this weekend too.
• I just bought a Midnight Dark Milky Way.
• I need to clean the house for the party Saturday.
• Ben gets his first hair cut Saturday morning by my co-workers husband who happens to be a barber!
• I'd really like a sewing machine someday. I'd like to start up a couple of small projects.
• I am STILL MAKING MY BLOG book! I decided after working on it for a while that I didn't like the background I chose, so I have to work on it even more. I like this one a lot better though. I just want to see it now though!
• I really love the song that Sting does called St. Agnes and the Burning Train.
• I'll be 30 in 9 days. Whoa.
• I am in one of those weird funks today where I feel like I'm in another world. I just feel so completely out of it.

You thought I wasn't going to post didn't you?

Well, we had a good and busy day yesterday. Pretty much the same as any other, and luckily Ben is too small to realize it. The real celebration of his first year (and us surviving it!) is on Saturday. There will be friends and family, presents and cake and I'm pretty sure he wont know what to do with himself. School was good, I think he could tell he was getting a lot of extra attention- but that's about it. I went to see him later in the afternoon and he was very tired and was kind of grumpy when I'd play with the other kids... hence the fake cry face he's making in the picture. He's a silly boy. The other little girl that has the same birthday as him (born in the same hospital) is in the picture with him. After work/school, we went to dinner with Nana & Poppy at Ryan's favorite place... but Ben likes it because he gets french fries and likes to lick the blue cheese off my finger that go with my wings! We got home and gave him his little presents and then gave him a bath and bed. Unfortunately it was 9 before he got to go to sleep, but luckily he took a two hour nap today at school. That meant me not getting to spend time with him though because he was sleeping during my lunch hour. But naps are super important for my growing guy.
Tonight we're pretty worn out. I put Ben down early to make sure he gets plenty of sleep. And it's not even 8 and Ryan's already asleep on the couch! I can't WAIT until Friday. I am working a 1/2 day and taking Ben to the doc! We'll see if it's time to get him in a front facing car seat! I really hope so, I hope he'll love it! Well... that's all for me.

Happy 1st Birthday to Ben!

I will take LOTS of pictures today and update the post later when the day is done. Here is the Birthday Boy this morning! I can't believe how fast a year has come and gone, and we all survived! What a blessing it is to have such a wonderful little person in our family. We love Ben so much and can't wait to see what kind of a person he develops in to!

Ben's 1st Birthday-Eve

I decided I wanted to blog everyday this week. Let's hope I can keep it up! It might not be much but I'm going to try! Yesterday it snowed (as shown in the previous blog) and also rained, and then froze overnight. So because of this, most of the school districts were closed today... kind of a waste if you ask me because the roads really weren't bad. There were a FEW black ice patches, but not too bad. BUT... we do live in GA, and people just aren't used to it I guess. Ben was the first in his class to get to daycare too, and I'm thinking a lot of parents wont be here at work today.

We had a pretty good weekend. Friday night Ryan and I got to go on our first date in a while. We went and saw Slumdog Millionaire and ate lots of junky food at the theatre all for free! We had gift cards that we hadn't used yet that we got for gifts when Ben was born. I realized we'd been to the theater ONCE before Friday night since Ben was born! (By the way, excellent movie!) Then Saturday we went and looked at trying to downgrade in the car dept to try and save money on car payments... but they tried to gyp us over with not such a good deal- so we told them no thanks. Then that night Delinda came over and hung out with us. It was lots of fun too. She got the awesomeness of cuddle time with Ben for his night bottle. And got to see his cute little bootie while he was crawling around naked right before bath time! Yesterday we went to Church then cuddled a lot when we got home and tried to stay warm while it was snowing. Then we went over to the Terry's and had hamburgers and played Rock Band. It was lots of fun. I rocked out Tom Sawyer, crushcrushcrush, and Alive. I only ever sing, because I'm afraid I'm too uncoordinated to do anything else- especially the drumming!

Anyway, it was a good weekend. We're now preparing for Ben's birthday tomorrow and party this weekend. We take him to get his first haircut on Saturday too! He needs it really bad and I'm thinking he's going to be a lot blonder and so cute! His ends are dark from when he was born, but his roots are a lot lighter. So it should be interesting! I pray for the forecasted warm weather for Saturday so we can do the cake eating outside. I can't wait to see how messy he gets! I wish my family could be here- I miss them all very much!

Here's video of our Georgia snow:

Happy March 1st!

Ryan had to take Ben out during Sacrament Meeting today because he decided that he likes the way he sounds when he yells really loud in the cultural hall. He came back in and said it was snowing, HARD. So we have a fun treat today! Makes for a nice, cuddly Sabbath! I'm glad it sometimes snows in Georgia. Key word here is "SOMETIMES".
(Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Samantha!)