Living in the year... 2008.

You know you are living in 2008 when...

You know you are living in 2008 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

This is why I don't get anything done during the day...

...Ben is just so much fun to play with... How can I go back to teaching when I have this much fun at home!?

The next swimming superstar...

This is the real reason why we moved Ben to the big tub... he is a splashing maniac. If you want a bath yourself...then stand by the tub... he's nuts.

I love my mom's purse...

Babysmash...

We're starting Ben early... with computers. Adam and I downloaded a game called "Babysmash"... check out the website for more information. It's a great way to teach cause and effect... the only problem with it that we've discovered is that Ben expects EVERY computer to play the Babysmash game... sigh. If he even remotely sees a keyboard -- he gets excited. It's pretty cute... Here's Ben,...playing his favourite (his only !) computer game...

randomness....

Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
-"loving-to-sleep (but waking-up-all-night) history to a go-to-" ("the no-cry sleep solution" haha)

Stretch your left arm out as far as you can, What can you touch?
-desk lamp

Before you started this survey, what were you doing?
-ironing Adam's shirt for work...(yes, I'm a good wife)

What is the last thing you watched on TV?
-"so you think you can dance, canada?"

Without looking, guess what time it is
-9.02am

Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
-9.23am

With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
-the tap dripping

When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
-yesterday,... went to drop off some mail at the post office

Did you dream last night?
-don't remember

Do you remember your dreams?
-usually

When did you last laugh?
-this morning

Do you remember why / at what?
-Ben's pretty funny...

What is on the walls of the room you are in?
-pictures and paint

What do you think of this quiz?
-it makes me procrastinate from doing the dishes (haha)

What is the last film you saw?
-'dark knight'

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
-victoria, bc

If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
-a house... a big one.

Do you like to dance?
-yes!

Would you ever consider living abroad?
-I guess...

What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
-a tv show

Last time you swam in a pool?
-two weeks ago when I took Ben swimming

Are you listening to music right now?
-no

What color is your bedroom carpet?
-beige

If you could change something about your home, without worry about expense or mess, what would you do?
-I would buy a home first... screw renting!

What was the last thing you bought?
-I personally? A sweater for Ben...

Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
-I went bungee jumping once... sky diving -- no way!

Do you have a garden?
-nope =(

Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?
-in English and French!

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
-I hope today will be a good day...

If you could eat lunch with one famous person, who would it be?
-Reese Witherspoon

Who sent the last text message you received?
-Adam

Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
-RW&Co

What time is bed time?
-between 9pm and 11pm

Who was the last person you ate dinner with?
-Adam

What's the farthest-away place you've been?
-Paris, France

When's the last time you ate a homegrown tomato?
-yesterday

Have you ever won a trophy?
-haha...yes.

Are you a good cook?
-nope... that's what Adam is for =)

What's under your bed?
-table legs

Do you believe in love at first sight?
-yes -- Ben was definitely Love At First Sight... (I guess so was Adam actually)

Think fast, what do you like right now?
-my boys

What time do you get up?
-whenever Ben does... usually 6am =(

What was the name of your first pet?
-Pepper

How are you feeling right now?
-exhausted

What do you think about the most?
-my boys

Do you sing in the shower?
-not usually

What do you do most when you are bored?
-facebook, blog, JM, watch TV *this is after Ben is sleeping,...he makes life sooo unboring*

Which came first the chicken or the egg?
-the chicken

How many keys on your key ring?
-4

What is your favorite time of the day?
-11am (Ben is happy) or 6.30pm (He's finally sleeping...)

How far away from your birthplace do you live now?
-11km

What are you reading now?
-sleep books...

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
-afternoon, was that not an option?

Can you close your eyes and raise your eyebrows?
-yes...

Do you have pets?
-not right now

How many rings before you answer the phone?
-if I'm with Ben ... I don't answer. =P

What keeps you alive?
-my family

Phew... done.

Adam is officially the best husband -- ever.

Lately, most if not all of my blog posts have been about Ben -- Ben and his food, his sleeping habits, his mess. Or me. Me and Ben's food, my sleeping habits, cleaning up Ben and his mess...

but this post is about Adam. My oh-so-wonderful husband. *swoon*

Five years ago, Adam bought me a Columbia jacket. It's blue and white and technically a kids jacket... It did the job... but after walking Ben in the cold winter air, I decided that what I really wanted this year was a new jacket.

Today, Adam "worked" from home... and around 11am declared that today we'd go to the mall and get me a new coat. Now, if you know Adam... he absolutely, positively HATES HATES HATES the mall. It's like pulling teeth to go near there. His rule is "no mall from November 1st until mid January"... So I was kinda surprised that he wanted to go...(but wasn't about to question him on it).

We hopped into the car (Ben was up from his nap and was in a decent mood)... and drove to the mall (and not even the NEAREST MALL,...but the one that had a Sporting Life!)... the mall parking lot was packed!!! (Who goes shopping on a Wednesday at noon???? Doesn't anyone work??? *chuckle*)

We head to Sporting Life and find the coat... in my size. I'm so freaking excited that I kiss Adam in front of the cashier. I think she thinks I'm crazy. Ben yawns... clearly this isn't so exciting for him.

After putting Ben down for his 2nd nap, I head out for a tiny walk by myself and my new jacket. The wind is swirling but I'm super toasty. When I get back, Adam asks if it's cold outside... well, my glasses are foggy, but I honestly have no idea how cold it is outside -- MY JACKET IS THAT WARM!!!

It's by far the best gift from Adam since we got married... I hugged my coat before I took it off.

Here's me and my new coat.

I think I should name it. It's just that special.

We finally have teeth!

Well, technically it's tooth because there's only one... but still! Yay for teeth!

(and on his 7month birthday too!)
I'll post another picture soon of the tooth actually through the gums...this was "day 1"...

Musical Ben...

Flu shots!!! The mall... and inaccessibility. Grr.

Yesterday we all went to get a flu shot. Ben didn't even flinch! I'm still kinda shocked that he likes going to see Dr. G. He's such a good boy. =) {My arm hurts today though...}

On Friday, Ben and I went to the Eaton Centre with my mom and my grandma. We had such a great time! Ben loved the mall (shocking, I know)... I think because there was so much stuff to look at. Decorations. Lights. Trees. Fun...

He did a huge poop in Indigo though... (avocado!)... so that was kinda gross. What goes in...comes right out (almost the same texture and definitely the same colour). He absolutely loves! avocados. Perhaps we have a sushi kid in the making?!?

So down to the whole reason for my post... mall inaccessibility. I don't think I realized how inaccessible the mall was until I had to navigate with a stroller. Sure,... there are elevators. Nursing stations. Ramps... but what a pain! The elevators are located at the ends of the mall... so if you get halfway and realize you need to be up one level... too bad for you! Very inconvenient. Then...after the whole "poop in Indigo" incident... I had to find a washroom to change Ben. I go to the washroom located on that floor,...only to find out that there's a ton of stairs that I have to climb. I have a stroller... hellloooo? So I ended up back at the Bay, where they have a rather nice nursing station complete with couch, sink and change table. Bleh.

Also shocking...was Ben's lack of naps. He napped while we ate lunch... and again while driving in the car... but that was it!!! I don't want to mess him up that often, but it's nice to know that we can be away from the house for a full day ...and he actually survives. I think we got pretty lucky with this kid. He's a good sleeper.

Speaking of pretty lucky...Ben arrived 7 months ago (yesterday). He is becoming more and more independent. He can now sit by himself (and only falls over occasionally -- usually when he's trying to move from a sitting position to a tummy position)... and he has started squealing... (high! pitch)... I'm sure it will get annoying eventually (or not),...but right now, Adam and I find it highly amusing. He's just so darn cute. He has also successfully tried rice, oatmeal, barley, carrots, zucchini, peas, avocado, and squash (oh and a lick of my apple). This week we're going to try green beans and bananas! Yay for fruit!

Ben

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Teeth -- come out, come out,...wherever you are?!?

Alright,...we're ready. We're all set. We've waited long enough --- NOW WHERE ARE THOSE TEETH?

I feel like Ben has been teething for 4 months! Drooling, biting,... face rash,...it's been awful. The last couple of nights he has been waking up quite a bit... and then crying during the day (which he hasn't done in while). He seemed happy this morning when I gave him a cold facecloth to chew on (although he didn't want to hold it... and I wasn't about to stand at his crib all morning). He also doesn't seem to mind if I/Adam rub his gums, in fact,...he keeps his mouth open.

Speaking of mouth open -- we're on another eating strike. He hates having the spoon in his mouth. He keeps his mouth closed tightly and won't budge. He loved peas the first day he tried them,...but since the eating strike, I haven't been able to get him to eat anything! At lunch, I'm going to try carrots. He'll do anything for carrots =) If his mouth is truly sore,... I don't think he'll want the carrots either!

The teeth are right there too... you can totally see the white outline of teeth right under the gums. His gums are inflamed and red. I'm hoping once they break through that he'll feel better.


In other news... I'm slowly starting to take out the decorations for the holidays. I've put up my door knockers and my window gels. Aside from the cold weather, snow, hail, freezing temperatures and terrible driving conditions,...I think this is my favourite season. I plan on going shopping on Friday to do some early Christmas shopping. 'tis the season to be jolly... (and get teeth??????)

Farmer Benjamin had a dog...

The farmer outfit wasn't planned. I wanted him to wear his overalls,...and then I needed a long sleeved shirt. Presto. Farmer Ben was born.

And his dog's name was Bingo.

My happy boy...

He never stops smiling... (when the camera light is on)...

Ben's circle of friends...

Aren't they a bunch of cuties???

They all range from April 08-June 08 Birthdays... (thanks Christine for sending the pics!)...

(Ben is the farmer-looking one... plaid shirt and overalls. He's just missing the straw hat!)

Ben's sense of humour...

Who knew we had such a silly kid? Silly parents = silly kid. I guess it makes sense.

The house of sickness...

Boys are the worst sick people... they complain, they whine,... they moan and groan.

Imagine living with 2 boys that are sick...at the same time!

Ben is loving...and cute. But, he's like a walking germ magnet ...spreading the love wherever he goes. He has infected me, Adam and my mom!

I think he's getting better,... his nose is no longer runny... but still stuffy. He's happy and he's eating.

On the upside... since we've been stuck inside since Sunday, Ben has totally organized his naps. He wakes up,... he eats, plays and then sleeps from 9-11am. Then he's up again for 2 hours and then back down for another nap. Like clockwork. Today he slept for 1.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours this afternoon. He didn't cry once!!! (He does grunt, squeal, giggle, laugh, and say dada ALL THE TIME... but no crying!). He was in bed by 7pm too!

Here are some pictures of Adam reading to Ben... (in the first picture,...you can see the area under his nose glistening with snot! gross.)




EDIT --- Adam isn't that sick... and he's been awesome. He stayed home 2 days this week to help me. I am forever grateful. =)

Videos!!!!

Ben and I catching the flying monkeys... I'm not quite sure why he found this so funny...


Ben and Adam checking out the fish at the Ontario Science Centre...


Adam reading to Ben...



My favourite video of all... my conversation with Ben. I say momma...he says dadda. Sigh. Oh well. At least I tried.

Thank goodness for carrots.

We have finally found a veggie that Ben likes -- carrots! I'm going to have to put the sweet potatoes into muffins or something.

Today he ate 2 ice cubes worth of carrots at lunch! Excellent. On the downside... they stain everything,...including his bum, the tray, his bib. At least he's eating again.

A science teacher, an engineer...and Ben.

Ben has it in for him... there's science surrounding him. SO, without further ado...we took him to the Ontario Science Centre! (Plus it was teacher/family day!).

He loved it... he was looking at EVERYTHING! His top favourites were the fish in Kidspark and the fish in the Living Earth. Here are some pictures from our visit...

(he did manage a wee nap in the space exhibit...)

Ben and Adam in the Great Hall...

Checking out the weird ball thing...

Fish

Poison Dart Frogs

More fish...

Even more fish...
Maybe we need to buy a fish tank?

Autumn...and Mr. Ben.

Summer in November...

Eating Strike...

I'm not sure who he's striking for...but it's terrible. He refuses to eat things that he's previously liked.

No oatmeal, no barley...and definitely no sweet potatoes (but he never really liked those anyway!)

Here are the latest pictures...before the strike (when he liked food and even licked the spoon!) and now...





and now...(I don't think ANY of it actually got into his mouth!)

"ewwwww... what are you feeding me, woman?"
Ben's annoyed look...

Mascara... my new best friend...

Why?

It makes you look more awake than you actually are. Brilliant.

teething sucks...

My poor baby... he's having a super hard time with his teeth (or lack there of)...

Yesterday we went for a walk to the library and he whined the whole way. He would bite his kangaroo and then whine...and then bite his kangaroo and then whine. He was in agony. It was awful to watch.

By 4pm, (thankfully Adam was home at this point because the whining was driving me nuts!), I gave him some tylenol...which helped almost immediately. We sat quietly on the couch together watching Oprah. He was also finally able to eat some cereal too... he hasn't wanted to eat much in the last couple of days (very frustrating)...

Ben took 3 naps yesterday too,...although the afternoon ones were only 45 minutes each and he would wake up screaming... tears, red face.. poor thing.

I really hope these teeth come in soon so that the whining can stop... although, that might put an end to breast feeding *wink*

Veggies... yuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

It's funny how much of a difference 6 months can make.

I was kinda indifferent to the whole idea of breast feeding. Adam was all for the idea and was very encouraging. By week 2, I was in tears...so ready to give up. It hurt. I felt like a cow. I didn't feel a connection and didn't really care if I continued. I hated that the responsibility of feeding Ben resting solely on me. If I gave him formula... Adam could share in the experience. I weighed all the pros and cons. I talked to my mom... she said people would be supportive if I decided to stop.

I persevered... mostly because I'm a stubborn person.

Last night,... Adam and I cut up, cooked, blended and poured sweet potato puree into ice cube cups. Adam was so excited to start Ben on veggies that he went into work later so that he could be home to feed him his first veggie meal. {Ben has gone through the cereals already -- rice, oatmeal and barley with no adverse reactions... he's had them for 3 weeks now...so I guess it's time we start veggies}.

But me? I sat crying while I watched Adam give Ben a bath last night. What is wrong with me? I was so against the whole idea of breast feeding in the beginning... and now as the prospect of Ben eating "real" food sits on the horizon... I'm completely upset. He's entering a new chapter of his baby-hood adventure and I'm not ready to give it up! I mean sure,...there's snacks... and in between feedings... but I'm no longer his only source of food. And that's upsetting.

Anyway,... fast forward to this morning. Adam is all ready. Ben is excited in his chair. Legs are kicking...arms are flailing.

We warm up the entire cube of sweet potato (thinking he's going to love!!!! it). Bleh. He hates it. He gags every time the spoon comes towards his mouth. He barely eats any of it... he gags so much that he pukes onto his highchair tray. We give up. I guess sweet potatoes aren't so sweeeeeet.

Maybe he's not ready for veggies afterall???? OOooo... maybe he can still be my little baby for a little while longer? Sigh.

Baby's Halloween party...

Here are some pictures of another Hallowe'en Party that we went to... so much fun!