Man O' War

This is a man o' war...

This is what it does...

Brush With Death

So I am being slightly (but only slightly) melodramatic here, but Jon scared the daylights out of me today.  We went to Lauderdale By The Sea for a nice beach day.  Jon took off snorkeling and I was playing with the kids.  After a good while, I see some commotion going on.  A man is yelling to another man askng him "is it a shark?"  I immediately started scanning the water for Jon and realized he was the one being yelled at!  The man tentatively swam out to him, slightly wary it was a shark, and the EMTs/rescue were shortly behind.  I was panicking.  Luckily, a nice family that was by us, sat with the kids while I ran to see Jon being pulled from the water.  His face was ghost white and he was covered in Man O War tentacles.  But, I was SO relieved to see he had all his limbs and it wasn't a shark attack!  He was in excruciating pain.  They got to work on him quick, using credit cards to scrape off the tentacles and spraying him down with vinegar.  After about 20 minutes, they told me they were taking him to Holy Cross Hospital.  I threw everything in bags and the same family helped me to the car.  I threw the kids in their car seats, sand and wet diapers and all.  We got to the hospital at the same time as the ambulance.  Jon was shaking really bad and looked completely miserable.  They had only given him Benadryl so far.  It felt like it took forever for them to get some pain killers in him but they eventually did.  Janelle came and picked up the kids and seriously saved the day.  I feel so bad for being such a burden and just calling out of the blue like that.  But her and hubby Brian were SO helpful!  They sent us home after a few hours with some good drugs. 
I feel awful that I didn't see him struggling and yelling to get back to shore.  He was at least 100 yards out.  I feel like I should have been watching and I could have sent someone to him sooner.  I am so grateful he was able to make that swim in the shape he was in.  He had last a flipper, and he thought he was still dragging the darn thing with him, since apparently the tentacles detach.  Next time, we'll make sure we snorkel with a buddy.  But for tonight, I am so grateful to have my hubby safe and in one piece.
So, apparently this is what happened.  He was actually almost done and wrapping things up when he felt a sting on his left arm.  He naturally went to grab it and his first thought was that it was fishing line.  He pulled on it and then the thing just went crazy on his back.  Apparently it had been behind him and he had kind of swam into after diving down.  He lost his flipper and his wedding ring :( in the struggle to get away.  He said he was yelling for him and seriously doubting his ability to get back to shore.  He was in SO much pain.  It is a thought I still can't even entertain right now.  I almost feel like I need to sit and watch him all night to make sure he doesn't go anywhere.  The doctors said it should feel better within 2-3 days.  It may scar and the next time WILL be worse.  They gave us a number to call.  He said if there are Man o War sightings, don't even go.  I am tired but I will post more pics tomorrow.  He pretty much looks like he was whipped.  Poor guy.  My stomach still turns in knots looking at it.

Pepsi

The boy loves his Pepsi.

(fyi - we don't really let him drink any)

Our LIttle Man

I should probably save this post for Friday, the official day of 7 months, but who knows if I'll have another opportunity.  Benson is getting so big I can hardly believe it.  He is a much bigger baby than Vanessa was.  He is sitting up, as you can see, but he still falls over quite a bit.  I'm still not comfortable sitting him up and walking away.  Supervised sitting only.  I started feeding him solids around five months.  I gave him rice cereal maybe three times and he just wasn't going for it.  But he loves the "real" stuff.  He went crazy for Mangoes the other day, so we'll have to be getting him some more of those.  He is completely over the "colicky" phase.  He doesn't get awful bubbles like he used to and can usually burp himself now.  Hallelujah!  And, he can even tolerate me eating and drinking milk products!  Oh ice cream how I have missed you!  And you better believe I have had ice cream every day for the past week.

Benson loves his sister to death.  He smiles at her and loves to watch her play, or just grab whatever toy she is playing with.  He has a pretty good grip on him too.  Speaking of grips, he LOVES hair.  Vanessa's hair is the ultimate temptation but he'll take what you can get.

He is still not sleeping through the night.  If I did some sort of sleep training, I could probably force it, but I'm still willing to let it happen when he's ready.  I guess that means I don't miss my sleep too much yet.  I haven't slept through the night in almost two years....what's a few more?

Benson has recently found his tongue.  He likes to curl it up and touch his top lip and say na na na na.  It's really cute.  He also says ma ma ma.  Which I think is interesting since I haven't heard a da da da yet.  Just shows who is the favorite I guess ;)

Benson loves bath time and has really enjoyed our first trips of the summer to the pool.  He loves to splash and will even relax laying on his back.  He also likes to drink the water when he gets a chance (yuck yuck yuck!)

Benson is extremely ticklish and has a giggle that will make you laugh no matter what mood you're in.  He also has a smile that can melt the coldest heart.  He's got this look that makes you feel like you are the only thing that matters in the world. 

Road Trip

Jon had a conference he had to attend for school up in Destin, Florida.  The kids and I decided to tag along.  AND, since it is a 10 hour drive, yes you read that right, TEN HOURS, we made it a road trip.  The way up wasn't too bad, we left after Jon's class Thursday night and drove until 3 am.  The kids were both asleep by 9, so it was smooth sailing.  We actually spent that night in Panama City, since we didn't have our hotel booked in Destin until the next day.  We drove around Panama City and knocked it off our list of "potentials."  A little hick-ish, even for us.  Note: "potentials" are places to live since the AA bill did NOT pass in Utah; due to corrupt government, don't get me started.....

Come to find out, the gulf coast is referred to as Flroida's "Emerald Coast."  It's a beautiful beach, though Siesta Key is still my favorite.  And Benson has found a new favorite thing to do.  That's right, he's a sand eater :(

Jon made some really good contacts at the conference.  Overall, it was a success.  And, we can now say that we have taken our kids clubbing.  Jon's class had a "get together" one night at a bar and grill.  Turns out the bar and grill has a club in the basement and that's actually where the "get together" was.  Other than getting separated for ten minutes in the crazy chaos, we made it out without too much permanent damage to the kids.

So our first stop on the trip home was St. Augustine.  We happened to arrive at 5, the same time most of the museums close.  What are the chances?  But, we still had a good look around and enjoyed the sites.  This is the oldest structure still standing in the continental U.S.  Built around 1565.

The city has lots of old buildings and unique architecture.  I would have loved to spend some time there taking pictures....without the kids :) The famous Fountain of Youth is also close by, I wanted to explore, but wasn't willing to add even more driving time.  So, we opted for this cute park by the parking garage.

Just a few hours south of St Augustine is Orlando.  So, of course we had to make a stop there.  We seriously debated staying another night to go to DisneyWorld but in the end, we couldn't force ourselves to muster up that kind of cash.  Vanessa will enjoy it more (and possibly remember) when she's a little older.  Maybe we'll hit it up when Jon graduates.  We did however, explore Downtown Disney.  It's a good, FREE alternate.  And it's free because it's a bunch of restaurants and shops.  Vanessa loved looking at all the toys.  We escaped with only spending $5 and only a few tears :)  Vanessa was asleep once we got in the car after about two minutes.  I still wanted to check out the temple so we did a quick drive by and headed home. Some time soon, it'll be a longer stop.  But that is for another day....

Plantation Boys

In order in the picture: Lincoln, Bradley, Benson, and Reese.  Age order: Benson, then Lincoln two weeks later, then Bradley a week later, then Reese 3 weeks after that.  At the time I was pregnant with Benson, there were three other women in the ward due within two months also having boys.  And here they all are six months later.  It's so fun to watch them all grow up together and see them all start to look just like their parents.  Another interesting factoid for ya, all of these babies are the first Floridians in the family.

Siesta Key

After my parents left, we drove up to Sarasota with our friends, Molly and Elliot. We stayed two nights and did some playing at Siesta Key. I would have to say this is probably my most favorite beach I have ever visited. Worth the hype, for sure. The sand never gots hot, which is fabulous, especially with kids. And it's super wide so it doesn't feel as crowded, even though being spring break it was just that. I am really bummed we didn't get more pictures of our whole group. We kind of slacked on the picture taking this trip, which is so un-like us. But here are a few of my favorites.

He's still got it. Sorry ladies, he's triple-taken.

Visitors

My parents came to visit last week and we had a total blast with them. They came in on Tuesday, March 8. On Wednesday, we went the beach, Lauderdale By the Sea. We chose this beach so Jon could snorkel but it ended up not being a goog snorkel day. Bummer. But everyone had a blast anyway.







Thursday was a stay at home day since Jon had to take the car for clinicals.  (He assisted in a 6 hour lipo.  It was really interesting to hear about, but also pretty gross.)  Anyway, On Friday we hit Alligator Alley on the way to Naples.  



Vanessa sure loves her Papa.

On Saturday, we went to the Miami Seaquarium.  Jon and I were pretty stoked to win free upgrades to a an annual pass.  We are so going back.  Vanessa loved it.



This picture makes me laugh.  Remember Benson's obsession with sucking on things?  He was sucking on the Pepsi bottle my mom is holding, this is how upsets he gets if something is taken away.



Sunday was an enjoy the Sabath day.  Monday we did a cruise along the intercoastal with a few minutes on the ocean.  And my Mom took me birthday shopping!  It was rather fabulous since we didn't take the kids, I got everything on my wish list.  Thanks Mom!  I was in serious need of some new clothes :)



On Tuesday, we went to Red Reef park in Deerfield.  Supposedly, this place has some great snorkeling.  We hadn't gone yet because it's $15 for parking and we didn't want to pay that until we could trade off snorkeling with someone to watch the kids.  We were slightly disappointed.  It was nice, but not really worth the $15 to park (or the drive).  Lauderdale is better.  But, Vanessa liked being burried in the sand.

And Benson loved his sweet potatoes.

The week went WAY too fast and we were sad to see them go.  We had a blast with them and Vanessa and Benson loved all the attention and spoiling.  Vanessa loves her new Nemo and Buzz.  And Jon and I sure appreciated being spoiled with our new clothes and stocking up at Costco.  We feel so blessed to have such wonderful family.

Gator Bait

Jon and I were pretty excited to try out camping in Florida.  We camped at a park about fifteen minutes from home.  But, we were the only ones there and the park is HUGE!  (Bonus points to Florida for having very awesome parks).  We had a bonfire with delicious smores and the world's largest marshmallows, compliments of Walmart.  (They weren't free, but Walmart carries them).  We pitched our tent, if you can't tell, a stones throw from the gator infested waters.  Okay, okay, not gator infested.  But, the week prior to this we were at this park and we did see a gator on the other side.  If it isn't Grizzlies, it's gators :)

Play Date

Vanessa and Lilly had so much fun playing in the dirt and getting as messy as they possilby could.  After, they had a nice bubble bath and then reward me and Cami with nice long naps :) 

Thanks for coming to play Lilly!