4th of July

To celebrate the 4th we began the day at the Plantation City 4th of July Parade with our friends, the Spilkers and the Smiths...

Benson loved the free candy

Our baby girl has turned into a little lady. When did this happen?! Vanessa with the Spilker boys (Michael and Jack)

She's trying to figure this one out

After the morning parade and an afternoon swim/barbecue (Lynette found a good deal on ribs and they were delicious ) we ended the day watching fireworks at Central Park...

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

Pieces To The Puzzle

We are slowly getting word of how our crazy year will be spent. Jon starts clinicals in September, though still no word where(unimportant detail anyway,right). But we do know the following...
Oct-Dec... St. Louis, Missouri
Jan-Feb... Aurora,Colorado
March-April...Utah!!!
May...?
June...?
July...probably New Mexico
August...?
We feel so blessed with how things are turning out. And I'm also learning to be patient and not whine so much. I just can't help that I am a planner. I have to evaluate and change my mind five times before I make a decision. Changing your mind that much takes time! Anyway, it's turning up futile to try and plan temporary housing in advance so I guess it didn't really matter not knowing. At least now I can sit up at 1am and look at craigslist for housing, etc. It feels sorta productive :)

Face plant, a question and the best dad ever

Benson sitting and smiling for the camera

Benson face planting.  He does this occassionally.  He actually did this yesterday on the kitchen counter trying to grab some food.  Smashed his face on the counter, but he didn't even cry.  Why does he do this?  No idea, he can proficiently sit on his own.  Crazy kid.

The mess that your face becomes after a face plant.



 So we did a shoot tonight for some friends who are leaving Florida and heading west.  I'm really sad to see them go.  But I sincerely hope we'll be able to meet up with them in Utah...one day.  They are a great family and we had so much fun doing their pictures.  We brought the kids.  We usually do.  We figure one of us can shoot while the other watches and then we trade.  In the past it has worked okay, but Vanessa desperately wanted to play with the other kids.  Remember how big of a deal friends are to her.  So poor Jon was chasing her and having to pull her out of the picture all the time.  Probably the last time Vanessa comes to a shoot.  It was all okay at the end of the day when we went to McDonalds and she ate an entire hamburger!  Go Vanessa.  I knew she could eat!  So you're probably wondering about the question part.  That's Benson.  He does this all day long.  Raising his hand, like he has a question.  I've asked him a couple times if he has a question and he always shakes his head "no" like he knows what I am asking.  That kid cracks me up.  And doesn't this picture make you look at it and just think... that looks like the best dad in the whole world?  Well it should, cause he is :)

Check it Out

A few new posts....JayElle Photography

New Beach and The Proof

Proof of sunscreen application

We drove to Key Biscayne and went to the Cape Florida Lighthouse.  It was worth seeing once, but probably not worth going back.  As it got later and later, the beach started to smell worse and worse, like sulfur.  Odd.

Stranger Anxiety

I'm not sure if anyone even noticed but in one of the pictures from Vanessa's birthday, Benson is in the background looking extremely upset. It breaks my heart. Enter mom can't leave me stage. I have a really hard time with this stage. I struggled with it with Vanessa to no end. Most people here don't even know Vanessa had a stranger anxiety stage. She went to nursery like a champ and never really had any problems. But she had it bad up until about a year. And I had it so bad that I didn't leave her. I can think of maybe five times that I left her and four of those five, she was with my mom, who we lived with, and Vanessa was fine with her. So, now that Benson has entered this stage, I am feeling that familiar anxiety as well. Maybe it's because I am a psych major, maybe it's because I spent way too much time at DCFS (as an employee, not a client), I feel like I can't leave him when he is showing that anxiety. I start to get anxious and worry about the long term implications. What if it causes attachment problems? What if it makes him feel like I've abandoned him? What it makes him think he can't count on me? And what if it does absolutely nothing at all and I stressed for no reason?
At least he is darn cute right? I mean, who wouldn't want to be around this face all day?

Good Reads

I realize most people don't share my obsession about childbirth, but since most women do give birth, I thought I would review some of the books I have read. My #1 recommendation if you were to only read one book is The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. But, here are some other thoughts:

Books:
HypnoBirthing: the Mongan Method by Marie F. Mongan (wasn't helpful to me for labor, but others have liked it)

The Birth Book by Dr Sears (loved it)

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer (great information, great compilation of research)

Husband Coached Childbirth by Dr Bradley (also a good one. If I could afford these classes, I would have taken these. This is most similar to what I used in labor)

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg, Erick Ingraham, Robin Yoko Burningham and Robert A. Bradley (another great Bradley book)

Birthing From Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz (a little too hippie, even for me)

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin (great info from a great midwife)

The Baby Book by Dr Sears (covers pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding briefly but mostly about baby care. All of it is great though. As one woman put it, it's a Baby Bible, LOL)

What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff (I shouldn't say it's a waste of time, but I didn't feel there was anything to be learned that your doc wouldn't tell you. It's a fluffy bare minimum book)

The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnany by Vicki Iovine (same as above with some humor)

Homebirth in the Hospital by Stacey Marie Kerr (stories of births by a family doctor, interesting but not a lot of useful info)

The Official Lamaze Guide:For a Healthy Pregnancy and Birth by Judith Lothian (felt pretty fluffy, I wouldn't recommend this one)
Pushed by Jennifer Block (I couldn't finish this one when I
was prego so I'll have to get back to it. It made me upset with the whole medical model of birth)

Childbed Fever (SO interesting, a biography about Ignaz Semmelweis and OBs learning to wash their hands)
WHO website
Cochrane Libraries online

Vanessa's Birthday

Was clear back on May 20.  We had a joint party for her at the splash park.  Jon wasn't able to go since this was during the day, so we had cake and ice cream and opened gifts from the family the day of. 

I can't believe she is 2.  She thinks she is older of course.  She is talking like crazy.  Lately, everything is a need, as opposed to just something she wants. 
"I need  my animals" or "I need chocolate."  We definitely have a choco-holic on our hands.  As well as a general sweets lover.  Vanessa still loves going to nursery and "playing with the kids."  Her friends are already a big deal.  I swear we pay attention to her and play with her, but Sam, Lily and Jack are sooo much cooler.
She likes to say she will do whatever someone else is doing too.  For instance, if Lily says, "I'll go get my boots."  Vanessa will say "I'll go get my boots too."  She does this with everything.  It's confusing to people sometimes.  Especially in nursery when she says she needs to go potty just cause one of the other kids did, even though she refuses to actually go on the potty.  She will sit on the potty when her diaper is on, but if I try to take her diaper off to have her sit, it's the end of the world.  Silly girl. 
Vanessa knows all her colors and shapes.  She has no interest in counting, the alphabet, or going potty.  Everything is on her time schedule.  Which honestly, I am fine with. 
She is doing tons better at night.  But Jon and I have completely relented and let her come in bed with us, she usually saunters in around midnight.  She just sleeps so much better knowing mom and dad are close.  Plus, it's about the only time we feel like she actually needs us still so we'll suck it up for all it's worth :)  I also happen to think she is scared of the dark.  When she wakes up, she won't leave our room until I go turn on the light in another room, because "its dark, mommy."
Vanessa still loves her animals.  These things go everywhere.  We have started limiting her to two animals for outings.  These usually results in a frantic decision at the door, but she has decided it's okay. 
Naps are pretty much a thing of the past.  She naps occassionally.  And usually it's when we are on our way home from somewhere around 1:00 or 2:00.  She usually needs a nap around 4:00 or 5:00 but if I let her nap at this time, she is up incredibly late and I just can't do that.  So, we have to push through a couple rough hours sometimes in order to hit the sack around 7:00.  She'll sleep until 8:00am though, so it isn't all bad.  Then Jon and I get a few hours in the evening with little Benson man.  He goes to bed around 9:00pm usually. 
Vanessa is so much fun.  We laugh at this girl all the time.  She has started doing this little snort thing that just makes me laugh everytime.  It's so un-lady like and so funny!  She is the sweetest thing in the world.  She gives Benson kisses any time he starts crying, even if it's because she just hit him.  Sometimes I swear she makes him cry so she can "kiss it better." 
I feel like I narrate my life to Vanessa.  Whenever I leave the room, I tell her.  I tell her where I am going and that I will "be right back."  This has caused Vanessa to narrate her life to me.  "I go get diaper mommy, be right back."  "I go get wagon mommy, be right back."  I love it.  I think it's the cutest thing ever.
Vanessa also just got a darling little haircut yesterday.  We cut off about an inch (not me, but my friend did) and stacked the back.  Also trimmed up her bangs so they aren't always in her face.  Hallelujah.  It was much needed!  Pics to come.  It's been a crazy 24 hours so I haven't taken any yet.

That's Why I Married Him

A few weeks ago, I went to two different grocery stores and both times forgot fresh basil. Not wanting to go again, I text Jon and asked him to grab some on his way home. When he walked in, he had the dried kind. Doesn't exactly work for pesto. I told him it was no big deal, I would go get some later or the next day. He was determined to help out, so he went back. When he came home the second time, he had bought me this baby.

I will never need fresh basil again. Problem solved. And that is why I married this man.

I've Made Up My Mind

I feel like if I announce this I will actually do it.  After Jon starts clinicals full time (like September-ish),  I am going to start the certification for childbirth educator.  I've picked the organization I am  going to use.  I'm way excited about it.  I really hope to be able to teach women they are in charge of their pregnancy and birth.  And it can be a wonderful experience.Check out CBI's site here

Moments Like These

Vanessa has started taking toys from kids, especially Benson.  It makes me really sad.  She never used to do this.  I guess that is part of growing up and learning how to be around other kids.  But look at that face!  Benson looks completely crushed.  He's gonna have to toughen up to survive this girl.

A few happy moments amongst a long, hard couple weeks at the Brady home.  Filled with frustration, stress, sickness, whining and crying.  But, I at least, am feeling better so hopefully we can all get back on our feet now.

Can You Believe It?!

Can you believe I was this big?!  I just found this going through and editing past pictures.   This was taken exactly 11 days before Benson was born.  I am rocking that belly for sure.  Holy crap

Life After the Man O War

Jon is doing great. And he actually has been for a while. It was a rough day/night but he went to school the following day and life went on. I will admit now, that I stayed up until about 1am that night, checking on him about every 1/2 hour. And then I went in again at 4am and checked on him (he slept in Vanessa's room to get a decent sleep). I was so worried he would get some crazy infection or delayed reaction to all the venom. I guess that's what us women do...worry. He was fine, I missed some sleep, but I did ease my worrying :) His marks/scars are healing. They don't hurt at all anymore. He will probably have some scars, but only time will tell. These beach pics were taken that fateful day ;) Vanessa really wanted him to play in the sand him with when he was leaving to go snorkeling. We have a bunch of pics or her trying to coax him back to the sand. They're really cute. And is it just me or are baby rolls the cutest ever? And tan lines in the rolls. Yes, Benson has both. That would probably make him the cutest baby ever.
This is Jon and Benson taking a nap in the loudest room in the house. Why they chose this spot, I have no idea. But, luckily we have a house full of deep sleepers because they didn't seem to mind the noise. Aren't they cute? Benson is seriously a super happy baby. He smiles and drools like crazy, they seem to come together. He isn't crawling, but he can pretty much get anywhere in the living room he wants to be by rolling around. I think he scoots a little too. I'm not honestly sure how he gets some places as fast as he does. Just yesterday I was helping Vanessa with something by the end of the couch and Benson was on the floor near the other end. I looked up and he was suddenly at my feet with a huge drooly grin. He also eats like a champ. He is eating baby food three times a day, most days. And, I even made him some home-made baby food. Go me! Sweet potatoes and green beans. In case anyone was wondering, I priced it out. Here were my calcuations.
I spend about $1 for 7 oz of Gerber baby food (this is with no sale and no coupon).
1.3 lbs of fresh green beans cost me $1.30 and this made about 35 oz. of baby food. That saved me $3.70. And it wasn't much time/work. The sweet potatoes are a little different story because I forgot how much the potatoes cost and can't find my receipt. I think they were around $2 so I only saved about $1. But still, it would add up after a while. Both these foods were super easy, I don't know that I'm all about spending much time doing the nitty gritty (like apples, they just sound tedious). But I guess we'll see. Benson does seem to prefer the fresh.

Vanessa starts looking more and more like a little girl everyday. She is no longer a baby. And she is acting more and more like a little girl too. My goodness! She is giving me and Jon a run for our money. She leaves us both shaking our heads, what feels like ten times a day. I wouldn't call it the "terrible twos" because she is still the sweetest, most adorable thing ever. But honestly, she has those tantrum skills down!
Enough of that. How am I surviving two kids that are 16 months apart? Well, I think generally well. Better than I expected quite honestly. I am exhausted and I wonder if I am doing anything right ALL the time, but I really did think it would be a lot harder. When Vanessa was Benson's age, I was just pregnant (though we didn't know it yet). Weird.
So today I went to Dollar Tree. This is a great store. But there are seriously some weird people here. I am walking up holding Benson, with Vanessa attached to my leg whining "cue, cue" (which means, carry you; but really me carry her). I was in the middle of telling her "I can't carry you, can I hold your hand?" When some lady walked up and started saying how cute my kids are. Really lady? I smiled and was polite, but I really didn't think my kid was acting very cute. But this lady was persistent. She continued talking to me. She wanted to know if we were going to have more kids and how many and when. Sheesh, honestly?! I realize this may be judgemental, but I don't think this lady was quite normal. I was worried for a minute that she was going to try to pick Vanessa up, to help me. Which probably would have caused all hell to break loose. But that's a topic for another story. This lady held the door open, followed me inside, and down the aisle as I am shopping. All the while asking me about my kids. It was freakin me out. Then another lady commented on what a flirt Benson is and my new bff told the lady for me that he was a really good baby. She did confirm it with me after she answered. It was about this time, that I stopped talking to her and just walked away. Was that totally rude? Probably. Was I also annoyed that I was there to buy pregnancy tests and didn't want 500 more questions from this lady? Most definitely.
PS...I'm paranoid, not pregnant. We don't actually have a need for pregnancy tests yet.
Since I am on a random tangent, I wrote up a scathing review on a doctor I saw once in Utah and absolutely HATED. I saw this doctor for my first prego appointment with Benson, so over a year ago. I don't know why I suddenly felt like writing this review. I was contemplating doing it and then when I saw he had a perfect score it suddenly became an obsession. Now I am wondering if I wasn't a little too harsh. I'm sure he's a decent person and a decent doctor. I take reviews on line into consideration, I wonder if other people do too? What would you do? I have an option to take it back, maybe I should?
Have I mentioned that I am considering getting certified to teach childbirth classes? I am pretty sure that I will eventually, it's just a matter of when and with what organization. There are lots of options. And I have to decide if I want to go to a conference or just do it all on-line. There are definitely pros and cons to both. I actually went to Nova's library to see if they had any of the books on one organization's book list. They didn't. But I did find two small, quick reads. One is called Childbed Fever and the other is Cocain Exposed Infants. I know, I'm weird. But these are two topics that I've wanted to know more about and they just happened to be there and the books I wanted weren't. So another decision I have to make with getting certified is what philosophy I want to go with. If I really go with my personal feelings on childbirth, they aren't exactly mainstream. But if I want to teach to make money maybe I should go more mainstream. Any thoughts?
I am so tired and really need to go to bed. There are a million random thoughts lately that I would love to post, but that's all the energy I've got for now and it'll be another six months before my whole family is asleep long enough for me to ramble this much. SO, I guess I'll spill the rest of my guts then.

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....