in between

I currently find myself in this state.  I have half our life packed and stored away in the attic and the other half is my "good enough" decorating, with a few choice pictures placed to fill in the blank wall.  Creating a unique space for us is being constricted by not owning a home.

We planned to stay in this rental for 6 months at the most.  Between Ben's very stressful job and our overwhelming feeling of living in gigantic Houston, we decided buying a home right now just was not in our plan.  Although I have met great people and have developed close personal relationships, commuting and crowding everywhere, is not what we are used to.

And not being close to family, that is the obvious down fall.

Maybe when we settle and don't feel so in between, buying will be back on the table, but until then...  This is it.  Renting.  Half Decorating.  A state of in between.

In Between


My friend Ali stumbled onto this blog, CLICK HERE.  I love the idea of spending 5 minutes, no extra, to describe a part of your life that doesn't deem an entire blog posting.  Great find friend!

i love you my baby ~ 9 months

 

As I sit and type, you are right where you always are, at my feet.  Most of the day you 'mom check.'  Where is my mom and how fast can I be at her feet?  If you are fussing in the kitchen and I walk by, without acknowledging you, a melt down ensues.  Complete and total despair.  The cry is too pathetic for me not to give you snuggles. 

Yesterday you were crawling down the hall to find me while I finished laundry.  I ran past you to get more hangers {knowing a melt down was bound to happen}.  A screeching, that the entire neighborhood heard, came out of you.  I thought I stepped on you but rather, much worse, I did not show my little man some love.

In a weeks time {about 3 weeks ago} you started crawling, pulling up and walking along couches and kitchen cabinets.  Daddy came home from a business trip and between you roaming the house and Madison jumping around the house, you may have thought he took a month furlough. 

The last couple of days 'da da da' and 'ba ba ba' have started coming from that sweet voice of yours.  We still have the grunting and lip flapping but now a few syllables have come together. 

Sippy cups and knees on the concrete can be placed in the dislike pile.  You love hanging on Mommy {which is happening right now, he is hanging off my outstretched leg and making farting noises against my skin}.  Your sister makes you laugh, really really laugh by making funny faces and crazy noises.  Spending time with sister is a favorite.  You love her hugging on you {but at times the hug gets a bit too tight} or handing {maybe throwing} a toy or two in your direction.  Just having her attention makes you happy.

Chicken, noodles, cheese, peas, nectarines and raspberries are favored over items such as avocado.  Your eating habits far out due your sister, even if she is 2 1/2.  We still do breakfast, lunch and dinner with a snack in between.

Manny, Brother, Bubby are your nicknames and even Madison calls you these.  She usually expresses her love by 'putting you in time out' {then you usually giggle} or very sternly saying "no no Carson" {when you try a toy she was just done playing with}.  She loves you dearly, frequently asking to hold you or secretly tries to shove food in your mouth.

You light up a room little boy.  Your sweet smile and ever present laughter makes our family feel complete.  I do not remember a life without you. 

Mommy, Daddy and Sister Love you!

Happy 9 months!!

Weight: 22 lbs (73rd %)
Height: 30 in (90th %)
Head: 17 in

{Side note:  Madison at this age was 16 lbs and 26 in at 9 months}

tot school {I}

 Igloos {with hidden marshmallows inside} and Inch Worms {or some of us say wormies}

{During this craft, or what sounds like "crap" when Madison says it, Madison kept bending the inch worm pipe cleaners into "V"s.  She would even proclaim the letter, saying "V Mommy, look letter V.  For sure a proud Mommy moment!} Ben has been just asking her and she has got about 4-5 letters correct.  Something is sinking in!!!

Although that may look like a caterpillar from the Very Hungry Caterpillar we called it a very long inch worm

Making Daddy's cup was super fun.  Madison could not even contain her excitement.  She kept saying, "Give daddy surprise."  Describing the rules of what surprises are supposed to be really did not sink in.  Instead, Ben received his surprise a few days early.

Ice Cubes

Carson wasn't found of the cold but Madison dug in.  She must of drank a total of a gallon in ice cubes.  Super fun, easy activity.  1 drop of food coloring, fill the ice trays and now you have colored ice.

Ice Cream Slurry

Ice Cream Colors

Iguana

Where do these items go on the house? She had to put the roof, the door, the windows in the right place. She loved pretending to put items in the door.

Color Sorting

Making Daddy's Present

{That will be revealed in the Father's Day Post}

galveston sort of a day

We decided to split our beach day in half, first a nice place to eat and shopping, then onto the beach.  The Spot was our choice and was very tasty.  The atmosphere was perfect, over looking the ocean, strong air conditioner {necessity} and a beach vibe.  Ben enjoyed fried catfish and I had a blackened catfish sandwich.  Delicious!

 

Then we played in the ocean for a couple of hours before heading home.  This "hit up the beach" thing is awesome!!

 

 

Snack break

 

The seaweed was bad this day.  Everyone always said, well Galveston is not that nice.  Unfortunately this day was extra bad with seaweed covering almost every inch of the sand.  None the less we had a great time splashing around.

tot school {H}

H week was another fun week!

We played with hearts, gluing, coloring, painting, cutting and tearing. 

We traced and cut our our hands, multiple times.  Madison can trace about half her hand then she says "Mommy, you do it."  A bit impatient

 

Bass Pro Shop was offering free activities.  We made a compass, watched the kids catch and release the fish from a mini pond {swimming pool} in the middle of the store.

 

 

Carson was almost crawling this week.  We would get a few steps and he would fall back on that little belly.  I think the ice cream for "I" week was really the reason he started crawling.

 

We met 4 of our friends and their kids at the splash pad for a mid morning cooling off.  We rode our bikes here and loved it. {we ride about 3 times a week now. It is a great mental break for me and a chill out moment for the kids.}

The week would not be complete without a dose of Caleb ;)

Madison LOVED this activity.  Simply sticking the tooth picks in the foam ball.  Putting back the toothpicks was just as much fun.  We also color sorted them into the appropriate colored cup. She is really doing great with colors.

 

I have mentioned this water feature Ben added.  The picture on the bottom left corner shows how you hook up the hose, which is wrapped around the bottom of the swing set and small hoses are connected in about 3 spots.  SUPER AWESOME!!!

 



tot school {G}

We are actually currently on J this week so you can tell how far behind I am with these tot school posts....

 

Oops....

 

G Week

 

Gardening with our home made flowers.  We even planted them in our special noodles.

Carson is becoming more sturdy standing up

{Again this is like 3 weeks behind.  Now he is pulling up and standing like a pro}

We helped mommy do some "cooking" in the "oven"

Green Dinosaurs

Stamping, coloring, painting

Decorating the Letter G with Grass and Velvet {I got these Easter Egg coloring kits for $0.10, clearance.  I used the items and not the eggs...works great!!}

Our new relaxing chair...I WANTED the pink owl chair but was rational and decided poor brother did not need to have one more pink item in his pictures.  Poor guy already was stuck with the Bumbo for some time.

We had an added bonus this week, CALEB CAME!!  Peanut Butter Play Doh was a huge hit {and super easy to make}.  They also played with the oatmeal sensory bowls.  All very fun.

Library Time

Our paper plate ghost was a "nice" ghost.  Nothing scary in this house!

 

csp weekend 2013

To say our recent trip to Rapid City was amazing would be an understatement.  Every moment of the long weekend was unforgettable.  From simply watching Lucas and Madison play in Grandma S. back yard to laughing as my dad runs around a field trying to fly a kite for the kids.  Each memory is forever etched in my heart.

We are the LUCKIEST family to have THEE most amazing grandparents.  Their love, affection and endearment for our kids is evident in every minute spent together.  Giggles from my little Carson and bent over laughter from my daughter, life is perfect. 

The cousins were over the moon to have us there.  Lucas is still warming up to the idea of sharing Grandma Stewart but maybe with time that will change {Kari and I are both praying for that!}.  Aunt Kari kisses Carson almost as much as me and Uncle Matt even got smiles.   Aunt Keila had her arms wrapped around Carson as much as possible.  We are blessed!!

Great Grandma Benson was able to travel from MN to join our celebratory Custer State Park Free Weekend as well.  We are happy she is able to make that drive.  Quite amazing from a young lady like that!

Our weekend was a ping pong match of sorts, bouncing and bobbing between house and events.  We would have the weekend no other way.

First the Stewarts {Ben's Family}

Then the Bensons {Cassie's Parents}
         Ben and I were able to sneak away and take a drive through the park in Mary and Gary's Jeep.

On to the first day at Custer Park

First the Pancake Feed

 

Let the Fishing Derby begin at Sylvan Lake

 

On to the fire truck demo

And next..... Ben Stewart's Airplane Show {a bit impromtu}

We rested up and the next day began with rain, rain, rain.  Although the weather may have slowed us down and cut our day in half, we still enjoyed.

We huddled inside hoping for a break in the rain.  The bird show was delayed and unfortunately that just gave more opportunity to the rain.

We closed up and decided to huddle under a covered picnic area and enjoy our ham sandwiches.

Ben and I took all the kids {minus Carson} to Chuckie Cheese.  Holy crazy town.  Little much for parents of two.  We had 3 rambunctious boys and a little lady following that example.  The kids all behaved great, such good boys, but a kid is a kid.  With flashing lights and "pick me" music who does not get excited.  Having that one on one time with the boys with them was just what we wanted.  We all had a great time!!

Our last day was bitter {not sweet at all}.  I hated leaving, saying good bye to all our wonderful family and friends.  I was completely nauseous.

Great memories with the greatest family we could ask for!