Half Birthday

It is hard to believe, but Benjamin is six months old today! That really went by fast but at the same time it feels like he has been a part of our family forever. We are so luck to have him and Abby keeps telling me she wants to keep him forever, which is good.

I'm always amazed at how much of a personality a six month old has, but there is no denying that Ben is Michael's son! Ben is really such a good baby--he loves to smile and laugh even when he is tired, has learned to put himself to sleep (most of the time), and he loves to see his sister.

As far as baby stats...he is just getting into 6-9 month clothes so I think he is about average. Haven't weighed him in a few weeks so I'm not sure what he weighs. I'm guessing he is just over 16 lbs. his hair is filling in nicely though you can't really tell unless you look really close because he is so blond. As far as sleep, he is sleeping 12 hrs some nights and waking for one feeding (or two) other nights. Ben is rolling from tummy to back most days, getting really really close to rolling back to front, and working on sitting up on his own. I think he would be farther along if he had more floor time but with a sister who lives you so much, that is a dangerous place to be! Mommy's in no hurry...

Today was a big day for Ben...he had his first taste of solid foods! This time around I skipped the cereal and went straight for the veggies. I was going to start with sweet potatoes but after talking with other moms I heard that squash was easier to digest so we started there.

Thanks to Door to Door Organics I made Carnival and Kabocha squash to add to the carrots and sweet potatoes already in my freezer. If you haven't tried making your own baby food yet you should give it a try--it's pretty easy and so much cheaper!

It went from this:


To baked and scooped:



To puréed with water:



To table in about 20 minutes (plus the hour baking in the oven) plus I have about 30 more servings in the freezer:



Here are a few pics and some video of him trying his carnival squash:

In the end, I'm not sure if he really knew what to think of it and I can't say I blame him...squash is not my favorite either!

Happy Half-Birthday Benjamin!!!

Thanks for Mommy Moment-Magazines

I've been a subscriber of The Oprah Magazine and Real Simple for nine years now, Parents and Family Fun for three, Shape on and off, and gave up on Martha Stewart about five years ago because I have a minor hoarding issue. Needless to say, I'm rather behind in my reading which brings us to today's Mommy Moment: You know you are a mom when you feel like you accomplished something by reading an entire magazine in the month (and year--yes I'm that far behind) in which it actually is!

So, today I'm thankful for a few quiet evenings that allowed me to rest and read a bit.

Thanks Sleepyhead

Today I am thankful for long naps. Sadly, not for Mommy, just the children but I'll take what I can get  Today, Ben blessed me with a 2:53 nap and Abby slept 1:45.  I think about 35 of those minutes overlapped, which allowed me a quick shower on my own!  It is amazing how refreshing those quiet, napping hours are.  I'm not sure I could make it through a day with out them.  Now if only I could sneak in a nap for myself once in a while. That, or maybe I should go to bed at a decent hour.  Ah, well, maybe tomorrow!!!

Thanks for Choosing

Today is an easy one! I'm so thankful to live in a country that practices democracy! I hope you took advantage of your freedom to vote today and may the best man win (someday we'll be able to say "or woman".....)!

Thanks Purple

Today, a little girl in purple reminded me how beautiful the simple things in life are! I really can't explain why, but watching and hearing her enjoying her bike ride just stole my heart. Today I'm thankful for the color purple and the moment it will always remind me of from here on out!

Thanks Red Mower

After more than four hours of mulching and bagging leaves, I have to say that today I'm really thankful for our riding lawn mower! I can't believe that I used to do all of that with a little walk behind push mower. That was before kids for sure!

So, thank you red riding mower for making today's leaf collection less time consuming and labor intensive than it once was. My kids and husband thank you too!

Thanks for Staying Home

I am very blessed to have two beautiful, loving, funny, smart children who fill my life with joy and wonder.  I love that I get the opportunity to stay home with them on a daily basis to watch them learn and grow.

The Month of Thanks

Well, I keep trying to be a better blogger and I keep failing. But as the wise say, try, try again....so here I go.  And what better way to get me into the grove of frequent blogging than to commit to a month of thanks as Thanksgiving slowly creeps towards us?  Can't think of one myself!

So here is what I'm thinking:  These are in no particular order, nor is the list to be all-inclusive; This is simply a pause from the busy world to remind myself just how wonderful life is; Some may be deep and moving while others may be simple or light-hearted; This is an attempt to be a better archiver of our family happenings; You are welcome to follow along to help hold me accountable to my my goal or perhaps join me in your own gratitude journey; In true Keliann fashion I am a bit late and have some catching up to do, but will plug away at that in the next few days.

I am thankful for...Video Baby Monitors

Three and a half years ago I swore I was not going to "one of those moms" who has a video monitor and watches her kids sleep.  In my mind there was no reason why one should spend $200+ on  such a thing, the end.  Then, along came Abby and my Mommy genes kicked in.  I can't tell you how many nights I snuck into her room to make sure she was still breathing or that she wasn't stuck between the crib slats not to mention all the nights of screaming and jumping in the crib/bed because she did not want to sleep when I felt I had to go check on her because I did not know what she was doing.  After two years of that I was kicking myself for not getting one and once Ben came along I swore I was not going through that again so off to the store I went.  I think purchasing my video monitor was one of the best purchases I have made this time around. I got a camera for Abby's room and one for Ben's room and might add one more in the playroom soon too.  It has made sleep training Ben so much easier because when I feel like I have to cave and go check on him I just peek at the monitor or when Abby is still awake 40 minutes after putting her to sleep I can just push the microphone button and reminder her she is supposed to be sleeping instead of having to go in and get sucked into the "I'm not tired/Mommy don't leave" fight, among other reasons.  It has taken way so much of the Mommy wonder/panic that I can't imagine how I did it with out it before and NO I have not become so obsessed with my sleeping children that sit and watch them the entire time (much to my own surprise).  So, Thank you video baby monitor makers for making a product that makes me so much more comfortable!

Sleepy Ben

Abby asleep at last!
 (no it is not 75 degrees in her room...I can't get a good reading since hanging it on the wall)

Happy Halloween

Hope all of you had a good time Trick-or-Treating! Here is a quick picture of my two favorite costumes of the night. More Halloween pics to come soon.

Sounds of Love

I love the sounds that fill my home. Well most of the time I do, especially when it is this: