To crawl or not to crawl

Bentley has been thinking about crawling. Chod thinks he will be crawling by August 6th and I think he will be by August 11th. I'm afraid Chod may be right on this one. My baby got up on his hands and knees tonight and was rocking back and forth. As excited as I am for him to crawl I kind of miss the un-mobile baby he used to be. The one who would let me hold him without squirming about. Crawling means our house will have to be Bentley-proofed. That will probably prove to me more of a challenge for Chod than myself, electrical cords and computer stuff strung about is not safe.

Get dressed and you'll feel better...

Mom's advice isn't working so well this time. Yesterday I woke up feeling car sick, you know that dizzy nausea feeling. I showered and got dressed hoping Mom's theory would kick in. But it didn't so Bentley and I stayed home from church. It didn't get better as the day progressed, and in the middle of the night I woke up with it the worst it had been. This morning Chod called his boss and told him he would be coming into work later because his wife was sick (how nice and I didn't even ask him to). He drove me to the doctor (probably a good thing I didn't drive myself) and I was diagnosed with inner ear infection. They put me on some antibiotics to clear it up and sent me home. Hopefully I start feeling better soon because my house is a total disaster.

One fish, Two fish

We spent the afternoon at the aquatic center at Ross Park in Pocatello this afternoon with Karisa and Hudson. Karisa talked me into joining her and Hudson on their outing. I was a little hesistant to go because I didn't know if Bentley would enjoy it. I am glad she was persistant because he had fun and so did I. It was a very hot day, and the place was pretty full. We spent most of the time in the kiddie pool, but did venture over to the lazy river. Bentley turned into a little fish and splashed around and didn't care if he was splashed. It was hot and he was tired, but man, there was so much going on he couldn't miss out. He should sleep really well tonight. Hopefully I used enough sunscreen and kept him in the shade enough that he isn't the red fish of today!

New Coolpix

The swiveling lens is what Chod loves the most about our Nikon(s), and it looks like they have a new one out. A little looking into and this Nikon comes back with more poor reviews than the Sony below. And since they cost near the same amount I think I'll keep dreaming of the big lensed Sony.

P.S. We all know why he likes the swivel lens, self portraits. Such as this one

I'm in Love

Standing in Office Max a few days ago I spotted this little beauty. My little Nikon is, well it's little and there are quite a few things about it I like-the pictures it takes are not one of those. The white balance is off and everything comes back blueish-especially if the flash is used. And the indoor photos are poor without a flash. Besides it is going on 3 years old and I wouldn't feel bad retiring it, it has been a good little camera.

So back to the Sony CyberShot DSC-H2, isn't it cute! I liked it the instant I saw it and then after a little more research I really like it. You can add a telephoto lens, or a wide angle lens on to it-not that I own those, or could afford them, but the possibility is there. And the lens-HUGE-its like it is smiling back at me. Better start saving my pennies...

Cute and Knows It

Yesterday after trying everything thing I could think of to get Bentley to sleep I layed down next to him on the bed. As we layed there he would wiggled and played with his pacifier. I layed still with my eyes closed, trying to either be an example of what he should be doing, or get a little nap myself. He then rolled over and stuck his pacifier up to my mouth. I thought it was so funny and started laughing. For the next 5 minutes or so he would play, roll over stick the pacifier in my face, giggle, roll back over and play, and then laugh as he once again tried to give me his pacifier. I had to leave the room, because obviously my trick wasn't working on him.

He was so cute, but he knew it.

Bike Ride

This morning Bentley and I went for a bike ride. I decided to go for a longer ride than usual because it was a wonderful morning, not too warm for me and not too cold for Bentley. He was really good until the last 3 blocks. I don't know if he was tired of the sun shining in his eyes or if he was hungry, but he screamed the whole way back to the house. The people working in their yards were probably wondering what sort of torture the little guy was enduring, but we made it home and he is once again happy.

Boating Babes

Yesterday we spent the afternoon on American Falls Resevoir with the Parish crew. Karisa and Brent took their boat out and invited the rest of us. It was fun to spend the time together, and nice that their boat is big enough for all of us to ride in and still be able to pull up a skier. Chod went crazy on the tubes and tried to master the wake on the wakeboard. Bentley was a little trooper, despite it being super hot (over 100) and having to wear a life jacket, he was still a happy guy.

Blackfoot vs Logan

Since we have moved to Blackfoot I have noticed some differences in the two towns. Blackfoot will be on the left and Logan on the right.

1. white trash v. granola - is not showering better if it is because you don't pay your power bill or as an attempt to save the environment?

2. cars on blocks v. trees - some chose to landscape their yards differently than others

3. gardners' market begins at 9 v. gardners' market is winding down by 9 - who wants to shop for produce in the heat of the day?

4. Great American Video v. Redbox - oh how we miss the Redbox

5. The Site v. The University - I wonder if The Site has a good athletics program

6. Wal-Mart v. Wal-Mart - they do have something in common

7. Kesler's v. Lee's - both cute, but only one has lamp posts

8. The Homestead v. The BlueBird - homecooking at its best

9. Jensen's Grove v. First Dam - the excitement of not knowing if there will be water

yeah, I still miss Logan.

Mud Trails

When will Chod learn that when he comes home muddy, the mud comes home with him? Last night he got home from work and walked from the front door to the kitchen, from the kitchen down the hall (stopping in the bathroom) and back to the front door. Making one big muddy trail through the house. I vacuumed twice yesterday, swept the kitch and bathroom twice, and then he came home last night...this is why I have quit putting the vacuum away. It has become a permanent fixture in our front room. When he walks in the door I'm just going to turn it on and start following him throughout the house.

Bad Chocolate

Is there such a thing? Chocolate never hangs around our house long enough for expiration dates to mean anything. Chocolate is kind of like ice cream-if it is in the house it will soon be eaten.

This morning as I was making Rice Krispie (it is spelled with a K-Deidra) Treats I couldn't find the marshmallows. After tearing apart the cupboards because I knew I had some, I found them in the 1 box of food that was never unpacked. It is a box that Chod packed, mostly of things I was plaining on chucking before we moved, but since it was packed I just let it be. Now the box only gets opened when I am looking for random ingredients and have searched high and low to no avail. Today this box is where the marshmallows were hiding, along with a Hershey's chocolate bar with almonds. I was in the mood for a little chocolate, so I opened it up to break off a piece.

The chocolate was more tan in color than chocolate. But it is chocolate, so it can't be bad right...well it was. Rancid almonds and all. I think it was part of a wedding gift we got...over 2 years ago. Today I have learned that chocolate doesn't last forever, so you better eat it while it is still good.

Paranoid Mom?

Bentley's head is still tilted. I've asked the doctor about it and he just blows me off. Tonight I started doing a little research of my own and have diagnosed Bentley with torticollis. It's a real thing I swear-check out www.torticolliskids.org if you don't believe me. The more I read about it, the more convinced I am that he has it and it can be associated with other things, so now I am pratically convinced that Bentley has a spine abnormality, hip dyspasia, will soon have a face abnormality and it keeps going. Most likely he just has a neck muscle that needs stretching (if he has torticollis at all). So I checked out the links for some stretching exercises and tomorrow we will start them. Soon he will be a normal boy.
It looks like I should have caught on a lot earlier...
he isn't even a month old in this picture and there
is already leaning.

"Our" Thesis

Last night Chod grabbed both of my arms and said "I have some really good news." My mind started racing with what good news he could have-a raise, a vacation, we're moving back to Logan... "The dean signed my thesis!" he exclaimed. That is good news! Finally after all these months, no years, of working on this stupid paper it is finally finished. Last year I when I would say "he just has his thesis to write" I really thought that as soon as his thesis was written it would all be over. Then I come to find out that the thesis is more the beginning than the end. Thesis, defense, revisions, signatures, more revisions, more signatures...

I hope he realizes that a few of us actually think part of that thesis is ours. I don't know how many hours I spent working on it and I think Jolyn feels the same way. I've read it enough that I think I actually could explain to you how the whole remote sensing/carbon sequestration thing works. ASTER, SOC, NIR, spectroradiometer, Ikonos, Haploxeroll...they don't sound so strange to me anymore.

A few copies need to be made and bound which means we will have to pay some more money to USU, but then we will really be finished....at least with the thesis, can't wait for a dissertation.

Bentley hearts Food

Bentley begs. When Chod and I eat, Bentley begs for the food on our plates. With a little "uah" and reaching we know what he is after. He has tried quite a variety of food (even though we aren't sure if we should be giving it to him). Yesterday he got his first taste of waffles, mashed potatoes, and Chod's favorite pink cottage cheese salad. He has also eaten jell-o, yogurt, mac n cheese, watermelon, smoothies, crepes, popsicles and ice cream. I keep thinking he is going to stop eating baby food soon because it is bland in comparison to our food. And you would think he would weigh more after eating all that he does..

He also prefers to drink out of a glass. When he does he is using smiling from delight and doesn't close his mouth to swallow so it runs down his chin.

Sudoku

I'm addicted. I have finally figured out what Sudoku is all about, and I like it. It doesn't come as much of a surprise to me--I have always liked puzzles, but today I finally solved my first Sudoku puzzle. The Sudoku craze has been around for a while, and I just tried my first one a couple weeks ago, but didn't know all of the rules and of course didn't finish it. I haven't tried it again until today. Today I have had a lot of time to entertain myself since Chod is working (he has worked 70 hours so far this week and isn't home yet), so I got online and found Web Sudoku. It is my new favorite site. If only I had known about it when I worked in the lab my mad Zuma skills would have been mad Sudoku skills instead.

10 pair and not 1 clean

Since Chod has started this job pretending to be a farmer he has worn through 5 pairs of jeans. That is almost 2 pairs a month! Granted none of them have been brand new, he has just finished off the weakest ones in the closet. This morning when he woke me up at 6 wanting to know what happened to all of his jeans. "Check the dryer" was my response...no luck just whites in there. After a little looking I found 4 pairs in the hamper waiting to be washed, 1 on the bottom of his closet waiting to be put in the hamper, the 5 pairs with holes in them waiting to either be mended or used for a denim blanket, and the 1 good pair still in his closet that I have threatened him with his life if he ever wears them to work and gets oil on....so help me. I asked what time he had to be to work and realized there wasn't long enough to wash a pair (and have them dry) in time. Looked like my options were either a)have him wear a dirty pair, b)mend a pair sitting there, or c)give in and let him wear the only good pair.

So I pulled out my machine and started mending. I now remember why they were just sitting there with holes in them-I hate mending. I'm not good at it and find it very frustrating. "This is why landfills are full of consumer products," I muttered under my breath. "If I was getting paid to do this it would be a lot more cost effective to just buy a new pair." "I have to be better at washing his work clothes."

I am now working on the 3rd and final pair of jeans. The other two are not worth saving and one has been used for patch material, and the other will be added to my collection of denim squares. I feel after patching every part of a jean there is to patch that I am getting a little better at it. They might not look too nice but at least it will keep them in the rotation a little while longer.

Round-Up Photos

Here are some photos from the Stephens' Round-up. I think they turned out great (good work Robyn)! For the Stephens' reading this, don't worry I am having some printed for everyone and I'll also email you some.

Whose Idea Was That?

Yesterday when we got home from church there was a pass-along card stuck in our door, in fact there was one in each of our neighbor's doors. Now we were at church, so the members of our ward should also have been in church. We sat next to the missionaries at church, so it couldn't have been them.

Who was going around handing out pass-along cards.... Makes me wonder.

Tough Love

Bentley used to sleep throught then night, until a couple weeks ago that is. I can't figure out what changed but it has gotten out of hand. Last night he woke up every hour and a half-1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00 and then slept until 9. He hasn't taken a decent nap today, so right now I am trying the let him cry himself to sleep technique. I'm not sure if it is harder on him or his mom. As I write this he is going on 20 minutes of crying, I am not totally heartless and every 5 minutes I have gone in and put the pacifier back in his mouth-although I am not sure I am helping anything by doing this. I just don't know how else I can get him to start sleeping again without doing this and I am starting to lose patience with no sleep, so enough is enough and hopefully I don't have to do this very often.

Oh silence...no a little whimpering...and now we are back to a full out scream.

Give up little guy and go to sleep! His screams are getting weaker, probably from worn out vocal cords and he is bright red and sweating. I would love to go in there and pick him up and rock him, but I am afraid I would be creating a monster by doing that.

I know that just as soon as he falls asleep Chod will get home and it will be time to put him in his carseat and get on the road. I will give him 5 more minutes and then we will call it enough for today.

Messy Bentley

What a happy guy Bentley is when he has a full tummy. He may not be the cleanest eater, but he sure has fun doing it.

Complete Love

Bentley loves his mom. He loves everything about me-total and complete love. How can I tell? By the way he looks at me. When he looks at me I know I am the most important person in his life. To Bentley I am the most beautiful person. To Bentley I have the best voice. He loves when I sing to him (must be my fantastic out of key voice and I don't usually even sing the right words) but to him it is the best thing and no one elses' singing will do. When other's plug their ears, Bentley finds comfort in my voice.

One day this will change and he won't think I am the greatest, but for right now I am going to enjoy every smile I get and take every chance I can to hold and sing to him. I'll let him love me for as long as I can.

Bentley at 6 months

Bentley had his 6 month baby well check-up today, and what did we learn? He is 25.5 inches long and weighs 17 lbs. What does this mean? He is in the 15 percentile for height (must get that from his parents) and is in the 35 percentile for weight. I thought he would weigh more than that, or at least fall into a higher percentile. He does have a large head and falls in the 75 percentile for that-our own little bobble-head!

He was so happy at the doctor's office, not that this is really too abnormal for him, but when either the nurse of the doctor were in the room he was all smiles. As soon as they would leave he would get really grumpy and wiggly. I had to work hard to keep him from screaming, but when the door would open out came happy Bentley. He is a silly boy.

The doctor said he looked healthy and not to worry about him spitting up all the time. That's because he doesn't have to clean up the mess...

We went to the Blackfoot library and checked out a few more Baby Einstien videos for him and a baby sign one. He loves the Baby Einstein movies, in fact he likes anything that is on TV. But the BE are especially captivating to him. I guess the people who made them knew what they were doing.

Might as well stay home

WEP has always had the theory that if you only invited the family you wanted to be around the family reunions they would be a lot more fun. With the Stephens' reunion behind us we are now planning the Parish reunion. Already a sister is wishing she could be doing other things during it. My new found feelings from previous reunions this summer are that if you don't want to be there, then stay home and let others have fun without you. No reason to go and ruin it for them. Maybe WEP has been right all along.

Independence Day

We spent the morning of the 4th at the Stephens' residence. And then headed back to Blackfoot. While we were saying our goodbyes my phone kept ringing, Karisa, Deidra, and Dad were all calling to see what was going on. So I spent the drive from Rigby to Blackfoot on the phone coordinating plans with the family. Deidra and Chris were getting in the car and driving north hoping to know what their final destination would be. Karisa was wanting to do something, but Brent was in Swan Valley and she couldn't get a hold of him. Chod and I were planning on going to Burley but we realized that by the time we got there it would be time to turn around and head back. Plans evolved to meet at American Falls Resevior with Mom and Dad bringing the Blue Ghetto. The whole family (minus Brent) met, grilled hamburgers, skiied, wakeboarded, kneeboarded, and tubed. It was fun to all be together.

While at the river I started feeling yucky and by the time we got home Bentley was screaming at the top of his lungs, so instead of watching fireworks we stayed home. I fell asleep on the couch watching some patriotic program and Chod woke me up at 1 am to go to bed. Happy 4th!

Glad to be home

It seems we have been on the run for the last week, and whenever we come home the piles become larger. Today Bentley and I are staying home! I think we could both use a little down time since life has been pretty crazy. We came home from the reunion Saturday night, Devon and Michaela came and went to church with us on Sunday, Monday Bentley and I met Jolyn and Michaela in Idaho Falls and then went to Rigby. That night Chod joined us and we went to West Yellowstone to the Playmill, drove back to Rigby. Thankfully we spent the night in Rigby and came back to Blackfoot, but just to change clothes and get back in the car. We met the Parishes at the Massacre Rock boatdock for an afternoon in the sun.

Bentley's schedule (what there was of one) has been completely thrown off and he has quit sleeping through the night. I'm not sure if this is due to the noisier house with a lot more people than he is used to, teething, or if he just feels like not sleeping. But when he doesn't sleep-I don't sleep. It is nice to be back to a quiet house and hopefully the schedule will return.
I have piles of laundry and dishes that need to be done, and lots of random things that need to be put away and returned. Maybe tomorrow can be our day for a little R & R.

It's Over!

The Stephens Round-up has come and gone. When I am planning for something the way it is in planned in my mind and the way it works out are never the same. The reunion was no exception, I think it turned out fine, but the way I had it planned was a little different than the way it turned out. The end result is never as good as the anticipation that builds up while I am preparing.

Friday night was fun to see what people had for their "gidd-up". Devon and Michaela surprised us all by wearing Indian outfits. Chod, Bentley and Larry all had chaps and Jeff had a Wrangler rodeo shirt that he found at D.I. D.I. served as a good source of clothes for most of us, Leann, Cameron, Chod, Jeff and Jolyn all were wearing D.I. finds. Robyn took family photos--a big family one and then individual family photos. I am excited to see how they turned out. Its pretty sad that it is the first family photo we have had taken. Guess its time to get one scheduled because Bentley is growing so fast-before I know it he will be 15 and we still won't have one taken.

After dinner we sat around the fire and Jolyn played the guitar and Michaela sang a song she had written about the family. There's a lot of talent in the family.

The boys loved panning for gold although it ended up being more like digging for gold, because they found that was quicker than sifting through the sand. Larry's swingset was a hit.
The High Noon Shoot-out seemed to be a favorite. Jeff's and Chod's guns both turned out to be pretty much worthless. JJ had the best one for soaking people although he couldn't move very far from the water source. Grandpa dumped a bucket of water on JJ's head. Bret wore a poncho, not sure if he helped keep him dry, but was very noticeable and he looked like Casper. I don't know if the little guys or Michaela had more fun. Devon who was worried that Jeff and Jolyn would have better water guns than his lucked out when Jeff and Jolyn forgot about the high noon shoot-out and settled for what Kings had in stock.

The guys and Michaela shot skeet. I think it was the first time Michaela has fired a gun.
Bentley loved petting the baby kittens they were so small and he would run his hand across their backs. One took a special liking to Bentley, so Grandma said he could have it. She is going to keep it at her house for him though. Boozer (Jeff and Jolyn's dog) and Bentley became friends as well. Bentley would watch him run through the room and Boozer spent some time on the floor next to Bentley on his back and Bentley would pet his tummy. I think I may have a little animal lover.

All and all the reunion turned out pretty well. I wish more people would have been excited to be there instead of just putting in the time like a jail sentence, maybe next year they'll join in the fun.