Benjamin Michael

Now for the introduction of the little boy that has kept my life so busy these past nine and a half months. Benjamin was born on July 12th. He was 8 lbs 4 oz and from the moment he came into this world he has been very alert. In fact, he went through a very long period where sleeping seemed to be a very unpopular option for him. We spent many a night wondering when our child would decide to be like other children and sleep those supposed 14 hours a day they tell you babies get the first few months of life.
Apart from the lack of sleep he was also on the smaller side.  He began rather average, but because of his constant movement he lost all the calories he was taking in and consequently slimmed out a bit. We found that once he started on baby food his weight seemed to no longer be an issue. At ten months he is an almost 20 lb, almost walking, now sleeping baby, with a grin as wide as the moon.
Benjamin decided one night in late March to take his very first step. Of course I was not there to see it. Michael was playing with him in the living room while I was cooking in the kitchen and they were just out of my sight when it happened. Ben had been practicing standing on his own the couple of weeks before, so it was only natural that he would want to move on.
Every day now he practices walking and can make it about eight or nine feet without falling.  When he is not walking on his own, he has us walking him around the entire house holding onto his hands, and can that boy run!
It has been so much fun watching him grow and learn. I can't wait for more!

My Mother

It has been a very long time since I have written anything on here.  This is partly due to the fact that the baby I was talking about so much before was born and I no longer have time to write my name let alone a post.  The other reason I haven't been keeping up with things is that too much has happened and it hasn't all been good.
My wonderful mother passed away this summer. This was a big shock to myself and all my family.  I have been thinking that, although it has been so very hard to lose her, I know that I have been so blessed to have had the few short years with her that I did.  She did more for me and with me in that time than I deserve.  I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
My mother was one of those people that everyone loved, not liked, loved.  She was always cheerful and kind and always ready for the next adventure. Often she was ready prematurely, like the time she bought a wardrobe for both a girl and a boy after she found out I was pregnant.
Her support and love was always something I cherished. I just remembering hearing her scream, "Go Kari, go!" at all my sporting events. She could be heard over everyone else (I loved that).
She was also the greatest person to just sit and talk to. I could talk to her about anything and everything and for hours. There never seemed to be a limit with her.  If I needed to talk to her for an hour about the best way to cook a turkey she was there for me. I appreciated being able to express all my frustrations and joys without the worry of being judged or offending.
My mother was always ready to be the teacher, not only in her classroom, but at home as well.  She was constantly giving advice, letting us make mistakes and talking us through our problems and instilling in us good values to live by.  She did it all and, it seemed, without even trying.  She was truly Wonder Woman.
Along with all the wonderful motherly qualities, she possessed the knack to nurture a friendship between herself and her children.  I loved that she was not only my mother, but one of my best friends. She let me into her life outside of being my mother and I got to know her as a whole person.
My mother taught me so many life lessons, but most of all she gave me a wonderful example to strive for as I begin my journey through motherhood.