Pro-Runners

Lately Ben has become an extreme runner; meaning he runs six to eight miles with the dog in tow. He has downloaded apps that track his running, how fast and how far. He has been sending me countless emails inviting me to participate in every half marathon from San Diego to Texas. And this past weekend he all but coerced our family into joining the Race for Autism run/walk-a-thon. Of course we all good-heartedly showed up with just a little grumbling about the early hour of arrival. But the real trial began when Ben and I ran the 5k together; by together I mean that he would not leave my side. Since we were late (true to the Mack in Ben) we had to sprint the first half mile to get past all the speed walkers, at which time I was spent for the rest of the day. Regardless of my efforts, I could not shake the ameba attached to my. I considered pushing Ben off the Balboa bridge as he kept sticking out his hand for a high five and taking pictures of me in all my glory with his phone. We did finish the race with both of us alive, barely. Next time I'm getting a new running buddy.





Blaine indulging in frosting:



Blaine's cute moments:
- A few months ago, Blaine got so used to reading scriptures that when we said "scripture time" before bed, he would crawl under the end table and bring us the scriptures. Once I was busy watching tv, and he decided on his own that it was time to read and he brought me the scriptures.
- When we say a prayer, Blaine folds his arms. Every once in a while he'll slowly unfold them in the middle of the prayer to start eating the food in front of him before we're done.
- Blaine hates getting his diaper changed. I'll say "it's time to change your deep", to which he runs to the corner and covers his eyes with his hands (like that makes him invisible).

Mini Vacation

The longer I'm married, the more I appreciate what a wonderful, thoughtful husband I have; and the more I appreciate a good girlfriend. Being able to voice exactly what I'm thinking and feeling without the fear of being judged; having a deep conversation where I feel that I learn more about myself by talking aloud.

Maybe I'm going through a midlife crisis, I'm not quite sure, but I feel that my life is a ticking time bomb right now and every second must be filled. I am filled with anxiety that tomorrow is going to be here too soon, and I didn't do enough with today. At the same time, I have grown such a strong appreciation for the life that I possess. Crazy? I might be.

While visiting Newport the past few days, I basked in the opportunity to reflect on my thoughts and really observe my son interacting with life.








A few things Blaine has been up to:

- Blaine has learned to say "cool" when he thinks something is really neat. In Newport we put him and Scarlett in a bike trailer, to which he repeatedly said, "cool".

- Whenever Ben is home, Blaine has to be with him (meaning Ben either has to hold him or he has to sit on Ben's lap). This behavior continues even while Ben is on the toilet, Blaine does not care.

- When saying prayers, Blaine spends the whole time staring at us, smiling. He waits until the end and then yells, "Amen amen". One time he decided he was done with the prayer early and started saying, "Amen" in the middle of it.

- I keep Blaine's pacifier tucked in the side of my bra so I always know where it is. Sometimes when he's looking for his "binks" (pacifier), he'll come up to me and pull down my shirt searching for it. This happens quite often in public places, and I think I might have to rethink my hiding place.

My Big Boy

Looking through previous posts on my blog, I've come to the realization that I really haven't been documenting my baby's life, and the next time I blink, he's going to be all grown up. Therefore, I've decided to change my take on this blog, and dedicate it to Blaine and keeping everyone updated on him (because let's face it, Ben and I are not very interesting).

This past weekend Ben was sweet enough to send me on a girls cruise, that was the best think possible, and helped me to realize that I'm still alive (not half-dead, going through the motions of a mother and a wife). When I would see other kids on the cruise, I would laugh to see them exhibit some of the same behaviors as Blaine. Here are some of the fun things Blaine has been doing lately:

- Every time the doorbell rings, Blaine runs to get it, screaming jibberish the whole way. He's always so excited to see whoever is there, and is just positive that they are here to see him. He also insists on taking my phone from me and talking to whoever is on the other end (this especially happens when I'm in the middle of an in-depth conversation).

- Blaine loves his Dada more than anything in the world (sadly more than he loves me). The first thing he does when I get him up in the morning is to run into our bedroom to see if Ben is in bed. On the mornings that Ben goes to school a little later, Blaine has enormous bread downs as Ben leaves. I'm not really sure what to do about this. We've tried having Ben sneak out the door, but I read that they're supposed to say goodbye so that the child doesn't think he just going to disappear any second, and he learns to understand that they are coming back. Either way, it's a tramatic scene in our house.

- Last night Ben taught Blaine to throw the football (the mini football) with one hand. We're pretty sure he's going to be a lefty, he tends to do most things with his left hand. He was so proud of himself each time he threw it and then he'd run up to us and grad the football like he had caught it.

- He decides when he's ready for a snack and goes to the cupboard and grabs something. He comes running to us repeatedly saying, "pease, pease". Usually he brings a bag of cookies or candy and we have to tell him to go find something else.

- It's so fun to watch him start to process and understand what we say to him. When we tell him to throw something away, he will. He looks for his juice when we ask him where it is.

- He tells on himself when he does something naughty. He knows he's not supposed to play in the dog food and water. I'll come in the room and see him staring intently at the dog food, he'll look at me and point to the food saying, "no, no". When he spills his snacks, it's usually followed by an "uh oh", and then a "no, no", as he begins picking it up.

- Blaine loves to throw dirt and rocks. There have been many days where I have to change him several times because he's covered in dirt. In nursery they call him the manly man because of what a boy he is.

- He loves Toy Story. Anytime you mention Toy Story he comes running and yelling "toy tory, toy tory". I want him to love Woody because I like Woody, but he seems partial to Buzz. So much for forcing my opinions on him...

I love this guy, and I love how much his Dada loves him. There's nothing better than watching the love between a father and a son.

"I know a place where the grass is really greener"

After a series of wandering years, we have finally returned home to stay (at least I'm pretending we're here to stay). I may rightfully be charged with being extremely partial to San Diego, even claiming that Zion is found in San Diego. But really, I think it might be. As Katy Perry put it: "You could travel the world, but nothing comes close to the golden coast". Call me snobby, but after being here you won't argue.

My two children (that includes the furry one) are also loving our new home. They both spend most of their time frolicking in the backyard, throwing dirt and chasing each other around. The best part of our new home is that we're so close to family that we see them almost every day.

So here is my new commitment to posting more often than I have been...maybe

For Courtney

Aunt Nanny and Grandpa decided to try a new do... it didn't stick.


Aunt Carissa tried to pack Blaine up and ship him to Charlotte.


At our new home in Charlotte, Blaine loves to play in Gus' dog water. Ben gets mad at him everytime; I think there could be worse things.



Easter morning.



First time in a swing. He loved it for about three minutes.


Our trip to the petting zoo.




Everyone loves to feed Blaine junk food. This is the face he gives me when I reprimand them.

I Love This Kid.

Yep, it's Ben, again. Just thought I'd throw some pictures of my buddy up. What else do you do at midnight when you can't sleep? Read & surf the blog network. :)





He loves to flirt with girls of all ages. Ha ha. He loves old women!!! Ha ha ha!





He's pretty much the coolest dude. Goes just about anywhere with his Pops.




Love this kid. He's got Daddy's gut.



And one of Gus in his winter hat. What a good sport....

We've been busy

It's funny how no matter how little I actually have to do, I am always running around with my head cut off. My life as a laid back, stay-at-home mom isn't quite as laid back as I had once imagined. I pictured lounging on the couch rereading the Twilight series as my "little ones played on the floor with the dog" (name the movie). It doesn't actually happen like that in our household. For the most part I feel just as busy as I did when I was a full-time student and interning. While contemplating this, I remembered a summer I spent in Seattle while Ben was selling alarms. At the time I had no child, except for newborn Gus, and I only worked a few hours a week. Since Ben was working ten to twelve hour days, I really had all the time in the world to do whatever my heart so desired (ah, the good old days...). At the same time I can remember a friend telling me that I was the busiest person with nothing to do that she had ever met. My point in all this is that in order to have a more laid back life, I need to become more laid back. It is obvious that the problem lies within me, not my environment or to-do list. I often imagine Ben and I living in a remote location where life moves much slower. Instead of stressing each day to get everything done, we would have time to go to the park, read, cook, and write blog after blog. However, I have come to the conclusion that the place where life moves much slower is the place where we decide to move much slower. Disclaimer: I am not making any commitments to slow down my pace of life, just talking about it.

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to, and our growing boy.

We made last minute Waldo costumes, while Blaine had to be a pumpkin for his first Halloween.


Blaine's first experience with food.


Biz came to visit and meet Blaine for the first time.


Carly and Blaine


Blaine at his first (but not last) BYU football game.


Photo shoot for Blaine's entry into the Gap baby contest (we're pretty sure he's going to win).


The colorful trees in Park City.



Blaine and his Great-Grandma Webb.