Big Boy Ben

Today was Baby Benjamin's 2 week check up. I was so happy when the scale tipped at 8 lbs! He has gained a whole pound in 2 weeks. Hooray! I am so glad. He is waking up to the world a little bit more, and particularly from about 9-11 at night...but then he has been sleeping until 2 or 3 and then again until 5:30 or 6:30. So, I can't really complain. He is a really good little guy!

Libbyism

My mom overheard Libby and Sarah playing the other day. Sarah said, "I am going to be Angelina Balleria."
Libby: "I have a great idea! Why don't you be the hideous witch, and I will be Rapunzel."
Sarah: Enthusiastically, "Okay...." (thinking) "No I think I will be Angelina."
Sarah is starting to catch on to Libby's methods.

Big Sisters

Libby and Sarah are turning out to be very amazing big sisters. Libby is very interested in the eating process (which is strange since she doesn't like to eat...) They both wanted to take turns pushing him on our walks this week. I have caught Sarah a few times climbing up the side of the crib and asking Ben to wake up and open his eyes. They are always asking where he is, and they love to look at him. It has been really fun to watch.



(Libby "nursing" her baby doll)

A New Name

I think my sister-in-law Keri helped me come up with the new name for the blog when Life with Libby became Life with Libby and Sarah--"Two" Much Fun. Well, a new name was in order yet again, and Keri gave me the name months ago when I first told her I was pregnant. She said, "Are you ready to go from playing man to man defense to zone?" I love it, and here we go. This week we changed our game strategy from Man to Man to Zone. My mantra right now? Bring it! (Although it is easy to say that with my mom here to help right now...we are really playing man to man still. We will see what I have to say when she leaves. Yikes!)

Welcome Baby Benjamin

Derek Benjamin Norton--aka "Benny," or "Ben, Ben" joined our family on June 10th, 2011. I decided to have my doctor induce me a few days early because my mom arrived on the 8th and Derek had the 10th and 11th off. I hadn't ever been induced before. Both of the girls decided to come a day before their induction dates. I thought that maybe if we scheduled an induction for Ben, he would do the same thing. Not so. We started the process at about 8:30 in the morning. I didn't really have strong contractions start until about 7:30 in the evening (thank you pitocin). I got an epidural (a weakish one) that I kept having them add medicine too as things got stronger. The anesthesiologist got sick of me calling her back though, so just before delivery she gave me a huge dose. My legs were numb until about 3:00 the next day.
Ben arrived weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. (same as I did...). He was 20 inches long. He loves to eat--which is delightful after the experience with Libby...http://http//libbynorton.blogspot.com/2007/09/libby-learns-to-eat.html but I am a little tired of feedings every hour and a half or so. He is adorable though, and his sisters love him.
When I took this picture of Sarah and Ben she kept repeating, "Don't cry Ben, don't cry Ben!" (He wasn't even aware of the world enough to cry yet, but it was cute to hear her comfort him.)
Libby has been a good helper so far! She is excited that Ben eats from my "nibbles."

First car seat ride!

LIbby's No Good Very Bad Day

Yesterday Libby had the roughest day of the recent past. At least as far back as I can remember (and I am pregnant, so that might not be all that long). I was on a "get things done" kick. She was on a destroy and disobey kick. Those two things don't go very well together. As I was outside doing some gardening I kept feeling like I needed to go check on them and put on a movie. I ignored the impression...but then I heard the devilish laughter. Libby came out of the house with the kitchen scissors and a large chunk of Sarah's hair in her hand. I rushed inside only to find many more chunks of Sarah hair strewn about the living room. I can be thankful that it was hair from the back...I took Sarah for a haircut and the result isn't that bad.





But Libby's troubles didn't end there. She also yanked the curtain rod out of the wall by hanging on the curtains (something she has been excessively warned about). She pulled her arms out of the carseat straps everywhere we went.
She found a piece of burnt wood in the outdoor fireplace (or somewhere outside) and ate some of it--getting it all over herself and her dress in the process.
She threw a tantrum that I wouldn't let her wear a dress (even though I didn't say she couldn't wear a dress) while I was having my tutoring session in the afternoon.
She threw a tantrum that I wouldn't let her eat Cheetos for dinner instead of nachos. (I am letting her eat Cheetos for breakfast as I type though...they do have a lot more calories than Rice Krispies...Hmmm...)
Really, anything she could do to be disobedient, she did. I was frustrated. But I am trying to remember that she is just learning and probably just wanted attention.
I just read a talk by Elder Robbins from the last conference yesterday morning. He said..."You might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself...Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?"
I have a lot to learn as a parent.

Yummy Shower

My friends Emily and Emmi threw me a baby shower. It was delicious, both literally and figuratively. They made and had the other girls make super yummy food. It was so nice to get together as girls. Then, the best part. Emmi doesn't like shower games, so the game they played was "Say What you Like About Trish". It was so sweet! One of the comments a few girls made was that they like reading my blog. Who knew! They like that I am honest and tell it like it really is--even when that means admitting I screwed up. As a collective they said so many nice things about me that I was kind of on cloud 9. This is a great game to play with a woman in the last few days of pregnancy. The sand seems a bit easier to slog through when you know that other women admire you. I love our little Mountlake Ward and the Nortons and JaNeece!

The Sun is Back!

We are in the middle of a beautiful sunny weekend. I got some good shots of Sarah enjoying her popsicle yesterday. As I write this I am thinking that I never did see where the rest of her popsicle ended up. I hope it isn't a puddle with a stick in it on the deck. Oh well.

Prominent Pregnancy

Last night we had our ward talent/no talent night. It was really fun! I especially enjoyed an amazing rendition of Lady Gaga's "Pokerface" that was played on the harp, guitar, and violin. Vocals by Spencer Walker. And, I ate about 1/2 a loaf of David Grinder's amazing bread. Wow. Awesome! Anyway, a woman in the ward gave me the best compliment of my pregnancy. Rather than saying, "Wow, you look like you are ready to pop!" Which is the normal thing to say to a pregnant woman apparently--she said, "Yours is the most beautifully prominent pregnancy I have ever seen." Why thank you Margaret!
Libby giving Ben a kiss. (She loves to kiss, hug, tickle, and rub my belly. She is excited for this little one to come!)

I got a pedicure this week and put this picture on facebook. I love how huge my belly looks...and is. I actually feel very burdened for a reason.
One of the amazing employees at Harbor Square. He loves to come in and tease me during the water aerobics classes. Today the joke was even bigger! I taught my last class yesterday. I struggled a bit because it is so hot on the pool deck. I had to sit down a time or two, but I disguised it by having them do moves that I have to sit to demonstrate. I have the best job!