Ben's First Haircut

The one thing that EVERYONE notices about Ben right off the bat is that he has a TON of DARK hair. No idea where he got this, but my brother Nick had the same thing and he is tall (for a Randall). So maybe Ben will have some height. We can always hope. Anyway, Ben's hair was hanging all over his ears, and he had a mullet growing in the back. So I bravely gave him a little trim. It looks much better I think.

Libbyism

I forgot to write one of my favorite Libbyisms of late (Derek did put this on facebook)...He was getting ready to leave for work an she said:

"Be brave at work daddy and punch the bad guys. Punch them right in the face." :)

Another Norton and Fillmore

My best friend and I have had 3 babies together. Our firstborn are only a couple of weeks apart. Then our second born are about 2 1/2 months. The third born are again about 2 1/2 months apart. It has been so great to have a friend to swap notes with during pregnancy, and as we struggle to parent. Her advice has been so helpful so many times. I wouldn't want to be going through all of this without her! We have very similar views on so many things. One thing that has been very different with all of our kids--hers are HUGE and mine are small.
I don't have a good picture of Sarah and Gideon, but here are Reid and Libby: (BTW it is hilarious that they are basically holding hands in this picture. They are still very much in "love". Today in primary they got in a spat and then he said, "Will you still marry me Libby?" We had to break up a kissing session in the hall last week at church. Oh my!)


And Caleb and Ben...

Libbyisms

Libby told me the other day while I was eating dinner that if I kept eating so much I was going to have another baby in my belly. Hmmm....not sure if that is exactly how it works, but I didn't tell her that.

She also got a good look at my bare belly yesterday in its deflated state. She said, "Mommy, your belly button is scary!" I agree!

When we went to the gym yesterday I had to take all 3 in with me because the day care girl wasn't there yet. Libby went up to some of the ladies who were getting ready for class and said, "Do you want to see my brother?" Then lifted up the cover so they could see him. She was very proudly gazing on when they said, "Oh he is so cute!" She corrected them..."N0, he is HANDSOME."

Sarahisms

Sarah has started calling Libby: "Libber-bo-dibber" and other similar names. I love it!

She also invites Libby to play with her..."Libby, I am playing Legos, do you want to play Legos with me?"

Today she picked up a calculator that she pretends is a phone and said, "Mom, I am calling baby Sarah (a baby in our ward) so BE QUIET!"

We sang Praise to the Man in church today. Both girls belted it out with pride. It was awesome.

My favorite thing she does right now is share her blanket with Ben. Anytime she can, she drapes it over him. This is a true act of love on her part--to share her blankie.

Milestones

Ben slept from 10:15 pm last night to 7:00 am. I don't even pretend that this will become a pattern yet, but it was a blessing! He also slept all through church. Hooray! It is going to be tricky once he is active during sacrament meeting.

DBN

Donald Barron Norton and Derek Benjamin Norton. You can see Derek Brion Norton's hand off to the side. I wish I would have gotten a pic with all 3...but I was busy tearing up almost the whole time. The only DBN missing is Derek's father, Donald Brion Norton.


On Tuesday we had a clear schedule. This almost never happens, and Derek's grandpa's health has been deteriorating. So, we bravely made the trip to Vancouver WA. It takes about 3 1/2 hours each way. Ben did so well. He only cried for about 10 minutes total the whole drive (both there and back.) I hope this is an indicator for our trip to Utah. Derek's grandpa is the first DBN, Ben is the 4th. It meant a lot to Grandpa Don to meet Ben. He gave Ben a father's blessing since he can't be there for his official blessing. It was very touching.

4th of July

We had a really fun 4th of July this year. Derek had the whole day off (until 8 pm). Along with "Auntie" Jen and Grammy and Grandpa Norton, we joined in the celebration in the city of Edmonds. We got into our patriotic gear and walked in the children's parade. (Ben slept the whole time, right until we got to our seats for the regular parade!) The girls both enjoyed the parade and the CANDY especially.
Then "Uncle" Mike and "Uncle" Leroy and "Aunt" Jonna added to the party and we had pretzel dogs and other yummy food.
I sent Derek to buy poppers and "a couple of other fireworks." Derek bought a few more than I suggested. The girls burnt out on the fireworks pretty early (pun intended...). We are going to bring our extras to Utah, since we will be there over the 24th. I must say that the fireworks weren't amazing quality. 2 out of the 4 ground flowers didn't spin. Bummer! Plus, we were doing them in broad daylight because it doesn't get dark here until way after bedtime. But soon our little family will be old enough to stay up for some real fireworks. Our neighborhood was popping and crackling like crazy, but all of us went right to sleep.
Libby "exhausted" after the children's parade. Don't worry, her energy came back as soon as people started giving out candy in the parade.
Auntie Jen with Sarah--what an amazing view-- the girls and the Puget Sound behind them ;)
My Little Firecrackers! (That is what their shirts actually say--and how true it is!)
My "Stud Muffin". (One of them...the other one is in the picture with Libby :)
Libby wearing her cute 4th of July headband. She tilted her head at just the wrong moment, but I love the look on her face.

Finishing Touches

I finished up Ben's bedroom decor last Saturday (I am a bit behind on posting...) with these husky curtains.

Take ME OUT....

The girls finally got their chance to go to a ball game this week. It was really fun for them because they went with Derek and Auntie Maren for her birthday. I couldn't believe it when they still weren't home at 9:00, then 10:00. Finally at 10:30 I called Derek and they were on their way home. The girls had loved it so much that they made it the whole game! They got to meet some of Derek's colleagues (he has been working lots of games), and just had a great time. Libby recognized some of the players from their pictures on the screen and cheered them on by name. Here are some shots Maren took. (Somehow we didn't get any pics with Maren in them...)

Baby Benjamin Grows

The thinking pose...

I love this shot of Libby and Ben. She loves to hold him and kiss him. She thanks me daily for brining him home from the hospital. Today she said, "Mommy, please don't take Ben back to the hospital!"

This is the outfit Derek wore for his blessing. It fits Ben quite well now, so I am not sure if he will be able to wear it in 4 weeks at his actual blessing. If he stops getting longer it will be fine, he could expand quite a bit in width and it would still fit.

I actually caught a smile! Libby was there helping me get this shot.

KNOCK ON WOOD...but Ben continues to be a good eater and a good sleeper. I got a 5 hour stretch last night that was just lovely. Then he gave me another 4 hour stretch. Too bad Libby had a meltdown because she was hungry about 4:00 am and that woke up Sarah. At about 5 I woke up to Sarah trying to push me out of my side of the bed. She sat on me when I wouldn't wake up. So I got her a glass of water and got her back in bed. (She has been drinking water in the night often lately. What is up with that? She will go into the changing table and drain the water bottle in there, then come and wake us up to ask for more.) So I can't complain about Ben, but I do have reason to complain...but I won't. Oh wait, I already did. Oh well.

Anyway, I took Ben in on Monday to get some more silver nitrate on his belly button. He had gained 4 oz. over the weekend! Then I weighed him last night on our scale and it looks like he is up to 9 lbs. What a big boy! He is growing longer rather than fatter though...so newborn stuff is too short now, but 0-3 looks super baggy. His hair continues to be WILD!