70% Completed......

BEWARE: EXPOSED SKIN

So sorry about the belly shots. We are really bad at taking pictures throughout the entire pregnancy, so here is an update for all of you who want to see my ever expanding mid-section. As you can see by the death grip that Beckett's right hand has on his "baby sister" he is really excited to get his hands on her. The closer he gets to his 2 year mark, the more concerned I am with his abilty to be gentle. I am sure that he will be a great big brother..... (fingers crossed).

My photgrapher for the day was very particular. Don't put your arms up, don't put them on your stomach, you're not turned to the side enough, I need a better profile. Itried holding as still as possible, but I am still so confused, where do you put your arms while taking a picture of your stomach?????

A week Full of Tater-Tot (iana)

This last week has been....well, it has been more than words can describe. I love my friends here in Michigan and I am so glad that we are here. I know it is a different tune than the one that I was singing a year and a half ago, but things have changed and I am happy to be where I am. Of course I miss my family and wish I could be closer to them but I guess I have realized that family will always be there. I am curious to see where we move.....

On Tuesday I went and picked up my little sister from the airport. She flew up because she missed us so much and to work on her term paper. It was really such a blessing to have her here on Wednesday especially. Thank you Tia for watching Beckett. While she was here we worked on her paper, went shopping, dyed her hair and just hung out. I love my little sister so much. Tia I hope you don't get mad at me for posting this picture..if so I will erase it...but I don't want to. Please don't make me do it!!!!

Tia and Beckett looking at the "juice". The other day on the way home from work we were driving by the water and Beckett kept calling it juice. Since then I have corrected him and I think he know that it is water. He is really funny because he won't say water regularly, only every so often, but he will do the sign for water.

A new discovery. We have little mittens for the winter and I was sure that they didn't stand a chance. I just know that Beckett would have them off in a matter of seconds. I prepped him and told him that we had to put them on because it was cold outside and much to my surprise, he kept them on. He loves them. The moment you put his coat on him he tries to put on his mittens. Also, in the past week he has mastered putting a hat on his own head. It 's usually pretty hard for him to put on hats that are snug, so he usually ends up wearing one of Scott's hats. Well this week he was putting on stocking caps and getting them on his head completely.
I think the brown hair looks great on her. But I always like her hair. We look more like we are related in this picture than I think we have ever looked our entire lives. Don't judge us. This picture was taken in the wee hours of the morning, the night before she left. We were both exhausted. Sunday morning I had to take her to the airport. I cannont wait for her to come back in January.

Monday night, on my way home from work I got a call, it was a call that was bound to change the course of my entire night...Sorry for the drama, it was Dan and he wanted to know if Maya could come over and play. Funny how it works, Beckett was just asking me if Maya could come over and play, we were having this HUGE discussion when Dan called, anyway, we always love the company. When Dan and Maya arrived Beckett went CRAZY. He was doing everything in his power to show off. It was comical.

The 2 "little ones" decided that they would like a snack to eat and so I had just bought a bunch of grapes. I popped one in my mouth just to make sure that they were sweet, and I was confronted with what I thought was a mistake. There were seeds in the middle, 3, I think, in each grape. I was grateful that I had taken a bite, but at the same time angry at Horrocks for not advertising the fact that the grapes were not seedless. I kept reading the sign over in my mind and I am sure that it sed "Red Globe Grapes". So I sat there cutting and desseeding these grapes and all the while getting more upset at the lack of consideration that Horrock's had. In the midst of my fury, I was putting the grapes away and I saw it. A huge label on the front of the bag said "Red Seeded Globe Grapes" I can not begin to tell you how ashamed I felt. Here I was blaming a store for putting a sign up that was missing one word and I was naive enough not to look at what I was buying. Lesson learned. Anyway, after the seed catasrophe was fixed Beckett and Maya had a lovely time. Beckett would get a grape and feed it to Maya.

He was so proud of himself after each round of feedings.

Well, I suppose it was inevitable but Maya want to get her own grapes. She is very independent, as she should be.
Well, one thing lead to another, which lead right back to Beckett trying to feed Maya the grapes. I don't think that I can say it any better than Maya is saying it in this picture. But can't you just hear her thoughts...Get your hands off of my food, don't you think that I am capable of picking up a grape and putting it in my own mouth, what just because I am a girl you think I need a BOY to do things for me, HHMMPPHH boys.....

I am just happy to announce that they waded through cold waters for a moment but it didn't last long, their love (for grapes) won out and soon they were both content eating, laughing, showing off, competing for whatever toy the other had...it was so cute.

Don't worry, I did not let Maya get on the coffee table.

He has his mom's ______ & his dad's ______.

I had this posted for a little bit yesterday but then I had to take it off because I got a call from my sister. She asked where I found this "Look-alike-Meter because it wasn't very accurate. And there was no way that he looked equally like both Scott & myself because, quite frankly, he is the spitting image of Scott. Well, it got me to thinking. I didn't want to publish something that was so, so blasphemous, something that hinted that Beckett was half MY child. So I did what any respectable human being would do.... I cried a little, after all I am the one who was pregnant for 39 weeks of my life, who woke up every 2 hours to feed him for all of those months, the one who still gets up in the middle of the night when he isn't sleeping well and climbs into his crib and lays down with him & rubs his back until he or I have fallen back into a deep sleep. I am the one who was a human pacifier for 12 months after he was welcomed into this beautiful world, I have been thrown up on umpteen times, and been plastered in his snot a few, why wouldn't I want a little Credit.

Okay, you caught me I didn't really cry that whole thing was made up in hopes of making my sister feel a little remorse. I'll let you know if it worked. Seriously though what I did do is collect multiple samples and compared the results.

I KNOW,I KNOW a bit of an over-kill. But the results are conclusive, Beckett is a perfect mixture of BOTH scott and myself. I am aware that these results are not a reflection of the opinions held by the majority (100%) of people who see all of us together. I am on a mission and I have feeling that this post will need to be continued....

I did it. I finally worked up the courage to talk to my boss. I am not sure what the result will be...I should find out tomorrow. I feel 30lbs lighter. I wish it were more than just a feeling... :) Thank you Scott for being so supportive.

Weekend Update

I love the weekend and I have to admit, I was thoroughly looking forward to this past one. I haven't been feeling top notch lately so Friday I took Beckett to daycare, cleaned out his closet and took a little nap. It was nice to not have anything that I had to do. Well, other than grocery shopping. This is going to be a long post. So consider yourself warned.

He seriously loves his pockets. He was just strolling down the street with his hand in his pocket. I think it is so interesting how quickly he caught on to the fact that pants have pockets.

Saturday was the MSU v. OSU football game. Scott was really excited to go, I was to but not nearly as much as Scott was and as I stated before. I haven't really been feeling great so I could have stayed home in bed and been completely content. We packed up Beckett & took him over to our frineds home and then we headed off to MSU. Usually we leave a little earlier, park on campus and do a little tailgating with the Law School but we got a late start so we decided to park off campus and walk. It took forever to find a parking spot and when we finally did it was ~7 blocks from campus and then the stadium is in the middle of campus. Needless to say, it was a hike. There were a lot of interesting occurances I know that I will never be able to do them justice but I have to put it down so that I will remember them:
- A little pre teen was selling candy for some organization but no one was buying any so I got my money and asked him how much. $2 for a little bag of M&Ms or I could get 3 for $5. Well after hearing that I had to retract my original offer and for go the M&Ms. I couldn't believe it. I can buy the same bag of candy for 50 cents. Scott, who was against me buying the candy in the first place just said "Faith, his uncle or dad probably went to the local grocery store and bought that whole box for just above $5. They are just trying to rip people off and make money by doing nothing."
-From the moment that we got out of our car and started "the Hike" I had to use the restroom..We had passed the 7/11 but I didn't want Scott to miss kickoff so I held it in and said I would just go at the stadium. Well, when we got to the stadium the line for the little girls room was 30-40 girls deep. There was no way we were going to make kick off standing in that line, and if Scott left me to fend for myself I knew that it would be almost impossible to find him in the bleacher section, where we were sitting. SO, once again I held it. Well, right before half time I had the undeniable urge to use the restroom and I knew that I had to go, so I went. On my way back I was stopped at the entrance to our section. The staff guy wouldn't let me in, he said that I needed to have my ticket with me at all times, well that's fine and dandy but I didn't have it, it was in my purse. I asked him if I could run down get my ticket and come back, he said NO! He said that I would have to call someone to bring it up to me. Scott was seriously ~12 rows down, I could see him, but there was no way I was going to get a hold of him. His phone was in my purse and my phone was at home. I showed the man who my husband was and asked again, still rejected. Fortunately, one of the guys from church, who we were sitting next to happen to be coming in. He tried vouching for me but the little staff man, with his inflated sense of authority still would not let me go and get my purse. By this time I am a little irritated. Eventually, Scott made his way toward me with my purse and the man said "now doesn't he look so good with that purse, wasn't all of this worth it?" For some reason I had reached my breaking point I didn't want to be standing next to this creepy man any longer, so I ignored his commands and went and met Scott 5-6 rows down. I opened my wallet and before I could even pull it out all of the way the man said he saw the corner and that was good enough. AHHHH! I know that it was my fault for not having my ticket, but given my condition, that was the last thing on my mind as I walked up the stairs. The thing that really urked me the most was that on my way up "Hitler" did his little head nod and said hi. He knew that I had just come up those stairs!!!!!!
- Then there was a series of fights laced with profanity: A girl who was standing on the bleacher and a girl who couldn't see, the OSU and MSU fan located directly behind us & the same MSU fan and the guy who decided to sit right next to me.
- I also witnessed the large guy who was sitting next to me grab his g-friends boobs and then had to hear her repeat the same annoying sexual innuendos, over and over again.
- Then we got our butts handed to us on a golden platter by OHIO, the best thing was that because we were losing so badly, Scott decided to leave at the end of the third quarter. OH, sweet relief.

After the game we went to a Halloween Party at one of the girls houses that I work with. It was a good time with lots of good food. Beckett found this little 4 wheeler. It was so cute to see him push the button and jolt forward. The look on his face the first few times were priceless. I think we might need to save up to get one of these for Christmas, or ask Santa really nicely.

Sunday was kind of a lazy day. We made waffles and just relaxed all day. I still felt blah and Beckett had a runny nose. I don't know if you can tell but this is a picture of all the droplets of maple syrup that accessorized Beckett hair. And below are the series of poses Beckett did as I said cheese. I love my son! He cracks me up.

My Top Fours

4 things I love about my husband:
1. I love to listen to him speak.
2. He would do anything & everything in his power to make me happy.
3. He is never MEAN/CRITICAL toward me, even when he is really mad or I do something really stupid: Like totaling my car, running into my neighbors car, getting a speeding ticket....
4. When we go to his parent's home he will sit and just play the piano, and it is always so beautiful.
BONUS* the ways in which he loves me..... :)

4 Movies I would watch more than once:
1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. My Fair Lady
3. Dumb & Dumber
4. Pretty Woman

4 TV shows I watch more than once:
1. The Office
2. Reality shows: What Not to Wear, Shear Genius, Project Runway, AI, The Ultimate Fighter
3. 90210
4. Americas Next Top Model

4 Places I have been:
1. Brazil
2. Hawaii
3. Canada...
4. GRANITE CITY

4 People who email me regularly:
1. Marylin Holcomb
2. Shannon
3. Grammy Sam
4. Travelzoo/Southwest/Spirit Airlines

4 Favorite Foods:
1. Steak & Baked Potato
2. Spaghetti
3. Vietnemese Egg Rolls - Made by my mom
4. Pork Roast w/ mashed potatoes and Gravy

4 Places I would like to visit:
1. Greece
2. Europe
3. New Zealand & Australia
4. Africa

4 Things I am looking forward to this coming year:
1. Holding my little girl & watching our little family grow.
2. Moving, hopefully closer to family
3. Buying a home.
4. SCOTT GRADUATING, PASSING THE BAR & FINDING A JOB

4 People I would like to tag:
1. Amy
2. Kara
3. Emily
4. Aubrey

Family Reunion Continued...

I love, love, love my grandpa. Every morning he squiggies the dew off of his picnic table and disects that days newspaper. He has done this ever since I can remember. He used to wake up at 5:30 when we were in town and physically pull the automated doors apart at the grocery store to but us donuts, so by the time we woke up there were fresh donuts and then there he was with his newspaper. Now he sleeps in and doesn't start his day until 7/7:30, but he still never misses his newspaper. He is funny and super intelligent, he always does ALL of those ridiculous puzzles that are in the newspaper...you know the ones that are almost impossible (atleast for me) and if he can't figure something out he will save that puzzle and wait for the answers that come out the next day, just to make sure that it won't get past him again. This is one of my favorite memories of my grandfather. This is a picture of my dad and Bumpa, going through the newspaper, without a care of what is going on around them...and with 36 people between 2 houses, there was a lot going on around them.

Benny & Shannon on the 4 wheelers.

I convinced my sister-in-law, Nayeli, to try and make bows. We had a great time and I think that she is officially addicted. Well the day that my older sister and her girls were leaving my niece gave me a little bit of a guilt trip so I gave her the bows. So here is my sister Shannon and her youngest daughter KD, posing with the bows that I made.

Grammy Sam....She wouldn't let me take a picture of her, I now know where my mom gets it from. I told her that this is how she was going to be remembered....That would never really happen but I think it is funny.
This is Beckett loving "CHOWDER" a little too much. My little sister named my grandmother's dog, and the name she chose...CHOWDER. Interesting, but it suits him. He and Beckett definitely had a love hate relationship. Beckett wanted to give him hugs and Chowder wanted to kiss Beckett the problem is that neither of them understand the boundaries and kept leaping over them. When Beckett would get on the ground Chowder would get right in his face and lick Beckett, Beckett would cry and right when his mouth opened to call for help Chowder found his target and went for his teeth, which in turn made Beckett more frustrated. It would have been so easy for Beckett to just stand up but it was like he was paralized by Chowder's "kisses". The times that Beckett wasn't being kissed he decided to give Chowder hugs...Well that or he was attempting to get back at him by putting him in a choke hold. It was comical. They were inseperable. Scott is convinced that we are not getting a dog...but I think that Beckett will be able to convince him otherwise when ever he is a little older.
"Tater-Tot"iana & me. My little big sister. Her name is Tatiana but her nick name is Tater-Tot I love it and I love her and I love that she is rockin camoflauge.

Beckett & Benny

Bumpa's big shoe + Beckett little foot=one frustrated little boy left without a shoe
Solution: Hold on to the shoelace while you walk and voila, big shoe stays on little foot without any problems. I am so proud of him for figuring this out.

Striptease, showing off what his mama gave him, trying to don his birthday suit: how ever you want to label it Beckett wanted to be all natural.

Lazy Days

We have lived here in Lansing for 2 years, and I am embarrassed to say that we have taken many things for granted. There is a church, kiddy corner from our house, it has a daycare, which is astronomically expensive and a little playground. I see it all of the time and well it is fenced in and I have never felt right about playing on it.

The other day the weather was BEAUTIFUL and Beckett had a snot load of energy so we decided to go for a walk, get out of the house and enjoy fall. On our way back to the house he happened to look across the street and saw the treasure trove.

He looked me straight in the eye and said "MOM" then pointed to the playground and made the sign for please. I tried to explain to him that that wasn't our playground and that we would find another. He wouldn't hear a word. He just kept repeating MOM, pointing and signing please. You could see the desperation in his eyes as he begged. Nothing I said would distract him. SO, like a good parent...I gave in and we went and played. I think it was okay, because the gates were open, and there were a lot of visitors to the church and none of them seemed to mind that we were using their playground. Beckett loved it. The best part was this little wooden playground that was in the back part of the fenced in area. It was a playground for "little people". It had a few little houses, 2 slides, a ramp and a big tube to crawl through. I hope that I have learned my lesson. All of those days of playing....gone.

One last thing. So Beckett is getting to be a smart little boy, well, maybe manipulative is a better adjective. He knows my soft spot and he aims for them. The other night we were getting ready for bed, we had brushed our teeth, said our prayers, the lights were off and I had just put Beckett in his bed; then, he starts to call "DAD, DADDA, DAD" he realized that Scott wasn't there to say goodnight. He looked at me with sad eyes and kept saying Dad. Once again, I gave in... I don't think that I spoil Beckett, but there are certain times that he melts my heart, and it is so sincere that there is no way that I can possibly say no. Now, I know the rules, I've watched Nanny 911 and I know that you are not supposed to give in because it makes your authourity look weak, but aren't there exceptions, aren't there times that it is okay to give in? And, who is it really hurting?
I learned the answer to a few of my questions on Sunday night. I told Beckett that it was bed time and to say good night to Dad, and he says...DAD! BOOK! and climbed right up onto his lap and nestled himself behind the book and into Scott's arm, then he looked at me victoriously. Almost mockingly, as if to say, now what. And now I am left here asking the same question, with a completelydifferent meaning....NOW WHAT?

Rock Band Fever - 10/11/08

If anyone needs a drummer I know where to find one....

I didn't think about the "jam-jams" that I chose to put Beckett in until it was too late, he had already made his debut...and we were twinkies.

Uncle Johns Cider Mill - 10/11/08

Saturday was fabulous! Scott was supposed to have some sort of moot court rehearsal but it was rescheduled for another day, so we got to spend the entire day together. We went to Uncle John's Cider Mill with our good friends Dan, Janee and Maya. Unfortunately, they are leaving soon. We are going to miss you guys so much.

First we went to the Cider Mill, where you can buy donuts & cider. Everything was so good and fresh. They had a pumpkin flavored donuts, that were nice and warm, along with buttermilk, cider and cinnamon flavored.

Beckett was a huge fan of the donuts.

Beckett is getting so tall!
Beckett
Maya - this is Beckett's little girl friend. When I tell him we are going to see her he repeats"MY-my"and dances around briefly.
Ellie & Beckett - It was so nice to see some of our other friends whilst at the Mill. :)
Beckett looking for the perfect pumpkin...
to sit on and take in the scenery.
This reminds me of the Wizrd of Oz...
which then reminds me of "Wicked".... Great Show!
I think this is one of the only pictures that they are both, kind of sitting & looking in the same general direction.
Our Little Family of 3.625

I think all of us wanted this puppy...except for the HUSBANDS. They were firm in their denials. It is a German Short hair?!?!? Absolutely beautiful, brown hair, blue eyes....What's not to love? Of course, I admit I may be the teeniest bit biased.