SweetPuffins

FB made me do it

2011-05-27T14:59:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if ANYONE is reading this anymore, since it seems like FaceBook has taken over the world...

Benjamin is almost three, and has had his first haircut!


BEFORE

DURING


AFTER!!!!

I saved the curls in an envelope :)

Benjamin likes to play music, farmer boy, Dr man, running, jumping, climbing, reading, clay, Mr Chef, and tractor repair man - oh, yes, and occasionally, he is a hockey bat superhero!!!

He is happy, healthy, and growing - I am incredibly blessed and fortunate to know him :)

How are things out there with you?

*SherryQ* xo

Since last we spoke ...

2010-12-22T14:33:00.000-05:00

Good golly gracious me oh my

Since we last spoke ... We went to Seattle and Victoria, turned '2', played with Abuela and Abuelo, sweltered in the heat, picked pumpkins with Tio Tony, danced in the leaves, played with Granny and GDad, lost both baby transfers, said, "goodbye," to our sweet puppers, had an early Thanksgiving with Kiki, Sweet Zoe, Uncle Jim, Uncle Corey, Sweet Tana, Granny and GDad, another Thanksgiving on the day, and prepared for Christmas.

And, now, well, here we are.

Almost to 2011.

Amazing how that happened!

bwyl (more to come)

*SherryQ* xo

Feet Bar and Papa Bean

2010-04-18T19:50:00.000-04:00

Geez - I need to get my act together and write more often. March 5th - seriously?!!!? Call me Slacker Sherry...

showing baby Olivia the deer and wild turkey

As far as what's been going on around here, other than freakish weather changes, giant bumble bees, stink bugs, and beautiful blooms - It turns out that we are not immune to following in the footsteps of those before us… toddler temper tantrums have arrived!

the big slide, all by himself!

sand and trucks are super cool

checking out the early signs of Spring in the woods

How can we complain, though, when those toddler tantrums are closely followed by, “Momma, I feet bar,” = “Momma, I am your sweet bear.” Holy heck, toddlers learning to talk are super cute, super busy, and super at wearing out momma! So, I call for back-up one evening as we are struggling to relax and go to sleep (we = Benjamin, as I am completely ready for him to relax and fall asleep!), and in order to elicit a quicker response from his father, I use my endearing name for him, “Tavin” (pronounced “ta-bean” and a shortened version of Octavio). Feet bar stands up on the bed and decides to assist my efforts by calling out as loudly as he is able, “Papa Bean, PAAPAAAAAA BEEEEEEEEEAN!” OMFG - DH and I dissolve into hysterics, thus ruining any notion of sleepytime coming soon (it was after 10 p.m. that night!).

I fwing ing!

I run ning!

Because we have responded so delightfully to those two phrases, Benjamin is repeating them A LOT. I understand that at some point we will get tired of hearing what now seems to be cute, and tired of being patient with the tantrums (seriously, how DO they know to just throw themselves on the ground and kick and punch the floor and scream and cry?!!?), but until then, we are enjoying every minute of being Momma to a Feet Bar, and Papa Bean :)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Easter and other celebration photos coming soooooon :)

Momma Tip #127

2010-03-05T15:54:00.000-05:00

Toddler plays.
Toddler eats.
Toddler plays some more.
Toddler says, "goodbye," to friends.
Toddler gets snuggly in car seat.
Toddler sleeps.

Momma gently moves toddler from car to bed.
Momma gently changes toddler's diaper that she forgot to change before putting him into carseat.

Toddler wakes up, happy and ready to play again.

Total sleep = 10 #@$%$ minutes >:P

Momma = sighing and silently kicking (ok, cursing) herself

One hour later, Momma remembers tip #127 (and earlier sequence).

SO...

Toddler plays.
Toddler eats.
Toddler plays some more.
*Momma changes toddler's diaper*
Toddler gets snuggly in car seat.
Momma drives around random neighborhoods and comments on home and garden features.
Toddler sleeps.
Momma VERY gently moves toddler from car to bed.

And he's been as quiet as a fresh gentle breeze on a sun shiny afternoon for about an hour!!!! :)

I'll be having another tea now, thank you. xo and W-H-E-W!

bwyl *SherryQ* :)

Gyffy Co-Co-Pop now wears earrings!

Yes, they are "x" and"o" keychains that the little Mister found

Taking good care of Gyffy Co-Co-Pop.

He needs a good shining up now and again! :)

Chair-a-licious

2010-02-21T12:52:00.000-05:00

Chair. It is one word. One beautiful word. I like to say it - a lot. I like to look at them - a lot. I like to imagine them, touch them, walk around them, sit in them, think about them, push them around and covet them.

I. Am. Obsessed.

Truly.

Mock me - it's all been done before.

For example: Moving into a 1 bedroom apartment as a grad student, my brother's friends helping, one of them commenting, loudly, "how are there more chairs to bring in? How many f*cking chairs do you need? I see one a$$. One a$$, one chair. I'm not carrying in anymore f*cking chairs!" Ah, but he did carry another one of my chairs, and promptly set it in front of the dumpster. I hope that it found a good home - it was a very clean lined, mid-century modern, low seat, high back chair. Not an Eames or anything, but truly lovely and comfortable - and living a happy life somewhere, I am sure :)

Now I have something new to dream about. A chair with this:

The room this chair is shown in is kind of icky faux finished feminine California I-have-too-much-money-so-I-hired-a-designer-to-get-my-house-featured-in-an-American-magazine version of "Tuscan"style - I'm surprised the wood isn't white washed... jealous much (?) perhaps.... NOT. Except, of course, for the back of this chair. I do not want this chair, but I do want this oh so lovely back of the chair to live somewhere in my house. It is a beyond gorgeous gown worn to an everyday picnic, where bare feet were eventually the only accessory needed. Or at the midnight dinner and champagne in front of a fire after an evening at the opera in Prague (again bare feet the only accessory needed). Love. It. So. Much!

I think I need to take a breath and just dream of my little chair - it's easy to get chairried away - oui?

bwyl *SherryQ*

Manners and a Party!

2010-02-19T14:06:00.001-05:00

Benjamin and his ride... it's how all of the cool toddlers are getting around these days. It really cuts down on the commute time from the bedroom to the kitchen (stupid D.C. traffic!).

The placemat is being used! Benjamin took it to the table and began placing the items on top - so, of course I grabbed the camera - I tried to be really unobtrusive, just to see what he might do on his own - and this is what he came up with!!! I know - hardly a sign of genius at work, but still, SO CUTE for momma! Oh, the hat? Yeah, I was taking back out his little bag of baby clothes to narrow down the "must save" items, and Benjamin saw this hat and immediately latched onto it. By latched on, I mean, he is now crying for the hat, wants to wear it all of the time, and takes great pride in being able to put it on, take it off, and watch the dog run around with it, then reclaim it with pupper goop on it and reapply to his own head (yuck!)... crazy toddler!

After fixing his placemat, the baking soda wars began...

And painting another morning...

Just being his own self with a yogurty face :)

Yeah - we wear that shirt a lot - it's from his big boy cousin, Aidan!

Benjamin has been doing some other big boy stuff...

Benjamin's friend, Gerrik, turned 2 (WOO HOO!!!) and had a lovely construction hat cuppy cake party!

Adorable mommies and babies!

zip-zip-zooooooom is how it goes in toddler world!

I think that Cadia Rose enjoys cuppy cakes!

The birthday boy appropriately devours his happy birthday delight!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GERRIK!

Mommies discussing important things whilst toddlers are contained by tasty treats!

The birthday party was super relaxing and cute - we were so glad to see everyone and Benjamin had a great time ;)

And speaking of big boy things - Momma, seriously, I'm not sure how much more clear I can be about the signals that I am ready to start using the potty!!!

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

The Works

2010-02-15T13:48:00.000-05:00

A belated, "Happy Valentine's Day," to you!

What we did: Fried eggs breakfast, Octavio gave me some beautiful roses, left for the mall to curb some cabin fever, ended up at Paradise of Fun (uh - not what you're thinking, we went there with our sweet little mister!), and Barnes and Noble, followed by a turkey reuben on a rice wrap from the Common Market, and home to nap - for 20 minutes!

No joke. 20 Freakin' minutes was all he wrote yesterday. By 4 p.m. it was melt down central at this house until the little mister finally just tuckered out at 7:30 p.m. w-h-e-w What a day!

And how many times have we read these so far...

If you guessed, "a bazillion," you are probably getting close ;) Because Benjamin now loves to say, "bippo," for another one of his favorite youtube videos, courtesy of Big Papi... he LOVES reading the hippo book and all of the kissing (of course) and all of the, "I love you," 's from Todd Parr are a big hit as well ;)

Finally! And, finally able to be used....

I decided against binding the edges, and just tucked the bottom edges in and straight stiched - the (ahem) rustic stitching wanted to keep the whole project very simple. Benjamin is having a great time setting his own place and pretending in his kitchen area. If I can get a good snapshot of him using the placemat, I'll be sure and post ;)

Our new endeavor is to contain the puzzles pieces. I don't remember which blogger made puzzle bags a few months back, but I am SO copying them for these lovelies:

btw - I did not install the batteries for sound on the puzzles, and will not because I enjoy imagination and will resist, for as long as I am able to, the urge for battery supplied entertainment - in great opposition to my family and husband, but, please remember that I do have a reputation to protect - or is it project...? ;)

The bags are cut, and being pieced with the liner, which I decided was just going to be the same fabric just turned sideways. My plan is to have them just pull close with drawstring rope... we'll see how that progresses... and then put up command hooks for them to be stored on the wall in the kitchen area near the table.

I think that the little Mister will get a kick out of the bags! :)

Any other ideas?

Keep warm and safe! The snow is starting to fall again...

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Coming Home

2010-02-13T14:32:00.000-05:00

Concentrating on the happiness in my little family today as this will be the first time I am missing my sweet puffin's (the original puffin!) very happy birthday party. She's turning five and having a blast at JoAnn fabric with all of her friends! Looks like watching puffins grow up truly is bittersweet...

Tana at 4 months with GDad

Tana last month in Puerto Rico

Quick topic change before I melt into tears (too late!)...

What is it about going to the bulk bins, writing the plu# on the twistie, then coming home and putting all of your goodies into jars and cannisters, that is so lovely and satisfying?

And now I get to use it all up making yummy stuff for my family to eat - and maybe some new momma's too!

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Time to clean it up...

2010-02-12T13:30:00.000-05:00

After the snow had a day to pack itself down, and the sunshine came out, we headed to the great outdoors to begin another snowy clean-up.

After my attempt at running myself over with the snowblower, Octavio thought he might give it a try himself...

Just like a pan of cut marshmallows!

Thar he blows!

s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g... I cannot reach you, little shed!

Trying to figure out how to get the cold wet snow off of his mittens

AHHHH! Help me, Momma!

Snowbanked Benjamin!

Feeling groovy!

note: I was too afraid to step back and give perspective on how high into the bank he is.

About 5ft. or so off of the ground

Throwing his own self into the stack at the edge of the driveway

and eating snow

Octavio cutting marshmallows

That doesn't sound nice (?) but it is a pretty view!

Benjamin running up and down in the little path

We couldn't get all of the snow with one pass - it was too deep

Hello, baby bear!

Snow panted toddler

Octavio working hard

What? Is it SO wrong to expect everyone to help?!!?

Octavio is headed back outside now, while Benjamin is sleeping, to use the heavy metal shovel and break up some of the ice. What will we do when real life returns, and Octavio is back at work everyday? Little Mister is going to miss his Big Papi! For some reason, I suspect that Octavio is looking forward to the return... no one else around here seems all that concerned about Spring Training, although we do find PTI amusing. Benjamin feels a bond with Tony K.

I think that we will venture out tomorrow - more snow is forecast for Monday. Keep well, everyone! This is one thrilling winter season, for sure! :)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Snowpocalypse - you know you want more photos of this!

2010-02-10T17:18:00.000-05:00

Hello.

An unprecendented, historical (and hysterical) amount of snow has fallen (and continues to fall at the writing of this) in our area.

At the onset, five days ago, we did lose power overnight for about 6 hours. Although a little chilly, we were just fine and at about 9:20 a.m. we regained power, and have been most fortunate since then - Huzzah, Allegheny Power!!! I hope that I did not just curse us, as we are in the middle of another thundersnow blizzard storm thing.

Getting ready to grab some logs - it will be a chore!

Because this is what Snowpocalypse pt.1 left with us

And this is where the logs are - way out there in the middle of the photo

Past the gate that cannot be opened because of the snow

Poor puppers is confused and does not appreciate the trail Big Papi dug out for him

btw - that is the top of a lawn chair on the right - the rest is underneath the snow

Do you see him back there? That's Big Papi!

He dug his way from the basement door, up the hill and to the logs!

Zooming in on Octavio - blizzard swirling, good effect!

This kind of igloo is better suited to us - bears included!

hut, hut, hut, hut, 19, 19, 19 months old!!!

Poor sweet puppers!

Just in case, he went out later for more logs - snow up to his hips!

Later on, we conspired... to use the snowblower!

Snow taller than our baby bear

It is evening now bc it took me a while to get the hang of the snowblower

I accidentally backed myself into a snowbank. Used the snowblower to steady myself. After a second or two of disorientation as I kept squinching further into the bank and falling, I released the stupid snowblower power handle, since it was the instigator in pushing me back into the snowbank. Well played revenge, snow, well played. My neck hurts.

into the garage for a cleaning - naughty snowblower!

snowscape

oh! icicles!

One lane on the road finally plowed, and my front driveway is almost revealed!

Big Papi takes Forest for a walk

Someone was not invited this time :(

That's ok - Big Papi took us out for a long time the next day!

Clearing off as much energies, snow and ice as we can before round two

Yup - more soft snow begins to fall ...

Uh-oh, did I say, "soft snow?" Another trip for logs...

This time, even more difficult!

Blizzardy - Take good care, soldiers!

I think that he blames us

Same chair - now completely covered...

That's an 86 lb dog!

Logs, logs, logs - poor Octavio had to double over in the wind!

Dudes - it's like snowing and stuff

hello, little snowy shed!

hello, snowed in grill!

hello, fence! Fence?!!? FENCE?

Wow - Nature is AMAZING

Just Amazing!

Maybe a little too amazing? Uhh - anyone seen my fence?

How about my driveway? The road? Anyone?

Forget it - we're watching The Duck Song!

Hey, got any grapes? Yes, because we went to COSTCO yesterday at 9:30 a.m. :)

Keep safe and warm and snuggly! The worst of the wind is coming through now - hope to catch you on the other side...

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Since We've Been Home (pre-Snowpocalypse)

2010-02-10T16:00:00.001-05:00

After we settled back in from our trip to Puerto Rico, and cozied up at home, Granny, GDad and Zoe left to go back to Cincinnati before the 3-day weekend. It took Benjamin a few days to stop looking for them around the house, and to stop asking for Uncle Corey to drive him around in the golf cart! :)

It had snowed whilst we were away, and melted, and was very muddy. We could not be discouraged from going outside...

squishity squashity, sinking into the muddy hillside

Swinging, yeah!

Checking out nature, yeah!

What a cool shadow!!!

Some days have been rather bitter cold, so we have also enjoyed being indoors, and rediscovering the cool stuff therein.

Abacus meets Little Mister

Then some more snow came around, and we were not courageous enough to use the snowblower - slippity slopes, my friends, slippity slopes.

Pretty - isn't it?

We played indoors - and walked around outdoors, and jumbled here and there, and missed playdates because we had sniffles, bumped toothbrushes and were dorks misreading information, went to the library, wiggled and giggled, hosted a playdate (where we did make it!) and cooked up a storm...

Oh, my dish, my dish, my dish is on fyah!

No need to call the fireman, let the fricker frucker burn!

Looks like I'll need a little glass of something to recover

Another cute snow break!

yes, he shoveled the entire bottom driveway!

I see white snow

Up to the back driveway - oh! Looks like magic!

Trees - swayin' in ta breeze, chickapay

Brave soldiers, guarding us :)

Moving fast! Upwards, Little Mister!

The snow gives the swingset a rest - but it looks lonely...

Distracted by Nature

Not Narnia

And, I finally finished the stitching on the Waldorf inspired placemat for Benjamin. The hoop marks, and marker are still visible... but once I get this baby washed, dried, ironed and put the binding on the edge - it will be super cute and I will rephoto and post.

For my Little Mister xo

bwyl (stay warm!) *SherryQ* xo

Puerto Rico, pt.2 - where a surprise baptism occurs

2010-02-10T15:05:00.000-05:00

Yes, you are reading that correctly, a surprise baptism!

Let me start at the beginning. No, let me sum up.

I tried to arrange a baptism last year and invited everyone in the family.

(insert drama)

This did not happen.

I arrived in Puerto Rico this year, with my husband saying, "please do not be upset, but my mother may have planned for Benjamin to be baptised when we get to Mayaguez."

(insert "may have" clarification discussion, which "may have" included some reference to lack of appropriate clothing - his answer, "don't worry, I have a tie." Response, "this is not about you!!!" blah, blah, blah. Luckily his mother had a complete outfit ready for Benjamin, and I always have a cute skirt packed for just these kinds of surprises)

We had a great time on pt.1 of our trip at the beach (see previous post), and headed towards Octavio's parents' home in Mayaguez for the second leg of our journey, to see family.

Abuela and Granny discussing something important

GDad and Abuelo also discussing something important

Their conversation continued to Don Quixote's the next day!

Benjamin loves Granny at Don Quixote's (and Granny's food!)

Aunt Kerry and Zoe enjoy Don Quixote's too :)

Don Quixote's has fantastic yum food, if you are in Mayagueuz, you MUST go! We had the same waiter from 4 years ago (!) and the mofongo (shrimp, garlic tomato sauce inside of a bowl lined with plantain/pork rind smashed and fried) was out of this world!

After lunch, we enjoy a tasty coconut ice cream,

and a donkey ride (on a broken, but very appealing donkey!)

Abuelo and GDad still discussing important things

Later that night, Benjamin turns into a dancing party animal!

Exhausted after playing music and dancing the night away!

The baptism outfit (must be all white)

That sweet baby bear in his outfit - running all around and wrinkling up!

Titi Magi, Abuelito Octavio, and Abuela

Saying the important words

When the Monsignor put oils and lotions on him, Benjamin signed, "more, more"

Aunt Kerry and Tio Tony stood up with us for Benjamin - pardon the blur

Octavio, his grandfather Octavio, and little baptised baby Benjamin

Running around at Schonstadt (a religious movement in the Catholic church)

Wicked cute Tawddlah, Benjamin!

Abuelo, Big Papi and Benjamin at Schonstadt

I do have little video clips - but I cannot figure out how to post them anymore... once I do, I'll throw some up :) I probably need to youtube 'em first and then imbed that link - eh? :)

We had a wonderful time in Puerto Rico, but I sure was ready to get back home, and glad to be home - even though right now we are in the middle of a historic snow storm/accumulation/blizzard - I am glad to be able to go on vacation, I am very glad to be home! :)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Puerto Rico pt.1

2010-02-10T14:20:00.000-05:00

Octavio and Benjamin cruising at BWI

YAY! We went to Puerto Rico!!!! And it was fun :) Oh wait - there's a story that begins before we even get to BWI (of course), and it goes like this...

My husband and my mother conspired to get us all to stay at the Hampton Inn at Arundel Mills mall on New Year's Eve so that we would not be rushed to get from Frederick to BWI on New Year's morning by 8:45 a.m. (uhh - what traffic were we expecting that morning, I do not know).

Mother Nature had a different idea for us. First know the players: Octavio, Benjamin and myself, who live here. My mother and father and niece Zoe from Cincinnati (my sister and brother-in-law had to work while her preschool was closed for the week) were staying with us from Christmas and then meeting my sister and brother-in-law at BWI. My brother and niece Tana (who live close by in Linganore with my sister-in-law, Sydney, who was to busy to vacation with us) were not planning on staying at the Hampton with us, but would meet us at BWI too.

On New Year's Eve, as my father was leaving the house to pick up my niece to come and spend the day with us while my brother and sister-in-law worked (her preschool was also closed for the week), his 4-wheel-drive slid across the ice and snow at the top of our back driveway, down the top of the hill, and into a tree. He was fine, no worries. His car was not fine :( Tana did not get picked up. The tow truck could not get up the driveway to tow his car to the shop for repairs. We were stuck, and decided to cancel the hotel reservations and wait to leave in the morning.

The tow truck did finally, and after much struggle, make it up by the afternoon. They slipped when pulling my father's car out, causing the car to swing about and hit the swingset - doh! It all was settled in the end, when, after about an hour or so, the tow truck and the car made it down the hill and headed off towards to repair shop. We were all fine to leave in the morning... or were we?

Morning arrives, our bags are packed and ready to go (we thought we were leaving the day before - so we were quite ready), we are showered, we have had a tasty breakfast, we receive a telephone call that the car service is unable to get up our driveway - everything froze again overnight. My husband and mother have a brilliant plan - they will put some suitcases, mother, father and niece into my 4-wheel-drive and drive them down the driveway to the car service, and then come back and pick up Octavio, Benjamin and me - drive us down, and then Octavio will drive our car back to the garage, lock up and walk down the driveway.

Hey, guess what? This plan didn't really work out either, as once our vehicle went down the driveway, it could not get back up! Too much ice. So, Octavio, Benjamin and I had to slide ourselves and our suitcases down the side of the hill in the snow (much more traction than the ice on the driveway), to the car service. This was a hoot - I was wearing a long skirt, no hose, because I wasn't expecting to be outside very much until I was in (where?) freaking Puerto Rico! So, with Benjamin on one arm, and a suitcase in the other, I went all hardy womanish and grabbed onto the car service driver (he death defyingly climbed up the hill) and headed down the hill. I have no idea how we made it unscathed - but we did!!!

Of course, we drove our car ourselves to BWI, but had to stop for gas (who knew we would be going to the airport and back?!)... and our flight was delayed by 1.5 hours... hot diggity dog - we MADE IT TO PUERTO RICO despite MOTHER NATURE!!!!

Benjamin and Tana trying to stay awake for a late dinner the evening we arrived

Granny, GDad, Kerry, Jim, Zoe, Corey and Tana all went with us to visit Octavio's parents, Abuelito, Titi Magi, Cousins and friends :)

We stayed for a few days at the East Coast resort on Palmas del Mar - riding around in the crazy golf cart, which seems to have cured Benjamin of his hatred for riding in cars. Now he wants to ride in the car every day!

GDad and Benjamin by the hotel pool

Aunt Kerry, Zoe and Tana in the hotel pool

Two cutie girls at the pool bar!

Prima Tana

Prima Zoe

View of the hotel pool in the evening

View outside of the Quinones villa on Palmas del Mar

another view - great having a little private yard with a toddler!

Aunt Kerry and Prima Tana on a pier

Prima Tana showing Benjamin how to look for treasures in the sand

Aunt Kerry and Uncle Jim with Prima Tana and Benjamin

pretty, pretty Puerto Rico!

Uncle Corey and Prima Tana walking on the beach

Aunt Kerry, Uncle Jim and GDad help Prima Zoe walk on the beach

Big Papi and Benjamin on the beach!

Prima Zoe and Prima Tana moontanning

Prima Tana giving tired Benjamin further instructions

eeks! A swimsuit!!! With my sweet baby bear in the pool :)

He LOVED the pool SO SO SO much!!!

Pretty Puerto Rico

Uncle Corey in the famous golf cart!

Prima Tana up front, the sweet baby and me in the back!

AWESOME sailboat (I am jealous much!)

Prima Zoe with uninhibited joy on her face!

Two Primas posing in pretty Puerto Rico

pretty Puerto Rico

Popsicle sharing in hot Puerto Rico

Taking a shady break in hot Puerto Rico

Last morning on the beach

"Go thither, good Prima!"

"Thither? Really?"

"Let's thither togither, shall we?"

After this last photo, we all got together for lunch, then Corey and Prima Tana headed back for BWI, and the rest of us all piled into cars to travel over the Puerto Rican landscape clear to the west coast and Mayaguez!

There was also a surprise baptism! It was wonderful and thoughtful - had I known earlier, I would have invited everyone to come... on to pt.2!

What I'd like to say is...

2010-02-05T13:51:00.000-05:00

well, is... ahem, well.... let's carry on, shall we? :)

So Christmas happened! Little Mister was completely transfixed by the tree and nothing, NOTHING could top the awe and wonder he felt looking at the Christmas tree every day. I was surprised that he did not get upset when we took the tree down on the 27th... just watched and "helped."

Everything was, was - we had Christmas Eve dinner at home, then just futzeled around and played on Christmas Day. Christmas is not really my holiday. I like cooking, putting the decorations out, and then how clean the house is when everything is put away. A perfect Christmas for me would be: the house decorated and clean, opening new (and washed/rtw) pajamas on Christmas Eve with as many family/friends as could be here, after eating a lovely meal and singing carols, reading stories, waking up on Christmas morning and having hot chocolate and breakfast while looking inside of the stockings, going to church, return home for soup and opening one or two gifts, and the rest of the gifts after nap. It just always seems so frazzely to me - I wonder what everyone enjoys about it...? My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and my second favorite is VALENTINE's DAY, and I do not care how made up that holiday is - I LOVE it :)

My Cincinnati neice arrived on the 26th to stay with us for the week since her preschool was closed. My Frederick neice's preschool was also closed for the week - but mommies and daddies had to work, so we all had fun together waiting for new Year's Eve, when we would be leaving for a fun-in-the-sun trip to Puerto Rico!!!

And the Christmas season is in full swing..

2009-12-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

(will add photos and more stories soon)

Benjamin come around the corner after napping and was truly gobsmacked by the sight of the Christmas tree! It was SO adorably funny! He kept signing "tree" and saying, "tee, tee" as walked in circles all around the tree. Then he suddenly stopped, and ever so gently reached out his little pointer finger to touch the very tippy edge of one of the bottom branches. Touched the tippy edge, pulled away quickly and resumed circling, signing, and "tee, tee," looking back at me in wonder at how it all happened.

*tear*

one of my best. moments. ever.... :)

EOtM/BON

2009-11-14T18:36:00.001-05:00

So, the month of October ended on a spooky note - and the beginning of November has come and gone.

WTF

During his "boy-parts-breathing" phase the night before, Benjamin had a little accident on the carpet - which we immediately covered with Baking Soda and dishawashing detergent. Jump to morning where Benjamin found the baking soda while mommy was in the ladies room. I thought that the box was empty - obviously it wasn't - but, he dumped it all in the same place as the night before (and on his shoulder!

My leaf corralling days are, I hope, numbered, but we have one stinky crazy tree in the front that continues its days with TONS of leaves still green. It is always the first tree to bloom and the last tree to loose it's leaves. It's a pretty tree, and a shady tree, but I am a tired leaf corraller at this point and just want it to be ovah.

Just a small sampling of the leaves in our yard - w h e w There's nothing like my little helper!!! xo

I can hardly believe that my parents and neice will be here next Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday... dang time is moving quickly...

Benjamin in his bed with Forest and bevy of stuffed protectors :)

Benjamin is hardly nursing at all anymore - tends to fall asleep with the binky in his mouth rather than my nipple. It's all so very precious and bittersweet. We have not yet heard back from the Dr's office regarding what financial situation we are in with the new insurance and trying for another pregnancy (this time just a transfer of frozen beans) - so these might be my last days of nursing a baby. I try to concentrate on being thankful that I even had the opportunity at all - this almost never happened. I am SO so so so grateful and beyond happy that it has - my sweet baboo puffin ;)

Dusk with my sweet baboo puffin after one day of leaf corralling - of course, more leaves dropped in a few days and it looked as if I had never been there...

Benjamin Rene Quinones - I know that yours is going to be a life filled with love, you wild and wooly little bear! ;)

The day before Halloween we went to Prima Tana's school for a little party and to watch her parade - SO cute! After coming home and having a nap, we carved our pumpkin so that we could dine by jack-o-lantern light for a few spoooooky nights :)

I feel quite full of it all. Maybe I'll wear an underwire bra tomorrow. TMI??

Happy Autumn, all ;)

We took Benjamin back to Jumbo's on Halloween - we rode on the hay wagon behind the tractor (he LOVES tractors), and took another jaunt with the pony. Curiously enough, there were just a few other families - all with toddler boys!

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Outside in October

2009-10-26T12:31:00.006-04:00

Mommy likes Autumn best.

Goodbye pesky gnats/mosquitoes/other annoying bugs!

Of course, there are now a bazillion stink bugs invading Maryland (yuck!) all over everywhere... and the ladybugs are back... and deer ticks, but still, the leaves are pretty, the temperature is more likeable and so we play outside a lot. Yes, I have resorted to using popsicles as bait to lure him back inside when the time calls... boo, Momma!!! lol

I hold my sweet puffin baboo as he falls asleep. He turns towards me and says, " Mama," and then his sleepy little eyes roll back into his droopy lids, two more sucks on the binky, and he is out :) I almost cried, he is such a gentle squash of my heart just bursting forth to be his own self! He is growing and learning and growing some more. I am overwhelmed at how it is possible to be more in love with him everyday... and am capturing every moment in my heart and soul to save up for the inevitable times when he will unwittingly attempt to break my heart by doing exactly what he is supposed to do - live his beautiful life as himself. My sweet baboo puffin! xo I love you!

We went to another pumpkin patch...

Happy Birthday to my little Bro/ Uncle Corey/ Daddy (to Prima Tana)

LonnyIssue1 = cute and awesome!

2009-10-18T22:01:00.002-04:00

LonnyIssue1

"Mission:

In a time when shelter publications are turning their last pages...

OUR MISSION is to reopen the doors of accessible design. By embracing an online platform we provide inspiration at the click of a finger, directly connecting our readers to their favorite products and resources. Our freedom from page limits means that we can share more content in each issue, delivering an intimate look into the way people really live.
At Lonny, we value independent thinking and believe not in following trends but rather in making choices that lead to happiness. We believe that good design and affordable design can coexist and that true inspiration can be found in the teeniest of homes or in the grandest of spaces."

Shared via AddThis

enjoy!

bwyl *SherryQ*

SherryQ is losing IT

2009-10-12T12:43:00.001-04:00

a new blog - another journey :)

No worries - this blog is staying for those sweet baby puffins (and fans!)

xo

*SherryQ*

@ 15 Months (10.8.09)

2009-10-11T13:49:00.009-04:00

15 Months?!!? 15 Months?!!!!! Seriously, how has it been 15 months since we went to the hospital to be induced (UGH!) and birth our sweet baboo puffin?!!?

CrAzY

Fuh reals.

We were unsuccessful at taking a good chair shot this month :(

So, we played on Gyffy co-co-pop instead :)

and then we went outside to explore stuff

Prima Tana spent the night with us this week while Uncle Corey was out of town and poor Aunt Sydney had a yucky illness :'( (she is a little better today)

We had spaghetti. Some of it even made it into his tummy...

Benjamin can feed himself!

Tana eats like a lady with her utensils!!!

Yesterday we went to Prima Tana's school for Fall Fun Day :) Benjamin wore his cute little monkey sweater suit... Is he going to sue me for these photos when he is up for the Surgeon of the Year award? Or do I just need to start his therapy savings now?

Momma! Stop trying to photograph me in this stupid chair!

Be the Monkey...with a little car

Momma loves me!

Yup, I look like a monkey going to a Fall Fun Day Festival

She bounces like Tigger!

She is too beautiful to stop the photographs!

Happy Fall, ya'll
bwyl *SherryQ* xo

JUMBO's Pumpkin Farm

2009-10-10T13:42:00.010-04:00

We drove over to the other side of the mountain and visited Jumbo's pumpkin farm last weekend. Benjamin went crazy making all of the farm animal signs!

Benjamin signs, "pig"

This year Tana notices the farmy smells! :)

Puffins LOVE goats!!!

Prima Tana

Prima Tana and Benjamin!

Benjamin and Prima Tana rode horses!!! My apologies for the pictures with Benjamin being so very small - the larger I made them, the larger I was (I am SO not into being fat, I'm really not sure why I am doing it), and the less inclined I was to share them - so you get the un-cropped versions of far away, courtesy of Octavio, the photographer :)

Prima Tana

Benjamin Puffin!

Benjamin shows off his horsey-legs - He was demonstrating how he rode the horse!

Handsome Fellows XOXO

Supah Strong SupahStar!

Running Cousins :)

Yeah, that's right, I AM crazy cool!

Found a pumpkin, found a pumpkin!

Found a GREAT pumpkin!

Found the GREATEST Pumpkin!!!

Run away, pumpkin catchers!!!

Tiny Puffins with tiny pumpkins

Tiny Puffins with a GIANT pumpkin!

Final measurements before we took our leave...

See ya next year, Jumbo's (or next week!)!

It's SO crazy to think this was just last year's visit when he spent the entire time asleep in the Moby :) Babies are babies for about a millisecond!!!

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Where Betty-Ann becomes Olivia, Nature is explored, and Forest is conquered!

2009-10-10T12:20:00.006-04:00

Benjamin's Prima Zoe received a baby doll a while ago and named her, "Betty-Ann," after her Grandmother on her father's side. Once Zoe had a Betty-Ann doll, Tana wanted one too - so Granny (my mother) got Tana a Betty-Ann to match Zoe's.

When Benjamin was about 9 or 10 months old, Tana was spending the night and brought her Betty-Ann with her. Benjamin fell in love with Betty-Ann, so Prima Tana graciously left Betty-Ann to play with Benjamin for a while. A few weeks later, Prima Tana missed Betty-Ann, and took her home. Benjamin was sad :(

Aunt Kerry (Zoe's momma) happened to be visiting when Tana's Betty-Ann went home, so she went out and got Benjamin his very own Betty-Ann! Only now, Tana has delcared that there are too many Betty-Anns around, so Benjamin's Betty-Ann is now named Olivia. It is official - the tip top Puffin has spoken

.
Benjamin reads a library book to Olivia!

Benjamin loves to be outside - LOVES, loves, loves it!

Poor Forest never stood a chance!

Autumn comes to Mt. Zion Rd.

2009-10-05T11:33:00.002-04:00

A slight chill in the air brings out some long-ish sleeves, layering, and rambunctious fellows!

Benjamin wishes to escape beyond the tetanus fence...

Forest shows him an escape, through ingestion of questionable berries, leaves and grasses
Naughty Puppers!

When too much basil happens to good babies...

He is now aware that he might need basil intervention!

This was not pesto in the making (we have tons of that already) - but rather for a spinach yogurt dip that we have become obsessed with and are eating almost daily... need more aero garden seeds... :)

bwyl *SherryQ*

Weekend after Labor Day

2009-10-05T11:14:00.006-04:00

Yup - I got over my big bad self :)

And now, some overdue posts... and photos

Zoe at the park

Tana at the park

Girl cousins at the park

Silly Billy Puffins at the park! Benjamin decided to take a nap instead...

We headed over the mountains and through the woods, to Granny and GDad’s house, for Zoe’s very happy 4th birthday - 4!!!!!!!! These years are moving past so very quickly - or is it my imagination? Tana and her daddy came over too - by airplane. We should have done that too - that drive is something else with our sweet baboo puffin! I end up praying for our lives as we struggled pluggled luggled along…

We stayed in the motor home in the driveway - awesome. Well, actually, other than not having the water/ sewer hooked up (so we had to run inside the house when those things were needed), it is a very nice set-up. We even had wireless Internet access and Direct TV!!!

Tana is reading to Benjamin in the car

"That's my dinosaur, his spines are so soft.
(looks up with complete shock on her face and exclaims)
I said, 'spines!' I said,'spines!" :)

Of course, the trip was too short to do everything that we wanted to do… but I was so glad to be able to go to Zoe’s happy birthday party - and to see her new house (across the street from Granny and GDad!

Happy Birthday, Zoe!

Tana at the Princess birthday party

Benjamin did not even last long enough to see the cake :)

bwyl *SherryQ*

sahm..

2009-09-27T21:16:00.002-04:00

I have photos and captions and cute stories to share - just need the energy and time to post...

For now, I am working on what most stay-at-home-mommies of young children experience (especially when they are ill) - feeling isolated and a bit irrelevant (other than my little baboo puffin).

So - la dee dah

bwyl *SherryQ* "she's not so different, after all"

Labor Day Weekend

2009-09-09T18:31:00.003-04:00

We rested, and Big Papi grocery shopped...

***

We went to Harper's Ferry. It was hot and humid - but gorgeous! We are making plans to go back asap and do some walking to see where the Shenandoah meets the Potomac. Benjamin was completely enthralled by a group of Asian tourists - and they thought that he was so cute pointing to them and listening to their language, they just kept encouraging the little rascal ;)

{{{{Wishful thinking, Momma}}}}

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Gyffy co-co-POP! and tomatoes

2009-09-09T17:37:00.003-04:00

My former supervisor in my former work-a-day girl life (wherein I posed as a furniture liberating, group advocating, renegade librarian!), is such a lovely lady (and a magical sheep farmer), and I am so lucky that she has stayed a friend in my post-work life :)

We had lunch with Mary the other day, and she presented little Mister Benjamin with the most awesome Gyffy! We call him, Gyffy, Gyffy, co-co-POP...

He is awesome and bouncy and super duper fun!
He = Gyffy ;)
THANK YOU, MARY!!!! xo

Tana brought 2 tomato plants over in June, and we planted them in the third pot outside - the tomatoes are there!

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

What to do when everyone leaves...

2009-09-09T17:27:00.003-04:00

#1. Be a binky stealer!

#2. Make your modified sign for pony ride and look helpless so that Momma will assist you
#3. Eat a new puzzle piece out of frustration
#4. Just look sad and cry :'(

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Visitors from Cincinnati, and a return to the Creamery

2009-09-09T17:05:00.004-04:00

Prima Tana's school/ summer camp had a three week hiatus before their fall term began, so she came and spent one week of that with us!!!! YAY :)

My parents (Granny and GDad), came over and brought Prima Zoe with them to play with Tana for the week!!! YAY :)

***

There was lots of fun to be had - sprinklers, toddler pool, API playdate, and a visit to the South Mountain Creamery!

My Dad doesn't join us on a lot of outings because of his bad back (aka World of Warcraft)

Benjamin thought that there were sheep too - he is saying, "baa," and looking towards the cows ;)

Kerry and Jim arrived on Thursday and stayed through the weekend.
Prima Tana and Prima Zoe LOVE being together, and they both adore my sister!

**
Cousins LOVE Cows!!!

By now, Benjamin's mad walking skills have really developed, and he had a grand ol' time showing them off to everyone ;)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

More Demonstrations and the Kuritars :)

2009-09-09T15:48:00.003-04:00

While the Kuritar family returned for a fun day in D.C. (they left the house @ 6:45 a.m.), Benjamin and I stayed home to review his mad skills!

and

call me crazy - here :)

And a still of Sydney Kuritar - Spencer did not want to be photographed :)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Benjamin's first trip to a Smithsonian!

2009-09-09T15:01:00.003-04:00

(photos are Big Papi, Benjamin, Uncle Corey, Aunt Sydney and Prima Tana)

My friend from down the street while I was growing up, Joan, brought her two children, Spencer, 10, and Sydney, 8, to visit D.C., and stayed with us for a few days.

Since we missed going with the Neziri's, Abuela, Abuelo, Big Papi, and Tio Tony, we used their visit as an excuse to get off of our behinds and take little Mister Benjamin to a Smithsonian, and ended up at the Natural History Smithsonian for the day.

It was H O FREAKIN' T - seriously the hottest day of the summer, but the museum was fun and Benjamin enjoyed himself very much (as long as we were holding him).
:)

New moves!

2009-09-09T12:31:00.004-04:00

Check, check, check, check it!

and
Stay Tuned!
'cause

oh yeah
and

then, you'll not be surprised by

or this...

Hee hee :) here are a few still shots:

Benjamin at 13 months...

He is very interested in doing what I do - sweeping, being close to Big Papi, and watching tomatoes grow :)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

I had a birthday

2009-09-09T11:53:00.004-04:00

Yup - I am like, old, and stuff - not TOO OLD (Rachel G.), just old enough for me :)
Before our feast of

MONSTER SPAGHETTI - mwahhahahahahahahahaha!

Prima Tana joined us for dinner, and dessert, of course! She even spent the night :)

***

Ahhh - the flowers - SO, so lovely and very appreciated!

***

It's tough being a baby... ;)

Seeing Calves

2009-07-23T14:45:00.007-04:00

We are trying to gently nudge Benjamin into making his afternoon nap THE nap for the day... this photo is on day 1 of the experiment of keeping him awake and active in the morning. Good job, Momma (NOT)... 2 minutes in the car on the way out to the Creamery, he is fast asleep - in his new carseat!

Benjamin woke up as soon as we stopped - it was only about a ten minute drive, so maybe we'll be back on track... Anywho, we walked up to the calf barn and saw some sweet babies. Benjamin LOVED the calves and hens and roosters ...

I wonder why Mommy and baby Benjamin already have such different points of view!

Big Papi and Benjamin are exhausted after the creamery visit and a trip to the Common Market!

An early evening playdate at Mrs. Clark's house :) Benjamin and little Maggie are one month apart (Maggie is older - but teeny tiny!). I love the way Dave (Cadia Rose's Daddy) is looking up with so much love at his wife, Natalie... She was in the photo, pre-crop, but the angle was unfortunate, so I opted for the crop :)

At the Catoctin Mountain Orchard with Uncle Corey, Aunt Sydney and Prima Tana...

Uncle Corey plays "let's scare Big Papi"
with Benjamin, on top of a rotten pile of hay
- seriously, it is stinky slimey sinky gooey rotten!

Benjamin has a proud Prima showing him how to play on the train

SUPER WONDER GIRL of the UNIVERSE!

Tana brought her fancy Nancy purse and sunglasses,
along with her sparkly Boston Red Sox logo hat!
Perfect accessories for teaching Benjamin how to play on the tractor - dontcha think? :)

Unpleasant News..

2009-07-17T09:40:00.002-04:00

Nothing about the sweet puffins (thank goodness!)...

However, this is a very strange coincidence:
In the past two months, both sets of our parents have had their homes burglarized.

One set live in Puerto Rico, and lost many precious items and all electronics.

One set live in Cincinnati, and lost only their giant television, but probably "only" because the neighbor saw the selfish nasties (who then saw her seeing them and sped away) and called 911.

Makes me want to build a little safety nest for them close by so that we can help keep watch - with Forest's assistance, of course... and maybe a few of his friends too.

Dear Burglars,
Stop bothering people with your lack of self confidence or respect for yourself and others. You only have one life to live - make it worthy and full of positive energy for yourself and others.

Thank you,

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Photos and moving bits...

2009-07-16T10:12:00.013-04:00

Sport Boy!

Benjamin and Big Papi play a game of "chase me" before bedtime :) June '09

Sleepy bear in the car sportin' his awesome stretchy strap sunglasses! June '09

***I removed two photos of Benjamin and his cousins in the bathtub, and one little movie clip of Benjamin in the bathtub. These were precious and sweet moments with our precious and sweet baby puffins... but, it was brought to my attention that not everyone views children in the same way. I know that, but I forgot for a moment... stupid reality, stupid nasty people.***

Giving Forest a dental exam

Teasing Mommy with his standing/walking potential!

Rockin' out!

Just before Benjamin became very ill... super sick stander!

Sweet baby bear was SO sick over his birthday celebration weekend - we were exhausted! July '09
Showing Big Papi how to eat sweet corn :) July '09
Something is finger lickin' good... more CORN! :) July '09
Tio Hiram sent Benjamin this cool green puppy - a perfect pet! (Sorry, Forest!) July '09

WineBerries from our yard - we made an awesome gluten-free crumble!!! yummmm

He is a super duper dancer - but wimped out in front of the camera... so mostly just a diaper and mommy encouragement video :)

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

My Goodness!

2009-07-15T16:17:00.003-04:00

at the Festival of the Arts the first weekend in June!
What happened to June?with Prima Tana, learning about digging in the dirt with Flat Sneaks!

Just after Benjamin gave Forest a dental exam - surprisingly, all went well :)

I can take things out of the laundry basket!

I try to go down the stairs with all of my toys, all by myself!

What happened to my sweet baby? He is SO big and starting to stumble walk!!!!

June slipped away very quickly with playgroups, Father's Day, Tana here for a week, and poor little Benjamin getting ill :(

Benjamin had back-to-back viral infections, followed by an ear infection. This all started the weekend before his Abuela, Abuelo and Tio Tony came into town - and continued right through Granny, GDad, Prima Zoe, Aunt Kerry, Uncle Jim, Titi Evelyn, Uncle Qefli, Primo Aidan, and Prima Nadia's visit... We ended up taking him to the ER on July 4th, the day of his celebration :(

Uncle Qefli helps Aidan cut his Happy Birthday Cake! Benjamin and his Happy Birthday cupcakes! Ttit Evelyn comforts a sick Benjamin...

All was well, though - the family pulled it all through and enjoyed themselves all together for the weekend! They played Wii, went through downtown Frederick, checked out some of the Smithsonians and memorials, played in the sprinkler, and with the sparklers :) Benjamin did enjoy having everyone around, and wishes so much that he had felt better so that he could've played and giggled too!

Benjamin has recovered very well from the illness, and is busy, busy, busy, growing, growing, growing and being a one-year-old!!! He likes to look at books, dance, throw balls, make music with instruments, be chased and startled, put doggie food in his mouth and then crawl away quickly while giggling, and push furniture about. He is a truly wild and wooly sweet baby bear!

I can hardly believe it has been a year since his birth - it all seems so surreal... what a blessing we have received in having Benjamin in our lives :)

We'll see what we can do about getting a sibling for our sweet baby bear. Our insurance plan changed this past year, and we are not sure what it will cover in regards to the two frozen embryos. Poor frozen puffins! We'll keep you posted ;)

We hope that all of you are doing well, and we hope to post more frequently (yeah, right!).

bwyl :) *SherryQ* xo

Welcomed by the Kerins of Hudson

2009-05-31T12:04:00.007-04:00

My dear friend for over 20 years (blangitty frick-a-chick, another "oldie" indicator!), Mrs. Kerins, has been overcoming challenge after challenge these past few years, and I have been too self absorbed to be of any assistance (boo, bad friend, indeed). To help distract us from these circumstances, I conspired with Mr. Kerins to have the Quinones family be surprise weekend houseguests at the Kerins of Hudson's.

John Kerins, Benjamin Quinones, Big Papi, Teddy Kerins

We drove from Frederick to Hudson in about 6.5 hours - not too bad considering that I-76 was shut down from Pittsburgh to 80, so we had to take a detour, AND we were traveling with one little Mister "unenthusiastic carseat rider."

Upon arrival, we went straight to the front door and rang the bell. Mrs. Kerins opened the door to us asking, "Is this where the fan club meets?" She was SHOCKED - she stared at us for a seond in complete disbelief, and then bent over laughing and crying and trying to catch her breath! It was the most wonderful reaction and we all felt so smarty arty at having pulled one over on her - as Mrs. Kerins is exceptionally clever, and I had myself convinced that she had us all figured out!

The Kerins family are all handsome and well - Mrs. Kerins is dilligently working on her recovery. We had a splendid weekend of cooking out, hanging out, playing outside, laughing out loud, and hugging all around :) We love the Kerins and we miss seeing them!!!! Hopefully we will not have to wait too long for a planned weekend of fun ;) THANK YOU to Mr. Kerins for allowing us this intrusion, and T H A N K Y O U to Mrs. Kerins for being such a great sport. :) xoxoxoxo And, Thank You to those beautiful boys for playing so nicely with Benjamin and showing him how the "big guys" roll... xoxo

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

Around the House and going to the FMS

2009-05-31T10:55:00.009-04:00

Benjamin likes to look out of the windows and use his very loud voice to greet the day :)

Teddy keeps Benjamin company in his VERY OWN bed - I know that you are shocked (frankly, I am too - about the bed, I mean). We purchased a tempur-pedic style foam twin mattress, so that Benjamin would still have the same feeling as sleeping in our bed. He really likes to play around on his bed, and seems to be napping there pretty well. The next step is going to be putting him into his own bed while he is still awake and see if he falls asleep on his own... Sounds like another "Mommy" issue to me too :)

We had some beautiful blooms this month... and our very magic tree continues to hold on... defying all gravity, wind, and the past few winters of ice storms. It truly is a magic tree! I too wonder who lives inside of there, but shy away from getting close and really exploring - I don't want to scare anything away :)

A silly baby playing in a guest room - please avert your eyes from the nasty carpet/ Grandmother's old chair that needs recovered / table extensions stored underneath the bed/ random room divider covered with a fabric piece from Egypt / and empty Pelligrino box :( Dear Sherry, fix up your house, please. Thank you, random guest.

This month also found us at the Friends Meeting School as stand-ins for Tana's Grandparents on Grandparent's day. Although, come to think of it, if we had come from a different time, or family situations, we are old enough to be grandparents - FRICK and EEEEEEEEEEEEEKS!!!! >:P Daggumit and dang, we are OLDEN...

Tana is the sweet puffin in the tie-dye shirt on the far right of the screen with impish curly hair. Curiously enough, behind two tall boys (Patrick and Akash), and next to the assistant teacher, Miss Tina. Tana gets to spend a lot of one-on-one time with Miss Tina :)

This video is very fuzzy (sorry)... and Benjamin became very excited at one point and knocked the camera all around (again, sorry!) Tana is reading her story about her pet, Forest. Forest is our Golden Retriever - notice at the end how she says that her favorite thing about Forest is that he lives at Titi's (that's me) house! Tana and Forest have had some challenges ;) Having each child read their stories aloud took over an hour... 3, 4, and 5 year-olds sitting for an hour... aye, yi, yi.

bwyl *SherryQ* xo

The Piano Man

2009-05-31T10:38:00.003-04:00

Hee hee :)

This is from earlier in the month - he can get up and down with total and complete abandon, I mean, "ease."

Of course, I keep telling Granny and GDad how much of a super music genius Benjamin could be IF he had a black lacquer petite baby grand piano, and matching bench... I'm just sayin' that I calls it how I sees it :)

bwys *SherryQ* xo

Benjamin receives visitors :)

2009-05-30T15:54:00.012-04:00

This past month Benjamin turned 10 months old, and received visits from Granny, GDad, the younger McCoys, the Hess family, AND the Gelhaus family of Ohio! Ms. Robyn and her handsome Red Sox fan beau, Michael, also joined in the fun! Don't tell Benjamin, Robyn and Michael may have also stopped over to see the Gehaus family :) Even though I was exhausted for some unexplained reason, it was lovely to see everyone! My mother and my husband really stepped up to the plate with all of the food (THANK YOU!) We enjoyed a Mexican fiesta evening with tasty treats - but I forgot to put on the music, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, which would have made the evening even more fun...

Benjamin enjoyed Prima Zoe and Prima Tana's visit!

Sleepy Benjamin is thinking a lot.

Prima Tana and Prima Zoe wore pretty dresses to Beans in the Belfrey with their Mommies and their sweet Granny!

Jack Gelhaus knows all kinds of tricky tricks like walking, running, growing awesome teeth... Benjamin was in awe, and a little bit perplexed!

Our little non-API (but all meeting through and communicating through API) baby playgroup met at Benjamin's house this month! How fun!!! My theory was that if we hosted the group, then I knew we would make it - and be on time... I didn't count on Benjamin deciding to fall asleep about 10 minutes before everyone arrived, and then to sleep soundly through 2/3 of the playgroup ... wouldn't you know it!?! Oh well... we're going to host again in June, maybe he'll stay awake for some of it then :)

Spring brings to mind...

2009-04-30T10:00:00.007-04:00

Thoughts of cleaning up and out...

Quickly turn to thoughts of playing with baby Benjamin!

... and enjoying an old puppa

Benjamin likes to "Chatter"

2009-04-23T11:08:00.005-04:00

These aren't the best examples - he sometimes really gets going with all of his sounds :)

Just prior to me grabbing the camera, he was snuggling his head into the puppa's fur and babbling away - telling Forest his adventure stories. By the time I started the camera, he was trying to get back down onto the floor (which he will only do occasionally on his own) and talk on his telephone to the mysterious people that must live in there...

Here Benjamin has climbed onto my yoga brick and is holding on for dear life onto a chair. It turns out that he is telling me that he needs a new diaper - you'll see the stinky nose face that I falsley attribute to a scary tale. Once I helped him up after his fall at the end (he was fine), I discovered the true story... a diaper full of things that he did not want it to be full of ;)

Where Benjamin eats dirt, and likes it!

2009-04-22T20:01:00.005-04:00

Here am I, a sweet young babe out in the fresh air with my handsome puppers...

And then, I find

DIRT!!!!!!! Dirt is awesome, and tasty, and fun to squiggle my hands in, and just plain brilliant!

A few days later, I practice my new awesome messy skills, impressing my Big Papi by feeding myself freeze dried blueberries and then avocado with my cool green spoon!

Yeah, I got the whole word in my hands, and I am spinnin' it like nobody's business ;)

Our Second Trip to Cincinnati

2009-04-22T19:00:00.011-04:00

Yes, we did it again... even though I said,
"Never! Never, ever, ever! Do NOT even ask me ever never ever again!"
We still went.

I still said, "Never! Never, ever, ever! I mean it this time, DO NOT EVEN ask me ever never ever again!"

Benjamin still hates riding in the car - can you tell?

On the up side, we did have a great time once there...

Doesn't Zoe just ooze happy enthusiasm in this photo?!!? I love it!

Aunt Kerry's birthday fell on Easter this year (OUCH!),
and so we had a double celebration:

Easter pictures and playing with Zoe in the early afternoon,
while Aunt Kerry and Uncle Jim went to a Red's game,

and then a yummy Easter feast while Aunt Kerry opened her very happy birthday gifts :)

And, then... more peaceful moments of the ride home:

Early Easter at Ft. Detrick

2009-04-22T17:43:00.006-04:00

We took Prima Tana and Uncle Corey with us to see the "Easter Bunny" at the park on Ft. Detrick. They had an Easter egg hunt too!

The Easter bunny was, well, was kind of, sort of,
very much creepy...

Afterwards, Prima Tana wanted to carry

her baby around in the Ergo, just like Tio carries Benjamin.

Yes - that is the adult Ergo - we just tightened all of the straps for sweet Tana :)

ttyl *SherryQ*

9 Months-Old and He's ALL tHaT!

2009-04-22T17:35:00.003-04:00

Momma, Is it okay if I take care of Forest now? See how gentle I am? I really LOVE him!Now, Forest, your hair should stretch just like ... this ... (pull, pull, pull)

Benjamin enjoys Forest very much - Forest sometimes enjoys him right back :)

And now ... 8 1/2 months old

2009-03-28T10:06:00.017-04:00

Baby Benjamin is growing, growing, growing!

I had a dream last night that he just started talking, in full sentences, and surprised us all :)

Benjamin in his new carseat - we're not using it yet, but soon will be :)

Pretty soon Benjamin will have spent more time outside of the womb than inside, which means he will lose most of his special baby talents, and really start developing his special growing-into-a-person talents. We can already see his little personality coming through! He seems to have a very silly side, is sensitive, and balls up his little fists when he is frustrated - so far, all of this is adorable :)

Benjamin is enjoying eating oatmeal with bananas, bananas on their own, peas, asparagus, avocado, chicken (woo hoo!), pears, mangoes, kiwi, grapes (peeled), sweet potatoes, butternut squash, apples, kale, zuchinni and probably other stuff that I am forgetting here...

We are going to be trying broccoli (again), cauliflower, yellow squash, cabbage, green beans and pork soon!

Benjamin loves being outside - he crawled all through the grass on his own (no coaxing from Mommy).

And he loves being with Forest the dog. Forest wants to love Benjamin, and he is trying so hard. But, it is difficult for a puppa when a sweet baby pulls on his tail, his sensitive boy bit area hair, and pokes him in his eyes...

Octavio and Benjamin are great pals and play with the basketball game in the nursery, read books, and roll the soft sport balls across the floor together ;)Peek-a-Boo and making funny faces/noises is a really big hit with Benjamin right now - he is such a little giggler!

Benjamin is a super-crawler, and pulls up to stand on everything (including the dog) - so we expect it won't be too long before we have a super-walker living with us :)

We hope that all is well with everyone out there - take care, Happy Passover, Happy Easter, and Happy Spring to all!!!

xoxoxoxo Sherry, Octavio, Benjamin and Forest ;)

Adventures with Baby Benjamin - outside and standing!

2009-03-10T16:49:00.010-04:00

Benjamin's first time on the lawn...

Forest is teaching Benjamin all about lawn care :)

Super stander!!!

Derek Zoolander "Salesman" look

shhhh... sleeping with Big Papi ;)

And some movement by our little mover :)

and then

Don't worry... he is just fine and was right back up again :) Our sweet baby boy!

Is anyone looking at this stuff, or am I amusing myself?

*SherryQ*

Still shots etc

2009-03-08T11:06:00.006-04:00

Tired of the movies? :)

Here are some still shots..
Prima Tana and Baby Benjamin on the hammock... Baby Benjamin playing with blocks from Prima Zoe and jumping in his Amby jumperoo

And another movie ;)

and stills... of Prima Tana with her fancy dolls from Abuela and Abuelo!

He's a crawling fiend :)

2009-03-07T16:43:00.008-05:00

Our little sweet monster baby Benjamin... he takes after his Big Papi, and he LOVEs to eat, eat , eat :)

Benjamin also enjoyed his Prima Tana this past week - she stayed with us while her Mommy was in California and Daddy was in Israel.

and

Benjamin is a crazy crawler now, and has been pulling up onto the couch and ottoman to stand! With Tana here, we moved the bed to put the baby rail back on - but he thinks it is great fun to pull up on it and tip over the top... so I'm not sure how useful it will be for safety - he is drawn to it ( and many other things) like a moth to a flame!

and

And in his jumpy jump Amby attachment:

and

2009-03-04T10:53:00.006-05:00

This photo was just 2 1/2 weeks ago - and this clip as well :)

Baby Benjamin and Prima Zoe helped Tana celebrate her FOURTH Happy Birthday on Valentine's Day, and at her birthday party with friends on the 15th at her gymnastics studio! Tana's "real" birthday was on the 17th - she is SO grown-up now!!!

Prima Zoe, Benjamin and Forest relaxing on the giant couch :)

We seriously heart the couch!

Here's the sweet baby sleeping in his carseat...

and in his cool wagon...

Wishing Big Papi a very Happy Birthday on 3.1
Poor Big Papi has a terrible cold :(***I have removed three photos of our sweet baby Benjamin in the bathtub because it was brought to my attention that not everyone views children the same way - stupid reality, stupid nasty people ***

Granny and GDad say, "goodbye," for now, and baby Benjamin has fun discovering Big Papi's new computer ;)

More to come... this week is double Puffin trouble at the Mt. Zion house!!! ;)

Moving right along...

2009-03-02T16:38:00.004-05:00

W h e w! A lot of catching up to do :)
We have an Aero garden now - and here is what it brings to our table:

Thai basil, Italian basil, oregano, thyme, mint, and chives... yumola

The honorable MLF Kerins suggested rolling our meatballs in cheese before cooking them, and while not a very flattering photo, we did do just that and they turned out to be quite yum indeed.

But, seriously, I think what you are wondering about is baby Benjamin - I am right, eh? :)

stay tuned....

A Puffin Party!

2009-02-08T19:49:00.005-05:00

Aunt Sydney had a procedure at the hospital,
so Prima Tana stayed with us for 4 nights of puffin fun!

Grainy... sorry! This was in the evening.

What we saw on our Nature Walk

2009-02-03T19:08:00.007-05:00

My Happy Gentlemen

Hi :)
We have been taking nature walks with the sweet puppa around our yard. The sunshine is just too delicious to pass up! This is what we saw today:

We also took a stroll downtown and stopped at the Cuban guy's restaurant - rice and beans and plantains (not for Benjamin, but, soon!).

Prima Tana came to visit...

And... the sweet baby is an eating fiend - following in his family's tradition!

Baby foodie

2009-01-23T08:32:00.004-05:00

Baby Benjamin is on a tasty tasting roll :)

Avocado = LOVES it
Bosc Pear = LOVES it, especially cold and chunky for his little growing teeth
Potato = likes it
Sweet Potato = LOVED it, now not so much
Broccoli = has only played and tasted, so... who knows ;)

Since I am a complete paranoid re digestive issues/ compromised immune systems, and their potential link to other yucky things (like autism), we are staying away from processed foods, gluten, and pesticides/hormones/steroid additives etc. and most dairy - although we do plan on a future full of yogurt. Judge as you like - I own my madness :)

We do plan on maintaining a regular APA vaccine schedule, as long as Benjamin seems to tolerate them well - and, so far, so good. Anywho, the pediatricians here in Frederick are now refusing alternate vaccine schedules... pfiffle >:P I may protest as the time gets closer to the whammy vaccines...

Good luck, sweet Benjamin ...

I so want to follow the Baby-led weaning idea for food introduction, and we are, mostly. But Benjamin really likes to chew on his weaning spoon - I have cheated and put food on the spoon...

Since I have the opportunity to let most things flow naturally with Benjamin's development, I am hoping that the food introduction works out too :)

That's all from here for now - I hope that all is well out there for everyone!

ttyl *SherryQ*

2009-01-20T18:37:00.001-05:00

The Holidays

2009-01-08T18:55:00.009-05:00

The happy holiday season has now concluded, and upon reflection, I say that it was quite busy and hectic and full of family and lots of love and crazy antics by two precious little girls and one sweet baby boy, our little Benjamin :)

******
*********

Just before the madness begins:

And... one day before 6 months-old

***I removed a video of baby Benjamin in the bathtub as it was brought to my attention that not all people view children the same way... stupid reality, stupid nasty people!***

And... at 6 months-old... tasting FOOD!

xoxo Happy New Year! There are more photos on my Facebook page ...

*SherryQ*

Christmas Outfits :)

2008-12-12T13:35:00.002-05:00

Yes, Santa. I will submit to the wearing of stripey socks.

****Hey, Santa... Recognize! ***

At the end of the Thanksgiving holiday with both sets of grandparents! Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

I can hardly believe that sweet Babycakes Benjamin is already 5 months old! Is he going to be 5 years-old tomorrow?!!?

Peace, Love and wishes for Joy to everyone! xo xo xo slobber-o

*Sherry, Benjamin, Octavio, and Forest*

*

Thanksgiving = Tasty Terrific Fun!

2008-11-30T17:04:00.004-05:00

We had Abuela and Abuelo in from Puerto Rico,

***

and Granny and GDad in from Cincinnati...

***

of course, sweet Tana, Uncle Corey and Auntie Sydney drove across town too,
as we all enjoyed a very Happy Thanksgiving indeed :)

***
We had so much fun preparing this turkey:
Corey put the brine together,
Octavio flipped the bird (LOL),
I added the herbs, citrus and baste to roast,
Granny carved the turkey,
Everyone ate (except for Corey who is now a vegetarian)!

Abuelo even had a little Happy Birthday party!

We hope that you all had a very lovely Thanksgiving too :)

*SherryQ*

Benjamin enjoys November

2008-11-25T12:01:00.006-05:00

Here he is at 4 months old with his sweet Sophie giraffe, just having a good ol' time getting ready for his teeth to appear!

****

and a motiony bit

Prima Zoe visited and wanted to hold her primo ;)

******

The Trip

2008-11-13T13:54:00.003-05:00

Well, we have now been on our first real car excursion from Frederick to Cincinnati - Forest, Benjamin, Octavio and Sherry = the little Quinones Family.

Benjamin is not that excited about the car seat.

enough said

we made it there and back again

It was lovely to see friendly faces, and to browse through The Jungle! We visited with Granny and G-Dad, staying in their motorcoach. Little Zoe, Aunt Kerry and Uncle Jim came around to see us, as well as the Strunk family and the Kuritar family - oh, and of course, Mrs. and Mr. May too :) We had so much fun catching up with everyone.

On our way home, Benjamin got to meet Jack Gelhaus at the Cracker Barrel!

It was lovely to see how big Jack is getting, and his cute teeth, handsome smile and ruddy little cheeks :) And, of course, Rachel is gorgeous and happy!

We now feel brave enough to attempt other travel destinations - so, get ready world ~ Here We Come!!! :)

bwyl *SherryQ*