Needing happy thoughts

It's Thursday. The dreaded day is Tuesday (back to work). I can't believe it's so close! I am having at least daily breakdowns, which I have thankfully been able to contain to only Greg's eyes. In an effort to avoid more emotional outbreaks than I have already, I am doing my best to surround myself with feel good stuff.

Best feeling in the world!

Of course, my Benjamin makes me happy! 

That is one handsome man!
And we made a darn cute
kid, too!!

Greg has been awesome and I am so happy that he has been a little extra sensitive to my out of control reactions to the littlest things. I'm struggling and I couldn't ask for a better husband to offer the support and unconditional love that I get from Greg. I love you!!

I am so thankful for my family and friends. I was blessed with the best family in the world and I really know how to pick my friends. I don't say often enough how much I appreciate your friendship. I am especially thankful you have remained my friend despite my fantastic phone responsiveness!! :-) You guys make me happy!

Music makes my world a better place! Alternative, pop, rap, country...as long as there's music on, I'm happy. One of my favorite feel good songs that can always put me in a better mood is Just Another Day in Paradise. Thank you, Phil Vassar!

Zucchini lasagna -
yum yum yum!!

I have been cooking a lot and trying a ton of new recipes. My brand new 12 cup 900 watt food processor that I got for $50 on Craigslist has been a huge help and I am loving it! Thank you hoarder ex-husband who left your wife a storage shed of brand new items that you ordered online and never used. In preparation for going back to work, I have been cooking in bulk so that I can freeze a few extra meals. It makes me happy to know that I won't have to stress about dinner for the first couple of weeks and we will still be able to eat good, healthy food.

Couple other random feel good videos... The Duck Song - how can you not smile at that clever little duck? And the Ultimate Dog Tease - who has that much time on their hands??

Anyway - totally random post, but maybe you'll find your new go-to cheer-me-up!  Also, if you think about it over the next few days, send some feel good thoughts my way...I could use it!

Summer Fun

As this summer draws to a close, I am trying to think less about the fact I only have 11 more days until I go back to work and more about how lucky I am to still have 11 more days to spend with my family before I have to go back to work.  And how much we have gotten to do this summer.  And that I only have to work 10 weeks before I get a week off to spend with Ben!  And then my mind drifts off to ways I can become independently wealthy......

Take me swimming every day and I'll sleep for 7 hours
every night! ;-)

Okay - so first of all, a huge congratulations to my friend Rachel - she got a job at USC as the women's basketball athletic trainer.  Hooray!  Although I am not thrilled that she is going to be a Trojan, I am stoked that she is back on the west coast.  I cannot wait for her to meet Ben and I hope that he gets to spend lots of time with the amazing person that I get to call my friend!!

Speaking of friends, Jonnie is a great friend and got me this really cool pool float for my birthday.  Ben l-o-v-e-s it!!  He got in the water, laid back and just chilled for over 30 minutes!  He did occasionally kick those little legs and let out a scream of excitement.  How cute is he!?!



That sure is one happy boy for being at the
doctor's office!

Benjamin had his 4 month check up this week.  He is 15 lbs 2 oz and 25 inches.  He can roll over both ways with ease, he is starting to lift up his chest, he is starting to grab things, he is laughing real laughs and he continues to amaze me every single day. 

So that's really all I have in the exciting world of the Winget's!  OH - I finally saw a movie in the theatres again.  Before I tell you which movie, let me explain.  I joined a workout group called Stroller Strides - it's awesome and I'm going to miss it when I go back to work!  It's a group of mommies and we all bring our kiddos in their strollers and do a workout around the mall.  No - not just power walking...she works us hard and I couldn't believe how sore I was after the first week!  Okay - so the group occasionally has Mommy's Night Out, so I decided to join for the dinner & movie.  With all the hype, how could a group of women not go see Magic Mike?  Hahaha!  Good thing there was good conversation with other momma's to come from the night.  I cannot believe movies are $9.50 now!!! 

The family has shared their Florida pictures, so here are a few more...

The family reunion picture...fun times!



Ben hanging out with cousin Melissa.

That's one good looking family! ;-)

The boys in the pool.

That is one sour face for being on the beach...
he'll learn...oh...he'll learn! 

Ben and his buddy Veronica.

Our family - Daytona 2012

And some random Ben updates...



But why would I want to stand on my own when you
can carry me??

Practicing the tongue roll while catching up on TV.

Lifting that big 'ol head!  And the drool is beginning......

Resisting sleep.  Benjamin was awake for 15 1/2 hours
this day - with only one 10 minute nap.....



Which must have led to delirium, because Ben started
sucking on my cheek...haha!

Wubba is helping Ben enjoy the car a little more!

WWE live.....ahhh yeah.  Actually, it was way too overwhelming for him
and we had to leave early.  Luckily we were in a theatre box that made for
an easy exit when things got too loud!

Not sure what it is about it, but I love this photo!

Hehe!



Standing more and more - enjoying his bouncy seat!

Florida Trip!

Before I get into the fun stuff, we have decided on child care.  We chose Miss Angela, who will take care of Ben in her home with up to 5 other kiddos.  She groups her kids so that Ben will have 2 other friends his same age.  It's not my ideal (me! ha!), but she is great and flexible and close to my school.  At least we have 3 more weeks to enjoy each other....

Okay...Our summer trips are finally winding down.  They have been amazing and we are so happy to have seen as much of our families as we did!  In Florida, I got to meet a lot of family that I have never met from my Grandma's side (at least not that I remember...some said they remember when I was thiiis tall...ha!), Ben got to put his feet in the ocean and we all got to do Disney World for the first time.  A lot of our pictures were taken by family members, so I'll share more as I get them, but here is a picture recap of our week-long trip! 

Ben looking out the window on the way to Orlando...love
this photo!

Cuddle time in the Milwaukee airport on our layover.

Who is this gorgeous boy that keeps smiling at me?

I love the way Veronica is looking at Ben!

Ben asleep during brunch at Aunt Catfish.

With Debbie around, thank goodness for the indoor pool!

Quality time with Great Uncle Mike!

The pool makes me sleepy, too, Ben.

And asleep again.

So we were looking through my mom's camera of Ben's first immersion in
the pool and this one popped up...hahaha!!

Ocean!!  (And wind and rain, but.....ocean!!!)

Ben's first time with feet in the ocean!

Love!

Pool...round 2!  Weeeeee!

Practicing for GQ.

Not sure why this came out sideways, but family shot.  With all the cameras,
we ended up looking in 3 different directions...ha!

Family!  Such a great trip!

Our future astronaut (Ben, not Jason) at Kennedy Space
Center.  Although Jason could be a future astronaut...
And I'm not so sure I would want Ben to be an astronaut...

Pretty...and hot...and humid...and Ben is asleep...again.

How is that rocket more entertaining than these hands?

The only picture I actually took of the rockets!

Ben's "Moon Booties" :-) 

Ben sitting on Brooke's sand castle.  Mmmmm...sand!

That little boy sure does make me one happy girl!

Ben and Veronica with my cousin Katie in their new shirts from Great Grandma
 Marilyn (we sure did miss you Marilyn! <3).  Ben's says "Lock up your
daughters" and Veronica's says "My dad says I can't date until I'm 30" Ha!

Ben and Veronica with Karen and John.

This is how Ben (and Grama) spent the majority of
Universal.  It was h o t!!

Doesn't mean much to me, but we enjoyed some Butterbeer in the Wizarding
World of Harry Potter.

Epcot! And a sleepy Ben...surprise! :-)

Tigger!!!  Ben is awake, I swear...he's squinting from the sun!

Hugs for Wubba!!

And a few randoms...

Water baby!  Ben is starting to make splashes, but sure
does love his bath time!

Enjoying his new play area. 

Overlook the horrendus "A" on his shirt and notice
he's holding his own teething ring!  See what happens
when I let daddy dress him....

Happy 4th of July!!!

Enjoying fireworks!

Laid back with daddy.

That is one good lookin' Mickey!

Ben with his Great Great Aunt Erma May. (I think that is
the right relation...)

Lounging on the couch.  I know...the outfit is a hand-me-
down from a friend who is a huge Mets fan!

Ben helping momma cook dinner!

Video this week...Ben has discovered his voice and it is the best sound in the world!  It is hilarious what grown people do to make these little guys laugh!