Time

Do you ever find yourself in that place where you have time to do something but there are a million things on your to do list to choose from and you just get overwhelmed? Or there are the things you would like to do that are more leisurely and the things that you need to do which are necessity if you want to keep your home livable. Even right now I feel guilty for posting this small and probably pointless blog but I know some of you will agree with me on the issue. (sticky notes...I need to get sticky notes although they don't seem to be helping the girl in the above pic)

So where am I going with this? Well I have not blogged very much lately about the two cutest little things that pertain to my life or our everyday happenings and it is all because of the "things I need to do" as mentioned above. But the list is dwindling so there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I have much to share and even more pictures to post of our latest adventure and life in general so please don't give up on me yet!

P.S. and just because I thought it was funny...

My Boys

Benjamin is changing before my eyes every day. You could ask me where the last month went and I would tell you that it went very very far away. I'm already kicking myself for not writing down every cute little thing Benjamin does and the funny things Korban says. Pictures are my best way to hang onto any and every memory. I may even take five or six photos of the same thing just to make sure I have not missed a thing! This picture below is one of about five. Korban wanted to "nuggle" (his word for snuggle) Benjamin on his bed and they were just so cute I had to get out the camera and get as many shots as I could before Benjamin had had enough. If you had a caption for this face that he is making please share because I'm sure it will make the photo that much more adorable and funny.His character is coming out more and more with each passing day...

I feel like I waited too long to take family portraits with Korban when he was born so I jumped on it as quick as I felt up to it this time and I loved them all! Especially this one, he has a very sly grin on his face that makes me want to chuckle.

And here is Korban doing what he loves...playing with his cars from "Cars" . He was not too into the picture taking that morning but if you want to take pictures of him with his cars then he is more than glad to pose! And this one...it just oozes with sweetness. I might be partial but isn't he adorable!We have been enjoying every minute with our little ones and seeing the blessings in even the tiniest of moments between the crying and changing of diapers. I just know we are going to look back 10 years from now and ask again...where has the time gone?

Baby Benjamin

Starting to feel somewhat normal, and big thanks to my mom for holding the little one, I am able to steel away for a blogging moment.

On August 5Th 2010 in the early evening, I began to feel what I hoped were real contractions. I had had some earlier in the week that would come and go but lead to nothing. So this time I was trying not to get my hopes up just in case. When Josh came home from Bible study...my body said "stay home!"...I was still feeling little back pains. Not wanting to panic or get ahead of myself, I went to bed to see if they would change or decide to linger. They lingered. By 5:30 am ,same time I went into labor with Korban, I knew this was it! We made a few phone calls and packed up the car ready to face the day ahead of us.

It wasn't too bad driving down the dirt road this time, I was dreading it before hand, and Josh got us to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible as the contractions were already about 6 minutes apart. It seemed a little surreal this time. I was of sound mind since things seemed to be progressing at predictable moments and we were not rushed into any medical rooms or surgery right away. It was neat to see all the things they normally do to check in a laboring mommy and anxious Dad. Benjamin's heart beat was good and he seemed to be tolerating the labor pains better than me. I had my cheer leading squad of my mom and Jess ready with ice chips in hand. Ice never tasted sop good! I really had no idea what this was going to be like and what the pain would be like as things progressed. My amazing husband was a huge support and knew just how to hold me through the contractions...you really do need something to hold onto, Jesus, your hubby, or a hospital bed railing, anything to get you through it. I do not remember much of what happened between my contractions from 7 to 10 centimeters but I do remember that it hurt! Oh my the pain. I still cannot come up with the perfect word to describe it, it is kind of a toss up between having hot coals poured on to your back and lying down on a bed of nails, you pick.

Finally after attempting a couple of pushes it was decided that baby Ben was not doing well with his little heart and once again we were rushed into an emergency c-section. Once again my husband could not go with me and I have to say after all was said and done and when I found out he was not in the room, it broke my heart. But my faithful husband was not going to let it get in the way of video taping as much as possible through a tiny little window on the OR door.

At 4:20 pm on August 6Th Benjamin Shepherd Steinberg was born weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz. He was healthy and strong and very very hungry! He looks so much like his brother in so many ways but definitely has his own identity as well. Its like a flash back but this time with a video to see and hear for the first time our precious little baby. Holding him for the first time and feeling that love of another little person that needs you so much is just the best feeling in the world.

When I finally got to watch the video I felt so redeemed from the first time...I love you Josh:)

He is almost 2 weeks old now and we have just been trying to get through all the new and interesting things that come along with a newborn and a two year old. Which by the way Korban is an amazing big brother, I'm so thankful he is not jealous! Benjamin has checked out great with his health and his circumcision went well...that's always important! He now weighs 9 lbs and it is not even two weeks yet! I'm going to have a big eater on my hands.

There is so much more that went on during our stay but that is for another blog, the important thing is we are all home and healthy now just enjoying the 4 of us:)

The Belly

As Promised here are a few of my favorite belly shots and family photos that we recently had taken. Despite the fact that Korban was not in the biggest photo taking mood that day, Adria managed to capture some good ones of our soon to be big brother. Enjoy!

Now if only this little one would be born some time soon, now, within the week?

He's 2

Another year has come and gone and Korban has turned 2. I know I'm a little, well pretty late, with this blog but it is still post worthy! I can't believe he went from this...To this in a matter of 2 years.

Doesn't he look like such a typical little boy in the picture? He's chewing gum (what was I thinking putting those in a 2 year old party bag?), wearing his hat backwards, holding a car in one hand and a harmonica in the other....sigh...a happy sigh:)

And he is beginning to say silly things that I need to now make a list of lest I forget them down the road, or tomorrow for that matter.

And now he is going to be a big brother any day now really. We finally had some family pregnancy photos done which will be posted soon but this is just a sneak peak at my growing belly....sigh, a tired sigh mixed mostly with happy.

7 years

Josh and I recently celebrated our 7th anniversary. We thought we would make it a grand one and decided whats more grand than the Grand Canyon? Actually neither of us had ever been there before and thought it would be a fun mini couples trip before the new baby's arrival. We took the "scenic" route which had a bit of an un-scenic stretch to it but it ended beautifully. It boggels my mind the most random places people live. I wish I had taken a picture of one of the little houses planted smack dab in the middle of nowheres-ville so you could see what I mean. What kind of people live out there?

After about 8 hours of driving we arrived in Williams Arizona where we would be staying for the next three nights. We did not know that it was literally built on route 66! Just like Radiator Springs in Korbans all time favorite movie Cars, Williams was the last little town to be bipassed by the new highway. But because they are one of the closest towns to the grand canyon, they survived and are a big tourist trap. We had so much fun in this little town. It was patriotic and full of friendly shop owners and resteraunts.

The Grand Canyon had a dizzying effect on us both but it was marvelous and interesting to look at. I had so much fun with my husband and am so glad we took this time together. I know 7 years is nothing compared to most but I'm looking forward to so many more anniversary's and adventures with him:)

St. Louieeee!

May has been an eventful month. I think I mentioned in the last post that we were going to St. Louis Missouri for a wedding. Korban and I had only been home for about a weak when we were all off again! Normally I would not plan so much in one month but it was the only way things worked out this time around. We were hoping and praying that we would get three seats all the way. The first flight we did and Korban was so excited to be sitting by the window during take off. My Sister in law Jessica gave me the nifty idea to get a special little something just for the plane trip to keep the little one occupied....It worked! He loved his "airpane" and held on to it the majority of the time making all the cool sounds and zooming it through the air.

The Gateway Arch. What St. Luis is mostly known for having and attracting lots of people. It is really quite something to see in person and you practically fall over while trying to look up at it and walk at the same time.

My GQ little man just before the wedding. Isn't he just so cute?! He danced his socks of that night as the wedding went on late into the evening. If he could have fallen asleep dancing I think he would have.

Ah yes, this was pretty neat for my Hubby. There was going to be a big MMA fight in St Louis the weekend we were there and our Hotel was swimming with these guys from all over the world who were professional fighters. We, ahem... I mean he likes to watch MMA/UFC fighting. We, I mean he, got into it a few summers ago in Hawaii and began to have our friends over for "fight nights" to watch it all together. It is pretty exciting actually, and I do enjoy watching it with him. It is not your cheesy WWF chair smashing stuff, it is real actual skill in mixed martial arts and kick boxing. Now I don't keep up with the names of all the guys in the fights but Josh recognized this one from something called the "Strike Force" in the MMA. Jacare Souza happened to be on our elevator one morning and we struck up a conversation with him on our way to the lobby. So not what you would think one of these hard core looking fighters would be. He has a wife and son at home, Korbans age and another on the way due about the same time ours is due. He was from Brazil so the english was a little strained but he was very nice and even let us have this picture with him. Needless to say, he won his fight the night before hence the sun glasses, he was not trying to look cool he just had a really good size gash under his left eye.

St. Louis science center. Just a funny picture I had to include because he would put the magnifying glass up to his mouth making his mouth and nose much larger than normal...he must know what he's doing:)

The dizzying view from inside the arch all the way at the top. Korban's response to it all..."Awesome!"

The day we were leaving was kind of funny. Josh did not realize it but when he booked our flight home, he booked it on his Birthday.

We were so blessed to be able to go and have a little family time away with all three and a half of us before the baby arrives. Korban was a trooper and hardly complained about a thing. Praise God his two year old molars were not coming in yet like they are now because I'm sure this would end differently.