I feel like the 5 month landmark snuck up on us. We did lots of travelling and even survived a squirrel invasion! Ben experienced his first Thanksgiviing. He also took his first plane ride - complete with having to remove his tiny jacket at the TSA checkpoint, just in case he was hiding a toy in there or something : ) As time has passed (and oh so quickly!) we have discovered more and more about Ben and he about us! A few of those findings are listed below:
Top 5 Things Ben Loves:
1. The morning - he is all smiles. This is his favorite time of day. Didn't get that from Mommy : )
2. Lights!
3. Dancing with Mommy.
4. Time with Daddy when he gets home.
5. Putting just about anything in his mouth!
Top 5 Dislikes:
1. Getting in the carseat.
2. Going down for a nap.
3. Tummy time.
4. Finishing a bottle!
5. Diaper rash : (
Some new pictures: Click Here!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Chester
This past week has been a whirlwind of travel ranging from time on a middle school field trip to time spent with family.
Last Wednesday through Friday Ben and I joined Jeremy on his grade teams' field trip to Haw River State Park. We didn't anticipate that the cold days would actually be as cold as they were, so unfortunately Ben and I saw very little more than the inside of the hotel room. I had really wanted to walk around from activity to activity and help out in whatever way but the weather outside was frightful : ) Our last morning there brought a special surprise of snow! There was a blanket of snow covering the ground - it was beautiful and I wished that Ben could just run around in it and build a little snowman. The same day that we left Haw River we flew down to Pensacola to visit my grandmother, Dee Dee. She and Ben had never met and so that was a very special treat to spend time there. They just smiled at each other all day. If you have never watched Guy Penrod for an hour, you should do that sometime : ) But seriously, we were so thankful to have that time there. Dee Dee said Ben was "warm, heavy and thundering." Very cute.
My mom, Jeremy and I drove the 12.5 hour trip back up in 16.5 hours (stops for dinner, feeding Ben, etc) and arrived in Raleigh shortly before midnight. The trip was actually surprisingly pleasant and seemed much shorter than I had imagined. We played games, listened to music, talked and passed the time with as much positive attitudes and respect towards one another that we could muster. As is the case with all trips, we returned home very tired. And very unprepared for what we would encounter upon entering our home.
As soon as we drove up, I knew something wasn't right. I could see that our front blinds were kind of tangled but dismissed that as normal - caught in the curtain or something. But when we opened the door there was more out of place. Plantation blinds hanging from a single string in the window over the stairs, pieces of which were scattered all over the floor beneath. Food and trash spilled out on the kitchen floor. A lamp knocked over in the bedroom. Things were just not right. We quickly retreated to the car and called 911. The police arrived a few minutes later and entered the house with guns drawn, shouting "Get Back! Get Back!"
Eventually they motioned for us to enter and so my mom stayed outside with Ben and Jeremy and I came in. Our house was 40 degrees because we had been out of town and the heat was off. Together we stood shivering in the living room listening to the police officers try to sort out our little mystery. No, probably not a burglary. Our video camera was in plain sight. The doors and windows had all been locked. One cop held a half eaten apple in his hand covered in sharp indentations akin to a vicious animal and asked if we owned a large dog. Uh, no. Then I noticed that our fireplace door was open and my Mom alerted me that Ben was up in the car and hungry. So while I went out to take care of Ben, Jeremy and the 2 policeman tried to find the culprit.
So what or who tore down our blinds, gnawed at our wood paneling, ruined our upholstery, knocked over a lamp and pooped EVERYWHERE?!?!? I'll tell you. A little squirrel that we decided to call Chester, that's who. Yep, hiding under a blanket in Ben's room on the floor. As soon as they found him and tried to catch him he ran down the stairs and back into the fireplace. That was early Monday morning. Monday night Jeremy took a dead Chester out our front door by a pole and a long rope while my Mom, Ben and I locked ourselves in the bedroom just in case he wasn't really dead. Insurance does not cover the damage. And we have spent the last 2 days cleaning squirrel poop off of everything. If this should ever happen to you, do not fret. Squirrel poop is thankfully very hard. Just imagine if it weren't.
This, combined with a 2 hour wait for a flu shot at my doctor's office with a hungry Ben at home and my first ever time being pulled over (and receiving a $150 ticket) made for a terrible Monday. But today is Tuesday and things are better!
Last Wednesday through Friday Ben and I joined Jeremy on his grade teams' field trip to Haw River State Park. We didn't anticipate that the cold days would actually be as cold as they were, so unfortunately Ben and I saw very little more than the inside of the hotel room. I had really wanted to walk around from activity to activity and help out in whatever way but the weather outside was frightful : ) Our last morning there brought a special surprise of snow! There was a blanket of snow covering the ground - it was beautiful and I wished that Ben could just run around in it and build a little snowman. The same day that we left Haw River we flew down to Pensacola to visit my grandmother, Dee Dee. She and Ben had never met and so that was a very special treat to spend time there. They just smiled at each other all day. If you have never watched Guy Penrod for an hour, you should do that sometime : ) But seriously, we were so thankful to have that time there. Dee Dee said Ben was "warm, heavy and thundering." Very cute.
My mom, Jeremy and I drove the 12.5 hour trip back up in 16.5 hours (stops for dinner, feeding Ben, etc) and arrived in Raleigh shortly before midnight. The trip was actually surprisingly pleasant and seemed much shorter than I had imagined. We played games, listened to music, talked and passed the time with as much positive attitudes and respect towards one another that we could muster. As is the case with all trips, we returned home very tired. And very unprepared for what we would encounter upon entering our home.
As soon as we drove up, I knew something wasn't right. I could see that our front blinds were kind of tangled but dismissed that as normal - caught in the curtain or something. But when we opened the door there was more out of place. Plantation blinds hanging from a single string in the window over the stairs, pieces of which were scattered all over the floor beneath. Food and trash spilled out on the kitchen floor. A lamp knocked over in the bedroom. Things were just not right. We quickly retreated to the car and called 911. The police arrived a few minutes later and entered the house with guns drawn, shouting "Get Back! Get Back!"
Eventually they motioned for us to enter and so my mom stayed outside with Ben and Jeremy and I came in. Our house was 40 degrees because we had been out of town and the heat was off. Together we stood shivering in the living room listening to the police officers try to sort out our little mystery. No, probably not a burglary. Our video camera was in plain sight. The doors and windows had all been locked. One cop held a half eaten apple in his hand covered in sharp indentations akin to a vicious animal and asked if we owned a large dog. Uh, no. Then I noticed that our fireplace door was open and my Mom alerted me that Ben was up in the car and hungry. So while I went out to take care of Ben, Jeremy and the 2 policeman tried to find the culprit.
So what or who tore down our blinds, gnawed at our wood paneling, ruined our upholstery, knocked over a lamp and pooped EVERYWHERE?!?!? I'll tell you. A little squirrel that we decided to call Chester, that's who. Yep, hiding under a blanket in Ben's room on the floor. As soon as they found him and tried to catch him he ran down the stairs and back into the fireplace. That was early Monday morning. Monday night Jeremy took a dead Chester out our front door by a pole and a long rope while my Mom, Ben and I locked ourselves in the bedroom just in case he wasn't really dead. Insurance does not cover the damage. And we have spent the last 2 days cleaning squirrel poop off of everything. If this should ever happen to you, do not fret. Squirrel poop is thankfully very hard. Just imagine if it weren't.
This, combined with a 2 hour wait for a flu shot at my doctor's office with a hungry Ben at home and my first ever time being pulled over (and receiving a $150 ticket) made for a terrible Monday. But today is Tuesday and things are better!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Four Months
Over the last month Ben enjoyed the wonderful company of Grammy and Aunt Morgan who travelled many a mile to come and see him and he met a new friend.
Over the past month Ben had many reasons for quick diaper changes in the car and outgrew a hat (even though his head circumference was in the 25% percentile at the last appointment!)
And also over the last month, Ben experienced many firsts, including his first ever fever (following the 4 month vaccines) and his first time rolling over!!!
And might I add that today as Ben was sitting in his Bouncer in front of the window and I was out sweeping the leaves off the back porch, Ben experienced his first snow! To those in Florida, yes, it was snow! To those north of here, ok, it wasn't really. But you can at least count it as flurries : )
Over the past month Ben had many reasons for quick diaper changes in the car and outgrew a hat (even though his head circumference was in the 25% percentile at the last appointment!)
And also over the last month, Ben experienced many firsts, including his first ever fever (following the 4 month vaccines) and his first time rolling over!!!
It was also his first road trip . . .
His first time seeing fall . . .
His first Halloween (he was a pea in a pod, courtesy of Aunt Morgan!) . . .
His first white squirrel (that is always in the same place on the same road when we go to Hendersonville) . . .
His first time in the mountains . . .
His first nature hike . . .
His first ginourmous house (er, palace) . . .
His first time in a pumpkin patch . . .
And his first pair of jeans : )
And might I add that today as Ben was sitting in his Bouncer in front of the window and I was out sweeping the leaves off the back porch, Ben experienced his first snow! To those in Florida, yes, it was snow! To those north of here, ok, it wasn't really. But you can at least count it as flurries : )
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Sick Room
Last week Jeremy was out of work for three days with a nasty virus. Thank you to those of you who knew that and prayed for a swift recovery! He is back at work and feeling 100% better. There was a bit of an appendicitis scare from the doctor, so we were thankful that didn't turn out to be the case.
Then as soon as the sickness was on its way out, we had visitors! Ben's grandma and Aunt Morgan visited for the weekend. They drove all the way up from Tallahassee late Thursday night and were here through lunch Sunday. Ben had a great time showing them all that he had learned since he last saw them at one week old. He smiled, made tons of bubbles, held his head up with lots of strength, grinned at familiar faces and "friends" (i.e. the star music player and ceiling fans) and surprised them with his weight. He enjoyed hearing Grandma howl in a coyote-like manner in her successful attempts at making him smile and having Auntie Mo change and dress him and tell him that she would be his favorite aunt. Over and over again : ) And I enjoyed much-needed time with my Mom and sister talking, laughing, going to lunch and only a little squabbling here and there. Oh, and Jeremy shared his early birthday present from his Mom: The Settlers of Catan. And we played it together three times. And Morgan won twice. And Mom won once. And Jeremy and I were shamed . . . and of course proud of their instant success. I guess . . . Although there was a BIG dispute over a stolen, no taken fairly, no stolen, no . . . wheat. Glad that the two of them could work it out and win and all : )
Another update: Apparently while Mommy was away from home our friend Ryan was over and he and Jeremy made Ben laugh. I tried to get Ben to laugh all day Monday without the tiniest hint of a giggle. Again and again we have tried to replicate the laugh and we haven't heard anything. While I do believe that he laughed, I am eager to hear it myself! We'll keep you posted.
But, the reason for the title of this post is not just because one of my boys has been sick recently, but because they both have! Today was baby Ben's first trip to the "sick area" side of the doctor's office. We had quite a day. He ate his first and second breakfasts as normal but it was all downhill from there. He woke up from his nap SCREAMING and continued to be sad, tears and all, for an hour. It was a long hour. I had no idea what to do. Jeremy was at work and the Internet was not helpful as I searched for the potential problem. I finally decided that though it might be a little early for this, he must be teething. My mom did mention over her stay that I broke my first tooth at three months and one website said that type of thing tends to be hereditary. So I tried to gently pull his little pouting lip out to see the beginnings of a pearly white . . . trying to figure out if each little white speck was a potential tooth. Well, it was 2:30 and he hadn't eaten in a record 4.5 hours and showed no signs of being interested in eating at all, so I called the doctor. They told us to come in thinking that he most likely had an ear infection.
Jeremy met us there and after a checkup (he is now 13 lbs!), the doctor thinks he actually has a virus. A little stomach virus that shouldn't last as long as Jeremy's and really shouldn't have as many terrible parts to it: chills, aches, hot/cold all that. I am thankful because it was hard enough to see Jeremy that sick. I couldn't bare to see Ben shaking from chills. The doctor told us to give him Pedialyte when he doesn't want to eat and he has been asleep since about 4 after 6+ ounces of Pedialyte. I think we are going to have a long night with our little usual sleeper waking up several times. I have mentally prepared myself to be up whenever! Anyway . . . I will stop blabbing. Let me just say that it is hard to see your little baby sick, no matter how sick they are. I hope he gets better soon : ) His little pouty lip just rips my heart right out!
Please pray that Ben gets a good night's sleep and feels better and that his symptoms don't progress or worsen. Thank you and love to you all!
Then as soon as the sickness was on its way out, we had visitors! Ben's grandma and Aunt Morgan visited for the weekend. They drove all the way up from Tallahassee late Thursday night and were here through lunch Sunday. Ben had a great time showing them all that he had learned since he last saw them at one week old. He smiled, made tons of bubbles, held his head up with lots of strength, grinned at familiar faces and "friends" (i.e. the star music player and ceiling fans) and surprised them with his weight. He enjoyed hearing Grandma howl in a coyote-like manner in her successful attempts at making him smile and having Auntie Mo change and dress him and tell him that she would be his favorite aunt. Over and over again : ) And I enjoyed much-needed time with my Mom and sister talking, laughing, going to lunch and only a little squabbling here and there. Oh, and Jeremy shared his early birthday present from his Mom: The Settlers of Catan. And we played it together three times. And Morgan won twice. And Mom won once. And Jeremy and I were shamed . . . and of course proud of their instant success. I guess . . . Although there was a BIG dispute over a stolen, no taken fairly, no stolen, no . . . wheat. Glad that the two of them could work it out and win and all : )
Another update: Apparently while Mommy was away from home our friend Ryan was over and he and Jeremy made Ben laugh. I tried to get Ben to laugh all day Monday without the tiniest hint of a giggle. Again and again we have tried to replicate the laugh and we haven't heard anything. While I do believe that he laughed, I am eager to hear it myself! We'll keep you posted.
But, the reason for the title of this post is not just because one of my boys has been sick recently, but because they both have! Today was baby Ben's first trip to the "sick area" side of the doctor's office. We had quite a day. He ate his first and second breakfasts as normal but it was all downhill from there. He woke up from his nap SCREAMING and continued to be sad, tears and all, for an hour. It was a long hour. I had no idea what to do. Jeremy was at work and the Internet was not helpful as I searched for the potential problem. I finally decided that though it might be a little early for this, he must be teething. My mom did mention over her stay that I broke my first tooth at three months and one website said that type of thing tends to be hereditary. So I tried to gently pull his little pouting lip out to see the beginnings of a pearly white . . . trying to figure out if each little white speck was a potential tooth. Well, it was 2:30 and he hadn't eaten in a record 4.5 hours and showed no signs of being interested in eating at all, so I called the doctor. They told us to come in thinking that he most likely had an ear infection.
Jeremy met us there and after a checkup (he is now 13 lbs!), the doctor thinks he actually has a virus. A little stomach virus that shouldn't last as long as Jeremy's and really shouldn't have as many terrible parts to it: chills, aches, hot/cold all that. I am thankful because it was hard enough to see Jeremy that sick. I couldn't bare to see Ben shaking from chills. The doctor told us to give him Pedialyte when he doesn't want to eat and he has been asleep since about 4 after 6+ ounces of Pedialyte. I think we are going to have a long night with our little usual sleeper waking up several times. I have mentally prepared myself to be up whenever! Anyway . . . I will stop blabbing. Let me just say that it is hard to see your little baby sick, no matter how sick they are. I hope he gets better soon : ) His little pouty lip just rips my heart right out!
Please pray that Ben gets a good night's sleep and feels better and that his symptoms don't progress or worsen. Thank you and love to you all!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Three Months
Boppy ready? Check. Lights dimmed? Check. Sleep Sheep playing ocean wave sounds? Check. Diaper changed and sleeper on? Check, check. Well, our days may be filled with failed attempts at consistency, but nights are actually a piece of cake. Praise the Lord for that. Our little Ben faithfully sleeps through the night - anywhere from 9 to 11 hours!!! He is still in the bassinet in our room and assumes the same classic position - on his back, arms raised up over his head. After he drools all over his fists and tries to find his thumb, that is.
The car seat used to be a guaranteed baby drowser but it has actually ceased to be that all the time. Sometimes he sleeps in the car seat with Baby Einstein travel tunes playing but at other times he looks around and stares at himself in the mirror with really huge eyes, like 'who is that?!?" Ben is cooing up a storm and smiling in response to us. I like to give him big smiles after he finishes breakfast and he just grins the biggest grin right back up at me and then buries his face in the Boppy. We do that over and over again. It's one of my new favorite games : ) He grins like crazy later in the day, too . . . as soon as Daddy walks in the door and comes over to greet him. It's adorable.
Bubby (Jeremy's mom) came to visit us for a week and Ben really enjoyed his time playing with her! She sang him songs, held him, helped me shop for groceries and let me take showers! We went on a walk around the mall one day and took her to the Farmer's Market. By the way, if you're ever looking for more fried seafood than you could ever possibly eat in one sitting, visit the Seafood Restaurant at the Farmers Market. I am not normally a fried food kind of girl, but I gave in. It was delicious. I had to power walk for days just to feel ok about my arteries again.
Last weekend our neighborhood had a neighborhood-wide yard sale and we got some fun things for Ben including an activity mat with toys hanging down, a bouncy seat that allows me to take a shower while he plays (amazing!) and an exersaucer that he's not quite ready for. I also got a jogging stroller! The yard sale was a smash hit! He LOVES his new toys and actually smiles at the monkey, giraffe, elephant and parrot that all stare down at him while he lays there accidentally swatting them with his hands. Oh, his hands! He has been trying to simultaneously stuff them both in his mouth while COVERING them with drool. It's pretty darn cute. He is soaking the top of all his clothes - just under the chin. He actually has a little blister on his thumb from sucking on it at night so I guess he is becoming quite the faithful thumb sucker. We have tried pacifiers time and time again but he only takes them sporadically.
Ben loves his bath time! Since the first time where he peed in Mommy's face until now . . . he is a water baby for sure. And you know what? Sometimes when he sleeps in his swing, his ears come forward out of the little bear pillow that surrounds his head, and we say "Phelps." Water baby. Phelps ears. Hmm. Nine gold medals anyone? Ha. Proud parents think funny things sometimes I guess.
He still hates the booger ball! Who wouldn't, right? Picture yourself just lying there all happy and suddenly a big scary blue thing is in your face - sucking everything out of your nose. It really must be dreadful, but I only do it so the poor baby can breathe! I will tell him my reasons one day : )
Brief funny story. The other day I (in a very unlady like fashion, I know) let out a long burp. Ben was on my lap and his face wasn't too far from mine. As soon as I was finished he burped really loudly - right back at me. It was awesome.
He is now getting ready to see his Grandma Frick and Aunt Morgan this Thursday and is looking forward to that!
Until next time . . . stay out of people's faces if you have to burp. You never know what they might do in response.
Benjamin's Latest PicsWednesday, September 17, 2008
Two Months
Wow, a lot has happened over the last month of little Ben's life. Some things might just be exciting to us as parents and then of course grandparents will probably think so too. Things like the fact that at 6 weeks Ben started smiling a big toothless smile up at us! He usually does this after a feeding but has been known to sneak them in at other times too. At 8 weeks he turned onto his side twice. We haven't seen him do it again though : ) He will hold onto a chain of links and lift them up into the air. And one night recently I heard a slurping sound that I had heard before but had never looked into - I turned on the nightlight and there he was with his whole thumb in his mouth sucking away. Potential future speech issues aside, it was pretty darn cute. I know, it was my degree . . . I can't help it! But the most thrilling milestone to us would be that he is officially sleeping through the night!!! He falls asleep after his last feeding and has gone up to 9 hours so far. Pretty crazy and wonderful for us all.
Aunt Kacey came to visit last Sunday. We had quite the adventure-packed days with her! Sunday was the strangest day that Ben has ever known (in our opinion at least). Although, he would probably say that his birthday consisting of 3 hours in the birth canal and that shocking bright light following his birth would constitute his strangest day yet. Anyway, he didn't sleep a wink but for 3o minutes twice between 9:30 am and 9 pm. We could not figure out the problem. Our best guess was his schedule being off from church and possible over stimulation there? Or maybe it was a fluke. But, whew! That night in the middle of dinner I got up to get seconds. While up I felt water start to rush over my feet - yep, the washer decided to overflow into the kitchen. The craziest thing was the reason for the small tsunami. Jeremy had taken Oxi-clean (as per my request) and put it in a spray bottle for some quick stain removing in the future. Somehow the combination of the water and chemicals in the Oxi-clean erupted out of the spray bottle and onto the main dial of the washer, causing it to complete the cycle and to start an unnecessary second one onto the floor. Needless to say, we were extremely grateful for the timing of Kacey's visit!
Monday we took Ben to his 2 month check-up. He weighed in at a whopping 11 lbs, 12 oz! And he is now 23 inches long (20 at birth). So, he is growing well and the doctor is happy. However, little Ben was not so happy during the main portion of his appointment - immunizations. Two in one leg, three-in-one shot in the other. Poor little baby turned the brightest shade of red I have ever seen him turn and screamed! I wish that I had known to give him Tylenol before . . . Following the appointment he was actually fine and we came home, had a feeding and went back out for a walk around the mall (and Starbucks of course)! However, after that everything went crazy. He started his next feeding and only 5 minutes into it screamed like never before. I checked his legs and one had swelled up huge and turned really red. Kacey ran out to WalMart and came back with infant Tylenol, after which she was deemed his new favorite person as he drifted off to sleep. Kacey also gave Ben his first ever sticker for a job well done : )
We enjoyed our rainy, hectic, broken washing machine, shot-filled days with Aunt Kacey and miss her incredibly! Thursday we resumed our normal routine - wake-feed-awake time-sleep and last night he slept for 11 hours!!! Ok, time to see if he will do that again tonight : )
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Links to pictures:
Links to pictures:
Ben - 7-8 Weeks Old (LOTS of pictures!)
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Quarter of a Century
Tuesday was my 25th birthday. Jeremy was the first to wish me so. Of course, who else would be up at 3 am?!? I am convinced that there is no sweeter husband than mine. His note on the table was perfect. Mom called at 7:45 wondering if I was awake. She reminisced as she recalled my Dad dreading turning 25. As for me, it feels good. I like the sound of it. Morgan called on her way to campus wondering aloud as to why she enrolled for an 8:35 class. I remember the feeling.
After short conversations with family, I got up to open our bedroom door and immediately wished that Jeremy had opened the blinds in the dining and living room. I just knew that if there had been more sunlight my first thought would have been brighter. And then I opened the blinds myself. Rain! Dreariness! Thankfully I had breakfast plans with a dear friend and so the day was actually off to a great start regardless of the weather. Normally I love rainy days but today I really wanted to see the sun!
Ben and I met Brenda at IHOP for a yummy birthday breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, grits, turkey sausage and coffee. Delicious and Brenda's treat! It was a sweet time and truly made my day! In my opinion there is no better meal to eat out. Ben slept peacefully in his carrier next to me nearly the entire time. I feared that would not be the case based on his first dinner out with Mommy and Daddy last Saturday. (We decided to eat at the family-friendly Chick-Fil-A and soon found ourselves outside at a picnic table!) After IHOP we made a quick stop by the post office and zipped home for his second breakfast. As for me, I was stuffed!
Following his feeding I put Ben in his one of his favorite spots to sleep: his baby swing. This was not possible the day before because of a little accident. We were both glad that the swing was available again.
Mid-afternoon we headed on our way to the dreaded dentist. Dreaded mainly because for some reason I made our appointments back-to-back. I thought one of us could sit in the waiting room with Ben while the other had someone else painfully floss their teeth. After some thought I came to the conclusion that appointments on different days where one of us could stay home with Ben would be better. Oh Mommy Brain!
My appointment was going smoothly until the dentist actually came in. For someone who has only had one cavity in her life, I was in for a shock. Four. And about FIVE more on watch. Some say pregnancy will do that. Maybe it's the water? As for me, I think it's purely genetic. My Mom is a faithful flosser and takes exquisite care of her teeth but frequently leaves appointments with similar news. My Dad does the opposite and gets told to keep taking such good care of his pearly whites. Jeremy drank a gallon of sweet tea all to himself this week and passed his dental inspection with flying colors. In fact, my dental history has been so good that we decided to cancel my dental insurance this year. Yes, great timing. Happy Birthday to me!
Let's just say (for purposes of keeping our marriage OUR marriage) that my birthday did not get better after the dentist. It was a rough evening for the Gardner fam but forgiveness is a beautiful and necessary thing so we recovered.
Jeremy decided that we would re-celebrate my birthday today and it's already been wonderful. He made us french toast this morning and we played each other in Blokus while Ben lay next to us and watched, cooing as I took the lead : ) Jeremy promised that he didn't just let me win. Then we had our favorite sandwiches from Jersey Mikes for lunch and he has an activity planned for later today. I hope it doesn't get rained out again.
Last night some friends came over for games and bday fun. We had a great time. I am so thankful for our wonderful friends here in Raleigh. I cherished the adult time while Ben slept!
Ok, I have about 15 minutes until the little cutie wakes and about 15 million things to do before then . . .
After short conversations with family, I got up to open our bedroom door and immediately wished that Jeremy had opened the blinds in the dining and living room. I just knew that if there had been more sunlight my first thought would have been brighter. And then I opened the blinds myself. Rain! Dreariness! Thankfully I had breakfast plans with a dear friend and so the day was actually off to a great start regardless of the weather. Normally I love rainy days but today I really wanted to see the sun!
Ben and I met Brenda at IHOP for a yummy birthday breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, grits, turkey sausage and coffee. Delicious and Brenda's treat! It was a sweet time and truly made my day! In my opinion there is no better meal to eat out. Ben slept peacefully in his carrier next to me nearly the entire time. I feared that would not be the case based on his first dinner out with Mommy and Daddy last Saturday. (We decided to eat at the family-friendly Chick-Fil-A and soon found ourselves outside at a picnic table!) After IHOP we made a quick stop by the post office and zipped home for his second breakfast. As for me, I was stuffed!
Following his feeding I put Ben in his one of his favorite spots to sleep: his baby swing. This was not possible the day before because of a little accident. We were both glad that the swing was available again.
Mid-afternoon we headed on our way to the dreaded dentist. Dreaded mainly because for some reason I made our appointments back-to-back. I thought one of us could sit in the waiting room with Ben while the other had someone else painfully floss their teeth. After some thought I came to the conclusion that appointments on different days where one of us could stay home with Ben would be better. Oh Mommy Brain!
My appointment was going smoothly until the dentist actually came in. For someone who has only had one cavity in her life, I was in for a shock. Four. And about FIVE more on watch. Some say pregnancy will do that. Maybe it's the water? As for me, I think it's purely genetic. My Mom is a faithful flosser and takes exquisite care of her teeth but frequently leaves appointments with similar news. My Dad does the opposite and gets told to keep taking such good care of his pearly whites. Jeremy drank a gallon of sweet tea all to himself this week and passed his dental inspection with flying colors. In fact, my dental history has been so good that we decided to cancel my dental insurance this year. Yes, great timing. Happy Birthday to me!
Let's just say (for purposes of keeping our marriage OUR marriage) that my birthday did not get better after the dentist. It was a rough evening for the Gardner fam but forgiveness is a beautiful and necessary thing so we recovered.
Jeremy decided that we would re-celebrate my birthday today and it's already been wonderful. He made us french toast this morning and we played each other in Blokus while Ben lay next to us and watched, cooing as I took the lead : ) Jeremy promised that he didn't just let me win. Then we had our favorite sandwiches from Jersey Mikes for lunch and he has an activity planned for later today. I hope it doesn't get rained out again.
Last night some friends came over for games and bday fun. We had a great time. I am so thankful for our wonderful friends here in Raleigh. I cherished the adult time while Ben slept!
Ok, I have about 15 minutes until the little cutie wakes and about 15 million things to do before then . . .
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Little Blues
I enjoyed being able to help him with a few important matters (cutting out laminate, hanging laminated items, proofreading a few items for parents, etc), but for the most part Jeremy was on his own in terms of decorating his classroom and readying himself for the new school year. Ben and I think he did a fine job!
His schedule remains the same (Pre-Algebra, General 7th, Chess, Algebra II) and for that we are thankful! It means that there will be more time for lesson touch-ups and creative ideas for how best to teach the material (even though he is already a stellar teacher in my book).
This is his second year at Ligon Middle School, home of the "Little Blues." The little blue what you might ask? We aren't sure, but on we cheer!
Possible meanings for the "Little Blues":
- Blue M&M's
- Smurfs
That's as far as I got : )
Monday, August 18, 2008
What is an Infantino?
Benjamin and I went on our first outing together today. I think he was a little bit nervous and rightly so. As prepared as I thought I was, the frenzied nature of our time together proved otherwise.
After we both finished breakfast we headed to Harris Teeter. Before he was born I typed out a grocery list that I could print before each trip and just highlight whatever items were needed. I brought this and more importantly, the diaper bag and sling.
Jeremy had suggested yesterday (this is how prepared we were!) to park near the return cart area so I could "simply" put Ben's infant carrier onto the cart and enter the store. Ben and I quickly realized this was not going to work! (I completed this task with flying colors at Target later so maybe it's just the Harris Teeter carts?) Not sure . . . but thankfully I also had the sling. So, here's how it all went:
Step 1: Park car near cart returns.
Step 2: Unlock doors and make sure that I have the keys.
Step 3: Remove infant carrier from car. Oh wait. Where's the cart?
Step 4: Put Ben back in car.
Step 5: Lock doors.
Step 6: Get cart and bring over to car.
Step 7: Unlock doors.
Step 8: Put Ben in cart. Or try to at least.
Step 9: Try not to cry.
Step 10: Put Ben and carrier back in the car.
Step 11: Go around to other backdoor and lay sling on seat.
Step 12: Get Ben out of carrier and put him in the sling, trying not to wake him.
Step 13: Get Mastercard, glasses, grocery list (the diaper bag has become my purse but I didn't think we needed to bring the whole bag in the store, so I left my wallet in the car and just brought the card inside). Mistake.
Step 14: Put the sling on and lock the car.
Step 15: Shop for groceries (at some point panicking that I had lost my wallet!)
Step 16: Check out. Or try to at least. (It was at this point that I realized my all-important VIC card for discounts was in the car.)
Step 17: Put on a helpless face and ask cashier if I can just give her my phone number.
Step 18: Give my number. Declined.
Step 19: Give Jeremy's number. Declined.
Step 20: Wait for the cashier to show sympathy to a new mom and just scan the card that is hanging from her neck.
Step 21: Tell cashier that the card is in my car and I will be back.
Step 22: Unlock doors, get card, lock doors.
Step 23: Hand card to cashier back in store as I try to force a smile.
Step 24: Answer the bagger's question as he looks at the sling hanging in front of me: "What's an Infantino?" My response: "It's a baby." Ha. (This is how frazzled I was at this point.)
Step 25: Try to remember my name as I sign for the groceries.
Step 26: Return to car.
You get the idea. But there were about 15 more steps to actually getting out of the parking lot.
I share this with you because it made me laugh. Ben and I don't have much to complain about, but this was certainly an eye-opening experience for us. The best laugh of all was that the bagger actually thought the Infantino was my purse and he jumped after I told him it was a baby! One day, if Jeremy and I actually have as many children as we discussed in our college days (and my brain has ceased to function properly), I might accidentally bring the giant Infantino as my purse. Without the VIC card of course.
After we both finished breakfast we headed to Harris Teeter. Before he was born I typed out a grocery list that I could print before each trip and just highlight whatever items were needed. I brought this and more importantly, the diaper bag and sling.
Jeremy had suggested yesterday (this is how prepared we were!) to park near the return cart area so I could "simply" put Ben's infant carrier onto the cart and enter the store. Ben and I quickly realized this was not going to work! (I completed this task with flying colors at Target later so maybe it's just the Harris Teeter carts?) Not sure . . . but thankfully I also had the sling. So, here's how it all went:
Step 1: Park car near cart returns.
Step 2: Unlock doors and make sure that I have the keys.
Step 3: Remove infant carrier from car. Oh wait. Where's the cart?
Step 4: Put Ben back in car.
Step 5: Lock doors.
Step 6: Get cart and bring over to car.
Step 7: Unlock doors.
Step 8: Put Ben in cart. Or try to at least.
Step 9: Try not to cry.
Step 10: Put Ben and carrier back in the car.
Step 11: Go around to other backdoor and lay sling on seat.
Step 12: Get Ben out of carrier and put him in the sling, trying not to wake him.
Step 13: Get Mastercard, glasses, grocery list (the diaper bag has become my purse but I didn't think we needed to bring the whole bag in the store, so I left my wallet in the car and just brought the card inside). Mistake.
Step 14: Put the sling on and lock the car.
Step 15: Shop for groceries (at some point panicking that I had lost my wallet!)
Step 16: Check out. Or try to at least. (It was at this point that I realized my all-important VIC card for discounts was in the car.)
Step 17: Put on a helpless face and ask cashier if I can just give her my phone number.
Step 18: Give my number. Declined.
Step 19: Give Jeremy's number. Declined.
Step 20: Wait for the cashier to show sympathy to a new mom and just scan the card that is hanging from her neck.
Step 21: Tell cashier that the card is in my car and I will be back.
Step 22: Unlock doors, get card, lock doors.
Step 23: Hand card to cashier back in store as I try to force a smile.
Step 24: Answer the bagger's question as he looks at the sling hanging in front of me: "What's an Infantino?" My response: "It's a baby." Ha. (This is how frazzled I was at this point.)
Step 25: Try to remember my name as I sign for the groceries.
Step 26: Return to car.
You get the idea. But there were about 15 more steps to actually getting out of the parking lot.
I share this with you because it made me laugh. Ben and I don't have much to complain about, but this was certainly an eye-opening experience for us. The best laugh of all was that the bagger actually thought the Infantino was my purse and he jumped after I told him it was a baby! One day, if Jeremy and I actually have as many children as we discussed in our college days (and my brain has ceased to function properly), I might accidentally bring the giant Infantino as my purse. Without the VIC card of course.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Going for the Gold!
Although I knew the day would come (and exactly which day at that) when Jeremy would return to work full-time, I didn't prepare for it is much as I should have! While gymnastics has always been a favorite sport of mine, I have new priorities (like getting enough sleep) that should have taken precedence last night. But, it was the Women's All-Around and I couldn't resist.I awoke this morning to the sound of the shower and sighed to myself. This is it. Today is the day I will officially be a stay-at-home Mommy. As I regretted Jeremy beating me to packing his lunch I wondered if I would really be any good at this whole new parent thing on my own. The team approach has been such a blessing and frankly I have been a little spoiled. Well, ok . . . very spoiled. In fact, last night was the first time that I resisted waking Jeremy to assist me in some way. Ben woke up with his usual hunger cry and we spent that sweet hour together just the two of us. Feeding, changing, singing and holding back to sleep. Until last night when Ben wasted no time closing his eyes for his proud Mama, I had been convinced that my husband was the only Baby Whisperer in our house.
On very little sleep and full of emotion about the tasks ahead, I kissed Jeremy goodbye as he headed back out into the real world. After he left I was honestly in a daze. There was not a whole lot to be done around the house and Ben had just fallen back asleep, but somehow I wasted precious time staring around me wondering where I should begin and what I should do. Oh yeah! Sleep, of course. So I joined Ben in our room for a long nap.
I think Ben knew that it would be a hard day for me and so he has been extra wonderful today - very little fussing until after the most recent feeding. At that point he became difficult to console and all too soon after my head started pounding from both his crying and thoughts of wishing that Shawn Johnson had won the gold instead of her teammate : ) But feeding didn't lull him to sleep and playtime/wake time didn't do the trick either. No, hidden in this cry was the message, "Daddy, come home!!! Enough math for one day!"
Together we anxiously await Jeremy's return, but I hope that in the meantime I can look in little Ben's eyes and know this: even though the day wasn't perfect, in his mind I had still earned the gold. That is, the gold star for successfully mothering him for the first day on our own.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
One Month!
Ben Watching the OlympicsI have officially been peed on more times than I can count and pooped on a few times as well. But, thankfully, Ben doesn't really spit up! Not yet at least . . .
It's truly hard to believe that it was only 4 short weeks ago that we woke up frantic one night over the possibility of me beginning labor! Seems Benjamin has been a part of our lives for much longer. Of course, he has! The other day Mer told Ben that she remembered when he was just a desire in our hearts and a prayer before God. And what an answer to prayer he has been.
I never imagined being a mother would be so consuming - I can't explain how full my heart is over our little guy. It is a love I have never known.
So, honestly . . . all of the parenting and prenatal classes, pregnancy books, stories from dear friends and doctors visits didn't really do much to prepare me for all that motherhood would be (and to think we still don't know the half of it!)
What did our parents do without the Internet? There are times when books just won't do and Jeremy and I find ourselves staring at one another and saying, "I don't know! . . . "Well, I don't know either!" Ha.
Seeing Jeremy as a father is a gloriously beautiful thing. His tried and true patient, laid back, go-with-the-flow self has certainly been tested! Yet, he is incredibly loving and careful with Ben. And he has taken equally great care of me.
Nope, I can't imagine life without our little tree frog. Our little crocodile. Our baby bird. Our baby pterodactyl. Life will never be the same. And I'm glad.
Ben's Glossary:
tree frog: a burping position where my legs are pulled in close to my stomach while hanging over Daddy or Mommy's shoulder
little crocodile: a hunger sign that I give by ferociously thrusting my head from side to side while moving my neck forward when I am really putting forth a whole lot of effort to eat
baby bird: a name Mommy and Daddy gave me at the hospital when I had to be propped up in Daddy's arms while Mommy fed me from a tiny measuring cup
baby pterodactyl: a sound that I let out most often when I am waking up and stretching, but sometimes just because I like the sound : )
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He's growing quickly, too. It seems like he almost fills up the bassinett already (lengthwise) when he stretches out. On our doctor's visit on August 11th, Ben weighed in at 8lbs. 13oz.! That's over a 40% gain from his birthweight in the first month. Not bad, son. Or as I call him sometimes, "chubs." He's really not chubby yet, but the rolls are beginning to take shape. He has an especially pronounced double chin already, though.
Other things from the doctor's appointment: Ben peed on me while we were weighing him. Nothing new... More seriously, we found out that Ben's little digestive system is having a hard time with the dairy in Mom's diet. So, per doctor's orders, Erin will have to forgoe the big 4 dairy products for at least a month: milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. She is pretty bummed--very bummed--but is glad to know what had been causing the little guy such fussiness, discomfort, and gassiness (which was frankly, amazing).
Teacher planning week starts for me next week, so Erin is getting ready to transition to full-time mommy status. Keep her in your prayers, as this will be a very tough job!
Finally, here are some more pictures:
Ben - Week 3 - pics from when the Gardner family was here - watch out for when we took Ben's footprints with Tarheel blue paint, and he slept through the whole thing!
Ben - Week 4
PS. As I type, Erin just got peed on again! Go Ben!
Other things from the doctor's appointment: Ben peed on me while we were weighing him. Nothing new... More seriously, we found out that Ben's little digestive system is having a hard time with the dairy in Mom's diet. So, per doctor's orders, Erin will have to forgoe the big 4 dairy products for at least a month: milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. She is pretty bummed--very bummed--but is glad to know what had been causing the little guy such fussiness, discomfort, and gassiness (which was frankly, amazing).
Teacher planning week starts for me next week, so Erin is getting ready to transition to full-time mommy status. Keep her in your prayers, as this will be a very tough job!
Finally, here are some more pictures:
Ben - Week 3 - pics from when the Gardner family was here - watch out for when we took Ben's footprints with Tarheel blue paint, and he slept through the whole thing!
Ben - Week 4
PS. As I type, Erin just got peed on again! Go Ben!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ready, Aim, FIRE!!!
Let me start by saying that no matter how much your friends with little boys try to warn you, nothing can prepare you for the initial shock of what your little baby boy is capable of with his . . . well, you know. In fact, one friend suggested purchasing some "tepee-peepees" or something but did I listen?
It all started just a few days after bringing Ben home from the hospital. We thought we were equipped for this particular diaper change. With wipes, some butt paste from Mr. Boudreaux himself and a diaper, what more could 2 college grads need? Then, suddenly, the arch of pee spraying all over our bedroom wall reminded us - we need a cover. Somehow we didn't learn the all-important lesson that we would need one, not just then, but every time.
OK, so now we never change Ben's diaper without covering his . . . yeah. However, no one but Benjamin himself could ready us for what he was truly capable of.
Example 1: Yesterday afternoon we heard him crying in his bed. We went in to check that everything was alright and discovered that he had kicked off his diaper. Jeremy noticed what he thought was a tear on Ben's face. In a matter of seconds we both remembered that even though babies can cry from the day they enter the world, they don't actually shed tears until their tear ducts are more developed. Hmmmm . . . yep. Pee. On his face. He peed all over his own face and was screaming. I felt like a terrible Mom! So, the Gardners now know that the real purpose of a onesie is not for a quick diaper change, but to secure diapers on feisty little boys.
Example 2: Tonight Jeremy and I were eating dinner while enjoying an Office episode when I noticed that yet again (this time he was in the same room as us), Ben had shed his diaper. I jumped up - but not in time, of course. On this occasion, the arch started in the bassinet and reached to the bookcase located behind it. Fifteen books (yes, I actually counted as I cleaned them off), two candles, one camera, one shelf and one picture frame were all soaked. And no, we had not secured the diaper with a onesie.
Two more things. 1) You might want to think twice about borrowing a book from the Gardner Household Library. 2) I will admit that I counted the affected books with pride in my heart : )
It all started just a few days after bringing Ben home from the hospital. We thought we were equipped for this particular diaper change. With wipes, some butt paste from Mr. Boudreaux himself and a diaper, what more could 2 college grads need? Then, suddenly, the arch of pee spraying all over our bedroom wall reminded us - we need a cover. Somehow we didn't learn the all-important lesson that we would need one, not just then, but every time.
OK, so now we never change Ben's diaper without covering his . . . yeah. However, no one but Benjamin himself could ready us for what he was truly capable of.
Example 1: Yesterday afternoon we heard him crying in his bed. We went in to check that everything was alright and discovered that he had kicked off his diaper. Jeremy noticed what he thought was a tear on Ben's face. In a matter of seconds we both remembered that even though babies can cry from the day they enter the world, they don't actually shed tears until their tear ducts are more developed. Hmmmm . . . yep. Pee. On his face. He peed all over his own face and was screaming. I felt like a terrible Mom! So, the Gardners now know that the real purpose of a onesie is not for a quick diaper change, but to secure diapers on feisty little boys.
Example 2: Tonight Jeremy and I were eating dinner while enjoying an Office episode when I noticed that yet again (this time he was in the same room as us), Ben had shed his diaper. I jumped up - but not in time, of course. On this occasion, the arch started in the bassinet and reached to the bookcase located behind it. Fifteen books (yes, I actually counted as I cleaned them off), two candles, one camera, one shelf and one picture frame were all soaked. And no, we had not secured the diaper with a onesie.
Two more things. 1) You might want to think twice about borrowing a book from the Gardner Household Library. 2) I will admit that I counted the affected books with pride in my heart : )
Friday, July 18, 2008
The latest...
We have such a great little baby named Ben. Maybe one day he'll be Big Ben? Not yet, though! After losing a bit of weight his first two days, he's back up over the 6lb. mark! Atta' boy! I figure it's about time that everyone gets to know him, so here goes...
Ben's likes: being held, tucking his legs up like a little frog, sucking his left hand, kicking his way across the bassinet (isn't that crazy? he's already moving), sleeping all day long, falling asleep during meals, his new slippers from grandma, daddy's guitar playing, mommy's kisses
Ben's dislikes: diaper changes (especially that chilly diaper wipe!), sleeping at night, losing at Speed Scrabble, and Dwight from The Office.
He's a pretty likable guy, I guess! Erin and I are trying to help him with the sleeping at night thing, but since we know it's time to sleep at night, we fall asleep trying to help him. He is his own man already.
Here's a 2-minute video of us giving him his first bath. It gets a little long if you're not a huge fan of baby-washing, but at least watch the first minute for some good scenes. =)
Ben's likes: being held, tucking his legs up like a little frog, sucking his left hand, kicking his way across the bassinet (isn't that crazy? he's already moving), sleeping all day long, falling asleep during meals, his new slippers from grandma, daddy's guitar playing, mommy's kisses
Ben's dislikes: diaper changes (especially that chilly diaper wipe!), sleeping at night, losing at Speed Scrabble, and Dwight from The Office.
He's a pretty likable guy, I guess! Erin and I are trying to help him with the sleeping at night thing, but since we know it's time to sleep at night, we fall asleep trying to help him. He is his own man already.
Here's a 2-minute video of us giving him his first bath. It gets a little long if you're not a huge fan of baby-washing, but at least watch the first minute for some good scenes. =)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Home at Last
So we made it through the hospital experience. We were in for just over two days, and I think I got about 2-3 hrs. of sleep each night on my little sleeper seat. Erin probably got a little less, with someone coming in at least every 2 hours to either take her blood pressure, or stick her with a needle somewhere, etc... It was absolutely exhausting. The food was pretty bad. Overall, though, we'd say it was a very positive experience. Our nurses were all great, especially the ladies in Labor & Delivery. Most of the whole process was exactly what we had wanted and expected--it was nice not to have too many surprises.
Erin's family had come in soon after delivery, which was awesome, and they were a great help in bringing us some things we needed and the occasional Jersey Mike's sub (Roast Beef Club, Mike's Way, with honey mustard).
Poor Benjamin had a tough time getting started with feeding, and we went round in circles with different lactation consultants who told us different things. Compound that with Ben having to get drugged up to be circumcised on day 2, a nurse who called him "starving" and "a biter," and it was quite frustrating and emotionally draining for us, who are learning all this for the first time.
In any case, the little man and his mom passed all their tests with flying colors, and so we were discharged from WakeMed on Monday around 1pm. He looked really tiny in the car seat. It was raining when we left the hospital, so I drove very carefully to protect the precious cargo that God entrusted us with.
We arrived at home and things really turned around. Benjamin is doing much better getting his nutrition, and making lots of messy diapers to prove it. Things are so much more relaxing and comfortable here. We have actually gotten "decent" sleep (~5hrs at night), and I feel great. And I know Erin is more happy, too. Hopefully you'll hear from her on here sometime soon. She hasn't really been on the computer at all since the baby's come.
So now it's getting to be a little more regular. He sleeps (A LOT), eats every two hours during the day, and then shows us how well his digestive system is functioning. We have had some very funny diaper changings, too. He really likes to wait to pee until we strip him down, and if ever I forget to put a pad on his belly while wiping his booty, he sprays himself in the face--which sounds so terrible, but the face he makes looking up at me with little droplets of pee on his cheek, like, "what's the problem?" just makes me laugh. I've even had to block the stream with my hand a couple times... We'll learn.
We've had our first pediatrician's appointment and everything is well. He's looking good and gaining weight.
Story time:
This is Erin now. Have a quick story for you and then it's back to Ben : ) Thank you all SO much for texts, emails, phone calls and especially your prayers. Labor was more intense than I could have ever prepared for and it meant the world to know that so many out there were lifting us up! I apologize that I haven't gotten back to many or any of you - I would love to chat when things become a little more settled. Jeremy says we're getting a lot of sleep . . . I don't know! It's definitely more than in the hospital and SO wonderful to be home. But, my allergies have been acting up so sleep hasn't really been happening.
Anyway, the story! Last night - no, this morning. . . around 4 am Jeremy was changing Ben's diaper. I asked if it was a good one. He said he wasn't sure. So I asked him if it was the size of a quarter. He said "maybe a small quarter?" I reminded him quarters are all the same size! This was just one of many hilarious moments in our sleep-deprived state so far.
Erin's family had come in soon after delivery, which was awesome, and they were a great help in bringing us some things we needed and the occasional Jersey Mike's sub (Roast Beef Club, Mike's Way, with honey mustard).
Poor Benjamin had a tough time getting started with feeding, and we went round in circles with different lactation consultants who told us different things. Compound that with Ben having to get drugged up to be circumcised on day 2, a nurse who called him "starving" and "a biter," and it was quite frustrating and emotionally draining for us, who are learning all this for the first time.
In any case, the little man and his mom passed all their tests with flying colors, and so we were discharged from WakeMed on Monday around 1pm. He looked really tiny in the car seat. It was raining when we left the hospital, so I drove very carefully to protect the precious cargo that God entrusted us with.
We arrived at home and things really turned around. Benjamin is doing much better getting his nutrition, and making lots of messy diapers to prove it. Things are so much more relaxing and comfortable here. We have actually gotten "decent" sleep (~5hrs at night), and I feel great. And I know Erin is more happy, too. Hopefully you'll hear from her on here sometime soon. She hasn't really been on the computer at all since the baby's come.
We've had our first pediatrician's appointment and everything is well. He's looking good and gaining weight.
Story time:
This is Erin now. Have a quick story for you and then it's back to Ben : ) Thank you all SO much for texts, emails, phone calls and especially your prayers. Labor was more intense than I could have ever prepared for and it meant the world to know that so many out there were lifting us up! I apologize that I haven't gotten back to many or any of you - I would love to chat when things become a little more settled. Jeremy says we're getting a lot of sleep . . . I don't know! It's definitely more than in the hospital and SO wonderful to be home. But, my allergies have been acting up so sleep hasn't really been happening.
Anyway, the story! Last night - no, this morning. . . around 4 am Jeremy was changing Ben's diaper. I asked if it was a good one. He said he wasn't sure. So I asked him if it was the size of a quarter. He said "maybe a small quarter?" I reminded him quarters are all the same size! This was just one of many hilarious moments in our sleep-deprived state so far.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Gardner Family Grows!
Yes, we finally arrived at his name. Benjamin Everett Gardner is here! He was born at 9:43 pm on July 12th, 2008, at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. He weighed 6lbs. 4oz. at birth and was 20" long. He is super-cute, of course, with a full head of brown hair, with perhaps a lttle tinge of red. His eyes are slate blue, but that usually changes, so we'll see. He has very long fingers.
Erin's water broke a little after midnight that morning, she started having contractions around 3am, didn't sleep a wink, and we were in the hospital that morning by 8:30am per the doctors request. The doctor saw us at 10am or so, and because Erin's contractions had slowed down, he recommended that we induce labor by noon if no progress was made. We really wanted a natural birth, and as noon drew closer, we kept praying that labor would begin on its own. It did! And Erin didn't have a drop of medicine the whole time!
From noon to about 7pm Erin persevered through 1st stage labor. This was the hard part for me. Erin's contractions were usually between 1-2 minutes long, and she needed a hand to squeeze, and a heated pad on her front, and one on her back. The pads needed to be heated in the microwave every so often, which I ran and did, as well as fill up her cup of ice chips to suck on. Erin was the loud one on the hall who, when people walked by, would ask, "Is that lady ok?" It was tough to just sit there and do my best but not be able to do anything else to make it easier or quicker for her. She was absolutely amazing. I have no idea how she made it through.
It was kind of strange, but all day in labor, she was very focused, and tired, and we didn't really talk much. She would ask for water, for heat pads when contractions started, and that's about it. She was very intense. I felt like the nurses (we had 3 throughout the course of the day) and I just talked at her a lot, but she rarely responded with more than a nod, and the occasional smile.
She pushed from 7 to 9:43pm, and finally, miraculously, this new person came into the world and he is my son and I love him. It was an amazing moment. As soon as he was delivered, Erin became herself again, and a flood of words and thanksgivings came pouring out of her. We rejoiced despite our tiredness for it being over, and for the new joy of holding this little guy who stared up at us.
We're still in the hospital, and recovering well. We got a few good hours of sleep, changed a few good diapers, and are doing our best to figure out this whole infant thing. There's a lot to it, but he sleeps most of the time, looks like a little lima bean all wrapped up in a blanket, and doesn't talk back. So we'll keep him around =)
Sorry to everyone who has tried to call us or text us--we've been a little busy! Know that your messages have been great encouragements to us, and we are especially thankful for your prayers. We look forward to sharing more with you individually as we can! Please be patient with us as we learn this whole new world of baby.
Love,
The Gardners
Here is a link to some more of our pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/jeremyjohngardner/Baby/photo?authkey=cwA3SjAbQSw#5222572507211760194
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