2 Months (11/13/2012)

Dear Benjamin,

Are you really 2 moths already?  Time is sure flying quickly!  I feel like you are getting bigger every day!  You were 8 pounds 12 ounces and 21.5 inches at your last doctor appointment.  That puts you in the 3rd percentile for height and you're not quite on the charts for weight, but you continue to grow nicely.  I am not surprised that you're growing because your little appetite has certainly increased.  I think you have been going through a growth spurt recently!  You are eating about every 2-3 hours during the day, sometimes more.  Your sleeping is also getting better.  Actually, you have always been a great sleeper, you were/are just a little particular about where you sleep!  I think your favorite place to rest is in someone's arms.  However, you are getting a little more social so now instead of sleeping in my arms, you like to be awake in my arms.  You also went through a phase where you only wanted to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed. You would sleep like an angel in there, sometimes for 5-6 hours at a time, but we know that that wasn't the safest place for you.  Although you were not a fan of your bassinet for awhile, you are now sleeping in there again, at least at night! You are waking up usually twice a night to eat, and then you go back to sleep so nicely!  You are also becoming quite the talker, and it is so cute!  Daddy and I just love the little noises you make!  We have conversations everyday. You tell me all of your thoughts!  We got the OK from your surgeon to put you on your tummy more, so we are going to increase your tummy time. You are really good at lifting up your little head!  It is still a little floppy at times, but it is definitely improving.  Your little baby legs are super strong!  You like to stand up when I'm holding you.  I think that is because you like to have a better view of the scenery.  As I am writing this, you will be 10 weeks tomorrow (Thanksgiving ) and that means only 2 weeks until I have to go back to work...boo!  I wish I could hang out with you all day everyday! At least you will be in good hands. I love you soooo much!

Maggie's 30th Birthday party! Dress like the decade you were born in.

You got to meet your future wife, Maddie, finally!

Snuggling is your favorite!

On November 5, you had a bilateral hernia repair.  Momma was a mess, but you were so brave!

  We went to Jen & Tyler's wedding while you stayed with grandpa. We all had a blast!

1 Month (10/13/2012)

Dear Benjamin,

Your daddy and I cannot believe how fast your first month went!  We already can't imagine our lives without you!  We think you are the sweetest little guy.  You are very easy going and only seem to get upset if you are hungry.  You are not a huge fan of diaper changes, but lately you have been getting through those without a peep!  You love listening to mommy sing, even though I don't have the greatest voice.  You haven't shown too much interest in your puppy, but she seems to like you, even when you cry.  Your favorite thing is bath time!  You can be squaking away, but the second we put you in the tub, you are a happy little guy!  You just sit there wide-eyed, looking around, looking content.  We have seen a few smiles here and there, but we are waiting for them to be more purposeful. You are slowly getting the hang of nursing, which will be nice so your momma can stop pumping every 3 hours, all day and all night!  You will never go hungry, baby boy!  You weigh 6# 13 ounces, which is quite a lot considering you barely weighed 5# when we brought you home from the hospital.  Overall, you are just the best baby ever!  Daddy and I say that all of the time.  I could write about you forever!  I love you so much!  Here are some highlights from your first month:

10/9/2012--Your first dinner out!  I was nervous but you were SO good!

Unfortunately, I only kept up with the chalkboard for the first month.

You sure love getting clean!

Cutest pumpkin ever!!

Good thing you weren't big enough to want to pick a pumpkin. They were ALL rotten so we had to buy pumpkins that were already picked. We will go elsewhere next year. :)

Skele-Ben!

Happy Birthday, Benjamin Andrew!

Ok, clearly I didn't really write this on his birthday, at the exact minute he was born, but I had to get the correct date/time in there.  :)

I have his birth story written in my journal, and maybe some day I'll type it up, but for now, here are some pictures from baby boy's first few days of life!

Before Heading to the Hospital!

Ready to Officially Become Mommy and Daddy!

Off to the NICU Goes Baby and Daddy!

Most Handsome Baby Ever (even with all of those tubes)

First family photo! (Even though I had to wait almost 8 hours to meet you, baby boy!)

The Packers played the Bears on your birthday...and won!

"Momma, do you realize that it is 1:00 in the morning? Will you always hang out with me at this time?"

Sweet Baby Boy

I Love My Daddy

I Also Love My Mommy.

My First Outfit!

Week 37

37 Weeks: 9/12/2012

How far along? 37 weeks (Tomorrow is baby's bday!!!)
Maternity clothes?  I was thinking this would be my last day for maternity clothes, but who knows when I'll be able to fit in my old clothes again!
Best moment this week: I anticipate that tomorrow will be the best day of my life!  I get to meet my baby boy face to face!
Sleep:  I hope I get some sleep tonight!
Miss anything? Working out and being in shape.  I feel like a big blob these days.   Yes, I second this sentiment from last week.
Movement: Still swimming away, thank goodness!!
Food cravings:  No.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No.  What a nice pregnancy, queasy-wise.
Labor signs: Nope.
Exercise: I've been pretty close to sedentary for the majority of this pregnancy, why change now?  I will, however, return to my working out ASAP after little peanut is here!
Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy doesn't even begin to describe it!
Looking forward to: This goes without saying (typing)---tomorrow is Baby Fish's bday!!!!!!!

Week 36

36 Weeks: 9/5/2012

How far along? 36 weeks (Holy cow!)
Maternity clothes?  Only have to put together a few more "work" outfits!  I still prefer sundresses.
Best moment this week: Getting the c-section date finalized!  September 13th it is!
Sleep:  It isn't bad, but I've been waking up at 4:00am pretty regularly and then I have trouble falling back to sleep.  I'm not complaining though.  Surprisingly, I haven't really been too tired.
Miss anything? Working out and being in shape.  I feel like a big blob these days.
Movement: He is still moving a lot!  I love it.
Food cravings:  No.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No.
Labor signs: Only those Braxton Hicks contractions, but that's nothing new.
Exercise: Does watching Andy do the Tough Mudder this weekend count?
Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy!  Extra happy and excited!
Looking forward to: Meeting out baby boy in less than 1 week!  Ahhh!!!!

Week 35

35 Weeks: 8/29/2012

How far along? 35 weeks
Maternity clothes?  I'm still wearing them!
Best moment this week:  Nothing beats a good doctor's appointment or two.
Sleep:  My sleep has been pretty good.  It seems like the bathroom breaks might be increasing in frequency, but I can usually fall back to sleep very quickly.
Miss anything? Being in good shape!  Or at least sort of good shape!
Movement: He is moving nicely!
Food cravings:  No cravings, just a hefty appetite.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Labor signs: No way.
Exercise: I am mostly just walking, but I did do the stationary bike at the gym the other day.  I (still) miss really working out.
Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy!
Looking forward to: We are celebrating my mom and sister's birthdays this weekend!  (2 of Baby Fish's hugest fans!)  We should also find out Baby Fish's OFFICIAL c-section date this week!

Week 34

34 Weeks: 8/22/2012

How far along? 34 weeks
Maternity clothes? Still wearing them, of course.  Wondering how long it will be until I don't need them anymore...
Best moment this week: Again, I love a good doctor appointment!
Sleep:  I just realized that I must have accidentally deleted the sleep category.  Sleep has been pretty good.  Aside from waking up to go to the bathroom, I have been sleeping quite well.  I have a body pillow that seems to be working for me.  Occasionally waking up with right leg cramps.  I can't complain though.
Miss anything? Working out.
Movement: He continues to move a lot!  I love that I can pretty much feel him move within a minute any time I want to.
Food cravings:  Nope.  I still eat a lot, but it has been several days since I have needed a midnight snack.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Labor signs: No way.
Exercise: I'm just walking these days.  I miss working out, but less than 3 weeks to go.  (Although I suppose I can't REALLY work out for another 8 weeks after that...sigh)
Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy!
Looking forward to: Meeting our baby boy!!