Family Pictures

We had our family pictures done yesterday. A lady who goes to our church is a professional photographer, and the pictures were her baby shower gift to us. We love that she takes the pictures and then gives us the film so that we can decide where, when, and if to make enlargements and wallets. She did ones of just Ben as well as ones of our whole family-including ones that have my sister and niece. My favorites, though, are ones she took of my nephews, niece, and Ben with photos of my other niece and Ariana (who are both deceased). It's the only way we'll ever have a picture of all of them together, and they turned out beautiful. If you're in Indiana and want the photographer's contact info, just let me know!

Even more wonderful than I imagined

Today I am so thankful for my family. My two teenaged nephews, along with a few friends, spent the night just hanging out at our house, playing pool, watching movies, just chatting. I love the sound of all of those kids upstairs just being kids. I love knowing that they are comfortable here and so are their friends. I love knowing that they are here and safe, not off at some party doing who knows what. And then downstairs my wonderful husband and I were enjoying our time with our son. I never really thought I'd ever get to write that. "Our son". I don't think there are any sweeter words in the whole English language. Ben is, of course, a joy. He is so cuddly and sweet and I am savoring every moment of being his mom-even those 2 AM feedings and even the one time that he didn't sleep AT ALL for 24 hours straight. It's funny how much more you appreciate those middle of the night playtimes when you've waited so long to bring your child home. So, tonight, I am grateful and thankful to God for all of my blessings-the rowdy teens upstairs (even the ones who don't live here!), my amazing husband, my beautiful baby boy, and so many more. God is so good and I am the world's most grateful, thankful, and happy mom!

Sweet baby boy

Every day I am amazed by how sweet and precious you are, baby boy. I snapped this picture today. You fell asleep in my arms, snuggling on the couch. It was a rare moment for just the two of us since Daddy, Tony, and Drew were at youth group. After you fell asleep, I laid you down in your boppy pillow and took a bunch of pictures of you. I could watch you sleep for hours, my little man. Mommy loves you so much, and I can honestly say that now I understand God's plan in our adoption journey. He knew you were perfect for us, so we had to wait until now or we would have missed out on you. The plaque in your nursery says, "I am a dream come true", and there has never been anything more true than that. I love you, sweet son of mine.

Happy 1 month birthday, Ben!

Today Ben is one month old! I can't believe how quickly that time has passed and how much he has changed already. We have a pediatrician's appointment for Monday, so then we should know just how much he really has grown. I guess he must not have gained too much weight because he still fits in the newborn clothes-at least for a few days!

Last night my sister had a baby shower for us. Ben was sooo good during the shower, but boy was he out of sorts once we got home! (That's why this post is being done at 1 AM-he's still awake and having a hard time settling in for the night!) We got so many nice things, and it was so great that our family and friends have welcomed him with open arms-literally with open arms, all of them reaching out to hold the baby. I was pretty tolerant of it since most of the people there won't see him often and it was only one day. Poor baby was definitely thrown off by all of the new people though!

On Friday, we talked to Silvia, who was Ariana's foster mom in Guatemala. She was so overjoyed to hear our news about Ben that she cried and even had the sweet lady (that's you, Judy) who translates for us crying too. We had the call on speaker phone, and Ben was fascinated by Silvia and Judy speaking in Spanish. It is so amazing how he noticed the difference at such a young age. Babies are such a miracle, aren't they? Anyway, it turns out that the day I met Ben for the first time was on Silvia's birthday! How cool is that? I hope someday to take him to Guatemala to meet her and her family because they are such amazing people.

Okay, I think I have rambled on enough for one night! I guess that's what I get for posting so late!

Love being a mom!

We've been home for five days now, and I am loving every minute of being a mommy! Ben is just as sweet and easy-going as can be. He really is very content as long as he has food in his tummy and gets lots of cuddle time with Mommy. We are so blessed!

We ordered Ben's nursery furniture yesterday, so that was pretty exciting. Our baby shower is coming up this weekend-actually, 2 of them are this weekend and a third will be in a week or so. I can hardly wait to see all of the cute baby stuff! It has been so hard not to go crazy buying things for him, but everyone says wait and see what others have already bought, so I'm trying to be patient!

Have to go cuddle that sweet boy now since it is almost time for his feeding and night-night!

We're coming home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got word that our ICPC has cleared and we are allowed to leave Texas and head home now! I am overjoyed! And, as always, God's timing was perfect because it has worked out that Will flies into Houston after crew change and arrives tonight at 8PM. So, he can be here to help me pack everything up and to enjoy the drive home with Ben and me! God is so good and faithful to us!

Scaring Mommy is becoming a habit...

Last night Ben apparently figured out how to roll over from back to front. He had been only able to go from front to back. But, when I woke up to check on him in the middle of the night, there he was with his little behind up in the air, laying on his tummy. My heart skipped a beat because I know you are supposed to have newborns sleep on their backs. But, I guess now that he can turn himself over, I am fighting a losing battle if I think he's going to follow the "back to sleep" rule. I even tried wedging him in with sleep positioners after that, and he still managed to scoot himself up enough to be able to roll over on his tummy. So, now Mommy won't be sleeping because she'll be obsessively checking to make sure Ben is breathing. Welcome to motherhood! Of course, I would be lying if I said I wasn't proud of him for being such a strong and determined little guy already! I guess it is like my mom always says about babies doing things early or late, "I guess he didn't read the child development book."

Squirmy-wormy Baby

This morning I woke up to a big surprise. I felt something wiggling around beside me on the bed. At first, in my half-asleep state, I thought it was my dog, who is infamous for sneaking into bed with us. Then I remembered that I'm a thousand miles away from home and the dog isn't here. So, I move the blankets (only slightly freaking out!). There, right up against me under my blankets, is baby Ben. This scared me far more than thinking it was a mouse or some other animal. I freaked out a bit because I couldn't figure out how he got there. He sleeps in a close and secure co-sleeper on the opposite side of the bed. (See picture above of him in the co-sleeper). I moved him back into the co-sleeper and laid back down with my heart still racing. Low and behold, as I'm laying there watching him, he scoots down the co-sleeper, gets his legs over the mesh side at the bottom, and then rolls right out. Now I know I didn't forget to put him in there before I fell asleep. Squirmy-wormy has figured out how to get out himself! How can this be? The box says it's good for babies up to six months??? Clearly, this little guy is motivated to snuggle with his Mommy. So, needless to say, when he wakes up this morning we are headed over to Target to buy a pack 'n play or bassinet or something to keep him safe. I have a feeling I'm going to have my hands full with this one!

A whole week already???

This is Ben at 6 days old, in the NICU at the hospital
This is Ben on Friday, at 2 weeks old.

I can hardly believe that I left the hospital with Ben an entire week ago. That time sure has flown by! Sometimes it still feels like I am living in a dream-and if I am, please don't wake me up!

Ben is just a really content little guy. As long as his tummy is full and he can see or hear his Mommy, he is happy. I can't even believe what a great baby he is. Last night he slept for almost five hours in a row, had a bottle, then went back to sleep for four more hours. (Of course, Thursday night was a bit rough because he thought playtime was from 11 PM to 2 AM!. Even then, though, he wasn't grumpy or fussy, just active and awake.)

I am in awe of how much my sweet baby boy has already changed in such a short time. He is truly a miracle and such a blessing to us. I'm just cherishing every moment-even the stinky diaper ones! Who knew that just staring at a sleeping baby for hours could be so entertaining?

In some ways, I am so looking forward to heading home to our family and friends. In others, it will be bittersweet because then I'll have to share Ben with everyone else. I do know that babies can never have too many people who love them, though. And, if love is the most important thing, then Ben is one lucky baby because I don't anyone whose arrival has been more prayed for and anticipated.

Ben's First Pediatrician's Appointment

Today was our first pediatrician's appointment. It was such an amazing feeling that I was the one filling out the paperwork, that my name was under the "Mother" blanks-not my sisers' names, not my mom's name, but my name. I am really a MOM!!!!

Now, on to the update about Ben. He is growing like a weed. He's already up to 7 and 1/2 pounds! That's more than half a pound in a week. His length is still the same and his head circumference is 34 cm. The doctor said he looks great all around. In fact, while the doctor was examining him, she put him on his stomach. As soon as she took her hand off his back, he rolled right over! She couldn't believe it. (I did because he did it to me the very first night home from the hospital.) She even put him back on his tummy to see if he would do it again-and he did. The doctor said he is one strong little man and that he is developmentally right on track or even a bit ahead of schedule. So much for my little preemie, huh? Mommy is so glad to hear all is well!