Happy 2 Month Birthday, Benicio!

Today Ben is two months old. It doesn't seem at all possible that so much time has passed already. It seems like only yesterday that I was gazing down at him in his isolette in the NICU, in awe that he was actually my son. Fast forward two months, and you can still find me gazing at him in awe that he is actually my son, but now it is in his Moby wrap, or bouncy seat, or swing, or Boppy pillow, or, my personal favorite, in my arms. Where has all the time gone? When did he get so big already???

We had our two month check up at the pediatrician's office today. I guess it wasn't a very nice birthday for Ben, though, because he got two shots. We decided to hold off on the other two for a few weeks. I know, I am a paranoid Mommy, but I figured there was no reason to overwhelm him with so many when I can just take him back in a few weeks. He was a little trooper and barely cried at all. In fact, he was asleep when she started, so he just whimpered a bit until I gave him his pacifier, then he went back to sleep. He is such a good baby!

Ben now weighs 10 lbs, 5 and a half ounces and is 22 and 3/4 inches long. He is growing like a weed and staying right on his growth curve. He is staying awake a lot more during the day and sleeping a lot better at night. He can hold his head up really well when I hold him sitting up and is also pushing his head and shoulders off the floor when he is on his tummy. He rolls over from his tummy to his back all the time, but hasn't quite mastered the back to tummy consistently yet. He is full of coo's and the occasional giant smile-mostly for my little niece. The pediatrician says he looks great and is developing right on track if not ahead of the game. Mommy couldn't be happier to hear it!

Ben,

You are my heart, my miracle, and my dream come true. From the moment I first saw you, you have changed my life forever. Every day I look at you and think that it isn't possible to love you any more than I already do. But then the next day comes along and I discover something new about you that I love even more. You are growing and changing so fast that it blows my mind, and I am trying so hard to remember every single moment with you. You are so amazing that it sometimes takes my breath away. You truly are a gift from God, and we are blessed beyond any measure and beyond anything I ever dared to dream possible. I love you, precious baby boy. Happy 2 month birthday.

Love,

Mommy

Ben's first trip to the zoo!

Ben and Mommy at the entrance to the zoo.
Ben looking confused about what we are doing!
Ben enjoying his time outdoors

Today Ben, my niece, and I went to the zoo with our friends. It was Ben's first trip, although I did first hear that we were being considered to be Ben's family while I was at the zoo too! Ben was pretty oblivious to the whole thing, although he loves being outdoors. The other kids really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect. There is a traveling exhibit of Koalas, so that was pretty cool to see. They look just like the pictures! Belle kept saying one was having a snack of leaves.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Will,
We all love you and wish that you could be here with us on Father's Day. I know that this is officially your first, but you really have been a father without the title for much longer. The love you have for my nephews and the sacrifices you have made for them are so far beyond what "just an uncle" could ever be expected to do and I love you so much for that. Now, I get to see you with our son, and you are exactly the kind of Daddy I knew you would be. You are loving, gentle, patient beyond measure, and oh so sweet with our baby boy. I fall in love with you just a little more every time I see you with Ben in your arms, rough housing with the boys, or reading a story to our sweet niece. You are such a wonderful husband, Daddy, and Uncle and we are all so blessed to have you in our lives. Happy Father's Day, my love.

Water, water everywhere....

As many of you probably heard, we've had some crazy flooding in central Indiana. Our county is one of many what had heavy damage from the floods, but, thank goodness, our neighborhood didn't have any damage to homes or people. We are grateful to the planners who planned all of the drainage in our neighborhood, because the water all went right where it was supposed to and stayed away from our houses. The common areas (playground, walking trails, volleyball court, etc) were not quite as lucky, but at least nobody lost their home or belongings here. Please pray for the people in our county who did lose their homes, farms, cars, etc in our county and the other 22 counties with major damage. Here are some pictures from our neighborhood. Will took them yesterday morning after the rain finally stopped.

This is the sign that is normally about 5 feet away from the retention pond. By the time the water stopped rising, you could only read half of the sign.

This is a portion of the walking trail near our home.
This is a bridge over what is normally a dry creekbed or ravine with no water at all! The other end of the bridge was actually under water for a short time when the water peaked. Today the creekbed is empty again. Amazing.

Baby Dedication

Last Sunday was Ben's baby dedication at church. It was a beautiful service all about children and families. My niece and another preschooler from church even took up the offering (too cute!). Ben, of course, slept through the entire service. Our church family has been so supportive and they all love Ben so much. We are truly blessed beyond measure.

My uncle was nice enough to take some pictures for us, so the pics in this post are all courtesy of Uncle Jeff.

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!