Week Five

The fifth week has been big. Really, by the end of the fourth week we hit some “benchmarks”. Ben started clasping his hands in front of him and tracking objects in a full arch from left to right… well, only if you get something in juuuust the right spot for him to focus on it … and he feels like cooperating haha. Sometimes he sticks his tongue out on command.  We have official smiles but they are so random, it’s really hard to get it on camera. 

He is awake a little more during the day now and loves when you talk or sing to him.  Jommy stops by for lunch sometimes so I can take a nap (or a shower). 

I’m starting to break into the toys and contraptions our family has so generously given us.  

Swing time!!

Sometimes they are a handy distraction when Ben is having his evening grump.




Sometimes. 

He is a very good baby but by the time Daddy comes home we have just enough fuss to keep us from having dinner together. 

I think Ben just wants to be hanging out with Daddy on the couch instead of his crib. 

We had our first social outing at Uncle Kurts.

Cousins Kurt & Natalie get to hold Ben. 

Ben is very alert and CHATTY. He is getting bigger every day. We see the Dr. on Tuesday – I can’t wait to find out how much he weighs!!

Week four

At four weeks, basically Ben's whole body has pealed. We’re looking good everywhere now except his face and scalp. I’ve been oiling everything else. We broke out the humidifier and I think it’s making a big difference.  I clipped his little nails this week and we are making the transition from bassinet to crib.  Goldie is adjusting too. We take at least two bottles on the dining room couch so Goldie can sit with the pack. Ben is perfect. He is very alert now and stares deep into your eyes. Lots of cooing and grunts when we sit him upright. He is really filling out.  He feels much more sturdy and soft like a baby (he was a little boney and frail before).  We had our first crazy poop-up-the-back. It was daddy’s turn to change him haha!! Bubbie was finally cleared by the dr and got to squeeze the little man but we didn't get any pictures! These are the most recent. 

Week three

At three weeks, Ben starts regularly drinking 4 oz at a time.  Daddy and I still bathe him in a roasting pan. He doesn’t mind so much now. The only real protest comes after he is lifted out and the cold air hits his skin.  He sleeps well and is full of little noises when he wakes. He has put on weight – he has full cheeks now and a little double chin. He “crushes” the bottle, sometimes taking 5 oz at a time. The more he drinks, the prouder daddy is. We had our first real vomit though – one oz too many I think!  I’m pretty sure this is a growth spurt. His skin is pealing and he has a little baby acne on his cheeks.  

Liam’s Dad is finally well enough to visit Ben. Bubbie is still out in the cold (literally – looking through the window!!) with shingles. Ben’s second real vomit lands on Liam's Dad. 

Week two continued...

At two weeks, Ben’s belly button has been off for a few days but I’m still afraid to submerge him because it’s still bleeding. Daddy humors me but by the end of the week its real bath time. First dip is in a roasting pan in the sink. He hates it but Daddy and I make a good team - we work fast and afterwards, Ben sleeps… like a baby. 

Ben and I go for our first walk outside in the stroller. Me, Jommy, Goldie & Ben go to the mailbox. It felt like a marathon. 

Daddy got the first squirt while changing a diaper!! Tough luck =)  Ben’s eyes are still a little cloudy but every now and then he connects. He definitely searches for my face when he hears me. He really fights sleep. I hum to calm him. He loves it and it’s become part of the bedtime routine. I think we are losing a little hair but we are also losing the baby rash. 

Week two

Ben let us know right away that he likes to be in a routine. We’ve been roughly keeping a “one up/two down” schedule. Too much awake time gets him over stimulated and he’ll fuss through his two hours down.. which in turn, makes bottle time a struggle. We’re now strictly monitoring how long he stays up. He loves a tight swaddle and he will snuggle with anyone. Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Cait, Aunt Margi, Bub & Gavin, Jommy and Pop-pop have all been over to feed him. Liam's dad (grandparent name is still undecided) and Bubbie have been sick. 

It’s been a little trial and error figuring out what brings on the grumpy-pants but I think we’re getting the hang of it. I swear he has wrinkles and a furrowed brow like he is trying to solve the world’s woes. He looks like a little old man. If I can figure out how to get pictures off of my phone, I'll update here =)

The first week home

Discharged December 26, 2011. Daddy received a brief lesson in car seats and I rode in the back seat with Ben. He cried in the seat at the hospital but was asleep within seconds of the ride. The arrival home was a little stressful. I was not prepared for the sleep deprivation and recovery from the c-section was a progressing slowly.  Liam had to go back to work so my mom came to help.

Ben was a lazy eater - he would give a few good tugs and drift off to sleep, only to wake up hungry a half hour later. Liam and I would both poke and prod the little guy to try and keep him stimulated enough to eat. Everybody was very tired. 

I was a complete zombie after a week and not healing well. I unknowingly showed up in slippers to our first appointment with the pediatrician lol.  Ben was an angel, he hardly cried when we stripped him down to weigh him. The visit revealed Ben hadn’t gained any of the weight that he lost in the hospital. He was still 6lbs 2 oz.  They wanted to see us in a few days to check his weight again and discuss supplementing with formula.  We made the the switch to formula over the weekend. It was a difficult decision but once we made it, we never looked back!! Ben took to the bottle right away. Everything turned around from here. Ben finally started to flourish. First two oz watered down, then 2 oz full strength, then 3 oz!! Happy to eat, happy to sleep.

December 22-26, 2011

Cesarean birth in the hospital was not so bad. Diaper rash was my only real complaint. Pain medication made the experience surreal, there was very little pain.

 There was lots of help and company over the 4 day stay. 


Liam’s mom, Frank and Caitlin,

Cherie, Bub & Gavin, 

Aunt Margi, 

Kurt, Bridget, Kurt & Natalie, 

Aunt Kathy, Mom & Pop, 

Beth, Melanie & Melissa, Alexis stopped by, Rochelle’s friend Joanne & her husband. I don't have pictures of everyone that came... It's all a blur so I'm sorry if I missed anyone!! Liam’s Dad & Rochelle couldn't come because Dad had a virus and Ro had shingles.