Special Delivery!

The last of Ben's baby announcements are being mailed this week and I am pretty excited how cute they turned out! My sister and I took the announcement pictures when he was 2 weeks old with her fancy camera. I know my little babe was only 2 weeks in the pictures but he looks so much like a little man. Wise beyond his days. :) Amanda did an amazing job capturing his cuteness!!

The following are some more precious shots that didn't make the cut!

Amanda thought this picture was hilarious so I just had to post it! :)

One Month!!

My precious Benjamin is one month old today!! I have heard every mother say it but it's true -- time is flying by. Benjamin is already so much bigger and more alert. He is measuring around 23 inches long putting him in the 93% and 3 month clothes. He is still eating about every 3 hours but has given this tired mama a stretch of 5 hours almost every night! He loves stretching, jumping on his daddy's legs, and playing on his mat. I can't wait to see what this next month will bring!

This week was filled with many more firsts. It started with our first trip to Mckinney for two wonderful days! I was really nervous about the drive but after 10 minutes of screaming in his carseat Ben did great. My sister watched Ben while I went and pampered myself to a haircut. As seen by the picture below I think he was in good hands. :) He loves his Aunt Amanda.

It was so good to spend some time at my "Mckinney home" with my mom. Seeing my mom interact with Ben is such a blessing! She is more than helpful and full of knowledge. It is very obvious she has had 4 of her own. The second my screaming baby is put into her arms he stops. It's like magic! Tula we can't wait to come back!

She is also a master at making my sweet Ben comfortable.

Over the weekend, we went on our first family walk around the Trinity.

I went on a errand by myself for the first time. I came home to this precious picture. Ben loves his Daddy.

Ben took his first nap in his crib. It felt so weird having him in another room!

I am not the best swaddler as seen below. I still have a lot to learn from my sister and mom. :) Sorry buddy.

Our week ended with our first trip to church. It was so wonderful being around our sweet church friends that had prayed for Benjamin throughout my pregnancy. What a great way to end the week!

A Week of Firsts

Benjamin turned 2 weeks this past Sunday! We are having so much fun with our little man. He is such a good baby and even let mama sleep 4 hours straight the past 3 nights! :) The 3rd week of his life was filled with many firsts...

First trip to Kincaids for a burger with mommy and daddy.

Chilling out at his first Super Bowl party.

Taking a bottle for the first time. He did awesome! They both did. :)

His first play date with Cousin Luke and Aunt Amanda. Here he is looking sharp right before they arrived!

Luke is so good with the "baby." He loves to kiss his head and make sure Ben has his pacifier. Amanda and I looked away for one second and found Luke kissing Ben on the lips. Whoops! We know they are going to be such great pals and get into tons of trouble together! It is going to be so fun to watch our sons grow up together - what a blessing for Amanda and I to share!!

Day 13

13 days of being blessed by Ben!

I love how sweet he looks when he sleeps. This little guy melts my heart.

Hank loves his brother. I was really nervous about how these two were going to get along and Hank has done great! I think they are going to be great pals! I promise we were only outside for a minute to get this shot. Please don't call CPS for my lack of bundling. :) I had to document Ben's first snow!

He is Here!!!

Benjamin is here and turned 1 week old yesterday!! He couldn't be more precious. I am one tired (but happy) mama so this post is just going to be pictures. I will write his birth story later when my brain comes back!

Can't wait to see this little man grow into his Daddy's Army shirt!

It's a rough life being cute.

Love this picture - he was only a few hours old.

Daddy and Ben enjoying some man time.

My sweet family.

Special shout out to my mom who has been a rock star! She stayed with us all last week and is coming again today. I would have gone nuts without her... Love you mom!!

Let the Countdown Begin...

The countdown has officially begun... as of today I am 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant! Benjamin could decide at any moment to make his big debut. I am experiencing every different type of emotion with this pregnancy coming to an end. I feel so blessed to have had such a healthy pregnancy and can't wait to meet my little man!

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year..."

What a fun time of the year!! Will and I have been super busy with work, holiday fun, and getting ready for precious Benjamin's arrival. A few months ago Amanda and I decided to get domestic and make stockings from scratch. We stole the idea from the Knochel women and are pretty proud of the final result! Each year a new decal is added representing something big that happened that year. Guess I will have one more stocking to add next year... We decided to take one last mini "babymoon" at the Gaylord before our life is turned upside down. It was so much fun to relax, watch Army lose against Navy :(, eat a yummy dinner, and see the ICE show. One of our first dates was going to the Gaylord so it was extra special to return married and pregnant! Amazing how life can change in just 3 short years!

My pictures from the holidays are a little out of order... This year Will and I spent Christmas Eve with Will's side and Christmas day with my side. Over at my parents house Luke was just precious as ever. He became very fixated on a few things.... His holiday pj's and Elmo houseshoes.

His new snack trap Uncle Grant gave him and his Elmo houseshoes.

Playing on boxes. His mom's new hat and did I mention his Elmo houseshoes. Will and I before church on Christmas Eve. I sure am getting big - 35 weeks pregnant.

Update on Ben's room: Grant finished the mural! Grant is so talented and it looks amazing in the room. I can't wait for Benjamin to see it!