Not The Baby Anymore

Two Years One Month

Ben is sooooo funny. He is a big joker and kidder. He has the best hugs and kisses of any toddler! He's very expressive and really let's you know what he thinks about the situation he's in! He stands up to his brothers and I think soon he will be able to take them both at the same time. He is big and strong!

Ben loves to sing and count. He amazes us sometimes with what he says and does!

Benjamin is TWO!

Ben turned two on November 4th. I was able to be off from work that day and spent some special time with him and remembering the months prior to his birth. From the beginning August to mid-October in 2006 I was very ill. I spent many weeks in the hospital, including my birthday, I had pneumonia, lost 70 pounds, and had surgery to remove my gall bladder in September of that year. The surgeon said he could see my baby when he was operating on me. I couldn’t process food. I threw up a lot, once for 26 hours straight – every 10-15 minutes. Nurses cried for me. I had a feeding tube, a pain pump, two pic lines, and many, many drugs. There was a specialist on drug addiction involved in my case, he told me that I would go into detox and my baby would be born addicted, he wore a Porsche tie, he was rude. I had a home care nurse when I was able to be at home, but almost every time I went home, I was back in the hospital within 24-48 hours. I had pre-term labor 3 times, I rode in an ambulance, my children didn’t want to see me in the hospital and were angry with Walter when he had to take me…over and over. I looked awful. (There is so much more to this story that I could tell, but this is not the time or place! So many people helped us during the time I was sick, and God was ever-obviously present.)

Through all of that I had many ultrasounds to check on Benjamin. He was always healthy, never fazed or affected by what was going on outside my womb. He grew normally.

On November 4th, 2006, I had trouble sleeping, at 2 am I had to go to the bathroom and when I had finished, labor struck intensely. I could hardly walk to the living room to get Walter. We called our neighbor to come sit with Ethan and Dan and Jeannie to come to the house for the rest of the night and next day. We called my mom and told her to come to the hospital. She wanted to be at one of my births and this would be her last chance. We paged Dr. Wolanski and were in the car on the way to the interstate when he called back. He asked to speak with me and after asking a few questions said, “How long will it take you to get to the hospital?” I could tell that he knew where this was going…I wasn’t due for two weeks, but this was it. He told us to hurry and he would meet us there.

We arrived at the hospital just after 3 am. The contractions were really hard and fast. Walter went to park the car while a security guard took me to Labor and delivery. I saw Dr. Wolanski walk into the ward just as I was going into my room. It took about ten minutes for them to get me settled in the bed and Dr. W. came in. He wanted to check me and as he reached toward me, my water broke! He asked the nurse if the bed conversion was ready and she asked if he’d like to get changed into scrubs – he said please get the bed converted – there is no time. Walter came in as I was beginning to push and a few pushes later Benjamin was born at 3:23 am. He was beautiful, whole and healthy. He had been one of the most prayed and worried over babies that I have ever known – and he was finally born! Walter called my mom and let her know that Benjamin was born. She was sad to have missed it, but was so relieved that he was healthy and I was healthy!

As soon as he was born, I felt well again. I was ready to go home. All day Saturday I begged to be released. Dr. Wolanski released us on Sunday morning. We went home joyously!

Ben has been the most delightful baby and child. I feel so blessed to have him and to have come through all we did so well.

On Tuesday morning I said, “Happy Birthday, Ben!” and he replied, “Happy Birthday, Mommy!”

Smile everyone and hug your kids, your spouse, and your family. We are all truly blessed.

One Year and Eleven Months Old

You've Gotta Love Him!

Really - you have to. It's mandatory...

One Year and Ten Months Old

I did it again: I buzzed Ben's hair off! He's just SO cute when you can see all of his facial features in such a pronounced way. When he has his long, glorious curls, it just makes his striking adorability less noticeable! The funniest thing this time is that he knows his hair is gone. I wish you could all see and talk to him about it!

So Cute...

One Year and Nine Months Old

Ben is talking in two and three word phrases now! He loves to read books and go to the library. He is learning to count, along with Daniel, in English and in Spanish. He wants to be outside all the time. His current favorite thing to do is to get a bottle of water out of the fridge, open it with his teeth, take a drink, and then dump the rest on the floor. Oh, the joy!

One Year and Eight Months Old

One Year and Seven Months

Go ahead, we laughed at him too.

One Year and Six Months Old

Benjamin was very popular with his cousins! Who am I kidding, Ben is popular with everyone. He's just that cute!

Benna Benna Boo Boo Boo

Blowing Kisses

Hammin' it up!

Peek A Boo

"I'm going to get you!"

Cuteness!

One Year and Five Months Old

Benjamin is jabbering all the time these days. He really can talk! He reminds me of Emma, one of the girls I took care of in Virginia. She talked non-stop, but it was nearly impossible to understand what she said!! Benjamin's speech is even harder to decipher. :-) Ben has gained a great dislike for his high chair. He always wants to sit in a regular chair now! Ben is much like Daniel; he wants to be outside all the time. It's a battle to get him in the house when we get home in the evening and especially if we have been outside playing. Ben points to his nose, hair, belly, ear, eye, and teeth on command, and speaks the words -though he does not say the words clearly. Rick, our neighbor is trying to teach him body words like clavicle, scapula, humerus, phalanges, etc... It is very funny! Ben likes to rearrange the furniture! Ben loves to dance and sing. He is a real cutie pie and oh so much fun!!!

One Year and Four Months Old-Post 2!

He's just about too cute for words!

Oh, don't you just want to squeeze him?!

One Year and Four Months Old

Ben is constantly on the move. He aims stright for the stairs everytime we forget to put the gate up, now he can go up and down by himself! He loves to eat! He loves books and reading. He doesn't say many words, but I think it's because he had so many ear infections in a row. He is beginning to speak more clearly and says new words every day. He is pretty agressive with his affection, especially with his brothers! We are teaching him to be more gentle!

One Year and Three Months Old

Benjamin is growing up! He walks everywhere and climbs up and down the stairs. He knows some sign language and uses it in conjunction with the spoken words now. It's very cool!

This little boy is a blessing! He is quite often found right in the big middle of everything - we all like him there!

One Year and Two Months Old

Benjamin is growing up so quickly. Time flies by and I cannot keep up! Ben loves to play with Daniel and Ethan is one of his favorite comforters. He loves being one of the boys and especially being the center of attention!

Little Benna Loves His Daddy

Just before I shot this photo, Ben had his arms around Walter, giving him a hug and he leaned his head on Walter's back. It was an immensely sweet moment.

Happy New Year!

Benjamin got a haircut for the New Year!