Benjamin's Newborn Pics

We had Benjamin's newborn pictures done yesterday and had so much fun. Jaime (the photographer and now our new friend!) came by for the shoot, which was nice since I didn't have to pack up the two kids and be someplace at a certain time. :-)

She did an awesome job. Below are two of the pics that she's shared with us already from the session.


Jaime has some more of Ben on her website too--www.jlsphotographystudio.com--just go to galleries and then click babies.

Weekend with the Pate's

Steve, Becky, and Abby came to visit us this past weekend. It was great getting to spend time together. Abby has gotten so much bigger since we were last together in Orlando for the character breakfast. This time, I think since they were older, the girls played together really well. Rosemary taught Abby all about jumping on the bed.

I should have taken more pictures...I don't have a good one of the two girls together, but below are a few from the weekend.

We attempted to learn how to play LOST-The Game. Steve and Jonathan continued until the end.

Jonathan holding Ben.

Rosemary and Becky

Abby seemed to really like sitting on Rosemary's bed.

Dancing with Dad

The other night, I had a song stuck in my head that I'd heard on the radio earlier in the day so we turned it on at home and Rosemary started dancing right away. As the song ended, she would say, Play it again! After 3 or 4 times of listening to the song, I finally got the camera out to record a little bit of the dancing, which by that point had turned into lots of jumping.

Does the song make anyone else think of a VW bus and a workman named 'Roger'?

Bedtime

Benjamin's taking part in Rosemary's bedtime routine now too.

Benjamin Rolled Over

So I don't think that this is something that's going to stick quite yet, but yesterday Benjamin rolled over from his tummy to his back. He's a pretty coordinated 2 and a half week old.

Family Time

We've had some good time at home these last few weeks as we adjust to being a family of four.

Our most recent family photo after a walk around the neighborhood. It was almost 7 pm, so I'm not sure why Rosemary was wearing sunglasses...

Vote for Benjamin!

(Thanks to Jason & Nikki for the cute onesie)

Rosemary enjoys holding her baby brother and I enjoy holding them both.

Thank you, Ms. Betsy, for the balloons! They're a hit.

"My Baby Ben"

That's what Rosemary calls her little brother when she introduces him to people. He's "my baby Ben." She's really doing well adjusting to having a baby in the family. I'm not sure that she understands the permanence yet, but thankfully she's generally pretty gentle with him.





Benjamin had his two week check-up today and he's up to 8 lbs. 11 oz.--that's 13 ounces in 10 days--and doing well. This boy is an eater. He's also a pretty good sleeper. I've been getting about 4 hours straight at least once a night with him and I've found the perfect way to make late night feedings bearable--youtube. (With Rosemary, I had tried reading but couldn't manage to hold the baby and a book so I watched the news--about 8 times a day it seemed). This time, I've thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South (thanks to Lark for the recommendation) and Becoming Jane over the past few nights. Since clips typically are less than 10 minutes, it's easier to make my way back to bed at the end of 2 or 3 segments than if I had to stop a movie. As strange as it seems, I think I actually look forward to the middle of the night feedings this way.

Benjamin is one week old today and it has really been a wonderful first week. It's hard to believe that just last week we were being induced. (And as a side note-if I had the choice between Rosemary's fast labor and Benjamin's induced labor, I'd pick induction in a heartbeat. The fast labor just seemed more intense and scary. The first 4 hours with Benjamin were honestly quite boring...we watched Wimbledon most of the time). Janice has been with us the whole week so we have had lots of help adjusting to life as a family of four.

We had an appointment with our pediatrician on Monday and Benjamin had already gained 4 ounces since leaving the hospital. That wasn't quite back to his birth weight (2 ounces shy) but I would think that by now he is probably back to 8 pounds. Ben is eating well and, surprisingly, sleeping well. The last few nights we've had stretches of 4 or 5 hours. After being pregnant, 4 or 5 hours straight seems like such a long time to sleep so we are thankful for that.

I'm feeling pretty good, although I think that recovery has been a little bit different this time around. I don't feel nearly as tired or emotional, but physically I feel less than normal. I've had to slow down a little bit so it's been nice to have so much help at home. I think it makes things seem not so overwhelming.


This past weekend, both sets of grandparents and Uncle Zach were in town. It was a good visit.



Benjamin got to meet Grandpa Workmaster for the first time this weekend.

We were all feeling pretty good, so we went to church on Sunday. Benjamin stayed in service with us and was pretty quiet. He only fussed a bit during Gordon Lightfoot's "Edmund Fitzgerald" song.

Ben got his first sponge bath at home last night. He did pretty well. I tried to be quick. There's nothing quite like the smell of a just bathed baby.

And big sister Rosemary is doing well too. I'm really proud of her for how she's handling things with a new baby in the house.

This was a picture that I took right before Rosemary headed out with Jonathan to see "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" on the "big scream," as Rosemary calls it. They went yesterday too, but there were problems with the projector that delayed the start of the movie and they ended up leaving before the movie was over so they went back today. She's been talking about Larry Boy on the big scream ever since they got back.

Benjamin Jonathan Peine

It has been a great July 4th for our family. We are home from the hospital and we named our baby boy. It came down to the last minute, but we decided that Benjamin was the right name.

So far, Benjamin is a healthy eater and pretty good sleeper. We are very blessed. I'm learning just how different two babies can be.

I'll post more later, but below are a few more pictures from our time at the hospital and first day at home. We've had lots of visitors!

He's such a cutie!
Renae and Katie (and Isaac too) stopped by yesterday to meet the little man.

Bob Gailey came by too. Benjamin waited until Bob got back from his ride to make his appearance.
Renae came back for an encore with Chris yesterday evening.
Charlie stopped by again last night with Lorie and Laurel.

Bennett, Sara, Logan and Caitlyn came all the way from Central Florida to meet Benjamin.
Jonathan has not lost his touch. I think he can look at the baby and it will fall asleep.

He's so nice to hold.
Already a little patriot.
Headin' home.
Chris was our nurse when we delivered and our discharge nurse.

Home at last!
Grandma Peine and her newest grandson
Our family at home.
Chillin' on the couch.

Meeting Grandpa Peine

Baby Boy is Here!

We have a baby boy! He was born at 5:10pm July 2, 2008, 8 pounds and 20 inches. We'll let you know more soon and post more pictures! Thanks for all your prayers, support and encouragement!

The newest addition to our family.

Just a touch over 8 pounds.

He was crying great!

Proud dad!

So these are my parents...

Rosemary starts learning what being a sister is all about.

The very helpful grandmas!

The grandmas love their newest grandson.

Rosemary gives a big sister kiss.

We're On Our Way

In about 15 minutes we'll be heading to the hospital. Please keep us in your prayers today. Even though we've done this before, I'm still a little bit nervous and ended up not sleeping as well as I probably should have. Hope to have good baby news for you soon!