Well, that didn’t work…
It’s been a while since I’ve tried to see how long I can get Ben to go overnight. I mean, obviously, I let him go as long as possible, but I’ve been doing a dream feed before I go to bed in an effort to avoid the wee hours of the am. Even with that feed, he’s been sticking to about 6 hours between feeds overnight. That wakes me between 4 & 5, which is still way early but more acceptable. I’d LOVE to extend the length between feeds and have read that to do so, you may need to help the babe get back to sleep upon waking at an inappropriate time.
So, our last feed before bed was at 8:30, with no dream feed before I went to bed at 10:30. 6 hours on the dot. 2:30 am. I tried to lay in bed and put him back to sleep with the paci and rocking in his sleeper next to me. Nope. Tried holding and rocking back to sleep. Kinda. Enough that I kept trying. Finally. Put him back to sleep. 5 minutes later back up. Twice. So, after an hour and a half of being awake trying to get Ben back to sleep, it was time to feed him. (I should have just done that to begin with!) Now, it is almost 5 am, I’ve been up since 2:30, and I have to pump because he only took one side.
Now I know he’s not quite ready for longer periods yet, so we’ll try again in a few weeks. I’m not doing this 2 am thing. Also, he better sleep another 4-5 hours or we’ll have one cranky mommy today!
Changing Area
As I mentioned before, this changing table needs a little help. But, it’s functional, so we’ll live with it! Click on separate pics to see more comments. From bottom to top:
Bottom row: The cloth diapers are in the top drawer, and the cloth wipes are in the box on top - a wipes warmer. No wonder Ben is happy during (most) diaper changes!
Middle row: More Adam Brouillette! We found these little prints on sale and knew they’d be perfect for this spot - everything poops! On this shelf, we have all of our diapering odds and ends. In the basket are wipes in waiting - little baby washcloths. Then we have the bunny brush and comb and all of Ben’s necessaties.
Top row: Banks! Bens has three piggy banks - spend, save, donate. The other day we put our first pennies in them. And of course, Ben has his own Brick and Lola to snuggle. Eventually, they won’t live up on this shelf anymore, but in his crib.
Happy Father’s Day, from baby Ben and the pug kids! We all love you so much, Daddy! We hope you have a relaxing day full of your Benji snuggles.
It’s a big year of firsts in our family - first Father’s Day for D and first Grandfather’s Day for Papa and Grandpa. Of course, they were dads first! I’m so lucky to have a dad that was there for me growing up, with so much love and support along the way. I will always be daddy’s little girl and love him so, so much! I’m also lucky to have a wonderful father-in-law, who raised a loving, caring man. I know he has followed in his father’s footsteps, as he was a great role model as a father and husband. Thank you, Papa and Grandpa, for teaching us how to ride a bike, for having fun at sports games, for hugs and kisses and daddy things, for all the life lessons along the way. We look forward to the special things you will do with Ben as he grows older!
Coincidence
So, I JUST realized today (thanks to my new mom pal Katie) that if we lose power in a storm, I need to protect my 4 month supply of liquid gold from going bad! Incidentally, she realized what a disaster that would be ahead of the failed predicted derecho, whereas I only realized after reading about her concern. I made a mental note to inform D of this danger just a couple of hours ago, considering we now have a freezer full of milk and food in the basement. In the event of a power outage, we’ll be “those people” driving all over town to find ice! Well, in a very strange coincidence, we just lost power. Luckily, AEP says it will be fixed by 2 am, so we don’t need to run around looking for ice this evening. Too weird, though.
Ben is four months today! At one month, he was swimming in the white shirt and now that belly is busting out of it. He’s always been a long little buddy though!
Little changes
Every few days, Ben will wake up from a nap and I can tell that something has changed. It’s just little changes, so minute that I can’t even pinpoint exactly what has changed. The proportions of his facial features, or his tiny head expanding as his brain grows ever bigger, or his hands and feet getting just a little more plump. As I look back to where he started and where he is now, there’s a vast difference. But it’s those tiny, little changes that tug at my heart. They tell me he’s growing, ever bigger, ever stronger. Every day.
Of course that’s what I want for my little baby. Each new change brings new milestones along with it for me to be so proud of. But thinking back, this little being that is only almost four months old, knowing he has grown and changed already so, so much… It makes me miss that being inside my belly. And miss those really teeny, tiny fingers and toes of that fragile little newborn that I was afraid I’d break. Ben is becoming a proper baby, doing regular baby things more and more every day. I am so very proud of his every accomplishment, and I eagerly await the changes to come. What color will his eyes settle on? When will that male-pattern baldness disappear and what kind of hair will he have next? What will his little voice sound like? His first word be? But even as I ponder these changes with excitement, a part of me feels a little sadness in the changes that have already passed. I wish I could slow it all down to a snail’s pace and just savor every moment forever. But since I can’t, I will just enjoy each new little change as it comes, savoring it until the next one arrives. Loving every minute, every second with my sweet little baby who’s growing up so fast.
Last night we went to our first concert post-Ben. Grizzly Bear and The XX co-headlined at the LC. It was a perfect summer night for it, and we couldn’t have asked for two better bands. Loved them both! It was also our first night leaving Ben with non-family. Our babysitter is a friend that I trust, as she was once a co-worker as well and her life revolves around kids. She said we have a good baby - he was happy for her! So glad it went well! I will admit, I enjoyed being out but I missed my buddy!
Ben’s Nursery.
I realized the other day that we never really shared the finished nursery, and I love Ben’s room, so I wanted to share. Be sure to click on the pictures for more descriptions as well.
We knew we wanted gray with orange and blue, so we started there and everything else just followed!
Row 1: Ben hanging out in his crib. The print is from a local artist, Adam Brouillette. We love his work. Ben likes to look at it, so many contrasting lines and bright colors.
Row 2: The awesome chevron blanket was knit by Aunt Amanda, and Ben’s duck was a special hand-me-down from Haley. Ben’s reading nook, complete with both new and old animals for snuggling (including Dave’s old buddy, Jesse Delbert). Ben’s storage/toy/book shelf.
Row 3: Changing area (more detail in a post to come). Snuggle/feeding area plus messy closet. Ohio dotty print - sharing our Ohio pride! Glider with a pillow made for me when I was a baby. “Oh little one, welcome to life.”
Row 4: Glo nightlight, on the table by the glider. This thing is on 24/7! It’s so helpful at night and so fun. You can pick any color of the rainbow, make it change to all of them, or just keep it white. And, the balls come out and glow in the dark. Ben will love this someday! Guitar picture frame, painted by little miss Laynie! Daddy’s Pooh Bear that he gave to me in college. (And a photo of him as a little guy with it!)
The Wedding!
I finally had a chance to upload the wedding photos! Unfortunately, there were no good ones of Ben actually coming down the aisle. I’ll have to ask the bride to share hers!
Row 1: The beautiful bride, Andi, her new hubby Joe, and all the kiddos in the wedding.
Row 2: Ben is in that wagon! You just can’t see it at all. Daddy hanging on to Ben, who slept through the wedding except during the trumpet. He did not appreciate that. Two of the flower girls, Claire and Laynie.
Row 3: Good friends! Mary, me, and Andi. Us. D, adorable Andi, sand Justin. (Look Aunt Marty! It’s Justin!)
Row 4: Husband and wife. Bride and her flower girls.
Row 5: The ring bearer.
First Visit Downtown
This weekend was the Columbus Arts Festival, and I talked D into going. (He’s not a huge fan of the art there.) It was a beautiful day on Saturday, but we spent the evening down there.
Ben wore his hat like Daddy. People thought he was awfully cute! We walked around the festival and around downtown a little. It was a bit crowded for our stroller, so we didn’t actually see a lot of art, but we DID have some yummy food. After we left the festival, we checked out the Moonlight Market on Gay Street. On our walk there, Ben was just chatting away, happy as can be! We got some frozen yogurt, and Ben was looking out the other side of his stroller, talking to nothing in particular. Then we stopped in a record store before heading home. It was so nice to get out and about!
Ben’s first trip to DK Diner - outside my belly, that is! We went out for breakfast, and mom and dad shard the freshest cream stick ever. DK remodeled and it’s quite nice inside now. And they have an established patio area with a section that’s covered. Too bad it was freezing this morning! Ben checked it out a little and decided he was more interested in a nap. (Thank goodness!)
Update: Just found out that yesterday was actually National Donut Day! Why? Who knows. Probably just to make us buy more donuts. I’m sold! New yearly tradition: a trip to DK Diner? (In case you’re not from Cbus, DK stands for Donut Kitchen.)
