products the Ben & Jen Show love- #9

If you didn’t see the original post regarding the list, check it out to get the background on the amazing Top 11 products we have loved over the last 4 months!

In the very helpful items category… (and we all need a little help every now and then, right?)

#9.  Gerber Cloth Diapers- No… we’re not doing the whole cloth diaper thing, we use them as burpie rags.  That’s right, they are the best burpie rags EVER!   Ben has his one fancy burp rag that I knitted for him (and a few that auntie & g-ma made as well).  The rest are cloth diapers.  My sis-in-law gave me this tip about buying cloth diapers and using them as burp rags.  Some of the best advice I have received!

The reality is that you need a ton of burp cloths.  And because you need a ton of these, buy the Gerber Cloth Diapers. They’re cheap, super absorbent, and much, much BIGGER than rags marketed specifically as burp cloths.  I don’t know about your baby, but my baby needs a super sized rag to spit up on.

And, when you’re done using them as burpie rags, you can use them as dust cloths to clean with.  Oh, and, I’ve bought my arsenal at Target, but I’m pretty sure they are widely available at just about any store that sells baby things.

Your welcome (for this amazing advice of course!)

products the Ben & Jen Show love- #10

If you didn’t see the post from yesterday, check it out to get the background about the list.

In the how can I help my baby get to sleep category… (and we all know how important this is!)

#10. Muslin Swaddle Blankets- Yes, they are a little spendy.  But well worth every penny.  We used them to swaddle him on a daily basis for the first couple of months.  Now we use them as tummy time blankets, we cover him when he’s in his carseat, we cover him when he’s in his stroller, and I’ve been known to wrap these swaddles around myself like a fancy mommy shawl, go outside and get the mail with it on.  Didn’t you get the memo?  All of the fashion critics are raving about them too! :)  I love how BIG these swaddles are and I love, love, love, that they are very lightweight.  No need to worry if you’re overheating baby.  And, most importantly, they are freakin’ cute!!!

products the Ben & Jen Show love- #11

Ben is 4 months old!  To celebrate this occasion, I was thinking about the happenings around here and thought it would be fun to sum them up with a little list of things that both Ben and I love that make things a little easier, fun, and definitely more entertaining during the everyday happenings over the last 4 months.

So, for the next 11 days, look forward to the Top 11 (because it’s one louder than 10!) products the Ben & Jen Show have really loved for the first 4 months of his life.  Also to note, this list is in no particular order; true to the blog title, it’s very meandering! :)

In the entertainment category… (a.k.a. things that keep baby entertained while mommy can:  eat breakfast, eat lunch, use the restroom, brush her teeth, talk on the phone, update her blog…etc.)

#11. Activity Mat– Ben loves this thing!  Definitely one of his favorite toys right now.  He could probably play on this it all day long if I let him!  Loves to stare at himself in the mirror; I’m convinced he thinks he is laughing, talking, and giggling with another baby.  Loves to swat & tug at the stuffed animals hanging from it.  Loves to put his feet up in the air and grab his toes (so cute!!!)  And loves tummy time.  Oh, and breaking news… today he rolled over from tummy to back on it!!!  Proud mama alert!

It’s really funny because he’s started doing this very slow break-dance turn move thing when he’s on his tummy.  I think it looks like he’s doing the inch worm and a very slow 360.  He’ll stick his little booty up in the air and begins to turn very slowly.  Very slowly. The only bummer (I guess) is that the music pad doesn’t work anymore.  I think of this as more of a blessing in disguise. I much rather put on some of my own tunes and let Ben rock out to them rather than some so-called, baby stimulating, brainy nursery rhymes.  Ugh.  A few times to listening to that is a few times too many!  I’m glad it broke!!!  No offense, but I much rather have Ben listen to music like Ray Charles, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, U2, Coldplay, Dave, Stevie, The Who, (the list goes on and on and on)… wayyyy more entertaining! :)

For more about the mat and more Ben pics… Check out Raise the Barn’s post about it.

Tune in tomorrow for product #10!

A word about this list… no, I’m not getting any compensation from any of the companies that make these wonderful products.  (Although, that would be nice!)  I’m just a new mommy that wants to spread the word about what has worked for my baby and me during these early months.  If you are preggers and reading this, think of this list as what I think are essentials you need in your house.

birthday wishes for grandpa!!!

Happy Birthday dad!!!  Here’s a little video that team meandering mind put together for you.  Ben is soooo excited it’s YOUR DAY TODAY!!!  We love you!

time for a Ben update!

Time for a Ben update!  He’s 3 months old and as you can see, he’s hardly the tiny little baby we brought home from the hospital.  Ben is growing like a champ in both length & weight.  Without an official weigh-in or height check, I’d say he’s probably about 14 lbs., and 26 inches in length.  The super big news at our house is… We’re getting a lot more sleep now!!!  On good nights, Ben can sleep from 9PM to about 5 or 6AM.  We’ve cut out those 1 AM & 4 AM feedings.  This is huge!!!  You might have heard me doing the happy dance about it :)   Other things that have happened:  Ben has visited Cheekwood, Target, my allergy doctor’s office, our local Fourth of July street fair, and Tim & Tracy’s house!  He’s quite the traveler! :)

So what kinds of things does our 3-month old love?

• Ben loves to play on his activity mat– especially with Tim the giraffe!
• Ben loves to look at books and listen to mommy and daddy read stories to him
• Ben loves his boppy
• Ben loves his swing & his bouncer
• Ben loves stroller rides around his neighborhood
• Ben loves to giggle & laugh
• Ben loves tummy time
• Ben loves to flirt with all of our light fixtures and ceiling fans.  It’s hilarious to watch!

Now… I know you still want to see more of our little guy… Sit back and enjoy the Ben Show-months 2 & 3 of his sweet little life :)

Father’s Day wishes & Ben’s 2nd video post

Ben wanted me to blog about his Happy Father’s Day wishes to his dad today!!! :)  He thought daddy would enjoy a few pics as well as his favorite Ben & daddy moments caught on video last week.  We love you!

I also want to say… a BIG Happy Father’s Day to my dad!  And, my dad-in-law!  You guys have a great day today!  Hugs & lots of love to you both!

Now… sit back and enjoy Ben’s cutest & funniest moments filmed last week…

Ben’s first video!

Here is our little Ben starring in his very first video!!!  I’ve done a little editing and put together our favorite moments of hubby & I trying to get him to laugh & do his cute little baby talk thing.  This is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!  Enjoy!

First shots- ouch!

Yesterday, hubby and I took Ben to his 2-month check up appointment.  This was his 3rd visit to his doc, and on this visit he was going to receive his first shots.  Of course, he received shots while in the hospital, but these were the first shots I was going to be present at. I have to admit, I was a tiny bit nervous about this whole ordeal.  I’m really not sure why I was nervous, as I know what it’s like to receive shots; I get them on a weekly basis due to my battle with mother nature and allergies.  I guess I was feeling what many mommies feel when faced with things they know that are going to be painful for their children.

Below is my mommy version of this story (mine is a tiny more dramatic )…  If you’d like to read the daddy version, pop over to my hubby’s blog! :)

So the first part of the check up went just fine.  Doc asked us a bunch of questions about:  feeding, pooping, sleeping, & development stuff; we had a very nice chat, he said Ben is doing just great and we’ll see you in 2 months for the 4-month check up.  Then, on his way out, he said the nurse will be back to give the shots.  All of a sudden, I started to feel sweaty.  I kept thinking… you’re the mom, put on a brave face!  I bet baby’s can smell fear the same way bees do! It wasn’t long before the nurse came in with the shots.  I sat in the corner of the room while hubby held Ben’s hands.  Now, it was shot time.  The good thing was the nurse moved fast in administering the shots.  Awesome.  The bad thing was that it didn’t take Ben long to figure out something felt very painful in his legs.  I’ve never heard him cry like that; it was sooooo high pitched & loud.  Before I knew it, I shed a few tears with Ben.  I don’t think any mommy wants to hear their baby cry like that!  Ugh.  After the shots, hubby calmed Ben down (man, I was so glad he could come with me to this appointment!) and we were on our way home.

Overall, Ben really did great during his first shot appointment.  He was only really upset for a minute or two.  I think I definitely spent more time nervous about it than he did.  And, he really only cried that crazy cry for about a minute.  But it felt like so much longer!!!  So… in 2 months, we get to do this all over again.  I better start practicing my ‘mommy brave face’.

oh the cuteness

I can’t believe Ben is 8 weeks old this week.  Amazing!  So much has happened and he’s changed so much in such a short amount of time.  It’s been quite an awesome ride the last 8 weeks getting to know him.  I’m not sure if it’s possible, but every day my heart fills even more fuller with love for him.  Yes, he already has me wrapped around his cute little fingers ;)

I know it’s been awhile since my last post… thought I’d share some pics of the cuteness since I last wrote.  Enjoy!  Stay tuned for more pics, stories, and even more cuteness of our little wonder.

Week 7- Tummy Time!

Week 7- Asleep in my green bassinet

Week 7- Hey Bruiser!

Week 6- Happy Baby!

Week 6- Asleep in my car seat

Week 6- Chillin’ on my hand-knitted, big bad baby blanket from mommy :)

Week 5- Oh the cuteness!

Week 5- Future MVP asleep :)

Week 4- In my crib

Week 4- Bath Time!

Week 3- Family Photo in our backyard

Week 3- SoCal Grandpa feeding Ben

Week 2- SoCal Grandma and sleepy Ben

Week 1- In my car seat

6 days old- Auntie Janet & Ben

He’s here!!!

I am very happy to announce the birth of our son!!!  Here’s his stats-

Benjamin Wyatt arrived on Monday, March 30th

time: 6:04 a.m.

weight: 7 pounds, 3 ounces

length:  19 1/2 inches

Ben’s story–

Ben decided on Sunday, March 29, to get things rolling a little earlier than expected.  Remember, I was supposed to have a scheduled C-Section the next day at 8 a.m. I started to experience the signs of labor late Sunday evening and by early Monday morning my contractions were getting to be very close together.  Hubby & I decided it was time to grab our bags and head to the hospital.

I kept thinking, I can’t believe I’m experiencing contractions!  Is this for real?!  We have a scheduled C-Section at 8 and I just thought we would drive to the hospital, check in, change into my gown, head to the OR, and have our baby.  Well, Ben had other plans.

Things progressed so rapidly that we knew by 5 a.m. that it was baby time. Contractions were now coming fast and ferocious.  And since we were ahead of schedule, we didn’t even have our regular doc, we had the OB from our practice that was on call.  Funny thing is she also happened to be the one two weeks ago to discover he was breech.  So we went WAY back with her, like old friends we were. She came in, made sure he was still breech and agreed it was time to have the baby.

The next thing that happened was me being prepped for the C-Section and then being wheeled into a very, very, very, cold operating room.  Let me emphasize the cold!  Then, the next bit happened super fast!  In a matter of a few minutes Ben made his grand entrance into the world!  It was so amazing!!!  Lots & lots of happy tears and once he was all cleaned up, hubby, Ben, & I posed for our first family photo.

Ben is a beautiful, happy & healthy little boy and hubby and I are very proud parents!  Here are some photos from the first 2 weeks of this new, amazing chapter in our lives.  Enjoy!

first family photo

our little bundle

daddy, mommy, and Ben

sleepy baby

check out my foot!

hello!

big yawn!

what’s so funny? :)