Ben Curtis {Two Month Update}

Dear Ben Curtis,

I can't believe how much you are growing and changing. This month you have really started to show your little personality! You smile all the time and we love talking to you so that you smile at us. You are still so snuggly and loving. You love your mommy but you love your daddy too! You always look around for him when you hear his voice. We love you more and more everyday, and we can't imagine life without you!

Here's what has been going on this month~

• Stats
• Weight- 11 lbs, 2.5 oz (26%)
• Height- 23.25 inches (51%)

• Eating- You are a big eater! During the day you eat every 3 hours. I finally introduced a bottle and you do really well with it! I let daddy feed you at night when I am getting a shower. That worked well at the beach! 

• Sleeping- You are starting to sleep better and better at night! You usually sleep at least 6 hours straight. Usually from 10ish to 4ish. I feed you when you wake up and then you back to sleep until 7 or 8. You are letting Mommy get plenty of rest these days! You take around an hour nap after you eat during the day.

• Playing- You are starting to be more aware of things around you. You will lay anywhere I lay you for a few minutes and play happily. I think you are close to turning over. You like to lay on your activity mat and kick all around.

• Clothes- You are now in 3-6 month clothes. Some of your 3 month things are getting a little small. They really are just too short. You are a skinny tall boy!

• Likes- You like when Mommy and Daddy talk and sing to you. You like to ride in the car. You like looking at fans, lights, and out windows. You like to the game peek-a-boo. You still love you paci and now love to put your hand in your mouth.

Things to remember~

• We took you to the beach for the first time! You were the perfect traveler and loved being on the beach during the day.
• You really started smiling at us this month. We love talking to you and making you smile.
• We got our new car that we hope to keep for a long time. We had a Tahoe and it was too big and a gas guzzler so we got an Equinox. We call it the Toots Mobile! 
• We went to Tennessee for the first time. We were able to see our Tennessee family and we got to go on a great walk around Knoxville. We hope you will love going there in the future! 
• You and daddy made me feel so special on Mother's Day! I got the sweetest picture frame with your picture in it and a sweet book to read to you. Daddy also spoiled me during the beach trip and took me to J.Crew!
• You went to church for the first time on Easter and you were so sweet!
• We took you to get your passport. You have the cutest passport picture ever!

BC at the beach!

We decided before Ben Curtis was born that we wanted to go to the beach for our anniversary. We knew we should wait and see how Ben Curtis was doing before planning our trip. When we knew how laid back Ben Curtis was we booked our trip. We went to Sandestin for the week and had the best time. We brought a tent with us that was made for the beach and it was awesome to have. He slept so well during the day and would be so sweet at night too. We hung out on the beach during the day and got cleaned up each night to go out to eat. It was so wonderful to spend time together as a family of three all week.

He didn't like the ocean, but he loved the pool! I think it was because the pool was heated. We just dipped his feet in the edge of the ocean.

On our anniversary we went to Tommy Bahama and it was delicious! After eating we headed over to Baytowne Wharf and walked around. We walked out on a pier and there was the most beautiful sunset. Josh was about to take a picture of me and BC and the nicest man walked up and asked if we wanted our picture taken. It turns out he was a photographer and we got some great shots on our camera! It was the best anniversary gift I could have been given!

Easter 2014

Ben Curtis had a wonderful first Easter. We decided it was the perfect Sunday to take him to church for the first time. He slept through the whole service and was a perfect angel!

After church, we headed to spend the rest of the day with my family. We ate a delicious lunch and took some pictures. It was a great day!

One Month Favorites

One- We are definitely a Pampers family! We tried Huggies and they just didn't make the cut. When Ben Curtis is a little older we may try the Target brand. I have heard good things about them.

Two- I love the Boppy pillow. I actually have two so that I have one wherever I am. Ben         Curtis is now big enough where I can sit him up against it, and that seems to be his favorite       spot!

Three- Ben Curtis loves being swaddled at night. I think he loves the security.

Four- I love putting him in the footies from Target. They keep him warm, and I love these         because they zip up easily.

Five- His favorite pacifiers are Mam. They gave him one of these in the hospital and he has       loved it since.

Six- Ben Curtis loves his hands so baby mittens were a must for the first couple of weeks. I       was too scared to cut his nails so we kept his hands covered at first.

Seven- I have used the app, iBaby Log for feeding him and for counting how many diapers I     change. This app is not fancy but it's the best one I have found. It times how long he eats on     each side and it simple to use. I highly recommend it!

Eight- Gerber's cloth diapers are the best! They are great to use as burp cloths and to catch         all the spit up.

Nine- We love using the Baby Bjorn when we go grocery shopping. I love not having to put     his carrier in the grocery cart and he loves being right next to me. It is the perfect solution! 

Ben Curtis {One Month Update}

Dear Ben Curtis,

This has been the fastest month of my life. Time is already flying with you, sweet boy. You have brought daddy and I so much joy, it's unbelievable. I really never thought I could love someone so much. You are growing so much and you have changed so much just in one month. I love being home with you everything. You are such a cuddle bug and love when Mommy holds you. Sometimes I'm the only one that can calm you down, and I secretly love that. We love you SO much sweet BC!

Here's what has been going on this month~

• Stats
• Weight- 9 lbs, 15 oz
• Height- 22.5 inches

• Eating- You are a big eater! During the day you eat every 2-3 hours. I love that special time together. I know it has really allowed us to bond. At night, you wake up anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to eat. I don't mind getting up with you because I love that snuggle time. You haven't been introduced to a bottle yet, but we will probably do that soon. We haven't gone anywhere without you yet, so no need for any bottles! 

• Sleeping- You love to sleep. During the day you take a lot of naps. We haven't been really strict with a schedule yet. Mommy just lets you pretty much sleep when and where you want to. You love to fall asleep in our arms. We both love that. At night, you usually sleep anywhere from 3 to 5 hours straight. One night you slept 6 hours straight! Mommy was scared when she woke up and saw what time it was. 

• Playing- You love your swing and bouncy seat. I'm thankful you love them because it gives me a chance to get ready each day. You also love tummy time. You lift that little head up and look all around. You are very alert! You also will lay on your play mat for a while and just look up at all the little animals. 

• Clothes- You are now in 3 month clothes. I have bought a few onesies that are 3-6 month but those are still a little big. We can't believe how fast you outgrew your little newborn clothes. One day we tried to put on a newborn onesie and it would not snap. You are a growing boy!

• Likes- You like to lay on mommy and daddy's tummy. You love your paci! We always have to have one on hand. Your favorite one is your blue one with a fish on it. You like to sit with daddy at night because he sings silly songs to you and talks to you. You seem to like baths most of the time. You also like being in the Baby Bjorn. 

Things to remember~

• You went on the boat for the first time! You slept the whole time. I think you liked the noise it made. 
• You and I went for a little visit to see Papa and Shay. We stayed two nights and you did great! I think you love seeing all the littles already. I know you will always love going there. 
• Daddy calls you Toots McGoots because you toot all the time. It always makes us laugh. When I unswaddle you in the morning, Daddy always says the McGoots is loose! 
• We got your bith certificate and have to start the process to get your passport. We are going to visit you Uncle Zack, Aunt Jenn and cousins William and Daniel in July. We are really looking forward to the visit! You're going to be a world traveler!

Newborn Pictures

I am so thankful for my mom! She has so many talents, and among them is photography. We were planning to go on our first visit to see my family on Friday, and I had the idea for us to try and get some sweet pictures of Ben Curtis. My expectations were blown away with how they turned out!

Thank you mom for capturing these precious faces of our sweet Ben Curtis!

The Big Day

Ben Curtis was born on March 5, 2014 at 3:33 in the afternoon. It was a smooth delivery and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Josh was beyond wonderful and so was my mom. They were with me the whole time. Bringing a child into the world is something I can't even explain. The moment I heard that sweet cry, my world changed forever. 

We went to the hospital the night before to start the whole process. I was able to sleep for the most part, but it felt like the greatest Christmas ever was about to be here. The next morning I began having contractions. Around 9 am the doctor came in and checked me and broke my water. Soon after that I asked for my epidural and it was a game changer! I was able to relax the rest of the day and enjoy the experience. Around 2 in the afternoon, the doctor came back in and said I was ready to push! I will never forget the mix of emotions that ran through at that moment. I was so excited and so terrified at the same time. We asked my mom to stay with us, and the pushing began. A few minutes later, the nurse called the doctor back in because Ben Curtis was close to being out. The doctor came in and in no time we heard that sweet cry. I couldn't believe the hair on his sweet head. They gave him to me right away and we were able to instantly create that sweet bond. After a few minutes, they took him and cleaned him up. They weighed him and measured him. He weighed 7lbs 10oz and was 21 inches long. He was beyond perfect.

Ben Curtis is 1 week~

We can't believe our sweet Ben Curtis is one week old already! Time is already flying. Josh said, "before we know it, he will be graduating high school!" We are soaking in these moments together as a little family of three and really loving our little man!

Here are some things I don't want to forget about this first week...

-My husband is the best and sweetest dad. He has not ever really been around babies but he caught on right away. He is the official diaper changer and does the best job. The first time he changed his diaper he peed on Josh. That's something we will always remember! We quickly learned to cover that little area up when we change his diaper. He loves on our little man like crazy and gives him kisses all the time. I fell in love with him all over again when I saw him holding our precious boy for the first time.

-Ben Curtis is a great baby! He eats well and sleeps hard! He loves his paci so much. The first night home he slept for about 2-3 hours at a time and then would wake up to eat. He keeps to that schedule for the most part day and night. He sleeps in the cradle that I slept in as a baby. We have it right next to our bed so I can be close to him. I love the little sounds he makes when he's asleep. I love looking down on him when he's eating. He sneezes a lot and gets the hiccups about 2-3 times a day. I think he eats too fast like his daddy. I think my favorite thing is when he's asleep in my arms and smiles. It just warms my heart.

-My mom came back to the hospital the day we we were coming home. She helped us pack up our things, get him in the car, and then she followed us home. I was so thankful to have her with us as we left all the comfort and security we had grown used to over the past couple of days. She picked up lunch for us and we had a picnic on our bedroom floor when we got home. Mom helped us settle in and unpack. She helped me give Ben Curtis a sponge bath for the first time. She sat with us until after dinner time. When it was time for her to leave I felt like I did the day I went to college for the first time. I was so homesick and scared of what was to come. Thankfully my sweet husband sat with me while I cried and told me we were going to be fine. We were. Ben Curtis slept great that night, and by the morning I felt so much better. We had gotten through our first night with just the three of us and life was good! 

-Josh's brother, Zack, was here from Norway for a couple weeks. It was so wonderful to have him home during this big transition. He was such a huge help! We were sad to see him go home. 

-We took Ben Curtis to the doctor for his first visit a couple days after being home. Everyone was so sweet to us! BC weighed 7lbs 2oz right before leaving the hospital, and he weighed 7lbs 5oz at his appointment. It was encouraging to see he was gaining weight. Ms. Jennifer said he was the perfect baby. The only thing she was concerned about was his jaundice. We were both a little nervous when she had us go back to the hospital to have his billiruben levels checked, but she ensured us it was just to be cautious. His levels were a little high but not high enough to be really worried. She told us to just make sure he keeps eating well and also told us to lay him in indirect sunlight throughout the day. One thing I will always remember is that we couldn't figure out how to fold up the stroller. We tried for a minute and then just decided to throw it in the back opened up. It was hilarious and definitely a first time parent thing to do. When we got home, we quickly saw the strap that said "pull to close". Hahaha! Oh the memories!