Baby Benjamin: 11 Weeks!

Weight: Not sure... but thinking 13+.

Health: Stuffy nose is all cleared up!  Hoping it stays away for a long time!

Sleep: Still the same... but has started to go to bed a little bit earlier... which is nice.  I think it is because he is awake for longer times during the day!  We will take it!  7-8 hours of sleep a night is excellent in my book!!

 Social:  Grandma and Grandpa Ingram came to visit this last weekend and they said he is the most expressive baby they have ever seen!  I'm sure they are quite bias but he is very alert and has so many expressions to share!  He loves laying on your lap and "talking" and smiling!  He is starting to share more and more baby laughs!

Diet: Mom's Milk... we were doing one formula bottle a day, but haven't for the past week... We ran out and I kept forgetting to buy it when we went to the store... and now that we have it we just need to get back in to the routine of giving it to him for his lunch feeding... will work on incorporating that back in to his schedule this week.

Clothes: 0-3 Month clothes and size 2 diapers!  I have found that Ralph Lauren runs a little small, Baby Gap runs a little wide and short, and Carters runs slim and long... so Baby Gap doesn't fit as well as I would like... Carters is ok and Ralph Lauren is my favorite.  I have already started buying 6 and 9 month clothes!

Baby Gear Loves:  This isn't an exciting baby item, but it has defiantly been a life savor for us... the Babies R'US Changing Pad Liners!  We put them on top of Ben's changing pad in case of a blowout, surprise pooper or pee!  And let me tell you how often that happens!  It is easy to just remove the liner, spray and wash without having to change the entire changing pad!  A must have for the Ingram family!

Crying: We have learned the hard way "overstimulation and over exhaustion" is TERRIBLE!  And Ben has a super hard time relaxing and going to sleep once he hits that point.

Likes:  Has enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror on his play mat!  I'd love to know what his is thinking when he sees himself!  Also, he really loves to sit up and stand up, with a little help of course.  He gets a super cute grin on his face and thinks he is just soooo big!

 Postpartum:  Feeling good!  Big week... preparing for our adventure to Maryland!  I'm committing to go walking every day till we leave so try and loses these last few pounds before we hit the beach!  But if not, I'm still pleased with my post baby body... I have to remember I just had a baby 11 weeks ago!  It doesn't happen overnight!  Also, this weekend I ventured out for a little Momma's Night out and had a blast!!!  We had dinner then enjoyed a painting class!  I'd say it was quite successful!

Milestones:  Starting to sit up with little assistance and stands up just holding your fingers!  Ben has also started laughing and talking a lot more throughout the day!  He also has started bringing his feet up and discovering them more and more every day!  Grandma and Grandpa Ingram think he has a strong right kick that is perfect for a corner kick goal!  A little soccer star in the making!!!  Also, my sister and I took both kids on a shopping adventure last Friday and it was a great success!  Both babies did excellent and I even practiced pumping in the car!

Baby Benjamin: 10 Weeks!

Weight: 13+ pounds!

Health: Still has a little stuffy nose and HATES it when we have to suction it out!  :(

Sleep: Doing well!  Sometimes wakes up once or twice, but goes back to sleep after he gets his pacifier.  But he did give us a full night's sleep Saturday night!  The perfect Father's Day gift!  Slept all night from 10:30pm to 6:30am!  Look forward to more of these!

 Social: Ben is talking and smiling more and more and making new sounds everyday! (I apologize for the poor video quality and my silly voice in the background)

Diet: Mommas milk and one formula bottle a day!  He takes 6 bottles a day with an average of 30 oz total.

Clothes: Still in 0-3 Month clothes and size 2 diapers!  Still trying to get him in all his 3 months clothes before he outgrows them!  Love this little outfit!  I think daddy has one just like it!!!  MIght have to have them dress as twins one day soon!

Baby Gear Loves: With Ben's stuffy nose we have been using the Graco Nasal Aspirator and it has been our saving grace!  It even has a music feature that helps distract him.

Crying: Hates it when we suction out his noes!  It is terrible to see him so upset.

Likes:  Loves playing with his Bug and Moose toys!

 Postpartum:  Still not exercising... but feeling better and better everyday!

Milestones:  We celebrated our first Father's Day as a family of 3 with our favorite daddy!  Ben also has enjoyed a new view from his bumbo seat!  He also has started trying to sit up and grab his toys!

Love that little smile so much!!!

Baby Benjamin: 9 Weeks!

Weight: 12 pounds 1 ounce!

Health: Nothing new here... had his 2 month check up yesterday and Ben got 3 shots!  He handled them well and slept most of the afternoon.

Sleep: Doing well... our nightly routine for the most part is to put him down around 9 then we do a dream feed at 11 then he will go till 7am... but he sometimes stirs around 4-5ish... and he will sometimes take his pacifier and that will sooth him back to sleep but not Sunday night... I ended up feeding him a 2 oz. bottle... guess our little man is going through another growth spirt!

 Social: Loves to play peek-a-boo and continues to talk more and more!  Love his little baby sounds!

Diet: Milk, milk and more milk!  He now takes 5 oz. during the day and a 6 oz. bottle before bed.

Clothes: 0-3 Month clothes and size 2 diapers!  After a few big blowouts we moved him up to size 2's!

Baby Gear Loves: I'm loving his new sound machine!  It offers many options for soothing sounds and also has an option for an iPod.  We use this for every nap and especially at night time.

Crying: Same old thing here... hungry or tired!

Likes:  Ben is starting to enjoy peek-a-boo!  We play by draping a light weight blanket over his face  then pull it off quickly... and he just smiles and opens his mouth... It gets him excited and he really kicks his legs... I'll have to post a video of it soon... it is really funny!  He also enjoys the mirror on his activity mat!  It is new entertainment for him!!

Postpartum:  Still not working out but we have started walking in the mornings and we are really enjoying it!  We get out of the door by 7:45ish and are back no later than 8:45... that is when it starts to get a little warm.  But I am looking forward to doing a little more exercise activities to help loose these last few pounds before we head to the beach in July.

Milestones: Continuing to sleep through the night!  And our 2 month Dr. check up... along with 3 shots!  He also enjoyed his first time in the pool and first time to swing!

Happy 2 Months Benjamin!

 Benjamin,

Today you are two months old!  Time has continued to fly by and we are savoring every moment with you!  You are coming into your own, with your own little personality and we are loving every second and love seeing the new thing you learn and discover!  And this last month has been filled with many new discoveries and more firsts!

A little about you:

Today we had your 2 month well baby doctor visit and you weighed it at 12 pounds 1 oz. or 57% and 24.25 inches long or 90%.  You are one long and lean little man!  You are still in 0-3 months clothes and have graduated into size 2 diapers!  Not sure how much longer you will be able to wear your 0-3 month clothes, so you are in a new outfit every chance we get!

As for your health, you are a strong, healthy, sweet baby boy!  You had a little stuffy nose a few weeks ago and it comes and goes every now and again, but for the most part you are perfectly healthy.  We are also learning your different cry/fussy noises.  You really only cry when you are hungry and we don't have your bottle ready or when you are tired and want to be swaddled up... but other than that you are mostly content and a very sweet baby. 

Speaking of sleep... you are a great little sleeper, and we hope that continues.  As of June 1st you officially started sleeping through the night!  Your new nighttime schedule has been bath, bottle, books, bed by 9 then a "dream feed" at 10:30-11:00ish and you then sleep till 6-7am.  You do stir a little around 5ish, but most of the time you go back to sleep on your own, but if not we give you your pacifier and that seems to do the trick!  We are very proud of you for taking to your crib so well and super excited about your sleeping through the night!  Next month we are going to try to phasing out the dream feed so we will see how that goes! 

When it comes to play time you are a super alert!  You have discovered your hands in a new way and love to suck on them... we wonder if you will be a thumb sucker... only time will tell.  You also enjoy looking a bright colors and patterns.  Morning is your favorite time and when you talk the most!  We love laying in bed together as a family of 3 just talking, laughing and smiling!  It is our favorite time of the day as well!  Nothing is sweeter than your smile that is followed by a coo or other fun baby talk!

You still love tummy time and hold your head up the entire time.  You continue to roll over accidentally and we are working with you to teach you to roll back over from your back to your tummy... but you don't seem very interested.  You also love to swat, kick and grab your toys that hang from your bouncy seat, momaroo and activity mat.  We have also started taking walks first thing in the morning and you also enjoyed your first time on the swings! 

Like I mentioned before,  your second month has been filled with many more firsts!  We ventured out more this month and enjoyed many lunch dates with friends, afternoons running errands, shopping trips and you also enjoyed your first pool day!  Since you are on a more predictable routine (eat every 3 hours and sleep about a hour to hour and a half after your bottle till your next bottle) it has become more easy to plan the day and activities for us to get out of the house!  And you are a great little errands runner and lunch date and mostly sleep through them unless it is time to eat!

Benjamin, this second month has been so precious for us!  With each and everyday you are learning new sounds and other tricks and we just love you so very much!  It has gone by so fast and you are growing into a little baby... not our newborn baby anymore.

Happy Two Months Benjamin!  Love momma and daddy!

New Mom Necessities!

Being a new mom there are a few things that have been extremely helpful over the last 8 weeks and I wanted to share them with you in hopes they might help you in your journey into motherhood.

Belly Bandit, Bamboo - This little must have was a life savor for me the few weeks after delivery.  It helped support my back and easy back pain/back spasms I had from my epidural.  They also say it helps flatten your tummy... which was an added benefit!  I didn't wear it all the time, but definitely recommend it to help with back support!
Gap Breath Workout clothes - Now that we have started walking in the mornings I needed a few new workout outfits... and these are super cute and comfortable.  I'd live in these pants all the time if I could!
Gap PJ's - This is just a little something to make you feel cute and they are super soft and comfy.  Also, very easy access for nursing/pumping.
Smart phone wallet - This amazing accessories is my new purse!  Since I now carry a large diaper bag with all Ben's must haves... I use this wallet and it even has a special pouch for my phone!  So when I don't have the diaper bag I can just carry this wallet and have everything I need!
My Fit Foods - Since I'm breast-feeding I have to keep my caloric intake up and cannot miss any meals... they say breast-feeding moms should have 1800 calories a day... and with little time to make meals, My Fit Foods has been a must have for me.  With yummy meal options it is my go to for breakfast and lunch.  I pick them up on Mondays for the week and pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes and I have a healthy hot meal!

What are your "New Mommy Necessities?"

Baby Benjamin: 8 Weeks!

Weight: We weighted him on our scale this weekend and he was 12.5 with a dry diaper!

Health: Nothing new here... we go for his 2 month appointment next week.

Sleep: We have made big strides forward in this department and after much research we have found out own little magic routine... We started stretching the middle of the night feeding out last week and have been successful... first we stretched him to 5 hours... now he is going 7+!!!  He stirs a few times in the middle of the night and depending I'll let him sooth himself back to sleep or go in and give him his pacifier but for the most part this is our night time schedule... 8-9ish 4.5 oz bottle then book and bedtime, 10:30-11ish 3.5 oz dream feed bottle then back to bed (he doesn't wake up for this feeding), then 6:00-7:00ish 4.25 oz. bottle.  We are thankful for this extra sleep and pray it continues!
 

 Social: Very social these days... super interactive and loves to talk... his most talkative time is first thing in the morning!  So Saturday and Sunday mornings we find ourselves in bed playing and cooing back and forth as a family of 3!  This has become my favorite time of the day!

Diet: Mommas Milk and one formula bottle a day!  We are still at 4.25 oz. during the day with a 4.5 bottle before bed.

Clothes: 0-3 Month clothes and size 1 diapers, but I think we will be moving up to size 2 diapers very soon!

Baby Gear Loves: I am still very much obsessed with the new tracker we found last week... http://www.trixietracker.com.  It has been a HUGE help in keeping Ben on a routine and everything in order.  

Crying: Since he has been sleeping longer at night he doesn't fuss as much any more at all... again only when he is hungry or tired.  

Likes:  Loving his activity mat more and more!  It is a lifesaver for his entertainment when I'm pumping in the morning!

Postpartum:  I'm still not working out... but hope to start next week.  And my goal this week is to get up and take Ben for walks in the morning... before it gets too hot!  Texas summers are no place for afternoon walks with a little one.

Special visit from our good friends Brad and Skyler!

Milestones: Sleeping 7+ hours at night!  This is HUGE for a momma how loves her sleep!!!  Very proud of our little man and hope to keep this sleeping going!

Documenting his first long night sleep!!

First time to swing!!!