Baby Benjamin: 18 Weeks!

Weight: Yesterday he weighted in at 16# 9.5 oz!

Health: At his 4 month dr. appointment yesterday Ben received a great report of health!  Growing big and strong!  80% for weight and 85% for height... 26 inches long!

Sleep: Still doing really well!  Last week he started this new thing... he would wake up around 7ish then talk and babble for 10 min or so... then go back to sleep till 7:45-8ish!  We loved watching him in the monitor and listening to his sweet talking sounds!  He did have one bad night last week when our air conditioner decided to go out on us... so we stayed at my sisters for the night... but now he is back to his good sleeping and we are very happy!  And last night he slept 12 hours... I had to wake him up so we wouldn't be late.  I hate waking him up!  He is so peaceful when he is sleeping!

 Social: Ben is still very generous with his smiles and laughs, but has started to fuss some when he is held by unfamiliar people... he does warm up to them, but it takes a little time.

Diet: Proudly serving Momma's Milk!

Clothes: 3-6 months and size 2 diapers and size 3 night time diapers.

Baby Gear Loves: Anything he can grab and put in his mouth... including blankets!

Crying: He typically only cries when he is tired and or hungry.  But now has started to fuss when new people hold him... not sure if he is experiencing separation anxiety already... sure hope not.

LOVES: Ben loves to laugh!  And we LOVE to hear it!

Postpartum:  I have to brag a little bit... I'm officially under my pre prego weight!!!  I wasn't sure if I would ever get there, but I'm super excited I am!  I have also noticed I am starting to lose some hair... not fun, but I knew it was coming!

Milestones:  Ben continues to roll over and grab and play with his toys!  He also loves to put everything in his mouth!  I know I have been saying this for a while now... but I think teeth are in our near future!

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?"

Introducing our baby boy!

For this child we have prayed.  

1 Samuel 1:27

We are super excited to announce our sweet baby boy has arrived!!!

Welcome to the world Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Date: April 9, 2013

Time: 7:31am

Weight: 7 pounds 5 ounces

Length: 20 1/4 inches

These are a few photos from our session in the hospital taken the day after Benjamin was born; taken by Jen McDonald with Jen Loves Photography.  We absolutely LOVE all of them!  They are priceless to us... and capture the very emotions, love, joy and happiness this little man has brought to our lives.  We are so thankful to our heavenly Father for blessing us with this little one!

40 Weeks!!!

** I'm sure most of you know... but if not... our baby boy was born on our due date - April 9, 2013!!! 40 Weeks!!!  We are home and doing well!  Just settling into our new routine and loving on our little boy!  So even though this post is super late I want to finish our weekly bump posts!  So here it is...

How big is Benjamin this week? Ben is the size of a Watermelon!  He weights about 6.2-9.2 pounds and measures about 18.9 to 20.9 inches.

Due Date: April 9th, 2013 - We have arrived!!!

Weight Gain: 27.5 pounds total!

Symptoms:  My water broke, contractions... and we are in the hospital waiting for our little boy!

Cravings:  FOOD of any kind... first meal after delivery I requested blueberry waffles!

Food Aversions:  Ummm... nothing new.

I am loving:  Today we will meet out little man!

I miss:  Food... I haven't eaten anything since 1pm Monday afternoon

I am looking forward to:  Meeting out sweet baby boy!

I'm spazzing about:   I can't believe my water actually broke, at home, in bed... only 5% of women's water actually breaks!  And our little man is coming today!  He is a punctual little one!

Best thing about this week:  Since my water broke yesterday we know we will meet our baby soon!  Today... and they predict it being before sunrise today!

Milestones:  Today is Delivery Day!!!

Movement:  Even with contractions I can still feel him move and stretch!  Can't wait to see those little stretches in my arms very soon!

It's a...: BOY!!!!  Benjamin Lawrence Ingram!!!

Exercise:  A few walks... and a little golf on last Saturday!

Diet:  H2O and lots of it!

39 Weeks and 5 days!

Maternity Photos!!

After waiting 4 weeks... we finally have our maternity photos back and are excited to share them with everyone!!!  They were taken at 34 weeks by Melissa Pickens.  She did a wonderful job and we are super pleased with them!!!  Can't wait for her to take Ben's newborn photos when he arrives!

Happy Easter and fun at Waterway Square!

We had a fabulous 3 day weekend filled with relaxing, manicures/pedicures, errand running, weather enjoying, live music listening, birthday partying, and most of all... celebrating the resurrection of our Savior, Christ Jesus today on Easter Sunday.

I am so thankful we had a nice relaxing weekend to rest and enjoy time together before our baby boy arrives!  Only 9 days till our due date!  Also, spring is one of my favorite times of year filled with great weather, bright fun colors, and longer days!  Here are a few photos from our relaxing weekend!

We are super blessed with amazing friends!!!  And love that there are 4 babies on the way who will join the clan super soon!!!
(Left to right: Braddock, via Dana; Benjamin, via Kelly; Ellie, via Sarah & Jason, via Meghan!)

The Murphy's!!!

The Mathewson's say cheese!!!

Isn't she just the most precious!!!

Best Birthday dessert ever!!  YUMM!

Can't believe we are prego together!!!  Can't wait to meet Ellie in August!

My Love!

Piper is such a little ham!!!  So cute!!

Family photos after Easter service.

Benjamin's first Easter... technically... right?

Family photo after lunch!  YUMM!

Mommom and Poppop with sweet Olivia!