Baby Benjamin: 15 Weeks!

Weight: We weighted him last weekend and he was 15 pounds!  Big boy!

Health: Doing excellent!  Growing healthy and strong everyday!

Sleep: Still trying to get him back on schedule from our trip because he hasn't slept through the night since we returned home... but hopeful he will get back into a good sleeping pattern like before.

 Social: Loves to smile and talk, but is a little quite in new places till he feels more comfortable. 

Diet: Mommas milk!  Still 6 bottles a day... and an average of 32 ounces a day.

Clothes: Same as last week... 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers... about to move to size 3 night time diapers.

Baby Gear Loves: We are loving Bens new activity center!  He loves it and explores the new toys on it everyday!  We have the Baby Einstein Neptune Activity Saucer... check it out here.

Crying: Nothing new here.

LOVES:  His feet!  He isn't super flexible yet, but he has found his feed and loves to grab and pull on them!!! 

Postpartum:  Still pumping... it is going alright... very time consuming, but I'm going to keep it up as long as I can.

Milestones:  Went to his first birthday party and celebrated his favorite cousins 1st birthday!

Something extra:  Love these little giggles before bedtime!

Happy 3 Months Benjamin!

Benjamin,

You are three months old!  This month more than ever, time moved very quickly... maybe because it was filled with many exciting things and adventures.  Your little personality is shining through everyday and we melt every time you share your precious smile!  And I have to say... when you smile, you smile with your entire face... and it is just perfect!  You have also started sharing lots of belly laughs and those little giggles are our most favorite sound in the world!

A little about you:

We don't know your exact stats, but we did weigh you the other day and you were 15 pounds!  Look forward to your 4 month check up to get all the other stats... but we do know you are growing so much these days!  You are now in 3-6 months clothes and in size 2 diapers!  Momma is loving your new clothes and loves to put you in new outfits everyday!

As for your health, you are growing big and strong!  You still have a stuffy noes that comes and goes, but you did awesome on your first flight and vacation and didn't get sick!  Momma was worried about that, but you are one healthy boy and we are so thankful and blessed for that.  You still only cry when you are either hungry (and momma doesn't have your bottle ready yet) or when you are tired.  But we have learned your tired cues and try to put you down for a nap before you get over tired... and it is working out much better.

When it comes to sleep... you are still a great little sleeper.  You are still doing really well at night and we are still giving you a "dream feed", (we did try not giving it to you while we were on vacation, but you didn't want to have anything to do with that... and so we listened... and brought it back into your schedule and you are much happier!)  And since being back from our trip you have been going to be a little later than normal, 9:30ish, but you are sleeping in to 8ish... and have been fussing once or twice in the middle of the night so we will give you a pat on the tummy and give you your pacifier and you will drift right back to sleep.  When it comes to nap time you are still taking two longer naps and two shorter naps and are doing well.  This last week when momma when back to work you had a little harder time sleeping longer than an hour, but we know it is a big adjustment and hope you find your new grove and get back to taking better naps during the day.

As for play time you are still super alert and take everything in!  It is so fun to watch you see things for the first time!  We believe your eyes really came into focus this last month and you love to watch us walk across the room and you love to look out the window in the car!  You have discovered your fingers (and love to suck on them) and even found your thumb a few times.  You also found your feet and love to curl them up and grab your toes!  You are still a super happy morning baby and are very cuddly when you wake up from your naps.  You have also discovered you can make a few new sounds and love to talk and coo all the time!  Lastly, you started belly laughing this month!  The first time I happened to be videoing and caught it on camera!  It is the sweetest sound to our ears!  

You are still doing really well with tummy time and hold your head up and push your arms up like a mini push-up.  You rolled over from your back to tummy the night before momma went back to work and we celebrated like it was 1999, because we believe you knew what you were doing and did it purposefully!  Now time to roll over from back to tummy!

As for the many firsts during your 3rd month... first plane ride, first vacation, first time to the beach, first time to meet your great mom-mom and great pop-pop Baker, first time to meet extended family at your first family reunion at the Jones Family Farm, first time to give big belly laughs to momma and daddy, first baby shower to celebrate baby Ellie, first night with nana & poppy, found your thumb, first time to sleep 12 hours, and you also found your feet!!!  So many sweet moments filled your 3rd month and we loved every single second!

Benjamin, you have definitely have come into your own this last month and your little personality is shining though everyday!  It is such a blessing to watch you learn, grow and take in new sights and sounds.  You are one special little boy and we are extremely blessed to be your momma and daddy!

Happy Three Months Benjamin!  Love Momma and Daddy!

Baby Benjamin: 13 & 14 weeks!

Weight: Have no idea, but he has to be pushing 15 pounds...

Health: Great!  Besides a little gas there and there that cause a little tummy pain he is great!  We are super pleased with how he did on the plane and how well he traveled on our trip!  

Sleep: The first night on vacation he slept 12 hours straight!  It was the perfect way to start our vacation... but that didn't last... we tried to take out his dream feed... that was not a good idea, because on day 3 he work up in the middle of the night starving... so we have added the 10:30pm dream feed back to the mix... and he is back to sleeping from about 9pm-8am with the dream feed at 10:30pm.  And for those who are asking what is a dream feed... it is a feeding while he is still asleep that will top him off if you will... and help him sleep a little longer through the night.  We only give him 2-2.5 oz. during this feeding,

 Social: Loves looking around and taking in new places.  While on vacation he met a lot of new people and did very well being held by other family members.

Diet: Mommas milk!  While on vacation we only did milk since I pumped plenty, but now that we are home we are incorporating the one formula bottle back in... just to keep him used to it for when we transition... though I'm not sure when that will be.

Clothes: 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers... about to move to size 3 night time diapers.

Baby Gear Loves: Since we took our first trip last week we loved using Ben's portable crib!  We choose the Baby Bjorn Travel Crib.  It is super easy to put up and folds down into a very small, super light and compact.  It was a little more expensive than other pack and plays on the market but we choose this one for travel convience and because it doesn't have a weight limit... since it sits right on the floor.  If you are in the market for a great portable crib... check this one out!

Crying: He has had some what I think "gas" pains lately... not sure if it what I'm eating and he is getting in my BM or what... not fun for my little man.

LOVES:  His cousin Olivia!  While on our vacation these two played and just loved on each other!  So blessed that they are so close in age and will grow up with each other.  And he especially loved meeting his Great Mom-mom and Pop-pop Baker!

 Postpartum:  This week I returned to work... it has been easier than I expected, but is still hard to leave my little man.  I know he is being cared for and loved so that makes it easier but I still miss him!  In other news... I'm still pumping... yes, made it though our vacation... pump and all!  And am going to continue to pump while working as long as I can.

My first day back to work!

Milestones:  Took our first trip as a family of 3, first airplane ride, met his great mom-mom and great pop-pop Baker and many other relatives, found his feet and started grabbing and holding them, rolling over with a purpose from tummy to back and continues to give sweet belly laughs!

This video was taken on our last night on our trip... a sweet memory to end our first vacation together!  Love those belly laughs!

Baby Benjamin: 12 Weeks!

Weight: 14+ pounds!

Health: Doing well!  Ben will take his first plane flight this week... so we are hopeful he won't get sick from all the germs and recirculated air... that is our prayer this week!

Sleep: He has stepped it up in this department the last week... he only woke up once in the middle of the night over the last week!  Momma is LOVING the full nights rest and will take one middle of the night wake up!  So he goes down by 9:00 at the latest then has a dream feed between 10:30-10:45 then will sleep till 7:30-8ish.  Ben is also a great napper during the day!  This last Saturday he took a marathon nap of 3 hours!  But typically he takes a 2 hour nap in the morning then a little nap mid day then another 2 hour nap in the afternoon, and a little cat nap in the late afternoon.

 Social: Ben started laughing, like really laughing, this week!  And we even caught it on camera!  His little belly laugh cracks me up!  It is almost like he laughing at himself!  He is also talking more and more!  I know I say that every week, but it is totally true.

And every Tuesday we go to a mom's bible study and play group and last week we tried to get all the babies together for a photo... we were somewhat successful.  Ben was the only boy last week!

Diet: Mommas milk and one formula bottle a day!  Still taking 6 bottles a day... here is the breakdown 1.) 7 oz.
2.) 5.75 oz. formula
3.) 6 oz.
4.) 6 oz.
5.) 6.5 oz
6.) 2.5oz dream feed

Clothes: Officially graduated to 3-6 months clothes for the most party... but can still wear 0-3 month shorts and still in size 2 diapers.

Baby Gear Loves: Ben is loving his jumper and exersaucer activity toys!  He loves to grab at the toys and take in all the new sights!  We tried to get his attention for a quick photo, but he was too interested in his new toys!

Crying: Same old same ol here... when he is tired or hungry.

Likes:  Loving is giraffe Sofie these days!

 Postpartum:  Still not exercising and didn't follow through on my goal last week (you know... walking everyday) but that is ok... We will enjoy our trip then get on the exercising train!

Also, hubby and I ventured in to the city last week for our first full evening out and saw the New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees and Boys 2 Men concert!  Friends of our had a suite and we thought what better way to enjoy a concert!!!  We had an awesome time and felt like teenagers again with all the old songs!  (We are a little too young for NKOTB, so I really enjoyed 98 Degrees and Boys 2 Mens sets!)

And lastly, this last weekend we celebrated one of my very best friends and her baby girl that will arrive in early August!

Milestones:  Sitting up with support, standing up while holding on to fingers only, belly laughs, more babble and baby talk and he has officially found his thumb!

Extra: A fun comparison of Ben and both daddy and momma as babies!  Who do you think he looks more like?

Daddy.... or...

Momma....

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!