Genius Baby!

Yes, it's true...Ben is a genius! I'm not just saying this because I'm biased. Yesterday, with Grammy and both dogs as a witness, the kid rolled over from his tummy to his back! Not once, but twice in 10 minutes!!! Now of course we tried later on when Daddy was around, but nothing.

Please notice his protector. He cannot have tummy time without Bruiser being right there to help. The poor kid hates tummy time as his adorable face has told you. Thank you Molly for the super soft blanket. Ben's favorite for tummy time!

His little bottom was just too cute in these pants!

Grammy's Visit

My wonderful Grammy, Ben's Gigi, came to visit for 5 days from Wisconsin. She was here when Daddy had to go back to work so I didn't freak out (I know, so unlike me). It was an AMAZING visit. She fell in love with Ben the second she saw him and refused to put him down the entire time. Mommy got lots of extra sleep and no visit with Grammy would be complete without shopping! It was great to get new clothes that weren't maternity and the boy with too many clothes got even more (along with a few fun things)!

Ben had his first babysitter while she was here, too. Grammy 'kicked' us out on Saturday to go see a movie. I think she just wanted along time with Ben. It was weird not to be with Ben or know his Daddy was with him. Of course we finally get a date night and they movie we went to go see stopped working with 15 minutes left! They did refund our money and give us free tickets to come back and see any movie. It was nice to get out, but we both missed our boy and were glad to get home.

Ben and I dropped her off this morning at the airport. He cried most of the way back, I think he already misses her. I told him not to worry that she'll back soon! Yay!

Here are some pictures from her visit.

Grammy finally gets to hold Ben after the ride home from the airport.

Ben's favorite place to nap.

She bought him a new bathtub because the other one kept leaking.

This was just too funny not add. He was so mad during his bath and found his thumb.

This was what he looked like after his bath. His hair looks like he stuck a finger in an outlet.

I woke up from a morning nap. I found them up in his room like this.

So hot!

Happy Sunday!

Just to see you smile...

Gas or not, it's just so cute. We can't wait for the 'real' thing!

The world's best Daddy!

I would be an AWFUL wife if I didn't dedicate an entry to the world's greatest husband. I have been so lucky to have Billy home with me the past 3 weeks (praise the Lord for his company's paternity leave). I even made him take tomorrow off instead of going back because I'm just not ready. The man has done EVERYTHING! He is the greatest diaper changer ever. When I was still too sore to do house work, he took care of it all. He no longer has the excuse of not knowing how to do laundry or dishes!!! When I start crying about things, he calms me down. When Ben is screaming his head off and I don't know what to do, he gladly takes him until he settles down. He stays on me to eat and drink enough so Ben has enough milk and makes me take naps each day so I'm not too worn out. When Ben is fussy he does "shark time" where he just walks around and around the house. Our kid likes to keep moving. He never complains about any of it. Do you see why I don't want him to back to work yet???

He calls Ben, "Buddy", but uses this funny voice when he says it. He still won't kiss his tiny lips, but loves to kiss his forehead and chubby cheeks. Both of them sleep the same way with their arms over their heads. The kid also gets his gassy issues from his Daddy. Wow, I'm worried about the 'contests' they'll have as he gets older and it's not cute when he farts anymore!

I've loved him for so long and couldn't imagine loving him as much as I do now. He's such a great guy!

First Doctor's Appt.

Ben has his two week check up on 6/17. Mommy was a nervous crying wreck and had a million questions for the dr. Daddy was his normal calm and collected self. Ben was a champ (except for the screaming off an on). Poor kid just doesn't like being a naked baby. We left with a report card that has two A+'s. His teacher mommy already put it on the fridge! We expect nothing but A+'s from now on.

Weight: 7 lbs, 12 oz (gained a full lb from when we left the hospital)...50%tile
Height: 21 inches (gained 2 inches in 2 weeks!)...70%tile
Head: 14.3 inches around...50-70%tile

He has his one month check up next Thursday!!!

I Love Family!

Here are few pictures of the lucky family Ben was born into. He is SO blessed to have grandparents and aunts and uncles that already love him SO much!

My parents were able to fly in on Tuesday night and see me in the hospital. B's mom and sister drove up Wednesday (Ben's birthday) around lunch time. His dad flew in from El Paso (where he works during the week) on Thursday. My parents had to fly home on Friday and Billy's stayed with us until Sunday. His brother Tommy and his wife Kristin drove up Friday night and were there when we brought Ben home on Saturday. They were SO nice to make the drive up for a night just to meet Ben!

This is Grandpa Mahrer doing a football pose with BenProud Grandmas

My parents on Ben's birthday!

Ben with the best aunts and uncle he could ask for!

Dogs, meet Squeaky Toy

As most of you know, Bruiser and Bailey have been my 'babies' for the past 4 and 5 years. I hate leaving them to go to work and worry about them all the time. They know they are spoiled, Bruiser especially. He is a "momma's boy" and Bailey is "daddy's girl." Everyone wondered how they would react to Ben coming home. Luckily, it's gone pretty well. They were very excited to meet him, but more excited that their Mommy and Daddy were finally home. We call Ben 'Squeaky Toy' because as soon as he would make a noise, the dogs wanted to be with him and investigate. The first day or two Bruiser cried when we had Ben in bed with us, probably because he was jealous that Squeaky Toy got to be in bed when he wasn't allowed.

They've accepted him now and are getting used to life with Ben. They no longer eat on a regular schedule and don't complain about it :) Bruiser occasionally wants to help with diaper changes and Bailey sleeps next to his pack and play in our room. Bruiser LOVES when Ben has tummy time. He gets right next to him and never takes his eyes off him. They'll both come up and sniff him when he's in the swing or in his bouncer. They are a great big brother and sister.

On another note-B took them to the vet to get shots. Bruiser weighs 90 lbs (pretty sure it's pure muscle) and Bailey a whopping 72! That's my fat girl! Gotta love her!

Last picture with my babies before we left to meet Ben

Bruiser meets Ben for the first time

Bailey meets Ben

Bruiser investigating Squeaky Toy

Welcome to the world, Ben!

I realize this is a little overdue, but my time is a little preoccupied lately. So here is the story of how Ben entered this world...We knew Ben was coming on June 3. On Tuesday, June 2, we went in for our last appt with Dr. Garner. The deal was if I had dilated to a 3, we could go home and come back Wednesday a.m. No luck-we were told to head on in at 5 that afternoon. B and I ran some errands and tried our best to clean the house because of all the family coming in. Around 4:15 I said goodbye to the dogs (and cried) and we headed out. I remember Billy saying to Bruiser as I was petting him, "you'll never be loved like this again." Poor baby.

Before we left for the hospital

Packed for our little 'vacation' at Presby Plano.

We checked into the hospital around 5 and go settled. We even brought our Wii thinking the night would be easy and calming, boy were we WRONG! Without going into too many details, the medicine they gave me to speed things up so the Pitocin would work the next day did not agree with me. I have never been so miserable in my life. The contractions weren't coming and going the right way. Meanwhile, my parents were flying in. They graciously took a cab so Billy wouldn't have to leave me in my agony. Finally about midnight Mom and Dad walked in as the nusre gave me some pain medicine, but it only lasted 90 minutes and Ben's little heartbeat wasn't tolerating it. The nurse finally removed the awful medicine around 3. We managed to get a little sleep and then at 6 she came in and told me we would have a baby at 8!!! I was SO relieved that I wouldn't have to go through that pain anymore.


Benjamin William arrived exactly at 8 am and was 7lbs, 4 oz (so much for the ultrasounds telling us to expect a giant baby) and 19 inches long. He has a TON of hair. Must get it from Daddy, I didn't have any until well after I was a year.


It didn't take long for him to wrap us around his very long fingers. We are in love!

First picture after getting cleaned up (Mommy was OUT of it)