Oh so Handsome

Got a hold of Bennett today to try and capture this last newborn. of mine  I am by no means a photographer much less a newborn photographer but I am a cheapskate... haha... so I took some pictures of him.  I think they turned out pretty good for the few minutes we spent plus they have not been edited at all. 

Precious boy. wide awake after sleeping for a 6.5 hour stretch last night... yay!

He did manage to pee all over Hunter's pillow right before this shot.  sorry Hunter. oops. ;)

Sleeping babe.

In his winter hat... that is still a bit too big.

I so wanted him to just gently lay his head to the side... he just wanted to do a facial into the pillow and eat his hands... but I do love the top of his little blonde head.

No words.  He wouldnt fall asleep for his naked shot so 2nd best option is a white onesie.

So thankful for this little boy. He has just fit perfectly into the family.  

Love you Bennett!

**** Dont miss the other new post below this one... I back to back posted.

Visitors

This past week brought some wonderful visitors. 

First, GrandmaDean came last Monday and shame on me but I did not take a single picture except of the absolutely amazing quilt that she is making for Bennett.  I will not show the picture now since it is not complete, but the minute I get my hand on the finished product, I will show it... trust me when I say it is incredible!

My brother and his wife and boys brought us dinner Friday night.  They made the hour long trek and we so appreciated the delicious food and the company.  My boys love for their cousins to come and play.

Not that he is a visitor but daddy got home Friday night too. The boys were so happy to see him.  

My wonderful friend, Olivia, also came to visit with us on Friday.  She stayed the weekend with us.  As always, it went by super fast.  She was a great help with not only Bennett and the boys and cleaning up but giving me some much needed adult conversation.

Olivia holding Bennett at the party

 We also had a birthday party to go to on Saturday.  Miss Madi turned 5 last week and the boys were so excited to go her party and play in the jump houses. 

My boys with Connor

Madi blowing out her candles

Everyone

The boys and their buddies... Madi, Karson, and Connor

 We also got a tad bit of snow Saturday afternoon... not enough to play in but it is pretty while it fell.

bundled up to face the cold weather

Overall a great week.  We are starting to get out a bit more but I am still quite content to camp out in my little house. 

Weekly Udpate 2

So how are we doing? 

My boys and me before church... my first real picture with all 4!!! yes, 4 of my kids!

Really good... and that is not just the generic answer.  Things have really been going really smooth all things considered.

:)

Bennett
Seriously such a good baby.  I had forgotten how much newborns sleep.  He normally has 3 really awake periods a day that last for about 2 hours.  He has been sleeping great at night.  I can only complain about Thursday night where he was awake from 11:45- 2:00.  He wasnt fussy just awake.  Besides that night, he has been taking 2 four to four and a half hour stretches in his bouncy seat at night.

My precious baby

His cord fell off Saturday morning so he got his first bath last night and though he wasnt overjoyed about it, he didnt protest it until I got him out and he got cold.  He also had his circumsion on Friday.  He was only fussy about that for a few hours and now he is good to go.  He is nursing like a champ and I have no little to no pain so YAY for that!  As of Wednesday he was up to 8 lbs and by Friday up to 8 lb 4 oz, so I am sure he is up at least 1 lb from his birth weight which is great by the 2 week mark.

First bath

Hunter
Hunter continues to be a great big brother.  He doesnt hold Bennett a whole lot but kisses him on the head almost every time he walks by.

Hunter, from his basketball banquet, with his medal

Homeschooling has taken a backseat.  We try to do a bit everyday but probably only got 2 days worth completed last week... my goal for Feb is to do 3 days a week.  We are still a bit ahead of public schools so I am not at all concerned about our slow February!  Benefits of homeschooling!  I pace it.

Ashton
This kids loves some baby Bennett.  He has been such a help especially in the evening when Bennett is not really wanting to be put down.  Bennett will sleep on Ashton while I get the house cleaned up or coo dinner.  Ash will hold him some nights for a 30  minutes.  Plus it keeps Ashton still and quiet.  Bonus!

Sleeping baby example 1

Sleeping baby example 2

Thursday was bring your pet to school day at Ashton's preschool  Molly came and was a hit with the kids.

Molls looking happy with all the children

Ashton's basketball banquet picture

Ash and his trophy

Shepherd
Thankfully Sheppy seems totally unphased by Bennett.  He will still love on me.  He is demanding but this stage happened before Bennett arrived.  Shep also holds Bennett at least twice everyday but normally for only a minute or two. 

Sheppy cheesin it up

Molly
So happy to have another baby in the house.

There it is... my weekly update!  Continue to keep us in your prayers... plans to list the house this week or next.

Just a little update

"My computer" leaves for the week so I thought I would just give a quick update.

Ready to go to the basketball games.  Look at this beautiful stroller blanket t/ quilt that my friend Olivia made for Bennett.  Check out her craft blog... she is really good.  Thanks Liv, we love it!

Everyone is adjusting really well.  Thankfully, I have not really needed Chad at night to help with Bennett.  He is sleeping 3-4 hour stretches at night before he needs to eat.  Worst case he is up for an hour after eating, but last night he fell right back asleep after both his night feedings (prayer that continues!).  As with my other babies he doesnt want to lay flat in a crib but sleeps great on or beside me or in his bouncy seat. 

 Nursing is going good.  His latch is definitely not perfect but my soreness is subsiding and I am not cracking so I am not overly concerned with the latch.  I think it will get better on its own as he gets better about controlling the flow.

Just chilaxin'

He is amazed by his brothers and is quite tolerant of their noise.  The older three are still just amazed by Bennett too.  They each request to hold him daily and he gets a ton of kisses and hugs and pats from them.

Shepherd holds "Baby Bennett"

Ashton held him like this forever!

and Hunter's turn

Just a cute picture of Shepherd

I am nervous for this upcoming week as Chad heads back to work and am on my own but thankfully I have been offered so much help that I doubt I can use everyone- plus we all know that I am not one to ever ask for help. 

We have had a couple outings. We attempted the park but Bennett stayed in the car with me while Chad and the other boys got out because it was just too cold and windy.   We also had our first officially outing (not counting the doctor's appt) to Hunter and Ashton's final basketball games of the season. 

Hunter, Ashton, Shep, and Chad got to go the circus on Saturday too.  Though I am not a fan of the circus (I feel so sorry for the animals... I would be closer to standing with PETA...hahaha), the boys really did have a great time.  PapaHub and Grandma treated them to the circus and then took them out to dinner.  Thanks guys!

Grandma walking in with 4 of the 6 grandkids

The boys totally captivated

sorry this is sideways... Bennett is ready to eat and I dont have time to fix it!  ;)

While they were out circussing, mom came over and deep cleaned my house to get it ready to put on the market.  I helped a bit, but she is was pretty insistent that I just chill.  Thanks mom!

Here are some pictures of my clean house... if only it stayed clean.

 So there it is... my weekly post.  Pray for me this week!  Plus, Bennett has his circumsion on Friday... for some reason, they do it in the doctor's office now so pray that goes well.

Ok, gotta go, Bennett is now screaming... at least I have my priorities in order... haha