Sweet Moments

If it is at all possible, I think Ben has gotten even cuter.  It might have something to do with the fact that I am finally healing, nursing is much less painful, and I am sleeping better (or just getting used to less sleep :).  It is amazing how less pain and more sleep can affect your perspective on EVERYTHING.  

Every time I walk into his room and see this little bundle in the crib, I am just amazed that my dream has come true, and that the little bundle is my son.  Even if that little bundle is screeching at 2 in the morning, he is still so precious and I just can't keep from kissing and cuddling him.  
He seems to be growing before our eyes.  Yesterday during tummy time he lifted up his head (which he has been working on for awhile, and doing quite well for such a little guy!) and turned to rest his head on the left side, then picked it up and turned to rest it on the right--at just under 3 weeks old!  And today, while on his Gran's lap, he gave us what I would consider a real smile in response to us talking and playing with him.  Waketime now includes wide open eyes, occasional coos, and lots of looking around.  

It has been such a joy to have John's mom (Gran) here to stay with us this last week.  She has been so helpful, doing all the housework that has gone by the wayside while I am learning this mom thing, and loving on Ben every second she can.  There have been a few days when my mom comes over too and then Ben just gets oozed on with double Grandma loving.  The two of them are just adorable--melting over every little face and wiggle that he makes.  Grandmas are the greatest!

This last weekend we ventured out for our first church outing!  Ben did amazingly well and slept through the whole service (of course, half the congregation did too with temperatures in the 90's outside and no air conditioning inside :).  We had so much fun introducing him to all our friends and all those who have prayed for us and have celebrated with us at his arrival.  It felt like such a victory to be able to make it to church, on time and in one piece.  But most of all it just refreshed and renewed my heart to be among my church family, join in worship and hear good teaching.  
Being a new mom can feel isolating, even with all the visitors and things going on around you.  The emotions and concerns and worries can take hold and make you feel like you are swimming alone in the deep end.  But coming back to familiar things, having family around to give reminders of what is true and that things will indeed even out and get better is like having a big float to hold onto.  God brought me to this perfect verse the other day, when I was choking a bit in my deep end.  

 "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice;

the floods lift up their waves.  

But the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, 

than the mighty waves of the sea." 

Psalm 93:3-4

How anyone does this mommy thing, or life at all, without the Lord is a mystery to me.  He has been my Rock and my sure footing through all this and I praise Him for his faithfulness to me and our little family.

First bottle with Daddy!  Our little guy took it like a champ - hooray!

First visit with a friend!  Jaden Curtis came to play last week...hopefully the first of many playdates!  Ben looked so tiny next to 6 month old Jaden, but he will soon catch up with all the eating he has been doing!

Tummy time!

My sleepy boys.....like father, like son

Ben's shirt says "If you think I am handsome you should see my daddy"

Snuggles with Gran

Grandma loves me so much!

"I love hearing to talk to me, Gran!"

First time at church!

A face that always makes me smile!

This is the contented little face I see after each feeding that makes it all worth it to be up at all hours of the night!