Dad is back to work

We're all a little bummed around here. Steve had to go back to work today. But it's been a wonderful 2 weeks with him around and he has proven that he is a wonderful Dad! Here are some great pictures from his last official day on paternity leave. Benjamin sure is going to miss having his Dad around 24-7 (and so am I)!

Father's Day 2006

Steve's first Father's Day was packed with fun...but we were exhausted! I was warned by a nurse at the hospital that I shouldn't have caffeine or chocolate while breast feeding and now I know why! On Saturday night, Benjamin was officially up all night. It was 'h-e-double-hockey sticks' on us! In thinking back I realized that I had ice cream with chocolate chips in it on Saturday night and that caffeine must have really gotten to him! So, I have vowed to live a life without caffeine, without chocolate and limited amount sugar for a while. I'll sacrifice those things for just a little more sleep! That way I can enjoy every moment with this squirmy wormy (second nickname). I am taking the advice of my sister Judy's boyfriend Larry and have started to drink mass quantities of chamomile tea. Larry's sister did it when she had her baby and apparently it calmed her baby down a lot and helped aide with sleep. Well, on Sunday night, Benjamin slept great! He slept for 3-4 hour stretches all night and I got about 10 hours of sleep myself. Life really is better when you sleep! And last night he slept well too! Thank you Larry for the chamomile tea advice!

Back to Father's Day...Here are some pictures from the special day! Here is the moment when Benjamin finally fell asleep after a long night of 'partying' at his crib. :) He fell asleep on his Papa's chest! How sweet. Later in the afternoon, Grandma Laurie, Grandpa Greggy, Auntie Krissy and Cousin Heather came to visit. Each took a turn holding him and giving him lots of love! It was so sweet. They are smitten with him! It was lots of fun to see them and Benjamin was really content! Of course, he slept the ENTIRE time!

We went to the doctor today and Benjamin already gained 1lb 2.5oz from the last doctors visit! He weighs 9lb 10oz....90z above his birth weight! He also grew 1/2 inch and is 21 inches long. No wonder my arms feel like they are gaining serious muscles. He is such a big boy and is growing everyday! We are so proud.

Benjamin is a Week Old!

Wow...Benjamin is a week old! I can hardly believe it. He seems bigger already! He is very alert at times and sleepy at others and as far as we can tell, he loves daylight. He is already good at holding up his head when he's laying on his tummy for 'tummy time,' and he already rolls himself over to his side! We had to buy a styrofoam baby sleeping roll-over blocker to stop him from rolling over in his sleep! So, we are adjusting and things get better and better every day! We are having so much fun with this little man! Last night was the first night he slept for 3 consecutive hours a few times in row. He slept from 6:30-9:30p.m., woke up to eat, slept again from about 10:30-12:00a.m., woke up to eat, and then slept from 1:30-4:30a.m, and then woke up to eat. After that, Steve took over so I could sleep until about 8:00a.m. Honestly, what a blessing that was! So that means I got a bunch of sleep! I feel like a new woman!

Benjamin has had a few visitors already! Our friends were here to celebrate Rachel's graduation (she's Dr. Rachie now!) and they delivered us a mountain of food and had a great time meeting lil' Benjamin! The picture of him with three lovely ladies is him with his Aunt Nicky, Aunt Rachel and Aunt Maikke. They put a fake mustache on Benjamin and we came out with a 'gangsta' shot, complete with the east side gang sign...yes, we put the 'stache on him, but he added the gang sign on his own. Do I spy an improv actor in our midst? :) The other pics: Benjamin was jaundice when he was born so we had to put him on a uv ray light; that's the picture of him sleeping next to a glowing light. Then, we have him in his swing looking like a little munchkin! And last but not least we have him in his b-ball outfit that he got from his our friend Catherine and baby Jordan shoes from his Uncle JB; complete with the look of watching the ball go in the basket! Benjamin is a natural in front of the camera!

Benjamin is Here!!!

As you might have noticed, I haven't posted anything for a while...frankly, it was on purpose because I had been waiting for Benjamin to come! And FINALLY, Benjamin Jack Williamson is here!!!! Benjamin was born on June 8th at 6:32 a.m. He weighs 9lbs 1oz and is 20.5 inches long and is just the sweetest thing ever. Here are some wonderful pictures for you to enjoy. More coming soon of course. We are getting along well with this new little guy and it seems everyday we are learning more and more about how to be parents. With VERY little sleep to account for in the last 4 days, we are all still making it! Hopefully as sleep becomes more abundant, I'll be able to tell a little more about the labor itself. But since Benjamin is sleeping, I have to go catch some zzzzzzz's. Enjoy the pictures! These are from his first moments out of the womb...we love our little alien-head (first nick-name)!