Christmas Eve dinner

Tonight we braved the weather for dinner with family. We always spend
Christmas day with James' family. So Christmas Eve, we try to do
dinner with my parents. So despite the frightful weather, we went to
Chinese with my parents and sister Lisa and her family.

Here's a happy Ben snuggled up with Nana during dinner.

Sariah sings Jingle Bells

Go Ben!

I love my baby! Last night he went from eating at about 11 and then
slept until 6 this morning! First night sleeping all the way through.
What a wonderful baby at one month!

Sent from Sam's iPhone

Sharing tummy time

Sariah and Ben shared tummy time together the other day.

Trains!

We had the most fun family morning! We all went down to Union Station
for their holiday train display. It is a huge display with all
different sizes of model trains. James has a love for model
railroading from his dad. And we decided a few weeks back that we are
going to do a set up on the shelf around our basement. So this trip
was partially to get ideas for that. But the real fun was watching
Sariah watch the trains.

Are we two yet?

Okay first disclaimer is that Sariah has been sick so that has added
to her grumpiness. But seriously so far this morning has been all tears.

Didn't want to get out of bed.
Didn't want to get dressed.
Was sad she couldn't have her binkie back (she only gets it for naps
and night time but lately has really fought to have it during the day).
Didn't want to eat breakfast.
Didn't want any kind of cereal or other food that I offered.
Didn't want to get down from her high chair.
Didn't want to come downstairs with me.

Is still upstairs crying while I feed the baby. Who of course woke up
with all the crying.

With less than a month until she's two. I think the drama has already
set in.

Sent from Sam's iPhone

New skill

Before I forget, Sariah has mastered a new skill this week. She can
now open doors all by herself. Now nothing is safe. :)

Sent from Sam's iPhone

Nothing better

There is nothing better than a warm sleeping baby in your arms.

More visitors

James brother, Mark, and his family came to visit. They are going to welcome their third baby in May.

(Mark, Merilee, Mailee, and Brick)

My sister, Lisa and her daughter Caitlin also stopped by.

The beard

While James was home on his paternity leave (yes his awesome company gives him time off for the baby! WHOOHOO for me!), he decided it was a good time to be lazy and grow a beard.

While I think he grows a good beard, I just personally don’t really like facial hair. I was SOOOO happy to kiss him when he shaved it all off!

Blessed

As I sat having lunch with Sariah today, I told her it was
Thanksgiving. That today is a day we talk about all of our blessings
and be thankful for them. (yes this was just mostly me talking but hey
that's okay). It really struck me how blessed my life is. It isn't
that it is worry free or trial free because that is there, but truly I
have so much.

Just a few things I thought of today:

My two beautfiful and healthy children.
My husband who is the love of my life.
My husband's job that provides for me to be at home with our kids-
this is more recent and I'm especially thankful for it.
My father who is beating the odds everyday.
My own health and having a really good delivery.
God's love for me.

These are just a few things on my mind today.

Sent from Sam's iPhone

Late night smile

I know this picture is dark. That is because it is 1:41 in the wee
hours of the morning and I don't turn the lights all the way up for
middle of the night feedings. Tonight I was rewarded with a nice
little smile after eating. Makes it all wonderful!

Bath Time

Here we go time for the first bath. Well if you can really call it a bath. Really it is just a wipe down with a wash clothe.

And no Ben didn’t like it one bit!

Visit from Grandma and Great Grandma

Sadly, Grandma was out of town during the birth. But she was able to stop by a few days later when they got back.

Here is Ben being held by his Great Grandma Dorn (James’ maternal grandma) and his Grandma Ransom (James’ mom).

Hmm where did she learn this from?

A cute shot of big sis:

Proud Daddy Moment

James’ proudest moment with our newborns is the first time he gets to hold them while gaming. Ahh yes there is no hope for Ben. I’m sure he will be able to game by age 1.

Coming home day

We came home Sunday. Here are a few pictures still at the hospital and a few at home. The hospital was great, but I was soooo ready to come home. My furniture is WAY more comfortable. And it is nice not to have your blood pressure taken every few hours!

Check out the cute hat made by my crafty friend Lacey!

The stats card:

The picture below is a little deceiving. I took it to show how little he is in the hospital bassinet thing. But from the picture he actually looks really big to me.

Big sis loves our new baby!

Ready for home

Here he is all packed up and ready for home. We were released from the
hospital today and are all really glad to be at home as a family. I'm
especially thankful to have a comfortable couch and bed to relax on!
So far Ben is doing great. He is still figuring out the whole eating
thing. He would really just assume sleep. Not that I'm complaining too
much but you know those doctors want him to keep up his figure!

So far she loves him

Here is a little clip of Sariah with Ben. So far she really loves him.
She gets this amazed look of excitement whenever he moves or makes a
noise.

Day 2 at the hospital

Today was filled with visitors. First off my awesome friend Jessi rescued me from hospital food by bringing a fab lunch up. Then she stayed and watched the baby so I could shower and James could take Sariah home for her nap.

And yep she indulged the goofy photo tradition.

As a side note, this is Sariah eating….my butter that came with the roll. Yes straight butter in the little tub.

It was hard to catch him awake during this time, but I got this one!

Nothing beats a big sister kiss!

Trying again for the family photo- limited cooperation from Sariah at this point.

Our buds the RitterBs are so awesome and spend part of their date with us that night!

We didn’t even tell them about the goofy photos. They did these poses all on their own! hehehe Okay just kidding we told them, but they did come up with their own poses!

Proud Grandpa Ransom even got a little smile out of Ben in this photo!