Normal

I know I keep talking about normal and many say what is normal? I am finally getting back to what I consider normal. Normal for me is being able to shower, clean, go to the grocery store, work out, play with my son and dogs,have some quiet time with my husband, and everyone be healthy and happy. I managed to do all of these things at some point this week!

We were able to enjoy Easter with our family. Jeremy's family put together a wonderful dinner on Saturday night and we were able to socialize and enjoy each others company. My family put together a wonderful lunch the next day. Needless to say we did not go hungry this weekend. The Easter Bunny visited Bentley and gave him a toy for tummy time, some swimming trunks for the summer (he already has sun glasses thanks to Tom and Liz), and a teething toy. He also got several cute outfits and stuffed animals and some cute shoes from family. This child is not spoiled at all!

Bentley is doing well! We have his 2 month checkup next week. He rolled over a second time at Grandma and Grandpaps house, he did have a little help by a small pillow. Once he got almost all the way over he was at the edge of the pillow and
he continued to roll. He is at such a fun age. He can also entertain himself for up to 10 minutes using his hands and feet!!

Here are some pics from Easter!

The Enemy

Bentley has found his biggest enemy this week....the bottle! He took the bottle for two days while I was unable to feed him, but he was not happy about it. (We are not talking formula either, we are talking my milk). So, last night we are going to diner and shopping and since it was getting close to feeding time we decided to take a bottle. This child threw the biggest temper-tantrum (I am sure this wont be the last one)! I am talking screaming (like a girl, you know the high pitch scream), kicking his feet, throwing his arms around, and gagging. Complete refusal to take the bottle! In true bad-mother fashion I gave in and gave the child what he wanted (to be fair this is not a battle I thought I needed to have with a six week old). Bentley 1, Mommy 0

So not much new to report this week....

I am recovering well. I go back to the doctor to on Friday to make sure everything is healing appropriately. I am so excited to be able to eat what I want without worrying about the pain!

Bentley is doing well. He is a very happy baby and is smiling all the time! We are still having some good and bad nights. I woke up last night to find both Jeremy and Bentley sleeping in the exact same position. If it weren't the middle of the night I would have taken a picture.

Jeremy is doing great and is very busy at work.

We have a busy weekend ahead of us. I have two appointments on Friday. Saturday is the VT spring game, then dinner with his family. Sunday is lunch with my family for Easter. Somehow I have to find time to bake!Shew!

Happy Easter everyone!

P.S. more pictures to come of Bentley next week!

Surgery Update

On Thursday I went into the hospital to have my surgery. I of course was nervous (and a little bit ridiculous). To say the least, I cried... a lot! It was so bad the nurses allowed Jeremy to come to the pre-op room (which they only do for 21 and younger). Like I said I was a little bit ridiculous, but that's why you love me! The surgery went well. When I woke up I was really angry that they didn't ask me to count back from 10. I also asked them if we had an earthquake (I guess I felt the bed moving when they moved me to recovery). When I got up to my room they got me settled in as I was supposed to stay the night. In three hours they checked on me once. I asked the doctor if I could go home since nobody was really checking on me. I felt like with my mom being next door, Jeremy and her could give me better care. The doctor was okay with me coming home.

My mom was a big help and brought me home from the hospital and Jeremy's parents helped watched Bentley that night. Jeremy has taken great care of Bentley and I! I think it has really been a bonding experience for Jeremy and Bentley. Jeremy has done well. Bentley protested the bottles a lot at first but has since accepted them. I am so happy to be on the road to recovery. We have so many fun things we want to do with Bentley!

Surgery

Quick update....

Bentley is doing well. He rolled over for the first time, from his belly to his back. We understand that it was prob. a fluke and he wont do it again for some time, but it is still an exciting first!

I have my gallbladder surgery tomorrow. I am so nervous! I have never had a surgery before. I am very blessed everyone is pitching in.. Jeremy, my mom and dad, and his parents have all agreed to take turns watching Bentley. I will have a long weekend of recovering, but hopefully it will leave me feeling like a new person. Please pray for Jeremy as he is taking the night shift with Bentley. Please pray for me, that everything goes well and I have a quick recovery!

Thanks everyone!

Times Are Changing

Well, today I have lots of news to report! On Sunday, Dusty and Danielle’s baby arrived into this world. It was a surprise to everyone since he is six weeks early! Sawyer Rayvon Marks was born 5 pounds 7 ounces and 20 inches long! He is spending some time in the NICU but only as a precaution and to put on some weight. We visited on Sunday and both momma and baby are doing well! Sawyer was born exactly one month after Bentley! Bentley is excited to have a cousin and I am sure with them being so close in age they will be best friends! I showed Bentley a picture of Sawyer yesterday, in which he actually focused on the picture for a few seconds! We love you Sawyer!

Bentley went to the doctor yesterday and was given a clean bill of health. He now weighs 11 pounds and is 22 inches long! He is in the 75th percentile for height and weight, which is where he was when he was born, meaning he is growing exactly how he should be! (Jeremy told him when he gets in school we wont accept him being in the 75th percentile on things). Bentley has been growing and changing so fast! It is hard to believe he is already a month old! We are really beginning to figure out his likes and dislikes. He love tummy time and to sit in my lap while I read him books and sing to him (this is when he smiles the most)! He also really loves to sit up and to be outside! He tolerates the bouncy seat and swing! His dislikes…sleep (at night), but to be honest he is getting better at this, and being hot (we basically have to keep him in a tiny onsie because he gets so hot). Bentley has been sleeping for about 3 hour chunks at a time (which is a lot better than the hour chunks before). However, about 2 AM he will wake up and stay awake until 4 AM. He is meeting so many milestones with his development. He now makes noises other than crying, he coos and ahhs, they melt your heart when you hear them! He is getting better about holding his head up and picks it up and looks around when you are holding him. Bentley also makes crawling motions when he has tummy time and follows objects wit his eyes! Everyone tells us this is the most amazing time…and it truly is! I am just head over heals in love with this little boy!

I am still breastfeeding! It has not been an easy journey, but I am stubborn and refuse to give up! Things are improving. I now feel like we are getting the hang of it. We are still not out of the woods yet though. I am still probably going to have to has surgery and so that may change things (depending on what types of medicine I will be given and how long I wont be able to feed him for).Although, the doctors and nurses indicate I will still be able to breastfeed. I really do enjoy the bonding time I get to spend with Bentley while feeding him.

I don’t know how many times I can say this….boy, things sure have changed. Jeremy and I know that little man needs a bed time…even on the weekends! This means less late night socializing for us and more story time and lullabies. Jeremy and I are both adjusting to our new life well though. Jeremy even gets off work at a decent time these days! I am starting to feel like things are falling into place. During the day Bentley and I are starting to have a routine and I am able to do small tasks around the house.

I am still having trouble with my gallbladder. I have had several very painful attacks since my one I went into the ER for. Jeremy takes care of Bentley while I am having the attacks (thank goodness they have all happened while he was around). I try and avoid any food I think might make me have an attack, however, sometimes even things I don’t think will make me have an attack do. I go Thursday to have another ultrasound to see if they can find any stones. They are going to try the ultra sound again to try an avoid a test I would have to do where I wouldn’t be able to feed Bentley for a day or two. If they don’t find anything on this ultrasound though they will have to do the other test. Then Friday we go to the doctor to discuss what they find and our next steps. We are pretty positive I am going to have to have surgery. I am the biggest wimp when it comes to these things so you know I am in lots of pain when I say I hope that I get this thing out! Jeremy and I are hoping to have it taken out in the next week or two, we would like to have it done before Easter so I can eat yummy food at Easter. We also want to get me feeling better quickly so we can go to Pittsburgh to visit family!

This Friday is Jeremy’s birthday! We typically don’t make a big deal for birthdays but wanted to have a cookout and this was a reason to have a cookout! We are excited to spend the weekend with friends and family (especially because it is supposed to be 80 degrees this weekend)!

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