Things I Forgot...

I thought I remembered every single detail about Cora's newborn state but have found I've forgotten many things. Must be the exhaustion, or the fact that your child grows and changes so much that the "mundane" things get forgotten. In any case here are some of the things I am being reminded of now that Ben is with us. I forgot:

1. The insane exhaustion you feel.
2. How hard it is to get a newborn to eat in a "timely" fashion due to them falling asleep so easily.
3. How much a newborn's skin peels in their first month or so.
4. All of their grunting and other adorable noises.
5. How snugly they are and how much they just love to be held.
6. How many diapers you go through in a day with a newborn--so much less with an older child!
7. How quickly they can go from content to hungry--pretty instantaneous!
8. How quickly they grow from day to day--literally!
9. How much they can spit up.
10. How much you can love a little person you've only known for such a short time.
11. I forgot just how much they sleep during the day!

Splish! Splash!

The kids and I headed down to my sister's town on Tuesday to hang out with her and her kids. She took us to the Splash Pad in their area and boy did the kids have a blast! I don't have a bathing suit right now that fits, so I was the photographer, watcher-of-Ben and our things, but if we should go back again this summer I'll definitely want to get wet! It was an overcast day but HOT as blazes!!!! I was dying to get wet but didn't have a change of clothes. Oh well! Next time! Anyway, the kids ran around, got wet and had a wonderful time! As I watched Cora have so much fun I was reminded of this fun time last summer!

FIRST, 4 and 2

Yesterday was the FIRST time Ben went to church since entering this world. We had a really good time. Everyone was excited to meet him, and he did a great job of being cute! He ate, burped, tooted and slept through Daddy's sermon and was just really good. He didn't make a peep until the very end. It was so nice to sit in church and hold him on the outside rather than sit there uncomfortably holding him on the inside.

Ben all decked out in his church-going outfit!

Today Benjamin is 4 weeks old!!! Can you believe it???? How is it possible? I know I'll probably say or think this every single week/month/year of his life, but seriously! How does time go so fast? He continues to do well and is such a good baby. I think he's probably up to 10 lbs by now and he's definitely getting longer. He's starting to be a bit more awake during the day, but still will only go 3 hours at most during the night. I know we'll get to a point where he's sleeping through the night, but I wish that point would hurry up and get here!

Don't you just love those pockets?

And now I'm a mom of TWO children! Wow. When I was younger--like junior high/high school, even college--I thought I would have 5-6 kids. As the years went by, and I was still single, I decided that however many children the Lord blessed my husband and I with would be just fine. Now that I'm a mom, I can't even imagine having 5-6 kids. Right now I'm perfectly content with my two children and love them so much! I was worried while I was pregnant with Ben that I wouldn't know how to love two kids. How was I supposed to love them differently yet with the same amount of love? As soon as Ben was born those worries went away. I love these children both immensely and differently. I know as the years go by that will develop. I'm so thankful for my two kids! 

I sure love these two cuties!

Silence...

The other day I was taking advantage of Benjamin sleeping and Cora entertaining herself to get some things done in the kitchen. I suddenly realized that Cora was no longer in the dining room---where I could see her--and it was awfully quiet in the house. I wasn't alarmed because I figured if anyone was hurt there would be crying, but I also figured I ought to investigate anyway! I went into the playroom, Cora ran OUT of the playroom, and I look at Ben finding him like this...compliments of his sister, I'm certain!

Nothing like a bowl on the head to help a baby sleep!

Aunts and Uncles

Ben has been able to meet most of his aunts and uncles. He still has a couple "greats" to meet yet and hopefully it will be before too much time passes. Anyway, here are some photos with his aunts and uncles.

Getting some kisses from Aunt Ruthie

Meeting Aunt Deirdre

Snoozing with Uncle Jamie

Meeting Great Aunt Connie (I failed to get a photo of my Uncle Kerry...)

Meeting Great Aunt Cathy

Meeting Great Uncle Bob

Growing, growing and growing!

Our little boy is 3 weeks old today! Wow! How does this happen? I thought time went fast with Cora because she was our first and we didn't know any better, but it has been the same with Benjamin too. He's 3 weeks old, that means he's 21 days old. Wow.

He's doing well and such a good baby. He really only cries when he's ready to eat and then he REALLY cries--he lets us know when it's time! He had his 2 week pediatrician appointment last week and passed with flying colors! He was measured at 21 inches and now weighs 9 lbs., 10 oz. He is NOT a petite guy! The doctor was really pleased with his progress and couldn't believe how strong he is (trying to lift up on his elbows and lifting his head quite well). He's eating like a champ and sleeping about 3 hour stretches at night.

We, as a family, are doing well. I love having 2 kids. I think we're still getting used to it, but in all reality, right now at this point, it's not been as hard an adjustment as I thought it would be. Obviously, there are adjustments, but for the most part it's going well.

I'm tired, exhausted really. But, making do! David has been wonderful, letting me take loooooong naps when it's possible while manning the home-front. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again--David is such a wonderful husband. He's working hard not only at his paid job, but also here at home, where he's not paid. He's doing such a great job with helping with the kids, things around the house and feedings at night. And, as always, without complaint.

Cora continues to do well, adjusting of course, but doing well. The discipline issues we've had have been minimal, and she continues to just love, love, LOVE her brother.

All in all the Hardins are doing well, all FOUR of us!

Cousins!!

Now there are FIVE little ones for us to chase around! My sister has 3 kids (Sophia, 6; Riley, 3 in August; Hadassah, 1) and we now have 2 (Cora, 2; Ben 2 wks). There's always fun to be had when the cousins all get together. Lots of running around, screeching, merry-making and running the parents ragged! But, I love that we live close enough to my sister that our kids can see each other on a regular basis. Growing up in the wilds of Africa my sister and I were not able to do that with our cousins. We love that our kids can grow up together and not only be cousins but be friends! Anyway...Sunday my sister, BIL and their 3 kids came up to spend the afternoon with us. My BIL and the kids hadn't yet met Ben so there was extra excitement! My sister's MIL made all the kids matching t-shirts to celebrate the birth of Ben so we had them all decked out and took some photos. Here are some photos of the fun they all had on Sunday!

A Great Big Sister

This little girl loves her baby brother. She loves to lay next to him on his blanket and hold his hand...

She loves to just sit next to him...and hold his hand...

And, she LOVES to give him kisses...this little guy receives MANY kisses throughout the day. I love how she loves him, and I can't wait to see them grow together as brother and sister and learn to love each other. 

Grandparents

Our kids are blessed to have a lot of grandparents. Ben has met them all! 

Grammy

Ma-ma

Grampy

Ganddad

Mammaw

Pops

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Last week I took Cora and Ben (still getting used to having TWO children!) outside so Cora could run off some energy. My sister is always telling me how a little water and some containers can entertain a toddler for a long time, so I filled up a pink container (sent home with me from the hospital) and gathered up some containers. Indeed, Cora had LOADS of fun with it! Ben chilled in the shade in his baby papasan, and I stayed in the shade myself. While we were out Molly decided to take a drink out of Cora's tub of water. At first Cora was upset, but I told her it was OK for Molly to get a drink. After Molly was done Cora decided it seemed a brilliant idea to drink water from the tub so she bent over as far as she could, stuck her head in the tub and drank! I did what any wonderfully, attentive, good mother would have done and told her to stop took pictures! I'll let them speak for themselves!

It's Been a Week

OK, so I should have had this post done yesterday, but what can I say? I'm now a mom of 2 children, trying to function with little sleep and well, it just didn't get done yesterday! So, you'll have to forgive me...in any case, Ben is one week old! WOW! It's been a good week. We have dealt with the usual newborn things--multiple feedings during the day and night, only sleeping in 2-3 hour stretches at night, pure and utter exhaustion...you know, the usual! But, it's been a great week.

Ben and I have had some difficulties with breast feeding. I've been at my wits' end because he was doing great at the hospital and then when we got home it all went out the window. So, we've been doing mostly formula, and I've been pumping to keep my milk supply from going away. Yesterday I made my way south to a breastfeeding center and got some great help. Wouldn't you know the little stinker latched on right away and acted as though we've been doing great all week? In any case, it's been much better at home, and I'm hoping to build up my milk supply.

Cora is doing great with brother. She LOVES to hug and kiss him and tickle his toes. She gets a big kick out of bringing me stuff (diapers, blankets, etc) and is such a great big sister. She's acting out a bit more with David and I--being a bit defiant, and melting down a bit more often--but it's nothing too outrageous, and we expected it to happen. We are doing our best to pay her special attention, let her know how much we love her and what a great big sister she is. I'm sure she'll get over it all soon, and we'll be back to normal.

I'm doing pretty well. I'm exhausted, of course, but feel pretty good. It's such a difference from Cora's birth. I was in so much pain recovery-wise after she was born that it took me a good month to feel as good as I do now. David and I are amazed at how well I'm doing. However, this is kind of a double-edged sword because I have overdone it a couple times and have to remind myself to take it easy. It's so much different when you have another child. I can't take naps as often as I'd like! David is a huge help and doing great with reminding me to rest and taking on the kids so I can do so. I've also had a lot of help from my mom and mom-in-law. I'm so thankful to be closer to family this time around. David has started back to work so I'll have to jump in to our new norm on Wednesday when my MIL goes back home.

Benjamin's Story

Ben's story begins on Sunday, June 19. I was SO uncomfortable. I could hardly sit, I didn't sleep well, I just felt terrible. David and I both felt that the time was drawing near, if not that night, or the next day. But, because I had thought it was time before I didn't do anything special, we just went about our day. At 2:30 Monday morning I got up to go the bathroom (standard) and as I was walking back to bed WHOOSH! my water broke. I walked back to the bathroom, so as not to get anything on the carpet, I tell David very matter-of-factly, "Welp, my water just broke." I called the midwife and was told to go back to bed and as contractions came to keep track. I was also supposed to eat and drink all to prepare my body for the labor/delivery process. Call it nerves, but probably more the contractions I wasn't able to sleep. My contractions came quickly, quite steadily every 8-10 min and then increased to 5. I was still able to walk/talk through them but since it was already 4 am I thought I better call my mom to get ready and come to the house in case I needed to get to the hospital ASAP. Well, Mom was on her way, my contraction pain was increasing and I didn't feel comfortable to wait so we called a pastor friend and he walked (he's just around the corner) to the house to stay with Cora until my mom came.

We arrived at the hospital at 6:15 am. We walked up to the L/D floor, got checked in, talked to the midwife, found I was 4 cm and then...my contractions stopped! WHAT??????? Well, we all know that when ones water breaks the chances for infection to the baby increases so they were anxious to get my contractions going again. It was suggested I start petocin. Um. I was TERRIFIED!!!!!!!!!! Remembering my HORRENDOUS time with Cora's birth petocin was the LAST thing I wanted. They told me to rest, walk and take a hot shower to see if we couldn't get labor going again and if I hadn't progressed to 5 cm by noon I would need to get started on petocin. I was so scared. David and I prayed and prayed. I cried and prayed. I just prayed. We walked the halls, I took a warm shower and then I laid down to try to nap. Needless to say, God answered my prayers with a yes, and I was unable to rest. My contractions started coming. They got harder with each one and soon I was not having any fun at all! We called the midwife to see if I had progressed, and I was definitely at 5 cm and it wasn't even 12 noon yet!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

I soon realized that I was going to have severe back labor. The pain was excruciating and I was unable to relax. This time I did not endure for 15 hours but quickly said, how long until I can get an epidural? Now to hurdle fear #2--getting another epidural. Again, my time with Cora's birth was horrific and so I was scared to death again but knew I wouldn't be able to handle the pain. My midwife and nurse conferred with each other, already knowing my previous experience and my midwife told the nurse to be sure and call "Dr. Green." Apparently, she's high up in the department or something. My midwife said, "Call Dr. Green. I want to be sure this happens with no problems." Dr. Green was there quickly, a nice woman who was very confident in her skills. She very quickly got the epidural in, and I think was in and out of the room in 10 min or less. HEAVENLY BLISS almost immediately. Ah, the feeling of a warm blanket going up my legs. With each contraction the pain became less and less. I was able to rest and they started the petocin because my progress had slowed down again, but I didn't care because I couldn't feel anything!

Around 3 ish in the afternoon the epidural was not working on my right side (happened with Cora too, so maybe just something weird about my body???). They suggested me getting a little boost in the meds but wanted to check my progress first. I was 8 cm!!!! David reminded me that this had happened with Cora and that I had gone from 8 to pushing quickly. I was still given a boost but was pushing by 3:45. I pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed. I didn't think he was EVER going to come out! Close to 5 pm I was at a breaking point and prayed silently to the Lord, "I can't go anymore Lord. Please bring him out with the next contraction." And, he did! Benjamin was born right at 5:00 pm and I got to hold him immediately. He was so goopy and beautiful all at the same time. David watched the whole thing and cut the cord, which I was shocked as he doesn't do body stuff well! :)

I only tore a little bit (at the site of the episiotomy I had received during Cora's birth) and have only 3 stitches. We recovered for 2 hours in our delivery room and then were moved to the postpartum room, where we have a private room. Ben has been nursing very well. I'm quite excited about that!!! I am so praying that this time nursing is more successful. Thank you all for your love, prayers and support. It was felt and appreciated. Thank you! I know we have some rough days ahead of us, but I'm so excited to get home and learn what it is to be a family of four.

Enjoy these photos!

Ben was born weighing 1 lb more and was 1 in. longer than his sister! 

Our wonderful midwife, Linda. Incidentally, the midwife group I went to has 9 midwives. I only ever met 2 of them, Linda and another one. I met Linda at my first visit and prayed during that appointment that she would be the one to deliver Ben! 

My husband, love of my life and AMAZING helper during the whole process! 

The newest love of my life!

Look at those rolls!

My two men! I love them so much!

Cora and her new brother, "Baby Ben." They're gonna be great friends!

Our new family! 

Introducing...

Benjamin Monroe Hardin has joined our family and we couldn't be happier! He was born Monday, June 20, 2011 at precisely 5:00 pm. He weighed 8 lbs., 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. He has a few blonde wispy hairs and is just perfect! :) He is so precious and we couldn't be happier.

Cora met her brother "Baby Ben" as she came in to my room saying--thanks to her grandmothers--and she seems to have warmed up to him so far! She held him a few times while visiting us last night with the help of grandparents. It was more than this momma could handle. So much joy and pride welling up in me seeing my TWO children together. So, so, so precious.

So far Ben is doing great with nursing. I'm really hoping this time around works better than with Cora. I think I'll have a much better support system here and more resources to aid me. We are, of course EXHAUSTED but doing just fine. I'll share his story tomorrow if I'm able to get it written.