Benjamin’s two-week checkup

 

We took Benjamin in for his two-week check up today. The goal was for him to gain weight, and we were very happy to see that happen. He now weighs 7 pounds 11 ounces and is 21.5 inches long. I knew he was growing, but it is amazing he grew that much since Dec. 24! He eats almost every two hours, so I guess it means we are making progress. I still can’t say I enjoy nursing, but we are figuring it out slowly. My favorite part is cuddling when we are finished.

We gave him his first bath the other night. Usually we put him in his little bouncy seat in the bathroom when we shower or bathe, because he likes the warm bathroom. However, he didn’t like being the one in the tub!

 

 

 

Here it looks like he is giving a peace sign. :)

Benjamin’s 1st Christmas Day

Benjamin opened his presents today from Nana Kathy and Papa Don.  He was so excited, he slept through the whole thing.  He will love playing with all of his new toys soon.

A video of Benjamin opening presents.

Benjamin cuddles with his daddy after work on Christmas eve. 

Our first Christmas

Benjamin celebrated his first family Christmas Dec. 23. I will post more photos from his first actual Christmas tomorrow. Since we weren't up to traveling, family came to see us. We got to meet my niece Logan for the first time, and her favorite thing to say whenever she saw me holding Benjamin was "BABY!" It was pretty cute. I wasn't taking many of the photos, so I will have to post one of her and Benjamin later when I get a copy. In the meantime, here are photos with Benjamin and my grandparents and then our first Christmas family photo.

First photo shoot

It is wonderful to have both a father who loves to take photos and a mother-in-law who is a professional photographer. When Jan came to visit, Benjamin was in a cranky mood. We ended up giving him a pacifier and took some adorable shots. He still looks a little yellow in them, but he is making great progress packing on the ounces and getting his color back!

 

 

We tried to file his nails. The nurse said we could either do that or bite them. We chose to file!

Benjamin has Jeremy’s detached ear lobes, my pointy chin, both our window’s peak hair lines and my long fingers, toes and monkey feet.

He loves to fold his feet together. I didn’t think anything of it until Jeremy and I were lounging in bed and he pointed out that I was doing the same thing with my feet.

He is so alert and has the prettiest eyes. He likes to look at us and stare like we are so interesting.

I love to cuddle with him. He is so soft and warm and PRECIOUS!

When he was on his way out, the nurses kept telling me how much hair he had. I didn’t believe it until I saw. Isn’t it adorable!

My mom was cooking a chicken the other day, and said she couldn’t help get an image of Benjamin posed like this. Poor little guy needs to put on a few pounds!

Look at his long legs and feet! His head is starting to get bigger, and the hat Papa bought him doesn’t fit so well.

Favorite things

Besides the lack of sleep (which we are working on) we have some absolute favorite things about Benjamin.

We love how he curls his toes and strikes poses.

We love the goofy faces he makes when we burp him. He goes completely limp like he is drugged and is the happiest baby ever.

He hates to be cold, but he LOVES to have his head rubbed or his hair washed.

He is the sweetest bundle of love when we get him in his swaddlers. He sleeps this way, and he isn’t quite sure if he likes having his hands restrained. However, if they aren’t, he scratches himself or shoves them in his mouth.

 

 

Again…the funny poses. He looks like he is getting his first ab workout here.

Welcome Benjamin Weston Hilty!

Benjamin arrived at 6:07 a.m. Dec. 14 after 11 hours of official labor. He was 6 pounds 15 ounces. We struggled with some jaundice issues, but he weighed in at 7 pounds even today, Dec. 21.

I think he looks like me in this photo, but other times he looks just like Jeremy.

 

Everyone says he is a very alert baby. We like to watch him smile. He is so happy!

39 weeks and counting

Benjamin is 39 weeks old this Friday and we are somewhat impatiently awaiting his arrival. The doctor says he is an active baby, but we already knew that based on how much he likes to roll from side to side. He is between 6.5 and 7 pounds right now with a heart rate of 130.