Doesn't Get Sweeter Than This . . .

My baby turned four months old on Friday- update to follow soon!

Homemade with Love

I have been so overwhelmed by all of the beautiful handmade items that friends and family have given me for my little Jackson.  I can't believe all of the time and thought that so many of you put into making something special for my special little guy. 

My Grandma Josie made this beautiful quilt; the first of many, I'm sure. 

 My SIL, Amanda's boyfriend's mother (that's a mouthful) made this super soft blanket.  I love the colors and the owls.

 A friend from church, Julie Cattani, embroidered this beautiful blanket with Jackson's name, DOB, and birth weight and height.  I absolutely love it and it hangs over his crib.

She also embroidered his name on this cute little lovey blanket, which we have named "Elly."

My good friend, Shannon, had her cousin make this super cute diaper and wipe case. 

 Then after seeing Jackson's nursery, which has a coastal feeling to it, she had her cousin make this adorable knit whale.

 Another friend from church, Cara, made this cool travel wipe case.

 And our bishop's wife, Julia Miner, knitted this super soft blue blanket for Jackson.

And Ben made this bear at the Build A Bear factory for Jackson before he was born.  I almost cried when he came home with his dad and played me the cute message he recorded that plays when you touch his left paw: "Hi Jackson, this is brother Ben.  I love you."  So sweet. 

A huge thanks for everyone who put their love and time into these special gifts.  We love them all. 

Mother's Day

My mother's day started on Wednesday at Ben's mother's day tea at school.  It was very sweet.  They sang two songs, and Ben actually sang this time (he didn't at all when I came to his school for Thanksgiving- he's grown so much this year).  Then we had strawberry short cake and socialized.  Ben made me a cute little frame and when asked why he loves me? he said, because "my mom gives me everything I want."  I don't know why he said that, silly kid.  I really don't want him to think that.  Oh boy.

It continued on Sunday morning when I walked out of the shower to find Jacky on my bed with flowers and a card- such a thoughtful baby. : )

The primary children sang during Sacrament, but Ben did refuse to go up and sing for that one.  Oh well.  I'm sure by next time they sing in church he'll do it.  In primary Ben made me a card and answered a bunch of cute questions about me.  I think he was a little hungry at the time because three of his answers are food related.

• I really love it when my mom . . . cooks me food at nighttime. 
• My mom likes to wear . . . running clothes. 
• My mom always tells me . . . it's time to go preschool. 
• The best thing she does is . . . gives me food at lunchtime. 
• It makes her happy when . . . I cheer her up. 
• My mom likes to relax by . . . takes a shower. 
• The best thing she cooks is . . . pancakes. 
• I love my mom because . . . she cooks me food!

We were able to visit both of our moms after church and my sister, who is celebrating her first mother's day this year.  And what better gifts for everyone than pictures of mine and their (my sis's) kiddos.  At least in my opinion.  I think they really liked them too.

I took some pictures of my niece, Ashlyn, without my sister knowing it and gave her the photos for her gift.  Below are a few of my favs.  She texted me the next day that the pics were a hit at her work and that she might have some jobs for me.  I'm not aspiring to be a professional photographer, but it would be fun to do it on the side now and then for friends and family.  So stay tuned because I might have some maternity photos to post soon, as two women at her work are expecting.

I love being a mom and am so grateful for the mothers in my life who have taught me how to be a pretty decent one.  We women deserve to be celebrated.  I mean we work hard.  It takes me forty minutes just to put my children to bed every night.  Sheesh.  These two are worth it though.   

Brothers

The one thing that I was most excited about when we found out we were adding a new member to our family was getting to see how Ben reacted to and acted with this new little one.  And although I would have loved (and still wish for one; fingers crossed for next time) a little girl, I was just thrilled to discover that Ben was going to have a brother.  And it has been great witnessing the love these two brothers have for each other.  Even the love that baby Jacky has for his big brother.

I love that Jackson is completely and totally used to his brother.  I mean Ben would have totally freaked out as a baby if a almost four-year-old ran up to him and squeezed on his cheeks, gave him an almost too hard squeezy hug, and was completely in his face using a not so quiet voice.  But for Jackson that's just life.  Don't worry Ben is gentle with him and I always supervise. : ) 

I love how on most mornings Ben and I go into Jackson's room together when he wakes up, and Jack's eyes always go straight to his brothers and he gives him the biggest smile.

I love how Ben would be so mad at me if I put Jackson to bed without telling him and letting him give him hugs and kisses.  But at the same time he wouldn't want me to wake him up.

I love how yesterday at the park Ben was completely involved with some other kiddos in the sandbox while I quietly took Jackson over to the swing.  In less than a minute as soon as we were spotted Ben ran over to witness Jacky's first time in the swing, give him a little push, and then join him on the neighboring baby swing.

I love how I cannot get a solo picture of Jackson if Ben is in the room.  He immediately snuggles up next to him as soon as he sees the camera out.  I also love how he will cuddle up next to him randomly and say "mommy, you should take a picture of us."

I love how one night when Jackson was maybe a month old I was putting Ben to bed and he handed me his baby blanket and said that he wanted to give it to Baby Jacky because he is a baby and that he (Ben) no longer needed it.  

I love how when I told Ben that I needed to find a sitter for Jackson while I worked at his preschool his response was that we needed to find the "best babysitter."  He continued by saying that we should get a doctor because doctor's know a lot about babies.  His final conclusion: "we should get the best doctor to watch Baby Jacky."  So sweet that he wanted the best for his baby brother, and so smart to even think about the importance of leaving Jackson in very capable hands (at least I think so!)

 I just love, love, love these brothers.  I tell Ben all the time that his job is to teach and protect Jackson.  I tell him that they are best friends for life.  I'm so glad to see that they already are, and I pray that they always will be.

Remembering Baby Bentley

I was just thinking about my Ben when he was a baby last night.  I wasn't as good about blogging back then and can't remember if I wrote down some of this before or not, but thought that I would get it down now while it's fresh in my mind.  Something that sticks out the most in my mind about the first six or seven months of Ben's life is our nighttime routine.  The first couple months were a bit of a blur, so my best memories are from when we moved to Salt Lake when Ben was about two-months-old.  We were in a one bedroom and didn't have room to set up Ben's real crib, so he slept in a porta crib literally right next to my bed.  To get him to sleep at night I would lay on my bed with him with his tummy face down on my chest.  I would slowly pat on his little bum and he would very quickly doze off to sleep.  I remember how I would just lay there with him in my arms, feeling his little breath on my neck.  Sometimes I would hold him for an hour or so while watching TV.  James was almost always at work because he would work mostly nights after school at Finish Line.  So usually I would end up holding him from after eight (when he would go to bed), until James would get home around 9:30.

I also remember that because we were in a one bedroom apt. when Ben would wake up in the middle of the night I would always bring him into the living room.  I would usually nurse him on the couch and then walk around bouncing him in my arms to get him to go back to sleep (he really required a lot of bouncing to settle down sometimes).  We had a big window, which we had no blinds on, that faced into the courtyard of our apartment complex.  I remember how my view changed from out that window as fall came, then winter (the white snow everywhere was my favorite view of all).  By springtime luckily he was sleeping through the night so I never noticed the view quite as much.  It's funny how walking around your living room at 3 am causes you to really stop and notice the beauty of things.  I think it's because your tired body, mind, and spirit are searching hard for some positive in being up at 3 AM!

I remember how Ben went and did everything with us.  He was out little tag along baby.  Of course we had to adjust our lives some to him, but he really adjusted well to whatever our day entailed.  Being away from family and too poor to hire sitters all the time, necessitated that we all just go with the flow.  If James had a late basketball or football game then I would just push his nap back.  If we felt like going to the rare movie, then we would go during a typical nap time, so Ben would hopefully fall asleep.  James and I were talking about it on Saturday just how blessed we were that we were always able to schedule both of our school schedules and James' work schedule just so so that we never had to leave Ben with anyone else.  We always managed on our own and our baby always had his mommy or daddy.  We got by on a $12/hour job and I got to stay home with my baby.  We both graduated from great universities without ever having to take a leave of absence or without any debt, thanks to our wonderful parents.  Really we were just so blessed.  And we were so blessed to have such a good little first baby (which is why we are so shocked that our second is just as good- if not an ever more chill baby- we thought for sure we would be hit with a difficult one).  Ben was always super cuddly and smily.  He only cried when he needed something and was never unconsolable.  He always had a curiousness about him.  His eyes were always wide open to the world and always observing his surroundings (much like Jackson).  I can still picture his funny little expression (his eyebrows furrowed, his mouth half open, his eyes wandering) as James would fly him slowly over his head saying "super baby."

I hate that I already forget so many of the little things about my boo boo bears.  Hopefully I have written enough throughout this blog, and taken enough pictures to spark those little memories.  Now Ben insists that he is a big boy and the big brother, which sometimes makes me sad I must admit.  But I'm so glad that he does embrace his new role and enjoys being big, rather than being jealous that he is no longer my little baby.  Although I still tell him that he will ALWAYS be my baby.  ANd of course that is so so true.  

Three Months

My baby turned three-months-old yesterday.  My brother in law, Jeff commented last night that he looks like a "real baby" now and not an infant.  And sadly it's true.  I just hate how fast time flies by with children.  Whereas the last three months of my pregnancy seemed to take FOREVER.  Some milestones were hit this month that I don't want to forget about.

Like I said on his two-month post, Jackson is still sleeping through the night, about eleven hours.  And then he usually just eats and goes right back to sleep for another couple hours.  Because of this he wants to eat all day long.  Which is a good thing because he needs to gain weight.  A few weeks ago he went in for another weight check and although he gained overall, he dropped in percentile again to the 6%.  But since then he has started to pack on some good weight and is starting to get just a little chubby.  I recently switched him to a sensitive formula for spitting up, but might try him next on soy like his big brother (I'm still nursing but need to supplement with formula), and I think it is helping.  Spitting up is still a problem so I might consider starting him on an acid reflux medication- his doctor thinks it's a good possibility that he has it.  And if he does I'm just so grateful that he has no accompanied discomfort along with it.  Because this child is the most well behaved, content, completely chill baby I have ever known.  And I'm not just biased.  Everyone comments.  I mean really, how did I get so lucky.  I'm sure sooner or later he will challenge me though; so don't be too jealous.

Jackson has been smiling for nearly a month now and began laughing out loud a few weeks ago.  Although he's only done it a few times for me.  He also discovered his voice.  Within the last week he realized it's power and has been chatting away ever since.  He is especially chatty when you respond to him and will carry on a full conversation.  And as the conversation progresses, he will get louder and louder.  Until soon it's like he is screaming at you.  So funny.  We began going to a new health club about five weeks ago and the girls in the nursery just love Jackson.  They comment every time I pick him up how good he is and they told me about how chatty and loud he has been with them too.  One girl even offered to babysit because she said she loves Jackson and Ben so much.  They are really sweet there and I feel so good leaving my children with them while I get my fitness on (I'm still a huge work in progress).


























Jacky also discovered his hands.  He is using them more to grab at things, especially pulling things like blankets to his mouth to chew on.  If his paci is right near his face he has on a couple of occasions managed to put it back in his mouth.  He also likes to munch on his hands.  I assume he is going for the fingers, but just ends up with a mouth full of knuckles, which he happily gnaws on for few minutes.

He is getting stronger and stronger everyday.  He can easily roll from his tummy to his back and has even rolled over one time from back to tummy.  He can sit in the boppy chair although doesn't really prefer it for more than a few minutes.  Is a pro at tummy time though; can handle that for about five minutes at a time.  I no longer use my infant cocoon in the stroller and have him sit directly in the big boy seat.  He likes the view much better, plus everyone comments about how cute he is as we go rolling by, which is fun. : )

Overall just another amazing month.  I love this kid more than I can tell you.  I love his long skinny limbs, his giant hands and feet, his fluffy hair that sticks straight up no matter what, his loud babbles, the way he smiles huge at the sight of his big brother, and the way he curls his hands around my thumbs when I nurse him.  Love, love, love him!

Easter and the Lead Up in Photos

We went on an Easter egg hunt.


Hosted an Easter party for all our friends.

Where the children painted their own flower pots. 

And participated in an indoor egg hunt. 

Visited and got a pic with the Easter Bunny.

Dyed Easter eggs.

Made crafts at an Easter festival downtown.

Where we also went on another Easter egg hunt.

Did the Bunny Hop.

And took a pic with the Easter chick (doesn't everyone.)

We were visited by the Easter bunny.

And spent Easter Sunday with our wonderful families. 

Hope everyone had an amazing Easter too.