Ben had his first photo shoot yesterday. Except for the fact that he soiled every blanket we own in the process, he was a natural. He is such a handsome little guy! I can't stand it! I'm so happy with the way that the pictures turned out--thanks to my great friend/photographer, Liz:)
Can you believe I've been a Seattle-ite for 5+ years and have never visited the famed Ballard Locks? (I'm not totally clear on what the Locks are exactly, but it has something to do with a waterway that connects Lake Washington to the Puget Sound...its cooler than it sounds) On Saturday we decided to check it out. We had a blast! We watched as several boats entered the locks and the water was raised to lift the boats up to the water level. Hank loved watching the boats enter and leave the locks, and Max waved bye-bye to each one.
Its strange that it seems like my pregnancy lasted for an eternity, but, now that Ben is here, time seems to be flying! If I think about the fact that my tiny, precious little baby is growing bigger and older every minute, I get a little teary. If only there was a 'pause' button on life.
Those dimples kill me! I can't wait until he learns to smile--I could look at that cute little mug all day long.
Today I feel like I truly received an answer to prayer in a tender mercy from the Lord. After having a bit of an emotional meltdown yesterday when my mom returned home, Aaron went back to work, and I was left to sort out life with my three boys, I NEEDED to have a good day. I guess there really wasn't anything great or unusual about today, I just went about my normal day, and it felt normal. I got the boys dressed, fed, and ready this morning and dropped Hank off at preschool. Then I took Max and Ben on a couponing run with me and did a little housework afterwards. We had a nice lunch together and then, most remarkably, everyone took a nap (including me!). We played in the backyard, we read stories together during feedings, I had great one-on-one time with each, and I survived! I know life is going to be one giant adjustment over the next few months, but it was confidence boosting to have just one normal day today.
My boys are so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents who love them so much. I am so glad that my boys have such special relationships with their grandparents.
Every day it seems like Ben's looks change. As the swelling from birth goes down, he just seems to get cuter and cuter. Such a handsome little man!
Ben is an eating machine. If he could, he'd just eat around the clock. Sleeping...not so much. One of his best traits is that he is extremely tolerant. Ben doesn't seem to mind all of the "love" that his big brothers like to give him.
We have enjoyed the local Daffodil Parade for the past three years, so even though we were all feeling a little worn out with a three-day-old baby, we couldn't miss out on the fun. Hank and Max had a blast. Hank loved the firetrucks and the tractors. Max was kind of mesmerized by the entire procession and just watched in a little daze. Ben thought the parade was a snoozer. Literally. He slept straight through the marching bands, firetruck sirens, and cannon balls.
