2 weeks already!

Ben is two weeks already! I can't believe it! It seems that before I blink my eyes, we will be celebrating his birthday. These past two weeks have gone so fast. Our little family is thriving. It's amazing to me how good I feel having given birth only two weeks ago. I don't hurt at all any more, I am getting 6-7 hours of sleep every night (not in one stretch), and I really do feel great! I've already been to Walmart 3 or 4 times, Babies R Us once, and Target once. My mom goes with me for most trips, but today I ventured to the pediatrictians office with the two kids by myself!

Ben had a quick checkup today mostly to check his weight gain. He is back up to 6 lbs 8 oz, which makes me happy. He is eating and gaining weight, and getting big already! He won't be fitting in newborn stuff much longer. I knew little boys often pee when they are getting their diaper changed, but he seems to do it a lot! Yesterday he went through three outfits just from peeing!

Madelyn has been doing a lot better these last few days. She is taking naps without a problem, and going to sleep at night without a problem. Every night before bed and every naptime, we pray with her that Jesus would be with her, and He will help her not to cry. It seems to do the trick! She is so precious with Ben, and always wants to cover him with kisses. She is like a little mommy. It's so fun to have a boy and a girl. :)

I have to go get Madi to bed so I can go to bed after Ben's next feeding. I am tired tonight, and need some sleep! Good night!

Little Man

Here are some pictures from the last couple days. Ben is doing great! He is an unbelieveably easy baby. At night, I pretty much have to wake him up to feed him, and during the day sometimes too! He loves to sleep, and is a very soud sleeper.

Madelyn is doing well with him, but we can see adjustments are difficult for her, and she shows signs of jealousy at times. In the evenings, she wants to be right on top of me when I am feeding Ben. She also has been having a hard time at bedtime, and puts up quite a fuss. We are hoping to break her of that real soon. Right now she is napping, and it was a piece of cake to get her down. She needs lots of positive reinforcement. She is still my girl, and I want her to know she is special, and very loved, and the fact that we have a baby boy now doesn't change that. She is such a good big sister! Please continue to pray for her and the rest of us as she is adjusting!

This pic was taken the day he came home, and I think it's the sweetest!

I had to get a picture of him watching the NFL draft with Daddy! :)

Happy Happy Joy Joy Lisa has a baby boy!

Madi hanging out while Ben got a bath. She is such an awesome big sister!

Both kiddos are sound asleep, so I wanted to post some new pics from today and yesterday. See the picture of him in the swing?? My mom and I-- well, mostly my mom-- made a new seat cover for the swing when I first found out I was pregnant. Isn't it cute? Ben loved getting his hair washed. The first picture is right when I got online, but he didn't last long in the bouncy chair. He really just wants to be swaddled and put in the bassinet and allowed to sleep. He likes peace and quiet. And this picture below is him coming home. I can't argue...I think he is the cutest baby in the world!

Updates from our family of four

This post will be in lower case-- i am typing with one hand and nursing ben with the other. we are all doing great! ben has been sleeping and eating incredibly well. unfortunately we were not able to avoid the bililight, because of him being so early... so he has been on it since yesterday. it's a pain in the neck, but this too shall pass! thank you all for your sweet comments. i have not really had much time to get online, and can't post pictures right now, but i hope to soon. madelyn absolutely loves her baby brother, "bum". she seems to be adjusting well, but has also decided that she is not going to take naps anymore, and also makes bedtime at night difficult. please pray that we can get her back on track.

God has blessed our family once again, and we couldn't be more grateful! Gregg goes back to work tomorrow, so we could really use your prayers for a smooth transition! my mom has been an awesome help, willing to be here whenever we need her, so that's been great. I will try my best to post more pictures tomorrow, but can't promise anything.

Love to you all!
Lisa

Baby Ben is home!

Hi!!! I just got a quick opportunity to jump online, and I know you all have been waiting! Baby Ben and I came home on Friday. He is eating and sleeping far better than I could have ever hoped or imagined, and believe it or not, I actually feel rested! Gregg and I covet your prayers that we all stay healthy and that Benjamin continues to do as well as he is! He has been getting his blood tested for jaundice, and we are hoping and praying that the levels stay low enough that he doesn't need the bililight that Madelyn needed. Here are a couple quick pictures to tie you over! I will try to get some more up as soon as I can.

Ben is here!!!!!!!

Hi everyone!! I am posting this from my hospital room 28 hours after the birth of our son. Gregg and I are so blessed!!! Benjamin Isaac Rader was born on April 16, 2008 at 12:41pm. He weighed 6 lbs 5 oz and is 18 1/2 long! He is ADORABLE! And healthy, and the sweetest thing we have experienced since Madelyn's birth! I will post more either tomorrow or sometime on the weekend. I will at least post pictures tomorrow, and his birth story in the next few days. Just know that Ben is healthy, and we are all happy and doing great! Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers! I look forward to you all getting to meet the new addition to our family!

Nothing passes the time like chocolate chip cookies!

Last night, Gregg and I made chocolate chip cookies-- not like we need them in the house! It was really fun though, and now we have a big bowl of them just waiting to be eaten. :)

He made me take off my socks and slippers so I could be "barefoot and pregnant" in the kitchen. :)