Ben's Birth Video

Our sweet baby boy is two weeks old today!  Here is a video I put together to remember his birth experience.  We are so overjoyed that he has joined our family, and we look forward to a lifetime of watching him grow and loving on him! 

Celebrating Our Sweet Sixteen

On Friday we celebrated our sixteenth wedding anniversary!  It is hard to believe that sixteen years have passed since we said "I do".  It seems like just yesterday.   Our celebration this year was low key considering the fact that we have two kids now- one of those a newborn.  We had another missionary watch Cruz for us and we went on a lunch date to our favorite steak house in Guatemala City.  It is a place we like to go for special occasions.  It was very yummy!  We took Ben with us and he slept the whole time.  It was like we were there alone.  I am enjoying these days where we can take him anywhere and he just sleeps.  I know that they do not last for long, haha.  We spent the rest of our day just playing with our boys. 

I love to reminisce about anniversaries in the past, our wedding, and other special memories over the years.  It is fun to reflect on the past and then look forward to the future.  We are very thankful for how the Lord has blessed us over the past sixteen years, and we look forward to many more years to come.

our lunch date

In addition to eating out David also gave me two dozen roses.  I got one dozen pink, and one dozen white.  He knows that flowers always bring a smile to my face.

Paperwork for Ben

A good part of this past week was spent getting paperwork done for Ben.  We wanted to get as much done as possible before we returned home to Camotan.  So far we have received his Guatemalan birth certificate and passport.  We have applied for his U.S. certificate and passport and those should be ready within two weeks.  After we receive his U. S. passport we will be able to apply for his Social Security card and we should be done.  Getting paperwork done here can be a hassle, but so far it has gone pretty smoothly this time around.  We are relieved to be getting so much of it behind us.

We had an appointment at the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday morning and a missionary friend, Noemi, volunteered to watch Cruz for us while we went.  We did not realize what a blessing that was until we got there and had to wait for two hours before we were done.  Cruz would have been a nightmare in that place and we said many time how thankful we were that he did not go with us.  She took the caretaker at our mission house and her daughter along with them and they went to play at a local McDonald's.  Cruz had a blast and came home ready for a good afternoon nap.  We are grateful for mission family who will help us out like that.  She blessed our hearts greatly!!!

Karina, Kaitlin, Cruz, and Noemi

It looks like he had fun to me!

Ben getting his picture taken for his U.S. passport

His U.S. passport photo.  

and here he is with his Guatemalan passport. 

Cruz's 23 Month Update

Cruz turned 23 months old on Thursday.  To celebrate we took him to lunch at Chuck E Cheese in Guatemala City.  Although he is too young to play video games, he loves all of the lights and buttons on them.   He had fun running around and exploring the place.  We bought him several coins and he played many things and he also rode several things as well.  He had a fun time and we enjoyed watching him.  I took his t-shirt and sticker and changed him when we arrived so I could try to get photos of him on his day but as you will see from the pictures below he was not at all interested in taking pictures.  There was just too much to see and do.  I snapped a few for this post.

The biggest thing in his life right now is the addition of his little brother.  So far he has embraced the role of big brother very well.  He is smitten with Ben and wants to be close to him often.  He loves helping me change him, dress him, and take care of him.  He likes to hand me his diapers and anything else I might need for the baby.  He loves to kiss him and touch him.  He points out all of his body parts and tells us often that he has "two eyes, two ears, two feet, two hands, a mouth, nose, etc."  We love watching him love on baby Ben!

*   He is wearing a size 4 diaper

*   He wears size 6 shoe

*   He wears 18 and 24 month clothes

*   He weighs around 30 pounds

*   His favorite word is "play" and he does that from the time he wakes up until he falls asleep at night

*   He loves books and music

*   He loves to dance and has started doing the splits.  That is something he learned from one of his Dennis the Menace movies (his very favorite thing to watch!)

*   He still fights sleep and will do just about anything to keep himself awake.

*   He is obsessed with horses!  He loves all animals and knows all of their sounds but horses are by far his favorite.

*   He likes to work puzzles, paint, and color

*   Lately he loves hot dogs, yogurt, marshmallows, and cereal.

*   He loves to play in water

*   He loves to see airplanes and helicopters fly overhead.  He gets so excited!

*  He is obsessed with going to play lands at restaurants.  He will cry if we pass one and do not stop.  We have spoiled him in that area.

*   He talks well and picks up new words everyday.  He loves to say "have it".  That means "let me have it, or give it to me".  He also says "jalo" meaning "put me down, let me/ it go".  He has learned to say "mio" for "it's mine".  He also says purple for every color. 

our family of four at Chuck E Cheese

I cannot believe Cruz will turn 2 years old in less than a month!  Where has the time gone?  He has brought so much joy to our lives and we cannot imagine life without him. 

Leaving The Hospital With Ben

I stayed four nights in the hospital.  I was thankful that David's mom and aunt took turns staying with me at night.  They were a big help!  David would visit with me during the day while they kept Cruz.  Overall my stay was very pleasant.  I had great nurses and I love my doctors.  The food there is even pretty good for hospital food.  I really cannot complain about my stay.  I was well taken care of!

We had several visitors from our mission family come by to see us.  I am sad that I did not take a single photo of Ben with them like I did with Cruz.  We did enjoy the visits though and are thankful for such a loving mission family!  They are also providing us meals every other day until we return home the end of next week.  What a blessing that is!!!

Here are a few photos from the day we left the hospital-

Ben's going home outfit.

Cruz was supposed to wear this same outfit home but it was cold and rainy the day we checked out with him.  Instead he wore it to his two week check-up. 

A quick photo of his feet before I dressed him.  I love baby feet!

All dressed up and ready to go.

me and my sweet baby Ben

Daddy and Ben

In the wheelchair ready to go to the car.

Leaving the hospital with our new son.

Just like his brother he screamed most of the way to the car and continued to scream as we drove away.  I don't know what it is about our kids, but they do not like leaving the hospital, haha.  Cruz did the same exact thing!

Once we were going he calmed down, but...

if the car stopped- the crying started again.  He has since done much better while riding in the car.

I was glad to get home to see Cruz.  I had missed him terribly!  So far he seems to be adjusting well to having a sibling.  He has not shown any jealousy although I am sure there will be times he will.  He loves to be close to his brother.  He wants to share everything with him.  He likes to point out all of his body parts.  He also likes to help me when I change and dress him.  He brings me the diapers, wipes, and anything else I ask for.  It makes him feel a part of what is going on and he loves that.  There are also those times when I am not holding the baby that he likes to crawl into my lap and let me love on him.  Those are some of my favorite moments of the day!

We are still in Guatemala City and will be here until we can both get a two week check-up.  Although we are enjoying our time here we are anxious to return to our home in Camotan so that we can begin to settle in and adjust to our new life with two kids.  There is nothing like being at your own home, in your own bed, and we are looking forward to doing that soon.

Ben's Birth Day

I cannot believe our baby is a week old today!  I have not updated our blog since he was born.  As you can imagine it has been a little crazy around here.  He was born last Monday, April 16, at 10:55 a.m..  He weighed 7.13 and was 20 inches long.  He appears to be very healthy and we are thankful for that! 

My last post was about me getting checked in to the hospital.  At my hospital they ask you to come the night before and check in. I stayed by myself that night.  I did not really like it and really wanted David with me but felt it was best for him to be home with Cruz at night.  I ate supper, watched some t.v., played on the computer, and showered.  I really dreaded going to sleep because I knew it was the last night to have Ben in my belly.  Call me crazy but I really enjoyed being pregnant both times and was not ready for either one of them to be over.  I have been really sad at times over the past week just missing him being inside.  Anyway, I did get a good nights rest and woke up excited about the day.

They came to wake me at 5:45 and wanted me to shower again.  I did not feel it was necessary but I did.  Soon afterwards they put my drip in and the waiting began.  I was scheduled for surgery at 9:30.  About 8:00 they came to tell me that my doctor was tied up at another hospital and would be about 2 hours late.  That aggravated me greatly, but I understood.  My main complaint was that I was STARVING!  I had not eaten or had anything to drink since eight the night before and was really wanting something in my mouth.  They came to get me about 10:00 and took me down to prep me. 

When I had Cruz I do not remember much about the process.  I do not remember going down, getting the epidural, or much about the surgery.  This time around I think I had less drugs and I was aware of 100% of what was going on.  The whole process I was joking with my doctors and knew exactly what was happening.  I asked them not to put me out after the birth so that I could nurse right away.  That means I was awake when they sewed me up and during the recovery time.  I am glad that I was so aware this time and have those memories of the experience.  I am also glad the hospital allowed David to be with me and experience it too.

Soon afterwards they returned me to my room and the medicine began to wear off quickly.  I started shaking all over and could not control any of it.  My legs moved and jerked for about two hours.  My head also would move from side to side really fast.  It freaked David out a little but was a natural reaction.  I was glad when that ended.

The highlight of the day was when they brought Ben to see me.  It was love at first sight.  The things I noticed first was his immediate loud crying when he came out.  He had a head full of dark hair.  His face was flattened on one side from the way he was positioned in the womb.   His bottom lip and jaw were crooked.  He had very long feet and toes.  He nursed very well right away. He has a dimple on his left cheek.  He looked so much like Cruz did when he was born.  He was beautiful and perfect in every way!

Pregnancy and birth are such amazing things!  We are soo thankful that God allowed us to experience it, and that he has entrusted us with two precious little boys.  Our hearts are full of gratitude to Him for the good things He has done for us!

Here are a few photos from the day-

This was taken right before they took me down to surgery.

Waiting to meet our new son.

Welcome to our world!!!

Love at first sight!

He is one proud daddy.

Benjamin Miller White- our new love

Checking In To Have Baby Ben

I had to check-in the hospital by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday night.  Here they like you to arrive the night before your surgery.  We left Cruz at home with Memaw and Aunt Libby and David went with me to check in.  Just like with Cruz I took a photo of David driving me to the hospital. 

He does not look nervous at all does he, haha.

Here I am outside of the hospital before checking in.

There were several forms to fill out when we arrived.

Taking me to my room

A few views of my private room. 

David is certain it was the same room I had with Cruz.  That's cool!

They have added a few things in the past two years like a recliner, lamps, a fan (there is no a/c), a telephone, and a huge flat screen t.v.  They have also done some painting.  It was nice before, but is really nice now.

David made sure I had internet service before he left.  He did not stay the night with me so that he could be at home with Cruz.  He will return in the morning and be with me during the surgery.

Once in my room there were still more papers to sign, bloodwork to be done, and all of my other vital stats to be taken.  I am not a fan of giving blood.  As he was drawing it I kept thinking to myself  "tomorrow they are cutting me open!!!"  It made a simple tube of blood seem a little less painful.  lol

About to enjoy my last meal.

They brought me grilled chicken with a tomato salsa, mashed potatoes, boiled guisquil (similar to squash), a glass of tamarindo drink (a typical beverage here), a bowl of carrott broth soup, red jello, some apple cinnamon tea, and a roll.  It was pretty good.  It was the last thing I was able to have before the surgery. 

I am scheduled for a c-section tomorrow morning (Monday) at 9:30 a.m. Guatemala time.  That will be 10:30 for our home folks.  As soon as I am out of recovery and able to I will be posting an update about the birth.  Please pray that all goes well for me and baby Ben!

My Last Day of Pregnancy

Our day started at 5:30 a.m. when Cruz decided we needed to get up and going.  We all enjoyed a pancake breakfast and then spent some time sitting around visiting.  Later in the morning we took our guests to the grocery store to purchase food items that they wanted/ needed for the week.  The grocery store is inside of a large shopping mall so they also enjoyed looking around at some of the things that are offered here.  Before we left we rode the train.  

Cruz, me, Memaw, and Aunt Libby

I chose to eat at TGI Friday's for lunch. I know you find that hard to believe, haha.  I did not get a photo there but we all enjoyed our meal.

Afternoon naps were next on our agenda.  Cruz is still sickly.  He is still having diarrhea and began running fever again today.  It was very hard for me to leave him to go to the hospital, but I know he is in good care. 

Before I left we took a few photos.  I had planned to get more, but with Cruz not feeling well it was just not going to happen.  Please pray that he can get over whatever has him feeling ill. 

The last photo of us as a family of three. 

Poor Cruz just wanted to lay his head down on David's shoulder.  He is definitely not himself lately!

Later I was able to get him to look at the camera for one last photo with me.  It seems just like yesterday I was still carrying him in my stomach!

Here is a comparison photo of me with both boys just before I had to check in to the hospital. 

I loved carrying both boys!  Pregnancy is an amazing thing and I am so grateful that I got to experience it both times.  I consider myself very blessed!

I had to check-in the hospital at 6:00 p.m.  Here they like to admit you the night before when you have a planned c-section.  David will be staying with Cruz and coming back in the morning to be with me.  I am considering this quietness and stillness as my calm before the storm.  Tomorrow is going to be a full day.