A Few Videos from Ben's Birth

I found these videos on my camera and realized that I never got around to posting them.  I know most of you will not be interested, but I am sure our families will like seeing them.  It's just a few videos of him getting checked out after birth. 

                                               

Ben's Two Week Check-Up

On Wednesday Ben had his two week check-up with Dr. Figueroa.  Since I am nursing I was anxious to get him weighed to make sure he was okay with his weight.  I am relieved to know he is growing, and seems very healthy.  He did really good at his appointment.  So far he has been a very easy baby.  He is still in that sleep all the time and only wake up long enough to eat mode.  He really only fusses when he gets hungry and during bath time.  He eats around 8 at night and then will go 5-6 hours before wanting to eat again.  Many nights I have to wake him up to nurse.  That gives me a good couple of hours of sleep, and for that I am thankful.  After that he will go 3-4 hours before he wakes up again.  I usually feed him every 2.5- 3 hours during the day.  He is a great nurser!  Overall he is a happy, content little boy. 

Dressed up and ready to go see the doctor. 

Cruz wore this outfit home from the hospital, and wore the outfit that Ben wore home from the hospital to his two week check-up.  I just swapped them around.

me and my sweet little boy

He was 20 inches long at birth and at two weeks he was measuring 21.25 inches. 

He weighed 7.13 at birth and was 7.12 at his two week check-up. 

Cruz and Ben

Getting checked out by Dr. Figueroa

Daddy and Ben

A few more things I want to remember about him at this age:

*   He has blue eyes

*   He has dark brown hair (and a lot of it)

*   He has a dimple on his left cheek

*   He does not like cold wipes when I change him

*   He is soo snuggly!

*   His has long feet

*   His navel fell off at day 11

*   He can be a lazy eater at times.  He will eat just enough to satisfy and then want to fall back asleep. 

     It can be a challenge to keep him awake to finish a feeding.

*   So far I have been able to eat just about anything I want without it bothering his stomach.  That is a huge

      blessing to a nursing mom!

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! 

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.

A Little Update On Baby #2

Just wanted to give a quick update on the pregnancy.  We had a little scare this week and ended up having to go see my local doctor to have a check-up yesterday.  After having a sonogram we discovered that everything looked great and the baby was fine.  The heartbeat was 155 and he/she weighed 2 ounces.  I should be 12 weeks today, but the sonogram was measuring the baby at 12 weeks 5 days.  It was a great relief to hear that all was well!  Please continue to keep this baby and pregnancy in your prayers.  I will try to start posting regular pregnancy updates once we return home to Guatemala.

Sharing Our News With Family

Here are a few photos of us arriving at the airport.  I dressed Cruz in a t-shirt that announced that he was going to be a big brother but nobody read it.  After about ten minutes David finally told them to look at his shirt.  You can imagine everyone's excitement when they realized we were having another baby.  It was another fun/ memorable trip home!

Us walking out. 

Everyone was expecting a BIG sign.  We had one but they just didn't see it.

Larsen and I

David and Larsen 

Sawyer and Cruz

Kaylie and Cruz