Daddy's Back to Work

Daddy's Back to Work

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Daddy returned to work this week...a sad day for all of us but one that we knew would be coming...it brought with it though a few unexpected suprises though...such as Daddy's car not being out of the shop and Mommy getting to Load/Unload her two Boys out of Bed at Midnight Twice and then preceeding to get them up out of bed early the next morning to pick Daddy up...not to mention the many times she was up during the night for feedings...nothing like breaking mommy in easy...

Daddy's return to work also brought about Mommy's first outings with the two boys by herself...We braved Target one day for wipes as we had none in the house...and I find it quite interesting that a screaming newborn in the store attracts so many people to want to stop and see the baby...no one bothered us until Ashten decided to clear his lungs...then as Mommy is trying to make a mad dash out of the store as quickly as possible--EVERYONE (ie complete strangers) thought they should try and stop us so they could "coo" at my little screamer..

We also had to visit the Doctor on Wednesday for Ashten's two week checkup --needed to verify he was back to his birthweight--and boy was he!! 9lbs 4 1/2 oz...this kid really knows how to eat!! There is certainly no question about Mommy's supply! We also then went to Preston's Wednesday Playgroup so that he could see his friends...it was a short visit...But he and Mommy loved catching up with our friends..

While Daddy was away our BEAUTIFUL new MEGA stroller arrived! Of course, Preston and Mommy were super pumped about the new ride and were dying to see what it looked like...However- much to our suprise when we opened the box -it still needed to be assembled...this is not Mommy's specialty and was going to leave it for Daddy--but Preston had other ideas...He REALLY wanted to see his new stroller and Super Mommy kicked in again and put it together..I do have to say I am quite proud of this accomplishment...It was however quite cold this day and I had no intentions of going for a walk, but once again Master P had other ideas....this was HIS stroller and he was not going to let it go until we took it for a short test drive...and boy does it drive well!! We love it and try to get out as much as possible in it before the weather turns bad...

Daddy's going back to work has certainly been a challenge for all of us...but the thrust or giant push into reality (as Mommy refers to it as) has really not been too bad...at least there hasn't been a major meltdown yet...there is still a lot of adjusting we all need to do...Preston has taken it a little harder this week with Daddy gone...and Mommy is learning that she can be "Super Mommy" and do a lot more than she thought she could...However--I am counting the days until Nina returns to help (5 in case you were wondering) and provides a little relief...

A Busy Weekend

Busy Weekend

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Ashten met his other set of Grandparents this weekend and had a wonderful, but very busy weekend! He is definetely getting used to being passed around quite often and having many little voices screaming while he sleeps...Therefore may perhaps be why he insists on having a little one on one time with Mommy at Midnight and 4am...watching TV no less....oh well, atleast Mommy is able to catch up on some of the new programming that she has DVR'd this past week and a half...

Meeting Gramma Chris and Grampa Steve

Preston and his cousin's with their Halloween treat-a cookie- from the grandparents

Ashten pondering one of life's many questions

A family BBQ

And a little snuggle time with Daddy

Ashten is doing very well adjusting to life with us...as we are with him...He is starting to wake a lot more and be more expressive in his opinion's....He is also perhaps slightly confused on night and day--which is not too much of a big deal for me at this time...Preston continues to love on his little brother and wants to help in any way he can..this of course is sometimes more of a hinderance than a help--but his intentions are good. Daddy is hoping to get a little more time off of work and we would certainly love to have him home a little longer if possible...Mommy is still a sore and not getting around as well as I did the first time around, but as Daddy and the Dr keep reminding her--it takes time....and Ashten was after all a 9lb plus baby...it may take a little longer...I am just very eager..and it is so hard for me to try to relax when there is so much I want to do and to get done...

Where did the week go???

Where did the week go???

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Ashten Jayce turned one week today and I for one have no idea where the week has gone...We have had a very busy and eventful week so hopefully I can recap it with some justice....Our week started off with thinking we were going to the hospital on Tuesday at 6am....Unfortunately my body had other ideas and we ended up at the hospital at about 2am with no sleep and a horrible migraine. We were induced at 8am and my body was obviously ready bc with little pitosin, we had a baby by 12:50pm. There were MANY bumps in the road to get there including the epidural, some nursing staff issues, but ultimately it was a magical ending and we had a very healthy baby boy. For those of you wanting more details, I am more than happy to talk about it offline.

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Here is my Savior of the day (and everyday for that matter) and little Ashten....Daddy was an AMAZING coach--I couldn't have had any better support or care...I am so lucky that he is my husband and my rock

The other two people that made this an unbelievable experience was Nina and Papa...They were a godsend...They came down on Tuesday to care for Preston while Mommy and Daddy were in the hospital...and Preston LOVED the experience...He really didn't even notice that much that we were gone...He was in heaven and spoiled! They did not leave until Sunday and we were so happy they stayed...The support they gave us with Preston, the baby and just all around helping us around the house was so appreciated...we could never thank them enough for what it meant to us to have them here!

Ashten's cousins Madison and Ainsley came out to meet Ashten with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Josh..I think they were a little excited about having a new baby to the family...

We also have to thank Debi our dear friend and neighbor that willingly took Preston at 2am and kept him until Nina and Papa could arrive...seriously have I mentioned we have the best family and friends??

As most of you know on day 2 Ashten was taken from our room and moved to the NICU to receive preventative light therapy....they thought he could be borderline jaundice and because of the problems Preston had they put him under the bilirubin lights...Don't let this picture fool you ...this is probably the only time he layed calmly for the 18 hours he was away from us...He screamed and flared for most of the night....It was a traumatic experience for ALL of us and in hindsight we probably would have fought harder against this solution bc it was done only as a preventative measure and there were less extreme options we could have tried... It definetely set us back in many areas with Ashten and one of those things we wish we could have done over...He is doing much better now though and never was jaundice...

We were obviously ecstatic to be leaving the hospital on Thursday at 3pm...

and were greeted by a very excited big brother, Nina and Papa at home...and over abundance of gifts...Ashten and Preston are so lucky to be loved so much!!! Unfortunately, Ashten was not as excited to be home as we were...he had quite a difficult time adjusting and Mommy and Daddy had nightmare flashbacks....thankfully our precious Ashten returned to us by Day 4 and started to trust in Mommy and Daddy again...

Here he is doing what baby's do best-sleeping and cuddling.....with Papa

and Nina...

We had our first bath at home on Sat (day 5) with the help of Nina and Preston...

All snuggled up after the bath "torture"....

Now this wouldn't be his daddy's son unless he was exposed to TV almost immediately...as you can see he is already going to be fighting us for the remote...

and the week wouldn't be complete without a lot of bonding time between Ashten and his big brother...and what a Great Big Brother I think Preston is going to be...He is so in love with Ashten it is amazing to see the bond he has already...he just loves to stare at him and help us in any possible way....and let's not forget to mention protective...He makes sure everyone knows this is Mommy's baby....and he really has not been jealous...a little overly emotional at times...but hey who can blame the kid...we are ALL a little emotional dealing with the change...

We have tried to get outside a little everyday...Mommy is still very sore and can't make it too long....The weather has been beautiful and we are trying to take full advantage....

We made our first "car" trip out on Monday (day 6) to storytime at the Library and to the hospital for a weight check (which by the way he is up to 8lbs 9 oz--gaining a whopping 8oz in 3 days--yes he is nursing amazingly well)...It went very well for a first time out...I am so hoping that Daddy can stay off work for as long as possible right now...It has been amazing having him home and not sure how well we will get out when he returns...Thanks to everyone that has called and visited and for all the amazing presents...we are so blessed...thank you!!

Ashten Jayce Benda has Arrived!!!!

Ashten Jayce Benda has Arrived!!!

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Sorry about the delay in the announcement....

Ashten Jayce Benda was born on Tuesday, September 30th at 12:50 PM. Yes, the name dilema was true...and not made up...it took us awhile after meeting the little guy to determine that yes in fact--he was our little baby Ashten...His middle name is in line with his brothers and he was named after his father-Jason.

As we suspected, he weighed a very healthy 9lbs 3oz and was 20 inches long.

Preston was 8lbs 10oz, 21 inches long and delivered on his due date...Ashten was under 40 weeks..

Mommy and Baby are doing great!! We are still recovering from the big delivery day and everything that went with it..but overall things are truly great!

Here we are after getting cleaned up a little...on the first day...

Yes, we are truly blessed...another beautiful and healthy baby boy to add to our family!

We have had quite an eventful and joyous past few days and can't wait to share it with everyone...Unfortunately, Ashten is asking for Mommy's assistance right now with filling his little tummy....so I just wanted to get a little something up for everyone who has been asking... (since it has been a few days already). Also, we are most definetely up for visitors for those who are asking or we would love to just chat on the phone so please give us a ring...It gives Mommy an excuse to slow down (she needs to) and sit for awhile...which is a good thing...