In the sunshine

Benners loves to lie on the floor (he's almost rolling over!), and I caught a picture of him with the shadow of our plant across his face... He likes those fingers in his mouth!

Happy Holidays!

We've had a great first holiday season together as a family of 3. Ben is, of course, too young to know what's going on, but he did a lot of visiting with family and friends and had a great time! We spent Christmas Eve Day with Erin and Mike (and Erin's family) in Fayette, then had Christmas Eve dinner with Nana and Grampie and GG & GG Wentzell in Manchester. Then, Christmas morning we went to Matt & Jessica's (see photo of Ben with arm around cousin Claire), and Christmas dinner at Nana & Grampie's. Phew. The next day we went to Sugarloaf to spend time with Jay's family~ Grammie and Grampa Phil and the Bronsons. It was a whirl-wind visit, but we got to take a walk in the snow and enjoy our family. We're a lucky bunch!!!

Ben did really well with most all of the visiting, but we could tell he was tired at the end of it all. When we got home from Sugarloaf he took two sizeable naps, and then slept (with a couple of wakings to eat) from 6pm-7am! He's catching up on his sleeping, as are Mum and Dad, though Dad is back at work for a couple of shifts already.

Thanks to everyone who hosted us and fed us and gave us gifts over the past several days. We had a really wonderful time.

Other Jewett News

We do, believe it or not, have other things going on around the Jewett household! We finally had some of the huge pines taken down on our property and currently are having them milled for lumber. It's quite a huge project, but we'll never have to buy any lumber again! We got some really nice wide pieces for possible countertops and Jay's had perma-grin since this project started, thinking about all of the projects he could begin... Think we'll ever get any of the projects done that he's started already??? Sigh.

Dad and I also made some beer right after Thanksgiving, and here's a photo of Dad, Katie, and Jay bottling it. We get to try it around Christmas!

Still G(r)o(w)ing!!!

We saw Ben's pediatrician yesterday (because of possible side-effects from one of his vaccinations) and he weighed in at 21 lbs, 5 oz~ that's a gain of almost an ounce/day since his 4-month check-up 10 days prior! Go Benners!!! He's a good eater (obviously), and also getting into a routine of good sleeping as well. The past few nights his sleeping stretches have gotten a bit longer, which is great since Mum has been suffering from the flu. :( Fever, aches and pains, and general weakness has made it a bit hard to take care of the Little Big Man, but we've survived (and Ben obviously hasn't suffered!).

We can't believe Christmas is just 9 days away~ we're not ready!!! Luckily Ben won't know the difference. Looking forward to spending the day with family and enjoying Ben's first Christmas...

Ben with the Dwyers

Ben and I visited with Uncle Matty, Auntie Jessica, and cousins Madelyn, Gracie, and Claire this weekend. Madelyn wanted to hold Ben, but not for long~ he's too heavy!! Their house is full of happy holiday noise and Ben always looks at the goings on with wide eyes.

Aw, come on Mum!

Lots of pictures! We can't help but take lots of photos of the little guy~ he's just so darn cute. ;-p He loves to be outside, even now that we have snow and it's much cooler. When we go for walks he loves to look around and watch Harley trot along beside us. He's gonna be an outside boy, which is great!

4-month Check-up

Here's a photo of Ben after a bath (we call him the Blue-Eyed Burrito Boy when he's all wrapped up in the towel after a bath. Wrapped like a burrito, get it? I think people get weird when they become parents? ;-p).

He had his 4-month check-up with his pediatrician this week. All went well. He's still off the charts for size & weighed in at 20 lbs, 12 oz. The pediatrician said there is no need to introduce solid foods before the six month mark, since he's thriving so well on just a diet of breastmilk. He had 5 vaccinations, which were no fun at all (for any of us), and he's not been feeling great since the appointment though he manages to stay in a good mood none-the-less!

We went to Topsham yesterday afternoon to visit with some of my friends that I went to grad school with, and Ben got to meet a handful of them finally, which was cool. Benners is getting much better at riding in the car (which is great considering I got turned around in Topsham and the ride was twice as long as it should have been!). He's becoming much more interactive and responsive as well, which is just so much fun.

Such a joy...

December already!

Benners isn't rolling over quite yet, but he hikes himself almost up onto his side. He's a very smiley and happy boy, which we're greatful for! His laugh is just the best sound in the world, and he especially likes it when Daddy says really silly words. Sleep pattern is still very inconsistent, although last night was a GREAT night (he went to bed at 7pm and woke up to nurse at 1am and again at 5am)! Last week though, he was waking up every 45 minutes-1 hour through the night to nurse, so we're well aware that we're not into any kind of pattern yet. I'm just thankful for nights like last night. Yesterday I was able to go into the Maine State Library (where I'm doing some temporary work) for a few hours and Benners and Daddy had a great time alone! Ben took 2 bottles with no fussing and Jay was able to put him down for 2 naps as well! Yay! This means the beginning of more 'free' time for Mumma... :)

We can't believe it's December already. Hope everyone is getting geared up for the Holiday season... Be well.