It’s Still All About Me

Clearly Precious is not having an identity crisis…she still seems to think everything is for her! She’s enjoying all the bags and tissue paper that keep coming to the house.

Aaron’s Development

Aaron’s growth and health are under constant watch right now. It was such a relief to hear his APGAR score in the hospital, to count five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot, to hear his healthy lungs (which he keeps reminding us of since coming home from the hospital), etc. Right now we are working on getting his birth weight back and clearing up his eye infection (likely a blocked tear duct). His circumcision has healed and his umbilical cord is almost off. We have been to the pediatrician 6 times in less than 2 weeks and have a couple more appointments in the next week. One nurse commented on how long his chart was already…apparently the Smith side is coming out a little stronger than the Bentley side right now (hopefully that will change soon!) when it comes to doctors. We love watching his facial expressions, hearing how strong he is (his grasps, kicks, and sucks are very strong…something Dana already could tell in the womb), and seeing him already trying to hold his pacifier or trying to roll!

Family Photo

Here we are…the whole family! And as evident in our faces, Precious is the only one still getting sleep around here!

The Bentley side photos

The New Great Grandparents and Grandparents

Four Generations of Bentley Boys

Aunt Amanda with Aaron

Aaron is Home

As you can tell from this photo there is going to be a little bit of adjusting for Precious to do. She has taken notice of Aaron, but so far has not gotten to close, and we are praying it stays that way. Precious spent most of the night at my feet, because there were some unusual sounds coming from Dana’s lap most of the night.

Aaron's features

The thing the staff around the hospital keep commenting on is Aaron's thick, long, very blond hair. We are still trying to figure out what side of the families tree he is taking after most. I guess he is for now right in the middle of both. However, we do think and are very sure he has Dana's nose, and the Bentley forehead. If he takes to swim when he gets older we know he will be a great at it, because he has long feet. Aaron is also a good sleeper, and it does take a little bit to get him going before he needs to feed. He also seems to be a quieter baby, he does not cry much, and lord willing that will keep up over the next few years.

P.S. Buy the way Diana (Dana's Mom from Houston TX) is really loving being here in New England on some of the coldest days on record.

View

Matt took these pictures from our post partum room. There's a beautiful river running behind and Matt happened to catch the loon. I was so thankful to get a private room where Matt could stay with me at night and we could have Aaron in whenever we wanted. He just woke up for his next feeding. Mom threatened to sing Big Jim's birdie song and that seemed to do the trick!
And as predictable, my hot lunch just got here. I think my days of hot meals are over!

New Things

Well, I have had some time for things to sink in, and also do some firsts. I was also so luck to have the first diaper, and second one. He went while I was cleaning up the first one. I guess that should get me use to the ones to come. Dana and Aaron are both doing well, and lord willing will be resting soon. It has been a long day for all of us, but what a joy knowing it is over, and there are more days to come as Aaron grows and learns new things. He is quite baby, and has not made much noise, he is a good napper. Dana, wants everone to also know that he seems to be feeding well. Thank you for all your prayers over that past few months and days, they have been felt, and appreciated.

Matt

The info people ask for

Well here it is:

weight: 7,10

Length 20 in

Head 13 in

He is Here!!!!!!!!

Aaron came into this world at 3:11pm today. We will get more on the blog later. It is still all so like a dream. Aaron looks good, and Dana is doing as well as someone could after just had a kid come out. Labor lasted about 6 hours.

We will get all the other information out as soon as we get it. He still needs to get weighed and all that.

12:40 post

Dana is doing well.

11:00 am update

Dana is doing great, they just checked her, and she now at 5 1/2.

Things are going well

Dana is dilated to a four as of right now (9:20 am est). And as you can see from the photo, friends and family are here for some support. I am sure we will have some more people stopping by from time to time.

iv is in!!!! Thank you for your prayers.

This is how big she will get

We are here!!!! Dana is all checked in, and the water is broken. However, she is still a Smith, and they are having a hard time putting in the iv. So please keep her in your prayers. We will keep this up to date over the next few hours.

The Cravings

People often ask me about my cravings for or diversions from certain foods. I was thinking recently about how random they've been throughout the pregnancy. However, the one thing I have consistently craved is Wendy's chicken nuggets, baked potatoes or fries, and chocolate frosties or chocolate milk. The consistent intolerance I've had has been for onions, peppers, and most citrus fruits (except mandarin oranges). In addition, each trimester has been a little different. During the first I craved sour patch candy or sour skittles, Caesar salad, and bagels. During the second it was popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, or ice cream a la carte. The third has been pretty mild..I only have cravings randomly for a soda or candy bar. I have found the power of suggestion is particularly strong while pregnant! If somebody talks about a certain food or I see an ad, it tends to trigger random cravings. Matt's been great about making those quick runs when needed!