Hand in Hand with Mommy 

Snoozing with Daddy after a long day at work 

I caught a Big Yawn from Benjamin 

Here big Benjamin is at 4 weeks 

Benjamin Needs Surgery

Benjamin has a condition called Craniosynostosis. What is that you ask? I did not even know how to pronounce it correctly, but that is what he has. I am including an address where you can find out more about what it is and what it causes.

Address for more info:
http://www.healthbanks.com/PatientPortal/Public/ArticlePromoted.aspx?ArticleID=HW5hw180325

On Benjamin, his right eye and right side of his nose looks scrunched; this is caused by the cranium bones needing to expand on one side to compensate for the lack of room on the left side for his brain to grow.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR BENJAMIN?
Benjamin will need surgery around 6 months of age (October). Before the surgery we will meet with the plastic surgeon and neurosurgeon. He will have his head scanned so the doctors know exactly what position his bones are in and how is brain is.

WHY WAIT UNTIL HE IS SIX MONTHS OLD?
The plastic surgeon explained that this is the best time; the bones are still easily molded, but will not as easily go back to the original position as they would at an earlier time.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BENJAMIN?
Benjamin will go in for a 4-5 hour surgery. When he comes out, he will have to stay in the hospital for 3-5 days. Of course, I will be staying in the hospital with him. There will be some swelling after the surgery, but that will go away and Benjamin will be on his way to recovery.

WHAT ABOUT AFTER SURGERY?
Benjamin will have many follow-up appointments until he is 5-7 years old and then the doctors will see him every 2-3 years to make sure his cranial bones are not shifting as well as his nose and jaw.


Don't worry, for right now he does not seem to be in any pain. He is just a typical infant wanting to eat, sleep, and occasionally stay awake to check things out.

You can ask questions, but the best way to get them answered would be to look it up yourself since Gregory and myself don't know a whole lot ourselves right now.

Look at the baby belly at bath time! 

Snoozing on the belly 

Here Benjamin is at three weeks old 

Jen and Ash with Benjamin 

Three Weeks Old Today!

WOW!

I cannot believe it has been three weeks since that wonderful (and long) day I became Benjamin's mommy. It is amazing how much you love the little gift from God even when I have known him such a short while. Some people search for love for an entire life time and in nine months God allows a mother to love a child more than her own life.

How are we coping?
Well, Benjamin has a hearty appetite. During the day he eats every one and a half to two hours. Last night was a night I needed: he fell asleep at 8:30 p.m. and I got to bed a little after 9:00. Benjamin didn't wake up until 11:45. He went back to sleep a little before one, and didn't wake up until 3:45 a.m. It was wonderful. I was sleeping so nicely that Gregory actually heard him crying at 3:45 before I did!

How much am I getting done?
Well, my project yesterday was to clean the kitchen. I did get the counters wiped down, the disheds done, and the floor swept and mopped. Next is the refridgerator which needs to be cleaned in a bad way. I am slowly learning to be quick in the few minutes of quiet I have while he is napping.

How is Gregory?
Gregory is a proud daddy. Of course, anything good Benjamin does, or any good looks he has Gregory quickly claims came from him. Right now Gregory is on mandatory overtime. For me this means packing his lunch at night and then putting it in his lunch box in the mornings before he goes. Gregory gets up a little after 5 a.m. to be at work by 6:00 a.m. and work until 4 or 4:30 p.m. The extra money from overtime is nice, but we miss him. He is tired when he gets home so he doesn't get much done that he wants to do and he is beginning to go to bed earlier. Last night we had a few minutes together while Benjamin took a nap.

The Baby Awakes so I must go for now. I plan on posting a three week old picture later today.

Until the next moment of silence . . .

Look at these gorgeous eyes 

Benjamin with his 2 Week old sign 

The Pirate Look 

Sleeping on Grandpa Bay 

Two Weeks Old

Bejamin is almost two and half weeks old; it doesn't seem like he should be that old. Grandma Bowling is leaving tomorrow, which means she has been here for three weeks and two days . . . the time has flown by. Grandma Bowling has been a very big help and blessing since I have had such a long recovery.

Bejamin had his two week check-up on Tuesday. Here are the results: 9lbs 14oz, 21.85 inches long and his head circumference is 35.9 cm. He is in the 90th percentile for his weight and length and the 25 percentile for his head. His head is still a little funny looking and the right eye does not completely open. We discussed our concerns with the doctor and we have another doctor appointment on the 19th of this month.

We will be making our way to VA in three weeks! Daddy will have to stay behind and "bring home the bacon." We have pictures from the Picture People . . . of course he looks adorable :)