Bennett's 5th month!

It's crazy how independent you've become this month. You play on your own, my favorite - when I walk into your room and you're on your back with your soft book in your face and you're "talking" to it. One day you did this for what seemed like an hour, just so content. This month, you grew some good hair, though it still looks like a receding hair line :) You moved from Dallas to Charlotte, NC! You started solids with no problem. Your smile is certainly contagious, and I miss you so much even when you've just been down for an hour nap. Bennett, we love you.

Bennett's 4th month!

Firsts this month: feet holding, crawfish with Aunt Julie, Easter, play date, wedding and Mother's Day. We also found out that you absolutely adore the outdoors. You really dig that front porch sittin'

 Bennett, you are seriously a wild man. He rolls around on his playmat like no one's business. He is starting to like his exersaucer, kicking, pushing off of his legs when held up and pretty much all kinds of wiggling. The last week we've really reverted on the "good sleep" we were getting, as you have successfully learned to roll over. The best part about month 4 has been the laugh. Ohhhh, the baby laugh. I was in tears the other day from laughing so hard with him.

As always, Bennett, we love you.

Bennett's 3rd month!

It's so true, each month continues to get better. Bennett is learning to sleep and nap better. My favorite part about month 3 has been watching him try out different faces, and the screeching. I can't control my laughter when he's on his activity mat, swatting at the dangling toys, and screaming (out of happiness) at the top of his lungs. He'll let out the highest pitch scream you've ever heard, then look at you with the face in the picture above, on the right, like, "did that just come from me?

I laugh every single time.

This month has been a busy one! We took our first trip to Houston, Bennett found his fists, started gripping toys and fingers, he met Piper a day after she was born, went to the pool, is becoming more comfortable sitting in his bumbo on his own, and went up to the medical school to show off his 3-month skills for first-year med students. Bennett, you're getting so big (and long!) and your dad and I love you so.

Bennett's 2nd month!

The best part about month two has by far been seeing Bennett's sweet smile. It's to die for.
Bennett grew a ton this month, transitioned into cloth diapers, started holding our fingers, and had a baby shower for his new BFF, Piper.
We got out a bit more with little errands, or lunch with friends. We attempted going to church, and he made it almost to the end without crying. He's starting holding his head up a lot, he loves to look around with his big curious eyes. :) He's a super happy baby right when he wakes up in the morning, it's the best part of my day!

Bennett's first month!

Just as any good (read slightly obsessed) mother does, I have a gagillion pictures of my sweet baby boy on my phone. I need to free up space for this next month, so here is a little photo dump :)

The first month flew by, yet seemed like an eternity, is this possible?

Bennett had his first bath in the sink, his umbilical cord fell off, he took his first bottle, went on his first walk in the neighborhood, began tummy time, made some crazy adorable faces, and wore a lot of stripes. I cannot believe I've already packed away most of the clothes he's wearing here. Oh my.

he's here!

Bennett Hawk Johnson

born January 13, 2014 at 10:53 a.m.

8 pounds 8 ounces

20.5 inches

 

 

thank you Kate for the pictures of this amazing day, I'm forever grateful.

As difficult as these past 3 weeks have been, I couldn't imagine life without him. I constantly want to kiss his cheeks, my arms feel empty when he's not in them, and I could look at his sweet face for the rest of my life. Welcome to the world little guy, we've been waiting a long time to see and hold you, I'm so glad you're finally here. I love you so much it hurts.

and Blake's documentation of Bennett's birth..

Bennett's Birth

1/12/2014

Noon - checked in to St. Paul Hospital, L&D room #7

1:38 - first cytotec inserted

3:40 - Lauren's last meal (Chili's chicken crispers)

4:31 - second cytotec dose

6:55 - contractions becoming more painful

7:45 - 1cm dilated and 50% effaced

8:36 - epidural placed

9:05 - still 1cm dilated, ~70% effaced

11:15 - pitocin started

Midnight - still 1cm dilated, ~80% effaced

1/13/2014

3:56 - water has broken, 4cm dilated

5:50 - 9cm dilated

6:20 - attempted to start pushing, tip of the head is seen!

6:35 - Dr. Lo arrived

6:47 - decided to stop pushing and rest for couple hours to let cervix finish dilating and let baby rotate back into position

10:11 - fully dilated and starting to push again

10:30 - Dr. Lo back in the room, still pushing

10:53 - Bennett Johnson is born!  8lbs 8oz, 20.5 inches long

12:30 - Bennett finishes his first meal