My first Mother's Day!

So odd to have had mother's day not only away from my mom but then to have a little one to be a mom to! It was a very low key day. All the students were gone on their free weekend and so we have a quiet morning on base.  Benjamin was such a happy boy and gave me loves all day. Here are some pics from our little family playing in the field.

A girly girl at heart.

The other day I had a revelation... amidst the baggy sweat pants, tie dye t shirt, and messy falling out pony tail I realized I miss being a girl. Being a mom is amazing but I have been so focused on this little man in my life as well as being a wife to Mr man that I have somehow got lost in the midst. Don't get me wrong, I love tie dye and Burts Bees chapstick, but it is time for a change. A subtle change. 


So I am on day two of working out and taking time to stretch and just breath. It is amazing how good it feels even if it is only a half hour! 


I bought a pair of girly pink sweatpants to replace my super baggy men's fat pants. 


I just painted my toe nails. 

I may justhave to swap my chap stick 

for Burts Bees lip gloss... baby steps :) 

Ahhh to be a girl again. 


So I ask you... mommas and busy ladies, what little things do you do to feel like a girl again in the chaos of life?

Trying to Crawl = downward dog!

3 months old!!!

I can't believe it has already  been three months since he was this small! It seems like he just came into our lives and yet I have to think hard to remember life before my little man. He is growing so fast! He loves to be sat up but still needs help with balance. He is so curious and loves to look around. He loves to stand up and his legs are getting so strong! He is teething and I can feel the buds of two bottom teeth! Everything he can get his hands on goes in his mouth! Let the drool fest begin! He still is so snuggly which I love. He is so fascinated with his hands and loves to suck on his fingers.  He is talking a ton and it is so fun to see him develop each day.

Today we had an impromptu photo session! Here are some pics.

Life as a mamma.... hectic but totally worth it! 

Our crazy month!!

So July has been insane with lots of fun and visitors! Benjamin is growing up so fast and we are absolutely in love with our little man! Instead of writing all our adventures I am going to do our month in pictures( borrowed pics since my camera card crashed :(

Five days old. Avery is very curious. :) 

Avery (8 1/2 mo.) with Benjamin (5 days)

Girls day with all our kids together! 

4th of July family nap time 

All bundled up for fireworks!

Sporting his stars outfit.

Hanging on the driveway for fireworks

Mom and Dad took all of us kids to a beach house in Gearhart for a few days...

First day was 90 degrees couldn't believe it!

Papa with his grandsons

Uncle Rich playing Angry Birds with Grace and Justice

Two weeks old.

First bath int he sink at the beach house! Had to wait for the umbilical cord to fall off. 

Rich trying to teach Justice chess

Family of three!

Seashells

It was bright!

Cute! :)

All our babies together!

Justice- " Look at his little fingernails!"

Corrie- " But he has big toenails!"

Justice- " No they are little! He is covered in LITTLE!" 

Nesting Life!

My goodness how it has been a crazy couple of weeks for sure. 

I have gone into insane nesting mode... it is settling a bit now as I am much more easily tired and most everything is done and in place. Here are a few pictures of Benjamin's side of our room.

Elephants on parade 

So I had this idea for paintings above Benjamin's crib, but seeing as I am a painting novice I enlisted the help of my very talented and artsy friend Emily Lemons. Our efforts combined we came up with this group of four friends :) I absolutely love how they turned out! 

Here is Benjamin's side of the room. I love how everything has come together! And yes that is my hospital bag all packed and sitting next to the carseat so we are ready. 

Speaking of some of you may have heard or wondered about this last week. Well on Tuesday night as Rich was leaving for work I started to have some more rhythmic contractions, but since I had had contractions off and on for days I sent him off to work not thinking much of it. Well I began to keep track and at about 8 minutes apart I texted my mom to let her know which very soon led to me going over to their house so I wouldn't be alone. Well within about an hour or two I was having regular contractions only 5 minutes apart, so to the hospital we went. 

I measured 80% effaced and 1 cm dialated. Since I was a few days shy of 36 weeks they decided to stop my labor by giving me two shots of terbutaline which any of you who have experienced this drug know that it is not very user friendly. However it worked and my contractions stopped and after observation I was sent home. 

I had a follow up appointment on Thursday with my doctor and now since I am 36 weeks they have decided that whenever labor starts they won't try to stop it. So now we wait. Anyday it could be babytime! 

So here I am 36 weeks and a couple days! Ready to meet my Benjamin! 

A new pace for now....

Yesterday we had our ultrasound check up. It went fantastic! Everything is checking out normal and he is right on track. There were no signs of an abruption and we took a sigh of relief. Ultrasounds are so fun and I love every minute I get to spend with him. He is getting so big! His whole body used to fit on the screen and now we can only get his head. Ha! We could even see the fuzz of hair on his head! They are guessing he is about 3 pounds. At the end, the tech surprised us and just for fun she gave us a 3D look at little Benjamin! We got to see his sweet face and I am so in love already!

Can’t wait to kiss those cheeks!

On another note, I got approved for modified bedrest, which means I don’t have to be laying down all the time. I can’t lift more than 5 pounds, but I can sit and walk around a bit. Sounds crazy to say but it is incredibly freeing! I am trying to embrace the down time and get some things done that I wouldn’t have done… so lots of organizing and knitting :)

I have started a couple projects and I am so excited! My friend Michelle even brought me some wonderful yarn to start Benjamin’s baby blanket. I figure I might as well since I have the time. I will post pictures when I am a bit further on it, but right now I am just making yarn balls.