Our little chunky monkey is four months and is still as active as ever. He loves tummy time with his ferris wheel, chewing on his veggie rattles, talking, yelling, and making sure the world knows he has things to say. He loves laughing and just overflows with joy. He's learning to work those fingers and getting better hand control every day. The Jumparoo has been a hit, although we have him still hovering so he can't overdo the jumping on his little neck. Thankfully his trips to the ER have subsided and he been doing well in the cloth diapers. I call him Mr. High Maintenance, since he is now using cloth diapers and homemade wipes, plus has me on a non-dairy diet, but he's happy and well so I'll do what it takes. He's also going by Puddles these days, due to making me have to wash my sheets almost daily from him peeing or spitting up in the middle of the night. Between pee, barf, sweat, and drool he's always either one soggy puddle or making a soggy puddle, hence the nickname. Both boys were wonderful for Grace's wedding, and Benjy was just sweet and happy to have the attention of all the ladies. Benjy loves his time outside, watching trees blow in the wind and chickens scratch around. He's done some tummy time in the grass, which he finds entertaining, and of course also thinks he's part cow and tries to eat whatever he pulls up. It's not too hard to get a smile out of him, and he very quickly becomes popular once people see he wants to chat. The only thing he seems to truly dislike is the cold well water baby pool. Dip those piggies in and he will be howling and appalled you'd consider doing such a thing.
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Well, since my computer was down, Benjy’s 3 month post was not even written, but at least the photos were taken and I threw something up on Instagram. Here’s what I posted along with the most adorable photos: 3 Months! This boy and that smile are all the giggles these days. Benjy is so happy, usually struggling between whimpers and smiles even when he’s sad, not being quite sure how to turn that grin off. He’s drooling everywhere and still loves jumping and standing. Now he wants to be snuggled to sleep or he’s not sleeping at all, but that little smile gets him what he wants. He’s broken in the bumbo and loves giggling when you clap his hands. He definitely is quite the chatty little thing. The rolls are being packed on and were calling him our little fat piggie. My computer is still down so I'm still working on catching up on posts. Now that Benjy is almost 4 months, here's his two month post. Our giggly litte boy is two months already! He has added so much joy and love in our lives and just loves his big brother. Benjy is our mover! He loves standing and jumping, and gets very excited if you help him walk across the floor. He loves his play gym and is so proud of himself when he hits and kicks the toys. His bath chair is quite the hit as well, and he sits and kicks in it even when he's not in the bath. He's ready to move and already wanting to keep up with his brother. Benjy is also a snuggler, wanting to be snuggled to sleep even if that leaves him a sweaty mess. He's likes to pretend to be hungry, only to fake nibble until I look at him, and then cracks up that he fooled me into more snuggles. He's already learning to work the system around here and knows we can't say ''no'' to that smile. Hiccups and being hot are guarenteed to make him angry, but once his window is down in the car, he's as happy as a clam again. He definitely likes music, quieting down the moment you sing to him, and is always chatting up a storm in the morning. He just adores his Daddy, always happy to give him a smile, and Daddy seems to have the magic touch for getting Benjy to take a pacifier and go to sleep. Benjy desperately wants to find his thumb, but thankfully hasn't found it yet, and has been rolling to his back to get out of tummy time. Praise God Benjy recovered fine from surgery with no other issues and he is porking on those baby rolls without a problem. Big brother actually wasn't opposed to the camera with baby brother around, so naturally I had to take advantage and snap a few shots of him too.
How is baby Benjy already one month old?! Time has flowin by and it's been a crazy first month, to say the least, with a wedding, surgery, and new job for Daddy. Other than our overnight adventure at the hostpital, we've lucked out with another pretty easy baby. He is a good eater and sleeper, 3-4 hours at a time, so I feel like I'm getting great sleep. He spits up and actually needs burped, which I wasn't used to, but I've gone off dairy and that seems to help. His little face is so tan with big blue eyes and dark fluffy hair. We have been joking he has frimples (frown dimples) as compared to his brother's normal smile dimples. Benjy attended his first wedding. It was a huge praise I was feeling well enough to be in my cousin's wedding, something I wouldn't feel up for now. Benjy came to the reception with Daddy and slept through everything, inlcuding dancing with Mommy. The month ended with a trip to Nationwide Children's hospital for surgery for the poor guy. He did great, but it wasn't easy to have our little baby having to be put under so young. He was such a trooper and our little hummingbird loved the little sugar water they gave him while trying to get blood and his IV in. Now he has an open wound that must stay clean so he's getting multiple baths day and night, which he loves. (We're not so fond of 3AM bathtime.) Little Danny overall has enjoyed being a big brother, although he has had his moments. We've had some good conversations about jealousy and how to use his words to share his feelings. My pain has been coming back and I find myself able to do less now than two weeks ago, which confuses Danny. It is hard to get a two year old to understand why mommy can't carry him when he sees Benjy getting carted around. Now with school out he can get more time with Daddy so hopefully that will help a bit. Danny loves getting to help care for Benjy, give him kisses, and hold his hand. He comes in and sings Good Morning God to Benjy and loves when Benjy gives him a smile. Before leaving the hospital he gave Benjy a little kiss and kept saying Benjy didn't want to go while we were driving there. It is warm outside now, and Benjy spends a lot of his time sleeping in the wagon while Danny plays outside. For me, it hasn't been an adjustment at all going from one to two. Thankfully, it is exactly how I expected and I think watching the other boys really helped me transition without an issue. Benjy is easy and learning to go with the flow. How we've managed to get two easy babies I don't know, but I'm very thankful. I love having a baby back in the house but I am also ready to be without pain and able to get normal life done. Daddy officially said goodbye to his classroom and 45 minute commute and is now going to be teaching 3rd grade in our district just 7 miles away! Previously he was driving 14,060 miles a year, now he's down to 2,627. (Yeah he did the math.) From gas to distance to insurance, it is such a blessing it is in so many ways and he will be able to see the boys in the morning now before work. We're so glad he's home for the summer!!!
Benjamin Hoagland Kelley arrived one day late, but came much quicker and easier than his brother did and we are so excited to welcome another boy into the family. This time I had a new doctor and new hospital and everything was so much better in every way. Even the epidural worked better, something I didn't know wasn't working last time as it should have. My doctor took the time to come in specially for my delivery, which helped keep my anixiety to a minimum, and thinks she may have been able to correct some of my issues left over from Danny's delievery. So many wonderful answers to prayer! Baby Benji was a whole pound less than his brother at 7 pounds 9 ounces. We were told at the last ultrasound he had thick long hair and boy were they right. He's quite the fluffy little thing. I was convinced this time I was having a girl, but I will admit I really wanted another boy. I'd love a girl someday, but I really wanted another boy at some point, and am glad Danny gets a brother close in age. At the hospital, my sister-in-law was able to be our postpartum nurse for both nights, making me really feel at ease putting Benji in the nursery. I was set to be induced if he didn't arrive by Monday, and she had a crib all ready and decorated for his arrival. It was so cute and thoughtful. Danny was so sweet when he came to visit and not at all against the name Benji. I think the real baby was so different than what he was expecting that the Skippy thing wasn't an issue all. We've all definitely slipped up and have called poor Benji Baby Skippy a one point. Danny brought Benji a big brother bear as a gift and Benji had a gift for Danny. After that, Danny was pretty content to play with his new puzzles and toys. He poked Benji's foot but he was too nervous to do anything else for a few days. Now he happily hugs and kisses him and pets his head. He wants to hold him and help change diapers and loves teaching Benji about life. Thankfully he seems to be enjoying the Big brother thing and genuinely wants Benji around, running in to say good morning and sing to him when he wakes up. Benji is named after my grandpa, who 30 years ago worked in the very same hospital where little Benji was born. I'm sure my grandpa would have never thought his very own great-grandson would be one of those little babies delivered there, but it made it even more special to have little Benji there. The last year has been rough but God has had his hand in all of it. We lost baby two a year ago on the very anniversary of my grandpa's death, but it was that miscarriage that finally got the ball rolling for me to switch doctors. Now almost exactly a year later, we end up having baby Benji in the same hospital my grandpa worked in years ago, with a doctor who is a perfect fit for me and getting me the help I need.
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