Vietnam War

Welcome Home Dad!! Most of you are probably thinking...."Where did he go?"  Feb 28, 1968 he came home from the Vietnam War.  So, I am taking a break from my usual posting to honor my dad.  My dad is a Marine, and a proud one at that!!  I am so glad he made it home.  That was such a tough time to be returning from the war....so many vets were not welcomed home because so many people were protesting the war (picture the protest on Forrest Gump....the war in "Viet f*ing Nam").  I am so happy he is here today, and I welcome him home with open arms!  He has so many amazing stories from the war, that I really need to record him telling some of them so I can write them down, because one day those stories will be gone, and my grandkids won't get to hear their great-grandfather tell them.  The second picture in the series of 4 was the welcome home sign that his family hung when he returned.  My dad is the oldest child, so you can imagine how relieved everyone was for him to make it home.  I am guessing the picture says June because that was when it was developed....who knows?  And, the third picture was from his R & R and the last picture was a trip to see the moving wall when I was about 6?  That is my best guess, since Johnny wasn't there, and he was born when I was 7.  I would say Dad still lives the war most days of his life.  He certainly thinks about his "brothers" all the time, and still keeps in touch with a small few, but most importantly he remembers those they lost.  He strives to buy things made in the USA, and buys me a new flag to display at my house every spring.  So many people came back disabled partially or fully, but Dad made it back in one piece.  The hardest part may be the flashbacks and how it relates to his sleep.  He DOES NOT sleep.  He might get 4 or 5 hours at night, but usually can't go to sleep until really early in the morning, drives Mom crazy!  A really loud noise can take him right back.  I have seen him "hit the deck" more than once in response to a REALLY loud sound.  I can't even imagine some of the horror he saw over there.  It makes me so proud to be able to call him Daddy!!  My senior year of high school we took a trip to Washington, D.C. for a week, and it was amazing to see the Wall with him.  I saw the full gamete of emotions that day.  Truly so moving.  Thanks for all that you have and continue to do for me Dad.  I love you!!! I am so glad he his here to watch this baby boy grow.  Martin loves his Papa John and can't wait to see him soon.  Welcome Home!  We love you!!

Spring Oh Spring how I long for you....

These few days of warm have given me the "itch" for spring.  I cannot wait for it to be warm.  I long for a warm afternoon in which I can toss a blanket out on the lawn in the front yard and Martin and I can play.  I can sit and read my book and he can play with his toys on the blanket.  Who am I kidding....I can paint that pretty picture in my head, but it would inevitably end with ants or my dog howling the whole time from the backyard because he could hear us out front.  We have been on the porch swing a lot, and Martin seems to enjoy being outside.  But, today I came to a stark revelation....it seems like it might be getting cold again.  Bryan is off this week (7 on then 7 off) so I ran to the Grocery while Martin was napping in his swing.  Of course it started raining while I was in there, so I had to run to my car since an umbrella in your car doesn't help you get to your car.  Well, when I got in, I thought..."whew that wasn't too bad".  And, it wasn't bad, but it is getting cooler outside (SAD DAY).  Then, I got home and apparently Martin wasn't a good boy while I was gone.  Bryan greeted me at the door with a look on his face like...."I give....I have no idea what is wrong".  I loaded Martin into the Baby Bjorn and started unloading groceries.  Turns out Martin must have gotten up from the nap too early.  I can only assume it was from an extra loud laugh at "The Office" that was DVR'd from last week, or perhaps a really funny skit on "Outsourced".....darn those comedy writers, he just can't help himself.  Anyway....he fell asleep, and then woke up pretty hungry.  But, we certainly know how to fix that.  I fed Martin and then gave him his daily dose of rice cereal...and now he is watching "Jack's Big Music Show" on Nick Jr.  Another disaster avoided.  Seems I better get to cooking supper while he is entertained. 

Breastfeeding

To those of you who are actually still reading my blog, thanks.  To those of you who read it and are not mothers you may want to skip this one.  After a nudge here and a tug there, I feel almost obliged to share this post.  I guess truthfully it has been a long time coming.  I got the full shove yesterday saying "Share! Share!" after hearing this story.  My brother and his fiance have a friend who just had a baby.  The mother was on board to Breastfeed, and then a nurse in the hospital told her it would make her nipples crack and bleed.....scared the girl to death, and scared her so much she is bottle feeding.  It is insane to me that the world isn't more encouraging of mother's who breastfeed.  They should be applauded for their accomplishments, not chastised for their choices.  Breastfeeding is a commitment.  I had no idea how much of one until I was in the midst of it.  I read plenty of books before Martin came so I would be "ready", honestly you don't learn anything until you do it!  Martin had a tough time latching at first (he only would nurse on the left side) but he eventually got it.  I know without a doubt if I hadn't had the support system that I had, I would have given up.  You have to really WANT to breastfeed to do it, and to make it work.  It is a shame that our society isn't more accommodating to breastfeeding mothers.  And, if that wasn't bad enough, mothers often face negativity from friends and family members about their choice to breastfeed their babies.  Do these Negative Nancys not see the same research that I do.  Study after study proves how beneficial breastfeeding is for both baby and Mommy. 

What are the health benefits of breastfeeding?

• Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma.
• Children who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese.
• Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

And, if those reasons were not enough, why not the whole aspect of cost efficiency???  It is estimated that the economic benefit is between $1,200-$1,500 saved in just the first year alone on infant formula.  Makes that $279.99 Medela Breast Pump seem like a CHEAP investment, doesn't it?  Please don't get me wrong, lots of mothers choose not to breastfeed, that is their choice!  I agree with their choice 100% because that is THEIR choice.  It is a very personal choice, and plenty of people want to breastfeed, and can't for whatever reason.  That doesn't make my baby better than theirs, or happier than theirs, or anything like that.  No woman should ever be made to feel guilty because of her decision to breastfeed or not to breastfeed.  I am simply saying I wish the world was more encouraging of women who do choose to breastfeed their babies. 

When we were in the hospital, I had a nurse who I wanted to do physical harm to, because she was so PUSHY about us giving Martin a bottle.  Apparently he hadn't had enough wet diapers in her mind....hello crazy woman, my milk hasn't come in.  And, if it was that important for him to eat right this minute, God would have designed a woman's body to have her milk come in immediately.  If women in the jungles of Africa can raise babies without formula, then I can too (I digress......).  The lactation consultant was a big help, and was very reassuring, I just wish I would have been able to meet with her earlier so the nurses wouldn't have upset me so much, and made me feel guilty.  I never gave in to giving a bottle, but I got pretty close.  Martin is doing amazing, and growing everyday, I am truly so happy I stuck with it.  So, if you know a mother out there breastfeeding, or are perhaps thinking of it yourself, please give her all the encouragement and support she needs.  That is all for now.  I will step down off my soapbox!!

Bloggging with the Bentons

Well, as I sat in the floor singing to Martin in the swing I had the brilliant idea for this post. Ok, so maybe not brilliant, but when you are a mom, all you want to talk about is your sweet little precious baby. Anyone who reads this blog that doesn't have a baby probably just clicked the x in the top right corner. I will forgive them, because they don't understand. Yet! Martin is growing everyday. I haven't weighed him since we went to the doctor last Monday, but I know he has gained weight already, his cheeks are more chubby, and his little fat rolls on his legs are getting more pronounced. My brilliant idea for this post was to include facts about Martin at 4 and a half months. I cannot believe he will be 5 months old soon. I used to post these "facts about Martin" but haven't in a while. I know it will be nice to look back on---especially when he is --GASP--a year old!

This week he started rolling back to front, and it is hilarious. At first he was working at it, really throwing his feet to get going in the right direction, now he has perfected it. He rolls on his side and plays a little, and then rolls over when he is ready. He LOVES his daily rice cereal. I know this is such a controversial topic with the latest info coming out that babies who get rice cereal are overweight kids....hello world, look around, ALL KIDS are overweight. I believe it has more to do with sitting on their butts, playing video games, and eating JUNK! But, this is not my soapbox. I wanted to get him working on the spoon so when we were ready for solids at 6 months he wouldn't be overwhelmed. New food, new spoon....too much to wrap his precious little head around. He grabs my hands, and takes the spoon from me. What a funny guy. He loves for you to sing to him. I always start "Hush Little Baby" and get about 4 verses in and start making it up. Have you ever looked at the actual words to this "Southern Lullaby"....talk about funny.....talks about a horse and cart, no wonder I can't remember the words (google it for a good laugh). I make up some funny ones. Earlier I was buying him an apple pie, but if that apple pie wasn't hot, I was going to buy him a tater tot! It doesn't matter what I sing, just that I sing. He fights a nap like it would kill him to shut his eyes. When Dad is at work, I can promise you child, you won't be missing anything to take a nap. I usually use this time to pick up around the house, wash laundry, or maybe Blog! He has a monkey blanket that he adores. It is soft and furry and has a satin edge with a monkey head and tail. He usually has it by the tail in one hand while he snoozes in the swing. When he is going to sleep in the swing, he likes you to sing (no surprise there)....but lately, you can't stand and sing, you have to sit right by him on the floor and sing. No pictures, sorry! And, he really likes to hold your finger in the hand he isn't holding the monkey with. It is hard to pry your finger out once he falls asleep. But, I tell myself, one day he won't think I hung the moon, and he won't let me kiss him til my lips hurt.

He sleeps in a swaddle me at night, and getting him out in the morning is precious. First free hand flies straight up and then the other. And, he does a little knocking motion with his hands as he stretches! I could cry just thinking about how cute it is. He enjoys taking a bath, but mostly he enjoys the rub down with the lotion when he gets out. Sweet little baby massage after the bath. He wears size 1-2 diapers, and goes through A LOT OF THEM. He is so happy when you are changing his diaper....he just giggles and coos. He likes to HELP too. And, by help, I mean get in the way. Grabbing the diaper off the changing pad and tossing it to the floor, or grabbing your arm while you are trying to get the diaper on. Martin enjoys his bouncer, because he has figured out you can make it bounce by kicking your feet. Sometimes I think he is going to give himself bruises because he kicks so much. Gonna go do some baby laundry while Martin naps!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Today has been great despite the fact that Bryan is at work. We had a nice dinner this weekend to celebrate Valentine's Day, and he gave me a beautiful willow tree that is a man and woman with a baby boy. It is precious, and the card he gave me made me cry like a baby. But, today, the best part is all the sugar I can get from Martin. We miss Bryan when he is at work, but someone has to make the money, right??? And, Martin rolled over from his back to his stomach today for the first time today!! He rolled over from his stomach to his back 4 weeks ago on my birthday (Jan 16) and today he rolled over the other way on Valentine's Day!! He loves to do things on holidays. Maybe, on St. Patty's Day he will crawl (haha)! He has stolen my heart for sure. He has decided that he LOVES rice cereal now. We are on Day 8....and I have to wrestle the spoon away from him while I feed him. I guess he thinks I can't do it fast enough. Maybe one day I will do better! He grows up a little more each day. Last week he started standing in his exersaucer to play. He loves to stand up and we are actually a little worried the little stink might walk before he crawls because of it. He likes to play in the mirror, and really enjoys his ocean adventure gym. He will play with the octopus, and then flip over and play with the fish. It's pretty cute if I might say so myself. I hope everyone has a great Day of Love. He has also found his mouth with his feet. I guess about 2 weeks ago he started playing with his feet a lot, and this weekend he found his mouth! It is kind of funny.

On Saturday our friends Kantress and Roderick came to meet Martin. Martin loved Kantress. He was so happy sitting with her, and then when Roderick held him, he just smiled at K the whole time!! He is going to be a little heart breaker one day.

Martin's Photo Shoot

Well, Martin had a photo shoot Thursday, Feb 10 and it went really well. I am going to post a few pictures from the shoot, they are precious of course!! Martin was a HAPPY BOY most of the shoot. Thank goodness! He is happy most of the time, so I wasn't completely shocked, but when you are paying someone to take pictures of your baby, you want them to be on their best behavior, so I was relieved!! We had to take a little break so Martin could eat, but then was happy again!

We started rice cereal this week, and boy has that been an adventure. He has warmed up to it, and reaches for the spoon now! At first he wasn't really sure about it. Bryan and I went to eat dinner last night JUST the two of us. It was hard for me to leave Martin, but we were overdue for a nice dinner. It was great. We even went to the bookstore afterwards....but after about 10 minutes we decided to leave....we realized we both wanted to go home, but we were just trying not to be the one to say, "Let's Go"! I had to give Martin lots of sweet sugar before he went to sleep, and rocked him a little extra before I put him down. That little guy has stolen my heart!

4 months old

Well, my little man turns 4 months old today! I can't believe he is 1/3 of a year old....wow!! He is getting so big. We go to the dr. next Monday for another round of shots, and our 4 month check up. I am wondering if we will start rice cereal then, and when we will start foods?? I am kind of excited about it, because I think Martin is ready. He doesn't tongue thrust anymore...so he wouldn't push it out, and whenever he is around us when we eat, he opens his mouth like he wants some. I am planning on making my own baby food. I know, I know...call me crunchy granola if you want! The more research I do, the more excited I get about it. I found a great website with lots of great resources and helpful hints. www.wholesomebabyfood.com So, I can't wait to get started. Funny, huh? He is turning into such a funny boy. He smiles and laughs ALL OF THE TIME!! I told Bryan if I knew they would all be like Martin, I would have 6 more. He informed me that 5 was plenty. I was KIDDING, but he was not! We want to wait until Martin turns a year old before we start trying again. I think that is a good age to space them apart with.

Some of my favorite things about him at 4 months are the funny faces he makes. He loves to look in the mirror. He loves to talk just to hear himself talk (maybe he is my child after all). He loves to stand up (with assistance of course), but stand none the less, and has even figured out how to move his legs left-right-left-right to move. I am afraid this little guy may walk before he crawls--OOPS! He loves to stuff ANYTHING in his mouth. Doesn't matter what it is...it goes right to his mouth. Martin enjoys watching Baby Einstein DVD's and listening to the music. And, he LOVES for you to sing to him. It doesn't matter what you sing, or if you can sing (because I cannot). He just loves to listen. My favorite is anything to the tune of "She'll be coming 'round the mountain" because you can sing anything to that tune!!! We had a few days of nice weather and we got to go for a nice long walk this weekend and got some much needed Vitamin D for everyone. I think I hear someone stirring from their nap, so I am off to play with my precious baby. Have a great week!!