Super Shutterfly

Well, Christmas is right around the corner. This year has really flown by. It seems like just yesterday we found out we were pregnant, and that was at the end of January. Well, this Christmas is going to be extra special in the Benton household with a new baby. With all that is going on around us, we almost forgot to do holiday cards. I can't decide if I want to do Christmas cards or New Year's cards this year. Might be best to do the New Year's ones since I have waited so long to get this ball rolling. While I was looking around for cards online, I found out about this great offer from Shutterfly. They are offering 50 free cards to bloggers who blog about their giveaway. I love Shutterfly. I have used them for several years for different things. The first Christmas after Bryan and I got married, I made photo books of our wedding pictures for both sets of parents, and they LOVED them. And, every year Bryan's grandma gives calendars to everyone that has pictures from all year. They are something we look forward to every single year. Shutterfly has some great designs this year. Some of my favorites are:

Cranberry swirl http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/cranberry-swirl-christmas-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93496

Joy to you http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/joy-to-2010-holiday-5x7-folded-card?sortType=1&storeNode=93496

Peace and Joy http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/peace-and-joy-holiday-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93496

They are all so cute, and there are tons more, check them out here .

Here is a great desk calendar if you have someone on your list to buy for still, and need the perfect gift. What a great way to show off some pictures, of say a new grand baby. Or, maybe you need some stationary to write thank you's on for all of those great gifts for the new baby, like me. If so, they have adorable ones, I think this is my favorite design. And, who could resist a beautiful invitation like this to your holiday party?

I really appreciate that Shutterfly is doing this giveaway. I can't wait to see my cards!! Hope everyone takes advantage of this. It is too great to pass up. If you want to participate, go here.

Absent-minded Mommy

Martin loves the lights on the Christmas Tree!!

Yes, I am holding his leg.

Resting during his 2 month photo shoot.

Sorry I forgot to post these the other day.........

We Made It

On Our Way to the Doctor's Office....poor kid is just enjoying the ride.

I love this face!!! He was such a happy boy 90% of our stay in the office.

Poor little guy after the shots....daddy was pouting with him.

Martin did very well at his 2 month check up. He was a little ham the whole time right up until the ole mean nurse came in to give the shots! She really wasn't mean, she loved on him before she stuck him and everything, it was just the needles that got us. I cried more than he did! He certainly screamed and then cried a little. I nursed him right after (per a suggestion) and it really calmed him down. He has been a little fussy this afternoon, but nothing unbearable. He is always so happy and very rarely cries that it has been a rough day for me, because I don't like the sound of him crying. I know you are thinking what mother likes to hear her baby cry? But, it makes me cry everytime, and I feel so helpless. Hard day for mom, not so hard day for baby. Doc said everything looks great. He is up to 10 pounds 12 ounces....Bryan's EXACT guess. I said 11 pounds 3 ounces, but in my defense it seems like he ALWAYS has a wet diaper, so maybe that is where the extra 7 ounces went...HA! And he is 23 inches long. He is growing like a weed!!! We go back to the doc on February 7 to do another round of shots (more tears for me....maybe I will toughen up a bit).

2 Months

This is my lame attempt at focusing my anxiety elsewhere. Martin goes tomorrow for his two month check up and shots. And, I am freaking out. I hate the idea of him being upset. He is such a happy baby. We are spoiled with how great he is!! I know next baby I will regret not appreciating how awesome he is....so this is me being appreciative. The kid has been sleeping through the night for 2 weeks--without exception (of course, tonight he will be up at 3 because I am talking so nice about him). Anywho today is Martin's 2 month birthday, can you believe it? He is so perfect in every single way.

My favorite things about him are a long list, but here are a few:
1. his toothless grin
2. how he laughs and smiles at Bryan and I every single time we smile at hime
3. how sometimes he can't eat when I am feeding him because he is too busy smiling
4. how he hates to burp in the middle of feeding--I burp before I switch sides, and he screams briefly like someone is REALLY hurting him
5. how he loves to smack on his fist...it is always in his mouth
6. his mohawk

I will post pictures soon from his two month baby photo shoot!!

Thankful

After this past week of reflection on the things I am thankful for the list is way too long to include. But, Martin is the biggest thing I am thankful for (surprise surprise, huh?). Bryan and I prayed a long time for that little guy. And, we feel so blessed that he is so happy and healthy. We are thankful for awesome family to help us nurture and watch our little one grow. Martin has two awesome sets of grandparents! This past week my family came for Thanksgiving. I worried that Thanksgiving Dinner would be a disaster with a newborn--especially since I am breastfeeding and sometimes that means drop everything, he is hungry. But alas dinner went off without a hitch. Everything was perfect and hot on the table at the same time (no small miracle there). I love Thanksgiving time and this year was no different. My brother Zach helped so much! It was nice to have a little kitchen slave. This is the kid who at age 5 picked a cook book from the table of fun prizes at the book fair. And, prepared a Christmas Ribbon salad that year for Christmas. He loves to cook, almost as much as he loves to eat! He is 16, and still thinks I am kind of cool, so that is nice. Everyone helped a lot (but then they always do). I will admit my dad did the bird. Mainly because raw poultry kind of freaks me out, and Honeybaked did the ham. Why? Because they do it so well, and they had a kiosk in our Kroger, made it too easy! But, I did everything else. We of course ate on it for a few days. And, today I finally tossed the leftovers.

With it being Cyber Monday, I should mention I have done NO SHOPPING. I have only ordered one person's Christmas present, and I don't even know if it will be here on time. Oops! I better get busy. I did get the house decorated for Christmas. We still need to put up more lights outside, but the rest is done! Mom helped Friday morning while Bryan was at work (Bryan was glad, he hates putting those decorations up). I think it stresses him out when I drag it all out and it looks like Chritmas threw up. Less stress for him this year! I will add pictures of everything soon, but wanted to post some photos of Martin from the past week. He is getting such a personality. He will be 2 months old this week, can you believe it? We go to the doc on Thursday and I can't wait to see how much he weighs!

This is what Martin did while we decorated....slept!! He did enjoy Papa John showing him every ornament as I put them on the tree. I guess after that he was worn out!

Taking a nap on Mamie's shoulder. He was really tired from all the festivities of the week.

Enjoying bathtime. This is the first bath he didn't cry at all. He actually smiled a few times. Then again Mamie was pretty attentive. She was in the tub with him for goodness sake. He kept looking at me like "I hope you are watching, so you can do this next time".

Finally

I went to my 6 week post partum check up and doc said everything looked and seemed great. And, he cleared me for exercise!! My weight is already way back down and getting closer to my starting point (feels good since I haven't done anything). But, I am ready to get back out there and do some exercising. I wish it wasn't so cold so I could run, but I guess I will resort to P90X. That is certain to kick start my butt into gear! I even got to weigh Martin and the nurse said he was about 10 pounds 2 ounces--can you believe it??? What a little porker! Apparently breasfeeding is helping him gain weight, and helping me lose it. Now, that my friends is what you call a win-win situation.

My parents came this week for a 4 day visit, and it was awesome to have them here. Martin is growing and learning every single day. I love watching him smile and giggle at us. And, he definitely is starting to recognize faces. He is a ham!! He likes to lay on his ocean adventure gym, and doesn't mind tummy time as long as someone is right there with him. The minute he thinks he is alone he loses it! But, even when he cries (which isn't often) he is still so cute. I think we will keep him :) We are truly blessed, and I thank God everyday for our little piece of Heaven on Earth!

First Halloween and Happy 1 Month Birthday!

I cannot believe time is moving this fast. Y'all warned me it would....guess I didn't believe you and had to see it for myself. Martin turned one month old yesterday (can you believe it?) and celebrated his first halloween the day before. We are really enjoying watching him grow right before our eyes. He is turning into quite the little ham. After he gets a full belly he will smile and giggle at just about anything. He looks more and more like Bryan everyday...I am still holding out hope that his eyes will stay blue so he can have one thing from me!