We've Entered Month 2 of Ben's Life

The last two weeks (since I blogged) have been nothing but incredible growth by our boy. Madison has been beyond blessed to be able to spend her days with Ben for now...she will be returning back to work in the future, but not sure time-wise just yet. It's such an amazing miracle watching him go from looking at us in wonder back in his early weeks to today where he searches for his holder's eyes just so he can flirt with a big smile and have a conversation. He even talks to his blue bird:

Benjamin has entered the phase of swatting and kicking as well. Everything nearby is game for this kiddo. At our two month check-up this afternoon (February 3rd), Ben weighed in at 11 pounds and 15 ounces and he is now 24 inches long. His weight falls in the 50th percentile while his height is in the 90th. We have ourselves a string bean! Long and lean like his daddy. Ben had to get his first round of vaccines today as well which was torturous. Madison had to hold his pudgy little arms while 2 shots in each thigh were administered. Madison probably took it worse than Ben, but the little guy turned bright red, threw his head side to side, and screamed louder than a siren.

Speaking of loud sirens, here's the latest video from Jason's project 280Z car:

He's been working hard from start to its near "working" state...a couple more tweaks and it's good to drive on the streets!

Here's a couple more pictures and a video for your enjoyment. Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. We are so blessed by you.

Grandma Arlene babysitting Ben

It wouldn't be a proper blog without a picture of Isaiah Carter Sloan matching someone at church. This time, it was Jason.

Great Grandma Flo chatting with Ben.

Benjamin is 6 weeks old

Our incredibly talented sister, Alicia (Aliciafoto.com), took our newborn shots. Here's a sneak peek of our little man:

It has been a busy and tiring 6 weeks. I don't believe anyone can be fully prepared or warned about what raising a newborn entails. Jason and I have been tag-teaming our precious boy with some nights of only a couple hours of sleep. I heard once that there is a form of "pay-back" from your own childhood with your own babe...that means I must've had some powerful lungs, never wanted to sleep, and I was colicky. (Let's be honest...all the above still apply to my life minus the desire to sleep.)

Madison gets to spend all day with our boy while Jason continues to be the amazing provider for our family. Madison will be returning back to work in the next couple weeks part-time to supplement, though. However, work did not stop Jason from keeping himself busy at home! Here's our playroom update: (Jason finished the flooring, framing on the chalkboard wall, and corkboard for Ben's future art)

Different View:

We can't believe our tiny 7 lb., 5 oz. baby has already grown so much! He's healthy and happy (when he's not using that powerful yell) and has already begun rolling from his tummy to his back. He likes using sounds like "Nuh!", "Aah", "Mmm" and makes raspberries with his gripe water (for his occasional colic), smiles, and pop noises with his mouth. He follows sounds by turning his head and scanning with his eyes.

Ben likes to be held upright or in his bed with wedge pillows to help elevate his head and chest so he can keep his meals down. He seems to be in a better mood from 7am-12pm. He loves going for long walks in mom's Moby carrier with Penny (his best pal and pup). He also loves his swing during the day to help him take naps, but his favorite place to rest is definitely upright on Madison's shoulder.

His night time sleep is still inconsistent and begins around 7:30pm with a bath, feeding, bedtime story, song (daddy and mommy are creating nightly called "Go to sleep, baby Ben"), and prayers. He wakes up again around 9 or 10 for another feeding and then sleeps until 12 or 1. Then again at 3 or 4 and again at 6 or 7. Madison is very schedule-oriented, so it's been a challenge being flexible with Ben's inconsistencies. During the day, Ben feeds every 3 hours from 7am-7pm. After his feedings he gets changed and then plays for 35-60 minutes doing mat time, walks, listening to music, or swinging. Then it's nap time for 1-2 hours. What a life!

When feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, it helps to be grateful God gifted us this child while so many aren't able to have their own. We are so grateful and in love with Benjamin and we have been so blessed with meals, prayers, visitors, gifts, cards, and support. Thank you so much for loving on our little family! Please keep praying for health, endurance, and positive attitudes.

Some current favorite photos:

Love,
Jason, Madison, and Benjamin

Ben's Here!

Surprise! Our sweet little man made his entrance EARLY! Benjamin Jason Miner arrived at 1:49pm on December 2, 2013. He weighed 7 pounds and 5 ounces and 21 inches long.

Contractions:
Madison felt "pressure" that she describes as similar to feeling a bowel movement coming on at 3:10am the morning of December 2nd. By 4:00am, a contraction counter app was purchased for her iPhone to confirm what she already was certain of: that it's time to wake up the hubby. The contractions were on average 6-8 minutes apart and lasted about 30-50 seconds. We grabbed the recommended bags and chargers and got the car ready to go. Our amazing neighbors, Jennifer and Holly, lovingly received our pup, Penny, and we headed to the hospital.

Arrival at hospital:
We arrived around 7:00am, checked in, and Madison was hooked up to the monitors. One monitor clocked her contraction frequency, intervals, and intensity while the other followed Ben's heart rate. Madison received her requested epidural around 9:30 or 10:00am. By noon Madison was only 5 cm's and the delivery room was flowing with the love of Grammie Fran and Grandpa Bill, Aunt Alicia, Aunt Melissa, Aunt Allison, and Natalie. And the rest of our family and friends were told to take their time in coming since a first-time-mom usually doesn't deliver quickly. When the group left for lunch, Aunt Alicia stayed to entertain Madison when the atmosphere quickly changed. Here's Madison's view around 9:00 AM:

 Mom, Dad, & Jason

Go-Time:
After 30 minutes of shorter intervals of heavy contractions, the nurse came back in and our delivery doctor, Dr. Linzey, was called in to check dilation again. Jason and the rest of our gang came back in time to hear Dr. Linzey announce to our nurse and long-time friend, Debbie Bolton, that it was time to push!
Delivery:
Jason coached Madison through the entire delivery while Aunt Alicia photographed all the amazing moments, and Aunt Allison and Grammie Fran cheered, ooed, and held feet for pushing. Grandpa Bill sat  anxiously in the corner where his view was safe and Natalie, Aunt Melissa, Grandpa Robert, Grandma Arlene, Uncle Buddy and Great Aunt Jane waited anxiously with their ears pressed to the delivery room door. After about 17 contractions with 3 breath holds and pushes per contraction, Dr. Linzey returned, assumed his "catching position", and instructed Madison on where to aim her pushes. Grandma Jody and Grandpa Michael were called on Skype to watch live from Florida and Madison only had 3 more contractions or 9 more pushes left. In just over 10 hours of labor and 30 minutes of pushing, little Ben arrived kicking and screaming.

Here are some more fun shots of Ben's stay in the hospital:

Four generations of "Miner" men. (Bob, Jason, Benjamin, and Robert)

Post delivery after Jason's first diaper change.

I get to go home! Yay!

Thank you for your prayers so far and for the ones throughout Ben's life. Our two days were filled with outpourings of love and guests. Our two nights in the hospital were long and wearisome, especially for Madison, whom fed Ben all night long with only short rests inbetween feedings. Please pray our transition at home is swift, productive, and positive.

Patience...an attribute I do not claim - 39 weeks

Ok, sweet Benjamin, we are ready to meet you in person! 

Here we are still waiting for our son to make his grand entrance. Penny is very happy, though, as she was made a new dog bed thanks to Jennifer (our friend and next door neighbor) teaching Madison how to use her sewing machine. The second it was stuffed with its memory foam, Penny was a happy girl. We put it in Ben's room since Penny has been found resting in there on numerous occasions. Here she is:

Oh, and I'm sure you see our rocking chair that will be getting a lot of use in the near future. We've also hung up the rad homemade boxes Grandpa Robert and Grandma Arlene made. They now hold our diapers, wipes, and baby bottom necessities. They go perfectly with the room's decor! And a shelf was hung to hold the vintage roadsters, money banks, and Orange "B".

Madison has been beyond blessed with her position at Bright Star speech not only with having a job, but also with her coworkers. They surprised her on her last day at Bright Star before maternity leave with this amazing display, loads of diapers, and a Winnie the Pooh stuffy:

This has been such an amazing time for the both of us to experience one of God's greatest gifts growing inside of Madison. Miracles do exist, people! Please pray for us as our time is nearly up! Only 2 weeks until we get to meet Ben!

36 Weeks and Ready to Pop

Well my dear blog followers, we are so close to meeting our little guy! His due date is still set at December 5th, but we are all hoping he comes with full health a little sooner (myself especially). Otherwise, we have at most 5 weeks left until he makes his debut. So much has happened the last few weeks, so I will do my best to include all the details. We got to attend Jason's work picnic and Penny was reunited with her best friend, Roxy. Here's a picture of them sharing a stick:

My nesting has reached an all out crazy. I painted the kitchen ceiling a glossy white and the walls a grey/blue hew. Now our kitchen doesn't look plain orange. And I helped Jason build a shelf for our entryway as well as a burlap wreath and some fancy hangers.

Our friends, the Wilson's, bought their first home in Orange, so we get to see them tons more.

Rachell and Travis delivered Ben's best friend, Wyatt on 10/24/13 and the gents posed here for a picture (Jason on the left, Trav on the right, Wyatt is the little peanut in the middle):

The Sloan family will be joining the baby brigade (once again, since they already have an almost 2-year old) May 31st of next year. 

So please include all of them in your prayers as well as Ben and us. Pray the Wilson's move is smooth and enjoyable, the Vasquez' enjoy their time with their new baby and for Rachell's healing from delivery, and for the Sloan's to have an easy, enjoyable, and healthy pregnancy.

We were blessed once again with a beautiful baby shower themed "Travel and Transportation". Madison got to spend time with friends and family while she was beyond blessed with love and gifts. Her shower was hosted by Ben's aunts, Melissa, Allison, and Alicia:

There was custom decor including maps, books, clothing, cars, planes, and other transportation items. The food and drinks were homemade and beyond delicious, and the desserts were incredibly tasty, sweet, and thoughtful. Grandma Arlene and Grandpa Robert made flower boxes and decorated inside with fresh baby's breath flowers that added the perfect touch to the decor. We were gifted clothing, an infant car seat, swaddling cloths toys, an adorable elephant tote, books, play stations, baby monitor, homemade Noah's Ark by Great Grandpa Bob, food puree-maker, gift cards, a Bugaboo stroller with all the goodies by Grammie Fran, Grandpa Bill, and Great Grandma Flo, handmade pillows, bath toys, baby cleaning products, diapers, wipes, and so much more. (If I left yours out I promise it wasn't intentional!)

To end our already baby-filled weekend, our amazingly talented sister, Alicia, and her beau, Kody, did our maternity shot at Santiago Oaks Park in Orange. It happens to be the place Jason asked me to be his wife back in 2009, so it holds a special place in our hearts. We didn't have a dull moment since we brought our pup, Penny, with us. She decided she didn't want to be leashed up anymore, so ate through her harness in protest. However, we were able to get our shoot done and here are some shots from our afternoon:

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and support throughout our pregnancy. We will be having weekly checkups until he comes, and we know with Dr. Linzey we are in great hands. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue this process. We cannot wait to meet our little guy!

32 Weeks! Home stretch

God is so good. Jason and I have an incredible support system around us including family, friends and coworker/friends. We have made it 8 months or 32 weeks with a baby on the way and I think we can both say this has been an awesome experience. There has been some pain and discomfort the last couple weeks (Madison's spine apparently isn't use to supporting a belly the size of a watermelon), but overall nothing too big for us to handle. Recent happenings that is helping with discomfort: two massages from the fabulous Amanda Roberts (951-236-4820) that my mom gifted me with and a pedicure that my amazing neighbor, Holly, gifted me. Here's a picture of Madison at 32 weeks:

Jason has continued to enjoy working on his project car (Datsun 280 Z) that Robert and Arlene have graciously allowed him their garage to do so. Madison has continued to start projects (oh...nesting) that Jason lovingly fixes or finishes the right way. We recently began painting and cleaning Ben's playroom next to the family room. It's a 9x12' room that needed a full makeover. The ceiling and three of the walls were painted and the fourth wall is covered in magnetic primer and finished with a coat of chalkboard paint on the bottom half. The top half will be cork board and then we have the flooring (probably kid-proof laminate) and some toy organizing cubbies for it to be complete. Here's the paint progress as of now:

Madison was blessed with a baby shower hosted by Amanda, Becky, Natalie, and Shanel this past weekend. The theme was "Growing Garden" (since Madison loves gardening and Ben is growing) and there were tasty snacks, fun desserts like mudpie, carrot-shaped cookies, sweet beverages, hilarious games, generous gifts, and great company. We were and continue to be blessed by our church family. Here are some photos of the event:

(L-R) Becky, Amanda, Madison, Shanel, & Natalie

And for your entertainment...Here's our friend, Jeremy, and Isaiah (hanging upside down) who coordinated their matching outfits at church.

Thank you for your continued prayers and love! We appreciate it greatly!

Love,
Jason & Madison

Side Fence Project & Baby Shower

I couldn't resist sharing pictures of our new fence Jason built with help from his dad, Robert, and wall repair with my dad, Bill. Here's the progress:

I was also very blessed by my Santa Ana work friends on Sunday and wanted to share some fun pictures with you. I have been so fortunate to know these ladies and gent and I am so glad Benjamin will have them in his life as well:

The lovely hostesses Usha & Betty