Random Pics

OK- here's the deal. I had misplaced (lost) the USB cable for my camera- so I haven't been able to download pics for a while. The good news- I found it! So here are some really cute, but rather random pics of my adorable little man- who is growing up WAY to fast for me!

Cloth Diapers

When I was pregnant, I knew that I wanted to use cloth diapers, at least part of the time. Everyone thought I was crazy! But I have to say that, almost 5 months in, I love cloth diapers! There are so many options now- but I went old school- pre-folds with a diaper cover. Now, don't get me wrong- this is something for at home- I do not carry around dirty cloth diapers when I am in town! But as far as the convenience goes- they are not that bad. It's just a matter of getting into a routine. Just like everything else with babies!

I love the idea that he is wearing cotton- not chemicals. I love the idea that I am not creating as much waste as I would be if he wore only disposable diapers. And I really love not having to buy diapers every time I go to the grocery store! :) (Those things are ridiculous!) Plus, studies have shown that babies in cloth diapers with breathable covers have less diaper rash (James has not had any for about 3 months!) and if you continue the cloth, the babies potty train easier! You can't beat that!

So to all the moms- try it! It's really not that bad!

Sweet Baby Boy and Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Baby James had his first taste of sweet potatoes today! While I cannot say that it was a success, it was at least a start. And before anyone tells me that he is too young for solid food (he turns 4 months tomorrow) let me give a little background.

James started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks. He ate on schedule, and slept all night. By the time he was 2 1/2 months, he was eating 6 oz, 5 times a day (every four hours, except at night.) However, he started spitting up- a lot- and it was suggested that he was eating too much at each feeding. So we went back to 4 oz every three hours, which was OK- although there were several times a day that James was fussy when he finished the bottle, as if he were still hungry. Then about 3 weeks ago, he started waking up in the night to eat- every night, 2 am. Now I know that most parents of infants are used to waking up at night, but we weren't! We are now.

So anyway, I started trying to feed him rice cereal about 2 weeks ago, but he either wasn't interested, or wasn't ready. But we continued every other day or so, to no avail. So today, I bought a couple of stage 1 baby foods. And we tried the sweet potatoes. He was VERY HAPPY- just smiling and giggling- but not swallowing. So maybe he's still not quite ready, but we will keep trying!

I absolutely cannot believe how big he is getting. I have started taking him places in his stroller without the carseat, and he looks like a big boy! He also got his first pair of cowboy boots! (kids Klozet consignment sale- $1) He looks adorable in them, but I still don't like it- he's growing up way to fast.

Also- big announcement- I am officially on Facebook. After resisting for years, I finally gave in! So look me up!

Good Grief! It's Almost Christmas!

OK, so it's not technically almost Christmas, but September is GONE!!!! And I am still in panic mode!

We are celebrating Christmas with Jason's family at Thanksgiving, so we only have to travel to one family for the actual week of Christmas. (Thank you, thank you Bennett family!!!) But thank means that I have to have all of the Christmas gifts for that family ready by November! YIKES!

I am fairly certain what we're getting for everyone (at least most everyone) but the trick is managing to get it all bought and finished with a sweet darling that doesn't always like to nap!

That's my sweet baby James! I cannot believe how big he's getting! The problem, however, is that he is the king of the cat naps! I never know when he dozes off if it's going to be 15 minutes or 2 hours. Luckily, he'll nap just about anywhere if he's really ready to nap. Last week, he napped for about an hour and a half in his sling carrier while Rebecca and I shopped at the mall! I guess he'll start settling into a routine pretty soon.

James turned 3 months old yesterday. In my morning Bible study we are studying the life of Moses, and last week we were studying about Moses' mother hiding him until he was 3 months old, then putting him in a basket in the Nile to protect him. I cannot, for the life of me, imagine trying to hide a baby that age- James is so vocal right now! But to trust God enough to put that sweet baby in a river, and know that He will protect him- I have to admit that I don't think I could do it. Such a well known passage of Scripture- but I was really convicted, and challenged!

Since this post has become ridiculously random, here are a few random pics of my wonderful, handsome little man! (And my wonderful, handsome hubby!)

I can hardly believe that James is almost 3 months old. He is growing so fast- he loves to sit up in his Bumbo, and tries really hard to sit up alone!

We had his baby dedication at church this weekend. It was really sweet- all of his grandparents were able to come to Mobile. It really makes you realize the responsibility we have raising him. His eternal future is, in a large part, up to the example that Jason and I set for him. I find myself questioning all the time if I am doing enough to lead him to Christ.

Here are a few updated pics- James is growing so fast!

We've been visiting Grandma and Granddaddy in Oxford this week, and James has had a wonderful time meeting his Great Grandmothers and ALL of his aunts, uncles and cousins. We have had so much fun- and have taken lots of pictures. (And, as you can see, he has finally decided that he likes taking baths!)

James' Birthday

On June 25th, at 4:59am, after 38 hours in the hospital and 26 hours of labor, James Earl Bennett was born.

He weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 20 3/4 inches.
Here are a few pics of James' first week.

James is an absolute joy! It took a few nights for him to get his days and nights straight, but now he's doing really well. He's a happy baby! We are so blessed.

More pics to come! :)

Just an update- I'm still pregnant!!!

I am 38 weeks today. I am huge. I am uncomfortable. And I am STILL not a Mommy!

I am starting to think that this sweet darling of a son that I am carrying is quite content where he is, and has no intention of ever coming out! (Yes, I do realize that is impossible- I will eventually give birth- but still!)

To answer the most common questions:

No- he has not dropped.

No- I have not been having any contractions (other than the Braxton-Hicks that I've been having for weeks and weeks.)

No- I have not started to dilate (at least, not as of last Friday.)

I'm trying really hard not to get grumpy (and failing miserably!) but I am ready to meet my son! Pregnancy was fun- now it's time to be a Mommy! Actually, I think I feel a little better now- I guess I'll go double check my hospital bags to make sure I have everything. (And dust off the suitcase, since it's been sitting for so long!)

Hopefully baby pictures will follow soon! :)

Jasmine and Ruby

These are my babies- Jasmine (black lab mix) and Ruby (chow-lab mix.) We have had Jasmine for over 6 years (Wow, that's hard to believe) and Ruby for about 8 months. She is still a puppy- just turned 1 last week! We're not sure how they are going to respond to Baby James. Jasmine does well around children- little ones at least- and Ruby is afraid of them (and everything else!) So far they have not bothered any of the baby stuff that all over the house, so we'll see.

Only a few more weeks until we get meet our son. My feelings about that change hourly. (Sometimes by the minute!) I am so excited- but nervous. I am thrilled- but terrified. Have we got everything we need? I think so- but who knows? I took the breast feeding class that our hospital offers. It was really interesting- but I think I learned more about the medical research around breast milk than the actual act of breast feeding. Luckily, the hospital has people that will work with you if there are problems, even (or I guess I should say especially) after you go home.

I am really starting to wonder what James will be like. Will he have red hair like Jason? Will he have my complexion? Will he love music like both his Mom and Dad? I guess I'll just have to wait- but not for long! Only 5 weeks until my due date- but he has dropped a little already! :) Sometimes it feels like I've been pregnant forever- sometimes it feels like the time has flown by.

Nursery!

Wow- the nursery is almost finished! Everything for Baby James is finished, anyway. I still have to finish the pillows for the day bed, but everything else is complete! Yippee!!! I am so happy with the way it all turned out- it actually looks likes what I planned. I love it when that happens! So- now all we have to do is wait for James!

(OK- that last picture isn't really in the nursery- but I figure that's where James will be spending a majority of the time for a while- so I think it counts!)

Life's Sew Good

Life's Sew Good is the name of my home based business, and also how I feel about my life right now. After several dificult years, my life is calm and peaceful. Yes, we have our stresses, but overall- life is good.

I am currently expecting our first child- James Earl (named after my dad and Jason's dad.) I am so excited about being a Mom! I'm also a little bit panicked- only 7 more weeks to go! But I suppose that's normal. Right now I'm trying to get everything ready- and most days I wind up feeling more confused than when I started. I am a very analytical person- I want my reality to line up with my To-Do lists. That doesn't seem to be working very well where Baby is concerned. I guess it's time to learn to be flexible! :)

I added a couple of the ultrasound pics of Baby James- I absolutely adore the new 3-D ultrasounds! I really feel like I'm able to see him- not just his skeleton! He has a face- and the cutest nose! (OK- I'm a little biased!)