The beginning of Benjamin at home

All I can say is that I am SUPER thankful that Nick and my mom were around to help me transition to being a family of four. Here are a few pictures of our first week or so of being home...

Gabrielle's first try at feeding Benjamin a bottle...notice she's not even paying attention. Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?!

One of the places that Benjamin likes to hang out...

Me talking to Benjamin while he was naked at his 1-week check up at our pediatrician's office.

Waaaaaaah! (He doesn't really cry that often, thankfully...my "perfect" little baby!) Notice he's wearing the shirt that Gabrielle painted for him at the sibling's class we attended.

His first sponge bath that we did at home.

Gabrielle playing the Alice in Wonderland game that Grandma Reinke printed off the internet and played while we were at the pediatrician's office with Benjamin.

Checking himself out in the mirror on his changing table.

Taking a nap in the bassinet that's currently in our bedroom. This is a very special piece of furniture because a family that I taught in Cheney handcrafted it for us before Gabrielle was born. Thanks again, Slusser Family!!!

Wide awake...look at his beautiful eyes!

Headed home with Benjamin

Saturday the 3rd we headed home from the hospital after lunch with our new little baby, Benjamin.

Just the three of us...going home to see Gabrielle finally!

Getting the "grand" treatment of being pushed in a wheelchair down to our van. Nick and I agreed that the nurse behind me in this picture was by far the most agreeable/nicest nurse that we had the whole time that we were in recovery (I also really liked the nurse who was with me during the surgery).

Wide awake for his first experience in his car seat.

And, fast asleep after a few minutes on the road...notice where his thumb is! :)

Benjamin's visitors

Here's some of the pictures we took while we were in the hospital after Benjamin was born.

My friend, Heather, getting some cuddly-baby-time.

Gabrielle adorned Benjamin with some Tigger stickers on his hands and feet. I don't think that he was too impressed, but it was cute to watch her "love on him" in her own special way.

Gabrielle reading her baby a story.

Special sibling kisses...

Gabrielle decided that she needed to carry Benjamin over to Grandma. This freaked me out at first since I was sitting in my bed, and wasn't able to move much, but my mom came to the "rescue". I DO love this picture with the three of them!

Gabrielle opening the "big sister" gift in the hospital.

Big Sister Dora book was one of her gifts.

Getting some IPOD time while the grandmas held Benjamin.

Grandma Debbie with her two grandkids...obviously Gabrielle was NOT in the mood to take a picture at the moment.

Grandma Reinke getting to hold Benjamin.

More play time with her baby and new "big sister" toys.

Gabrielle holding Benjamin for the first time...melts my heart!

High fives for being a great big sister.

The only "family picture" we got of all four of us in the hospital.

Two Grandmas here to help us out!

While Nick and I were at the hospital for Benjamin's birth, Gabrielle got spoiled by two of her Grandma's (Nick's mom on the left and my mom on the right below). Unfortunately, she had strep the day before we headed in for my c-section (oh, the drama, right?). So they spent a lot of time at home instead of doing some of the other things that I had planned for them to all do together. Here's some of the fun they still had...

Gabrielle getting kisses when the Grandmas arrived.

All three of them checking out Gabrielle's tent.

Licking the batter off the beaters...they made my favorite cake--Mahogany Chiffon Cake and it was DELICIOUS!!! :)

Gabrielle showing off her mad guitar skills.

Swinging with Grandma Debbie.

Enjoying their picnic lunch on our back patio.

Taking the "picnic basket" back inside after lunch.

Watch out everyone...she's a crazy driver!

Enjoying some swing-time at the elementary school park that is just down the street from our house.

Climbing on the playground...fun!!!

More baking time with Grandma Reinke...this time they made blueberry mini muffins.

Welcome Benjamin Scott Walker

Benjamin Scott Walker

Born at 1:10pm on 3/31/2010
6 lbs, 10 ounces
18.5 inches

Random things we've been doing...

Daddy getting "dressed up" to dance with his decked-out daughter.

Up-close and personal with Gabrielle.

Just imitating her daddy...

She looks SO grown up in this picture (of course, I wasn't wearing any makeup, so I wish I looked better). I can't believe she's almost three years old already!!!

Hanging out at the park with my mentor-mom, Mary, who brought us a Subway picnic lunch, and is super sweet.

Her second favorite thing at the park...the slides (I think the swings are still her favorite!).

Stylin' in her dress on Sunday with the jelly shoes that I wore when I was a little girl. Seriously, can you believe that they are still in good enough shape for her to play with?!

My little dancer...so dramatic!

Enjoying the beautiful weather at the park.

Reading on the potty...I LOVE that she's pointing her fingers through the words as she "reads" the story to herself. I just couldn't resist catching this on camera!!!

I'm sure Nick isn't going to appreciate that I'm sharing this video with you, but it makes me smile for so many reasons...the fact that he's grooving and I caught it on camera, Gabrielle dressed herself up as a princess, and the fact that she put her crown on her head backwards. Love my wonderful family and the fun we have together!!!

New camera

On Palm Sunday before church we decided to try out the timer function on our new camera. Nick got it all set up on a ladder outside by our beautiful azalea bush while Gabrielle and I finished getting dressed inside.

First try...I wasn't ready.

Then I suggested just using the "smile finder" function on the camera, so I was instructed to make sure I was NOT smiling (to explain this picture...I wasn't really that grumpy!). Then Gabrielle started saying "cheese" and it took a picture--nice, huh? :)

This is me laughing because it obviously didn't work to just wait for the smile-sensor thing to take a picture. So, it's back to our first idea to use the timer!

And here's take two...not bad!!!