FIRSTS: Hawaiian Vacation

This is my second attempt at this post... For some reason the first one did not save :(

This year, Katie and I turned 30 so my parents wanted all us kids to go to Maui to celebrate. These plans had been made prior to considering I would have a newborn baby during this time. I decided that I would still plan on going since I would be off work anyways (maternity leave) and Chris and I had talked about not wanting to stop doing things just because we had a baby.

The first few days ended up being a girls trip because the Chris's were coming a few days later and then my Dad was scheduled to arrive a few days after that.

High five durig FaceTime with Grandpa

Jim and Janie had been in Hawaii the week before Katie, Bennett and I had arrived. As a present to us (as well as contributing to the future Wheeland Grandkids who would vacation there) they bought a bouncer and a pack and play. This SAVED us! Bennett is a baby that prefers to be held so this is really the only way we were able to all eat at the same time. He also took many naps in this bouncer.

Lava flows!

Bennett had the life! This is his "go to" ride. Car seat + personal fan = happy baby

Lazy mornings

Bennett loves his binkie, so Katie would always say "plug it up!"

I was so paranoid about Bennett being in the sun. This was our first walk down to the ocean/beach right before sunset. He was out in the sun as long a it took to take these 3 photos and then back in my shaded stroller and under the blanket he went!

From this selfie you can tell he is not used to the sun! So bright!

This was the morning after the boys arrived

Daddy love!

Morning Grandpa arrived! This was the second time Bennett was in the sun - grandpa took him for a walk around the pool. They both look so happy in this picture!

 Shuffle board! This game got surprisingly competitive.

Katie had made some chocolate seashells so we all walked down to the water to take some photos. She displayed them on a plate that looked like a leaf and put it in the sand. I thought it would look nice to put the plate closer to the water and Katie about had a heart attach thinking her chocolates were going to get wet!

 New parent selfie!

Photoshoot

This is what it looks like when you want to go to the pool - with a baby. Sitting under a huge umbrella - taking turns so I could go in the water. Thanks Uncle Cupcake for taking a turn!

Thirtieth birthday celebration! My mom is so creative!

Beer cozies of weddings past!

 It was really overcast one day - so we had some time on the grass - he really seemed to enjoy this!

First family portrait of 3

Moose Magilacuties (I know I didn't spell that right!)

Katie had been asking to do this with Bennett since we first got into town. Every time before this, Bennett was asleep so finally we were able to make this happen!  Katie - you are such a fun Aunt!

So little!

Boche ball! Chris and I lost... My mom and Dad won. I think there was cheating going on... Even though I don't think you can cheat at that kind of game! I had determined my mom is a Shark - she pretends to not be good - but then my dad a her ended up winning!!!

 Bennett joined me in the baby carrier.

First trip to the beach with a baby!

It was so windy so Bennett ende up being wrapped under two towels to prevent the sand from getting in - and also to keep he flies from biting!

My dad and I (Bennett came too but I was carrying him in the baby carrier) took a walk down the beach. This is what we found... Both dead but I had to document it!

FrontBack at its finest!

I so badly wanted to get a photo of Chris and Bennett while we was wearing this outfit... But it never happened so I settled for one of just Bennett.

My parents - still love birds - enjoying the last day in Maui

We had a great trip! We all (minus my Chris who had to get back to work) flew to Las Vegas for our cousins Maddie's wedding!  

Cupcake was such a champ! He insisted on carrying all my bags and one of Katie's! What a gentleman!

Twin selfie with ABC Store hats!

Interesting book for sale at the airport

My mom arranged for them to sit net to Katie and I on the plane so they could help with the baby if need be. It was nice to have us all so close - like old times. Poor cupcake sat 10 rows back :(

 Cuddle bug!

Drinking wine and holding a baby

Momma and baby. I love when he is cuddly like this!

Grandpa holding Bennett

 It really was a great trip. Different than other trips because of the baby but I am totally glad I ventured out and didn't let the fear of traveling with a newborn hold me back! 

Next stop - Las Vegas!

I'm two months old!

This is the first photo where I think he looks somewhat like me

Weight: 11lbs 4 oz

Favorite Toy: A bouncer - he is becoming more able to entertain himself. This has been a lifesaver for us - beig able to put him down. He still prefers to be held but does pretty good in a bouncer. When we were in Tucson - Auntie Kim an Uncle Brian let us use their bouncer which had lights and noise that worked when he kicked his feet. He really enjoyed that!

Favorite Activity: Having someone sing to him. Current favorite is "blue bird." I love theatrics song was sung to babies as far back as my great Grandma Hansen. 

Milestone: Mimicing facial expressions. In the morning he is super smiley. I started to realize he was coping my expression so I tried sticking my tongue out and so did he! This is my favorite part of our day! Also - all in the last month he has been to New York, Maui, Las Vegas, and Tucson. Been on 6 airplanes with the longest flight being 11 hours. Slept in  6 different beds. Played in 3 different bouncers.  Met countless relatives and friends. Attended 1 wedding. Been in 4 different taxis (which was a HUGE fear of mine. Who this ahead of time about how car seats work in cabs?!) He is a champ! Grandma Wheeland (Christine) keeps saying that he is an amazing baby in public (and has his meltdowns in private (which I guess is the way I would want it to be!)

Dislikes: When he doesn't get his way - right away. As you know we have done A LOT of traveling lately and when he gets hungry he wants to eat NOW! On the plane this happened and I was looking for the last bottle of pumped milk that I had in my bag... When I finally found it and put it to his lips he immediately shut up - and I heard giggles from the passengers on the plane. He always does this! He seems inconsolable and then he will stop just like that! 

The way he is looking at Chris melts my heart!

we were trying so hard to get a smile for this month!

This is the way he looks at me all the time.  I call this the "i can't believe you are my mom" look.  I imagine this look will get worse as he gets older! :)

Both the girls were very interested in our photo shoot this month

8 weeks and 1 day old

May the 4th (be with you), Bennett turned 8 weeks old. Earlier in the week I took him by my parents office and he was weighed and measured. 

At birth: 

             6lbs 14oz

             19.5 inches

At 7 weeks 4 days:

             11lbs 5oz

              25 inches

I will do his official 2 month post once I get back to Virginia but I wanted to jot down a few milestones that have happened in the last week.

He started really smiling. Smiles from interacting - not just gas.

He also started to mimic your expressions - with the most obvious being if you stick your tongue out - so will he. He gets so excited when you praise him!

I am falling more in love every day!

Firsts: FLYING

For mine and Katie's 30th birthday, my parents convinced us to go to their timeshare in Hawaii - Maui to be more specific. That involves me to bring Bennett (currently 5 weeks old) on flights from Virginia to New York to Honilulu to Maui. Longest flight being 10 hours long.

First day we decided to only fly from Norfolk Virginia to New York City. We had a layover in Philadelphia. Each of these 2 flights were only an hour long so it was our test run for the long day we had in front of ourselves the following day. 

I was scared to death to travel with Bennett myself. Granted - the biggest trip I had done with just me and Bennett before this was a quick trip to Target.  I was worried about traveling with a car seat, stroller, luggage, a diaper bag, purse and baby. Car seats and taxis were stressing me out. Germs. A crying baby. So many things! 

He ended up doing great! I had bought a baby carrier and we had been taking walks with him in it before we left. He always falls asleep when we put him in it. So I decided I was going to wear Bennett, check my luggage, car seat, and stroller. Chris ended up coming into the airport with me to check in and they even offered to give him a gate pass to help me. We declined - mostly because it was taking awhile and it didn't really seem like that big of deal. Breast fed in the lobby and then we were off to security. I was dreading having to take the carrier off to go the through the scanner but instead they let me keep it on. After that is was smooth sailing! Even with a layover!

He slept the whole time!

Auntie Katie and Uncle Cupcake came to meet us in baggage claim.  Did I mention we took the 5:45am flight?! We got to New York by 9am!

First cab ride!

Bennett loves his Uncle Cupcake and Uncle cupcake seemed pretty infatuated with Bennett too!

He already knew his Auntie Katie and he enjoyed the cuddles she was dishing out!

We even tried out the mustache binkie that Maddie got Bennett!

So the next day we get to the airport and the line is CRAZY longgggg! We wait for about 5 minutes and as someone checked our ticket they informed us we were in the wrong line. 

This is a "front/back" photo of the line we got to skip and us going straight to the front! Score!!!

First transpacific flight selfies!

We sat in a bulkhead row so we would have more room which was nice. We were near the flight attendant station too so it was close for us to be able to gt up ad walk Bennett around. Also, the bathroom was there too so quick access when a diaper change was needed.

Overall Bennett did great for the first 8 hours. katie was a huge help by taking turns holding the boy. The last 2 hours he was just over it. Crying - not a ton but more than I was comfortable hearing. All the people on the flight wre great telling me that e was doing so well! That made me feel better knowing that they were sympathetic towards us and him getting a little fussy.

Overall - we made it!

This actually happened...

Getting him used to housework early!

Bright Eyes

I'm 1 month old!

Bennett turned one month old on Sunday April 6th.  I can't believe it has already been a whole month!  Sleep deprivation has really made the time fly by I suppose!

Thanks to Auntie Amy for the adorable month stickers you got us!  Love the chevrons and the elephants :)

Weight: 9 lbs 3 oz

Favorite Toy: Is a binkie considered a toy?  His Grandma Shirley has been calling them "Zoozas."  The boy likes to suck on anything from a finger, to a binkie, to an elbow, but hoping all of them will produce milk!  The boy loves to eat!

Favorite Activity: Sitting up - looking at the wave photographs that hang above our couch.

Milestone: Sleeping (if only for a 20 minutes to an hour) in his crib or pack-n-play.  Also he is starting to make non-crying noises (-which are adorable!) and focusing his eyes better.  When he looks at me it warms my heart!

Dislikes: Not being held constantly.  He also seems to have a sore tummy a lot of the time but he is learning to burp and toot (per Grandma Christine he does not fart) like a champ!

 Bennett did not want to participate in our soon to be monthly tradition so daddy had to jump in!

When he sits like this he looks much older to me than just an infant!  He really is a little man!

He has very good head and neck control but sometimes needs some help.