Happy Birthday, Benjamin

I can't believe my baby is 1 today. Officially, at 1:51 this afternoon, he turned the Big One. He entered this world weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz. and we'll have an appointment in a week or so to see what he weighs in now as, but I'm guessing right up near 25 lbs.

We had a doctor's appointment scheduled for the 31st, and considered inducing, but I wasn't entirely convinced I wanted to do that. Around 3 or 4 AM, I woke up a little and some lower abdominal pains, but I rolled over and went back to sleep. Around 5:30 or 6, I got up to take a shower and still felt kinda blah and had some pressure, so I called my mom and after discussing how I was feeling and what was going on, she confirmed that I was in labor and that we needed to get going. We drove an hour down to the hospital while Papa stayed with Alexandar. There was a big snow storm predicted for the day, and it was snowing as we were driving. Contractions continued to get closer and closer as we drove. Once arriving and the nurses had time to examine me, they broke my water and not too much longer, I started to push. The nurse found that Benjamin's head was face up instead of face down and as I pushed, he turned it sideways and refused to budge! I was given the option of waiting it out or going to a c-section. Since there wasn't any trauma at the time and I didn't want for that to happen, I chose the c-section. A few hours later, Benjamin arrived.

Now, we had much discussion on him name, let me tell ya! We still had not yet decided on a name at the point. Once he was born, he just looked like a Benjamin to me and Martin comes from Shawn's grandfather's middle name.

My boy has changed so much! He was walking by around 10 months, he says a few words the cutest being "all done" which he does actually say at appropriate times! It is pretty adorable too when he says "ni-night" when I'm rocking him and tell him to go "ni-night." He is an explorer, a mama's boy, and watches everything big brother does and tries to copy him, quite successfully many times. He also has a sense of humor and thinks it is great fun to take Alexandar's pacifier out of his mouth first thing in the morning, or to scurry down the hall before someone catches him and take it out of brother's mouth while he's napping. Benjamin is my morning child, and would prefer to go to bed around 6:30 or 7 and get up around 7. This is why he considers it so hilarious to take brother's plug in the morning, and Alexandar is simply not a morning child at all. Oh, I absolutely adore my boys.

Benjamin, you are mommy's sweetheart. I know God has amazing things planned for your life and I hope you live your life to the fullest and rise to reach your full potential. I love you.

Battle of the Wills

Have I mentioned my son is extremely strong- willed? This would be Alexandar, of course. Here's the latest in our challenges with our son. On Sunday, we turn on the Christian music on TV (we have digital cable) and have that on as we are getting ready. Well, Alexandar did not want to have that on, he wanted to watch a cartoon. He gave me the " 'mote" and when I said no, we were going to listen to music, he proceeded to throw himself on the floor and holler. Mommy and Daddy decided to give him a time out, where he continued to pitch a fit. He refused to say he was sorry, and screamed instead so the time out escalated to sending him to his crib. After a few minutes in there, I went back in to ask him if he was ready to say sorry, have him milk and breakfast. He reached up him arms, said "Mama, sowwry" and continued on with his day in a compliant and happy mood.

Monday, however, presented more battles.

I have debated the whole eating struggle. When he was starting to eat table food, he ate whatever we were having, no problem. Now he seems to have more of an opinion and is lately, refusing all types of pasta, which had always been a staple with him. However, now I'm not sure if I should just make whatever we are having and if he doesn't want it, he doesn't eat.... or should I have him sit at the table and insist he tries one bite?? I don't mind asking him what he would like and making a healthy choice for lunch. Breakfast always goes well.... I don't mind making him a bagel if sister is having cereal.... no biggie. Anyhow, at lunch on Monday all he would eat were green beans. After two good sized helpings, he wanted more but I figured that was plenty of green veggies for his little system in one day and tried to get him to eat macaroni and cheese. Just one little piece. I think he would like some things he won't try if he'd just taste one bite. I made him sit at the table and he intermittently cried and sat him protesting silence. While he carried on, I was able to put Benjamin to sleep through the fit and then tried to work with Alexandar on just trying one little piece. Well, while sitting on my lap after carrying on for approximately 1 1/2 hours, he fell asleep.

Who won that battle? Hmm, I don't think anyone did. I don't know what I would have done differently, but I figured once I had insisted he take a bite, I shouldn't back down and give in to the fit. I think some more reading on raising a strong-willed child is in order!