"I miss Mimi & Papa"

This is me sleeping. I did that a lot this weekend. That's because my mom's parents, Mimi and Papa, went to Florida. I'm not sure what to do with myself. It's so boring here without them. So for now, I'm just sleeping. Except for at night when I'm supposed to (sorry, Mom). I hope Mimi and Papa are having a fun time. I will miss them, but they'll be back next Wednesday. I'll try to find more exciting things to pass the time until they get back. I love you, Mimi and Papa!
Love,
Jack

One month

My dearest Jackson Reed,

Today you are one month old. Happy birthday! One month ago, after 30 hours in labor, I held you for the first time and couldn't believe that you were finally here! After 9 months inside me, it was so fantastic to meet you!
Just the other day, I finally got some of our digital pictures printed at Target. As I looked through them today, I was shocked at how long ago that first day seems. You look so tiny and a little beat up. Honestly, we knew you'd be a cute baby, but you looked as though you'd been through a couple rounds with Tyson. Within a few days, though, you started to look a little more like a human. The most common comment that we got (and still get) from people is "Look how big his hands are!" You do have very big hands. Actually, you have big everything. You were a big newborn, and you haven't stopped growing!
The first night at home wasn't exactly ideal. We had let them take you to the nursery while we were at the hospital, and the nurse said that they had to wake you up to feed you. I thought that was such good news and that you were going to be a great sleeper! I was wrong. You had trouble even staying asleep unless I was holding you. So we spent much of the first few nights together sleeping in a chair in the bedroom. Pretty soon you got used to the bassinet. At this point, you are still waking up every couple of hours to nurse. But once in a while you sleep for 3 or 4 hours straight, and it's like heaven! I have faith that there will be more long stretches in the future. :)
We have brought you to church a few times, and you really like it. You just sleep through worship and wake up ready for a bottle from Dad just in time for Dave's sermon! How fun it will be to make new friends in the church nursery someday!
One of your favorite people in the world is your Mimi. Actually, YOU are one of HER favorite people. You do love her--you just don't know it yet. :) You have two pretty cool uncles who love you too, but only when you're happy.
Ever since you were brand new, you have smiled (and laughed!) in your sleep. Well, in just the last couple days, you have started smiling when you are awake, and it'st just the cutest thing. I feel like you are interacting with us. Today was the best timing smile so far. Your diaper was in desperate need of being changed. It was a terrible mess, and as I took it away, you decided it was a good time to pee. Once you were all diapered and dressed again, I put you on a blanket on the floor so I could clean up the changing table pad. As I was getting the new one on and taking care of the laundry, you very audibly filled your pants again. I looked down at you and said, "Did you just poop again?" And you smiled the biggest smile, as if to say right back to me, "Yup--just like to keep you on your toes!"
We're still getting the hang of outings. We've had some lovely days, and have tried to walk. You aren't crazy about the stroller, but you eventually fall asleep. Sometimes you are asleep when we start out, and then you wake up in the middle of the walk and cry all the way home. I'm sure people look at me like, "Gee, your child really seems to be enjoying that!" We've also tried to run errands a couple times. Sometimes you stay asleep the whole time. That is great. More often, though, you are awake and crabby, and I end up holding you in one arm and pushing my cart through the store with the other arm. Oh well. You'll learn.
One of my favorite things is that sometimes I'm the only one who can make you happy. I guess I just smell good. More than likely, I smell like milk and that's a good sign that you will get some of it in the near future. It's okay--it makes me feel needed.
I love you, dear one. You have blessed our hearts so much in just one month. We can't even begin to fathom what the next months and years will bring. You are an amazing gift from God to us.

Love,
Mom

Happy Easter...or Keester

My mom sent this to me, and I couldn't help but share it with you. There's just nothing like a baby's butt. :)
Have a wonderful Easter, all!

Growing boy

Jackson seems big to me this week. Frankly, he seemed big when they plopped him on my belly immediately after delivery. But this week, he just seems to be growing. When I am holding him or changing him or just looking at him, I have to remind myself that he's only 3 1/2 weeks old. That's just brand new! Here are some cute pics.

I love this picture. He's on my shoulder, and clearly not having a great time. But his little face is just so precious!

Jackson is letting us know that he is very happy to be resting on Dad's shoulder.

This is Maddie. She is so starved for attention that she will let us do whatever we want with her. Including putting Jackson's hospital hat on her head. What a sweet girl.

Conked out with Mimi. We went for a walk in the lovely weather, which apparently wore him out!

Nothing like a naked baby! This is one of many changes that happens in a typical day. Just today, in fact, we had gone through three outfits by 4:00!

Jackson and I had our first major outing on Monday. I had to get fitted for a bridesmaid dress (something no woman should EVER have to do 3 weeks postpartum), so I dropped Jack off at my Aunt Sue's house. It was his first official babysitting experience, and I think he did quite well. :)

Time for bed. I really should be sleeping right now because my little man is sleeping. I'm getting better at "sleep when the baby sleeps." We took a nice hour-long nap yesterday. It's was heavenly!

Jackson, week 3

We've gotten through yet another week! And our little man is just growing up. Here are some highlights:

Here is Jackson enjoying a new toy. Well, enjoying it might be a bit much. He tolerated it long enough for me to take a picture.

This is Jackson's content "I just ate" look. Some would say he looks drunk. What can I say--breast milk must be intoxicating!

This is Jackson with his Mimi (my mom). That's one of the sweetest faces he makes!

Maddie has recently started to realize that this little thing we brought home certainly takes a lot of our attention. She's one jealous kitty! Here's Dan doing double duty.

A bouncy seat like this is a must-have for new parents. This model vibrates, which Jackson apparently finds quite soothing. This is how we eat dinner. It's also how I take a shower every day!

Jackson hanging out with cool Uncle John.

We had a reunion last night with the couples and babies from our childbirth class. It was great to see everyone and hear their birth stories. Here are all of the babies together. Jackson is the one who is clearly peeved with all of us. I can see the report cards now--"Does not play nice with others." :) Here's a fun fact--Jackson is two months younger than the baby next to him with the striped shirt. They are about the same weight now. What a bruiser!

Well, there's the weekly installment. Enjoy your weekend!

Bath time

This is how Jackson feels about taking a bath. It's a very traumatic experience!

Jackson, week 2

Here are some pictures from dinner at my parent's house last night. Yes, he's in two different outfits. He had his first projectile vomiting experience. It was terrific!

We've almost survived two weeks now. Very little sleep has been had, but we are so in love with this baby that it doesn't seem to matter! He has had a couple 3-hour stretches of sleep this week, which is just heavenly. I wake up and think, "You are still breathing, right?" But he does wake up and we have a nice long nursing time while watching middle-of-the-night television. It's a blast. It makes you wonder who else is actually awake at that hour.
Jackson and I took a field trip to school today. It was a staff planning day, so we didn't have to deal with middle schooler germs quite yet. It was fun to see everyone. And kind of fun to think that I don't have to go back for five more weeks. :)
Here's my favorite thing about my son. He laughs in his sleep. He must have some awesome dreams. Sometimes he just smiles and looks absolutely adorable. But sometimes he actually giggles! It's so cute.
Dan's favorite thing about Jackson is his ears. Overheard just a few minutes ago: "I could just eat them up!" Careful, dear.
I guess that's it for now. Here's to a night with more sleep time than awake time!

Our little man!

This is Jackson very soon after delivery. He looks a little roughed up. I guess he didn't expect to be pushed out in 25 minutes. Sorry buddy!

Proud grandparents!

Some mommy time before leaving the hospital.

Now that's a content look!

Some down time with daddy.

Blogworld, meet Jackson

Here is our little guy! This was a rare "eyes open" moment. He's also showing off one of the benefits of being born at 9 1/2 pounds--he can already hold up his own head. What a guy! We have yet to get any of our pictures onto the computer (my dad took this one), but now that I know how to do this, there will be many more coming.
We've made it almost a week! I haven't gotten more than two hours of sleep at a time all week, but he's SO worth it. :)

Welcome, baby

I don't have the time (or more than one free hand, for that matter) to write much right now, but I have to let you all know that Jackson has indeed arrived. All 9 pounds, 8 ounces, 22 1/2 inches of him! He's a nice big boy. :)
Jackson entered the world at 1:36 on Sunday morning, after roughly 20 hours of labor. We are ecstatic and blessed and SO in love with this little guy. We have many pictures to post, so stay tuned!

Due

Dear little one,

Well, we have successfully made it to your due date. I have to tell you that way back when we first learned that you would be joining our family, March 15th felt like years away.

The good news came with a little blue line on a home pregnancy test. Your dad and I were ecstatic! We couldn't believe it. So much that I took two more tests over the course of the week. I got through a couple of weeks without feeling too icky. Unfortunately, I counted my blessings too early and ended up feeling pretty pukey for over a month. Luckily it was summer and I could just stay in bed if I wanted to. :)

In August, we took you to the Boundary Waters. Actually, we took you into the waters quite literally. But I think you liked it. In October, we had an ultrasound that showed us you were a boy. We were so excited to know! So were your grandparents--they enjoy referring to you by name.

The holidays were fun. We loved thinking about how things would be next year with you around. You'll surely be the center of our attention! Around Christmas, you really started to move and groove. Dad even got to feel you kick. Feeling (and watching) you move is one of my favorite things. And soon I'll get to see it in real life!

Once the new year arrived, your coming seemed very close and very real. We registered for baby gifts, finished your room, and packed our bags for the hospital. Better safe (and early) than sorry! We had many showers in your honor (and there are more to come once you're here!) and people blessed us with lots of gifts.

And now we are here. March 15th. We are very anxious to meet you! We're sure you are already a pretty cool kid. There are so many people out here who are anxious for your arrival and already love you. Maddie and Ruby will be sad that all of this fun baby stuff isn't for them. Maybe you can share. :)

We are thanking God for bringing you into our lives and we pray that he will bless you. See you soon!

Love,
Mom

What a bunch of crap

I really don't have the time or energy to write much right now, but I just want to make it clear that I think it's ridiculous that Anoka-Hennepin did not cancel school today.

That's all.

Oscar review!

Okay, I'm almost a week late on this one.

The Academy Awards were great. I was pleasantly surprised with John Stewart as the host. There were plenty of lovely dresses to admire. And Crash winning best picture? The highlight of my evening! Seriously, it's the only one in the category that deserved it, but I just figured that Brokeback would walk away with it (not because of the quality of the movie, but because of the controversy--luckily it only got three awards).

"In other news," I'm still pregnant. :) 39 weeks and 2 days to be exact. And although I'm still not dilating, as of today I am effacing. Very exciting stuff, people! Encouragement that I will not be pregnant forever! But even if I'm pregnant for another 2 or 3 weeks, I think I'll be fine. Other than heartburn and swollen ankles, I'm not terribly uncomfortable. Yet...

Keep the due date guesses coming!

Movies and babies

Or, lack thereof.

I was hoping to have two more Oscar movie reviews for you this weekend, as the awards are tomorrow night. I had planned to see "Good Night and Good Luck" and "Transamerica." But, I don't think I will. I had an insane week, and I'm just too worn out to make it work. I'll see them eventually, and probably when they come out on DVD. (New parents have advised me to get in all the movie theater time I can now, because once baby comes, that won't happen anymore).

I went to the doctor yesterday. I hadn't had an internal exam for a few weeks, so I was anxious to see if anything was progressing. Nope. Basically, we shouldn't expect to meet our little boy until after his due date. But who knows. She also said as soon as he decides to drop, everything could change rather quickly. I am dealing with some swelling in my legs and hands, which is causing neuropathy in my right hand. I guess the swelling constricts some nerves around my wrist, and my hand always feels like it's falling asleep. I'm getting used to it, but it's annoying. Other than that, I'm not terribly uncomfortable, and I really don't mind being pregnant for however long I need to be. Except that we want to see this kid! I want to feel his little feet--and not through the walls of my uterus! So, here's a new game (now that the Christmas light fiasco is over). Guess Jackson's birthday! Official due date is March 15th. Let's see who can get the closest to his actual arrival date. Let the guessing begin. (You should know that I don't plan to be induced unless medically necessary).

Well, I'm off to take down our Christmas lights. Gotta take advantage of a sunny, somewhat-above-freezing day in March!

Crazy neighbors and Oscar movie review #9

Just because this Christmas light ordeal couldn't get any funnier...

As you know, our neighbors across from us finally turned off their lights the other night. It was very exciting. Our next door neighbor thought it was exciting too. So much in fact, that she decided to turn hers back ON. Now, this is a woman who has been known to talk to herself while sitting on her front steps in a cloud of what we can only assume to be illegally-produced smoke. So seeing Christmas lights adorning her deck on a solitary night in July isn't completely weird. But this time she took it to the next level--her lights have been on the last three nights. Thus giving us no reprieve from neighborhood Christmas lights. It's just so humorous, I can't hardly stand it. Maybe we'll turn ours on when Jackson is born.

On to the movie. I saw Munich last night with my parents. I was really looking forward to it. I had heard great things from people who had seen it and Dan had learned a bunch of stuff online about it. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. First of all, it was entirely too long. Pushing three hours. Second of all, it was extremely violent. Doesn't normally bother me, but this time it did. Maybe it was the length with which the violence was dragged out. The movie started with the terrorist incident with the Israeli team at the Olympics. That took about 15 minutes. The rest of the movie was devoted to assassins hunting down the attackers. I wanted to know more about what led up to it and see more of the Olympics. It would have set the scene a lot better. Eric Bana is the main character, and he does very well. However, this isn't a movie I would have put in the best picture category. But I could say that about a lot of the best picture nominees this year. Just not a great year for movies, I guess. Oddly enough, the movie is also nominated for best original score. At one point in the movie, I leaned over and said to my mom, "John Williams is nominated for the music in this. I can't think of any music I've heard yet." Bottom line? Not the best movie I've seen this Oscar season. Worth renting when it comes out? I wouldn't. But again, there are so many people who said great things about it, so clearly there is something in it for some people. Just not for me.

The Oscars are one week from tomorrow!

Very exciting news

No, I'm not in labor. :)

The lights

are

off.

Actually, they were off last night, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't just a fluke thing before announcing it to blogworld. We had company for dinner and as they left, I said, "Check out our neighbors. They still have their....WAIT! They're gone!" Alas, they are not gone (neither are ours, actually). But at least they are off.

Now, on to the winner. The person who guessed closest to yesterday was Lalimama, with a guess of February 18th. The next closest was David, who guessed March 3rd. So close. And sorry, Lisa, but now you'll have to actually figure out how to get to our house without the landmark lights.

And now for Lalimama's prize. You get to play a game! Just click here. The red and green are in honor of our holiday-minded neighbors. Enjoy!

And celebrate! Today begins about eight months of a Christmas light-free neighborhood. :)

Black raspberry avalanche & Oscar movie reviews #7 and #8

Black raspberry avalanche is the ice cream flavor of the day. Edy's Dreamery. It was heavenly.

We rented two movies this weekend. Actually, we rented them last weekend and watched them this weekend. Blockbuster "no late fees" can be a nice thing.

Hustle and Flow. Very interesting movie, and I really enjoyed it. In only the way a white suburban girl can enjoy a movie about a pimp who follows his rap dream. With plenty of colorful words to boot. Terrence Howard is nominated for best actor. He does a nice job, but I think his competition in the category will be too much for him. The movie is also nominated for original song--"It's hard out here for a pimp"--which I have had in my head since seeing the movie Saturday night. :)

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Cute movie. I have not seen any other Wallace and Gromit work, so this was very new for me. But who doesn't love claymation characters with British accents?! The thing that made me laugh the hardest was how they got away with a "G" rating. At one point, the main female character is lamenting to Wallace that her husband is no longer interested in her produce--at which point the "camera" shoots her strategically standing behind two canteloupes. Then at the end, Wallace ends up naked (which you don't actually see), so Gromit hands him a box to hold around his mid-section. The box is for some sort of food product and clearly bears the warning "May contain nuts." Anyway, this was an enjoyable movie and will probably win best animated film--its only nomination.

Now, before I'm done, here's an Olympic question for you. I've actually gotten into some of the sports this weekend, and it got me thinking about what kind of event I would want to compete in. I still don't know, but here's my question. Would you rather compete in a sport where the results were determined by time or by a judge's subjective scoring?

Oscar movie review #6 and other news

Well, we braved the Maple Grove Mann theater again. (Gloria is wondering if I'll ever learn...). However, this time I was smart enough to bring a pillow in with me. You're probably wondering about the looks I got? Well, I made Dan carry it. But honestly, a pregnant woman carrying a pillow into a movie theater isn't that weird. But I digress.

Movie of the night? The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Our plan was to see Munich, but it is only playing in Oakdale, Elk River, and St. Anthony Main. And I'm glad we were forced to change our plans because Narnia was fabulous. We just loved it. I am disappointed it isn't nominated for more (or at least more important) awards. It's up for make-up, sound mixing, and special effects.

The film was so true to Lewis' book, which made me very happy. The children were adorable, the animals were fascinating, and Aslan was powerfully gentle. The music was really good, too. And the witch? Fantastic villain with wicked dreadlocked hair. (Not that all dreadlocked hair is wicked, Matt Patrick).

As Dan said when we left, this is one we'll be purchasing when it comes out. It's classic and wonderful. And that's all. If you haven't seen it yet, see it. And bring your children. With the warning that the battle can get a little frightening.

In other Bennett news, we are officially in the last month of this pregnancy. Well, Jackson and I are in the last month. Dan's just along for the ride. :) It kind of blows my mind to think that I could go into labor at any moment. It also blows my mind to think that it could still be 6 weeks away! But that's okay. I'm bound to have a big baby no matter when I deliver, so bring it on. This past week brought some real excitement as Dan and I attended a 2 1/2 hour breastfeeding class at Methodist. You might wonder, as we did, what on earth takes 2 1/2 hours to learn when it comes to breastfeeding. But our perky instructor filled every last minute with lots of very useful information. I won't bore you (or disgust or frighten you) with the details, but I do have to share the one thing that made me laugh so hard that I feared wetting myself. As she introduced engorgement, she described it as "being so full of milk that you just need to nurse somebody." Somebody? Anybody? What kind of discernment should I use when finding this "somebody" to nurse? Anyway, it was funny.

And lastly, the lights are still on. Lalimama, cross your fingers. You guessed tomorrow. You might get lucky...

Oscar movie reviews #3, 4, and 5

Yup, I had a busy movie-watching weekend. So hold onto your seats!

1) Capote, nominated for a number of awards, including best actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and best picture.
I loved this movie. I went to the theater alone, which I rarely do. I enjoyed highly over-priced popcorn and soda, which I also rarely do. But I thought the movie was so well-done. And although I didn't know anything about Truman Capote before the film, I could tell that Hoffman had nailed it. Right down to the annoying voice. It's an absolutely fascinating story.

2) Junebug, nominated for best supporting actress (Amy Adams).
Another great flick. I hadn't even heard of it until I saw the nominee list. Apparently it didn't last too long in the theaters. Adams does a fantastic job in her role (and she's hugely pregnant, which I love). Her partner is played by Ben MacKenzie (of the O.C.). The cast is rounded out by her in-laws, all of whom are classic in-law types. Anyway, this one is worth the rental fee.

3) The Constant Gardener, nominated for best supporting actress (Rachel Weisz) and a number of other awards, including adapted screenplay.
This was really well-done, but it got long for me. It was a little over two hours. It was also a little hard to follow in the beginning. It goes between present and past, and eventually the flashbacks catch up to the present, and it took me a second to get it straight (it probably didn't help that I started the movie with my back to the television, checking my e-mail). Ralph Fiennes does a great job as a charming British diplomat investigating the murder of his wife (Weisz). And don't freak out--I'm not giving any more away than the back of the DVD case does. :) I'd recommend it if you're in the mood for a not-so-happy, albeit still very well-done, movie.

There you have it! Coming up in the near future (or at least sometime before 2/20, because that's when Blockbuster wants them back): Wallace & Gromit and Hustle & Flow. And probably Munich next weekend.

Oscar movie review #2

On Friday afternoon, Dan and I had plans to see a 5:10 showing of Good Night, and Good Luck at the Maple Grove AMC. When we got there, the 5:10 show said "sold out." We knew the movie couldn't be THAT good, so we asked what was up. Apparently the film had a tear in it and they were probably going to have to cancel the rest of the night's showings of it. Bummer. Change of plans. There wasn't much else at the AMC that we both wanted to see, so we went home. My new best friend, startribune.com/movies, told us that the Maple Grove Mann theater had Memoirs of a Geisha. I was surprised that Dan even wanted to see it, but we decided to do it. Other than the facts that (1) the seats in the theater are not very nice for a pregnant back and (2) the movie was over two hours, we enjoyed the flick. It's a very intriguing story, and the costumes and scenery are beautiful. Memoirs is nominated for achievement in art direction (whatever that means), achievement in cinematography (ditto), achievement in costume design (I'd say it has a chance at this), original music score (both Dan and I were surprised to see it was nominated for this and couldn't really remember the music being that great), and achievement in both sound editing and mixing. A lot of really random awards. Surprisingly, nothing for acting. I thought Ziyi Zhang was lovely, and who doesn't love Ken Watanabe? :) Not sure when this comes out on DVD, but I'd say it's worth renting. Unless you love uncomfortable theater seats and are dying to see it now!

Christmas lights are still on. (Sorry, Gloria, that means you didn't win). I am wanting to take mine down, but I don't want that to influence them at all. It would throw off the whole experiment. Wait, there's no experiment. Nevertheless, it's entirely too cold to take Christmas lights down this weekend. Talk to me in a week. :)