Welcome Benjamin Charles!

Friday, January 29th, 2010, 12:33 p.m. - our world is a better place. Benjamin Charles arrived weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces, 20.5 inches long. (Lily was also born at 12:33 - how is that for a God wink!). 

I had a wonderful team with me to help with this little miracle. My wonderful partner Buck. My mom and dad. Buck's mom Mikie. My friend and nurse Tracy. And Dr. Biss. Thank you all for keeping me calm and providing hands to squeeze. Thank you for the laughter that filled the morning and the love that filled the room. And thank you for the wonderful care that got him here and in my arms safely. I am grateful.

There is so much to say when this kind of love fills your heart, for the second time. Its overwhelming really. But the most natural thing I have ever felt. Like he was meant to be all the while.

Ben is a kind little baby. He's soft and sweet and makes wonderful cooing sounds. And he smells delicious! 

Lily is a dynamite big sister already! I have got to figure out how to post video because you have to see if for yourself! 

So enough of my blabber, on with the photos. Here are some pictures from the big day! I'll be in touch....with stories to tell I am sure! 

Preparing for Ben's Birthday

We are enjoying the last few days leading up to Ben's arrival on Friday - or before. Lily and I had a great time with Nicole and Cooper at the park this weekend. The weather was incredibly beautiful. And our quick lunch plans turned into 4 hours at the park - playing and chit chatting. 

My mom arrived on Sunday to help the ship stay afloat this week, and she is going to stay to help us when Ben comes home. Friends have been checking in. Mimi's bags are packed. Our work peers are stepping in for us. We are so lucky. The "village" is coming to our assistance, and we are so grateful.

My nerves are starting to kick in, so I have jotted down some meditations and thoughts on how to keep my cool during this transition. I am reminding myself that transition is the key word - I will soon find a new normal, and I am strong enough to get through whatever comes my way. Maybe things will be just like last time, maybe not. No matter what - I have experience, humor, support and God on my side.

This is will probably be the last entry until Friday......my last entry as Happy Stone, party of three! So stay tuned for photos --- as we introduce our newest Stone....Baby Ben!

We love you all!

We're Ready For You Ben!

Letters Continued

Dear Lily Love,

I am taking in these last few days that I have with you as my only child. Although Ben has been hanging out with us for the past 9 months, I've still been able to focus on you completely - with all my heart, my energy and my attention. I know things are about the change and I just want to tell you a few things about the past three years - the best years of my life.

Finding out that I was pregnant with you was a thrill I so anticipated. From day one, you were a sweet baby. You were kind to me during pregnancy and I enjoyed every moment, every pound, every change in my body. I loved being pregnant with you. It was a miracle. And the delivery was the most amazing thing I have ever done or been a part of. AMAZING. Your father and I still talk about it.....you had so much energy and literally pushed yourself into this world. I felt such a connection with you as we worked together to get you here - and the second you joined our world, breathing our air - life changed. Again, a miracle.   I remember telling the nurses that labor was "fun". Maybe I was a little crazy in that moment, but every moment since then has been fun, so why not labor?

Since then, you have filled every day with more love than I ever thought possible. You were a kind baby - so patient with my roller-coaster emotions, so thoughtful and generous with your affection. You taught me how to be a mother - I truly believe that I learned more than you did in those first few months. Like an old soul, you helped me through my transition in to parenthood with gentle compassion. God gave you to me because he knew you would take care of me - a funny twist on things.

All the milestones and firsts were thrilling to experience with you. And, the pride I feel for you is overflowing - all the time. Every day you give us reason to be proud of the person you are becoming. And, you know what is really cool? I really like you. I do. I think you are super cool. I want to hang out with you because you make me a better person, and I love looking at the world through your eyes.

It is an absolute honor and blessing to be your mom. Sometimes I really can't believe how lucky I am to have you. Thank you for choosing me. I am the luckiest mom in the world.

Thank you for allowing me to make mistakes. For getting it wrong sometimes. For your forgiveness when I really mess it up. And, thank you for those "aha" moments when I get it right. I learn so much about me through you. You have made me a better person and I can only hope that I can influence you in the same ways.

Most of all, thank you for the hugs and kisses and "I love you's". Thank you for the hundreds of nights we've rocked together in the rocking chair. Thank you for holding my hands even though you are old enough to walk alone. Thank you for running into my arms everyday at school. Thank you for telling me that I am beautiful. 

I am going to do my best to make this transition positive for all of us. We have so much to be excited about. But I will deeply miss what we have now - just you and me. For certain, our lives are about to get even better asa we make room for one more gift......good thing we both like presents.

I promise I will always find a special moment of time for just the two of us - everyday - for girl talk and snuggles. And I will never, never forget how you changed my life. 

I love you angel,

Mommy

Letters To My Family

Since this is our family record of sorts, and I have not been very good at keeping baby books and scrapbooks up to date, please indulge me this next few posts to write a little something to my family.......starting with......

Dearest Buck,

Thank you for the blessing of our family. The love in our home is everything I hoped it would be when we married almost five years ago. We've traded in spontaneity for structure and routine these days, but I couldn't image it any other way. It is such a warm and happy home for Lily - and for Ben. Our children know they are loved and cared for, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Your dedication to Lily is honorable. And the commitment you feel for taking care of us is evident in all of the big and little things you do for us.

Dinner is always ready when we come home. Dishes are always done. Bills are paid. Investments taken care of. Gas in the car. Izzy walked and bathed. Garbage out. Toilets clean. Good morning kisses and cookies at night. Ice cream runs just for the fun of it. Double checking to be sure Lily is fast asleep. Indulging my silly requests. Warms toes touching at night.

You are appreciated and loved very much. I can't wait to see the look on your face when you hold your darling son for the first time. He will complete our family - even though we feel so whole already. God has blessed us with so much, and I know we both feel the importance of expressing our gratitude every night when we say our prayers.

I feel equally inspired to thank you for being a wonderful husband and father. We are at the beginning our our journey together as husband and wife, and as a family. I am full of pride at what we have accomplished together and what lies ahead -- all of it: the good, the bad and the ugly.

Thank you for all of the hard work and preparations you have made for us over the past few weeks. Your efforts are appreciated more than you know.

I look forward to another miraculous moment as we greet our son very soon. Sharing Lily's birth with you was one of the highlights of my life. Can you believe we are so blessed to get the chance to do it again? To fell his first breath, hear his first cry and to comfort him as he adjusts to our world. I am so ready to share that moment with you.

I love you. We all love you!
M1

We've "Ben" Jammin

With Ben's due date just two weeks away, the Stone clan has been busy preparing for his arrival! It has been so nice to have a few weeks to fully concentrate on him. It makes us feel connected to him even more.

His crib is up. Bedding on. Clothes and blankets washed and folded. Toys cleaned. Bottles on stand by in case we need them. House decluttered. Drawers reorganized. Storage unit full to the brim with stuff we've moved out of the house. To-do lists crossed off.

Carpets steam cleaned. Isabelle groomed. Mommy groomed. Manicure and pedicure appointment set. Monograms done.

Can there be anything left to do? Oh, I am sure I have a few things in mind!

But all in all, our hearts and our home is ready for our little gem - Benjamin. We are ready when you are, little love!

Let's Go To The Movies

Heading out the door to go to Lily's first movie at the theatre, she was singing the song from Annie, "Let's go to the movies.....let's go see the stars!"

And, she was working up just how she would ask the concessionaire for blue popcorn.

Princess dress, shoes and crown on, we went to see The Princess & The Frog. Real theatre. Real popcorn and snacks. Real seat in the dark.

And Lily loved it. Im not surprised. She is all about the experience!

The previews were ridiculously long. I thought we'd loose her. But she hung in, munching on the popcorn - trying to sneak a sip of Papa's Coke. Once the movie started she was hooked. Although she crawled into my lap right away, her eyes stayed fixed on the big screen. It was really precious.

On the way out - and the weeks since then - she tells everyone that we went to her first movie. "Hey, I went to my first movie....The Princess & The Frog. I want to go to another first movie!"

I will have to keep an eye out for another cute movie. Until then, she talks about the frog prince. Hope this doesn't spoil it, but the frog gets his princess! Just they kind of ending I like!

Over, Under and Around

Yes,  I am bragging. I think.

I am not sure what a two-year-old should know and understand at this age. But I think this is pretty good stuff. 

Lily will say - I jump over the laundry. I walk around the spill. I crawl under the table. The box is on top of the car. Up. Down. Left and right. And, she gets it right.

She also understands the concept of time. Gone are the days when I can put her down for a nap early. She is quick to tell me...."mom, its too soon for a nap." 

Plan spoiled!

She is such a little smarty pants....makes a momma proud. Also makes a momma think a lot harder when I have to trick her in to something!

Still Catching Up For 2009

Whew! 

What a few weeks. It has been a holiday marathon from Thanksgiving until New Years. Every memory a blessing, but it always feels good to get back in to a normal rhythm.

It goes without saying that this holiday was super special. Lily was a trip! A hoot! A blast! 

She was in to everything - Santa, lights, the Christmas tree, Rudolph, baking, wrapping paper and bows. I was totally amazed a how fully she understood Christmas. With the help of an advent calendar she even started to grasp the true meaning behind the the holiday - the birth of Jesus. 

We had a wonderful time celebrating with Mimi and Pappy during "early Christmas". And then with Grandma and Grandpa.We held on to many established traditions, like Santa and Pizza with Karen, Ava and Evan. And started new traditions like movies and games on New Years Eve.

But more than anything, we were blessed to have another holiday season together. We continue to grow stronger as a family, adding to our treasure chest of memories and blessings. This year we celebrated Lily's wide-eyed view of the world and looked ahead to Benjamin's arrival - making our family even more full and complete.

Here are just a few photos from the past month. I wish I could share every story behind the pictures! It was even better in person:)