Just a few

Bennett likes to sleep with his hands above his head during the day.
















But he often wakes himself up rubbing his face like this. So at night he sleeps tightly wrapped in a swaddle.






















Over conference weekend Bennett enjoyed the attention of his Grandma Hill and three Duke cousins. Here he is with his oldest cousin.












I can tell he is getting stronger every day. This first picture was taken on October 11th.






















This one was taken October 26th. He is holding his head up better and is a lot less "sack-o-potatoes" like in the second picture. 15 days makes a big difference!






















Bennett is working on mastering the art of finding a thumb to suck. He does quite well. However, he prefers a pacifier as it does not randomly flail and rip out of his mouth during peaceful slumber like a thumb does. Unless of course his thumb and fingers are also gripping the pacifier. Which is often the case.















This is Bennett helping me fold laundry.

He's got rythmn

I put Bennett in his crib this morning and turned on his mobile to distract him while I did a few things. His legs just kept kicking and kicking the whole time the music was going. Obviously the mobile lullaby just makes him want to dance instead of sending him off to visit the sandman.


Also, notice how that long sleeved 0-3 month onesie I put him in just drowns him. The leg wholes leave plenty of room for his thighs to expand. And when it's not bunched up around his next, it's about 3 inches too long.









Wow. He is 4 weeks old tomorrow. Other people still keep saying "he's so tiny!" but I swear he seems so much bigger.

He does super well in the morning. Always happy and alert.












He likes his bath (sink) time. However, he's getting a little to long for our sink. I have to be careful so that when he kicks off one side of the sink, his head does not ram the other side. I've been able to perfect the quick water to towel transition so he does not get upset when I take him out.

Just kicked back taking a good nap and letting the sun show off my orange hair (I love that).

Remembering High School

High school. I have a lot of mixed feelings about my green and gold days. There are lots of things I would like to forget. But of course, there are also lots of things I'd like to remember.


My high school's mascot is memorable to me. We were the mighty Acorns! Our battle cry was "BUST A NUT!" I think that competing schools came up with it first, but we accepted it and took it as our own. Our boys water polo team had "we bust ours to kick yours" written across the front and the back of their speedos. So mature I know. (I just looked at my High School's website and it looks as though the faculty have toned it done to "go nuts!") Anyhow, I bring this up because one of my fellow Live Oakian Alumni recently posted a link to an interesting blog. The post is from a blog called Mental Floss. 31 Unbelievable High School Mascots. I am very proud of my school for making this short list. Thank you Mental Floss. It really is an honor.


However, I do believe that a neighboring schools in Hollister, San Benito High School, should have also made the cut since their mascot is the Hollister Hay Baylers.

2 Week Check Up

Yesterday Bennett went to the pediatrician for his two week check up. I am proud to announce that Bennett is thriving. He's gained a pound since we left the hospital and currently weighs in at 7lbs 6ounces. Bennett is 21 1/2 inches long. He's grown a whole inch since birth! We are very proud of our little achiever.

Bennett continues to amuse us. He has a lot of awake time during the day where he just stares and stares either out the window, at the ceiling fan, or at our goofy faces. I know I'm probably just a little too excited, but I swear he kinda smiled at me today when I was making some squealing noises at him. At least I know that he didn't have any gas at the time. He has a pretty good milk drunk face that he gives me in the middle of the night when he falls back asleep after eating. It's a huge open mouth grin while his eye lids flutter open and his eyes are rolled back into his head.

First days pictures

Sorry I haven't posted anything yet. I was working on one at the hospital but there were so many people coming in and out all day that it just never got done. BUT! Russ did just make a photo album today. http://picasaweb.google.com/russellmhill Feel free to check them out. Russ isn't as picky about how "flattering" the photo is.

Bennett's first day

Bennett Isaac Hill was born at 9:55 am on Wednesday 9-16-09. He weighed in at 6 lbs 15 ounces and he's 20 1/2 inches long. He and Kim are both doing fantastic. We are so blessed to have him join our family. Kim and I feel so grateful for everyone's prayers and support. Both Bennett and Kim are healthy and happy. Stay tuned and we'll keep you updated with more pictures and stories.

Reality coming up fast

We are now down to the LAST week. At my doc appointment yesterday my doctor set up a tentative inducement date for Sept 16th. So basically, come next Wednesday, Bennett will be officially forced out of his home where he seems quite content. Unless or course he decides to give up peacefully and come on his own. I have a feeling he wont. My official due date is the 14th. The doctor says that I'm "almost" two centimeters dilated. But this suborn baby seems freaked out by the light at the end of the tunnel. So instead of dropping like he's supposed to, he's keeping his distance. Also, I really don't get many Braxton Hicks. Or at least I don't feel them unless I just happen to have my hand on my stomach when it decides to knot up. It seems a whole lot closer now that there is an actual day to schedule in on my calandar.