Finally going HOME

After six days at the hospital Benson is strapped in his car seat and ready to go home. As you can see, he is pretty happy about it.
Home as a family of four.
Big brother Tanner with little bro Benson
So after being home only hours the tornado sirens went off. We watched the clouds churn and the rain and hail the size of dimes come when Andrew started to get a little worried and had us all head for the basement. Here we are huddled around the TV to see what is happening with my sister Camille who came out to visit and help out the the baby.

Welcome home Benson.

There was actually a tornado warning while I was in the hospital and they moved us out into the hallway. Crazy Nebraska weather!

Benson after his first bath at home

Week in the NICU

Long days in the NICU but enjoying the time with family.
Benson's nurse Mary Beth with our glow bug.

Andrew and I totally love this woman. It was like having our mother's there with him, very very comforting. The one day everything seemed to go wrong with Benson's temp dropping again and slowing his heart rate was a day she didn't work. We were so glad to have her back to help him get better... which he did!
In the isolate and on a Bili blanket.
This beanie he got in the NICU. It has a red ball on the top. Tanner says it's a clown hat. The nurses called it a cup cake or ice cream cone. We just thought it was cute!
Tanner saying "Hi" to baby Benson
Trying to wake up.
Keeping bundled and warm.
The last night Benson had to stay, they let me stay in this room in the NICU with Benson. It was very comforting to be right there with him.

With having Benson's temperature low on and off, he also lost weight down to 4 lb. 10 oz., and had his Biliruben (sp?) go up, until he finally got some strength to stay healthy.

Good times then.. Bad news!

Trying to stay warm under some heat!
Tanner was so excited to meet his new baby brother. But the time was cut short when they said he would have to go to the NICU because he couldn't hold his temperature. After taking him down to the NICU a doctor came in and said he would be there for 7 to 10 days. As you could imagine I became a emotional wreck. I didn't want to have to leave my new baby!
Beautiful flowers from Andrew, cutest wipe case from Hannah Smith (friend who was still at the hospital for having her baby the day before), and gifts from the hospital.

Arrival of Benson Lorell Bleak- June 5th

Benson less than 24 hours old.

Wishing this was two or three weeks later!




Dr. Kirsch and Benson


Strolling me away on my throne after delivery.

At 2:11 PM on June 5th. Benson Lorell Bleak was born weighing 5 lb. 4 oz. and 18 in. long. He was 5 weeks early but very healthy and was able to go to the normal nursery. Until the next day when things started to go wrong...

Doug's visit and the new house!

Tanner's favorite spot to play in the new house is at the back door on the rug. I have no idea why... but he will pack toys down and just sit and play there for hours and look out the window. He didn't want to come up and nap the other day, and this is how I found him after about 15 minutes of silence.
My little brother Doug was able to come out and visit us before he leaves on his mission on the 25th of June. Tanner loved having him here and ALL the attention. He helped... or I should say did almost all of the painting of 3 rooms while he was out here and helped us move all of are stuff from one house the the next. If he hadn't of came the boys rooms would still be pink and purple and I would probably have boxes everywhere still. He helped out so much. Thanks Doug for everything! I still need to take pictures. We just have a lot going on right now!
Doug and I looked out the window to find the Oscar Meyer Wiener truck in the parking lot. We thought it was pretty cool since we've only seen it on TV, so we took Tanner out to get a picture!
Getting ready to take Doug to the airport.
Saying "Good-bye" for at least two years!
As soon as we pulled up and stopped at the doors of check-in. Our miles clicked over to 200,000. So of course we had to take a picture and wish we were getting a new car... someday!

We love you Doug! Hope you make the best of 2 years! Have fun!

We've moved!

Well we have been busy this last week moving! It's just down the street to a BIGGER place, but we are so excited! I will take pictures and post them after we finish painting and getting things a bit more organized!

Father and Son's Outing

Andrew took Tanner on their 1st Father and Son's outing and was pretty excited. They didn't spend the night but had a fun day of fishing, playing football, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over a fire, and playing with friends.

FISHING with Dad!

Tanner's first fish. He reeled it in and everything!


Tanner, Andrew, Dirk, and his son Hunter.

Everyone had a fun day of fishing and every boy caught a fish. We had just bought Tanner his pole that day. Andrew thought Tanner would never use it and that it wouldn't work. But Tanner caught two on it and Andrew caught three. Who says a little pole can't catch fish! It caught more than on Andrew's pole!

Fun life of Tanner

"Go Duke" Thanks uncle Jared for the awesome shirt when we went to visit!
Having fun at the zoo
Busting out yummmy watermelon for the (cold) summer
Ridin' a train at the Children's Museum

Happy Mother's Day!

Andrew took some pictures of Tanner and me with my big belly for Mother's Day. It was really a great day. Not only did Andrew go above and beyond with making me feel special, he has been doing it for months now. Giving me countless massages for my aching back, helping Tanner out and letting me just relax, and pretty much doing everything I ask of him without complaining. I think he will be happy when this baby is finally out and won't feel guilty for saying "No" to me. Or maybe he'll keep being the Prince Charming he has been! "I love you Andrew, thanks for all you do for me!"

Something must be in the water?!

Here are SOME of the women pregnant at Village Green. We planned to get as many women as we could in the picture. 17 showed up and there where many we could count who weren't there... or who couldn't keep their babies in long enough before the picture was taken. Going from left to right we are in order of soonest due date from June to September (I believe... but am not sure).

Ending April!

He sooo loves me! "Don't mess with her"
My bump!

30 weeks this week. Only 7 1/2-8 more to go... I can hope can I? I don't think I should get much bigger or I'll POP!

Tanner's bump!

Running around with friends when he face planted it! I swear I heard his head crack!

Visiting the trains again. We were up there almost an hour. Looking around and watching the trains below "pull big freight cars". Tanner could have stayed up there another hour!

Tanner and Alex. One of the few boys his age that live within the closest 8 houses. If Alex is outside playing Tanner thinks he needs to be. Here they were jumping off the steps over and over again!