Benjamin Charles Cathey

I'll admit it.

I'm a bit obsessive with my camera.

But with such darling children, I just can't resist.

I take hundreds of pictures of my kids so I can capture moments like this.

And this.

And facial expressions like this.

They don't stay small for long so I have to take advantage.

Because all too soon my babies will be grown up and then I can relive their childhood through all the pictures I've taken...

Benjamin meets my family

Benjamin got to meet my side of the family.  They all came for his birth.

 My mom, better known as Queenie.

 My little brother, Seth.  I'm not sure what's up with the neon...

 My little sister, Hope.

And my dad better known as Granddaddy.

 Grace got to hold Benjamin all by herself today.  Faith stayed at home.

 Already Benjamin is enthtralled by his big sister.

He's sweet and opinionated.

And he likes to sleep.

So does his Daddy.  I convinced David to take a nap in my bed while he was at the hospital.  Sleep is such a luxury these days...

Announcing Benjamin Charles

Fun times at the hospital

Benjamin had his first poo! 

It was a big one!

And I got to change it.  Life is exciting.

Welcome to the world, Benjamin!

Today was the big day.  My induction day!

 For the sheer convenience, I was induced with all 3 of my kids.  That and I seemed to get bigger with each one.  I really thought this one was going to be 9 pounder...

 David is an old waiting pro now.  His phone kept him entertained.

We had time for one group picture before it was pushing time.

A few minutes later, Benjamin was born.

 His Daddy cut the umbilical cord.

 And he was off for finger and footprints.

 He wasn't too happy about that.

But then his Daddy held him and the world was right again. 

 After David and I had a few minutes alone with our new son, my nurse Cricket brought Grace and Faith in to meet their new brother.

 And both girls were so sweet.  Benjamin is one loved little boy.

We spent a few minutes together as a family before the nurses whisked Benjamin away to be bathed and weighed.

He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces.  Just 1 ounce bigger than Grace was when she was born and just over a half pound less than Faith.

MeeMee and Grace watched as Benjamin received his first bath.

 Those nurses really get those babies clean.

And look, Benjamin has more hair than any of my babies.

Today sure was exciting but very exhausting.

I think waiting was the most tiring part of all.

Out by our pool

 

I decided I wanted a few pictures before our newest addition arrives.

So we took some baby belly pictures out by the pool.

Yes, I know.  My stomach is HUGE!  And I totally have the penguin waddle down.

I will refrain from saying just how much I weigh but it's certainly the most I've ever weighed in my life!

I have a feeling this little boy isn't going to be so little after all...  But I'm excited to meet him and introduce him to his family.  He is already loved very much by us all and we can hardly wait for his arrival...

Our family is getting ready for one more member

We'll be adding a little boy to our family tomorrow.

And Grace is very excited to have a "little brudder" (little brother).

It will be interesting to see how Faith handles not being the baby any more.

I think she'll do great though.  She wants to be just like her big sister.

God truly has blessed me with an incredible family.

I could never thank Him enough for all He's given me.  The most handsome, loving, kind and compassionate man for a husband who is also the world's greatest dad and role model to our kids.  And I have two beautiful, sweet, and intelligent little girls and a new little boy on the way.  My life is perfect.