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We have made it through the second full night, and have just gotten clearance from Mom’s doctor and Baby’s doctor to hit the road!  Just one more feeding, and we will be set to go!  Ben Jr’s  doing great, Jacq’s doing great, and I am so ready to go the land of comfortable seating/sleeping.  Who knew having a baby could make dad’s back so sore?

So, praise the Lord that we get to knock one night’s stay off this “hotel” bill!  We are so thankful that God has answered every single prayer with a “yes!” so far this week.  From Jacq recovering more quickly than expected to Baby Ben being 100% healthy to him learning in no time to nurse to us getting a few great hours of sleep last night as we “tag-teamed” soothing/feeding/bouncing/changing duties.  Thanks so much for all of your prayers, too!  God said yes! (unless of course you prayed toward our detriment, in which case I take back my gratitude)

If you live in Asheville or are otherwise planning on coming to visit, you are welcomed to, just call before you come and we will feel the freedom to respectfully postpone you if mom or baby needs more time.  Be prepared to do a chore before you get to hold little Ben, also!

Ingredients:

1. 2 Days with less than stellar sleep
2. 2 brand new parents
3. 7lb 13oz of the cutest baby on earth
4. a dash of the video here:

Mix ingredients thoroughly in a medium-sized hospital room.  Recipe good for at least 10 minutes of homemade, gourmet crying.

I was present for a good 100% of Jacqueline’s pregnancy, and I don’t remember her doing many cartwheels, jumping jacqs (couldn’t resist) or riding any roller coasters.  But that doesn’t change the fact that last night just about the only thing that would make little Ben settle down was the ‘bouncy-dad’ maneuver.  You know the one I’m talking about.  I hold him, and gently (but exaggeratedly) bounce/dance around the room.  He loves it, and the squalls become coos and eventually snores.

It was fun, but quite a workout.  If I even slowed down, much less attempted to sit down, I was accosted with a shrill baby lung-full of dissatisfaction.  And his lungs held more than you’d think, for just having used them for 15 hours or so.

All in all, not counting the one emotional breakdown that I had at hour 21 with no sleep, it was a great first night.  I enjoyed bouncing him back to sleep, or at least bouncing until he calmed and I got the ‘both eyes open’ look you see above.  It was fantastic.  Here’s hoping for a “two hours in a row” break tonight! 

For those who have asked, mama Jacq is doing great.  She walked to the nurses station today, which was a great feat.  She’s already back to solid foods, and eager to get back on her feet.  Now my job becomes encouraging patience (and changing diapers!)  As a side note, I am such a crybaby that I got emotional changing his diaper for the first time last night.  I can’t wait to read this again in 2 years and get a great kick out of that line.  But it’s true.  I cried changing a diaper.  There, I said it.

Oh, and we added some more pics to the Baby Photo Page. Enjoy!

So we already knew it was a boy, but it sounded like an appropriate title.  Benjamin Lee Meredith Jr got here at 0847, according to my wristband.  He weighed in at 7 lbs 13 oz.  Does anyone else find it interesting that the next time his weight would be the first thing used to introduce him would be if he wrestles in high school?  He started the journey of life at 19 and 3/4 inches long, unfolded.  And his head is 15 inches around.  Just slightly larger than his dad’s biceps.

Neither Jacqueline nor I have had any sleep, but we are so excited to have him and be able to ogle and coo at him.  Enjoy some more pics coming soon!

Both baby and mommy are doing great!  More updates coming soon.