Ben Update

I've been updating the blog about the triplets' progress, but I can't forget another special member of the Daniel's Den, Ben.  There has been a good bit of change in his life since I went on bed rest and I think he has adjusted well.  He has adjust to mommy not being his primary care taker.  A hard adjustment for both of us.  One of the hardest things he has had to adjust to is that I cannot pick him up.  He has learned that he can sit with me on the couch.  His favorite thing do together now is to watch a movie.  He curls up in the bend of my legs or lays behind me propped up on the pillow while playing with my hair.  He figured out on his own that laying behind me was easier than laying in front, so he doesn't have to compete with my belly for space.  He frequently tells me my belly is big and the babies are growing.  He also thinks it's funny to poke at my protruding belly button.

I am very thankful for all the help I have had with him lately.  Our family has been wonderful about coming to stay with us to take care of Ben and the house.  A few weeks ago, Ben spent the week in Chattanooga.  He was able to stay with and see lots of family.  Over the week, he spent time at Papa and G-mama Daniel, Derek's cousin and her little girl, Derek's aunt and uncle and my brother's family.  My parents and sister were able bring him home from Chattanooga as they passed through on their way to Huntsville.  He loved seeing all his family and spending time with them.  He still talks about playing with all his cousins during the week.  He came home saying, "Hee-Haw" when he got excited.  We still don't know who taught him that, but we got a good laugh from it.  We are so thankful for everyone who volunteered to take such good care of him in their homes.

Ben has spent more time away from home and away from his parents these last two months than he ever has before.  Derek's parents have taken him for the weekend several times to help us out. This week he is with Derek's parents in Lake Junaluska, NC.  We have talked to him several times on the phone.  We miss him tremendously, but we know he is having a great time.   It allows me to focus on resting and Derek time to finish projects around the house as we prepare for the triplets.  Just as important it gives Derek and I some time alone.  Something that will be hard to come by once the babies arrive.

I long for the day when I can pick Ben up and hold him, give him a bath, or sit on the floor and play with him again.