Settling in at Home & Ben's First Bath

We are all settling in well at home.  Noah continues to be the protector of Ben and James largely ignores Ben unless he cries, to which he runs into the room and demonstrates his perfect imitation of Ben's screams... it is great when all 3 are screaming- 1 for real and the other 2 chiming in just to copy him.  So far Ben is a pretty easy baby which is a big change for us.  He actually sleeps on his back, sleeps by himself, and doesn't need to be constantly.  I realize that this very well may change, but it has been great so far to get some rest and things done for the other 2.  Here are some pics of his first bath at home.  Noah was very excited to help... James eventually gave up and started grilling in the kitchen with his BBQ grill;)  

Benjamin Thomas Civiello- Day #2

On Day #2 the big brothers visited again, and again really enjoyed their time with "New Baby Brother Ben" - as James would tell anyone who would listen.  They are both great big brothers who are largely very gentle.  Aunt Amy and Trey also came to meet Ben and had a picnic lunch in our room.  Noah is also a very loving big cousin... he loves to feed and help take care of Trey... luckily Trey is patient and it is a much less messy process now that he is older;)

Everyone Meet Benjamin Thomas Civiello- Day #1

Benjamin Thomas Civiello made his entrance into this world in the early morning hours of Monday, September 5th, 2011 at 2:16am.  There is a small chance that this labor was helped along by that 4 mile bike ride earlier in the day;) He weighed 8lbs. and was 21 inches long.  He is happy, healthy, and the delivery went well.  He looks exactly like his brothers and we couldn't be more thrilled, he is such a good baby (so far).  He had lots of visitors on his first day of life and got lots of good pictures with all of them!  Meeting his brothers went way better than I had anticipated and Noah is just in love with him.

Peaks Island Trip

 Today we had a very fun family trip to Peak's Island.  We have really been taking lots of good local short day trips around because I don't have the stamina I used to being this pregnant (and everyone needs nap time:)).  We took the ferry over in the fog, so we couldn't see much until we reached the island, but it was still a boat ride and that is all that the kids cared about.  We started walking and realized that we wouldn't make it far that way so we rented bikes (which was surprisingly cheap).  Gabe was kind enough to pull the kids, and we rode the 4 mile loop around the perimeter of the island.  It was very pretty, despite the fog and the kids were both very patient given their close quarters;)  Later that evening the kids found their baby doll (which they have had little to no interest in any other time) and decided to be the parents.  They were too funny.  James is in the doll pack 'n play and Noah is pretending to be a baby in his box... they were both pretty proud!