Benjamin Leo Marso - born February 15, 2011

Hi! My name is Benjamin Leo Marso, and here is a little bit about me!

I was born on February 15, 2011, at 11:48 am. I weighed 7 lbs, 14 oz, and I was 21 3/4 inches long. My mommy went through about 14 1/2 hours of labor, most of which was pretty easy, until 9:20 when she started pushing. I guess I was a little scared to come out, because after 2 hours of pushing, I still hadn't come. 30 minutes later, I got pretty stressed out, and had a poo accident inside my Mom. When I was born, the cord was wrapped around my neck a little, and my coloring was pretty bad. The nurses from the NICU were there to see how I was, and they were concerned about an infection. Mommy and Daddy were so scared because the nurses had to aspirate me before they let me take my first breath, because i had ingested meconium from my 'accident'. But once they got that taken care of, I finally took my first breath! But because of the complications, I only got to cuddle with Mommy for about 20 seconds before they whisked me off to the NICU to check me out and put me in an incubator. I was so happy that Daddy came with me, because it was pretty scary. I recognized Daddy's voice though, so that helped calm me down. I didn't get to see Mommy for another couple hours - and boy did she miss me! All in all, Mommy and Daddy were so thankful that we were at United Hospital with the Children's Hospital right there, 20 steps away, to take care of me. Everything turned out great, and I was able to get my own nurse during my 2 days in the NICU! They were so wonderful to me, calling Mommy and Daddy every time I was hungry, and they even gave me a quilt and a knit hat. But now, I am so happy to be home with my parents. Below are pictures of my hospital time. First are pictures of me when I was only a couple hours old in the incubator. Enjoy!

Below are lots of pictures of me on Day 1 of my life. My favorites times were when I was able to be out of the incubator and cuddling with Mommy and Daddy. I knew their voices so well. When I got little fussy, all I needed was for one of them to talk to me, and I felt all better. I especially calmed down when they sang to me. I've been hearing them talk for so long, and I love finally getting to meet them. And I know they love me SO MUCH!!

I had an IV put in my head to give me antibiotics. It always got in the way when I was eating or being held, but we got used to it!

Our first family photo!!

Because I was in the NICU, I really wasn't allowed to have a lot of visitors. So I am really excited to meet all of you soon. But I was able to have a couple people visit me, and it was so much fun to meet them. Unfortunately, Grandma and Grandpa Marso are both sick, so they are waiting to come meet me until Tuesday - I can't WAIT to meet them! Below is Grandpa, Mommy's Dad. He saw me while I was still in the incubator, so he wasn't allowed to hold me. But he did hold my hand, and I already love him! He is sick now too with a cold, so I won't see him for awhile again.

Grandma was here during Mommy's labor, and she was so worried about me and Mommy until she heard that we were both all right! She did visit me while I was in the incubator, but we didn't get a picture of that. This picture is from Wednesday night when I was 1 days old, and Grandma cried tears of joy when she held me. :) She has been visiting me a lot, and bringing Mommy lots of food, and she is going to stay with us next week for a couple days. I love you, Grandma!!

Mommy's best friend, my Aunt Kim, visited me on Wednesday night too, with her mom, Vicki. I'm sorry to not get a picture with you, Grandma Vicki, but we will soon enough! Grandma Vicki has always been so great to Mommy, and Mommy considers her a 3rd mom :). Aunt Kim got to give me some cuddling and love, and it was fun to meet her. She is coming over tomorrow night, so we can have more cuddle time! I can't wait to meet Peri, too!!

The only other visitor we had in the hospital was Uncle Jon, Aunt Jenny, and cousin Owen. They didn't visit me in the NICU, but we met once I got home. Those pictures will come next. For everyone else, can't wait to meet you!!

Yay, it is finally time to go home and get settled! Mommy and Daddy keep telling me about these 'dogs' we are going to meet, but I am so confused. I just want to see my bedroom and find out where I am going to be eating and sleeping!! I guess because I am so long, my outfit didn't quite fit, but I stil look pretty handsome, wouldn't you say?

My first time in the carseat - it wasn't so bad! I felt all warm and cozy in there!

Mommy had to get wheeled out by a nurse while Daddy pulled the car around to warm it up. It was fun sitting on Mommy's lap, and Daddy surprised us with the camera, right as I made my way into the real world for the first time!

Well, our next post will show you all fun pictures of us during our first days home, and with fun vistors. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers --- I can't wait to meet you all!

-Benjamin Leo Marso