Thank you rewards program!!

So at work we have this rewards program that gives you points for certain things. I usually get a ton of points just for working on the floor I work on. We are usually awarded the 5 star floor award based on patient satisfaction, and I get a butt load of points for that. Once you get the points you can go on the website and order things with your points. Anyways, since I have been working there I haven't really gotten on and seen what you can buy with your points or used any of mine. Well, my friend (also due in March) was telling me she was ordering a few things for her baby room on the site, and so naturally I got on and looked at what you could get for baby. Turns out, I got two things I have really been wanting with my points! I'm excited!

First of all I got a glider. Everyone I have talked to has sworn that my life will be way better with a glider. So I trust this. The glider was something I wanted but didn't really want to spend the money on since we need other things more. But with my points I got a great one!

The other baby item I got was a Moby Baby Wrap. Now, I have been obsessed with finding a great baby carrier because I know I am weak and will want one. haha. I actually found this one on Babies R Us online and watched all the videos about it. It looks kinda complicated, but gets all the stars on customer ratings. So, I decided this was the one I wanted, but once again didn't really want to buy one. Well, I found it on the rewards website and was excited it was in my point range. I got the navy blue one.

I am super excited to get my new baby stuff! I also got the necklace I ordered and I LOVE IT! It is perfect! Everyone should go look at her website!

the NAME!!

Ok. So I am so serious about baby names. (You will definitely understand just how passionate by the end of this post) I had lists of names I liked way before Ben and I even decided we were ready to have a baby. Names are really important to me. I was very passionate about picking out the right name for our little boy. I also think it is so important that I am dedicating a whole post to my little boy's name. :)
When I found out I was pregnant I immediately started looking for the perfect name for a girl or a boy. All my lists got tossed out the window because they just didn't seem right for our baby. I actually had a girl name I had decided on, but then we found out it was a boy. The day we found out I pulled out my books and started hunting for his name. I really wanted something different that not everyone had, but also something that wasn't weird different.

I actually found the middle name first, but decided I would like it better as a middle name. I am actually not too sure where I got the first name, but when I said it I just knew that was the name I wanted! It was so right! I actually came up with this name the very same day we found out he was a boy. I was determined! haha. So without further adieu, I give you the name we have picked for little boy:

PAXTON CRUZ BENAVIDES

What a good name, right? I love it. It was also the only name I asked Ben about that he didn't make a horrible face to! I have actually told people who ask what the name will be so it wasn't a secret or anything. I just thought I would do a post about it since it means so much to me. Both sets of our parents and families love the name and now there is just no other name we can use. He is Paxton.

I also love it when mothers (I'm going to be a mom!! That's crazy!) get a piece of jewelry with their child's name or initials on it. I decided that was something I wanted to do after we got the name we wanted. So I started searching for a necklace I could get that would mean a lot to me. I thought I might just do James Avery and get a charm engraved, but I just didn't like any of the charms. Then, after searching Etsy FOREVER, I came across this Etsy site that I loved:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lisahopkins

She does beautiful jewelry! I found a customizable necklace on her site and decided I just had to have one! So I started a convo with her and ordered a necklace with Paxton on it. She just now sent me pictures of the finished necklace, and I am so excited to get it! Here is what it will look like:

She does etched jewelry that I think is so cool. Way better than metal stamped jewelry! Anyways, I am super excited for my necklace AND the name we have picked out! Tomorrow we have childbirth education class all day so that should be loads of fun! haha. I took a few of those classes in nursing school, but I think it will be good for Ben. If he can make it through! lol. Everyone wish him luck! :)

30 Weeks.

So I decided I wanted a few pregnancy pictures of Ben and I together. I am not too hot on the prego pictures of just the woman and her bare belly all over the place. I mean, who would I ever share those with?? Most likely no one! I think these are way better because it shows mommy and daddy just being happy together! I actually had my sister Nicole take them, and then I edited them the way I wanted them. I love how they turned out if I do say so myself. Here are some of my favorites:

And here is a not-as-great baby bump picture.

I figured I would just slip my usual one in this post.

Here is the lump at 30 weeks.


I worked last night and then we went straight to our ultrasound appointment. Everything looked good on the ultrasound. He is healthy and growing. They did schedule us for another ultrasound in four weeks though because they said he is a little on the small side. They said they weren't worried though so I'm happy that we get to see baby boy again soon! Hey, I'm cool with a small baby since he's coming out of me! Well, I am super tired today! I slept for a few hours when we finally got home, but I am just worn out! At least I have tonight off! I plan on being lazy and trying to just rest! Maybe I will be ready to go back to work Wed and Thurs!

All Things Little Boy :)

So I have been looking for cute things for little boys, and I came across teddy bear hats (well that is what I call them). I thought they were so cute! Little girls get the hats with the flowers and bows, and so little boys need cute hats too! When I saw them I decided that I was going to try and make one. I have always enjoyed knitting so I figured I would knit it. It took quite a while but I finally came out with this:

I was making the hat thinking of my cute nephew Spencer since my little boy won't be here for a couple of months. When I was done making it Ben and I went to see Spencer to see if it fit. IT DID! And he looked so cute in it! All we had were phones to take pictures with, but you can see how it looks on him.

It might actually be a little snug for his head, but he still rocks it. He looked in the mirror and kept saying "bear, bear." Now, I dont know if he will acutally wear it, but I had fun making it and I plan on making one for my little guy too. Boys are so much fun!

Recap of 2009

Well, 2009 was probably one of the best years EVER for Ben and I.

There have been a lot of accomplishments!

I was going through my 2009 picture folder

and thought I would just go back over the highlights of last year!

In January Ben turned 24!

In February Ben and I went to College Station!

I was able to reuinite with my best college buddy Jenny!

We had a freaking blast!

March-April was pretty uneventful.

I did drive with my sister and Dad to Idaho.

We dropped my sister off at school there!

I was also still in school and DYING to be done!

In May I finally graduated from nursing school!

My family threw me a graduation party that weekend!

Fun times! All my favorites came!

Soon after that, I passed the licensing test and started working as an RN in the ICU.

Before I started working though, Ben and I took a trip to San Antonio and Corpus Christi in June.

I was able to meet more of Ben's family.

We had so much fun together!

We visited the malls, beaches, and just had a good time!

After our trip Ben and I pretty much just worked.

It wasn't soon after however (July), that we got the

best news OF OUR LIVES!

I WAS PREGNANT!

(This was the picture I sent to Ben when I found out.)

The rest of this year was pretty much me being pregnant! haha.

Ben and I have been working and getting ready for baby!

In October we found out we were having a boy!

November was my sweet nephews 2nd bday!

And in December, Ben and I took a trip to Dallas/Fort Worth to be there for my best friend Megan's wedding! We had such a good time just hanging out together! The wedding was beautiful!

Man. What a good year.

We feel so blessed in our lives right now.

Hopefully 2010 will bring some more great things to blog about!