Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home

Feb. 10, 2008 - 14 Photos

Having slept the entire car ride home, we took Benjamin straight from the car to his swing in the house where he promptly slept for 3 straight hours. We had to wake him up just to feed him. He was certainly home!

Sadie and Molly took to him right away. Marsha had brought home one of Benjamin's blankets the night before and let the girls sleep with it in their bed, so they were used to his smell before he even arrived home. They smelled his little head so gently and didn't even try to jump up on him once.

We introduced him to his new room and he fell asleep right away after his first feeding at home in his new crib. But boy did he look small in it! I guess he'll have to grow into that—along with his car seat and swing.

Daddy and Mommy have settled into our little routine with him—sleeping, changing, feeding, sleeping, changing, feeding, sleeping, changing, feeding. Thank goodness for baby monitors! I don't know what we'd do in this world without them.

He had his first pediatrician appointment today—only 5 days old and just 48 hours out of the hospital. Everything checked out great and the doctor said his jaundice is long gone which was great to hear. She commented on how strong he was already and to—of course—never leave him alone as he is already trying to roll himself over. He was—of course—the hit of the doctor's office with all of the parents in the waiting room fawning over him. I tried to convince myself that it was because he is particularly cute, but had to settle for the realization that babies are just plain cute in their first week no matter what. :-)

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Photos: 14 Photos

Leaving the Hospital

Leaving the Hospital

Feb. 9, 2008 - 11 Photos

Our first two days in the hospital went wonderfully. Little Benjamin was quite exhausted on his first day in the world, so he pretty much just slept in our arms most of that first day. By the second day, he was active and alert again and ready to take on the world. We had visits from our friends in Dallas and calls from family and friends far and wide checking-in on how our little guy was doing.

The doctors asked us to spend a third night in the hospital before going home because Benjamin had a very slight case of jaundice, but after spending a night in the "blue suit" (see pictures), they gave us the clearance to take our little guy home. We packed up our suitcases, loaded him in his car seat which he looked so tiny in, and headed home to show him where he was going to grow up.

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Photos: 11 Photos

Little Benjamin Butler is Here!

Benjamin Butler's Birth

Feb. 6, 2008 - 26 Photos

After a long 9 month wait for our little prince to arrive, Benjamin Patrick Butler was born at 9:19am this morning on Wednesday, February 6. He weighs 7lbs 12oz and is 20 1/4 inches long. Momma and baby are both doing great!

Kerri went into labor last night at 6:30pm and wanted to stay at home as long as possible before going to the hospital, so we went for dinner at The Porch a few blocks away from our house. After the waitress gave me a third odd look as I frantically scribbled numbers on a paper napkin, I explained to her that I was timing Kerri's contractions. Based on her reply of "SHE'S IN LABOR?!?!?", I can only imagine that she thought that we were going to have the baby right there at the table. All of the staff took turns stopping by the table to wish us luck and the manager came by at the end to wish us well and hoped that the soon-to-be-3-of-us would be back in soon.

At around 9:30pm, Kerri decided it was time to head to the hospital, so we put in calls to Dr. Dullye and our doula Anna Marie. Dr. Dullye was at the hospital delivering 3 other babies that night so she said, "Come on down!". Anna Marie said, "Wonderful! I'll meet you at the hospital in 30 minutes." Our final call was to Kerri's mom Marsha to tell her we were headed to the hospital and that she should head to the airport. We piled into the car with our 200lbs of suitcases, pillows, and exercise balls and were checked into the hospital by 10:00pm. Contractions intensified quickly through the night. At 5:00am, Kerri's mom strode in the door suit case in hand, at 7:00am we started pushing, and at 9:19am little Benjamin was born.

Kerri did a wonderful, wonderful job throughout the entire experience and it was her dedication to making it all happen that brought him into the world so fast and so healthy. In addition, we were surrounded and supported by so many people great staff at the hospital (Dr. Dullye and Nurse Carol in particular) and family and friends both near and far constantly checking-in on us to see how we were doing. We thank you all for all of your help bringing little Benjamin into the world for us to love!

More info and pictures to come shortly...

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Photos: 26 Photos

Kerri's Maternity Shoot

Kerri's Maternity Shoot

Jan. 5, 2008 - 3 Photos

Kerri and I wanted to be sure to capture her pregnancy in all its beauty, so this weekend we did a maternity shoot of her at 8 months pregnant. I think the photos turned out wonderful, but I also had a pretty good subject to shoot. :-) I think our little boy will like seeing his momma pregnant 20 years from now. Hope you enjoy also.

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Photos: 3 Photos

Our Christmas Party

Our Christmas Party

Dec. 8, 2007 - 26 Photos

It's that time of year again! Christmastime always means one thing in our family—a lavish Christmas party with family and friends thrown by Kerri that would put Martha Stewart to shame.

This year's party was a particular accomplishment. Kerri flew back to Dallas from her annual girls' trip to New York on Thursday night, cooked for 2 days straight, decorated the house, and through a great success of a party—all while 7 1/2 months pregnant! As is the case every year, I was showered with compliments on the party and questions as to how she can possibly make all of the food herself, hand-make every invitation, every ornament on the tree, every party favor. Some people just have natural talent and Kerri was born to throw wonderful parties.

I can't wait to see what our little boys' birthday parties are going to look like...

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Photos: 26 Photos

Baby Boy's Nursery

Nursery All Ready

Dec. 1, 2007 - 3 Photos

No one can ever accuse us of not being prepared. It's December 1, our nursery is all done, and little baby boy isn't due until February 9. Kerri has done a wonderful job bringing together blues, whites, and greens for a nautical theme that includes photos of her Grandfather's fishing boats on the wall, as well as pictures from when Marsha was a fisherwoman herself and spent 6 years fishing in Alaska.

OK, buddy—we're ready for you. Keep cooking in there—but we're ready for you.

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Photos: 3 Photos

Enjoying the Fireplace

Enjoying the Fireplace

Nov. 30, 2007 - 6 Photos

It's winter-time here in Dallas and that means that the temperature has dropped considerably. Most people don't think of Texas as being particularly cold, but Dallas has an average low of 36 and an average high of 55 in January.

Our house was built in 1929, so the chimney was long since abandoned when we moved in. But we knew we'd enjoy a warm fire during the winter so we had a fireplace installed. Little did we know that we wouldn't be the only ones enjoying it—Sadie and Molly can't wait for evening to arrive to cuddle in their bed by the fire.

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Photos: 6 Photos

Kerri's Last Birthday for Awhile

Kerri's Birthday Dinner

Nov. 16, 2007 - 6 Photos

On Friday night, Kerri had her last birthday. No, no, no—don't get worried! She just celebrated her 29th birthday which means that she will be 29 for a few years now and won't be celebrating any more birthdays for awhile—especially ones that have a "3" in them. Our friends Meghan, Shay, Megan, Chris, Allison, and Rob all joined us out for a great dinner at Trader Vic's. And don't get too concerned with baby on the way—that crazy-looking drink in her hand is just virgin. :-)

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Photos: 6 Photos

Our Couples Baby Shower

Our Couples Baby Shower

Nov. 4, 2007 - 27 Photos

This last weekend, our friends Megan and Chris and Heather and Chris were kind enough to throw Kerri and I a couples baby shower in preparation for our little guy on the way. Megan and Chris hosted, Heather and Chris planned the shower's activities, and all of our Dallas friends were kind enough to shower us with gifts for our little one.

We may still be getting prepared mentally for his arrival, but we now certainly have all of the stuff for his arrival!

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Photos: 27 Photos

Portraits of the Grandchildren

Butler Grandchildren Portraits

Oct. 10, 2007 - 32 Photos

While Kerri and I were home in Portland this summer, we were lucky to have the entire family in town—including those from France, Germany, and New York! As a result, I took the opportunity to take some portraits of our 8 nieces and nephews. As you can see from the photos, they were all cute as ever! And it was good practice for me too—I need to keep my photography skills sharp as we are going to have our own little one here next year who is going to require lots and lots of photos taken of him. Martha and Gerry's grandchild #9!

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Photos: 32 Photos