16 Weeks

Ben's 1st Haircut

Never in a million years did I ever think I would be taking my 3 1/2 month old to get his first haircut but there we were today in the salon chair. We have been talking about it for a few weeks-he really needed a trim around his ears and his mullet was getting a little out of control! I was doubtful we would find someone who would cut such a young babies hair but we called the salon Vince and I go to and they said they would do it. So we made an 11:30am appointment for this Saturday.  I didn't want it to look like he had gotten his hair cut and I didn't want any cut from his mohawk. And that is exactly what we got. Ben did great! He didn't cry once and he stayed pretty still. We of course saved all the hair that got cut off. And it doesn't look like all that much hair got cut but it sure does look better.

Here are 2 Before Pic's, 1 During The Cut and 1 After The Cut!

Vince's New Eyes

Yesterday afternoon Vince had an appointment to get Lasik surgery on his eyes. He has talked about getting Lasik for as long as I can remember and he finally decided to do it! After his final exam yesterday the doctor recommended doing a procedure called PRK instead of the Lasik.
PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) once was the most common refractive surgery procedure before LASIK was developed as a more popular alternative.

Both PRK and LASIK are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages.

LASIK patients have less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly — whereas, improvement with
PRK is gradual and takes days, weeks or even months. But many surgeons prefer PRK in circumstances such as when patients have thin corneas.

PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ("ablate") very tiny bits of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. When you reshape the cornea in the right way, it more precisely focuses light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.

The actual surgery usually takes only a few minutes, and you're awake the whole time.
Most people don't feel pain during PRK. Your eyes are anesthetized with special drops prior to the procedure. The doctor will have you lie down, and then will make sure your eye is positioned directly under the laser. (One eye is operated on at a time.) A kind of retainer is placed under your eyelids to keep them open — normally, this is not uncomfortable.


The doctor uses a computer to adjust the laser for your particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a target light for a short time while he or she watches your eye through a microscope to make sure it remains in the correct position while the laser sends pulses of light to your cornea that painlessly remove the tissue. It's important to keep your gaze fixated on that target light in order to get the best results.


The laser machine will make a steady clicking sound as the laser reshapes your cornea, and you may notice a slight odor during the tissue removal.


The higher your prescription, the more time the surgery will take. But even for high prescriptions, the laser treatment generally takes less than a minute.

The major downside to PRK is the recovery. Poor Vince. His eye sight is pretty blurry right now. His eye's hurt so bad last night and his eyes won't stop watering. Even the slightest light hurt his eyes for the first few hours after the surgery. He just hung out in our bed and listened to the T.V. (I had to put a towel over the screen b/c it was to bright). Once we got his pain meds in him he seemed to be able to tolerate more light. But he has been wearing these goofy sunglasses around the house to help with the brightness. This morning was pretty painful for him too. We went back to the doctor for his follow-up appointment and they said his eyes looked good and the pain was normal. They said he should feel much better on Monday and should be able to drive then too. I am sure when he is all healed up and doesn't have to wear his contacts or glasses this recovery pain/time will all be worth it!

Ben's 15th Week In Pictures

Over the past few weeks Ben has become quite attached to his "lovey" aka a super soft pacifier blanket. He has had one attached to his carseat and his stroller for a few months but now he always needs to have it to take a snoozer. He always puts it over his face to cover his eyes!

Carrie & Mark In The Burgh

Thursday late afternoon Carrie & Mark flew in for a visit from Oklahoma City! Ben & I went to the airport to pick them up and then met up with Vince later for dinner at Harry's Pizza! This was the first time that they had met Ben-I think he was a hit! We had a great dinner and it was so fun to see them playing with Ben and catching up with them! Friday we met had lunch at Capital Grill and then took Mark to the "Ketchup Museum" aka The Heinz History Center. (Mark has quite a love/obsession with Heinz Ketchup so we knew we had to take him) We then took them up to the top of Mt Washington for some pic's and a few drinks. After our nice afternoon we headed home and Vince made ribs for dinner! Saturday we headed to one of the area outlet malls-against the boys' pleads! We had a successful shopping trip-Ben needed some beach clothes for Florida! Saturday night we headed to Hyde Park Steak House for dinner. We had called ahead to see if they were "baby friendly" and they were. It was kind of funny they sat us in the back of the restaurant and seemed to have all of our courses out in a flash. We got the point they were trying to send but that didn't stop of from ordering desert and more wine! Sunday morning we headed back downtown for brunch at the Grand Concourse. I think the fresh donuts were a big hit! After brunch Carrie & I left the boys at home and we took off to do some shopping at our other outlet mall. Carrie found a great diaper bag and Ben got a few more outfits for summer! Then Carrie & I treated ourselves to pedicures and a bit more shopping at the mall! We made our traditional Sunday Dinner-but we had lasagna this week! Sadly the long weekend came to an end and Carrie & Mark headed back to OKC today. We are so glad they came out for a visit! We are looking forward to heading to OKC late summer to meet their new baby!

Aunt Carrie & Baby Ben

(he kept trying to suck on her finger)

 Mark At The Ketchup Exhibit

 Carrie & A HUGE Ketchup Bottle

 Pittsbugh Skyline

 Uncle Mark Teaching Ben To Love Ketchup

 Dinner At Hyde Park

 Ben At His 2nd Steak House In 2 Days!

 Uncle Mark & Ben Playing

 Sunday Brunch

15 Weeks

15 Weeks! This week was a big week for Ben. He started grabbing at and holding on to his toys. He has a playmat that has toys hanging down and he can now grab at them and will hold them in his hand! He does the same with his highchair toys. It is so wonderful to watch him meet these little milestones! This week we also had to move his bathtub from the bathroom counter to the actual bathtub. He is such a splasher! And now that his tub is in the big bathtub we can put even more water in it for him to splash around in! I also think had a growth spurt-he seems a bit longer and a bit heavier!

Thanks AB & UM for Ben's snowman outfit! Today was a great day to wear it here in Pittsburgh-we have had sleet and snow most of the day. Here is the back of his outfit...

Gymboree

Ben & I have been going to Gymboree every Thursday morning for the past few months. And as Ben gets older he seems to enjoy it more and more. He is quite the chatter box during class! I think his favorite parts are playing peek-a-boo and when the teacher blows bubbles! Here are a few pic's from last Thursdays class.

Working with Daddy

Yesterday afternoon Vince got home from work a bit early. And since I couldn't get Ben to take a snoozer he went "to work" with Daddy so I could take a shower! They were just too cute to not take a pic!

Baby Ben Live (well sort of)

Here are a few videos from the past week or so of Ben!

Ben's swing has a mirror above it for him to look at himself-the funny thing is that he doesn't know it's himself so he just chats away at the image in the mirror! He loves to talk and talk and talk! And he has a nice loud voice!

I tried out Ben's doorway jumper with him a few days ago. I think he really likes! His legs are so strong and he loves to stand up so I thought he might enjoy it!

Ben's 1st Valentines Day 2011

Valentines Day started a day early in the Rupp household. Vince woke me up with an envelope and in it was a trip to Marco Island, Florida! Our first family vacation! We will be escaping the harsh Northeast winter for some fun in the sun in a few short weeks!

Valentines Day Part II

I woke up this morning and found my Valentine from Ben on the fridge...

Once Ben woke up I got him dressed in his Valentines Day onsie and we took some pic's!

Then it was time to take our weekly picture....

Then we baked some Valentines Day cookies...

And when Daddy got home Ben got to open his valentines and his present from us...

And then Daddy took of Ben's hat (which he hated but I thought was fitting for the holiday!)...

        CRAZY HAIR!

(more crazy than usual)

Ben's 3 Month Photo Shoot

So I decided to save some money and take Ben's 3 month pictures myself. Ben wasn't in the best picture taking mood but I think I got a few good ones out of a few hundred shots!

Here are a few of my favorites!

Ben's 1st Valentines Day Present

Valentines Day is almost here! And Ben got his first valentine and a present in the mail from G & G McCormack!

Here are some pic's as he "opened" his present.

I think Ben really likes his new Valentines Day Puppy! He was all smiles he the puppy talked to him! (Miles was also quite curious about the new puppy!) Thanks G & G!