QT with Bentley

This past weekend Michel attended a conference called "Souly Business" that he goes to each year. It was our first time apart since Bentley arrived (sigh). Bentley must have known, because he came down with a rash a few days before, which kept him up at night. Talk about good times! Thankfully I have wonderful friends here like Anne who helped me out. I had to attend a black tie fundraiser Saturday night, so she had him for a few hours and was so patient! And she snapped a pic for Michel before I left.

But overall it was a good bonding weekend for the boy and me. I felt like I got to know him so much better. We went to the mall, to my friend Kelly's baby shower, to Babies R Us with my friend Katharine, the pharmacy a few times for rash treatments! We also went to our friends' son Andrew's first birthday party! So Bentley put on his Sunday best.

Here we are with Andrew and his mom Emily, and Katharine with her son Noah (inside her belly of course!). Katharine is due the end of January. So exciting!

Before we knew it the weekend was over and Papa was back. Michel had a great weekend but was quite tired given he had a servant role and was on kitchen duty (up at 4:30 and to bed at midnight). Here I was thinking all weekend that at least one of us would be well rested going into the week! Not so much. So nap time was calling.

Side note: Put your head next to a baby's head and take a picture...it's sure to give you a complex about how huge your head is! Hah. True confessions, Michel and I have measured our head circumference before when arguing over whose head was bigger. While Michel's won the prize, I must confess mine was bigger proportionally to my height (sadly). Aren't we mature?!

Fall Break

One of the best things about being on a school schedule is there is always a break around the corner! Last week we enjoyed a few days at our friends' beach house in Atlantic Beach. Thanks Spencer and Emily, and their 1-yr old son Andrew! We had great time with them, and Emily's mom and grandparents came over for a day to watch the boys so we could have a date night! We went over to Beaufort and had seafood at sunset along the inlet...amazing!!

Then we were back in Chapel Hill for a few days to get our selves together before kicking off our second quarter. Bentley got lots of tummy time...working on those neck muscles.

The weather officially turned fall, so we also enjoyed some nice walks and the chance to break out some of Bentley's jogsuits (thanks Jenny and Ed!).

And now it's back to work! :)

2 Months!

Happy 2 Month Birthday, Bentley!
Papa did a photo shoot of the big man acting like a grown up. Enjoy!

Rocking himself...

Sleeping in a big bed...

Hanging out in his crib...

...and contemplating life on the sofa!

Bentley's Name

Many of you have asked where the name Bentley Scott (Sanu) Lusakueno came from!

Bentley is after Michel's great grandfather on his dad's side. The older Bentley was also the son of an American and Congolese! So it seemed it was very appropriate. Here is a picture of the older Bentley and his family.

Scott is after Jessica's dad, Bentley's grandpa! Aka Coach Barton and Harv. We hope Bentley takes after his grandpa's devotion to family, integrity, passion, work ethic, athleticism, X and O game sense, his love for the disadvantaged (the underdog), and his desire to honor God with his life!

It is tradition to have a 2nd middle name in Congo after a family member, so we chose Sanu after Michel's uncle who invested in and mentored people in Africa through his businesses and improved economic development for many people in the middle class. You can learn more about him at this website: http://www.dokolo.com/An%20African%20vision.html

For practical purposes, he will go by Bentley Scott Lusakueno since that is long enough. :)

Lastly, here is an old pic of Michel's family...Michel is the baby!

Catching Up...

Okay so we were a bit ambitious in thinking we would be able to keep up a blog, but we've moved over to blogspot and are feeling optimistic again given it's a little more user friendly!

Wow...we've gone from 2 weeks to almost 2 months in a hurry! Everyone told us it would go too fast so enjoy every moment. But in our heads we were thinking...fast is good...we want our sleep back! Luckily Bentley is quite comfortable sleeping most places, including his dad's hand!

But it is true; the time is flying and our little guy is growing taller and stronger. He is not bothered at all that his feet hang out of most things!

Like father like son!

We tried to capture a 1-month photo but he wasn't interested in smiling for the camera.

He loves to look at a painting from Congo that Michel's parents gave us. We cannot wait to take him there, hopefully next summer!

Until then, we'll enjoy the time here and the longer nights of sleep we're slowly but surely getting!