Benjamin, part 1

Dear Benjamin,

You are 16 months old now, and I am just now sitting down to document your first birthday and a few things about your first year of life.  I found your baby calendar today.  I got it as a gift- it's so cute and full of stickers to document your first year or life!  Unfortunately for both of us... it's blank.  But be assured, when you grow up and wonder why you don't have a baby calendar, you have been loved and appreciated, enjoyed and doted upon this first year of your life.   We couldn't possibly love you any more.

When we first thought we might be pregnant with you, we were pretty overwhelmed at the idea of having three children under the age of three.  In fact, it took nearly a month for me to take a pregnancy test to confirm that we were, in fact, expecting YOU!

This is how old Sam and Charli were when we found out you were coming to be part of our family...

Even they were surprised that they were big enough to be big sister/big brother to a baby!  The first time I told them that there was a baby in my tummy, Sam thought about it for a while, and then tried to shove a small, plastic doll down his throat so that he could have a baby in his tummy too!  But we all got used to the news pretty quickly, and the months ticked by as we got ready for your arrival.  Charli and Sam grew so much every month, so by the time your due date rolled around, it seemed like perfect timing after all, and we were so excited to meet you.

Here's you in my belly- probably more than 8 pounds at this point.

And here we all are together!  The 4 of us before you made us 5!

I had no idea what to expect when waiting for your arrival.  Sam's labor started prematurely, and so I was in labor for 30 hours with him at 36 weeks pregnant.  Your story ended up being so different!  

You stayed in my belly for 40 full weeks.  It was the Friday of Labor Day weekend, 2012, and your due date was upon us.  Grammie and Grampa were coming to visit us for the weekend, "just in case." They called on their way, at about 10pm, and we were headed to bed since they wouldn't be arriving until close to 1am.  "Any contractions?" they asked.  "None."  Soon after hanging up the phone, at about 10:30, I had my first contraction.    And soon after, my second.  Then third.  Then forth, fifth, sixth... within minutes.  I called the midwives, and they said to wait a couple of hours and time contractions, but Dad said that they were too fast to time, so, despite doctor's orders, we were going to the hospital.  That was a good call!  We phoned our friend Blair, and she came to watch Sam and Charli while we drove towards Vanderbilt Hospital.  

Dad and I had a running joke about delivering a baby in the car.  He said he would NEVER do that... but he almost had to eat his words!  I kept telling him to slow down driving to the hospital, because each bump made me feel like you were going to go come on out, but Dad just drove faster (another good call).  

When we got to the hospital, we drove right up to the front door and they wheelchaired me in, checked on your progress, and said you were ready to be born!  I delivered you in the dress that I wore to the hospital, about 2 1/2 hours after my first contraction- at 1am!  Your grandparents were all truly shocked when we called at 1am- not to say we were in labor- but to say that their 3rd grandchild had been born! 

You were a delight from your first hours.  

Your temperament remained remarkably the same throughout your first year.  You were happy, laid-back, and peaceful... unless you were (rarely) MAD and screaming.

You were hugged and kissed, read to, sung to, and loved...

You are such a special part of our family, and we are crazy about you.

More to come-

Mom