Benson's Blessing

We had Ben's baby blessing last Sunday. David's family was in town and Ben's cousin Asher was also blessed on the same day. It was so fun to be together with all of them on such a special day. It has only been a month since Benson arrived, but already we can't imagine our lives without him! As you can see from the pictures, Gracie and Sammy love having Benson for a little brother. I am so thankful for each of my children. Each one fills a very special place in our family!

Sammy's first haircut!

Sammy got his first haircut last week. People who know him keep telling me that they don't even recognize him anymore. I loved his whispy blond hair. It made me cry to cut it off because it means my little boy is growing up.

Before

During

After. Thanks Grandpa for cutting his hair. You did a GREAT job!

Looking good Sammy!

Happy Birthday My Beautiful Daughter

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I love you Gracie. I can't believe you are turning 4!!! My little baby girl is turning 4. How did that happen? I am so so happy that you are my daughter. There are so many things I love about you, but I want today I want to list 4 of them.

1. You have a happy happy spirit. I remember one day when you were 2. You were looking out the window and watching a little boy in the neighbors yard playing in the sprinklers and laughing. You weren't whining and crying to go out, you were just watching him and laughing. I remember crying at that moment because I was blessed with such a happy girl.

2. You have the most contagious laugh ever. I cannot hear your laugh without smiling myself. You love to laugh! You can get Sammy giggling too just by laughing yourself. There is almost nothing sweeter than hearing you and your brother laughing.

3. You have such a fun imagination. You love to play ponies and imagine that you are a pony and that everyone around you is too. You also love to play with your doll. This has become even more fun since your brother Ben was born. If I wrap Ben up in a blanket, you need a blanket for your dolly. If I give Ben a bath in the sink, you need to give your baby a bath in the sink. You are going to be a fun and amazing mother someday.

4. You are growing up to be so amazing! I took you to the store a couple of days ago. We saw a pink princess chapstick and I bought it for you because you loved it. Through out all of our shopping that morning though, it got lost somewhere. I could see how sad you were about it. I saw the tears forming in your eyes and your lip start to tremble. I told you that it would be ok and that maybe you could ask Santa for another one. Slowly a smile spread over your face and you just said, "Ok, that will be good." I cried all the way home after that because I was so proud of you! You are getting so mature. You love to share with your brother and you love to sit next to Ben and take care of him and help him be happy when I am cooking or doing the dishes. You are the biggest helper a mom could ask for. I wish I could tell you to grow up slower! I am not ready for you to get big! You can't wait to be big though. You seriously want to drive a car. Any time you are in the car for a minute without me (like when I am loading groceries or when talking to someone outside the car) you get your car seat and put it in the drivers seat (at least you are trying to be safe I guess). You told us the other day you didn't want to turn 4 on your birthday. You wanted to turn 16. You said "4 is boring boring boring!"

I love you Gracie. You are amazing. Some days I just wish I could freeze time and save these precious moments forever!

A post by Gracie...

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(So my sister told me this post was on my blog. Gracie must have decided she wanted to write something on my blog. I am so amazed at the stuff she figures out sometimes!!! The funny thing is is that she has done this on my calendar on my computer and also on my moms palm/phone in the past. I don't know how she knows how to do all this stuff! I don't even know how to write stuff on my online calendar!)

Thanksgiving ABC's

Things I am thankful for.....

Autumn
Ben
Chocolate
David
Eternal Families
Fun
Gracie
Holidays
Ice Cream
Jesus Christ
Kind Strangers
Laughing Children
Moms
Naps
Orchestras (and Music)
Presents (Given or Received)
Quiet Times
Reading Books
Sammy
Temples
Underwear (what would we do without it!)
Vehicles
Water
X-rays and All Other Medical Wonders
Yesterdays
Zoo

So because it is Thanksgiving I decided to start my own Thanksgiving Tag and I tag everyone! I want to know what everyone is thankful for. Just find one thing for every letter in the alphabet that you are thankful for and post it on your blog.

My big boy!

Benson is getting so big! I can't believe it! Seriously, he has almost gained 3 pounds since he was born. Everyone keeps asking me what I am feeding him, but I swear I am not giving him cookies and chocolate when no one is looking (I eat those myself!). Look at those sweet round cheeks!

I took off most of his clothes except his undershirt so you could see that big round tummy! He sure does like his milk!

So sweet!

I think his head is growing and not his hair. Oh well, bald is beautiful. I seriously can't help myself with this kid. I just want to love on him and smooch him all day and cuddle with him all night! Love you Ben!

Tagged again!

Okay so I am finally getting around to doing some of the tags I have gotten in the last little while. Sorry to those of you who I didn't do your tags. Nothing personal... just busy and forgetful!

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. I was in high school. Go Pine View!
2. Home work!
3. Singing in the school choirs and playing in the orchestra.
4. Eating whatever I wanted and not gaining weight (those were the days huh?)
5. Thinking about the future and what I would be when I grew up as if it was some far off place and time!

5 things on my to do list for today:
1. Laundry

2. Play with my kids
3. Go to the grocery store

4. Go to a baby check up

5. Go Christmas shopping! :)

5 favorite snacks:
1. Oranges

2. Swedish Fish
3. Homade Bread
4. Any fruit in season
5. Treats! Or as Gracie calls them "Preats"

5 jobs I've had:
1. MOM!
2. Zions Bank Internet Department
3. Latter Day Stuff
4. Rent a video and pizza
5. Babysitter

5 things I'd do with a million dollars:
1. Pay off medical school loans
2. Pay off house
3. Buy everyone I know a present
4. Go on a family vacation
5. Go visit my family

5 things that made me laugh this week:
1. Sammy keeps calling Daddy "Mama" (that is because I am his favorite)
2. I forgot to put the salt and baking soda in the cookies... annoying at the time, kind of funny now
3. Watching the funny faces Ben makes
4. Gracie telling me she wants exactly what I already bought her for Christmas!
5. Just being with my family all together makes me happy enough to laugh!

5 friends I tag to do this on their blog too:
Oh anyone who wants to!

Tagged

8 Things I'm Passionate About:
1. David ;)
2. My children
3. The gospel
4. Chocolate
5. Food
6. Reading
7. Music
8. Holidays and birthdays


8 Words or Phrases That I Use All the Time:
1. I love you!
2. NO!
3. Please listen!
4. Good grief!
5. Sammy! (He comes into a room and shouts Mama! in his sweet happy voice and I answer by shouting Sammy! He is so cute!)
6. Put on your seat belt!
7. Hurry hurry! Quick!
8. Eat your dinner (or breakfast or lunch) so we can _____ (fill in the blank with something fun).

8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Go see the Olympics
2. Raise a righteous family
3. Go back to school and get my bachelors
4. Serve a mission
5. Go skydiving
6. Learn how to take really good pictures
7. Become the mom I really want to be
8. Have my husband actually be finished with school!

8 Things I currently want or need:
1. How blessed am I to say that I have absolutely everything I need!!!!
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.


8 Places I want to Visit:
1. Utah!!! "This is the place this wide open space is my home!"
2. Europe
3. Private tropical beach with my honey
4. Disney World with my kids
5. The Temple
6. Boston in the fall
7. Mt Rushmore
8. Anywhere my family is!

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. On the Border (I have only been here once and can't wait to go back!)
2. Blue Iguana
3. Cafe Rio
4. Chik-fil-a (love their lemonade and love letting the kids play there)
5. Red Lobster (can you say coconut shrimp?)
6. Taco Time
7. Does my mom's house count as a restaurant?
8. Really just about any place where I don't have to cook or do the dishes! :)



8 TV Shows I watch:
1. Dancing with the stars. That's about it. We don't watch much TV. But we LOVE movies!

I tag anyone who reads this and hasn't done it yet!

A little bit late or very early

Happy Halloween everyone. Sorry I am so late posting these pictures. We had a cute little mermaid and a cute dragon at our house on Halloween. They were so funny. Gracie went around singing and swimming and Sammy went around roaring at everything. My mom and David took them out trick or treating. They went to about 4 houses before they decided they were done. They didn't really even get enough candy for me to snitch in it!!! So we had to make carmel popcorn instead (so good!). I didn't take a single picture of my kids in their costumes (I know I am a lame mother...but I am pretty sure I was nursing a baby or something). I had to get copies from David's sister's camera (thanks Lindsay). I sure do love these little goblins though!

Sleeping...

There is just something so peaceful about sleeping babies... even the big ones.

Two weeks!

Ben is two weeks old (as of last Thursday). He had his two week check up on Friday. He now weighs 10 pounds 5 ounces! He is still 22 inches tall and his head is now 15 centimeters. He is growing so big. His face is getting so chubby! Over the last 24 hours he has all of a sudden discovered the world. It seems like he realized there is more to life than just eating and sleeping! He has actually spent a couple of hours awake looking at everything and listening to everyone. He loves to be sung to and of course to eat! He likes his bath time but doesn't really like to have lotion rubbed on him (but I do it anyway because it makes him smell SO GOOD!). He loves to sleep next to his mommy, but sleeps pretty good in his own bed too. He is very good natured and happy and puts up with all the slobbery kisses that his brother and sister give him. I can't believe he has been ours for more than two weeks now!

Trouble!

It is amazing how much trouble these three things can cause!!!!

Guess I need to be better at keeping the child lock on the pantry door closed!

Yep, I thought my kids were downstairs safely watching a movie. Gracie came upstairs and said she was hungry. I told her she would have to wait a few minutes so she decided to just help herself. Click on the picture if you really want to see the mess!

Asher and Ben

Asher and Sarah and Micah came to visit us yesterday. Asher is Ben's cousin who was born on September 26. He is the LITTLER one if you can believe it!!!

Asher says, "Help! Ben is squishing me!"

As you can see it kind of hurt his feelings.

Ben said to tell you all Happy Halloween!

The new guy.

I am so glad that the intrepid husband took over my blog for a while so that all of you could see some updates and pictures of Baby Ben before now. Things are a little bit busier around here these days! :) But I am so so happy that little Benson has come to join our family. Many of the facts you already know. He was born at 4:29 pm weighing in at 9 lbs. 1 oz. He was 22 inches long and is a perfect as can be! David told the story the way he saw it, but since this blog is kind of a journal for me as well as a way to update my friends and family on my life, I want to share the story in my words as well.

Thursday morning at 10:00 am on Oct. 23, David and I arrived in labor and delivery at the hospital. I was told to change into the very fashionable hospital gown (even though there was a chance they would be sending me home?) and just sit and wait for the doctor. Dr. Wise didn't really want to induce me. She was afraid that for some reason the induction wouldn't work and she would have to do a c-section unnecessarily. After checking me she decided to start me on pitocin (10:50 am), but decided that she would not break my water. That way if the pitocin didn't do its job she could still send me home and I could wait for labor to start on its own (I am SO glad that didn't happen!). I decided not to get an epidural. I had one with Gracie that didn't work and really only caused me more stress and problems. I didn't have one with Sammy and my labor with him went so much smoother. I do think this one was harder though. It seemed so much sooner that I was just trying to breath through the contractions without hyperventilating because of pain (David and my mom were AMAZING labor coaches!). We found out when the midwife came in to check on me (4:00-ish pm) that it was because I was dilated to a 9 (I don't think any of us expected it to go so fast)! My water still hadn't even been broken. They called the doctor, but before she showed up I was ready to push the baby out. They told me "push if you feel like it." I had several moments of indecision... I was really past the point of caring who caught the baby when it came, as long as someone did. My thoughts ran more along the lines of, "Push if I feel like it? Am I ready for the excrutiating pain of the baby actually coming out, or would I like to just keep having these contractions for awhile...?" I have never been given such open ended instructions in labor before "If I feel like it...". With my other kids it was always, "Push now, " or in Gracie's case, "Don't push... just pant for an HOUR while you wait for the doctor to show up..." but I digress... So I was sitting there thinking, "what kind of instructions are 'if I feel like it...'" But I decided that I did feel like it and gave kind of a half push. Just then the doctor walked into the room. Again I was told, "Push if you feel like it." Whatever with this if I feel like it crap. Who feels like pushing a 14.5 centimeter head out of a 10 centimeter hole in their body. But since that is the only way for the baby to come out I decided to get down to business. I pushed with all my strenth! Then I pushed with all my strengh again through the next contraction and the next thing I knew there was a baby laying on top of me. They put this big napkin type thing on my stomach and set the baby right on it. I remember glancing up and seeing little baby boy parts out of the corner of my eye and then laying my head back to breath (it didn't register at that point that I had another son). Then I heard my mom say something about it not being the "pinkie pie" that Gracie wanted and I realized, "I have another son!" And I couldn't be happier about it! I think I really thought that he was going to be a girl (but I thought Sammy was a girl and Gracie was a boy so that should have clued me in right there right). He was a boy and he was perfect and he was covered in slimy stuff and was laying right on top of me and I coulnd't have been happier. The medical staff just kind of wiped off the gunk while he layed there. And when they did take him they didn't even leave the room, even when they found out he had low blood sugar (common in big babies) they left him with us to care for it. He had to endure little needle sticks in his foot all night and most of the next day, as well as iron fortified formula that stunk worse than any formula I have ever smelled before, but he was so brave and so sweet and really didn't even (and still doesn't) cry very much.

David was amazing through it all. He really didn't get any studying done for the test in pediatrics that he had to take Friday morning (shouldn't watching the birth of your son count as a HUGE test in pediatrics... he got an A on it by the way). He went and brought the kids to see baby Ben later that evening and then took them home and was just an awesome dad and husband through everything. I love you David!

Gracie wasn't excited at all to have a baby brother. She just wanted a sister. She didn't want to hold Ben or have anything to do with him until I actually just scooped her up on my lap and you can see her reaction after that in the above picture. She loves her baby brother (but is still holding me to my word that she will get to have a sister some day). She sings to him and hugs him and kisses him and helps her mommy get things for him. She is a great big sister. I love you Gracie!

Sammy has loved little Ben from second one. He also hugs and kisses him and is so sweet to him (although he enjoys poking him in the face). He also loves to climb into his car seat and play with the baby bouncer and other baby things. Yesterday morning when he woke up he ran into my room and his the very first thing he said was, "Baby?" He just wanted his baby brother. He is so gentle and loving to him. I love you Sammy!

It has been so fun to have my mom here too. I know I could never do this without her. In fact she may just have to move here. It has been so fun for the kids to be able to spend time with Grandma and so fun for me to be spoiled by her. I love you Mom!

And Ben is the sweetest little baby around! Even though I know he is 9 lbs. he still feels so tiny and fragile. I hate to sleep at night because I miss him. I love to cuddle with him and look into his eyes and just know that he is there. He is perfect for our family. I love you Ben!

It's your birthday!!

Live from the hopefully the last day in the Post Partum, it's JULIE's Birthday!!

Happy birthday to you!  Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday dear Juuuuuuu-liieeeeeeee

Happy birthday to you!

For Julie's birthday, the intrepid husband splurged and bought Julie, his sweet wife, an awesome new camera!  8.0 mp, Canon SD1100 IS with a 2 GB card!(for all you intrepid husbands out there, I got a great deal!)

So these are with her new camera!  It's small and compact, so no more wearing it around your neck and bashing kids' lights out with the larger one.  This one's pink too!

Happy birthday, Julie Girl!

And the name is:

The name of our new son is: 

Benson "Ben" Alexander 

What do you think?

Reporting live, this is the intrepid husband, David

 

Post Game Follow up

Reporting Live from Post Partum is the Intrepid Husband, David.

So about the time Julie wanted to deliver, I wasn't allowed to touch the computer(yes, it was a good reason, I was just trying to commentate)--and anyway, Blogger went down, so I couldn't post anything anyway, I tried.  

Update on the baby then.

We're working on a name, so no worries. We have the 1st name down, we just need another 

So, I'll let Julie tell the story, but my post-game(pardon the pun) photos.  Mom was great, baby was great.  He was a little hypoglycemic, so he needed some supplimentation. Now he's looking great.  Here's some today pics.

It's A......BOY!

Reporting live from the L&D, we have an update!  Quicker than quick, Julie moved onto a 9!  I couldn't post it because we were having technical difficulties, and Julie wouldn't let me leave her side.  

So, after a few more hours, not long, we had a baby!  Julie was at a 9, an then all of the second, she was ready!  Julie pushed for about 10 minutes, and she had a baby!!

22 inch, 9'1" lbs

More to come!

David

In the Hospital

This is what happens when you let your husband write on your blog and take your pictures while you are in labor in the hospital. He writes what he wants on your blog. So, reporting live from Labor and Delivery, Room 3, I'm giving a play by play of the delivery of the new baby.

We left the house about 10, and Julie Kissed the kids goodbye.

So we arrived at the hospital and a somewhat skeptical doctor checked Julie, and she's at a 4, with no major change and was warned, well, you may need a C section and nothing may happen either. But a few hours later, we're moving right along.

After a while, Julie got bored. Literally, she just has these moments where she looks at you and says, "I'm bored". It's just like Gracie. It's cute, don't get me wrong. So, the intrepid husband went down to the gift shop to see what he could find. Crossword puzzles, electronic seduko and Dora. Nope. So I moved on and walked 6 blocks south to a dollar general and find a something to play with. I came back with a deck of face cards, a box of dominoes and a pad of paper. No go. Well, I tried. I have peds test in the morning, so I'm a mix between worried husband and worried student. The kids are in good hands and Julie is moving right along.

So after her boredness and the return of the intrepid husband. she wanted to try a birthing ball, someone else she blogs with has one and she was willing to try it.

So, she's sitting on a birthing ball and liking it. She is able to get another position of comfort and relax a little. The Pitocin is getting her moving right along. Nothing happening yet, otherwise.

Mom decided to do something sweet for Julie and painted her toenails. I, the intrepid husband am not allowed to paint Julie's toenails, as my skills on the toenail as a canvas is sorely lacking. Mom's a pro.

We'll keep you posted. Reporting live, this is the intrepid husband, David.

NEW UPDATE! She was just measured as a 9! So we're moving right along! I hope you're all getting ready! More to come!

I think it is a go...

I am sitting here in the hospital room. The doctor has agreed to start me on the pitocin. David went home to go drop the kids off (thank you so much Cicely) and bring Grandma back with him. A million thoughts keep running through my head. And strangely, one of the biggest ones is fear. I was so afraid to leave my other children. I am not worried about them being with someone else. I know they will be just fine. I am just worried about them being without me. Does that make sense? I sit here and think about them and how much I love them and feel like maybe I have been so anxious for another little baby that I have taken the sweet babies that I have already for granted. I suppose being in a dangerous situation (and lets face it, giving birth is always dangerous no matter what advances have been made in medicine over the years) makes you take a good look at yourself and what you have done with your life and what you would like to do differently. The biggest thing that I want to change right now is just to be a better mother. I don't really think that I am a bad mother. My kids are both pretty healthy, happy, well adjusted children, but I know there are areas where I can improve. My kids are so amazing, and frequently I wonder if I am doing all the things I should to be the mother that they deserve.

I love my curious little Gracie. She has pretty much constant comments and questions about the world around her, and she really wants to share all of her thoughts with me. Her mama (that title is so special... better than any other!). She is always happy, always smiling. She loves to dance and to sing. She sat on the couch with my mom this morning and the looked at these silly little animal cards that we got at the zoo last night and made up songs about them. Gracie loves to make up songs all the time. She is really excited about life, and I hope she can always keep that excitement. Sammy is similar in many ways to Gracie, but is definitely his own man. He is much more reserved than Gracie ever has been. He is content to play with his mom and dad. Where Gracie was always very social with everyone around her, stranger or not, Sammy always wants one of his parents near. He loves to bring me his blanky and curl up with (or on if he gets his way) me. He is also a very happy child and keeps me laughing. We put his Halloween costume on him the other day (a dragon that Grandma brought to him) and he can just see the dragon's head and tongue when he looks up. He kept running around and around the room and growling at the dragon. Both of my babies bring a huge ray of sunshine into my life. I don't think there are adequate words to really describe how it feels to be a mother to these two sweet angels sent from my Heavenly Father for me to love. I hope and pray every day just to be the mother they deserve. I can't wait to see them each day as the grow.

And I love this little baby that is coming to join our family. I don't even know if it is a girl or a boy, but I love it to pieces anyway. All the love I feel for it doesn't in any way diminish the love I feel for Gracie and Sammy though. I am just sitting here in my room by myself, thinking and crying, because I love them so much. I am sure the nurse must think my contractions are worse than they really are, or maybe I have been successful at wiping my eyes before she comes into the room each time. I am just so grateful for these moments to think about my babies and how much I love them.

No news... not good news...

So, at least in my case, no news is not necessarily good news. We have been keeping busy, and I am VERY sore and uncomfortable. Imagine if you can, a 9 month pregnant woman giving her children 20 underdogs at the park. Seriously, I could barely walk last night at the Zoo. Anyway. I will keep trying today. Thanks for all of your well wishes and prayers and suggestions. It looks like I really need them.

A FEW HOURS LATER... AGAIN

Well, the doctor that didn't want to induce me just called from the hospital. She said she wants me to come in and be evaluated to see if she will induce me. So my next post will either be "It's a _____" or "Doctors are Lame!"

I'm having a baby!

Ok, not right this second, but I am having a baby! We have an induction date! Yay! I am being induced on Thursday at 6:30 am. Oh wonderful wonderful doctors! I promise not to curse you ever again (at least not until the baby is out!). So that is the good news. The not as great news (but still good I guess) is, yes this baby is BIG! The ultrasound today puts him/her at about 9 pounds. *sigh* I just keep telling myself that big is beautiful and healthy and strong. It just feels so big and uncomfortable to me!! We got to see all this baby's chub and fat on the ultrasound today. It is one big chubby baby! They gave us a picture of his/her face, but it really isn't a great picture because the baby refused to move its hand out from in front of its face. Other good news: I am dilated to a 4!!!! The doctor said he didn't know if I would even make it to Thursday. I am hoping for tomorrow night (after my mom gets into town!). I was never dialated with either of my other kids so much before I was actually in labor! That is a good sign right?! Oh yeah, and you know how they told me I was measuring big last week? I am back to measuring normal again. Go figure. I think the baby may have moved (a little bit... it is still hanging out on the right side) and dropped a little. But the end is in sight!!! I am so so grateful! I am so excited to meet our little pumpkin!

A FEW HOURS LATER.

Just kidding... I am really disgusted at doctors now. Curse you all!!!! My doctors office just called me and the doctor who is on call on Thursday doesn't do inductions for big babies. Seriously, if I was the swearing type there would be some words that aren't very nice coming out of my mouth right now. So now my options are to be induced tomorrow (which my mother won't make it here in time for) or next Tuesday. I am going to cross my fingers that I go into labor naturally and wait until next week, but I am NOT happy about it!!! So we are going to get out and do as much stuff as we can and see what we can do to make this baby come. We are going to ZooBoo tomorrow night, Port Farm on Wednesday morning, the park Wed. afternoon and if nothing has happened before then we will plan some more things to do. We are going to jump over every crack, eat spicy foods, go on bumpy car rides, eat a dozen doughnuts (does anyone have any castor oil?) and all of those other old wives tales that have been touted through the ages as inducing labor.

Say leaves!

We took some pictures of the kids in the leaves. I can't get over how cute these kids that I get to call mine are!