June, July, August Mommies and babies

The roll over, for real!

So today David was playing with Ben on the chair and he said, "Wow, Ben is going to roll over!"
My mom looks at him and says, "You're dreaming, David!"

Next thing we know....

Ben, rolling off Daddy's belly!

So I thought you might like to start seeing some video of Ben... pictures are fun, but videos...are the best!

David and his son

And when I thought we were taking a picture, we were making a movie!

Trip to Detroit p2

Trip to Detroit

Thoughts on Motherhood

So basically being a Mom is the best thing in the world. Although at this point my life is fairly uneventful...feed, burp, change, cradle...over and over all day long...but I really don't want anything else. :)
I have been listening to sermons online while I nurse and they've been focused on 2 Corinthians...and talking about relationships... what it looks like to love people, love Christ, and how to help one another do both more. And it's cool because I am in a place right now where I really see what God wants from me. He wants me to focus on this child He's given me....by loving him, praying for him... and nurturing him. There have been times in my life when I really felt unsure of what God wanted from me...or maybe I knew, but I was running from it anyway...and for once I not only know what He wants, but I feel peace and excitement about it! It's such a joyful time for me right now. I feel so proud to be a Mom....so thankful...it's really what I have wanted for so long.
And Ben is so cute! He makes the cutest little faces ever! So yeah, life is good. :)

Home Sweet Home

We got to come home yesterday! Hurray! It's been so great to be in my own space. Even though we are extremely sleep deprived (like all new parents!) I am feeling better already. I hope to take a nap in the next 10 minutes!
Thank you so much for your prayers! And continue as we wait to see how his heart is doing and the actually test results from his bloodwork done the first day in the hosptial.
Ben is the most amazing child ever! He is eating more and more and is awake much more to look around. David is so amazing with him...if only you could see!
We'll keep you updated.

a good blog

So read David's blog because it expresses so beautifully our story.
www.bentley81.blogspot.com

Pictures of Ben

So things are well. We are in the pediatric unit of the hospital....they are monitoring his heart over the weekend. He'll have another echocardiogram on Monday...so you can be praying for that. They are waiting to see if some things develop properly in his heart. It could be a fairly big issue, or it could be something that takes care of itself. I will obviously update accordingly. He's doing really well otherwise...nursing,going to the bathroom, and being loved by many! :) He's in his daddy's arms...the best place!

I have a son!

I am proud to tell you about our new member of the family, Bentley John. He was born August 14 at 9:50 AM, weighing 7lbs. 7oz. and 18 1/2 inches long. He has beautiful blonde hair (and blue eyes- like all babies!). He is so sweet.
I had been having contractions for about a week (nothing like what the real labor contractions are though!) And I went to the doctor on Wednesday and I was 4 cm and 100% effaced- which meant I could've technically been admitted if I had wanted to labor in the hospital- which I didn't. So I finished painting the bedroom, put the house back together, ran all over Ann Arbor doing errands, and then we went to Chris and Nikomi's for dinner. We came home, took about 3 mile walk and went to bed. I was still having the BH contractions- but fell asleep just fine (a sure sign you are not in labor!)
Around 1 AM I woke up with pain and couldn't fall asleep. I took a shower, and started breathing through the contractions. About 2, I had a bowl of cheerios, at 3 I woke David up and knew I was in labor- but still sort of in denial because I thought I had been in labor a week ago! I spent a lot of time in Bentley's room- I think pushing through the pain was much easier in his space because I could look at all of his things and imagine him in there....motivation to keep laboring!
Around 5ish I wanted to go in the hospital- David thought we should wait a little longer- so we debated...finally calling the doctor. I was still only 5 minutes apart- so the doc said I was probably only 4-5 cm, but I could come in if I wanted.
We took our time packing bags (well, at this point I was in a fair amount of pain- the nice thing is it really hurts during the contraction- but if you can make it through, the break is pain free!)
We drove in, went to triage, they determined I was about 7 CM! It took forever for them to do all the annoying tests they say are necessary and I was not in the mood to be poked when I was trying so hard to focus on my breathing.
Finally, we got settled in our room around 6:30. Then I got right in the jacuzzi tub- that was nice! The first doc I talked to was leaving, so when Dr. O'Conner came on at 7 she stopped in...I was still 7 CM and Bentley was occipit posterior (his face was towards my belly instead of my back- so the back of his head was rubbing my tail bone...makes for a really tough labor and a tough naturally deliver). So I was disappointed. So I did the big ball thing- trying to roll through the contractions... the doc came in around 7:30, and I was STILL 7 cm, and Ben was still posterior....so the words like pitocin and meds and all the things I didn't want were discussed...So they said we could keep trying for him to turn. Then they set up this huge bean bag on the bed and I laid with my belly in that....what a lifesaver! By this point I was begging for drugs (David wouldn't let me give in thought- what a great husband!) and it hurt soooo bad. So then I was upset because I was pushing without trying and I know you aren't supposed to because it can cause your cervix to swell and then baby will have a harder time coming out... and then I was throwing up among other labor symptoms, I will spare you the details. :) So the nurse said they should check me...which I didn't want because I didn't want to be disappointed when I was still at 7CM. Finally she convinced me back on the bed and I was 10 CM and baby was in the right position!!!!!! That was the best hour of my life!
So Dr. O'Conner came in and I pushed for an hour and he was born! They put him on my tummy and I watched him squirm...and the pain from birth went away almost instantly which was so nice.
The cord was wrapped around his neck and he was blue...so they took him to NICU to give him oxygen.
So then about an hour later the neonatalogist came in with David to tell me that they were pretty sure Ben has down syndrome....we had known there was like a less than 2% chance...but the odds were unlikely...so it wasn't a complete shock...but I was still a little numb.
I finally got him back 2 hours after delivery and was able to spend the rest of the day with him. He is so beautiful. David and I really see how God has been preparing us for Bentley....we have been talking a lot about DS babies with friends and how they do so well now that there is support and unending research about them. Even the night before he was born at Chris and Nikomi's house we were talking about how they are so sweet and how it's so sad so many people terminate pregnancy because of the diagnosis. We just love him...obviously, since he is our son!
He is doing well nursing and is just the sweetest thing to look at. Currently he is having an echocardiogram to look at his heart to make sure he doesn't have any defects (some DS children do)...so we will know the results tomorrow. And officially Bentley hasn't been diagnosed with DS...the blood work results will be in early next week.
David is the most amazing father... it is amazing to see your husband hold your child with such love, compassion, and grace. I can't explain to you what it feels like.
So, we are a beautiful family of 3. I am so thankful I had such an amazing birth experience, I have a healthy beautiful son, and an amazing husband who is so patient and so kind.
So thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.
And I have beautiful pictures to post when I get home!

the ultimate test of patience

So I am full term and just waiting for labor to start so we can have our baby! It's been a fairly frustrating week. I have had Braxton Hicks contractions all week... Yesterday I thought we might be getting into the real thing...they were 5 minutes apart, then 3 for several hours and then nothing. So yeah, it's a very disappointing experience. As David would say, the good news is that we are going to have a baby...at some point. :) It's harder when the false contractions start because it gets my hopes up that the time might be here...and then when they die down I am left feeling stupid (that I thought it might actually be time) and depressed (because it's not).

I have been praying about my frustrations as I anxiously wait...but the sin in me allows little room for peace. I continue to let my mind wonder into other thoughts and hopes rather than sitting in peace. This is something I really struggle with... not allowing myself to think about things that bring on anxiety...and resting in a peace.

So if you all could just pray for us right now as we wait for Baby... for inner peace, patience, and letting go of trying to have things happen in my timing....
Thanks. :)

Happy Birthday, David!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOVE!!!!

So we had a fun day celebrating David's birthday. For lunch he got a 1/2 dozen bagels at Zingerman's, which were delicious. Then we went downtown Ann Arbor and ate dinner at the Real Seafood Company, and then had ice cream at Stucchi's....all of which were free or on a massive discount. I love birthdays!!!! So to celebrate his last birthday before baby comes we went all out! Enjoy the pictures!


I ordered Paella Valenciana. It was great. I learned how to eat both crab and lobster...yeah, haven't done that before! It was great! And I wore a bib!


David ordered some huge fish thing...you can see the eye! The server took out the bones for him in front of us, it was cool.






Then for dessert, he ordered Crème brûlée....which was AMAZING!!!!










And Stucchi's gives you a free ice cream on your birthday.... so we couldn't pass it up!!!!!

Finally.....

Here are the pictures from our great trip!!!! I had to do something this morning other than what I SHOULD be doing....(cleaning...) So enjoy!

Home Again!

So we had a great time up at Mackinac Island and then at the cottage. :) I will post a slideshow of pictures...eventually! For now, I will post this one of David and me. :) Tonight is my baby shower and I am soooo excited...so that's all for now!!!

ON VACATION!!!!

So David's family arrived this evening and we are all headed out of town for about 10 days...hip hip hooray! First, up to Mackinaw Island to celebrate his paternal grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary and then on to the cottage for a week of relaxation and fun, fun, fun. :) So I won't be writing here or anywhere as I won't have internet access for 10 days!!! I love that. I love being free from all things electronic. :)
It wouldn't be an official, "We're going to the cottage post" if I didn't put up some pictures of the beauty we're about to enter into. :)


A view of the cottage from the lake. The humble, yet, welcoming, peaceful place we love to go. :)


Jane, David, and me on the boat....too bad you're in Europe, traveling every amazing country, Jane!

David having fun on the inner tube!

Me, skiing. :) I guess there won't be any of that this year...bummer because I was just learning to drop a ski and go on one at the end of last summer.... there's always next year. :)

YUMMY!!!! MICHIGAN CHERRIES! Luckily the cherry festival is happening again while we're up there!

And here are some pics of Mackinaw Island...not mine...just for fun.

The island....

And the famous bridge that my dad biked over...he's got a story about that! I should ask him again.

Amazing, famous, homemade fudge anyone?

No cars are allowed on the island...so it's back to horse and buggy!!!!