The Best Day of our Lives

Every day, but especially today, we are filled with gratitude for the gift of our little boy Bennett.
Exactly a year ago our lives changes drastically for the better. Tears stream down my face as I remember sitting in the parking lot of the hospital with Jon. With so many mixed emotions, I stared at the hospital doors realizing that we were going in as 2 and coming out as 3.

I have never journaled his birth story so before I forget I better put it in writing. Props to you if you make it through the whole thing. My details may drive you nuts, but this is for me more than anything.
November 18 (3 days over due) I woke up with very consistent contractions. They never got too intense so I waited them out until that evening. We figured we would be going to the hospital some time in the night so we headed to the store to get a few last things. My blood pressure had been up and down my last trimester and my doctor told me if it ever hit a certain number to go to labor and delivery. While we were at the store I took my blood pressure and sure enough it was way higher than the doctor told me to let it get. So we went for our last supper at Quiznos and headed to the hospital. We talked the entire way about when and who to call, what to do in case of an emergency, what he would look like and how excited we were. The last few minute before we reached the hospital was very silent as we listened to our current favorite song, The First Noel by Faith Hill and Josh Groban. Every time I hear that song I get a very vivid memory of sitting in the parking lot with so many mixed emotions. Part of me wanted to go home and better prepare but Jon was not having that. After some tears and a prayer we entered the hospital. After reporting my blood pressure to the nurses they hustled me into a room to get me started. I could feel the urgency in their voices as they would call the doctor on call and discuss their plan of attack because my blood pressure was so high. I maybe should have been scared but I knew I was in good hands. After they had started me on a lot of good stuff to help- it kicked in and my blood pressure plummeted. I could literally feel the life being suck out of me. I felt like I could close my eyes and hibernate. At the other side of the room I could see a very nervous Jon. We locked eyes and I kept with him until they had me leveled back out. After that it was smooth sailing. All that night I could not sleep. I was too excited. All I did was stair wide eyed at my glowing monitor, watching my contractions go up and down and giggling to myself because I could not feel a thing. Every time a nurse would come in she would try to talk me into sleeping but it was not happening. Jon was so sweet and attentive the entire time. The medication that I had to be on made me so thursty. I kept begging him to sneak me some water in my ice ships. Although he felt guilty, he did it. He knew it was better to keep me happy than the nurse. Early that morning my doctor came in and broke my water. After I was able to see and talk to her I felt much more relaxed. I fell asleep and woke up 2 hours later feeling a whole lot of pressure. I told Jon to get the nurse because the baby was coming out. He did not take me too seriously but knew better than to not obey. Just 2 hours before I was at a 5 so I don't blame them for not believing me but I turned out to know what I was talking about. They called my doctor back and after about 45 easy minutes of pushing.......(drum roll).......Bennett arrived at 12:55 pm November 19. Weighing 6lb 15 oz, and 20 in.
My first thought was shock, of how dang cute and tiny he was. I just wanted them to leave us alone to stare at each other. All through out pushing Jon kept saying, " oooh, ouch, this seems like it would really hurt" which was followed by relief that I was comfortable and not feeling a thing. Happy Birthday Bennett Boy. We love you so much and can hardly put our joy into words. You are a radiant little man who brings a smile to the faces of so many friends, family and strangers. We are so proud of you. Thank you so much for the happiness you have brought and the renewed meaning of life. We sure hope that we are doing a good job and helping you be your very best self. We cannot wait to see the fun you have in store for us in the years to come.
Gosh your sweet! Happy Birthday. We Love you- Mom and Dad