One Year

Happy Birthday Baby Benson!!!

One Year ago as I begin writing this, I was in labor.  A suprisingly short labor considering I was induced.  From start to finish, just under 12 hours.  I was blessed.  I can remember the uncertainty of the day so clearly, it is incredible to think how much we didn't know going in - would our baby be okay, would be have any health issues?  How would the delivery end - would it end in a C-section?  God knew all along and that was our peace and comfort. You can read the journey here:  Benson's Story

Photo credit Kimberly Sanderson of Sanderson Images

One year ago today, we met my favorite little baby Benson.  He's such a sweet baby, so full of joy and spunk and energy.  He has blessed our lives immensely.  More than we would have ever known.  He's made this journey into parenthood so easy.  Sure, he didn't sleep more than a few hours at a time until nine months, but that was small compared to our relatively easy-going babe who just goes with the flow, loves people, enjoys smiling and dancing and clapping and eating.  He's a joy to be around and we can't wait to see all he learns an accomplishes this year.
*****
Benson, you are so incredibly loved.  Thank you for making our lives so full, so sweet, so amazing.  God has blessed us with your precious life and we are so incredibly grateful He has chosen us to care for you.  We consider it a privilege to experience all the great things with you - the laughter, the smiles, the new skills, the jabbering, dancing, and just living life - as well as the difficult things - you have a fairly strong will, which is a good thing!  It will serve you well in life is you learn how to corral it for God's glory.  We've enjoyed learning patience and perseverance right alongside you with the sleep(less) nights, the days when you were a bit less than your cheery self, and the times we weren't sure what to do to help you.  Through sickness, you have always been a joy even.  Smiling and snuggly.  You have taught us a lot about choosing joy and living life fully.  We appreciate everything you are Benson and we couldn't and wouldn't ask for anyone different than you for our firstborn.  You are a gift, a blessing, and we are delighted to be able to love you. 

Throughout your first year, you have shown a capacity to learn and grow in ways that astound us.  You were born strong and smiley.  You loved to stand on your legs right away and you even liked to smile right away.  You grew and grew and grew - we can't wait to go to the doctor tomorrow and see how you've grown since nine months!  You love to explore, move, and figure out how things work.  We love watching you investigate and try to figure things out. Right now, you love to play with balls and roll them, throw them.  You love to bang two objects together and watch them fall to the ground.  For some reason, this intrigues you very much.  You love your lamb and your blankets. You love to smile at the baby in the mirror every time you see him.  He's good at smiling.  You LOVE books, you have loved to turn the pages since you were very little and even now, you'll open a book and laugh and laugh, even if nobody is reading to you.  You love animals - you are absolutely delighted when you see puppies, kittens, horses, cows, whatever.  You have a cute little laugh you do - perhaps you're trying to bark?  We're not sure, but it is very cute!  Everywhere we go, you have a strong desire to make as many friends as you can, laughing, smiling and squealing as we go along.  When we pray for you, we pray you would find favor with God and man.  We have big dreams for you Benson, but I'm sure they are nowhere near as big as the plans God has for you.  He loves you, little buddy.  He longs to know you and delight your heart with His presence.  He's such a good daddy and we hope we can be earthly reflections of His great love.

Thanks for being patient with us as we learn how to be parents.  We love you.  So, so much.
*****

Last weekend, grandma flew in for a ten day visit!  Benson got dedicated on Sunday at church, where he squealed and smiled and flapped his arms and legs!  Such a difference from when he wouldn't respond during NSTs during our pregnancy.  Ha - he's making up for his lack of movement now. He may have enjoyed being in front of people just a little bit.  Oh, boy! 

We had a birthday party for him Sunday evening, and really, we weren't going to have a big party - big parties for one year olds have always been a little weird to me - do they really remember?  But... as the day approached, we realized it would in fact be large, but that okay, because we can always use a good excuse to hang out with family and friends!  It got too large for our place, so we moved to the Hoover Homestead and it was such a great location - the kiddos could enjoy the trampoline and a few even rode the horse Micah!  Benson enjoyed his banana apple bread cake with cream cheese frosting, but didn't love touching it... So he just planted his face in it.  Ha.  He was spoiled and loved on with gifts, many arms ready to hold him, and so many people to interact with.  Thanks everyone for making his birthday so special!

We had to take his carrot away from him to try the cake... He didn't love touching it...

But he did enjoy planting his face in it...

Up for his actual birthday today:  just hanging out together - probably going out for a hike or to a petting zoo.  Benson will also get his first hair trim.  He is starting to have trouble seeing out of his eyes.  Oh, his long, curly hair!