Weeks 13-16 update!

How far along?
13 weeks!

13 weeks and 4 days.

Total weight gain/loss:
5 pounds.

Sleep:
a little bit better this week. Not going to the bathroom as much in the night and my snoogle pillow helps.

Best moment this week:
We went on a Valentines date to get a really yummy burger and ice cream. It was so good. If you're in Utah you have to check our SevenBrothers

Worst moment this week:
I had a couple hard mom days haha. Lots of whining and fighting and I was just so over it by the end of the day.

Movement:
none.

Symptoms:
nausea still. Fatigue. Acne- my face is breaking out so bad!

Food cravings:
French fries. Cake. Hahaha. So healthy.

Food aversions:
yogurt. Scrambled eggs.

Gender:
Don't know but we find out in three weeks or so!

Labor Signs:
no.

Belly Button in or out?
In.

What I miss:
Energy.

What I am looking forward to:
I have an appointment in a couple days to hear the heartbeat and so I'm anxious and excited.

Milestones:
Depending on which app you ask, I'm entering the last week of the first trimester or entering the first week of the second trimester!





How far along?
14 weeks

14 weeks and 4 days.

Total weight gain/loss:
uhhh prob a little more than 5 pounds. All I want is carbs and sugar! Soooo thinking of cutting all that out. At least during the week...we will see how it goes.

Sleep:
Not terrible this week. I still have to get up 1-2 times to use the bathroom or at least once to correct a low blood sugar so that's not my favorite but I am generally able to fall back asleep pretty quickly.

Best moment this week:
A few! I had my next follow up OB and endo appointment on Tuesday and it went well! I was so nervous but as soon as my doctor put the monitor on my belly we heard the heartbeat- such a relief! It was around 158 he said. Tucker's was a little lower than that first time around and Benson’s was a little higher. So I don't believe in the “above 140 is a girl” wives tale. And apparently that isn't really accurate until the last trimester when baby’s heart starts to slow down...and by then you probably already know the sex of the baby anyway! Also, my endo appointment went well as well. My A1C is still at 5.4 which is lower than its ever been! My doctor actually wants it a little higher so hopefully I can get it and keep it in a certain range. My OB was so impressed with that number though! Haha. He was like in shock it was so low. I have had quite a lot of hypoglycemic episodes this first trimester so that could be bringing it down. Gotta regulate it!

And then yesterday was Benny’s birthday! I can't believe he is 2! We started the day with a donut breakfast (which he didn't eat...it was an emotional morning for everyone haha) and then we decided to go swimming at the rec center and get Chick-fil-A afterwards. The boys had a blast and it was a pretty fun day. Love my little two year old!

And on Friday we went to a Jazz game! I got taylor and I tickets as Taylors Christmas present and so we did that this week! The weather was pretty bad and so we were nervous about driving to SLC but it ended up being great!

Worst moment this week:
Nothing much that I can think of. Dealing with toddler tantrums and whining is always difficult when I'm just so tired.

Movement:
I think I might have felt my first flutters this week! Baby is still soooo small so it's hard to know if that's what it was, but it felt different from the usual bubbling of digestion that I usually feel. Excited to start feeling kicks soon!

Symptoms:
Still nauseous. Tired. The worst acne I've had since freshman year in high school. Emotional. Moody.

Food cravings:
Curry (taylor made us some this week so I was happy about that).
These homemade flourless muffins I've been making about once a week lately. They have bananas, PB, eggs cocoa, honey, salt, baking powder and soda and some dark chocolate chips. They are pretty healthy (no refined sugar or flour) and SO good. And the boys like them, too!
Ooh we made protein style burgers with homemade sweet potato “fries” and that was really good.

Food aversions:
Same stuff. Yogurt by itself. Smell of cooked meat or onions.

Gender:
Dunno! Lately Tucker has been saying boy. I think he is probably right haha.

Labor Signs:
no.

Belly Button in or out?
In.

What I miss:
energy. Looking forward to that boost soo.

What I am looking forward to:
Our next ultrasound at the hospital with MFM in about two weeks when we will most likely find out the gender!!

Weekly Wisdom:
Patience is a virtue. Haha.

Milestones:
Turns out I am in the second trimester! Doctors start counting it at 13 weeks so this will be my second week in the second trimester! Only around 23 weeks till we meet this babe! That's officially less than 6 months!




How far along?
15 weeks and a few days

15 weeks and 4 days.

Total weight gain/loss:
Mmmm, not too sure. Might step on the scale tomorrow but I’m kinda avoiding it like the plague, ha!
Sleep:
It’s alright when I take something to help me fall asleep, like benedryl. Otherwise I cannot for the life of me get to sleep!

Best moment this week:
We found out we are having another little BOY! So crazy that we already know and beyond crazy it’s another little bud.

Worst moment this week:
It snowed a tonnnnn last weekend and I am not a huge fan considering it is MARCH! Bring on the Spring weather, please.

Movement:
I think I’ve been feeling tiny little movements whenever I’m being really still and paying attention.

Symptoms:
Still nauseous, but not so much anymore. Terrible acne. Tiredness. Getting full really quickly after eating.

Food cravings:
I’ve made these whole wheat pita roll up sandwich things a few times and it was so yummy!

Food aversions:
Plain yogurt.

Gender:
BOY!

Labor Signs:
None.

Belly Button in or out?
In.

What I miss:
Being in shape, haha.

What I am looking forward to:
Our MFM ultrasound next week!


Milestones:
Found out what baby is and we are almost four months pregnant! Getting so close to the halfway mark for me!







How far along?

16 weeks and 4 days.
If you look closely, you can see my blood sugar sensor on my bump!

16 weeks and 2 days.

Total weight gain/loss:
around 10. Taking this off soon haha.

Sleep:
not too bad lately!

Best moment this week:
We had a bridal shower for my soon to be sister in law and that was fun!
And today we had our MFM appointment and saw baby boy!

Worst moment this week:
Can't complain!

Movement:
Tiny little movements here and there.

Symptoms:
Tired. Occasional nausea if I haven't eaten in while.

Food cravings:
Toasted bologna sandwich. (It sounds gross and maybe is but it's actually delicious. Maybe it's the pregnancy talking haha)

Food aversions:
Scrambled eggs.

Gender:
BOY!

Labor Signs:
no.

Belly Button in or out?
In.

What I miss:
Warmer weather...thankfully it's starting to warm up finally!

What I am looking forward to:
My birthday is coming up soon! No plans yet, any ideas??

Milestones: Almost halfway for me!

Baby number 3!

It's been a couple weeks since we announced that we are expecting, and we are so excited! I think I was anxious to get the news out because I felt like it was getting harder to hide that I was pregnant (excuses about always feeling sick and the ever growing belly- hello, fourth pregnancy uterus!). I did things a little differently with our last pregnancy, where as soon as I shared the news, I was also sharing weekly updates.

I am so grateful that I have that information on my blog because it has been incredibly helpful as I've wanted to look back on my last pregnancy and compare symptoms and updates and things of that nature. I will still be doing a weekly questionaire, however, I've been thinking about the manner in which I want to share this pregnancy.

I know there are many people like me who love to read about this type of thing, whether it be your own pregnancy or a friend's or someone you may not even know. I love that kind of stuff. However, since experiencing a loss, I got the tiiiiiniest taste of what it is like to see others experiencing something you want so badly. So this caused me to take a step back and decide how I should share this pregnancy. I don't want to inundate people with "pregnancy this and baby that". But I do want family to be able to have updated information (there's a lot of family who like to know these things and this is the quickest and easiest way for everyone to learn the same information- direct from the source...me :) So, I think what I decided is that instead of sharing a blog post every single week, I will do one a month- which will include four weeks of the same questionaire and pictures of my ever growing belly from the month. When we get later in the pregnancy, I might switch to twice a month (every other week) and then at the very end I might update once a week, depending on how I'm feeling.

I hope that you guys will follow along, although I know this is pretty boring to many of you. But if it's your thing- I won't let you down!




Now back to the news at hand- WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BABY! I have my next prenatal appointment a week from today and I think even just typing those words still makes me nervous. I hope this next week goes by quickly and that I can hear the heartbeat again and feel at ease.

We found out on December 12 that we were pregnant! I felt like I needed to take a test even though my cycle wasn't due for five days. The line was verrrrry positive. No denying it! And it only got darker from that point. I set my first appointment for January 19 and then the countdown began. I would be almost 9 weeks by the time the first appointment rolled around. I am grateful we had the holidays and lots of fun things to distract us in the meantime and help the time pass more quickly. I started feeling sick at a little before 6 weeks, which is pretty early! I thought it was probably a good sign though. My diabetes has followed the pattern of what it did when I was pregnant with the boys, which is also reassuring.

When January 19 rolled around, I was SO nervous. Taylor was able to take a long lunch that day to come to the appointment with me. I ended up being scheduled with the same doctor that we had when we found out we were miscarrying. I took it as a redeeming sign and not a bad omen ;) We got called back into the room and I was nervous that the doctor was going to want to chat for a while and that I would be so anxious waiting for the ultrasound. However, as soon as he walked into the room he said, "Alright, let's just cut straight to the chase and take a look at your baby!" I was SO grateful. He pulled up the ultrasound machine and right away I could tell everything looked great. We saw our little baby! It was measuring 9 weeks and 1 day (I was 8 weeks and 5 days at the time, so that measurement is right on track!) We saw the heart beating and little baby even moved for us during the ultrasound! I felt such relief and even typing it and thinking about it now calms me down as well. He was very pleased with how everything looked and we spent the next 10 minutes or so making a game plan.

Not too much will be different with this pregnancy, except for the fact that they are having me strongly consider getting progesterone shots weekly, starting at 16 weeks. The point of this would be to help me not go into labor too soon, as I seem to have babies that are eager to come earth-side. I think we decided that that is probably the best idea and our best shot at having our baby stay in until at least 37 weeks! If I can make it that long I will be so grateful!

We then got some blood work done and other labs and scheduled future appointments and went on our way! I see them again February 20 (as well as my endocrinologist, who I will also see every 4 weeks). I have my first appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) and the Perinatologist on March 13, when I will be just over 16 weeks. This is a more in-depth ultrasound than the ones they do in the OB office and we are hoping we will find out the sex of the baby at this appointment! I'm very excited!


At this point, there's not much else to share. I am hoping that I can have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy and a healthy baby. We could always use prayers if you ever happen to think of us. Excited for this journey!







How far along?
 9 weeks as of yesterday

Total weight gain/loss:
 2-3 pounds

 Sleep:
 it's been ok. I've been taking a promethazine (anti nausea) a while before bed and it makes me pretty sleepy. And I only get up once or twice to use the bathroom now.

Best moment this week:
Yesterday we told the rest of my family about baby and everyone was excited. And on Saturday I got to go to lunch with my girlfriends! We got sushi so that was super fun. AND! We had our first OB appointment on Friday. I was SO nervous. Understandably so. We got straight to the ultrasound and baby was measuring perfectly and looking great! We even got to see it move/kick which was so exciting. I feel a lot of relief and am excited! I told my best girlfriends this week that I'm pregnant as well!

Worst moment this week:
Well i guess it was last week, but I got food poisoning and it was horrible. We ended up going to the ER to get me fluids and IV anti nausea meds. So glad that's over.

Movement:
none yet!

Symptoms:
super nauseous all day. SO tired. I have to go to bed after the kids because I cannot hang haha. Pretty moody/hormonal.

Food cravings:
carbs. Salty food. Chick-fil-A.

Food aversions:
Some meats. Eggs. Yogurt.

Gender:
Don't know yet!

Labor Signs:
Nope.

Belly Button in or out?
In.

What I miss:
Having energy and feeling not-nauseous.

What I am looking forward to:
Next appointment in a month!

Weekly Wisdom:
I had my endocrinologist appointment today and it went well! My a1c is 5.4!! It has never ever been that low in my whole life. I am hoping i can keep it low without having too many hypoglycemic readings.

Milestones:
Baby is no longer an embryo and is now considered a fetus!




How far along?
10 weeks as of yesterday

Total weight gain/loss:
Dunno. Kinda afraid to check haha.

Sleep:
Not terrible but not great. Waking up to correct low blood sugars or pee a couple times.

Best moment this week:
It was a pretty low key week. We did go to tucanos for Taylors belated birthday meal and that was fun. It's always such a treat to go there.

Worst moment this week: I had a few low blood sugar episodes that were kinda scary. First trimester lows are always tricky to get a handle on.

Movement:
None. Still so tiny in there!

Symptoms:
Super duper nauseous. Super duper tired. Super duper moody.

Food cravings:
Mostly sweet things. But I always feel gross after indulging. Also sour apples and peanut butter.

Food aversions:
Meat cooking. Smell of cooked onions.

Gender:
Not sure yet. And no inkling or feeling either way at this point.

Labor Signs:
Heavens no.

Belly Button in or out?
Very in.

What I miss:
Sleep. Energy. Feeling good.

What I am looking forward to:
Energy. Feeling good. Next appointment.

Weekly Wisdom:
Not much this week. Just trying to get a handle on these low blood sugars and how to best treat them. Currently a spoonful of frosting works best...hence why I'm scared to get on the scale. Haha. 

Milestones:
Baby is the size of a strawberry or tart kumquat. He or she is looking more like a person every day and developing internal organs!




How far along?
11 weeks today.

Total weight gain/loss:
Mmm not sure. Looks like a ton but I haven't actually stepped on the scale! Haha.

Sleep:
Not awesome. I toss and turn a lot. And I've been having nightmares on and off this week! No fun. 

Best moment this week:
I got to go to dinner with my girlfriends Ashley and Rachel! It was so yummy and so fun to catch up.

We also decided to announce our pregnancy today which is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time! I haven't had a second appointment but I feel very positive about everything so I'm hoping it pans out the way I feel. I also don't want to overshare because I've gotten a teeny tiny taste of what it's like to be on the other side of this and it's hard. I have so so many friends who are struggling to make a family and so I know being bombarded with baby everything must be hard. I haven't decided how I am going to update my blog with these yet. Last pregnancy I did it weekly and posted about it. Tucker's was really sporadic. I definitely want to keep the record for myself. But maybe I'll only share once a month? We will see. :)

Worst moment this week:
Waking up to a terrible nightmare. It kept me up for a while. So I just prayed I'd be able to fall asleep and be comforted and I eventually was.

Movement:
None.

Symptoms:
Headaches galore. Nauseousness all day. Lack of thirst. Low blood sugars. SO tired all day.

Food cravings:
Treats. Also I was reading my blog and came across the post where I mentioned a toasted bologna sandwich (with BBQ chips on it-it sounds gross but don't knock it till you try it) and now I'm feeling like I need one haha.

Food aversions:
Smell of meat cooking and boiled eggs and onions. Yogurt. Scrambled eggs.

Gender:
Dunno! Taylor says girl. I say I have no clue. Probably boy because that's all I know!

Labor Signs:
Nope.

Belly Button in or out?
In!

What I miss:
Feeling rested. Working out! I haven't been able to in sooooo long. I'm anxious to feel better in these next few weeks so we can have nighttime gym dates a few times a week!

What I am looking forward to:
Finding out the gender!

Weekly Wisdom:
None that I can think of.

Milestones:
Baby is 1.6 inches and as big as a lime/Brussel sprout. The hands and feet are losing their webbing and he or she is growing hair follicles and fingernails!





How far along?
12 weeks today.

Total weight gain/loss:
Around five pounds. Yikes haha.

Sleep:
Not great. But I finally got my snoogle out again and that has helped a ton. It's a pregnancy body pillow and it wraps around my body and I can put it between my knees, which seems to be giving me the most relief.

Best moment this week:
I got to see one of my best friends from high school, Emily! I went to Park City where she was staying and we got dinner one night and then the boys and I went back again on Saturday and she got to meet them! I hadn't seen her in seven years so it was really great to see her and catch up. And we announced our pregnancy a week ago today which was really exciting.

Worst moment this week:
I can't really think of anything. Which is a good thing!

Movement:
None yet.

Symptoms:
Nausea still- although this is waning a bit which is great. I mostly feel nauseous at night now. Fatigue/exhaustion. Acne (joy). Mood swings.

Food cravings:
I've been craving more sweet things than I did with the boys. And Diet Coke- terrible i know. Also a good burger sounds great.

Food aversions:
Yogurt. Some meats.

Gender:
Not sure! Thinking boy right now. Taylor still thinks girl. I just want to know! And of course I just want a healthy baby, so I don't care either way!

Labor Signs:
No.

Belly Button in or out?
In.

What I miss:
Energy!

What I am looking forward to:
Valentines date this week to get burgers! Haha. And next week i have my next appointment and I'm praying it goes well.

Milestones: Most of my pregnancy apps agree baby is the size of a plum! He or she is 2 inches now and half an ounce!

One in Four

When I initially sat down to write my feelings on this experience, the words were sad. There was a lot of pain in my account amongst the few positive things I had to say. I kept that account to myself. And I will keep it because the feelings were real, but as the days have gone on I have changed and my understanding and peace is greater than it was before. It is quite a vulnerable thing to share something so personal, but I am inspired by others who have gone before me and done the same.

If this kind of sharing makes you uncomfortable, then stop reading. But this is for me. Journaling this way has always been the easiest way for me to keep a record of my life. And I have done that in my happiest and hardest times. It has always been therapeutic for me. And I will continue to do it through the experiences that I need to remember.

There are a lot of things in life that are scary. Being a mother, a whole new world of scary is added onto the list you already had. You don't let it keep you from living your life, but in the back of your mind you are always aware.

I am no stranger to trials. I don't think anyone is. The last ten years have been sprinkled with particularly hard ones, but somehow I have always made it through. I have always tried to understand how certain experiences shape my eternal perspective. I have grown a lot. I have learned a lot. I have relied on my faith and the faith of others and that has been irreplaceable.

If you asked me what I considered to be my greatest strength and my greatest weakness, I would say they are one in the same. My sensitive disposition and empathy. I feel that through my experiences that I have been blessed with, I have been able to come to understand people better. A few weekends ago in General Conference, a gathering where messages of faith and testimony of Jesus Christ are shared, John C. Pingree said, "Specialized empathy is developed through adversity." And I thought, "That is me." He goes on to say that we should make use of our adversity and use our knowledge to help others. 

I feel like God made me this way. He gave me such intense empathy because He knew that I could use it. And I feel like I have been given opportunities to do just that. Sometimes coming to gain this empathy has cost me greatly. Whether physically through illness or spiritually through experiences, I have come to gain the understanding I have. 

I know that the Lord would wish to use me as a testament of His love. Gaining such testimony has often hurt me initially. And often the answers have not come quickly. But gradually and eventually, I have been given a greater understanding of God's plan for me.

If there is anything I know, it is that the Lord works on His timetable. I have no doubt that God has played a role in my life in the timing of experiences. I have been exactly where I was supposed to be when I followed His direction and my life has played out beautifully, even with the trials- maybe even moreso because of the trials. 

Despite my health challenges, and even with the speculation that I may not be able to have children because of the chemotherapy I had, God has blessed me with two beautiful children. I had a plan for my life and it was impressed upon me that the plan was going to be different than what I was expecting. (This has happened a few times in my life. I always think...if you want to be thrown for a loop, go ahead and make big plans and the Lord will intervene.) It was this way for our first two boys. We had a timeline but the Lord's timeline was a little faster ;) 

The time again came when we started thinking towards the future of when we would add another. And we set a time. And once again I felt the push. The prompting was so overwhelming that it brought me to tears. We needed to change our plans and start planning to add another...NOW. So we did. And in the back of my mind I wondered, like I usually do, about the purpose of the push. Maybe we won't get pregnant right away? Maybe this timing will play out better to have a baby six months sooner in the long run? And way, way in the back of my mind I had the dark thought of miscarriage. Maybe God wants me to experience this so that I can better understand. But you do all you can to brush those thoughts away. And so that's what I tried to do. 

But I got pregnant right away. And I was sick nearly the entire month I was able to be pregnant. I could barely function some days because I was so nauseous. But that's a good thing, right? So I tried to tell myself that. But once again, deep down I could feel that I needed to prepare my heart for the worst.

On September 19, 2017, Taylor and I learned that I had had a "missed miscarriage" and that our tiny little baby had stopped growing two weeks prior.

Before our appointment, the nerves mounted. Taylor came with me and his positivity helped me feel better in the moment. But then the words, "Are you certain of the dates you gave us? Things are not looking as far along as we would want and I am worried. This looks like it could be a miscarriage. I'm so sorry." rang in my ears as tears stung my eyes. It was confirmed that the pregnancy was not viable and we took actions from that point. I didn't think I could cry so much. I cried a lot that day. So much so, that I didn't cry much after that day. It was as though the tears had dried up and I had no more left to give. And I felt numb, for days. When we received the news, Taylor held my hand and said he was so sorry. It's easy to feel like I am alone in this trial. Because physically I am the one who has to go through it. But emotionally we are completely in this together. WE were pregnant. WE were going to have another baby. And together WE lost the baby. Taylor isn't as emotional as me (not difficult, I am usually more emotional than most people, ha) but he let himself be sad and let me know that he loves me no matter what. Marriage is quite the challenge. You see each other at your very, very worst and often it is hard to be kind when you are so run down. But on the flip side of the coin, we also get to share our very, very best moments together and there is absolutely no one else I would want to do life with. Taylor understands me like no one else and he appreciates everything about me. Even when I am so angry and sad, and when I know I could be kinder. He always tries to see the positive. For that I am grateful. I could not have picked a better person to love. 

If you are not aware of what my title "one in four" refers to, I am sure many of you might be wondering what I am referring to. "Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, affecting around one in four pregnancies."

I think we go through life sometimes assuming, "That will never happen to me." or "Those kinds of things only happen to other people." I won't say that I ever thought I'd never have a miscarriage, because every day that fear was in the back of my mind. But when it happens, you are still in disbelief. You never really understand the hurt until it happens to you. 

I got a blessing and I prayed hard before I took the medicine that was meant to help my body miscarry. And I believe this is what made the experience physically bearable. Emotionally, the sting was still there. But I am grateful that I didn't have to suffer through unbearable pain.

The experience was more drawn out than I was expecting. I took 8 separate doses of the medicine that was supposed to help me miscarry. While it did most of the work, it did not completely rid my body of everything, and on September 29th, I went in for surgery (a D&C) to finish the process. 

I had told some of my closest friends that we were expecting and then a few more random people. I found myself texting every person who I knew that was aware we were pregnant, and letting them know we were no longer going to be having a baby. I cannot tell you how amazed and overwhelmed I was at the outpouring of love and support we received. I was worried for what people would say and worried people might need to tiptoe around me. This was not the case. And a few close friends who have been through this exact thing were able to give me comforting words and a shoulder to cry on.

We had planned on calling our families that same day to deliver the news, and we did not have happy news to give. We weren't going to tell them but I felt that we needed to and I'm so glad we did because I know their prayers uplifted me.

We received meals for days, flowers, help with our boys for days, supportive comments, prayers, religious talks shared, and most importantly, love. It overwhelming thinking about it even now. 

We are through this trial physically now. The emotional marks will remain. And that's ok. I've come to understand that that's how we learn and grow and come to trust God and His plan. We are stronger because of our scars.

I know God is aware of me. He knows my heart and I feel Him. I feel His love and strength keeping me afloat. And I have through many, many experiences in my life.


I know He is real and is waiting for us to call on Him.

I have complete peace in my heart. I know we will be blessed with another baby. It wasn't time yet, and that's ok. It's going to be ok.

I was lost in a moment

A glimmer in time

Like a child chasing shadows

My back to the light

I was lost in a fog till You caught my eye

Through the smoke and the mirrors

A glimmer of life

I know there’s a place I belong

Where I’ll see the fullness of love

A child face to face with my God 

Lost in Your awesome wonder 

While I wait I will not be afraid

My faith will remain all the same

My hope in the things not yet seen

Found in the greatest of these

One year with Benson!

365 days with Benson Wyatt!

A year ago today, I was snuggling my sweet Benson in my arms for the first time. The day he was born is one of my favorite days I've ever lived. His birth was so special and peaceful and one I will never forget. (Read his birth story here: http://taylorandkarajeffery.blogspot.com/2016/03/welcome-to-world-benson-wyatt-jeffery.html?m=1)

There was so much anticipation surrounding his arrival because of the unknown. Would I make it to 37 weeks? Would he come early like his brother? Going into early labor at 33 weeks scared us that he would come too early. Thanks to modern medicine, however, we were able to keep him growing for almost a month longer and he came right when he was ready.

Labor happened so fast and was so quiet and calm. I labored through the night while Taylor was sleeping next to me, myself unable to sleep due to my racing mind and heart at the excitement of our baby coming so soon!

I was so nervous of a repeat NICU stay and I just wanted him to be safe and healthy. He came so fast- after only 3 minutes of pushing- and we knew right away he was perfect. He screamed and cried for a whole hour- we knew his lungs were perfect!

I'm grateful for the short hospital stay and him being healthy despite being early.

The year that has followed has literally flown by right before my eyes! It's insane how the days can sometimes seem so long and hard but I look back and am still in denial that it's been a whole year.

Benson is such a sweet, special baby. He has such a sweet spirit and makes us all so happy. We are so lucky to have him in our family and I can't wait to see how he continues to grow!

At one year, Benson-

Weighs 26 pounds and 5 ounces. 

And is about 31.75 inches tall! 

He wears 18-24 month clothing and is most comfortable in 24 month. He also wears size 5 diapers when he is in disposable diapers.

He sleeps around 12 hours a night (took him about 11 months to figure this out!). He is still taking two naps a day. Most often they are around 2 hours each.

He is still nursing, but not very much. I'm sad to wean him but I think he is trying to tell me he is ready. I'll nurse him when he gets up in the morning, after his first nap and before and after his second nap, and before bed. So about five times a day, sometimes less. And with the exception of when he is really tired, he is usually only eating about 3-4 minutes.

He still loves meal time and food! He has been a great eater. He usually has oatmeal and fruit for breakfast; veggies, cheese, fruit, and sandwich/quesadilla type thing for lunch; and then whatever we have for dinner!

He perfected drinking out of his sippy cup within the last two months. He also figured out how to drink from a straw recently!

He has tried cow's milk and likes it! I think the transition will go smoothly and he will get his milk in his sippy cup.

He has been crawling for a couple months, but within the last month he figured out a conventional hand-knee-hand crawl. He is getting really fast! He can go from crawling to sitting with ease. He can now pull himself up to his knees and feet and hold on while standing. He can't furniture walk very well but has at least attempted.

He can wave, point, high five, dance and clap.

His top teeth finally came in! They are huge and adorable. He has four teeth in now and we just noticed last night that he has at least a couple more that are trying to pop through.

He loves bath time and splashing and drinking the bath water (yuck).

He doesn't say very much, but does know a few words. Dada (his most used), mama (only sometimes), Nana, uh oh, ball, and dog.

He loves following Tucker wherever he goes. He loves destroying things that Tuck builds.

He is really ticklish and loves to be thrown in the air or onto the bean bag.

He loves crawling as fast as he can towards the bathroom where he isn't allowed to play.

He is getting a new car seat soon as he has outgrown his current one. We stretched out the use of that seat way longer than we did with Tucker. But Benny is finally too tall for his so he will get a convertible seat!

He loves peek-a-boo barn, reading books, eating crayons, big soft blankets and pillows, mouths and pulling my hair.

He hates having his diaper changed, getting his face or nose wiped, getting buckled in his car seat, getting dressed and being hungry or tired.

He is the sweetest, nicest boy and we love him so much! We are so lucky to have him!

Happy birthday, Benny boy!