one month.

I can't believe it has already been 4 weeks. Time needs to slow down. He is growing too fast. This newborn stage is going to be gone before we know it. He is already growing out of some of his newborn clothes and no longer wears newborn diapers. His umbilical cord finally fell off 2 days ago. That instantly made him seem older. As annoying as that cord was, I am sort of sad it is gone just because that means Benson is getting bigger.

Fun Facts:

- will not sleep in his cradle during the day

- first real bath was today...lets just say he will eventually love it

- tried out some tummy time today and did great

- loves the sound of my blow dryer and it puts him right to sleep

- sleeps best when being held and sometimes it's the only way he will sleep...somehow we need to fix that

- stays calm and peaceful when Matt plays his guitar

- focuses really well on things you dangle above him...especially fingers

a baby story.

I have been meaning to journal Benson's birth story and now here we are a month later. Better late than never, right?
Friday, May, 31st, 2013 was the longest, most remarkable, hardest, memorable day of my life. No words can adequately describe it, so a chronological timeline of the day will have to do.

3:30AM- I woke up to feeling contractions. They were different than what I had felt before. I laid there for a bit and then decided to start timing them.
5:00AM- Woke up Matt who was immediately wide eyed. I told him he could go back to sleep, but yeah right he was up for good.
6:00AM- Woke up my mom just to let her know something was different, but there was no rush.
6:20AM- We all decided to shower and get ready just in case. There was no way I was going to the hospital not ready, so I was grateful for that time to get ready.
8:00AM- We decided to head to the hospital since the contractions weren't stopping. Matt gave me a blessing, we grabbed our bags, and we were out the door.
9:00AM- Had the monitors around my stomach and was dilated to 1 cm. For them to officially admit me, I had to progress 1 cm in one hour.

10:00AM- Nurse checked me and I was a 2. Reality then hit that this was really happening. We were here to stay. Papers were signed and I was hooked up. I do not like needles at all. I feared having the IV the whole pregnancy. It ended up not being so bad, especially since I didn't look at it once. My arm was covered under the sheet the whole day.
12:00PM- 3 cm, contractions getting uncomfortable.
12:15PM- Got my epidural. What a miracle drug! I was a bit nervous about getting the epidural too, but it wasn't bad either. I really liked the anesthesiologist. The numbing feeling was so weird. I was totally dependent on people to help turn me over and switch positions. I am sure it was quite the sight!
1:30PM- My water broke on its own. Talk about a strange feeling. Still 3 cm.
2:15PM- Pitocin drip was started. Let the waiting game begin!

5:30PM- Got a stronger dose of my epidural. Those hours in between were spent trying to rest while my family watched the monitor and told me when I was having a contraction. Best part was I couldn't feel a thing. Miracle!
7:00PM- 7cm
8:00PM- 9.5cm. We couldn't help but think that this baby would be here real soon. It had already been a long day.
8:30PM- An alarm from the epidural machine kept going off. Comes to find out there was no epidural fluid (whatever it's called) being pumped. No wonder I was starting to be able to wiggle my toes. Not exactly the time for no epidural either, but it got fixed and we were okay.
9:15PM- Started pushing. I only liked to have my nurse do the counting. There wasn't much talking besides her counting and my eyes were closed the entire time. I think it helped me focus more. I had Matt, my mom, and my grandma there supporting me.
11:20PM- After hours of pushing and no progress, Dr. Rees finally came in. He was in a c-section that took longer than expected. I was exhausted by this point. Dr. Rees started talking about needing to use some interventions aka vacuum or forceps. I heard that and the adrenaline kicked in. I regained strength to push harder than ever. I did not want anything bad to happen and wanted Benson born.
11:38PM- Vacuum was used part way.
11:41PM- The moment our lives were changed forever. Benson was here! I think I was past the point of exhaustion to really feel any other emotions besides relief knowing that we had our son finally here. There were lots of nurses in the room to assist in case something went wrong. Matt cut the cord and was right by Benson's side. Matt brought Benson over to me for the first time where I finally got to see him. 30 seconds later, the nurses noticed his breathing was a bit raspy so they took him immediately to the NICU.

12:05PM- They did a C-PAP on Benson. Matt was with him the whole time. That was such a comfort to me. Even though I had hardly seen my son, I knew he was with his dad so everything would be okay. I had a lot of after pain/contractions. I was given pain medicine to help bring relief, but not much helped. Finally, I was able to get wheeled down to my other room, but not without a quick stop to the NICU to see Benson and Matt.
3:50AM- Benson and I were finally together! Those were some long hours waiting for him not really knowing what was going on.

For those still reading, good for you. It was a day we will never forget. I could go on and on about everything else that happened and our stay at the hospital, but I will spare you. All that matters is that we have Benson and this little family of three is as happy as ever.

first family photo

benson: 2 weeks

Weight: 10 lbs. 6 oz. (80%)

Height: 21.5 in. (75%)

Head Circum.: 32.6 cm (80%)...or maybe it is 37.6 cm

I do not know how this is possible. Benson gained a pound in one week. Most babies are back to their birth weight by their 2 week appointment. He is a pound bigger. I promise I am not feeding him straight cream. We sure do love our Benson though.

-He is eating and sleeping well. We had a few rough days, but he is doing better.
-He prefers to be twisted over bounced.
-He likes to have his face stroked as he falls asleep.
-He handles bath time, loves having his hair washed, and hates getting lotion put on.
-He has gone mitten-less the last two days and has done well to not scratch his face.
-He loves to sleep in his swing during the day.
-He is a mom-ma's boy.

father's day.

A day late, but not forgotten.
Yesterday we celebrated Matt's first Father's Day. It was a relaxing Sunday where the three of us could be together all day. We enjoyed taking a nap, eating a yummy dinner, going on a walk, and of course loving on Benson. In these short two weeks, Matt has already become a great dad. My love for him has grown as I see him love Benson. We both are so lucky! I know these two will be the best of friends. I am so grateful Matt was able to be with Benson right after he was born and hold his hand through it all. Those first few hours of Benson's life were spent with Matt alone. Right from the beginning, I know a special bond was formed between them. Hope you had a good Father's Day, Matt! Sure do love these two!

loved.

Benson is already one loved child. There is a certain love that comes from a mother to child and it is an immediate love that overcame me the moment Benson was born. That love continues to grow each day. I just can't get enough of our son. Besides his mom and dad, he has so much family that loves him too. He met so many family members this week that couldn't wait to finally meet him.

My absolutely incredible mom has been here for a few weeks taking care of us before and after Benson arrived. I don't think I could thank her enough for all that she did for us. We miss her already!

My dad was able to fly out for the weekend and we loved seeing him interact with Benson. He is one proud Grandpa.

Courtney was also able to come down from school for a few days. I know her and Benson had some good bonding time together. We were sad Parker wasn't able to come visit, but are excited for him to come in August.

My grandparents have also been a special part of Benson's arrival. They came down Friday afternoon and stayed through my whole labor and delivery (which was long). It was nice to have them there and to have my grandma witness Benson's birth. I don't think many great grandma's get that opportunity...we are pretty lucky.

Benson also met his Grandma and Grandpa Asay, aunts and uncles, and a few cousins.

I think he was most excited about meeting Porter. I can't help but think they were best friends in heaven and am excited to see them grow up together. Cousins are the best!

We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people around us who love and support us! We couldn't do it without you.

Firsts

I can't believe our little guy is one week old already. Time has gone by so quickly. We are learning new things everyday and loving it. There have been a lot of firsts in Benson's first week of life. Every little thing is a new experience for our little guy, but these are some highlights.

-first after eating smile

-first bath

-first pee explosion while changing his diaper
-first doctors appointment
-first mommy fail moment of not bringing an extra outfit to the doctors resulting in bringing home a naked Benson
-first birthday celebration (Happy 75th Birthday Great Grandpa Paul). Benson is already a Cougar fan!

Lots of fun times over here at our house. Sad that we have to say goodbye to Gpa and Gma Lyons. They will be greatly missed!

Introducing...

Benson Adelbert Asay

born Friday, May 31st, 2013 at 11:41PM

9 lbs 4 oz. 21 inches long

We are all so love in our little guy. Well maybe not so little, but he is such a dream. I wish I could document every little thing that has happened in these short four days of his life. Our lives have been turned upside down for the better. Check back soon for more updates and pictures.