Sunday, October 21, 2012

Carlyle

Happy Birthday Carlyle! Today my little man turns 3! It has been the most wonderful 3 years of my life! He is the funniest and sweetest kid I know and I could not even imagine my life with out his hugs and kisses everyday. I remember the day he came so clear and think it is wise to recall my thoughts before I do forget that most wonderful day!

I found out I was pregnant with Carlyle in March of 2009 and a few weeks later I could physically feel the effects this pregnancy had to offer and for about 7 months I was MISERABLE! I was so sick... and every morning I needed to plan for an extra 15 minutes to throw up before I left the house. I remember swelling up like a balloon fairly soon, but it became worse and worse as the due date became closer. My blood pressure was high throughout the pregnancy, but also toward the end became worrisome. I was in and out of labor and delivery and being monitored every week, until I was put on bed rest around the 17th of October. Keep in mind, my due date was November 16th. What the heck was I going to do for a month on bed rest? Yeah right. Not going to happen!- Now that I am a mother of 3 however, I would LOVE to be put on bed rest for a while- "sorry honey, doctor says  I have to stay in bed". :)

The 20th of October I was feeling especially sick. I could hardly move and was in the bathroom vomiting for quite some time. I cried to James, I was ready  to be done and this baby needed to come. I could feel it was time, but my doctor was really trying to keep in there as long as possible- for good reason- but mother intuition knew he was ready to come into the world! James was worried about me and called the hospital, they said I should come in because what I was experiencing wasn't normal. I went into Labor and Delivery and they monitored me and checked everything possible to see if I was okay to go home. Turns out I had preeclampsia and after 6 hours in the hospital, Dr. Horsley-who wasn't my current doctor- came into the room and told me he is going to induce me and take the baby tonight. My blood pressure was just to high to continue the pregnancy and he was confident this was the best decision for me and the baby.

I remember feeling scared and excited and relieved and worried about delivering a baby for the first time, all at the same time. About 10:00 pm he started the process and came back at 8:30am to start the pitocin. It was a long delivery and I had to be on Magnesium because of my blood pressure, and for those that don't know, Magnesium can make you very tired. From about 830-145 I progressed to a 4 and from 145-2 I was at a 10 and could feel the urge to push. I started pushing around 2:15 and he arrived at 2:30 pm, 7lbs 2oz and 19in long- huge for being 4 weeks early, thankfully!

It was love at first sight, I can still hear that first cry and they placed him in my arms. So... we took a few pictures and I was OUT! I could vaguely remember the nurses and James telling me they had to take Carlyle to the NICU because his lungs weren't in rhythmic breathing and they were needing to monitor him. I was asleep and could barely gain enough consciousness to be transported up to Recovery. I was asleep for the next 3 hours until they brought Carlyle back into my room as a healthy beautiful boy!  I fell back asleep during his first bath and could remember the nurse saying, "mommy will be going back to sleep for a bit" and I couldn't help myself in falling back asleep. It wasn't until later that night, when the magnesium wore off , when I could really admire him, I couldn't believe how beautiful he was and how much I could love someone. He was perfect! I to this day thank Heavenly Father for allowing me to be the mother of such a perfect soul. I learn so much from him and just love having him apart of our little family.

Carlyle is such a wonderful boy, he is sensitive and shy, but makes friends with peers and siblings easy because he is a leader. He is happy and loves to play and learn. His favorite animal right now is a Tiger and his favorite color is Blue. He could eat fruit snacks and mac and cheese at every meal and his #1 person is mommy, but his best friend is Lenore and Hudson is a close second! He loves sleeping in mommy's bed, watching movies, playing with any and all electronic devices, "shooting hoops", going to grandparents houses or having them come see us, riding in Grandpa Johnson's truck, playing with friends and cousins, reading books, playing with cars, playing outside, and of coarse his "B"- blanket- Pooh and Tiger.

He may look like the typical little 3 year old boy to everyone else, but he is far from typical to me and I am honored he is mine! I am so proud of him and look forward to the next 3 years I have before he starts school, and I assume they will go by just as fast as the first 3! I will write another post here this week about his party and hopefully I will learn how to post pictures!

Here are the Birthday pics!! Enjoy!









Sunday, October 14, 2012

3 under 3

Having 3 children under the age of 3 can has its challenges, but it also has some really awesome experiences that I wouldn't change for anything! Now that Hudson is rolling around, scooting in circles, and smiling from ear to ear all the time, Carlyle and Lenore are really starting to interact with him a lot more.  It is so fun to see how excited Carlyle gets when Hudson smiles at him... "Hudson smiling you!" (meaning Hudson is smiling at me) he always says. Lenore is always giving him toys and kisses and sometimes I catch them playing on floor just next to him and many times all together. It is precious that they come to him just to include the little man in their play and I believe Huddies is in heaven! He loves his big siblings! I was worried for a little while when Hudson first joined our family. Carlyle and Lenore were and are the very best of friends. After Hudson was born Carlyle had a really hard time adjusting. He threw many fits with any transition,  whether we were at home going to the car or out going into the store, there was a fit and it was dramatic! Falling to the floor an throwing himself in the middle of the road. I thought I would never get my sweet Carlyle back and after a few weeks and a whole lot of prayers he started warming up to his little brother and slowly stopped the fits and initiated Hudson into the gang by falling on his head and giving him sticky kisses. It wasn't however until Hudson started to smile that Carlyle really warmed up to him, looked out for him, and wanted to be with him like he does his sister. He LOVES making him smile!

The other day Hudson fell asleep next to Carlyle in my bed so I left them there to take a nap, I walk up a few minutes later just to check on them and I heard giggling as I walk up the stairs. I walk in only to see them both laughing... at each other laughing. It was a precious sight! Lenore has made a great adjustment to not being the baby, she loves her brothers and I think she even enjoys being the only princess. She is bossy and I have to say she really knows how to work us because she pretty much always gets her way! She has learned to say "no" and uses it more often than I would like! She is sassy, but has the tiniest body and little face that makes it almost impossible to say no to! I would say she has James and I, along with her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even her big brother wrapped around her little finger, I wonder if she will learn to keep it that way and know exactly what she is doing and playing us all! :)

Anyway, those are the major fun things I enjoy having kids so close. Nothing is better than having build in best friends! The biggest challenge I have faced is sleep deprivation! I am always so tired and I really wish I just had half the energy the kids have. I pray after I am done with school I will get a little more me time and stress off my shoulders to ease some of the sleepiness! The other challenge is getting out the door. I am not a home body and really like to get out of my house! I like traveling and moving and going, but it is so exhausting and physically demanding when taking 3 kids, who still can buckle their own car seat, out! So to put your minds at ease, we are taking a break from having babies until I get a little sanity back and some physical health. We are settled for now and feel we want more kids someday, 3 under 3 keeps us busy enough for now!


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Getting Out Of My Comfort Zone

This post is a little out of my comfort zone so I am going to pretend nobody is actaully going to read it. That way I can write what comes to mind and not sarcastic remarks that hide how I truly feel on a sensitive and sacred topic. I am not one to poor out my soul to others... unless you are one of the very lucky ones who have had the rare occasion to have a heart to heart with me! I however know that it will be important for my children to read our families story and know that I have a testimony of the true and living Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Time Out for Women with my fabulous mother! It was my first time and to be honest I was only excited to go to spend time with my mom, not for the uplifting spirit I would feel. I was cynical at the idea of a bunch of women getting together for a weekend of WOMEN POWER!!! haha! Or the thought that I would have to share my feelings with women I didn't know or even my own mother for that matter... blah! Too mushy for me! The fact is though, TOFO is not at all like that. I learned so much and feel uplifted and more confident in my divine role as a women.

Very inspiring people were able to come share their stories and their talents and I wanted to jot down some thoughts before they left my mind and in consequence don't allow me to be a better person or mend my soul, but instead by writing I can reflect on how I feel in hopes to truly allow the things I learn to take affect on the way I lead my life.

As you know I have two beautiful little boys and one sweet little girl! I confess, I feel I have always known I would have boys. I feel I have been called to have boys and knew that I felt that at a young age. I was chosen to raise boys in this life and teach them righteousness and help them be prepared to serve a mission. I took that responsibility seriously and I was never going to jeoperdize myself to not get those boys I was asked to raise.

I remember one evening in particular while I was in High School or first year of college, and feeling down in Spirit and finding myself on my knees praying for peace and strength and knowledge on what I should do. In that moment I saw a little round blonde boy with big chunky cheeks, and he was mine, and he was needing me to make changes in my life to prepare myself for him to come to me. I could feel other spirits with him needing me to do the same thing. I felt they were my children and I had an obligation to fight against the things I wanted or "my plan"- if you will- and do what the Lord wanted, and on His time, and with His plan for me. I repented and asked for forgiveness and expressed the love I had at my tender age for my unborn children I would soon meet, and thanked my Heavenly Father for answering my prayers and giving me the comfort that these Spirits were counting on me and that He would one day trust me enough to send me these children to me to raise. I have always remembered that and will forever be greatful for this sacred experience, which later led me to many difficult choices I have had to make, to be with the worthy priesthood holder I am with and have the wonderful family I have.

On that note, like I said, I KNEW I would have boys! It was no shock to me when I found out Carlyle would be joining our family. However; I had never given much thought to being a mother of a daughter. I didn't worry about raising Lenore, like I do my boys. I get girls, I DO NOT get boys! and their hormones, or puberty, or jokes and dumb cartoons they think are funny. I can handle the tears and the sensitivity of body image, and giggling over boys... I love that I have a daughter- even though to be honest I was completely shocked to find out I was having a little girl-  and am truly thrilled I get to be her mom! I didn't realize though, what a divine calling it was to be a mother of a daughter until this weeked. I was chosen to be the mother of this beautiful, perfect little angel and she needs me to guide her to her spiritial potential, just as much as my boys. She is a divine daughter of God and I am her sole example of what a daughter of God should be. It is a HUGE responsibilty. I am up for the task because it is what was asked of me.

For some reason... Heavenly Father trusted me enough to put his arms around me and call me by name and ask me to raise these children and bring them home to Him. I feel unworthy to have such perfect beings in my life, yet so incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have to be their mom and recieve the joy they bring me! I know as sure as the sun rises that being a women and being a mother is a divine calling and I couldn't ask for a grater assurance then knowing that it is not only my desire to have these children in my life, but it is also Heavenly Fathers desire for me. I do write these things in the name of Jesus Christ and am so grateful for my own mother and her example to me and love she has always had for me. I hope Lenore will one day see the love I have for her, like I see my mother has for me, when she one day steps into the shoes as a role of a mother.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Honesty

I have finally decided to join the crusade! That is the blogging army of coarse... I was frustrating myself with the fact that I have had 3 kids in 2.5 years and don't have written record of any of their births or the cute things they do everyday. When I tell funny stories people always say "You need to write this down" and I never do... My intentions are good, but I do forget and am glad I now have a place to jot down a few things here and there. This blog is also to update our families with pictures of the kids and new things going on the the life of us Bennett's!

The other day we were sitting down with Carlyle, who we have been potty training since the beginning  of August, we smelled something that we have become quite familiar with over the last few years, and new he had not made it to the bathroom. We kindly asked him if he needed his pants changed. Not wanting to get the "we need to tell mommy when you need to use the potty" lecture, he replied, "no". James asked again, and he still replied, "no". James and I decided he needed to learn a lesson of honesty instead of another potty lesson. So we explained that we knew he had gone to the bathroom and if he didn't tell us he would have to sit in time out.


James- Did you go to the bathroom in your pants?
Me- It's okay if you did, we just want you to tell us.
Carlyle- Nope. I fresh bum.
James- Okay Carlyle, you need to go sit in time out.
Carlyle completely heartbroken and in tears sat in time out and paid his "dues".

At this point I wasn't sure if he understood why he was in time out. I looked at James and said I don't know if he understands and I don't want him to think he is in trouble for the accident, but knows it is because he wasn't being honest about it. James assured he would help him understand...

The timeout countdown began 1-10, and he stood up walked over to James and was asked again, James-"Carlyle did you have an accident?"
Carlyle-He relplied softly... "no".
James- "Carlyle are you being honest? Did you have an accident?"
Carlyle-"Yes, I did."
James- Thank you Carlyle for being honest!
Carlyle- Finger goes up in the air "uh, I need to tell mommy!" turns to me "Mommy I went poop!

I think he learned his lesson and I loved that he felt he needed to tell me personally! I sure love that little boy and the last few weeks, he has been honest when we ask him, even if he does initially like to blame his sister for things every once in a while.