Summer of 2012 in Pictures

Ms. Jane 

 Ms. Olivia

Peter and a VERY pregnant Heidi

Anne's Blessing Day

Words may not be enough to express everything that I felt this last weekend. I have such gratitude and love in my heart for my wonderful family and for my wonderful in-law family. I started crying the moment all of the men started walking to the front of the the chapel. They almost didn't fit there were so many of them and there were some who weren't able to make it. I just kept thinking, "How blessed we are to have the Priesthood on the earth. How blessed my Anne girl is to have so many worthy men who love her. How blessed I am to have a strong, worthy husband who can bless his children and act as the Lord's mouthpiece." 

Peter did a wonderful job and Anne didn't make a peep. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures right now but I'll post more soon. My amazing mother-in-law made Anne's dress and it is gorgeous. My mom took more pictures with her camera so I hope to get some copies soon to put up.  

It was so great seeing so many from our families. My whole family made it up along with my Grandma and Grandpa Mecham, which was an added bonus. Then we got to see Mama and Papa Benson, Michael, Tamy, Annalyn and Ryan and their kids, and Grandma and Grandpa Roundy. It was a short visit unfortunately but we'll get to see them in a couple of weeks for Thanksgiving. Super excited! 

Mom and Anne

Handsome Dad and Anne 

As a side note, my youngest brother received his mission call to the Louisiana, Baton Rouge Mission, the same mission that my dad served in. How amazing is that? Way to go Thomas! 

One Month Later...

 I can't believe one month has gone by already and honestly I don't really remember a lot of it. The days all seem to blend into each other. There have been a lot of pajama days at the Benson home and even more diaper changes =) 

 I seriously have loved having my three girls! Anne is such a wonderful baby and hardly ever cries and is starting to get on a pretty consistent schedule when comes to eating, which is much appreciated by me. Olivia and Jane have been really great with Anne and have become even better friends since she's come along. They run around our apartment all day playing what ever imaginary game they've come up with lately (usually it has something to do with horses, swords, and bad guys) or watching a show. Olivia's latest favorite movie is The Avengers (FANTASTIC!) which she calls "The Good Guys" and she goes around pretending to help the "green good guy" (aka The Hulk) get all of the bad guys and Jane tags along with her sword getting the strays =). It really is so fun to watch them and listen to them.

 In other news Anne had her 1 Month check up and she now weighs a healthy 10 lbs. 9 oz. She's getting more beautiful every day and is starting to smile. There are days that it still seems pretty surreal that I have three kids but I'm loving it and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. 

Jane's new favorite place

Proud big sister

Getting so big already

Thinking about smiling

 I'm finally feeling comfortable enough to take all three of the girls out by myself and we have gone for walks and to several play dates thanks to some wonderful friends in our branch. It feels good to get out of the apartment and into the fresh air. 

Here are just some pics of the past few weeks. 

FHE Activity

Life is great and we love being a family of 5!

Anne's Birth Stories....

From Peter's Perspective...

The end of this pregnancy was pretty tough. Heidi had a cold, a sinus infection, a root canal worked on and 9 months of restless legs. On the 22nd of September we went to the hospital to get checked because Heidi had been contracting. After an hour and no progress, the Dr sent us home. The following Thursday we had an appointment and the Doc told us we were a 2 and was willing to induce us the Thursday following that.... we were hoping for something much sooner so we left the Dr a bit discouraged. Saturday I caught a bug and was in bed all day... not fun. Then on Sunday Heidi was contracting again, hard enough that she had to stop and breath through them so we headed to the hospital. Once we got up to the Labor and Delivery wing, the contractions calmed down... disappointment again. Our nurse took pity on us and did some advocating for us so the Doc moved our induction up to Tuesday the 2nd. Tuesday morning, we got up bright and early to head to the hospital. Just before we left I decided I was still sick and threw up :). So Heidi drove herself and her sick husband to the hospital. They started her while I laid on the couch and tried to act like I wasn't sick. Heidi was a champ and made it through the majority of her labor with me on the couch trying not too move too much. The doc had a series of surgeries to get too before the birth could happen so in between each one he came and checked in. Heidi got an epidural when she was at a 7 and about two hours later her water broke and half an hour later we had a baby. The nurses and the anesthesiologist were all very impressed with Heidi and how calm and collected she was during her labor. I was feeling well enough to be up and about for the delivery. All in all it was a good experience and has been great timing. 
The girls came a little later with Heidi's parents to visit. Livy was too enthralled with the new surroundings to care that she had a new baby sister and refused to even look at her. Jane on the other hand wanted to hold her and unwrap her and look at her tiny sister. It was very fun to watch. 
Since we've been home they've both really warmed up to her and love to hold her and look at her and smile at her. It all makes me so grateful for families, the gospel and the plan of salvation. There's nothing in this life that has brought me more joy than my little family. 

I really don't have much to add to Peter's version. The reason we wanted to be induced earlier was because my mom had one week off from teaching thanks to Spud Harvest and was up to help us for a few days ease into this new life of 3 kids. I will also say that this was the longest I went without an epidural and I was pretty darn proud of myself. There were so many new things that I got to experience with this birth. My water actually broke on its own which I've never experienced, and I actually got to feel the moment Anne dropped (literally) into the birth canal. Both made me appreciate all the more, the miracle of birth and for my body and what it can do to bring children into this world. Anne weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 inches long. Right in between Olivia and Jane. My doctor and nurses were all wonderful and we had a wonderful stay at the hospital. We stayed one night and were lucky enough to get to go home the next day. Some people like to stay at the hospital as long as possible, not me. No judgment to those that do, I just can't sleep and I love being in my own bed with my own things and my family around me. 

Well, life with three little girls is certainly hectic. There are days that I want to rip my hair out or just sit down and cry (which happens every once in a while) and I know there are people who think we may be a little crazy for having our kids so close together, but I know that it'll be so wonderful in the coming years. My girls will have a best friend at home all the time and someone to play with all the time and hopefully they will be a wonderful support for each other and this is what we want for our family. Crazy, fabulous chaos. =)