Benjamin

One of my goals of this blog was to "scrapbook" the events and happenings of our lives, especially the kids since I am not one to sit down and put photos in decorative and elegant albums. I do, however, keep special things from the kids and my husband and I do plan on putting them in an album for each kid. It will not be a "Creative Memories" album by any means. I was able to "write" to Payton on the acutal day of her birth, but I neglected to do so with Benjamin. On the night of his birthday, Eli was getting sick and I ended up having to take him to the ER for trouble with breathing and vomiting. Needless to say, I wasn't thinking about updating my blog when I got home at 12:30 in the morning. But this post is about my sweet, first-born son - Roy Benjamin Pearson V.

You were born on Saturday, September 24, 2005 at 11:30(ish) in the morning - during the Arkansas/Alabama game (which we lost). I went into labor with you on Friday night at 9:30. I will never forget it. Your dad, sister and I were across the street at Mr. Matt's house and I just felt yucky. I didn't really think it was "it" because you weren't due for another 13 days. Your due date was October 6th - my 30th birthday. We came home, put Payton to bed and then sat down to watch some TV. I had my first contraction around 9:30. It wasn't painful, but it was definite. So much so that we started timing them. We knew that labor could be a really long process so we weren't too nervous about rushing to the hospital - especially since we weren't sure it was the real thing. Your dad went to bed to get a little bit of rest. I took a shower, straightened the house and packed Payton's bag. Around midnight or so we called Nanny and Paw to come pick up Payton because we had decided at that point that we were going to the hospital. I thought for sure that they would send me home, but I thought "better safe than sorry." When I got to the hospital, I saw that my favorite doctor, Doctor Gorman, was on call and I prayed that he would still be when I delivered you. They declared that I was, in fact, in labor. They hooked me up to all of the monitors, etc. and we were ready to have our baby! Thankfully, I got an epidural before I really felt any pain. Everything was pretty uneventful for your labor - for the most part. There was one scary moment about an hour or so before you were born. They doctors and nurses were watching your heartbeat and I guess your heart was acting kinda funny so they asked me to lay on my left side to alleviate pressure that I was putting on you. I laid that way for what seemed like hours and was starting to get sore. I really wanted to lay on my back or at least switch sides so I did. I asked your daddy and my friend Amanda (not Miss Amamba) to look at your heart monitor just to make sure you didn't freak out when I made the move. Very calmly your dad and Ms. Amanda said that you looked good. Your dad left the room about half a second later, which I Iater learned, was to run to get a nurse because your heart rate plummeted. When he got out of the door, he saw nurses running towards my room because they had seen the same thing on the monitors at the nurses station. When they got in the room, they immediately had me get on my hands and knees and threw an oxygen mask on me. I stayed that way for I don't know how long but I was extremely scared and I would have stayed that way for months if it meant keeping you safe and healthy. Pretty soon they told me I could turn back over - your heart rate got to a comfortable rate. When I turned over, my room looked like something on the set of "ER." Lights, stirrups, stainless steel trays with instruments, etc. all over the place. They decided that I was ready to push and meet my Benjamin. I only pushed for about 45 minutes and out you came - with a TON of jet black hair. You were gorgeous and healthy and here! You weighed 8lbs and were 19 inches long. My life has never been the same since that moment.

Benjamin - (here come the tears :) I am not exaggerating when I tell you that my heart SWELLS with pride when I think of you - and you are only 4! I can't wait to see the man that you will become. You are strong-willed, yet compassionate; opinonated, yet want to please. You love being outside, riding your bike, playing with your trucks, watching any movie at home. You especially love going to the movie theater. You are extremely smart and are excited about learning. I will honest and tell you that the past three months or so have been a challenge with you, but since you've turned 4, the "switch has flipped" and you are acting so much better and have a much better attitude. You love your sister and brother and they love you, too. Payton wants to dote on you all the time, and Eli wants to do exactly what you do, no matter what. I want to take this time to ask you to please stay close to your brother and sister. They will do anything for you, and I want so much for you guys to celebrate all of lifes moments together - the good and the bad; the fun and the sad. Payton and Eli will always be your friends - even in those time when you feel like you have none.

Benjamin, you have so much potential and it is my and your father's prayer that you grow up to love the Lord; that you seek Him in ALL things. I know that you will be an example to everyone that knows you well as well as those that only spend a small amount of time with you. I can't believe that God let me be your mommy. For that I will always be thankful. You are one special boy, and I love you more than you will ever know, although I will never stop trying to show you.