Bentley Overload

This blog post is going to be a picture and word overload, consider yourself warned...we are obsessed.

Bentley is now 17 days old, he seems so big and chubby to me already.
Here are his measurements as of two days ago.

Head: 96th Percentile

Weight: 8 pounds 14 ounces   58th Percentile

Height: 21 1/4 inches    81st Percentile

Apparently he has really long hands and feet and they think he's tall...we couldn't be happier about that since I'm short and we want for him to have a chance at playing basketball.

Steven and I are extremely exhausted but this whole parenting thing is slowly getting a bit easier as we figure more out and as we get to know Bentley a little better. Bentley really is a great baby but sure does know how to use those lungs of his when he's not fed....obviously gets that from his dad ;)

Delivery was probably the easiest part out of this whole pregnancy/new mom experience. This little peanut did not want to come on his own so I ended up having to be induced and that obviously made labor extremely long. Thankfully they have wonderful nurses at Orem Community and we may or may not have watched Harry Potter to pass time. Contractions are extremely painful, I've never felt worst pain. Thank heavens for Epidurals, those are INCREDIBLE. Once I got the epidural it was smooth sailing from there and I didn't feel a thing! After receiving several rounds of medicine I dilated really quickly and I only had to push for 20 minutes before the little guy arrived!

Giving birth is one of the most incredible and spiritual experiences that I've ever gone through. I'm still in shock that my body was able to create and give birth to this happy little boy of mine...it all feels like a dream and a haze (although that might be because I'm so sleep deprived).

Recovery was and is the most brutal part. Bentley's head is in the 96th percentile...you get the point. I also had to go back into the hospital the morning after coming home because I had an infection in my uterus so I went back and stayed another night before officially coming back home.

This whole new chapter of our lives is such hard-work but boy are we in love with Bentley Michael.

 Last picture together

Last picture with Abuelita

Obviously before the contractions started; I'm still smiling

First bath we gave him at home, not the happiest baby

Our amazing doctor, Dr. Pace. Highly recommend him! 

(I was still bloated)

He already loves his Abuelita

Three generations right there!

This is what happens when Madonna comes on the radio...he's not a fan

He's so cute when he cries...unless it's 2am...then it's not so cute

Steven's famous half smile

His goober smile

Why this picture? Because he's so cute when he yawns. 

You're welcome.

It Was Mom

Normally I don't blog twice in one week. Actually, it's pretty strange if I even blog twice in one month. I'm sorry this post is lengthy but I just couldn't help it, I felt inspired upon watching this video; too inspired to simply re-post it on my Facebook timeline.

 Find out why for yourself:

A simple thank you, wouldn't suffice for all the gratitude that I feel towards my incredible mother.

Over these last few months I have come to understand the role of motherhood so much more than I ever imagined. Reflecting on my years growing up I am filled with remorse for the days, months and even years that I didn't appreciate my mother or understand her the way that I should have.  I know that my trip to Motherhood is just a preview right now and I've felt merely an ounce of what my mother has come to know and feel throughout her 30 years of motherhood. The love, fears, pains and sleepless nights that I have already experienced for my son have gotten me to be a complete sap over just how much a parent can love their child.

I am so grateful for you, mama, for all of those sleepless nights spent worrying about the complete welfare for my physical body, mind and soul. For the countless times when you should have given up on me but didn't. And for your partnership with our Father in Heaven that helped me to be where I am today, I owe all of my happiness to your faithfulness. Your life has been far from easy having to play the role of both a mother and father for so many years but you have done remarkably well, you have done more than I could have ever hoped for. Thank you for your incredibly hard-work and sacrifice mami and for loving me the way that you do. You may not be perfect but you're perfect for me.

I am also grateful for my amazing mother in-law. I could not have married into a better family, but most importantly I could not have been blessed with a better second mom. Mama Drake, I could not be more convinced that you are an angel. You are patient, kind, loving, nurturing and a phenomenal mom. Steven is the righteous man that he is today because of the incredible woman that you are and because of your love, sacrifice and example.

I am so grateful that I have been blessed with these two wonderful women in my life and I hope to be able to learn from them and to one day become a great mother like they are.

Thank you for being the righteous women that you are and for being the mothers that every woman aspires to be. 

Waiting Game

I've just entered into a new stage in my life. 

Yesterday was my last day at work and today has already seemed like the longest day. I got exhausted all too much at work and now that I'm at home all day I still feel exhausted and not so productive. Now that I'm going to be at home waiting for Bentley's arrival, I might go stir-crazy and time will probably go by so much slower! I'm glad that I at least have my Younique business that helps keep me busy and helps provide for our family.                                
                     

What I'm mostly grateful for though is the stud of a man that I married. 

The best part of my days are when I see him walk through our front door. Even when Steven's exhausted from working full-time and going to school full-time, the first thing I see when he walks through that door is his super handsome smile that still makes my heart skip a beat. He always has the best attitude and is a wonderful confidant, provider and support system for me.

I hope Bentley is always just as happy as his daddy and doesn't get grumpy like his momma.

I've gotten pretty much everything ready for the arrival of our little guy.

Steven and I are both so anxious to meet him.

Our doctor says he's measuring right on track (I'm at 37.3 weeks) but I swear he's so much bigger than he should be.
He's still super hyper-active and it's so much more painful now than it used to be. Bentley has moved to the head down position so he really could come at any time.

 Now begins the waiting game.

I'm so grateful that I haven't had any complications in my pregnancy. I've had swollen ribs and every other pregnancy symptom but nothing abnormal. That we know of, Bentley is a strong and healthy baby and I am so grateful for him.

Happy Anniversary

Steven and I were married a year ago as of this past Sunday.

I've been looking at wedding pictures all morning and just have the biggest feeling of gratitude.

I know I'm always so mushy and mostly post about Steven but hey, him and Bentley are my world.

I'm so grateful for my sweet husband and best friend. I'm so grateful for the man that he is and all that he does for our little family. I'm so grateful for our family and could not imagine our lives being any different.

On Saturday, to celebrate our year anniversary we went out to eat and then spent the evening at home playing Monopoly because we are poor college students and thoroughly enjoy playing board games together.

One year later and I'm even more in love than I ever could have possibly imagined.