Announcing Bennett Steel Johnson!

After a long pregnancy, that seemed to have lasted longer than nine months. I finally went to labor a day after my due date, and contractions began exactly at midnight of September 30th. I didn't have a game plan of who would take the kids when I started going to labor, but luckily sweet Marianne hurried over and took care of my boys. After much pushing and pain (that was with an epidural!), Bennett arrived at 7:25 am and weighed 9 lbs, 12 ounces. That will be my one claim to fame, delivering a big big baby, I knew my belly had to be that big for a reason. And now I know why!

Bennett had enhaled the meconium and was not breathing well. So he was rushed up to the Nicu. He ended up staying in the nicu for 9 days. I have decided that the doctors do not release you from the Nicu, until you have Olympian health. There was a time that I thought he would never be released and that they just wanted to keep him! Every day he improved, to the point that for the last five days he didn't have any oxygen or ivs hooked up to him. He was just chillin in the nicu, barely fitting in the bed, and keeping the nurses busy, because apparently he has a cry that can wake up the whole nicu.







Looking at these pictures brings back so many memories. After Bennett was born, I was aware what was going on and knew that he was in trouble. But from the beginning I felt this peace that sustained me through those nine days and since then. It was hard not be able to hold my sweet baby for a couple of days, and wonder when he would come home. But I was grateful for the many prayers that were sent our way, for the incredible care and concern that was taken to make sure that Bennett would be all right. My mom was able to come and help me, and ended up staying a total of 13 days, to help us out! I was grateful for Timmy for his constant support and love, and understanding what the doctors were saying. It took me nine days to know how to say meconium! And then my sweet little boys at home Zach and Grant. When they came to the hospital to visit me, I just started crying, because I was needing to hold someone, and there they were to fill that void. The reason why Zach is in his undies, is because he spilled chocolate milk on his clothes.







When Bennett came home, we were excited and couldn't believe our good fortune. He is a wonderful baby and so sturdy and huge. He is a calm child and has the biggest cheeks and eyes. He looks a lot like Zach to me and we are trying to find Grant in him. He changes everyday and it is fun to see how Zach and Grant love their brother. Whenever I have a challenging time during the day or night, I often think, "At least Bennett is not in the nicu, and least I am able to hold him whenever I want!"







We love our happy angel!