Happy Birthday Benjamin!
At 7:01am last April 4th, our lives changed forever because you entered our world!
For 38 1/2 weeks (you were 8 days early!) I referred to you as “to-be.” All of my journal entries throughout my pregnancy call you that… even when we knew you were a Benjamin Barry David.
My “to-be.” My miracle.
I had had a miscarriage a few months before I found out I was pregnant with you. The miscarriage left me feeling very sad and very empty. The only thing that got me through March, April, May, June and July of 2006 were the very thoughts of “you.” It was what kept me going each month as Daddy and I tried to get pregnant with you.
And then, on August 6th, 2006… the most blessed news of all came to me through 2 PINK LINES! I was pregnant!
And through the months of my pregnancy I talked to you and danced with you and sang to you (I know, I have no singing voice!). Your brothers kissed my belly. Daddy felt you move. And it was wonderful!
And on April 4th, 2007… you decided it was time to meet us all. And there you were. My beautiful Benjamin. And the world was as it should be… because you finally were here.
My “to-be”… my Benjamin.
I will never forget what William told me about 6 months ago when we were driving by our local church… I know you don’t remember this, but as soon as I found out I was pregnant with you, I started a Novena to St. Jude. And every night we would all pile in the car, drive to church and leave a prayer for you.
In October we all went walking down to the church… and you know what William said? He said to me, “Oh Mommy, this is where we used to drop off your prayers.” To which I replied “yes!” And then he said, “Because you were asking for Benjamin to come back to us.”
My heart soared. Yes, my Benjamin. My miracle that was-to-be… you were the answer to so many, many prayers.
And everyday when I see you… those beautiful blue eyes, that gorgeous blonde hair and that HUGE smile, my heart continues to soar.
You have enhanced this last year leaps and bounds for our family. And who would have thought you would becoming a BIG BROTHER so soon?
As I tell your brothers every night, “I love you lifetimes. I love you a million. And I love you the whole wide world.”
Thank you for being.
Love you,
Mommy
Oh, so precious!! Gray was 8 days early, too. I know Benjamin is such a blessing to you and your whole family. Happy Birthday!
Steph
Happy Birthday little guy!!!!
Happy Birthday my darling little Benja!
Last night Pop-up and I were in the car at 7:15pm and I said to him, “One year ago at this time we got the call from Audrey to come to her home!”
We rushed to your house to be with William and Alexander while Mommy and Daddy and YOU headed to the hospital. Your brothers were so happy when I pulled chairs up to the sink and let them play (get soaked!) in the sink with water, spoons, cups and funnels. They were delighted to bake cupcakes and frost them as Birthday cakes for their new borther… YOU!
And all the while I worried. That’s what mamas and grandmas do, I guess. I smiled and played and sang and laughed on the outside, and my thoughts and prayers were with you and your mommy on the inside.
Well, Pop-up and I bathed your brothers, read to them, put them to bed… and still no YOU! Daddy text messaged me updates. I photographed the updates on my phone. I photpgraphed all the things everyone was doing while we waited for our little miracle to come!
Evening turned into night. A clear April night. Then midnight.
I photographed Pop-up sleeping. I photographed the night sky with your April 4th moon. I photographed more text messages. And I worried.
I watched the clock turn minutes and hours. Have you ever tried to photpgraph a digital clock? Not easy! I photograhed the first peeks of daylight. Still waiting. Still worrying.
Then everyone woke up. The bustle of YOUR day began in earnest! William and Ally asked if their “brovah” was here yet…
And then the most glorious text message of a lifetime… a photo of YOU! All 7 lbs. 7 oz. of YOU. 7:01am.
And I cried. I cried the biggest tears of joy. Happiness. Love unimaginable! And relief that only a mama can know.
Benjamin Barry David… my little darling! My little koala bear. I tell everyone that I have never met a baby who loves to hug as much as you do!
When Mommy says you are her miracle… sent by that sweet baby who never came to earth… she is right. And William remembers it so perfectly and so innocently… yes, we did get Benja back.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY my little baby grandson Benja!
Love forever and ever,
Grandma
Happy 1st Birthday my little Buddy…BenjaMon
Love
Pop-up
Precious!
Happy Birthday Benjamin!
Oh what a sweet post – huge happy birthday wishes to Benjamin! 🙂
That is so sweet. I’m so amazed at how you find time for the special memories for each kid. I just have the two close together and Christian’s journal is very, very thin and he doesn’t even own a scrapbook 😦
How precious all of these kids are! Happy first birthday Benjamin!
That is such a precious post! Happy First Birthday Benjamin!! 🙂
Oh my goodness, Audrey! This post just about made me CRY! You girls at P&B sure have a way with writing! 🙂
What a lovely post. Happy First Birthday, Benjamin!!! I love the photo of you and your Mama. I especially love the photo of you with two mismatched socks! That’s absolutely adorable!
oh what a sweeite! Happy birthday!
I said this before, I’ll say it again. Your mom is a beautiful storyteller and draws me in every time!
Happy Birthday to your dear sweet little boy!
Love the photos 🙂
Happy Birthday, Benjamin! You are a handsome little man. Enjoy being 1!
AWWWW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! He is a doll.
i started crying at the “you were the answer to many, many prayers” because that is how i feel too. happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Benjamin!
Happy Birthday little guy!
My heart melts every time I see that little guy’s face. Happy 1st birthday, Auntie’s Benja Boy!! I love you!
Love, Auntie Janie
Dang. You got me. Tears. What a wonderful story and picture and then Sharon, I was gone. I’m so happy you are so happy.
Yet again, I have tears running down my face after reading a beautiful entry from you, Audrey. It makes me so happy that Benjamin finally came for you! The way you wrote about him makes me also realize that ALL your children are so very special to you.
I’ve often wondered when we have more children, will they feel as loved, appreciated, and well – special as our first born. And I know that by the way you write and from the pictures I see, that sweet Benjamin does know all this! It makes me confident that when we are someday blessed with more, that they too will know all this too.
Happy 1st Birthday, Benjamin Barry David!!!
What a tender letter you wrote to Benjamin. I thank God that your prayers were answered and you have him. I think that he is just as blessed to have you. Enjoy!
Absolutely breathtaking post. You captured so well what we as mother’s feel for our little ones. And little boys have that extra special something you know! (Though I may be just a bit biased on that!)
Happy birthday Benjamin! And congrats on the soon to be newest addition!
Happy Birthday Benjamin!
Oh what a sweet picture of a beautiful little boy. Happy Birthday Benjamin and hope had a fab day 🙂 Much love, xoxo-pm
What a wonderful and loving post. Happy 1st Birthday Benjamin. Hope you had a great day with your family 🙂