3 years ago today… on a beautiful sunny day, at 7:01AM my Benjamin was born.

Benjamin’s beginning is a little different than any of his brothers beginnings…

In February of 2006, I discovered I was pregnant. William was 17 months old and Alexander was 5 months old… the pregnancy was a surprise, having 2 little boys already, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised about this baby. We knew we wanted to have more children, but we thought it would be a good 2-3 years before we tried for a 3rd. As life happens.. you can’t plan everything, and so – we geared up and started getting ourselves ready for 3 babies 2 and under. Sadly… I miscarried that baby. It really struck me hard, and I knew at that time… I not only wanted to get pregnant again, I needed to get pregnant again. I can’t quite explain the feeling… it was different than it was when I was trying to get pregnant with William and Alexander… I simply knew I needed to have another baby, and soon.

I began calling that “baby” the “baby-to-be”… and in July of 2006, I got the blessed news that I was pregnant again! That whole pregnancy was a stress case for me… I was chasing 2 little boys around and I just wanted everything to be healthy and perfect with the baby and my pregnancy. We started calling the baby in my belly “BB”… I honestly don’t know why, but it was just something we started, and didn’t stop doing. I was just beyond excited to meet this little man (we found out it was a boy!) and hug and kiss and hold him. He was my “to-be”… and I was just very anxious to lock eyes with him.

I started feeling the tugging and pulling – in great force – on the night of April 3rd. We were getting Easter Bunny photos with the boys and I just couldn’t even stand up straight… I knew it was time. I called my parents and let them know, this time is for REAL! And off Matt and I went to the hospital…

I totally look nervous there… and I was! Benjamin’s birth was a long one. I pushed from 9PM till 6:55AM, the doctor finally came in and said, “3 more pushes and if there’s nothing… we’re prepping you for a c-section.” Benjamin was out 6 minutes later! A beautiful, healthy boy… who was a spitting image of his brothers. My “to-be” had arrived… and I cannot describe the feeling of contentment that ran through my body. He was here. He was finally here.

And right away… his brothers ADORED him (this is the 1st photo ever taken of them seeing their brother via cell phone photo) –

Benjamin is my little love bug. He will randomly kiss my arm and look at me and say, “Mommy, I love you so much!” We have a very special bond, one that I just cherish with all my heart and soul.

And so my Benjamin… or as he says, “Ben-ja-minge,” I love you so much! You have brought more joy and happiness and love into my life than anything I ever dreamed of. You’re an absolute delight… and my forever “to-be.”

From the very beginning…

To the first laughs and giggles…

To the news that YOU were going to be a big brother…

To crawling…

To becoming a Red Sox fan…

My sweet boy…

Happy Happy 3rd Birthday my BENJAMIN!