REFLECTION

Benton mentioned to me last night that it's been just about 1 year exactly since we got out of the Navy and moved back home to California. That made me start thinking wow, this year has flown by and so much has happened! We began reflecting over the past year and the big events that have marked this year and made it special and unique.

First big thing we did when we moved back to the states was plan a massive road trip that took us across the entire United States! I guess we had gotten a little dizzy with  island fever driving around in circles on a small island for 3  years, haha! We wanted to just be able to drive on land that stretched out before us endlessly, and that we did! We accomplished this feat in 14 days and stopped in Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico and finally made it back home to California. The best part was seeing the many friends and family members along the way. Also, I remember feeling my little baby kick for the first time while on that road trip. I was about 3 months pregnant at the time, and all that sitting in the car must have gotten even the baby a little tired of being in one position for too long because he started kicking and moving during that time, which was the most exciting experience for me! It felt like a little butterfly.

One of the great sights from the road trip- hundreds of Bison in Yellowstone Park

 Once we made it home we were quite ready to settle into our home and get our shipment of household goods. Most of our stuff had been in storage for the 3 years we lived in Hawaii. So, we were thrilled to take out our things from boxes, especially the wedding gifts we had received but had to pack up right away after the wedding. We were finally home and felt we could really settle in and start putting our roots down. That was good timing because as the days of summer ticked by it brought us closer and closer to the due date of our baby! I experienced the last trimester of my pregnancy in the heat of the summer. But really it wasn't too bad. I taught ballet and kept busy preparing for the birth by getting our house ready, taking birthing classes, and researching everything I could about how to take care of a baby! One other hobby I took up was making and canning my own jellies. I made both strawberry and blackberry jelly. I even picked the berries (actually I sent out some willing helpers to pick the berries because being about 5 months pregnant and trampling through thorny blackberry bushes don't quite mix!)

Making some jelly with help from the boys

October rolled around and we got to enjoy the first fall time in 3 years. It was beautiful! I enjoyed making lots of homemade soups and fall food. I even made my first apple pie with a lattice top crust! As the final month of pregnancy approached I began to feel a lot of kicking from the baby. At first the kicks were up  then all of the sudden they were down! We checked with ultrasound and sure enough my baby was breech. For 4 weeks we tried to flip the baby.. I did a lot of standing on my head, not literally but almost! I even had an external version done where the doctor tries to manually flip the baby by pressing on your tummy, not the most pleasant thing in the world! Nothing worked and our little one decided he'd rather be born by c-section than by natural labor. I don't blame the little fellow, a  lot easier  on him I am  sure. After adjusting to this new idea of how the birth would go, we picked the date of Oct 25th and began to get excited knowing when we would get to meet our little one. The night before was like Christmas Eve x 1000! I hardly slept with anticipation, excitement and nerves. The following morning we got to the hospital early and got all set up for the surgery. It was so great to see all our family members there with huge grins on their faces ( first baby on both sides of 2 baby loving families!) Then it was time. They whisked me into the operating room where I got THE SHOT in my back and soon they started the surgery. About 15 min later  my baby boy was born!

Amazing moment- first time I held my son

We had decided to keep the gender a surprise so I was thrilled to hear my husband announce "IT'S A BOY" ! I couldn't believe I had a little son! They placed him in my arms and I was instantly in LOVE with my little boy... all  6lbs 9oz 18in of perfection!

At the hospital adoring the sleeping boy

 The first couple months of motherhood were definitely an adjustment! Despite all the research I had done there is nothing that can prepare you for the reality of taking care of a tiny little person who relies on you for their every need. As a new mother there was SO much to learn: how do I feed my baby? When do I feed my baby? how do I burp my baby? how do I hold him, put him to sleep, soothe his cries? Is he growing, is he gaining weight? How do I get any sleep.... etc! All challenges unique to motherhood that take time, dedication and patience to develop.  Oh, but to hold that soft head close to my chest and smell that sweet smelling skin!  Like a little  angel from above.

One of the best things was seeing the joy this little bundle brought to not only Benton and me but to our entire families! The love, smiles and happiness a baby can bring are truly delightful.

Grammy and Papa White

Grammy and Papa Earl

 Each milestone is exciting to experience: Trent's first smile, coos, laughs top the list as favorite memories. As we experience  the 6 month mark we are thrilled to see him sitting on his own, rolling around everywhere on the floor, and getting ready to crawl.

We loved our first holiday celebrations with him... Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, New Years in Tahoe with friends, and most recently Easter. We are looking forward to my sister Ally's wedding in June which will be in Hawaii. I wonder how Trent will like the ocean waves and the sand?

What a year of changes! The best moments are engraved in my memory including the sight of my husband holding our baby. The precious smiles on my Trent's little face. The joy my son has brought to us and our families.