Miss Sierra Alexis Bennett

Sierra Alexis Bennett was born at 1:36 p.m. on January 29, 2009. She weighed 7 lbs, 19 inches and is absolutely beautiful. I began having contractions around 1:30 a.m. on January 28, 2009 and I woke Kevin up on Friday around 4:30 a.m. We called our doula on our way to the hospital and she began her trip her into town around 5:30 a.m. to be with us. Kevin and I spent our time in early labor playing Wii Bowling, typical us. We went to the hospital at 4 p.m after laboring in a room outside of the hospital and I still wasn't very far along, so we went back to our room. After 4 more hours in our room we went back to the hospital and I was admitted. At that time, we continued to work through the contractions. At the end of the day, we had been in labor for 30 hours when Kev and I were told that the baby is doing great, but I am not dilating appropriately and the baby isn't moving down. So our desire for natural labor was just removed from our birth plan and replaced with an epidural and pitocin to speed along my contractions and dilation. While the epidural was taking affect, I was able to get a little bit of rest before we started pushing again and it was wonderful sleep after 30 hours of natural labor. I begin pushing 2 hours later, for the next two hours. After a total of 4 more hours, I was checked, and Miss Sierra still hadn't moved. Now Kevin and I had to make another decision. We could either use forceps, the vacuum extractor, or a C-sections. Kev and I discussed it and I couldn't imagine the risk of using the forceps or vacuum extractor, if we had the choice. We decided to have a C-section because we were more comfortable with the risk, than putting our baby in danger. The surgery and recovery took another 2 hours, total labor was 36 hours and I would do it all over again.

Kev was able to be with me while my C-section was occurring and was able to announce the gender of our baby. Our baby had flipped from my last ultrasound and was in a head down, face-up position, which is not ideal for natural labor and causes back labor. Kev's fingers and knuckles were sore the following day after pushing on my back to relieve the pain for so many hours.

Once Kev announced that Sierra was born, he was with the baby from that moment on. He was able to show me my baby girl, but I couldn't hold her, yet. He followed her out of the operating room to have her final checks, shots, and he even changed her first diaper. My mom and dad were also able to be with Kevin and Sierra while she was going through the "newborn" stuff.

I was beyond excited to hold our beautiful baby, Sierra, for the first time. She took to breastfeeding without a problem, even though we weren't able to start right after birth. Below are pictures from the hospital and going home.

My first nap after 30 hours of labor with my epidural. I'm so pretty....


All bundled up and looking cute!!!


Sierra in her car seat.


The new Bennett family. Mommy looks rough, but Daddy and Sierra both look amazing.




The next pictures were taken in our home.

Sleeping in bed with Mommy and Daddy.


Sierra and her fist pair of adidas shoes, storm tropper style. Yelp, too big, but we had to see them on her.




Sierra hangin' out in her bouncer.


Sierra talking to Papaw.


Sierra sleeping on her Mamaw.


The next 3 pictures show the little personality Sierra already has, I think she takes after her Daddy. Sierra was laying on the floor with a blanket over her, but for some reason her little "piggies" were hanging out. After we(Kev, Mamaw, Papaw, and I)noticed her "piggies" were out, Daddy and I were about to fix it when she pulled them in on her own. Daddy put some slippers on her feet and right back out her covered little "piggies" came, and stayed for the rest of her nap. Here are the pictures of her silliness.






The next pictures are of my wonderful husband and beautiful daughter Sierra.



I want to thank our doula who attended our birth and another helper during our birth. I know Kev and I wouldn't have been able to labor naturally without their expertise and continual support. We may not have achieved our birth plan, and we had to make several modifications to our wishes, but at the end of the day, we had an absolutely beautiful, little angel.

I need to thank Mamaw and Papaw for being with us after Sierra's delivery and when we went home. Their help can't even be described, but Kev and I really appreciate all they have done for us.

Kevin has been the most amazing husband anyone could ever ask for through labor, surgery, and all of my post-surgery needs. There is not one more thing he could do for Sierra or me at this point and is taking all my limitations in stride each day. I loved him with all my heart prior to the birth of our little girl, but I can't even explain how much I love him now for all of his support and care he has provided to me and Sierra.

Christmas 2009

Kev and I have spent our first Christmas together in Korea surrounded by friends. We definitely miss our family and friends back home during this holiday season, but at least we were able to be together.

Kev and I attended a Korean-American Friendship Holiday Concert this year and we had a lot of fun. Plus, my husband is really handsome in his dress blues.



Christmas Morning


Our Stockings
I bet you might be able to guess which one is Baby Bennett's.



Baby Bennett is not due until January 20th, but he/she sure did get a lot of gifts this year. I can't imagine that our baby will be spoiled at all by our families. All of the gifts below were for Baby Bennett.

Happy Thanksgiving

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Kev and I had a great Thanksgiving together, even though we missed being with our family this year. We were able to celebrate with a few friends and have some yummy food! We tackled a turkey for the first time EVER. Okay, Kev tackled the turkey this morning and I watched, cause those things are "special" raw.



Aren't we cute...




We didn't want to leave out Baby Bennett on this holiday, either. 32 WEEKS!!!!




Baby Bennett now enjoys making waves in my belly for us to watch, at least he or she likes to amuse us already.

28 1/2 Weeks

We have entered the Third Trimester, YIPPEEEE.

Our Home and "Fancy" New Car

Our Home

Below are pictures of our 1st home together. Some of the pictures may seem a little detailed but most of our family and friends will never make it over to visit us and we wanted you to be able to see as much of our home as possible. Kevin and I looked at several apartments until we decided on the one you are going to see below. Prior to looking at the apartments I was told not to expect a lot of space or any closets at all. My expectations were fairly low and the first few apartments we were shown lived up to what I had heard.

This is the outside of our apartment building and we also have a parking garage in the middle of the complex, which is really nice.



The next picture is our office. The landlord left the amazing desk area for us to use while we are here.


The next pictures contain our living room, dining area and kitchen. The landlord also left the TV, Surround Sound System, dining room table and refrigerator for us to use. Yes, if you look closely you can see a picture my niece, Paige, made for me and an old spelling test on our refrigerator.






The next picture shows our laundry area. The washing machine was also left by our landlord. The funny part is that all of the function buttons are in Korean. I was taught how to make it work with and without using the dryer, other than that I can't do anything special with all of the buttons it has on it. In Korea the washer and dryer are combined into one and takes at least 3 hours to do a load of laundry this way. I would have never thought I would line dry 95% of our laundry but I do and it makes me think of my grandma :) Our clothes line is hanging from the ceiling in sage green and you can see them in almost all of the apartment windows. When I line dry the clothes it only takes about an hour to wash them and it's saves on electricity which is a big deal over here. Right before Kevin and I left we had a "laundry fairy" for about a month and I have feeling that we may be visited by this "fairy" around January 23rd of next year. Our "fairy" has already spoken her concerns over using this machine but I think she can handle it, love you Mom.


The next picture shows our bedroom and please pay special attention to the left side of the picture because that wall is lined with CLOSETS! Our landlord must have had these installed herself because they are very fancy on the inside, too.


We also have this fancy looking control mechanism in our bedroom which controls both our hot water and the heat in our floors. Electricity is kind of pricey in Korea if you go over your allotted limit, we were warned, and to make sure we do our best to keep our bill low we live like everyone else in Korea. We turn our hot water on and off anytime we want to use it. It sounds weird and I don't know how it works but hot water is available less than a minute after you turn it on from the control mechanism. The other function is the heat from our floor and we haven't used it yet. Kevin has used them before when he was stationed in Korea and I have already heard about his trickster ways. He has been known to turn the floor on really hot so it's a little steamy on your feet when you get out of bed :)


The next picture is one you will all love.......Baby Bennett's room. We need to thank Mawmaw and Pawpaw for Baby Bennett's "late 2008 Christmas gifts," I know the baby wasn't even conceived until 2009. They graciously supplied the crib, changing table, all the baby bedding and matching lamp for their second grandchild. You will also see several stuffed animals that we received as gifts, from our childhood and Kevin is addicted to a machine with stuffed animals at the bowling alley. I have also taken a picture of all the clothes the baby currently has in his/her closet (yelp, it's pretty big too!)and that isn't even all of the baby clothes. We can't thank everyone enough for all the gifts Baby Bennett has received and all of your love and support.







The next picture is our view outside our 7th floor window.



Our 1st home together exceeds my expectations beyond belief and the fact that we will have a little one in the room next to us in about 3 months is very exciting!

"Fancy" New Car

Our car is a 1997 Ssangyong, Korando. This vehicle fits Kevin's personality perfectly. The car features an extra horn that allows you to speak into it like a microphone and has several pre-set sounds. It even says, "thank you" in Korean.

Baby Update

20 Weeks

Many of you have already seen this picture which Kevin graciously posted on his Facebook account under "where did her feet go?" This was the first day that I realized I could no longer see my shoes and/or put on my shoes/socks with ease. Kevin now helps me when I need it.












24 Weeks

I still haven't found my feet and I really think they may be gone now until mid-January but you can see that for yourself.


Baby Bennett and I have recently been to a few appointments and everything is going great!!! I thought you might like to see the newest pictures of Baby Bennett. In the first picture you can see his/her little arms and a leg. The second picture is a beautiful head shot of our baby :)

Kevin and I decided we didn't want to know the sex of our baby until he/she is born for everyone who is wondering why I left that part out of the post. If you are fortunate enough to know Kevin you can just imagine him in the room while I am having the ultrasound. The question is did Kevin:

A.) Watch intently and ask lots of questions
B.) Take a little nap
C.) Swing back and forth in his chair when he got bored
D.) Play with the gadgets in the room when the technician was gone

Answer: C

Kevin was bored when the technician was pointing out the different organs and documenting them on the screen. I will say it wasn't as easy to follow because she was Korean but her English was understandable and it was hard to see what she was trying to show us. In Kevin's defense he did pay attention most of the time :)

Kevin and I have now been in Korea for a little over 2 months and we are settling into our new life with a smile on our face and at least one adventure a week.

How it all started…

I, Stephanie Bennett, will be doing most of the posting on this blog and every once in awhile Kevin might sneak in a few postings. I hope you enjoy the account of our journey together as our life unfolds from the beginning.

Kevin and I met on January 30, 2009 at the Luke Bryant Concert in Indianapolis, Indiana. I was there with a bunch of friends hanging out and celebrating a little for my birthday. Kevin was supposed to attend with some friends too but they couldn't make it. That was my lucky night and I didn't even have a clue. I hadn't been out with friends in this manner for a long time and it didn't take long before I was ready to call it a night. By this point in time I had lost Kevin in the night and well, honestly, I didn't think much of it. The next night as I was still recovering from my previous adventures I decided to see if "this guy" had a Facebook account. He did and I sent him an email. After a few emails back and forth we decided to watch the Super Bowl together that night. It may not have been my smartest move but several of my friend's had met him a few nights prior and he seemed like a nice guy. He didn't even kiss me that first night...

I didn't feel like trying to be someone I wasn't just to be with someone and I didn't feel like getting cute. I told him prior to coming over that I wasn't going to change clothes and that I would be in pajama pants and a tank top when he got there. He thought I was kidding, I wasn't. He showed up and we had a little awkward conversation for awhile, just getting to know each other. This went on throughout the rest of the week. Kevin was a great guy and we were having a lot fun together but he was leaving in a few short days to begin his Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) in Alabama. Just my luck, I find a nice guy but he doesn't even live here but at least I know they exist.

Kevin was in Alabama for a little over a month attending WOCS and it was my first experience with military life. He didn't have privileges for at least half the time he was there and then the other half were very limited. The Sunday phone calls were something I looked forward to and I couldn't wait to hear his voice. Then one night he asked me if I wanted to attend his graduation ceremony. I was excited, nervous, scared and beyond happy to think that he would want me at such an important event in his life. After further conversation, I find out his Mom, Grandma and Aunt Debbie will also be attending the ceremony. This made me even more nervous....

I drove to Alabama for the first time in my life alone. I had previously met his Mom for a total of maybe five minutes before going to Alabama. I was so nervous. I wasn't just entering into a military function that I didn't know anything about but I was also going to be a few doors down in a motel room from his family. I dove in head first and just hoped for the best.

The first night I was in Alabama I met his mom again and the rest of the family. It was a little nerve racking to meet his family and he wasn't even there. The following day I was supposed to pick Kevin up on post because he had a day pass. I had never been on a military installation and had no idea what to expect. I found my way through the security, after showing them all the proper documentation, and then I attempted to follow the directions Kevin had given me. I was so lost it wasn't even funny. He told me to turn right when it should have been a left and I was lost. Finally he asked me if I had seen "the bear" and I had. We started the directions process over again and I finally found him. I hadn't gotten to see his face in over a month and it was beyond amazing to see him that day.

The next two days were the reason his family and I were in Alabama. We attended the Commander's Graduation Reception and the next day was his graduation.


As part of the graduation ceremony the soldier is able to appoint one or two (it's up to the soldier) people to pin on his/her new rank. Kevin asked his Mom and me to do this honor. Kevin had worked many years to achieve his new rank of Warrant Officer and I may not have been lucky enough to know him prior to this but I was fortunate enough to be with him on that day. The ceremony was incredible and may have been one of the most memorable days of my life.

Kevin and I had two more adventures while he was home between schools. We went to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee and New York City. Unfortunately we don’t have any pictures from our visit to see Mr. Jack Daniel’s but we do have some from New York City. We had two of the best tour guides that New York City can offer in Jennifer and Maria.


Jennifer is a friend of Kevin’s from previously being stationed in Korea. They are awesome and we had a great time. On our last night in New York, Kevin asked me to marry him and of course I said yes. By this point in time Kevin and I had been through a lot already and I was in love him and we both knew it was right. Jennifer and Maria were the first two to know about our plans to get married (Kevin's correction: actually my cousin Sarah was the first to know we were getting married). It was a whirlwind romance and now we had to figure out when to get married because Kevin was leaving again for school in Arizona in a few short weeks and Korea toward the end of July.

This good-bye for his trip to Arizona was far harder than last time he left because I loved him and would miss him while he was gone. He asked me on several occasions if this is something I could handle because it was going to be a lot. I knew from the moment I felt safe with him that I could do this. There is only one other man in my life who could always put my fears at rest and makes me feel safe and that’s my Dad. I knew Kevin would never do anything intentionally to hurt me and would always be there to protect me.

The Wedding
Kevin and I were married on April 25, 2009 in Tombstone, Arizona. Three of Kevin’s friends from the school he was attending were with us and represent our “wedding party.”


Our family was supportive of our marriage and still wishes they could have been there but this was the perfect wedding for Kevin and me. It was a stress free wedding and it was only about what we wanted.

Life Changes
The weekend of Mother’s Day was approaching and I brought up the subject to Kevin about me possibly going to Korea with him. We discussed it at length the Friday prior to Mother’s Day and we decided to fill out the necessary paperwork and see if I was accepted to come with him to Korea. If I went to Korea with Kevin it would extend his stay in Korea from one year to two years but he was okay with an extended stay if that meant I could be with him. At this point in our relationship we had already said way too many good-byes and I knew in my heart we had several more to come in our life. This was one good-bye I knew we didn’t have to say if we were approved for command sponsorship. Kevin completed all the paperwork the next week and this was a very real possibility at this point. I knew I needed to tell my Mom and Dad what we were trying to do so that they had time to adjust to the idea. The weekend after Mother’s Day I decided to make another trip to their house and break the news. Of course, they were happy for me but also very nervous of the possibility of me living so far away. At this point in my life I hadn’t been outside of the country except for a vacation to Cancun. I didn’t even have a passport!!!!

That same weekend when I was home I told my Mom and Dad that I needed to make a doctor’s appointment because I was just told that I needed to have an ultrasound and mammogram. I called the following Monday and I had an appointment set-up for that Thursday afternoon. I had never had a mammogram before but it involved an x-ray of the area. A little before 7 o’clock that morning I thought it might be a good idea to check and see if I was pregnant or not. It was about a day or two too early to check normally but for my peace of mind I needed to make sure I wasn’t going to do any harm, just in case. I was in shock when the test result appeared in a matter of seconds with the word “pregnant.” I just sat on the floor in shock and then I thought well if I am pregnant I might as well try the other test I have just to “make sure.” I got the same result. I was so shocked and happy but my husband was in Arizona and I was in Indiana. I called him at what would have been 4 o’clock in the morning for him and told him I was pregnant. I couldn’t wait to tell him. We both wanted this and we were very fortunate we were able to conceive our baby the weekend we were married. Now I had a new dilemma, what do I do about the test I am about to have. I called the doctor and was told to just have the ultrasound and skip the mammogram at this time. I was sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office for my appointment when my phone rang and it was someone looking for the building where I worked. Kevin, the amazing husband that he is, sent me flowers to celebrate the day. They were absolutely beautiful and no one had any idea why he was sending them to me. It was our secret and the flowers were sitting on my desk when I arrived back at work after a clean bill of health.

Our plan was to keep the pregnancy a secret until he came home at the end of June. Kevin and I had only told a few people the good news at that point. Then I thought about it and I wasn’t sure I would be able to hide it from my family and friends. I was about to go on vacation with my family in less than two weeks and it meant driving to Florida with all of them. I also had this feeling that you would be able tell I was pregnant very early on because it happened to my sister and I would be working on my tan for a week. Kevin and I decided to tell my Mom and Dad and I actually had him tell them via a phone call to see their reaction. They we very excited for us. That same day I went to his Mom’s house for a “visit.” Kevin called and I had him talk to his Mom and he told her as well. She didn’t believe him at first and was really excited too.

Now started everyone talking about “what if” Stephanie goes to Korea? There were several concerns with me leaving but now you put a baby in the mix and there were a lot of emotions. The one thing I told everyone who wished the baby and I would stay is that I will do anything I can to make sure Kevin can be a part of this pregnancy. If I don’t get command sponsorship I will just hope he can take leave and be home for the birth of our baby. If that was going to be the situation we would get through it and we are not the first family to have a baby and be separated when the baby is born. This was our first baby and I really, really wanted Kevin to be able to experience the entire pregnancy with me and "baby bennett" who is making his/her blog debut below.

In early June I went on vacation with my family and it was a good thing we had already told them about the pregnancy because in just a little over a month there was no denying it. I no longer had the best “travel tummy” and when I wanted to eat, I needed to eat. I used this time to introduce my Mom and Dad to Skype and show them how Kevin and I talked every night and every morning. My niece also liked to see her uncle in his "gear" in the morning. It’s so nice to be able to see his face each day and I thought it might help ease their fears if I did go to Korea. About halfway through our vacation Kevin said he had something to send me via email and it was really funny and I needed to look at it. I opened up the email expecting a forward and found my approval for command sponsorship. I was so EXCITED!!!! I was going to Korea with husband and he would be able to be with me throughout the pregnancy. My family was out on the balcony watching fireworks that someone was letting off and I told them “I got command sponsorship!” While they were all happy for Kevin and me it was bittersweet for my family. They were concerned for my safety and the baby. Don’t get me wrong they have been concerned for Kevin since they learned he was going to Korea. There is always a concern for any soldier who is doing his/her job and coincidently North Korea was all over the news during this time. I was going to be spending two years with my husband in Korea.

The end of June and the month of July leading up to our departure entailed a lot of family time and golf for Kevin. We also took one last trip to New York City to visit Kevin’s friends again and take in the amazing fireworks on the 4th of July, another dream of mine that came true. Displayed are several pictures that were taken during the many events and please take note of Kevin in his “fancy” pants. He loves these pants and let me tell you my Dad and Uncles got a kick out of their new addition to the family.

We both want to thank everyone who was able to attend one or more of the many parties we had before we left. Everyone usually has lots of questions about our “whirlwind” relationship and this should give you a glimpse into our life prior to our departure for Korea and “how it all started.” It is a smidge or way too long but I promise the post will become much shorter and more frequent. Kevin and I really appreciate all of your love and support.

Recap of our events:
• Met on January 30, 2009
• Married on April 25, 2009
• Entered Republic of Korea on July 23, 2009
• Moved into our first home together on August 15, 2009
• Our baby is due January 20, 2009

Coming soon:
• Pictures of Korea
• Pictures of our home
• Much anticipated - The monthly view of my expanding belly