Ben had his newborn hearing screener today. Since we left the hospital early he missed out on it there. He did fine. He slept through it all which worked out because they needed him to be still and quiet for the test. Good job Ben!
Here is a link to the storage bottles....
How can a mom say such a thing :) ! Ben's arrival did not hold any surprises whatsoever. We decided to go for an augmentation for this birth due to my risk factors. OK on the books it was called an induction but I just don't like that ugly word. My doctor even humored me and stayed away from the word herself. We left the house Monday January 18th at 6:15am. Granny was left in charge of the kids. We made it to labor and delivery and settled in. My IV was started and I got into bed to wait for my doctor to arrive. She had forgotten to put me on her schedule but was upstairs in her office and came right down. At around 8:15am she checked me and said that I was still about 3 centimeters dilated. She tried to break my waters but they just weren't ready. They started the lowest dose of pitocin possible to see what would happen. Even before this the monitors were picking up several contractions. They were not painful. I've been having those for weeks now. With minimal pitocin my water broke on its own. That is always an interesting sensation. My pitocin was increased just a little bit and I was definitely getting uncomfortable. I hate it though when I am asked to rate my pain from one to ten. I have given birth naturally once and survived so I did not even rate that pain a ten. If I am still conscious I never rate it over a 5 or 6. Silly question anyway. Well I asked for an epidural just well, frankly because I could. After it was in place around 11:30am I was checked and was at 5 centimeters. I had told my husband when we arrived that I would have the baby by 2pm. I was thinking about adjusting that time because I did not think I was progressing too fast. Well, I was checked around 1:30 and was 10m centimeters and ready to push. They had turned off the pitocin by now. This epidural took so well that I was in pretty much total control with no pain at all. The nurse called for the doctor. She got there and we got ready to start pushing. They asked me to try pushing to see. Whoa!!! I was told to stop that! I pushed half a time and there Ben was. No tearing no trauma no stress. I sat up to see my son who was trying his best to cry his lungs out while being manhandled. He came out clean and purple. He pinked right up. Dad cut his cord and they placed him on my chest. I helped clean him up a little. They weighed him and made sure his airway was clear and we started skin to skin contact and nursing within 15 minutes of him being born. Ben did not latch on very well but we have time to practice. He seemed so little. He weighed 7lbs. 9oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. That's a bit on the small side for me. I could have sworn that he would be at least a pound bigger. He is perfect though. And he made it here before 2pm. He was born at 1:41pm. We moved to our post-partum room and went home the next day. Neither of us had any complications so we went home within 26 hours. Ben has had a bit of jaundice but it has cleared up once he started pooping like a young man should. Nursing is going OK. He has a bit of an overbite so he is off center with his suck but we are working on it. As soon as he gets bigger that shouldn't be a problem. My milk came in in record time and my pump works just fine. He has had nothing but breastmilk and I have even been able to start my frozen milk supply for when I go back to work. Welcome to the family Ben!
My mom was nice enough to watch the little kids so we could go out to eat one last time before the baby is here. I wanted a variety of choices and no limit so it was off to Golden Corral's all you can eat buffet. I ate too much and didn't really enjoy myself. It was nice to get out of the house though. The girls stuffed themselves and Evan and Eliot had fun at Granny's house for a few hours. I even got to take a nap when we got home. I am getting a bit nervous about tomorrow. I am sure everything will go fine. I'll keep everyone updated.
We are in the home stretch. I am walking around at 3 centimeters dilated. Everything is still going OK. My doctor has given me the option to try some natural ways to see if "Ben" is ready to be born. We are scheduled to go to the hospital on Monday to see how far I have dilated by then. She has given me the option to walk away and go home as long as my water hasn't broken during any of the interventions. We'll see how it goes. I am thinking this little boy may be my biggest one yet. I am guessing at least 8 lbs 8 oz. But I won't be surprised if he is over 9 lbs. But I will be happy no matter what he weighs. So far I have gained about 40 pounds myself. That isn't my record but it is close. This pregnancy has been a little different here at the end than my other ones. I have felt like I have been in early labor for weeks now. Maybe that is a good sign that everything will go smoothly and quickly. I'll keep everyone updated!!
My friends at work surprised me on Friday with an informal baby shower. (No one really expects one for their 7th child.) They took me to lunch for Mexican food and gave me some gifts for "Ben". I was really touched because the gifts they gave me were perfect. They actually listened to me!!!! Thank you so much guys. I had put a few items on a wish list on the sidebar of this blog so I knew anyone could read it but it means a lot to me that they paid attention. I am not one for people to go out of their way to celebrate occasions or to spend too much money. This get together was perfect!
Here are a few pictures of snow days long past.
Danny and Connor last winter
Lyn, Annika, and Evan and some neighborhood kids last winter
Evan last winter
Eliot last winter
Lyn and Annika two winters ago
Two of my little girls! Eliot and Annika are close to the same age in these pictures. It amazes me how much they look alike at times. Their hair is really close to the same color. Eliot has brown eyes while Annika has blue. We will just have to wait and see if they continue to favor each other in the future. Personality wise they are not alike. Eliot was an early talker and Annika needed a little Early Intervention to help her along. Eliot is really interested in going to the potty and she is not even 2 and a half. Annika was over three when she mastered that skill. They enjoy each other's company and play well together. Annika is a great big sister and Eliot seeks her out to play.
More ice at McDonald's
Ice on bushes near church
Well, we are heading for the home stretch. 3 weeks left to go. I am on weekly doctor visits now. I am having a little bit of anxiety. I guess I am just feeling my age and expecting the worst. My health is fine. My weight to fine (even if I am heavier than I like). Little boy is head down and he seems to be doing fine. He is definitely very active. He is either going to be a big boy or he just knows how to kick. I am wondering how big he will be. 8 pounds is my average for my full term babies. Anyone out there care to guess what baby "Ben" may be?
Lyn and I aren't talking face to face right now. It is very complicated. It is deep rooted in the past. I want desperately to change wh...
