Bennett the first month!

Such a face!  I think this is saying, "Don't put me down mama!"

Asleep after his 2 week appointment.  He was a champ.  He is gaining weight well and at the top of the charts for weight, length and head size.

Resting on mama

Look at that naked baby! 

Resting on Grandpa

Snuggling on Grandma

Jeret and his boys

One of his first really "alert" days

Resting on mama during thanksgiving at his great grandparents

Bennett's Birth Story

This photo recaps the active labor part of Bennett's arrival.  I was actually in labor for 48 hours prior to the active labor starting.  I had these slight contractions (felt like menstrual cramps) about every 10 minutes for two days, but they never intensified until Thursday afternoon.

My mom and Jessica arrived on Wednesday night.  My mom thought for sure that I was going to go into labor that night.  We spent Thursday going for a walk outside then walking through the entire mall.  Looking back, I kind of wish I would have rested but maybe that was what brought on my labor.  The cramps started to get a little stronger after lunch that day.  I also started to notice that I felt like I needed to pee every time a contraction came.  I had a slight thought that maybe my water had torn and I was leaking but I wasn't for sure.  I called my doctor at around 4pm and talked to the nurse.  She said to wait it out a little because she wasn't sure if my water had broke or if it was the baby pushing on my bladder.  We watched some tv at home, had some pizza for dinner and tried to play some cards.  During the card game I realized I was too uncomfortable to sit in a chair (labor was progressing!).  I started timing my contractions then.  They were still pretty irregular so I tried to get some sleep, but wasn't able to fall asleep.  I labored at home (in the nursery so Jeret and my family could get some sleep).  I ended up calling the on-call doctor around midnight and decided to go to the hospital.  I went mainly to check if my water had broken because my pains were still not regular.  I think they were about every 5 minutes but only lasting about 45 seconds.  

We arrived at the hospital and the staff was so gracious and comforting.  They first checked if my water had broken and it had!  They strapped me to a monitor and I was contracting every 4-5 minutes but they were not too intense.  They said that I would be admitted because of the risk of infection after my water has broken.  They didn't check my dilation because of the same risk of infection.  I got all set up in my room and labored on my own for a few hours.  At around 2 or 3am I asked the doctor to check me.  I was 5cm, woo hoo!! 

I spent a lot of my labor on all fours and also leaning over the labor ball.  I can tell you that it was not too bad.  I did try the shower but I didn't like how slippery it was.  We also tried a hot pack on my lower back but that induced me to projectile vomit all of the floor (never expected that)!  Jeret was so helpful throughout my entire labor.  What a guy!  I could not have done it without him.  He rubbed my lower back through every contraction.  It eased the pain SO MUCH!

I started getting REALLY uncomfortable.  I can not explain the pain.  The contractions were SO STRONG and right on top of each other.  I felt so out of control.  I asked them to check me again and I was 9cm. I thought to myself, "Can I endure this pain any longer?" I decided right then and there that I needed the epidural.  The pain was incredible.  Looking back, I probably could have managed but I am glad that I went with the epidural.  I was able to relax and enjoy the birth of my baby boy.  I'll let the photos do the rest of the talking:

Getting some rest

Jeret has his game face on

Feeling much more relaxed after the epidural

Anxiously waiting for the baby's arrival

Getting ready to push

My coaches

He is here!  Our baby, I couldn't believe it.

We are a family

Look at that arm!

It's too bright in here

Beautiful

Dad and Son

My football player

Aunt Jessica and Uncle Adam

Bennett and all of his loving grandparents

Bennett Mathew IS HERE!! A recap of weeks 38-41

Wow, I really fell off the blogging band wagon.  I can't believe that Bennett will be 8 weeks old in TWO days!  Holy Cow!

Today is January 1st, so I think it is the prefect day to get right back to blogging.  So much to say... where to start?

I'm going to try to think back to weeks 38 through 41! Yes, that is right.  Bennett arrived 5 LONG days after his due date.  But, he came when he was ready and I would do it all over again the exact same way.  Here is a snap shot of what I can remember of the last few weeks of my pregnancy:

 I think this was week 38

 Tail end of week 38 at my cousin's wedding in Beloit Wisconsin

The last photo of us as just a couple

This was right before we took Milo to the dog park which I did every day.  I walked and walked and walked trying to start labor.

This was week 40.  My last belly shot.  I can't believe Bennett was in there.  What a true miracle.

Due Date:  November 3rd, 2013...but arrived on November 8th

Boy or Girl:  A beautiful baby boy

Currently Avoiding: Onions were horrible the last few months of my pregnancy.  I also had a horrible encounter with a Costco hotdog (which I later realized I wasn't supposed to eat during pregnancy oops).

Currently Craving: I loved swedish pancakes throughout my entire pregnancy.  It was the only food I truly "craved".  I did eat way more ice cream in the last two weeks than I normally would have

Weight: Gained 35 pounds total

Belly Button Status:  Still in and did not get any stretch marks!  

Sleep: Lots of bathroom breaks towards the end.  I also was awake from 1-3am the last two weeks of my pregnancy.

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: Everyday

Symptoms:  I had a lot of braxton hicks towards the end and I started getting really uncomfortable at work the last week.  I was so stretched and my clothes were so tight.  I never really felt the baby "drop" or the feeling of a bowling ball between my legs like a lot of ladies talk about.

Health:  My belly stopped growing and measured at 41 weeks only 38cm.  I thought that was a sure sign my baby was going to be small... oh how I was wrong ;) 

Movement: The movement definitely slowed down towards the end.  Sometime during week 38 I actually went into the hospital to check on the little guy because he wasn't moving (so I thought).  Turned out he was moving and I just wasn't feeling it.  Now I know it was because he didn't have much room!

Baby Related Purchases:  We didn't buy much the last few weeks of my pregnancy.  We did however buy some items right after we returned home.  We bought a swing right away!  We didn't have anywhere downstairs that we could set the baby down.  

Best Part of this Pregnancy:  I am so amazed at the entire process of pregnancy!  I grew a healthy baby boy!  

Next up, his birth story! 

Week 36 and 37

We are full term, baby! Week 37 is donezo! 

Baby is the size of winter melon... where do they come up with these fruits?

Taken last Saturday at 36 weeks

We have been slowly but surely filling in the baby's nursery.  It is not nearly as "Pinterest" cute as I imagined it would be, but I am totally ok with that.  Babies need a lot of stuff and that can get really expensive so I used as much as possible to decorate from what I had around the house.

The tan fabric laying on the dresser is actually the cover for the changing pad.  It is ordered but is not supposed to ship for another 2 weeks.  Just to the right of it is a wipes warmer!  They think of everything!

The crib is all set!  I have a few stuffed animals in it right now for decorations but when the baby sleeps there it will be empty.  I also have a few of my favorite baby blankets that he has received folded up in there as well.

The vertical stripped bag is the diaper bag.  It is all packed and ready to go! The bag next to it is my hospital bag.  It is almost ready, too!  We are ready for you, baby :) 

The rocking chair was given to us from Jeret's Grandparents.  I bought a new cushion for it on Overstock.

My friends in the neighborhood held a surprise baby shower for me at book club this week.  They have been so good to me.  I feel so lucky to have met them.  It is so nice to have such a strong support system that lives only a few houses down.  The basket in between the rocker and the door is full of books from my book club friends.  They all purchased their favorite books that they read to thier children.  I had them all sign the books, it was so sweet.  

This view you can see the adorable garland that Rachel made for the baby.  Its hanging on the window panels. 

This closet is STOCKED! All of those drawers are filled with baby clothes and it is all 0-6months!! 

A shot of the stroller with the car seat attached.  

Due Date:  November 3rd, 2013... 21 days to go!

Boy or Girl:  Baby Boy

Currently Avoiding: Onions.  Oh my word do they give me indigestion.

Currently Craving: Sweets!  I sure hope I don't double my weight gain in these last three weeks!

Weight: 31 pounds!

Belly Button Status:  Still in

Sleep: I go to the bathroom at a minimum of 4 times a night.  Lots of potty breaks.  I have also had some insomnia.  Some nights I wake up around 2am and am wide awake.  I just think my body is getting ready for baby

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: Everyday

Symptoms:  Just growing at record speed.  I still think this little guy is going to be more of a peanut then a large baby.  I was 9.5lbs but Jeret was 7.1lbs.  I'll be really interested to find out what he weighs.  It just doesn't seem like there is a huge baby in my belly, but I could be wrong.  I have had some more "fake" contractions and also some shooting pain in the groin area.  I googled it ;) and it said that the pain is from the baby moving downward and pinching nerves.  So, I'm taking it as a good thing and meaning that baby is progressing!

Health:  My belly is measuring right on track with a 36cm measurement.  Baby's heartbeat was healthy and they did a little ultrasound to make sure baby was head down.  He sure is!  She also did a cervical exam and I am not dilated at all but she said the cervix is "soft".  

Movement:  Lots of movement!  I love feeling the little guy.  It doesn't bother me one bit.  My belly doesn't jump around much because of my placenta placement but you can definitely see kicks.  

Baby Related Purchases:  We bought the changing pad.  I think we are all set (minus the monitor).

Best Part of this Pregnancy:  Just taking in the fact that there is a full grown baby in my belly.  Wow!  I can't wait to meet him.  As much as I have enjoyed this pregnancy, I know it will be nothing compared to meeting our little guy.  We love him so much already!