Mama won a laptop!

(insert evil laughter..)

After all this time of not having a computer, and all the pictures of Benjamin piling up.... I won a laptop at my company party...let the blogging begin ;)

Trying to catch up: November....

My computer has been working (poorly) about 1/2 the time. So while it's functional, I'm trying to catch this blog up to speed! 

Those are some big feet!  Almost 3 weeks old

Almost 3 weeks old

 NOVEMBER 9TH: A DAY OF MANY FIRSTS!

First bath.....unsure about it at first. Now he loves them!

"Ok...this bath stuff isn't so bad..." 

Ben's first bottle @ 3.5 weeks old. He hardly hesitated, just dug right in. Apparently it's as good as "the real thing." Well, nearly as good!

Our sweet boy. 2 weeks old

Birth Story

Our son, Benjamin, was born October 17, 2012. My husband and I opted for a scheduled induction, after weeks of regular and strong contractions without any "progress." I was one day over my due date. We were surrounded by friends and family all day. One of those friends, Reva, took these pictures. It is such an indescribable blessing to have these pictures; they are such a treasure. Reva, I cannot thank you enough!. 

I'll warn you, there are A LOT of pictures, but none of which are graphic. They help tell the story of how our little guy came into the world, and are really special to me. 

Arrived bright and early, 6 am. 

'

I had requested a specific room (the big one-with a private Jacuzzi tub), but when we arrived, they were packed! Every labor room was filled. One of the nurses told me there were 5 moms in labor, and 7 moms who had just delivered. That's pretty busy! 

Very excited! ... And nervous....

IV started, Pitocin (medication that starts contractions) up and going!  

Monitoring Benjamin's heart. He did just perfect, and caused no reason for concern throughout entire induction. 

  

 I love this picture. 

 My mom, and my "other" birth coach. I am so glad she was there!  

My first nurse Rori, giving me the run-down. She was awesome. I wish she had been there the whole day. 

This is when I discovered I was out of Tums. (gasp!!!) At 40+ weeks pregnant, this is practically an emergency! Luckily Eric's brother brought me some! 

The pitocin, my nurse would come in and increase it every 15 minutes to get my labor going. 

Holy cankles! Had "just a little" swelling. My blood pressure was perfect though, thank God! 

Checking out the babies in the nursery.....

....made me even more nervous!  

Flowers from Eric's parents  

The "11" refers to the rate of the Pitocin. Meaning they have increased it 11 times, starting to feel it now!

My doctor coming in to break my water 

After she broke my water, I was shaking like mad! More nerves than anything, but it was uncontrollable! 

  I had a great support team! My sister, mom, and husband! 

Pain getting more intense....

I used nitrous oxide during my labor, at the suggestion of a nurse I work with. Yes, "laughing gas." It does not help relieve the pain. Not one little bit, but it brought my anxiety level down and helped me stay cool and calm....oh and laugh....there was definitely laughter too:) 

  It is considered a "self administered" drug. Meaning, I hold the mask, and none of the gas is delivered unless you inhale. I recommend it. Especially if its the first child! And it has no negative effects on the baby. 

I love this picture. We're all laughing about something....having a great time I guess :) 

 Turning up the pitocin. I look thrilled. 

  

 Regardless of situation, I was still 40 weeks pregnant, meaning with addition of IV fluids, and you're in and out of the bathroom more than I care to count!

 My friend, Sara, brought the entertainment. A *Denver Broncos* dinosaur that sings and rolls around. It was for the baby, supposedly. But it was my entertainment for the day. It's pretty funny. 

 What's bigger? My belly or the birthing ball? 

  

 The only thing I ate that day: one little cup of Jello and some saltines. 

I couldn't sit, I couldn't even imagine sitting or lying down. Or walking. I just stood there and swayed.  

EPIDURAL TIME!  

The anesthesia provider. The epidural went in really smoothly, but didn't really provide the kind of pain relief I was hoping for!

 Uncle Matt, waited all day...

 Grammie-Eric's mom- waiting (in)patiently ;)

 I hated having to be confined to bed after the epidural. 

 Contractions really increasing

And, finally I was dilated to 10 cm....TIME TO PUSH!  

 Despite epidural, I was still having a lot of pain with contractions. 

 My husband and my mom coached me through pushing. They were amazing coaches. 

 My husband impressed me every minute of that day. His composure and support was the best thing for me, he did AMAZING. 

 I used a mirror, at the foot of my bed, to see the progress I was making. Eric's face here says it all :)

  

  

The doctor arrives....we're nearly there!  

And at 8:42 pm, Benjamin David was born.  

 I still can't really wrap my mind around seeing him for the first time. Indescribable! 

 In this picture, as the baby's nurse puts a band on my husband, you can see she wrote the time of birth as well has his name on her glove. 

 What an experience. Nothing can compare. 

 One happy grandma! 

Meeting his nana.  

 I love this picture. 

 Meeting uncle Matthew "Bop" 

Benjamin was born at 8:42 pm after 1.5 hours of pushing. Although I wouldn't let them take him to the nursery or out of my sight for a few hours, I found out later he weighed 8 lbs 8 oz, and was 20.75 inches long.  I had zero complications through out labor and delivery, and he was (and still is) 100% healthy. 

Just perfect.