Past 4 weeks

When Benjamin was about a week old, he had a doctors appointment for a yeast rash on his booty from something I ate. It went away in 2 days. At that appointment, he weighed 9 pounds and 3 ounces! The doctor said he was a healthy boy! :)

At 3 weeks, he went back to the doctor because he had the sniffles but ended up just being mucus in the back of his throat and he doesn't know how to clear it so, it'll seem like he has the sniffles for a while. The doctor also looked at his cord since it hadn't fallen off yet. He weighed 11 pounds and was 21 inches long.

At 5 weeks, my little man had his first check-up and had to get a shot and a PKU test. They pricked his foot for blood and IT WAS HORRIBLE!! He screamed and cried so bad. After that, he got his second Hep B shot (one at birth and one at 5 weeks) and that was no better. I had tears in my eyes because he was so upset. In December, he has to get more shots and this time, I'll probably wait in the lobby for Ben to bring him out. It hurt so bad to see him in pain. All I wanted to do was cuddle him and give him lots of love. I hurried to the car and fed him and he was fast asleep! I was so sad for him. I even had few tears for him. He slept for a while after that and didn't have to worry about the pain. The doctor gave him some baby Tylenol and he was out like a light! At this appointment, he was 11 pounds and 14 ouncs and was 21 inches long. His head measured 14 1/4 inches round. My baby is growing so fast!!

Well, since today is actually Halloween, I'll post a few pictures from the Pumpkin Patch that we didn't get to walk through. We went inside the building for pictures since it was sprinkling outside and the babies didn't need to be out and get sick.We definitely had a crowd of people taking pictures- and they turned out pretty good! And we actually got some cute pictures of Benjamin and his cousin, Nevaeh- their first pictures together- and a few family pictures!

Benjamin is almost 2 weeks old...

It's so hard to believe that we've already accomplished so many things!! Like, his first bath, learning when he's hungry or needs a diaper change.

Benjamin Lawson is here!!!

On September 22, Ben and I went in to Dr. Cooper's office for a regular doctor appointment. When we got there, I was weighed, checked for protein in the urine, and sent to a room. While we were waiting in the lobby, Ben asked if I had dilated any. I told him no- I felt the same as any other day. Once we got into the room and Dr. Cooper checked me, I was at 3 cm!! Ben and I were so shocked and when she said "Do you want to come in tomorrow morning to be induced?", we didn't know what to say. She said she'd come back in a second for our decision. We decided on Thursday, his actual due date. Tuesday I lost my plug, Wednesday night before the induction, I had my bloody show and Thursday morning we went to the hospital at 6 am!

Once we got there and I changed into my gown, I got into the bed and answered a few questions. Around 7:15 am, the nurse started my IV and Pitocin. I was still answering questions until 8:15. I got situated and decided to get on my birthing ball. At 8:23, my water broke! We knew he was going to make his appearance THAT day! Started having contractions maybe 30 minutes after my water broke and IT WAS ON! I remember crying during a contraction with Grand parents, Wendy and Ben, in the room. After they left, I asked for my mom to come on back. Once she got in there, I asked to be checked and was at 6 cm! It was like time was flying by. My Grandma Sally came into the room when they were checking me again. This time, I was at 9-9 1/2 cm! Nurse said if I felt the urge to push to go ahead and start. I WAS NOT READY! I told her I was scared and I couldn't! She told me it wasn't the time to be scared- he was coming no matter what! She called Dr. Cooper and she was there at 11:58 and that's when i started pushing.

I was pushing with my feet on the stirrups and had 2 bars in my hands. It didn't seem to be working so, I grabbed my ankles and went from there! Everyone was saying "A FEW MORE PUSHES AND HE'LL BE HERE!!" I didn't think he was ever going to come. Once they saw his head and were screaming "HE HAS HAIR", I knew he was about to come!! I ended up having an Episiotomy because his head was so big (13 1/2"). I asked Dr. Cooper if she could just pull him the rest of the way once his head popped! Everyone in the room was laughing but I was dead serious. A few more pushes, and he was out! On Thursday, September 24, 2009, at 12:22 pm Benjamin took his first breath. Dr. Cooper sucked all the fluid out of his nose and mouth and laid him on my chest! Ben cut his cord and right away, I was in love! All of the pain went away once he was in my arms.

They took him to be weighed and measured. He was 8 lbs and 10 oz and 20.5 inches long. His head and chest were both 13 1/2 inches. They put his feet print on daddy's shirt and in his baby book. They wrapped him up and gave him back to me. After everyone left the room, he nursed for the first time! He was a hungry little boy!

An hour later, we all went to our personal room and everyone came to visit! From the beginning, everyone said he looked like Daddy with Mommy's nose and that's exactly what I wanted! I have no idea where he gets his brown hair from but, I think it'll change to blonde!!

SO SHOCKED!!

Went to see Dr. Cooper today and while Ben and I were sitting in the waiting room, we were just talking- he asked if I though I had dilated any and I said no. Well, once we got back to the room and she checked me, she said, "you're dilated to 3 cm!" I was in total shock and so was Ben! Then she's going to say, "wanna come in tomorrow morning at 6 am to be induced?" I was still a little overwhelmed to know that I had dilated to 3 cm and she's asking me if I want to be induced!! We decided on Thursday and if I'm at 5 cm at 6 that morning, she's going to let me have him without Pitocin to make my contractions start.

I was thinking I wasn't going to be dilated any and therefore, I wanted to be induced but, if I had dilated, I wanted to go on my own.

I can't believe that NO MATTER WHAT, Benjamin will be here in 2 days!! 2!!! I'm so excited.. I don't think Me nor Ben is going to get sleep tomorrow night!

I can't wait to hold him!

We'll both be parents soon!! I can't wait to have my happy little family! Doesn't seem like I've waited 9 almost 10 months!!

Going to be a Mommy SOON!!!

Went to the doctor again yesterday. Thought I might have Toxemia since I'm showing all of the sypmtons except for high blood pressure and protein in the wee. They took blood just in case and sent me to hear Benjamin's heartbeat! It sounds great and I'm measuring at 38 1/2 cm to 39 cm (weeks). The nurse was pressing on my ankles and feet to see if it left indentations. Dr. Cooper was at the office (which normally the doctors only come on Monday's) and told me I needed to come to her office if I haven't had Benjamin by next Tuesday.

I'm thinking she's going to lay everything out with me and then go from there. I'm hoping when she "checks" me, I've dilated and I've thinned out a little and he'll come on his own!

I'm still hoping for the best and I can't wait to see my baby boy!

I can't believe he'll be here so soon! I'm so excited but so nervous- all at the same time!

I'm definitely ready to begin a new chapter in life with my boys!

37 weeks and 6 days

Went to the doctor again yesterday! She could feel his head and says he's far down!! It's so exciting to know that he could be here any day now!! I'm ready for him!!

Seems like 15 days is too long of a wait but, I'm still hoping for an earlier baby! So, Benjamin Lawson, come soon! :)

His heartbeat was 162 bpm and I measured right at 38 weeks! Hopefully he'll come tomorrow and if not AT LEAST by Friday or the next Friday!

I'm getting more and more anxious as the days go by and I just want these contractions to start so I can just get the pain over with and enjoy my baby boy!

Doctor's Appointment

Monday was our doctor's appointment and I saw Ms. Reed! She's one of my favorites! She always goes over everything to the best of her ability!

Just like every visit, she let us hear Benjamin's heart beat which was 141-146 bpm. She then measured my uterus and surprisingly, it was a 1/2 cm smaller than the week before! She felt on my tummy and told me Benjamin's head was really far down and he had his back turned towards mine and that's why I'm having lots of back pain.

She told me a few exercises to do to get him to roll over and have his back to my belly so when I go into labor, I don't have back labor. I'd sure hate that!!

We've decided on not having any guests besides close family because of the flu going around. I'm so terrified of us getting the swine flu and then giving it to Benjamin.

On the bright side of things, I've got 21 days until my due date. As the 24th gets closer, I'm getting so anxious! Pretty soon my baby boy will be here! I can't wait to hold him in my arms and see him face to face! I know he's going to be such a cute little baby look just like his daddy!

36 weeks and 1 day pregnant

I'm finally getting closer to my due date! It seems so unreal that my little man will be here soon! I keep telling myself he will come on the 10th but now, I have a feeling he's going to wait until the beginning of October!

I had a dream last night that he was born with red hair and weighed 7 lbs and 11 oz! I couldn't see his face but, I know it was my baby! Even though I've had the 3d/4d ultrasound and basically saw his EXACT features, I still can't imagine what he looks like!

In the pictures, he looks a lot like Ben and that makes me so happy! I wanted him to have my nose but, who knows if it'll be like mine! I hope he has his daddy's eyes and has super blonde hair!!

I can't wait for him to be born! I'm so ready to hold him in my arms and each day I'm getting more anxious!

Once I'm able to hold him, I'll probably wish I was still pregnant and watching my belly grow but as of today, I'm so tired of having a big belly! I'm so uncomfortable and I can never get in a good position to fall asleep. I stay up tossing and turning all night. During the day, if I'm not going to the bathroom, I'm trying to catch my breath because Benjamin's so big and squishing my lungs.

Only 1 week and 6 days until the 10th but, I really have 3 weeks and 6 days!!

I've started going to the doctor every week now and hopefully soon, I'll be checked to see if I've dilated or if my cervix has thinned at all!

I hope by next Monday, I've dilated a few cm and Thursday my little man will be here!! I'm looking forward to holding him and giving him all of my love!

Baby Shower for Benjamin Lawson

On Saturday, August 15, my mom threw a baby shower for my little boy and me! There were lots of people to show up and I had a blast getting to see all of the gifts everyone bought for Baby Benjamin! He received a lot of nice gifts and I can't wait for him to use them all!

We decorated in a safari theme because right now, that's what I'm really in love with! The theme for his room is monkeys, so, I added a few more animals and that was the theme for the shower! Of course, we had a blue punch and the cakes were ice cream with yellow cake. One cake was vanilla and the other was cookie dough! Talk about YUMMY!

Benjamin got 3 rainforest bath tubs, a duck tub, towels, wash clothes, bottle warmer, blankets, bibs, diapers, wipes, baby einstein cd, and 2 diaper bags, and a painting of a monkey for decorations in his room! It was baby heaven!

We've got every thing set up for him now, we're just waiting for his arrival!! We're so excited! Only 5 weeks and 1 day left!

I can't wait to meet my baby boy and finally hold him!!

Maddy's birthday

August 8, Ben and I went to Rainbow City for his niece's 3rd birthday party! It was our first time getting to meet and hold baby Acton as well. When we arrived at Ryan's house everyone was getting ready to go to the park to celebrate Maddy's birthday! She was so excited! When we got to the park, all the kids were running around and having a blast! Me and Ryan got to talk for a while and of course, I got to give Acton all of the loving I've been meaning to do! He was a day shy from being a month old and I've been waiting to see him since the day he was born! I didn't want to share him with anyone but, I had to give him up! Everyone started eating hot dogs and chips and then it was time to sing "Happy Birthday" to the birthday girl!! Everyone ate cake and ice cream while she opened all of her gifts! Me and Uncle Benjamin got her a Princess Easy Bake Oven for toddlers that you bake with ice! It was pretty cool looking and of course, she got a Madeline doll and lots of Elmo stuff! She loves Elmo! After her party, everyone went back to Ryan's house and we all sat around talking and laughing! Maddy had a blast with all of the other kids!! Can't wait to see them all again!

Getting ready for Benjamin

We finally have the bed put together and the bedding is on it! We're ready for him to be here but, we have about 7 weeks left! I'm hoping he'll be born in the 5th week, on September 10 or 11! We have put together his swing and are still looking for a changing table and dresser combo! We've still got a WAYS to go for decorating his room but, we've got Danielle painting his monkey paintings to hang on the wall around his bed! We've still got to get the letters to spell out his name over his bed! Seems like I have so much to do and so little time!

Either way, I'm so excited his birth is coming up so soon! I'm the happiest mommy there will ever be! I know I'll miss being pregnant and carrying my little man in my tummy and feeling him roll around and kick and punch but, I'm pretty sure we'll bond in other ways!

I can't wait to meet my little one face to face and hold him and give him the biggest kisses ever! We're going to be such a great family!

I'm totally ready!

Finding out to 32 weeks

Finding out I was pregnant at 20 was so scary. Although, I wasn't totally ready or prepared for the news on January 26, 2009, I was completely excited! I had a few worries but my biggest was telling my mom. I always knew that I'd become a mother some day but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be having a little one at the age of 20! It took 2 weeks to tell my mom that I was pregnant and Ben's family knew right away- I think they were the most excited! 

As soon as we found out we were having a baby, I think we started praying for a boy! I knew deep down it was and pretty soon, we were having our first ultrasound. On April 13, 2009, we were sitting at Auburn Diagnostic, waiting to see the ultrasound tech! That morning, I woke up and told myself, you're going to have a girl- be prepared! Finally, the tech came out to the lobby and called my name! I was so excited but so nervous at the same time! I really wanted a little boy for my first child and since I told myself I would be those 16 weeks, I was so worried she'd be telling me we were having a baby girl! The day of my ultrasound I was suppose to be around 18 weeks. She told me that I was only 16 and that I'd have to come back for another ultrasound because she couldn't see everything she needed to. I was asking so many questions and she told me I had to hold on. I couldn't stop asking if he was a boy or girl. She said she could see the sex and that she was going to get the family. I told "I hope it's a boy". She gave me the craziest look and walked out of the room. While she was getting everyone, I laid on the table and prepared myself to hear "you're having a girl". Even though I really wanted a boy, I was smiling inside thinking I was about to have a baby girl. Everyone came into the room after what seemed like forever- I really wanted to see the baby and see what we were having! Everyone stood around and watched the screen as she showed us his body, head, heart, hands, and legs. Ben was holding my hand so tight when we were getting our first glimpse of our little baby. It took her about 5 minutes to show us everything about the baby and we had worked ourselves up til we couldn't stand it anymore. She started moving around by his little legs and all of a sudden, she said "IT'S A BOY"!! We were thrilled to death! Ben gave me the biggest kiss he had ever given me and I was so excited! After we left the ultrasound place, I went straight to the mall and bought my little man some clothes! My favorite store was Gymboree in Columbus! They had the cutest clothes you could possibly think of! I think I bought every whale outfit they had of the little whales!

Then came our second ultrasound, May 18, 2009,- Benjamin weighed 10 oz and had gained 5 oz since the ultrasound we had from the previous month! At this ultrasound, I was so amazed at how big my little peanut had gotten! He didn't even fit into the ultrasound picture like he did in the first one! I was so shocked but glad to see my little man was growing and was healthy as could be!

A month later, on June 26, 2009, we had our 3d/4d ultrasound. I thought I was shocked at the ultrasound a month before! We got to see our little boy as if he were right in front of us! To my surprise, he weighed 2 pounds and 10 oz! He had gained another 2 pounds! I couldn't believe my eyes when we first got our little peep of what Benjamin looked like! He didn't look anything like I imagined but then again I don't know what I pictured him to look like! He has the cutest chubby cheeks, mommy's nose, and daddy's lips! Exactly what I wanted! She showed us his spine and heart and the four chambers and how the blood went through them. It was amazing actually seeing what he looked like and how his body was forming. After we left Baby Waves, I was so happy and couldn't wait for him to be here! I was almost 27 weeks when we had the ultrasound but the tech told us I was 27 and 4! I was so happy that she was telling me  I had less time to carry him. I knew I still had a while to go but the thought of him being here sooner really made me happy!

Today, I am at 32 weeks and 3 days! I'm counting down the days for Benjamin to be here! I hope he's here sooner than later and hopefully on the 10th or 11th of September and not the 24! I can't imagine what it will be like to hold him in my arms and see him face to face. I am going to miss feeling his little kicks and punches and rolling over in my belly but, I know we're going to bond in many other ways! I can't believe how much I love him and worry about him and he's not even here yet! I love him more than I could ever imagine loving someone!