I have Succeeded!!!

I thought it was fitting to post this on my pregnancy blog - even though I'm no longer pregnant. I found out with Jack that boobs will get smaller than they once were after breastfeeding. They did. I was small to begin with, probably not even a size A (bless my heart). Now, after stopping breastfeeding with Ben, I have successfully completed my mission to have THE smallest breasts in the United States, if not the World.

Aaaahhh, the reward for being "sick all day"!

Benjamin George Pruden ("Ben"), born March 17th, 2009. Ben was 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 20" long.

Ben is just so precious and sweet. His little face just begs to be eaten up. He looks just like his brother, Jack. I can't wait to have the time (and energy) to put together a new blog for the brothers. It can't stay, The House that Jack built.

My c-section was a success. Sam and I actually talked and joked through the surgery until Ben came out, then I was all happy tears. I didn't feel a thing (unlike my section with Mr. Jack). St. Mary's Hospital also gave me the best stay as a new mom. All the nurses and staff were fantastic and everyone that works at that hospital seem to like their job. I can't say enough good about my experience. Below are just a few pictures. More to come...

Baby Day and What I woke up thinking. . .

I woke up several times through the night (not unusual) but at 5 am, there was no going back to sleep. I laid in bed and this bible verse came to my mind and I wanted to share:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4: 6-7.

If you read this blog today, please keep me and baby boy in your prayers. Thank you.

The last Belly Picture - really.

Sam asked me what I wanted as my "last meal". (It sounds like I'm going off to be executed). I wanted shrimp fra diablo and boy was it yummy. My last meal before giving birth would actually be tonight, but Sam couldn't guarantee that he could be home in time to cook for me, so last night was the night. Memom was here, too. Jack is doing really well with Memom and has been off-the-charts sweet and so well-behaved.

Mom is practicing taking pictures and uploading them on my computer so she can send them out when the baby is born. She did a lot of practicing last night. These are pics from her camera.

Last belly shot . . . probably

My mom was wanting a more recent picture of my belly so I had Sam take one. It really doesn't do it justice because I'm sitting down. I think it looks even bigger while standing. I wanted to make sure my face wasn't in the picture.

What I've been feeling like:

Swollen in my face and hands. I can still see my ankle bones. Fat, fat, fat. Waddling everywhere, especially at night when I get up to pee. Upper, left quadrant back pain (feels like my back is on fire). Contractions continue, more vigorous and consistent at night. The last two days I've felt as though I can't get enough sleep and have been light-headed. Irritable.

A Saint Patrick's Day baby. . . maybe

I went to the doctor this morning and was placed on the schedule for March 17th at noon. That is three weeks from yesterday - yikes! I still have alot to do and I better get to doing it as the doctor feels I will likely go before then. Since I'm typing it and saying it out loud, I hope that means it doesn't happen (going early).

Jack goes to the Doctor with me

My doctor appointment was changed to the afternoon, so I had to take Jack with me. He was well prepared for the outing with books, some toys, coloring books and crayons. In the waiting room, he was just dying for this lady in the waiting room to talk to him. She didn't speak English (as I heard her on her phone). He was doing everything in his power to get her attention. She never reciprocated (what is wrong with people?).

So I drilled it in his head that he has to do exactly what I say and must be quiet when the doctor is talking to and examining me. The first thing I have to do is pee in a cup for them to check my urine. He goes with me and takes a pee as well. He's fascinated by my peeing in a cup. He says,

"Maybe when I go to the doctor next time, I can pee in a cup!"

Then, after being an angel, so good and sitting in his chair after it's all over, he says:

"Mommy, when I'm a big boy and have a baby in my belly, maybe you can come to the doctor with me and sit in the chair quietly." The doctor, nurse and a med student got a big kick out of it. Dr. Peterson told Jack that he could come back anytime he wants to.