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.