October 18th @ 12:10am

Introducing Benedict Ethan!

9 pounds 13 ounces, 21.5 inches long

Labor was pretty textbook and much easier than what I went through with Sam.  From the time I was given meds to thin my cervix till he was born was about 13 hours.  Much better than 30!  And this kid broke my water for me in the most interesting of ways.  I was sitting up in the hospital bed reading when he bucked HARD like a horse inside of me and I heard a pop.  It shocked me so much that I yelped and scared the crap out of Morgan.  A few seconds later I noticed that I was leaking and then flooded the bed.  TMI, I know. But it was so freaky!

Ben is 10 kinds of awesome!  He looks almost EXACTLY like newborn Sam.  I mean, carbon copy likeness.  To the point that both Morgan and I keep catching ourselves calling him Sam.  He's a very good natured baby unless he is hungry.  Then watch out!  His appetite is pretty amazing.

We are home now.  Everyone is happy and healthy.  Ben didn't get named till Sunday, the day we were leaving the hospital, and we actually ended up filling out two sets of birth certificate forms because we weren't sure which name we were going to turn in when the paperwork lady came around to make things official.  Things are going pretty good except for a rough patch here and there as we adjust to our new family unit.  Really, we couldn't be happier!

38 Weeks

Right now I am 38 weeks 3 days pregnant with Jaba the Hutt.  Sam came on his own accord at 38 weeks 6 days.  Whereas I know that means nothing, I'm using it to keep hope alive that I will naturally start labor in the coming days.  But no matter what I'm getting induced in the wee hours of the 17th.  The end is near!

A couple weeks ago (36 weeks) I had a second growth ultrasound which revealed an estimated 8 pounds 8 ounce child within me.  Can I get an Amen and an Oof?  Which is why at 37.5 weeks my Dr did a membrane sweep to try to get things moving and went ahead and scheduled my induction for the day I turn 39 weeks just in case.  That first membrane sweep didn't bring on labor, but hopefully the one I will get tomorrow morning will.  I'm nervous about being able to fit Jaba out since I was barely able to get Sam out.  I'm also nervous about induction because I know Pitocin causes more painful contractions.  I labored with Sam for 30 hours. . . umm. . . .yeah.  That sounds awesome.

In other kid news, Sam has gone through two back to back growth spurts which have led to a kid who's sense of balance is way off!  As in his face is a magnet to all things sharp or hard.  So many bruises, scratches, and bumps.  Poor kid looks like an abused orphan.

Say what, Momma?

Anxiety lives here full time right now.  I'm nervous about my mom (who keeps saying she's going to cut his hair and I will cause her bodily harm if she does) staying with Sam for a few days while I'm in the hospital, anxiety over breastfeeding, anxious about when labor will start and how things will go, and I'm trying like hell to keep my house at some acceptable level of clean while being so huge I can barely move.  And of course the government shutdown.  Can't forget that.  Morgan is the only bread winner in this family and he's been off work for 2 weeks unpaid at this point.  Awesome.  But at least him being off work has made the tail end of my pregnancy a little easier since he can chase the kid and help clean/nest!  Silver lining, people.  Silver lining.

I love Daddy more 'cause he can still run and chase me!

The end is near.  So near.  Wish us luck as our family grows yet again and most likely for the last time!  I can't wait to see this little boy.  I know he has a full head of hair since you can see it in the ultrasound photos, but what color is it?  How pudgy will those cheeks be?  How will Sam react?  It's gonna be exciting, stressful, and wonderful!