Benjamin Brian Bauer

My beautiful son, Benjamin Brian Bauer was born on February 22, 2010 at 9:57 p.m., weighing 7 lbs 2 oz, and measuring 19 inches long.

This labor experience was like night and day how different it was compared to Lily's. I woke up at 5:30 am on Monday and felt a kind of leak, like my water maybe had broken. I wasn't totally sure so I went back to bed and thought I'd call the doctor when they opened at 8. I even sent Brian to work that morning I was so not sure my water had broken. After a couple of hours I was getting more and more sure that it was most likely amniotic fluid I was leaking but I was in no rush to get to the hospital because of the way that Lily's labor experience was for me. After calling the doctor I made an appointment at 1:00 pm to come in and to check to see if it was amniotic fluid I was leaking. I spent the day putting my bags together and getting last minute things done. I was having very irregular light contractions, so I was still considering what I was going through very early labor or even false labor. We got to the doctor's office and it was definitely amniotic fluid and I was dilated to 3 cm! They wanted me to get to the hospital right away. I was pleasantly surprised so me and Brian went back to the house and got our bags and headed to the hospital. We finally got settled there by 2:30 pm. They hooked me up to pitocin right away because I wasn't having regular contractions. The pitocin really started working and by 5:30 I couldn't handle the pain anymore and got an epidural. I am still amazed how people go through labor without one now. I was checked at 6:00 pm and was dilated to 4 and half cm. I was happy the pain being gone but I reacted pretty strongly to the epidural and was very numb to the point that I couldn't move my legs and would get very shaky and nauseous. But it was worth not feeling every contraction. And I really got to relax which was a good advantage for me because by 7:00 pm, I was dialted to 7 cm! I was ecstatic! I didn't even get that far with Lily! At 8:00 pm they checked me again and I was at 9 cm, and then by 9:00 pm I was fully dilated. I couldn't believe how quickly I progressed! It was an amazing experience. I was now excited to get the baby out, my shakiness went away and I was ready to push the baby out. Pushing was very easy for me, they said I was a natural at it! I was so relaxed and happy at this point I was actually laughing in between pushes. After about a half hour of pushing, I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy. They placed him on my tummy and I was crying tears of absolute joy. I had finally gotten the labor experience I had hoped for and I had this baby boy that I am absolutely crazy over. Recovery from a vaginal birth as opposed to a c-section is so different. I was so happy to be able to move around and get out of bed. I didn't have to take a drug cocktail that left me woozy and tired. Instead I had an incredible high and felt as if I needed to get up and clean the house. I feel so elated, proud, and almost powerful to have had my baby the natural way.

Just a few minutes old

Meeting my baby boy

So elated and happy

My sweet baby boy

What a sweetie

Proud Mommy

I am so impressed with the way Brian was such an awesome support for me during and after labor. He helped me through every contraction with words of encouragement. He's been so helpful with Ben and with Lily. He's done such a good job taking care of me as I recover from childbirth. I'm so happy to have a husband like him.

Proud Daddy

Lily couldn't come to the hospital to visit because the day I was going into labor, she had a fever and a bad cold. So when we finally got home, Lily got to meet her little brother. She was so excited to meet him. She runs up to me and says, "Baby Baboo is so cute Mama." She got to hold him for the first time and had the sweetest look on her face. She's such a proud sister.

Sweet new big sister

I really feel like the luckiest girl alive. I have a wonderful husband who can help me get through anything, and 2 beautiful children who I love more than anything.

Precious

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is Good! His love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

20 days and counting...or LESS!

37 weeks - 9 months (don't mind my very sleepy looking eyes, I don't sleep much)

Less than 3 weeks and counting. Time is definitely flying by so fast. My midwife predicts I have at least 1 or 2 more weeks. I haven't really progressed any further than last week so I'm happy I'll be pregnant for until 38 weeks and have a fully "cooked" baby. I thought I was going into early labor last week so it was a relief it was just a false alarm. I'm fully ready for the baby to get here. The bassinet is up, the clothes are washed and folded, bags are partially packed, and I'm even 2 weeks ahead in my very challenging Biology class. I am very uncomfortable and so tired all the time. I can't wait to have my baby soon.

Lily really got me laughing this week. She put her new Bilibo toy up to her tummy and said, "Mama, I have a Baboo tummy." I cracked up and had to get a picture of my pregnant little girl. I guess I definitely look pregnant cause she's really noticed a change. She can't wait for her baby brother to come out and for Mommy's tummy to be little again. Mommy can't wait to have a little tummy again too.

We had a great Valentine's Day. Or what I told Lily, Love day. We took Lily to the zoo one last time before the baby gets here. We'll also be going out to eat tonight. I feel so blessed to have a sweet family who loves me so much!

My two loves

Counting down the days

Today we are now at 4 weeks until the big day. I went to see the doctor who would perform my c-section if I end up having one. She was semi-encouraging but not an entirely optimistic person. I'm very glad that my midwife is my main provider and she's just the backup. Both of the doctors do suggest the epidural this time around so that is probably going to be the plan. I did find out I was 1 cm dilated, 80% effaced and the baby's at -1 station. I was very surprised to find I was already dilating. It makes me excited and nervous! But I could stay at 1 cm for a few weeks without actually going into labor. I really want my mom to be here so I'm hoping that sweet Baboo will wait and still be a March baby. Like most mom's who are in their very last month of pregnancy I've been very uncomfortable. I don't get much sleep these days because I just can't get into a deep sleep. I have a lot of aches and pains that makes me excited for my pregnancy to end. I think if I could pick Baboo's birthday I would pick March 2nd. Mostly because of the very cool birthday he'd have of 3/2/10 (3-2-1-0 BLASTOFF). I think we've narrowed Baboo's real name down but we're going to wait until we meet him to make the final decision. I don't think I feel entirely ready for Baboo to get here but I'm so excited to meet the sweet baby that I've been dreaming about and carrying in the tummy for the past months.

Today is also Lily's half birthday. I can't believe I have a 3 and a half year old. And in 6 months I'll have 2 kids, one of which is 4! It's making me feel old. Lily has really grown up the past 6 months. She is doing so well with her potty training. She comes up with new actual understandable words every single day. I guess the hundreds of books I read her and the countless trips to the library's storytime have finally really payed off. She is quite a big girl. She has such a great deal of empathy which makes her such a sweet girl. I'm amazed at how well she shares for someone her age. She really enjoys playing with other kids. As a 3 1/2 year old her favorite things to do are to read and draw. She also loves playing with her trains. She loves to take her baby dolls out in her stroller. She has an endless supply of energy. She loves to run, jump, and dance. Lily is quite inventive and is always thinking of new games to play. She's so excited to be a big sister and I know that she's ready. So happy half birthday Lily! I love you so much!