Big Brother

Andrew was so ready for "baby brother" to get here. I am sure he felt like I was pregnant forever. He was probably wondering if this baby thing was ever really going to happen. Andrew finally got to meet Lucas on Wednesday morning. By the time we were all settled after Lucas was born on Tuesday it was too late for Andrew to come. I had no idea how Andrew would react to him, but it has been so much better than I ever imagined. Andrew loves Lucas so much. It is amazing to watch Andrew be a big brother. He probably kisses Lucas 50 times a day and that is no exaggeration. Andrew loves to kiss, hug, and hold him. He is such a big helper too! Overall, Andrew has done really well with the new change in our routine. He has had his fair share of not listening and acting out, but nothing major. I love that we are a family of four now!

4th of July

 

Lucas Benjamin

Now that I am a mom of two I am finding it much harder to find the time to blog. Just be prepared for blog posts that are a little behind :)

Lucas was born on Tuesday, June 18th!! I had an appointment that day and the doctor told me that I was still 3cm and 75% effaced :( I was so bummed that I hadn't progressed because that weekend Mark and I did so much walking!! I also didn't feel well on Monday night so I thought things were happening. She offered to strip my membranes to see if that would start something. She also put me on the non stress test to look at the baby's heart rate and to see if I was having any contractions. Baby's heart rate was good and I was having contractions every 2 minutes!!

She told me to go home to eat some lunch and try walking. Then she said to come back before they close so she could check to see if I progressed anymore. When I went home the contractions started to hurt more. I ate and went to target to walk around. I was so worried the Dr was going to say that I did not progress. When I went back she said I was 4 cm and 80%. She said to go to the hospital and she will be there in about an hour to break my water!! Ahhh!! I get to meet my baby!! I was so excited. I had to make plenty of phone calls on my way to hospital. My mom was able to leave work to head out here to watch Andrew. Mark dropped Andrew off with a friend and he was on his way.

 

At around 5:00 the Dr was there to break my water. Mark was on his way and so was my friend Bev who was going to take pictures for us. After they broke my water the contractions came on like crazy!! It was no fun waiting for Mark to get there! I cannot believe people have babies with no medication! It was so painful. Mark arrived at 5:30 and then they came to give me an epidural. That made things much better. Bev arrived around 6:00. A little after 6:00 they said I was at 6cm and they would come back and check me in an hour.

Mark had dinner because we thought we were going to be there a while.

Maybe we were having a little too much fun waiting for Lucas!

When they came back to check me I was 9cm and they said it is time!! We were shocked!!

It's game time!!

 

I told the Dr that I am not a good pusher because I pushed with Andrew for 3.5 hours!! The Dr said lets do a push to see and I guess I was a good pusher. After pushing with 4 contractions he was here!!! It was so amazing!!!

Lucas Benjamin was born at 7:43pm. He was 8lbs 5oz and 21in. He was perfect!!! I fell in love the minute I saw him.

The Dr and nurses were obsessed with his hair!!

I am so thankful that God blessed us with another healthy boy. I am so lucky to have Mark, Andrew, and Lucas!! I am overwhelmed with how much I love them!! Andrew is such an amazing big brother. The next post will be all about what Andrew thinks about all of this :)

 

Andrew Time

I was just about to send this out and then we had a little addition to our family!! Time to catch up!!

These last few weeks we have really been trying to enjoy our time with Andrew. With the baby coming so soon it feels a little bittersweet. We are all so excited, but I am definitely worried about how my relationship with Andrew will change. I know it will all work out in the end! I have just been trying to enjoy all of the little moments. Andrew and I have been through so much together for the last three and a half years. He taught me how to be a mom and I love him so much for that. He also taught me how to love in a way I never knew was possible. At 3 1/2 this little guy cracks me up on a regular basis!! He makes me laugh and smile every day. His little personality is amazing and all he wants to do is learn new things. He is so emotional and truly has such a big heart. He is so excited for his baby brother and I know he will be such an amazing big brother!! Here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks.

We took a trip to PBS in the park. We got to meet Daniel Tiger and Curious George!

Indian's Minor League Game!!

Lunch with my buddy

Our first trip to Build A Bear

Playing with Daddy at the soccer the fields

Spending time outside

Chuck E Cheese

 

Duck Dynasty on Father's Day

Thanks to our awesome friends Adam and Amber we had the opportunity to see Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty talk at their church on Father's Day! Mark and I are big fans of the show. I am pretty sure it is my favorite show right now. Every episode makes me laugh and I love that they tie their faith into the show. It was very interesting seeing Willie. He seems like such a down to earth person. He is pretty much the same in person as he is on the show. It was so interesting hearing some of the stories he told. He talked about his dad's story naturally because it was Father's Day. It is just so awesome to see the way God has blessed their family and they seem to be such great people. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to meet him. Amber and I were think maybe I could go into labor in the middle of the service and then I would get the chance to meet him :) I think Mark really enjoyed it to for Father's Day.

 

38 Weeks

Finally at 38 weeks!!  This pregnancy feels like it flew by.  I remember thinking in the beginning and middle that I felt like June was so far away!!  Last week at my appointment the Dr said I am 3 cm and 75% effaced!  We are still heading in the right direction!  After my appointment on Friday I thought for sure the baby would come in the next few days.  I guess my body is ready for him to come out, but he isn't ready.  I have another appointment this Tuesday morning so we will see!!  I did do a ton of walking this weekend but I guess that didn't really bother him.

We also had another ultrasound at this appointment to check his size and my fluid level.  Fluid was good and he was measuring 7lbs 9oz.  His head is still big, but not huge.  His head measured 40 weeks and body was about 38.5 weeks.  I cannot wait to see how accurate this is because I never had an ultrasound with Andrew after 20 weeks.  I didn't really get any good pictures of him this time because his hands were in front of his face the whole time. 

Total weight gain: +35 lbs  I just need to maintain from here! 

Gender: Boy!!! I can't wait to see his sweet little face!

Movement: Big kicks in my right side.

Sleep: Sleep still isn't great.  I wake up and then cannot go back to sleep. 

What I miss: Where do I begin?  I miss everything about being normal sized!!  My body is starting to get very uncomfortable. 

Cravings: Fresh Fruit

36 Weeks

Almost there!! I started my every week appointments last Thursday. TMI Warning, This past week the Dr checked me and said I was 2 cm dilated and 50 % effaced so we are heading in the right direction. She said that her guess is the baby will come at 38 weeks. She said I should have a much easier labor this time because I am already starting to dilate on my own. I really hope that is true. I only got to 1 cm with Andrew and then was induced at 39 weeks. It was a 23 hour labor!! It would be great if this baby is shorter :) We were a little nervous this past weekend because Mark was in Missouri for a wedding. Thankfully we made it through the weekend with no baby!!!

Total weight gain: +32 lbs This is when I really pack it on at the end! My goal is not to gain more than 35 lbs. I really need to stop eating cupcakes!

Gender: Boy!!! Still no official name. We are thinking Lucas, so we will see. Don't get too excited because Andrew was going to be Owen until we first saw him :)

Movement: Movement seems to be more frequent this week.

Sleep: Sleep is not awesome right now. I have to pee at least 4 times at night and then around 3:00am I just lay there awake. Not sure why. I guess my body is just trying to get me ready this time!

What I miss: Being able to do anything comfortably! I can't hold Andrew, put on shoes or clothes easily, hurts to bend over to pick up things...

Cravings: Still watermelon!! I want some right now just typing this out. Cupcakes and sweets are starting to creep up on me too.

 

We're Having a Baby This Month!!

I can't believe that June is finally here!! We are hopefully having a baby this month. He better not wait until July! His official due date is June 29th. We are so excited to meet him. We are pretty much ready. We still need to install the car seat and hang up a few things in the nursery. I did some shopping for the baby this past weekend for all of the last minute essentials (thanks to my awesome neighbor for the gift card).

This baby has been so blessed already from my generous friends and family!! I had my last Mom's Night Out a few weekends ago with the moms from Andrew's play group. We went to Stonecreek for dinner and they brought gifts and amazing cupcakes!! They are so awesome! What more could a pregnant girl ask for...food, cupcakes, and gifts?? I am so blessed to call these girls my friends. I would be lost without them. There are three of us pregnant right now!!

My friend Stephanie is due in July and she is having a girl.

All of the girls pitched in to get me this. They are awesome!!

Baby Brother also received gifts from some of my awesome friends in Cincinnati that I got to see a few weekends ago. My friend Emme had her wedding shower. It was so good to catch up and see them.

We also got a new baby item from Grandma that I am super excited about. Andrew never slept in his bassinet when he was a baby so we decided to try this little thing for him to sleep in at night. I have heard a lot of good things about it so I hope he sleeps like a baby in it :) "Sleeps like a baby" Ha!! Whoever started that saying was just straight crazy!! I also got out all of Andrew's old baby gear.

I had to show this adorable little diaper motorcycle that one of the ladies at Starbucks made. It was so sweet of her to do this and it totally made my day!! It doesn't get much cuter than that! I think you know you have a "problem" when you get a baby gift from one of the girls at Starbucks ;)

We are just so excited to meet this little man!! I just can't wait to bring him home and start our new family of four! I am not in any hurry yet to get him out because I still have a few things to do and he needs to grow more. The countdown begins!! Less than 4 weeks to go!