Ben- 4 days old

When Ben was 4 days old I took him to get some photos taken by Michele Reyes. She was amazing and super sweet. Here is a link to her blog and the pictures of Ben. Although I think all the photos turned out great (because she is super talented) I didn't like the ones with me in them. I was hesitant to pose with the bare shoulders, but I did anyway. I personally don't like them, but I think she did a great job. Anyway check them out...Ben is so super cute. We took a few with Grant and Ben that aren't on her site, but I'll post them soon.

Benjamin Scott Watkins

I'm so happy to say that our little Ben is here. He was born at 3:20 pm on 3/11/11. Everything went perfect- not how I expected, but it was better than I could have dreamed. According to my calculations the little guy was due March 17th, but an early ultrasound made the doctor change that to March 31st- so we were very surprised and caught off guard when he came.

I'll start with this last Wednesday March 9th. I was feeling really good that day and it was warm and sunny. Grant and I had lunch with Jeff at the capitol, then went grocery shopping, and then for a nice 2 hour walk to the park and back. Needless to say I went to bed that night knowing that I did way too much and was going to pay for it the next day! So the next day I had my 37 week appointment with my midwife. She checked my dilation and I was an 'easy' 5 cm. I was so shocked and scared and the same time. Although 37 weeks is full term I didn't want him coming before he was ready. I felt really guilty thinking I did something to make him come early. She told me to go home and take it really easy. I did! I went home and sat for the rest of the day. I let Grant watch cartoons all day and take apart whatever he wanted. Jeff was supposed to be gone until 12 or 1 a.m. because it was the last day of the legislative session and my mom was scheduled for a 4 day trip leaving that night. I put Grant to bed and then the contractions started coming every 10 minutes. My mom called and said that she was able to cancel her trip and she was on her way! It was such a relief to have her there with me even if I wasn't in labor yet. So we tried to sleep until the contractions were about 5 mins apart. I had to feel my stomach every time to make sure I was having one because they didn't hurt and I could hardly feel them. So Jeff got home at 1:30 a.m. and we drove straight to the hospital. They hooked me up to the monitors and they suddenly stopped. I was still at a 5 so they decided to wait a few hours to admit me. Jeff was exhausted so he went home and my mom came to stay with me. They checked me a few hours later and I was at a 6. Still I felt nothing and the contractions were few and far between. We walked around the hospital a lot to try and get things moving, but nothing seemed to work. Around 10 a.m. I was dilated to 7- still with no contractions. The midwife decided that if nothing changed she would break my water around 2 p.m. So she came back and broke my water. Within the hour I was having regular contractions that were pretty bearable. She came back in at 3:10 to check me and that's when things got a little rough. I had been sitting on a birthing ball (which is awesome) to help with the pain, but they needed me to get back on the monitors for a minute. I was reluctant to move, but when I finally did get back on the bed I had to start pushing. I pushed for a really really long 7 minutes and he then he was born! He is 6 lbs 12 oz 20.5 inches. The midwife and pediatrician both agree that he was at least 38.5 weeks and totally ready to come! We have enjoyed having him with us and can't wait for him and Grant to start playing together and becoming friends. Everyone keeps asking if I will do the rest of my deliveries natural...I have no idea! The recovery has been so much better than it was with Grant. I was only in pain for 20 minutes, but it was pretty intense. So I dunno...maybe the next time around I'll have forgotten about the pain and try it out again!! All I know for sure is that it won't be for a really long time :)