Benjamin's Pregnancy Book

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You Are My SONshine

March 19, 2012 is the day we would be welcoming our second child and first son into this world. I woke early at 2AM to get ready for this special day. Of course at 3AM when we were finalizing everything to leave Olivia woke up and Aunt Jamie who stayed at our house to take care of her while we were in the hospital tried to get her back to sleep. But Olivia protested, crying for "Mommy, Daddy, in there, see em!" I tried to stay in our room but after it continued she brought her into our bed. Kids have a sense of what is coming.

Finally at 3:30AM we were packed up in the car and on our way to Winni Palmer where we were checked in by 4AM and WAITING. Waiting for a room for 30 minutes, could it have been that busy that early in the morning. Did I mention I had been having contractions since I woke up and all on my own.

Ben hanging out in the waiting room on the delivery floor.

By 5:30 that morning we were tucked in our room with Pitocin running through my IV. When the nurse checked me there was no change from my last appointment 5 days before I was still 1.5 centimeters dilated. Let's hope for some movement in the next few hours.

The contractions began coming pretty quickly and by shift change I still had made no progress. After Dr. Peppy came in and checked me the nurses were ready for me to get up and spend some time on the birthing ball. So it was up and out of bed for me, not that I minded I wasn't resting anyway.

My Mom was there by 8 to hang out with us and let Ben get some breakfast, you know the breakfast of champs...Monster Energy Drinks. Meanwhile I was already starving and it was proving to be a long day after only a few hours. We spent lots of time watching the morning shows, reading gossip mags, and chatting. Papa, Aunt Julie, Nana, and Grandpa made it by mid morning and gave me more people to talk to.

Dr. Peppy came in again around 10 and checked again, I was at 2 centimeters. What that's it? He wasn't really excited about that and neither was I. Back to the birthing ball. I even got a push present a little early from my wonderful husband, a beautiful bracelet with Olivia and Benjamin's initials on it. Perfect!



Pardon the orange lips I had a orange Popsicle.

Over the next 2 hours my contractions were continuing to come between 2-3 minutes and were pretty strong but not strong enough to get my epidural just yet. So we continued to hang out and really the only changes were the faces in the room as family rotated in and out. I actually started to get a migraine at one point and spoke to a nurse right away, that would not be a good situation to be in labor with a migraine. They gave me some Tylenol and I snuck a few sips of coke to see if the caffeine would speed it up a bit. I rested a bit too. Thankfully about 30 minutes later that was gone.

Around lunch time Dr. Peppy came in again to check me and again we have made no progress. He didn't want to break my water because of the chances of Benjamin falling on his umbilical cord since he was still floating. So he gave us 2 choices that after 12 hours on Pitocin and by 5PM we would have to make. The choices being: 1. Stop the pitocin and after resting for 8-10 hours begin the process again to see if we would be able to progress. 2. Being to go ahead with a c-section.

Ben and I discussed it, consulted with Mom and came to the decision that we would move ahead with the 2nd, a c-section if it came to that. But we still had 4 hours to make some progress. After dealing with much pain from the contractions and hearing about getting a walking epidural (which I had never heard of before, where you get the epidural but the drugs that come through are ones where your legs still work) I decided it was time for that around 3PM. Not bad not as easy as my first one with Olivia but hey it's a needle in your spine. Once we got settled after that the nurses came in to get me back on the ball to see if we could get this kid to drop and Aunt Jamie came in as well.



This was taken by Jamie as I was trying to steady myself on the birthing ball, which is not an easy task when the drugs are making you feel like you just drank yourself around the world at Epcot. Wow they sure didn't agree with me. Mom posted herself in the chair next to me and Dave stood behind me to ensure that would not fall off. The lovely drugs also made me feel completely nauseous and that was followed by throwing up in the first thing Mom and Dave could find. This is turning out to be so much fun.

By 5PM Dr. Peppy came in to check one last time to see where we were, which was a big fat bust, still 2cm. So it was decision time, I told him that we decided to move forward with a C-section. He went through some things with us, most of which I don't remember and he gave me a big hug and said that it would be just fine. Once he left the room I just started crying, not because I felt like I gave up but just because I never thought it would come to this. Thankfully Mom was right there with me and so was Ben. I'm not sure what I would have done without them.

Things moved pretty quickly after this, I was almost immediately dressed in a different gown, had my hair in a net, and then I got hot, damn gown. Family started rotating in to visit before we headed to the OR and my poor Dad didn't want to leave, he was so nervous. Not that I wasn't anxiety medicine would have been great at this time. Once I was dressed for surgery we had to wait there were 2 people ahead of me. Needless to say I had lots of time to sit there and think about what was going to happen. The good thing is that the room was full of people. Ben and Mom stayed with me, the nurses were there almost the whole time, the anesthesiologist that would be with me in the room was there, and several others whom I have no idea who they were.

Finally about 7PM it was time and I was numb from the chest down, that only took forever. They kept checking to see how the medicine was working and I could feel the sharp thing they were pinching me with on the left side. Oh yea! Final kisses from Mom whom I am surprised did not talk her way into the operating room, she didn't want to leave me either and orders to Ben to take good care of me. It was time, somehow I was moved into another bed and rolled down the hall. We ran into Dr. Peppy just before we entered the room and he told me something to calm me.

Daddy all ready to meet me and his son!

 The operating room was so bright, cold, and white. All I could see was pretty much what was over head and they were just big lights. Until they rolled me onto my sides to move me to the operating table. That's when I saw where they were going to put Benjamin when he arrived. Only a few more minutes now! They prepped me and it was time for Ben to meet me at the table. I looked at him and could see in his eyes he was just as nervous as I was, thank god it's not just me. Within minutes I heard Dr. Peppy say "Holy shit get that kid on a scale! Good call on the C-Section guys.", as he held our new bundle over the curtain for us to see. He was beautiful!

Ben was able to go be with Benjamin as he was weighed and measured, and while they did his feet prints.

Benjamin James Morse Junior

March 19, 2012

9lbs. 8oz.

19 1/2 In.

This was the most amazing moment right next to when they places Olivia in my arms! I can't imagine how much more amazing our lives are going to be from this moment on.

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Proud Daddy and his baby BOY!

While I was being closed up Ben was able to take the little guy to see the rest of the family who were eagerly waiting to meet him. It may have been a brief time but they all fell in love with him just like his Sister. Then Ben and Benjamin met me in the recovery room where we had to wait a little while till I got some feeling back in my legs.


Hanging out with my little man!

 By the time we got up to our room it was late but our parents and Aunt Vicky and Uncle DJ were able to come see us for a few minutes. All in all it was a good experience and we are thrilled to have a new member in our family.

Before 3 Becomes 4

We spent our final weekend as a family of 3!

Saturday we had a neighborhood garage sale so we spent the morning at home. I was even able to get almost all the laundry done, whew that is an undertaking. That night I was lucky to get a couple of hours with Elizabeth and Kristen to see a movie while Daddy and Olivia had dinner with Nana and Grandpa.

Sunday we just hung out at home and played with the little munchkin, even sneaking in some almost nap time. She was cooperating for that I guess she was just to excited. We headed out to run one errand and stop by Mommom and Pop's before we had dinner. Great Grandpop wouldn't be coming to the hospital after we deliver because he recently had surgery, so we wanted to see him before we were admitted.

Since Chili's is one of our favorite places to visit not only for the margarita's (since I can't have those right now) but the dessert as well. We had our last dinner as a family of 3 there to celebrate. This is where Ben and I went on May 20, 2010 the night before we were admitted to be induced with Olivia. We thought it was a nice tradition to have and she had a blast even though her face doesn't show it much.

Our little growing family spent the rest of the night playing and watching some Discovery Channel show about Antarctica which Olivia just loved. We tried to make it an early night but I think there was just to much to be excited about because Olivia didn't fall asleep until after 10 PM. Geeze 2 AM sure will come early. 

Scared

Since our appointment on Wednesday and hearing about the possiblity of having to go through C-section I have been doing my research. I read about it during my first pregnancy but not all in depth. Just enough to have a clue. This time it was different and I needed to know everything. I am very much a controlling person and like to know the outcome of everything and this is out of my control and that scares the crap out of me. I read everything I could online and I also emailed a few friends who had "been there done that," one even with my doctor. They all were so kind to tell me great information on their own experiences and helped to answer many of my questions. It's so nice to hear from people who have recently been through something. We also got great support from family and friends. Calls, texts, and emails came through with kind words of encouragement and love. I never thought thing would come down to having to chose a c-section if things didn't go well during labor. But at least I feel prepaired for the possiblity.

Olivia's 1st Braves Game

Over the past few month's I have been working on an event for my company and last night we got to attend. It all went off with only one slight hitch, thankfully!!! We all headed to the Braves Spring Training Game and I was able to bring Jamie who is taking over for me while I am on Maternity Leave from work and Olivia. Nana, Grandpa, and Uncle DJ were invited as well, special clients in a small world. Everything was great, Olivia loved watching the game and the fireworks (she is totally my child, I love them and so does Ben).

Technically this is not Olivia's 1st Braves Game. 2 years ago Ben and I attended the Braves Event as Darla's guest for the same CIBER event and I was 2 month's away from having Olivia. It's strange how things come about like that.

Braves Game March 2010

Just taking in the game, which she loved. Papa would have been so proud.



Olivia and Aunt Jamie!





Olivia just hanging out with her God Parents! 3 pees in a pod that's for sure. We couldn't have picked more appropriate people for her!



My BABIES! Next Year I will have to bring them both back and get another Picture.



38 Weeks {Benjamin}

Today was our final appointment before the little man makes his arrival. We had another sonogram to measure the fluid and the baby's weight. Everything looked great, the fluid levels went from 26 to 23, and the baby is now measuring approximately 9.6lbs which is up from 8lbs 2 weeks ago. Now we all know these tests have about a 15% chance of being wrong. We shall see about that!

We got to see his little face today the way that he was turned into the sonogram it was so neat to see his little features. I will scan them in tomorrow and put them up to share.

After the sonogram we saw Dr. Peppy and went over a lot of information (a little overwhelmed here) and have our final game plan all ready. There is a 50/50 chance that the baby may not fit and could have to have his humorous or collarbone broken to get him out (remember I am only 5'1 so I may not have the space to get out a little chunky monkey). So the plan is to be induced normally at 4am on Monday morning and if anything goes just a little off of a normal path I will have a c-section right away. Thankfully I trust my doctor completely and am very grateful that he will be there with me the whole time.

Now that I have calmed myself and been reassured by my Mommy and sweet texts and calls from my family and girlfriends, I think I can make it through the weekend. I know that seeing his little face will make things all better and I won't care how he got here, but I maybe a margarita might help just that much more.

37 Weeks {Benjamin}

Another great appointment has come and gone. Visited with Dr. Peppy and was told again that I am not dilated at all, seriously what is it with my body wanting to keep my kids inside? Other then that we had our stress test. That went well we even had a big contraction during it plus lots of small ones that I didn't notice. But Benjamin reacted well to everything which was just what the Dr. wanted to see.

On a side note I was thankful that I was coming from work for this appointment and looked pretty good. Why you ask? Only because I was asked to do an interview for the Physicians Associates Practice about that I thought of everything. Yup I am going to be a movie star! Haha, so I agreed since I love my Dr. and his staff, all the while not knowing that I was doing this in front of a camera. I began to put that together when I had to sign a waver and my favorite nurse yelled, "haha we set you up, love you!". Thank you T! When I get the piece that they are putting together I will try to post it here. Only great feedback because really I have nothing bad to say about them.

Deja Vu {36 Weeks B}

Please notice the shadow, I am not quite that big! :)

36 Weeks has brought us a sense of, "haven't we been here before?". Yesterday we began our day with what would have been our last ultrasound followed by our now weekly visits with Dr. P. We took Olivia to visit with her brother and Aunt Jamie came along as well.

The ultrasound was amazing as always, little boy was all smashed up with his hands in front of his face, much like Olivia used to do. We got to hear his heartbeat a very strong 153 BMP's and I love hearing this. They measured to see what he weighs currently which is approximately 8lbs. What? Can we move up the due date please? Then Deja Vu kicked in for the first time, my amniotic fluid levels are up, again. This is something we had a problem with when we were pregnant with Olivia. 25 is the average and we are at 26, which isn't a huge deal as long as it doesn't continue to rise.



Foot with hand (knuckles) right next to it.



His little profile waving at us.



Ben is very proud of this one. Not sure why guys are so excited about these
photos.

Once the ultrasound was over Aunt Jamie took Olivia to Mommom's and Ben and I got to visit with Dr. P. He was surprised to hear how much Benjamin weighs but assures me that I will be fine, he also checked against Olivia's records. At her 36 week ultrasound to her birth she only gained 5ozs, this made me feel a little better. I was also checked which will now be a weekly thing, and Deja Vu #2 struck, no progress, not dilated at all. Boo!

Ok so here is our game plan: Tuesday (March 6) Dr. appointment with a stress test to ensure that all is well. Then next Wednesday (March 14) we have another ultrasound to remeasure Benjamin and the amniotic fluid. After that we visit with Dr. P. if the fluids make a drastic rise we will be induced that day. Other wise we will be induced the following week, depending on when Dr. P is on call.

In other news we have graduated from Braxton Hicks to REAL contractions and when I say real I mean they are almost 2 minutes long. They aren't consistent but damn they hurt! So there we have it, the update! We will surely have a baby in the next 3 weeks.

Nursery Update #2

As of yesterday here is where my list stands. I am feeling much less stressed over the things that I need to accomplish for his nursery since they all seem much more managable now. I washed all his linens, towels, and most blankets yesterday. I also was able to get 2 loads of his clothes done, wow it was so different to wash clothes wihtout having a ton of pinks. So strange.


These are still the piles that I need to do!

His room is still a disaster of things everywhere, but we were able to get somethings up on the walls, the bedding is on, and I think I have almost all of the little decor items that I wanted.


His little dresser loaded down with clean blankets! His little bath
robe is hung and waiting on him. Everything else still needs to be
organized and placed appropriately.



See what I mean about a complete mess!




I love his bedding, it looks so great in the room, and the colors are perfect. I would feel like I was on a boat somewhere if it weren't for the mess that I was looking at.

34.5 Weeks {Benjamin}

The end is going much faster then I thought it would, thank goodness for a very busy February! I visited Dr. P yesterday and we once again had a very good visit. He checked Benjamin's heart rate and again it was a strong 141 BPM's and he couldn't believe how active he is, he watched him move all over. I also got what is good news even though I don't want to get my hopes up, if I start to show progression I will be induced in the 39th week (reminder: with Olivia I didn't do anything until we went to the hospital at 40 weeks to be induced). Unless things happen naturally on their own sooner, that would be good too. So I am praying to the cervix gods that mine will cooperate and we will meet the little man before his due date.

Baby Benjamin dancing in my belly last night! This is pretty much

what I do each night when I lay down, just watch him. 



Little Man Shower

With the up coming arrival of a second child many people are not lucky enough to have a second baby shower. However I have amazing family and friends, my sister and best friend threw a wonderful shower for us on Saturday. To say the least I was honored! 

The Hostess'

There were bow ties, neck ties, and mustaches galore, oh and a photo booth! The decorations were beautiful and the food was delicious.

Photo Fun

I think I want a photo booth at every event, because it was so much fun.

There were also the unconventional baby shower games, like get the Oreo from your forehead to your mouth with no hands, and build a "baby" ruth a cradle.

Benjamin was showered with so many wonderful things, he will have a closet and shoe collection to rival his sister's, fluffy blankets, new toys, and all the other necessities. Maybe my mind will rest now.

Thank you to everyone who came and made this day so special for us. We truly are blessed with the people who surround us! We love all of you!

Control Freak In High Gear

I have been told that I need to let my Control Freak go for a while, because she is causing me much unneeded stress and anxiety. In the past week or so I have been reminded what this stress and anxiety can do on an already over worked pregnant body. Braxton Hicks, cramping, and heart palpitations, needless to say I have talked to my Dr. a lot. No worries, so far so good!

Not only am I in full on nesting mode with a husband at home who would rather make the mess, we are going on 2 weeks of being sick in my house (which means down time in poor use), and I am also worrying about all those other little things that I need to prepare for Benjamin's arrival.

Such as my desperate search for certain items for my hospital bag because I have this fear that he is going to come early and I will not have this thing packed. I think I am going to have to break down and order online. I can't even say that this is an irrational fear because, of all the things going on with my body, I feel that he may very well come early! Yikes. Is it sad that the only pj's I have to take to the hospital are some of Ben's shirts that I have been wearing?

I guess I need to add gift for Olivia from Benjamin to my list as well! Ahh see it growing before your very eyes. 

Ok it may be a little sad that I have a typed up hospital packing list, but I live my life on lists. If you saw how many lists I have right now you would laugh.

Since our shower is tomorrow and the dresser is ready to be picked up I can then spend Sunday doing his laundry. This way at least he will have clean clothes to come home too. His room won't be done and his closet may still be full of storage items but clothes he must have.

His Nursery Checklist is super slowly being checked off. But not quick enough to calm my nerves.
 
My goal for the next few weeks is to calm myself down, try to relax, and just enjoy the end of this pregnancy. Because let's face it I only have just my little Princess for a few more weeks. I am soaking up all my Olivia time that I can right now.

Maternity/Family Pics

Pictures mean so much to me and I am thrilled at how our Maternity/Family session with Katie turned out. At 32 weeks we meet her at Baldwin Park and the photos below are some of the beautiful images she took.