Oh my....

That same weekend, Mother's Day, I was admitted to the hospital. I stayed there for 9 whole weeks (2 months less a day!) without access to my computer or the internet and let this project sliiiiiiide. When I got back, at 32 weeks according to the hospital (31 weeks according to my doctor) I was confined to bed until 36 weeks and then was given permission to wiggle around some over the weekend of August 13-14 as I was to have my stitches out at 7am August 15th. I went into labour on August 14th and had the stitches removed that night.
Our sweet little Benjamin was born at 2:34am on August 15th. Just 12hrs (or so) short of Dr.'s projection from the week before. After such a dramatic pregnancy, the labour was mostly quick and uneventful- aside from an epidural that didn't fully take. I dilated from 1cm (where I had been for the entire pregnancy- Thank God for my cerclage!) to 4cm the second the stitch was cut. A couple hours later I was ready to push. It took 12 minutes apparently. Little Ben had the cord wrapped so tightly around his neck it had to be cut off. He wasn't breathing, and then he did! Never a sweeter sound. He was so tiny, albs, 14ozs, but considering he was almost 4 weeks early, and that I had only gained 6lbs, it was good.

He was curious from the beginning. Looking around and making eye contact. He slept well and wanted to nurse constantly. I had trouble with my supply and he was losing weight. We discovered at the end of the week, after bottle feeding him for the week, in addition to nursing and pumping, that he was tongue tied!! It was snipped and he started gaining weight quickly.

Life has just whizzed by. Benjamin will be 8 months old next week. He is extremely social, loves smiling, giggling and his whole family. He gaggles away and loves eating, although we can tell he's eager to eat our food, not just baby food. He's funny already and loves when he gets us to laugh. He is the joy of our hearts. Everyone (right?) says that being a parent is the most rewarding thing they've done. I feel like Ben is a miracle that was sent just for us by God and through the intercession of Evangeline. He is a blessing to our whole family. He is our ever happy, smiling angel. I am so excited for the adventures we will continue to have, although I wish I could slow it all down. I am blessed to know him, and Patrick and I are beyond favoured to have been chosen as his parents.

I'll write a separate post about the joy that is being an aunt! :)