Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Cruel and Unusual Punishment?
Levi thought that putting glasses on Benson and himself would be very funny. He was right! We got a kick out of these pictures and hope you do to.
First two weeks
What a busy 4 weeks it has been. I have not found time to yet add a new post so here I go at last.
The 2 weeks with Benson was a whole new territory. 2 little boys are hard to take care of. Once I get one taken care of the other one needs something. It took a lot of time getting use to that. I was very sad because Michael went back to work a couple of days after Benson's birth. I was now home alone with 2 boys. I can't say that the first 2 weeks were easy. It was very hard and lonely, because Michael was gone all the time doing 24 hour shifts at the hospital. I often felt like I couldn't take care of my boys like I should.
However, I had many supportive phone calls and people asking what they could do. Just knowing that I have someone to call made all the difference. We got some wonderful meals brought to us and that really helped. I appreciate everyone who has helped and made it so much easier. Thank You!
Life is hectic, but I wouldn't change it. I love my two little boys, but realize that Levi is growing up way to fast. It has been wonderful having a newborn in our house and we are enjoying the little things in life.
Here are a few pictures of the first couple of weeks. I will post more later.
The 2 weeks with Benson was a whole new territory. 2 little boys are hard to take care of. Once I get one taken care of the other one needs something. It took a lot of time getting use to that. I was very sad because Michael went back to work a couple of days after Benson's birth. I was now home alone with 2 boys. I can't say that the first 2 weeks were easy. It was very hard and lonely, because Michael was gone all the time doing 24 hour shifts at the hospital. I often felt like I couldn't take care of my boys like I should.
However, I had many supportive phone calls and people asking what they could do. Just knowing that I have someone to call made all the difference. We got some wonderful meals brought to us and that really helped. I appreciate everyone who has helped and made it so much easier. Thank You!
Life is hectic, but I wouldn't change it. I love my two little boys, but realize that Levi is growing up way to fast. It has been wonderful having a newborn in our house and we are enjoying the little things in life.
Here are a few pictures of the first couple of weeks. I will post more later.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Picking a Name
I have had many people tell me how much they like the name Benson. For those of you who don't know, Benson, is a family name. Michael's Great Grandma's last name was Benson and I loved it so that became his name.
Labor and Delivery
So much happens in the first week of having a baby that I will have to catch up. On December 30, a Tuesday night I started having contractions that were painful and close together. They continued through the night and the next morning Michael went to work. I was still having contractions and felt like I should go to the hospital. Luckily, Michael was able to get off only after a couple hours of work and our friend Chantelle showed up to take Levi for the day. We went to the hospital and they monitered me for a couple of hours. I was a 3-4, but I wasn't progressing so they said to come back in a couple of hours and they would check me again. Michael and I went for a drive and I cried and whined the entire time. I was having back labor which I think is the worst labor to have. I admit I was a baby and I think I drove Michael insane. I finally couldn't take the pain and so we went back to the hospital. They checked me and I had made a little progress so they decided to keep me. (I think the nurse felt bad because I was in so much pain that she "said" I made progress)
I was ready for some pain meds so they came in to give me my IV. I was poked 7 times and they blew 2 of my veins. Finally the fourth person was able to get an IV in the inside of my elbow. This meant that I couldn't bend my arm, which was really hard to do. Once the IV was in I got my epidural which was good thing. I was moaning and crying so much that I think Michael wanted to leave. The epidural was a lifesaver. I could go to sleep and relax. (For those of you who have a had a natural birth, I am in awe of all of you.)
I only had my epidural for about 2 hours when they decided that it was time to push. I pushed for only 30 minutes and out came Benson at 6:33 p.m. He was beautiful. The rest of the night we spent with Benson and I laid in the bed because the epidural didn't wear off until 11:45 p.m. I was so glad to finally be able to move. Michael went home earlier to get Levi and spend the night at home.
The next two days we spent at the hospital letting Levi meet his little brother. He was so happy and wanted to kiss and hold him. Our friends the Holmans, Newmans, and Wayments all took turns watching Levi for us. Thanks! It was so nice to have Levi taken care of and Michael was able to spend a lot of time at the hospital with Benson and me. We went home late Friday night, because we had to wait 48 hours because I was postive for the Group B Strep. They wanted to make sure everything was fine.
It is nice to be home and start the recovery process. Michael went back to work on Monday and so this week has been very busy, but I will save all that for another blog.
I was ready for some pain meds so they came in to give me my IV. I was poked 7 times and they blew 2 of my veins. Finally the fourth person was able to get an IV in the inside of my elbow. This meant that I couldn't bend my arm, which was really hard to do. Once the IV was in I got my epidural which was good thing. I was moaning and crying so much that I think Michael wanted to leave. The epidural was a lifesaver. I could go to sleep and relax. (For those of you who have a had a natural birth, I am in awe of all of you.)
I only had my epidural for about 2 hours when they decided that it was time to push. I pushed for only 30 minutes and out came Benson at 6:33 p.m. He was beautiful. The rest of the night we spent with Benson and I laid in the bed because the epidural didn't wear off until 11:45 p.m. I was so glad to finally be able to move. Michael went home earlier to get Levi and spend the night at home.
The next two days we spent at the hospital letting Levi meet his little brother. He was so happy and wanted to kiss and hold him. Our friends the Holmans, Newmans, and Wayments all took turns watching Levi for us. Thanks! It was so nice to have Levi taken care of and Michael was able to spend a lot of time at the hospital with Benson and me. We went home late Friday night, because we had to wait 48 hours because I was postive for the Group B Strep. They wanted to make sure everything was fine.
It is nice to be home and start the recovery process. Michael went back to work on Monday and so this week has been very busy, but I will save all that for another blog.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Benson Has Arrived!
We are happy to annouce that BENSON MICHAEL KARREN arrived at 6:33 p.m. on Decemember 31, 2008. He was 3 weeks early but is healthy and happy. Benson weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 20 inches long. Levi has wanted to hold and kiss his baby brother. We hope he continues to be so nice. I will write about the labor later, but I am going to go eat some "great" hospital food. Thanks everybody for all the support.
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