Introducing Oliver Steven Bennett!!!

The time has finally come!  Oliver is finally here!  It was quite the wild ride but we are home and trying to get adjusted :)

Monday at my regular appointment I was still had high blood pressure and was still not dilated.  Dr. Brunner was concerned about my BP so we decided that an induction was necessary.  We went to the hospital Tuesday night and got admitted and I was given the meds to get me dilated.  After 12 hours of Cirvatal (sp?) in I was still not dilated so they started the Petosin (sp?) early Wednesday morning.  After being checked all day the progression was about a centimeter an hour which meant for a long day of waiting.  About 8:30pm it was finally time time push Mr. Oliver out. Well, as I suspected all along he had his own plan and is going to be stubborn, and hour and a half later we had made no progress, Oliver's heart rate was a little fast and I was starting to run a temperature.  Therefore a c-section was decided to be done.  Because of the heart rate and my temperature, it was suspected that Oliver might have an infection in the amniotic fluid so he would have to go directly to the NICU to get IV antibiotics, he cannot be on the regular mother/baby floor and have an IV :(  It is hospital policy that if they suspect this infection they start treating it right away with antibiotics and run test simultaneously, with results taking 48 hours to be returned so he would have to stay in the NICU at least 48 hours until his results came back negative, which they did! (more to follow on the NICU experience)

Back to the C-Section- We were third in line so we had to wait...at 11:37 pm on Wednesday August 22, 2012 Oliver was finally born!!!  We was perfect in every way.  That first cry will forever be engrained in my mind.  It was magical!!!  We weighed in at 7 pounds 3.5 ounces, and was 19 inches long.  I was so drugged up and hadn't eaten in over 24 hours so it is hard to remember some of that evening but that first cry and seeing that face come over the curtain was amazing!  Seeing James hold him for the very first time was so special as well.

We exited the OR and headed back to the room, the NICU wasn't quite ready for us so Oliver got to join me back in the recovery room for a few minutes.  It didn't take long before the grandparents and aunts found us too.  Everyone got to take a peek and James and I got to hold him a few.  I remember telling James that I was too out of it and felt insecure holding him.  A few minutes later Oliver was taken to the NICU to be admitted and start his IV's, I would be wheeled up there before being admitted into my room.  By 4:00am we were in our room and Oliver was upstairs.  That is hard, sad feeling.  I kept thinking, this is not fair he is healthy, he's fine, he should not be up there but then again if he did have this infection he was in the best place for him and that was really what was important.  I  also had to remind myself that it was only going to be 48 hours. 

Then the waiting really began!  It was about 1:00 Thursday afternoon before I was given permission to get out of bed and move to the wheelchair so I could be moved wheeled upstairs to see Oliver!  I was so excited yet unsure what I was going to see.  NICU has a negative connotation, which is why James and I kept it on the DL while we were in the hospital.  When we got up there he was fine, other than an IV in his arm.  Such a relief but still not excited that I had not had time to bond, hold, love, or start breastfeeding.  But again, this wasn't serious, just an inconvenience and precaution. Just as we were about to bust out of the NICU on Friday the nurse noticed that Oliver's resting heart rate seemed low, so an EKG was ordered, those results would not be back until Saturday so he would have to stay another day upstairs.  It turned out that his EKG was fine and that due to the fact that the nurses in the NICU don't handle healthy, full term baby very often they were spooked by his numbers.  Again, praise the LORD everything with him has been fine!  Saturday early evening Oliver was finally brought downstairs to room-in with us.  I was more than excited!!!  It had been a long waiting game and I was tired of going up and down between floors.

As for me....well this darn blood pressure is going to haunt me.  Since the beginning of the month I've been fighting high blood pressure.  It is not at a scary level but it is not great either.  They are watching it very, very close and I've been put on meds for a short while.  This also is something that was keeping us in the hospital.  So much that on Sunday they were still considering keeping me another day of observation but she eventually decided that my BP would probably get better at home with Oliver than send Oliver home and me stay  Thank goodness!

We enjoyed our first night home last night and survived.  Oliver is doing well and I'm taking it easy.  It's hard for me to sit and rest while James is up keeping our house running but it is necessary right now so I don't end up in the hospital or on more meds for this silly blood pressure business.  Enjoy the pics!!!

And while all this is happening my amazing husband was holding down the fort!  He was going to feed Oliver, when I couldn't be there, he was organizing our visitors, keeping me calm, making sure Moe was taken care of and just being FABULOUS!!!  Love you honey!!!

We can't wait for you all the meet Oliver really soon!
All our love!

Work is overrated!

Work is OVERRATED!!!! Well at least Oliver thinks so after just two weeks of being back at work.  When I was at the doctor on Monday my blood pressure was a little high, so they had me lay there and relax (yeah right, relax on the doctor table ha ha) and see if my blood pressure would lower. It did in fact go within normal range after about 10 minutes or so.  Therefore, Dr. Brunner asked that I check it twice a day with the school nurse, which I did, and it remained higher than she wanted so she has put me on partial bed rest.  BOO!!!  So that means starting Friday I will be working half days until Oliver to decided to grace us with his presences! 

I'm having mixed feeling about this.  I was so blessed to spend Monday and Tuesday with my long term sub!  We were able to cover a lot of topics and she is even spending tomorrow with me on her own time to see all the rules and procedures that will be taught to this new group of students.  So I feel so comfortable with her taking over and I know that the transition will be smooth and fabulous.  The control freak in me doesn't want to leave this new group of kids so soon.  However, I have always known this was going to be the case so I just need to deal with this fact.  I will not miss the cankles that have taken over in the last two days.....I don't know how some women deal with this for months.  I have had them for two days and as I type I have ice packs on them because they hurt so bad.  Kicking up my feet at lunch with hopefully help the amount of swelling that has occurred. 

As we approach the finish, yes I'm 39 weeks today can you believe it?!?, the unknown makes me nervous but mostly I'm just super excited for him to get here.  I wish there was a little bit more movement downward as I have hardly dilated in the last two weeks.  Again BOO!  But again, I know that this is the best place for him to continue to grow and get even more healthy! 

We will continue to keep you posted but as for now, I will be spending a little bit of time working and a lot of time resting and waiting!  Let's hope it goes by quickly as I don't do forced rest very well  :)

Love to all!

The countdown is on....

It has been a while since I have updated so I will try to back-track a little bit to catch you up.  Around week 30 I started to measure two weeks ahead of schedule.  Meaning, when at the doctor my belly should measure the same as the week we are in, so 30 weeks, 30 inches.  However, I was measuring around 32. Since that same progress continued, Dr. Brunner wanted to take a look at little O to see what his true size was.  I was more than happy to comply with that request.  We had not "seen" him since around week 20, so a little peek at him was welcomed surprise.  I had been saying, and Dr. Brunner suspected that part of the issue was that I was just out of torso space....and that was confirmed at the sonogram.  He was measure RIGHT on track at 33 weeks (which is the week we were in by that time)  He was around the 50 percentile for weight and length and almost 5 lbs at that time.  He seemed so much bigger and more human-like at that sonogram.  I'm still amazed at how much he has grown in such a short period of time.  At our last appointment this week (week 36) we got the news that his heart beat is starting to slow down in anticipation for his delivery.  He has been in the 150 most of the pregnancy and he is now in the low 140's, high 130's.  He should be around 90-120 at delivery!  We were also told that if I went into labor they would no longer try to stop it....holy moly the emotions that went through my mind!  I can't believe that I have done it!!!  I have kept him safe and sound for the last 36 weeks and from everything we have seen and heard he is going to happy and healthy!!!  He can be here at any time but Dr. Brunner and I talked on Monday and I told her that I would like to make it to the start of school, August 15th and she said that she didn't think that would be too difficult as he is head down (as he as been since week 20) but still somewhat high.  Works for me!  I would really like to get some things established in my classroom prior to delivery.

As for me the two biggest questions I'm getting: is the room ready? and how are you doing in this heat? 

As for the room, it is nearly done!  We have a few things to put on the wall, a closet door to reinstall and last get the lid of the toy chest!  The bookshelves look amazing!!  I will post pics as soon as the these finishing touches get done!  I was so blessed to have my mom come up and help me put away all the clothes, toys, and various gifts we have received from our showers.  She also helped put together the swing/bouncer and stroller!   Now we just wait for Little O to arrive!!!!

The heat-UGH!  As with most of the country we have been in extreme heat warnings all summer (more that 20 days off 100) as well as a major drought!  We tried to keep our lawn lush and green but gave up after two weeks of major watering each day and it was still drying out and going dormant.  I on the other hand have been blessed to be able to be home all summer and I don't HAVE to go anywhere so most days I try to stay inside and stay cool!  I have started to get a little stir crazy as the house is clean, the baby room done, and I really don't want to work on work stuff. So some evenings James is forced to take me to Target so I can walk around to see, what is new. :)  He has been a good sport about it!!!  But school is starting soon so I have been trying to get things in order a little at a time, in the mornings!  So, I guess overall I can't complain because I have been blessed to stay home and in the AC. I truly think that if I had to be out and about in this all summer, even working inside, I would have swollen everything (which again has been a blessing, I rarely am swollen, just slightly in the fingers) and would probably have been put on bed-rest.  Once again, God has taught me the lesson that he does know what is best and he is one truly in-control of my life!

Before I sign off I hope that I have you all up-to-date, I want to thank our family and friends for all their love and support they have shown James, Oliver and myself.  Your generous gifts, visits and time have meant more to us than we would ever express into words! Thank you!!!!  We love you all and can't wait for Oliver to see and feel the love that has been bestowed on our family!

Adventures with Mikhayla!

As I mentioned in a previous post James had suggested around Easter that we needed to find some summer art classes for Mikhayla, and I was able to find some at the JCCC.  She spent 3 weeks here, Wednesday evening to Friday, attending class in the mornings on Thursday and Friday and then had our afternoons free for adventures!  I'm not sure who had more fun?!?  KC has some many fun things to offer that I enjoy exploring the city with her.

She LOVED LOVED LOVED the art classes!  Thank you to Mom, Erika, and Bob for making it happen.  I feel like I had the easy part, take her and see what she created when I returned to pick her up.  In the afternoons we went swimming, went to the aquarium, attempted Legoland but that will have to wait for another time and went shopping!  I LOVE being the Aunt.

James also got in on the spoiling!  Kayla's new food love is sushi so we went to a sushi restaurant and they had a ton of sushi!  She tried squid and octopus, she enjoyed them both but found the squid hard to chew.  We also had her a few days after her birthday so we surprised her with dessert at the Melting Pot!  It was amazing!  She didn't know what to expect so when she realized that a pot of chocolate and a ton of dipping yumminess what coming her way she could hardly contain herself.  It was priceless!

Here are few pics of our adventure at the Sealife :)

29 weeks down....11 weeks to go!

Holy Moly, I can't believe Oliver will be here in 11 weeks!  There are many days James and I feel like it was just a month or two ago that we were surprising our families with news of their new titles!  I was at the doctor yesterday for my now bi-weekly check-ups.  (Dr. Brunner and I are going to be good friends by the time Oliver makes his grand entrance.)  I got to hear his amazing heart beat at 147 beats per minute!  I know I have said this before but it is one of the best sounds thus far!!!  Dr. Brunner also measures my belly at every appointment.  My belly should measure the same as the week we are in but this week we were a little big, measuring in at 31.  She said that it could mean that he had a growth spurt or it could mean he is bigger/older than we expect.  She also mentioned that because of my size he can measure a little bigger.  When I go back in two weeks we will remeasure and if he/me is measuring big we will get to do another sonogram.  Which I'm welcoming at this point!!  I just want to see that sweet face again!  She does not seem to think that is a problem that he is big at this point, so we will wait and see :)  Dr. Brunner even said, I would rather him be a little bigger than smaller because that means he's growing.

He is moving and kicking like crazy these days.  For many many weeks James and I could feel him move but any time someone else, family or friends, would touch my belly to feel his kicks he would immediately stop.  But I think he is starting to come out of his shell and letting more of his loved ones know he is here and can't wait to meet them.

Construction on his room continues!  Oliver and James worked on the lights and the other half of the bookshelves this past weekend.  James spent almost three hours in the attic preparing the junction boxes for the two new light fixtures! Moe and I helped when we could but mostly we supervised.  It's starting to come together really nicely!!  We have ordered his crib and dresser and it will arrive later in the month!  I can't wait!!
 

James and Oliver discussing the pendulum light this is over the reading bench

James happy to be out of the HOT attic and standing again

Oliver installing the junction box for the new reading light

Moe still scared of all the noise but slowing starting to supervise a little more

The finished product of lights!!! 

Many family and friends have asked for a picture of my ever growing belly, so after the shower this weekend I had James take a picture.  I'm still amazing at it/his size but am happy to report that my weight gain has not been as bad as I had anticipated.

Well until next time!  We wish you all our love!!!!

Construction Zone

Some might think it's nesting, other might think it's new home owners projects, but I feel like it's just our little construction zone!

In the April post, James mentioned we had been working on a concrete slap/basketball court eye sore that we wanted to replace with a garden and walking path from the gate to the back yard.  While it is still under construction, darn other obligations and my lack of stamina in helping, I was able to download some pictures of that mornings progress. We might have bit off more than we can chew for now but I guarantee a garden will be put in sometime soon.

 Dad taking his turn at the jack-hammer

 Next up James!

Last, Bob's turn, really they all kept taking turns as I think their arms would get tired and numb from the vibrations.

Here is the final product!

My parents have been down several times to gather the rock to help with the erosion in one of the ditches at the farm, but no one had any idea how much rock it would produce.  In all 4 corners there was at least a foot deep and round of solid concrete.  We still do not know what the purpose of that was for but I'm just glad that it is getting removed and I look forward to the garden that will be put in sooner rather than later :)

Also on the construction front James and his dad Oliver have been working on baby Oliver's room.  They have spent many hours creating plans, discussing strategies and now constructing built-in bookshelves and a bench/toy box for his room!  James and I spent last evening putting together one side of the shelves and Oliver and James will work on the other side this weekend.  I can't wait to see their vision come to life and be complete!  Here are a few pics from last night. Sorry Oliver, I keep forgetting to take pictures while you are here.  I will do that this weekend :)

James is putting in the first shelf after about an hour of getting the darn thing square.  Then the second to last shelf!  Almost there babe!

Now will it fit??  YES YES it does!!!

Obviously we need to get the other 2/3's assembled and installed then paint it but here is a little sneak-peek!  So excited!!!!

So construction will continue in the Bennett House but I'm happy to report that progress is being made on many fronts!  We will keep you posted on our home projects.

Summer, Summer, Summertime

Wowzers what a year!!  I'm more relieved than ever for summer to arrive this year!  To say the least, this last school year was one of the most challenging years I've had in my career.  There were many days where I had to make a concerted effort to laugh and not cry and find at least one good thing that came out of the day, sometimes that one things was arriving back home.  I have many thoughts, reasons and opinions as to why this year was so challenging but to respect student/family privacy I will not go into details but let's just say that I'm so glad to have this year behind me.  With that being said, I'm pleased that through the hard work of my students and myself (yes I will toot my own horn, I deserve it, let me tell you) EVERY SINGLE ONE of my students made personal progress and all but 2 passed district assessment on or above grade level!!!!  I said at the beginning of the year that it would be a miracle if we got pregnant this school year because of the challenges, frustrations and huge amount of stress!  So thank you LORD for this great miracle!!!

So as summer has arrived I'm excited for what it will bring! 

Mikhayla is going to joining us for several weeks in a row to attend art classes at the local community college (JCCC).  After our trip home for Easter, where Kayla had received art supplies from the Easter Bunny...er...mom and produced 4 detailed fantastic pictures while breakfast was cooking, James had the best idea!  On the way home, he says to me, "we have to find her some art classes for the summer".  I did some research and found 6 classes, CHEAP, and after consulting all parties we hammered out the details and got her enrolled!  We are so happy for her and so excited to have her stay with us for several days.   This also means I get to see my brother and Erika too!!!  In addition to the art classes we are going to try to hit up a local diary farm and see how our milk gets from the farm to the table and hit up a local blueberry patch to pick blueberries.  It is our hope to go to the new legoland and aquarium that just opened in Crown Center.  I'm sure LOTS of pool time will also be in order, and I think James has a few things up his sleeve too for the evenings.  SO FUN!

I'm also looking forward to several baby showers, the first being this weekend.  Our great friends wanted to honor Oliver. I'm so looking forward to some girl time, laughs, and loads of fun! While I'm a the shower, James will be hosting the husbands and sons then we will all join back at the Feldkamp's for a good 'ol BBQ!  Then our sisters and my cousins will be honoring Oliver in July with another shower!  To top it off my best friend Eva, who has finally made it back to KS, will be honoring his as well!  I call tell you now this little boy will be loved by so many fabulous people and I can't wait to share him with each and every one of you! I will blog about these as the arrive, so stay tuned...

Summer also means sleeping in and hanging out in my jammies until 3 or 4 then showering before James gets home, to make it look like I have done something with myself and my days while he is working :)  Who am I kidding?!? He knows my secrets, but plays along anyways.  This is one of my favorite parts of summer!

On to another favorite part of summer is allowing me to show my fabulous husband the appreciation he deserves for putting up with me and ALL that he does throughout the school year.  James is the best husband!!!  He has kept our house running this school year (see first paragraph) and for that I'm so grateful and thankful!  During the first trimester, he kicked it into high gear to keep our house above water while I was sinking in exhaustion.  Then just as we started to get back into the swing of a dual partnership household that we normally run, May happens.  All teachers know, when May happens, nothing else gets done.  There is a rush at the end of the school year that just consumes you and drains all energy.  It happens every year and every year I'm amazed that it happened and wonder why didn't I prepare for it?  The answer to it is simple, you can't prepare for it, it is what it is!  MAY! Every May I say, "I can't wait for summer so our house will be picked up and clean and more dinners at home". So now that it is summer, I'm delighted to announce that our house is picked up and company ready on most occasions (HINT HINT), and dinner at home is so much easier because I'm not exhausted from work.  Sorry, for the rambling but words can't describe how grateful I am to James for all his hard work here at home after working a long, stressful days at work!  Summer allows me, to pay it back!  Love you babe!!!!

LAST, summer allows me to play with Moe all day long!  During the school year when we are super busy on the weekends, we always feel guilty for putting Moe in his house.  Summer lets the guilt fly with the wind!  This dog is so pampered in the summer, he gets up with James in the morning, eats and does business, then comes back upstairs and sleeps with me in bed until we decide it's time to move to the couch.  Then after breakfast for myself, he helps with laundry, cleaning, mowing, and any other household chores we have that day.  Later we play outside in the yard.  Finally, afternoon naps in the chair or sometimes it's a nap with me :)  I just love that he doesn't have to spend the whole day in his house!

Well, summer fun has arrived in the Bennett House!  We hope to see all of you very soon!  Much love from us all!!!

PS: As rereading this blog before posting, I can't help but think toward next summer.  The excitement and changes that will accompany being able to be a stay at home (summer) MOMMY!!!!!