Knock Knock, Pirate

Tom is a funny boy.  He loves to tell jokes.  We tried to get him on video, but he all of a sudden didn't want to be funny.  Here's the video:

Ben has been in the 3 year old preschool class at Mrs. King's.  He's loved it.  Today was his last day for the school year.  In celebration of the school year Ben and his classmates had a Pirate Program to present to the parents.  Ben was one of the main parts, Captain Braid Beard.  The kids did a great job.  Mrs. King has been such a fun teacher.  Ben looks forward to being in her preschool again next fall.

Ben with his full costume on.  Thanks to Granny, she made the shirt, vest, boot covers, beard, and bought him the parrot, hat, eye patch, and bandana.  I provided the pants.

Waiting for the program to start.

Ben saying hi.

Ben and his class.

Ben and Mrs. King.  (She loves to dress up.  She's so much fun!)

Ben telling his pirate joke.

First Half of the Pirate Program

Second Half of the Pirate Program

Cuteness!

I know she's not doing a lot in these videos, but she is being cute.  Enjoy!

The Knecht Four ... and More.

Introducing the "more" of our family, Eliza Jean Knecht.  Eliza was born on Wednesday May 18th at 10:30pm. 
Tuesday night I started having regular contractions at 7:00pm.  I started practicing all of my hypnosis and decided to wait a couple of hours before going to the hospital.  Around 9:00pm we went to the hospital and found out that I was still dilated to 2 cm and only 50% effaced.  I was totally disappointed, but I knew that one way or another I would be having a baby in the next 24 hours because I was scheduled to be induced the next day.  Sam and I decided to go home and get a good night's rest and try again in the morning. 
The next morning we were called into the hospital for our induction.  We got there at 10:00am, I was still only 2cm even after having contractions all night.  They started me on pitocin around 10:30 and I started having harder contractions.  The whole time I was still practicing my hypnosis.  Unfortunately my body did not progress very quickly and at 2:00pm my doctor broke my water.  I was about 3cm+ dilated at that time.  They also increased the pitocin.  After that hypnosis meant nothing.  The contractions were so hard I could not handle the pain no matter how hard I tried.  After about 30mins of contractions I demanded an epidural.  I was given the epidural and then it was a waiting game.  Finally at about 9:00pm my body was almost completely dilated and I started pushing.  I pushed for just over an hour and was rewarded by giving birth to my beautiful baby girl at 10:30pm on the button.
She weighed 7lbs 2oz and was 20 inches long.  For the first time I was able to have skin to skin contact and breast feeding almost immediately after delivery.  Eliza has been a dream baby so far.  She's happy all the time, loves to breast feed, burps easily, sleeps well consistently, and is very cute.  I love my boys, but I never knew what it was like to have an "easy" baby until now.  She's so happy and content all the time that sometimes I forget she's here.  She rarely makes any fuss or cries.  She's incredible!
Here are some pictures from the hospital.  Enjoy!

Less than a week to go!

Wow, I have less than one week left until my due date.  Thank goodness!  Yesterday I had my 39 week check.  I'm still dilated to 2cm and 50% effaced.  I was a little disapointed, but it's not surprising considering my previous birthing history.  Everything else was great.  Baby's heart beat sounded good, my blood pressure was great, and I still haven't gained any weight since about 4 weeks ago.  Normally I would be a little concerned about the weight thing, but my doctor assures me that my belly is measuring just right.  At my appointment my doctor asked if she could strip my membrane, and I agreed.  She said that doing that little procedure will either put me into labor within 24 hours or not.  So far I'm still pregnant. 
I am ready to get this party started.  I would love to go into labor tonight or tomorrow.  That would be great for me.  Now I just need to figure out how.  :)
My doctor and I also discussed how long she would let me go over my due date.  She says that the longest she'll let me go is 41 weeks before she would induce me.  But she was willing to induce before if I wanted.  She even suggested that if I haven't gone into labor by next Wed. that she would do it then.  I don't like the idea of being induced.  I've had the types of drugs that they administer to get things going and I don't like them.  They hurt.  But I'm really tired of being pregnant.  I wouldn't be too worried about the whole induction thing if I was already 4-5 cm dilated and 80% effaced, but I'm not and that means that being induced would probably take a long time and involve a lot of drugs.
I have another doctor's appointment next Wed., so I guess if I haven't had the baby by then I might consider being induced.  I don't know.  We'll see.  Let's just pray that I go into labor this weekend, OK?  Thanks.

Dos Semanas Mas

Today I'm 38 weeks pregnant.  WooHoo!  I had my check-up today.  I haven't gained any weight in the last 2 weeks or so.  My blood pressure was good.  The baby is measuring right on track and her heart beat sounds great.  I'm now dilated to about 2-3 cm and I'm still about 50% effaced.  I'm making progress!  My guess/ hope is that I'll go into labor next weekend, 13th, 14th, or 15th.  I'd be plenty happy with that.  Although I'd be happy if I went into labor before then too. 

I'll keep you posted.

He's Curious Like a Cat

I let Ben go out in the backyard this morning. 
He came in and said, "That white stuff on the slide does not taste good."
Sam replied, "You mean snow?"
I turned and looked at Sam, thinking to myself, all of the snow has melted. What could it be?
Then I remembered Sam put weed and feed on the lawn last night.
Then I said to Ben, "Ben you just ate poison."
Ben, "Oh no!  Is there some way you can get it out of me?"
Me, "Nope."

I have never known a boy more curious than my boy.  It's a blessing and a curse.