Long post... past month or so!

After Collin and Mom were checked out, healthy and ready to go, we went home and began our trek.

Collin is waiting for the hospital to take his sensor off.

And... Collin'g going home outfit provided by Aunt Sue =)
The outfit was great but the hat... another story. Apparently Collin wasn't too happy about that.

Daddy and babies

Momma, Charlie and Collin the day after returning home... Charlie woke up saying Baby! like it was Christmas!!!

Eating some lunch (snack for Charlie) while relaxing... oh, the life.

The family in front of the house... the stork was HUGE!!! (thanks mom and betsy). It allowed the neighbor kids to know when the baby was born because all 20 (yes there are about 20 kids on our street) were eager to meet him.

Collin showing his sad face while sleeping

And looking around

The boys goofing around on the floor

EASTER!!! Charlie had been practicing for a month to hunt for eggs with Nonnie. The easter bunny brought him and easter basket filled with toys and a little bit of candy. (Mom told the easter bunny no candy!)

And Collin just hung out on easter

And Charlie's easter outfit... thanks Grandma and Grandpa! ( I don't know how to turn it around)

Searching for eggs

And another nap!

Charlie helping mom with dinner!!! So much help!

Our "trek" has been interesting. It has been sprinkled with fun times like Grandma and Grandpa visiting and the times above, but it has also been hard. Two babies under 2 is HARD, there is no other way to put it. I remember when I first had Charlie and I was thinking "how can I get everything done?" and now with 2, I am lucky to shower two days in a row. Seriously! Daily, I am figuring more and more out. Going to the grocery store or the mall is a big "no way" these days. One usually stays at home. Lately, I have learned that waking up early (like before sunrise) is my best friend. I can get things done that need to get done.

I couldn't ask for better children. Both are great sleepers, okay eaters and all around fun and healthy. We are learning to manuver around two growing active boys. It's okay if one cries while you deal with the other or Charlie plays a little too rough with Collin... life isn't perfect (one HUGE realization that I am coming to terms with). Like right now, Charlie is with Nonnie and Collin is on the couch in a boppy with his bottle being held up by two pair of folded socks from the laundry pile that is waiting to go upstairs. Typical. But the important thing is that he is sleeping. And that means I should be too! Bye!

I AM HERE!!!!

Mr. Collin Harmon Benninger is here. After our last post things sped up drastically. I went from 5 to 10 in about an hour and after 4 contractions (about 10 minutes) he was out!!!! Born at 8:09PM 3/12/09, he weighed in at 8.7lbs and 21'' long... kinda a big boy with a 13 cm head. His apgar score was 9 even though he was blue and bruised from the umbilical corb being wrapped around his neck, loosely. He actually has some dark hair and those perfect heart shaped Benninger lips. =)

Below, Charlie is so excited about his little brother!! He keeps saying "baby" and wanting to hold him. We are actually surprised because Charlie isn't the most gentle when it comes to babies or dogs, but he is learning.

39 weeks, 2 days and ready to push

Well, here we are at the hospital. We arrived this morning at 7 am to be induced and here it is, 7:30 pm and things are just getting underway. We had a day of uneventful nothings... I started on Pitocin at about 9 am and with that came walking, walking walking. The little guy's head wasn't engaged (down far enough) so we were hoping that gravity would take it's course, which it finally did. I was 3-4 centemeters when I came in and now I am at about 6. I had an epidural and now am sitting pretty. The Dr. broke my water and that was what got things going... contractions that hurt SO BAD. I confess, I am a self-proclaimed wuss, but these would hurt to ANYONE, I promise! =)

38 week appt.

So today was yet another Drs. appt. Still dialated to 2 and I am efaced (sp?) 75%... whatever that means. My stomach is measuring 40 cm, which is 2 cm bigger than it should be (1 cm. per week is normal.) Still no contractions, but I am starting to feel shifting, moving, pressure. =) hopefully sooner rather than later.

37 Week DR. Appt.

Yesterday, I had my 37 wk checkup. I am FINALLY dialated to 2 and baby is "way down" but no contractions, just constant uncomfortable pain. I can finally breathe because he has finally dropped.... I am guessing March 11th.... we will see!

Our weekends

This past weekend was filled with rain and gloom hence the playing inside. Dad was a good sport and played "horsey" with Charlie... a new favorite

Movie night is also a new favorite.. Charlie LOVES making and eating popcorn... but ONLY if he gets his own bowl and juice Cup- apple preferably but anything with sugar will do!. He sits on the couch and seriously watches.... doesn't matter what is on the screen so we have to make sure it is "age appropriate."

Charlie and my belly

Look at all those teeth! I am pretty sure this little guy can eat a steak by now- quite the chompers. We were playing around with the camera after dinner because I had some requests for new pictures of Charlie and my belly. These days, if you say "where's the baby?" Charlie will pull up the shirt of the closest person and point to their stomach. If there is no one close, he will pull his own shirt up and point to his. In our attempt to get him ready for the new arrival, we have been talking about the baby a lot and showing him my stomach, which makes him laugh. I am pretty sure this has cause him some confusion and he thinks that baby = stomach. We got him this stuffed dog and have been teaching him "nice" and "gentle" with it because Nate definitely doesn't want him anywhere near a doll (which was my suggestion).

Pregnant with Collin... 36 w 2 days!

Mom and Charlie

Charlie kissing the baby