The trouble with Benjamin...

Well, life is never boring. Just before Hurricane Ike made its way to Houston, my doctor put me on bed rest. It seems that my body is more ready to have Benjamin out than Benjamin is ready to be out! I had dilated 1cm at 26 weeks. Crazy. So, as many women have done before me, I am on my behind for a total of 9 weeks. We even got to make a trip to labor and delivery the following day. Benjamin and I got a couple doses of steroids and I was sent home the next evening with a Terbutaline pump (which delivers meds into my leg 24/7) to keep me from contracting so much and a home contraction monitor. What fun!

If we learn nothing else from this experience, we will come away knowing how loved and blessed we are. God has put people in our lives who are so willing to take care of us. We've had friends bring food, take our kids and provide moral support. My mom has come to stay with us and is keeping my house better than I ever did...not to mention feeding us with great food! Andrew's parents have been so helpful in taking the kids when Mom needed to go home for a few days. I don't know how we could have done this without all the support and prayers from friends and family.

So, one of the perks of all this craziness is that we got to see a Perinatologist this past week and were able to see little Ben in 3D. What a cool thing - especially this far along. We've decided he's definitely got some Portele in him. I hope that he gets some of Andrew's features (eyes, for one).

The doctor reassured us that this little guy should make it to at least 35 weeks if we keep doing what we're doing. It was a relief to hear that. So, our scanner isn't working, but here's a picture of the ultrasound photo. Hopefully you can make out his face.