Christmas 2007

Chasing Rabbits

Understandably, on the night Little H was born, hubby was really tired. In fact, he told me the next day that it was the best night's sleep he'd had in weeks because he wasn't constantly on edge thinking I was going to go into labor every time I moved (which was a lot). Probably because of this sound and restful sleep, he provided me with the material for the funniest story from the birth of our fourth child.

The baby was not brought to us from the nursery until about midnight. As I said, B was really tired, so he was already asleep on his little cot. I decided to let him sleep a little so that I could have the baby all to myself for a while. After about an hour, I realized that I was pretty tired, and the baby was sleeping that deep sleep that they always sleep until you get them home from the hospital. I decided that I would send him back to the nursery. I wanted to place him in his little bassinett, but I really didn't feel like standing up to put him in it, so I called out to Brian and he answered me with a mumble. I asked him if he would come put the baby in the bassinet so I could call the nurse to come get him. And my loving husband, who NEVER talks in his sleep, replied VERY LOUDLY AND CLEARLY (and sounding not just a little annoyed):

"Tell him it's fine to play with the bunnies as long as he puts them back where he found them."

Ummmm...Ok. Well, clearly he was not going to be much help. Gee, you'd think HE was the one who'd had the baby and all the good drugs. I called the nurse and asked her if she could come help me with the baby. She came right away, and I told her what my still sleeping husband had said in response to my plea for help. We had a good laugh and she proceeded to tell all the OTHER nurses about it so that for the next two days every time a new nurse came in the room she asked him if he'd seen any bunnies running around lately. He was a very good sport about it and has even reminded me several times to blog about it. It will definitely be a family funny for all times.

And even though he wasn't all that helpful (to say the least) that night in the hospital, truly no husband and father could have been any more wonderful ever since.

Little H's "Birthday"

So, on the day Little H was born, we woke up bright and early to be at the hospital for induction by 7:00 a.m. I had not slept well the night before and was in so much pain that I really thought he might be about to come on his own without any assistance from our wonderful doctor. But, that was not to be. It was about 9 a.m. by the time they started induction with cytotec. This drug required me to stay in bed for at least one hour before I could get up and go to the bathroom. This fact, combined with the fact that I was lying on a bed that could possibly be used to torture terror suspects it was so uncomfortable, did not get things off to a very good start. After four hours, I was still not having contractions with any regularity and the doctor had said we would use pitocin next. That was all well and good except that all heck had broken loose in Labor and Delivery, and we were sort of forgotten for about 2 hours. Hubby and I just sat and stared at each other and thought about how hungry we were. Good times, I promise you. I think we also watched some tv including a show on the history channel about the real DaVinci Code. They finally got the pitocin going around 4:00. By 5:00, contractions were STRONG and I was ready for the epidural. So, I got an epidural after being stuck in the spine 3 times before the doc was "satisified with its location." Sadly, regardless of its location, IT DID NOT WORK. When my OB (whom I really do love) came in about 6:00, he said he wanted to break my water...and I said PLEASE NO. Not until my epidural is working better (the anethesiologist was on his way back to do another) PLEASE. He laughed and said "well, you didn't expect complete pain relief did you?" At this point, my head spun around and I literally HISSED at him, "you know, I have done this before and I know what to expect and while I don't expect COMPLETE pain relief, I also don't expect ZERO pain relief." He broke my water anyway, and then I truly was in pain. I finally got the 2nd epidural around 6:45, and it blessedly worked like a charm. At some point during all of this, they checked me and I was about 9 cm. The nurse came in about 7:30 and said the doctor wanted me to push to see what happened. I pushed for about 3 seconds and she said "STOP, STOP, STOP!" She called to the nurse at the main desk and said, "Call Dr. R and tell him she is complete and plus 3". She told me not to move, cough, or laugh and for heaven's sake not to push. Just a few short minutes later we heard Dr. R's footsteps running down the hall. He ran into the room and into the gown that the nurse was holding up for him and said, "ok, I've got my catcher's mitt, let's do this thing!" It wasn't QUITE that easy, but I did only push for about 5-10 minutes (maybe 3-4 contractions) and out came a beautiful baby boy who looked exactly like his big sister did when she was born 6 years ago only bigger. At 8 lbs. 1 oz. he is our biggest baby by far, but he still looked so tiny to us.

Big sis and Grandparents came to visit when he was only about an hour and a half old. M sang to him (Castle on a Cloud) and he was wide eyed and as intent on her as could be. It was so precious to see. He still loves her just as much. He is her baby all the way:

It was as sweet a day as could be, truly sweeter and relished because I knew it would be the last time for us. I have to admit that while I do NOT love being pregnant, I really do love giving birth. It is an incredible thing, and I am a little sad to think I won't be doing it ever again. Still, I know I am fortunate to have been able to experience it 4 times.

We ended our day with dinner from Krystal. Very unglamorous, but there was nothing else open because it was almost midnight by then. It was fabulous--especially since we hadn't eaten in 24 hours.

He's here...and eating, eating, eating....

Yes, he's here. Baby boy arrived June 1 at 7:51 pm and weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. He is healthy and beautiful. See...here's a picture:

When he came out, he looked exactly like his big sister did when she was born. Now, he's starting to look more like himself. He's growing like crazy and has round little cheeks and chubby thighs already. And he should be growing like crazy since he does nothing except eat. I am breastfeeding and supplementing with formula just to keep up with him. I tried so hard for him to be exclusively breastfed, but two cases of mastitis and a period of about a week where he wouldn't nurse left my supply inadequate despite my nearly Herculean efforts to get it up and keep it up. So, that is my excuse for not posting sooner! I have either been feeding, pumping or trying to pay some attention to my other three little ones.

Things really are great though. I couldn't imagine myself ever having four children, and now I couldn't imagine it any other way. There's lots I want to post about the past few weeks, so I will try to get on it soon. However, I've really got to finish thank you notes AND send out his birth announcements before I treat myself to blogging.

There's really nothing to say...

Suz, I told you have nothing to say today nor have I had for the last month apparently. However, for posterity, I'll document the findings from my last 3 OB visits:

37 weeks: 2 cm and 60%
38 weeks: 3 cm and 70%
39 weeks: 4 cm and 80%

Induction scheduled for Friday 6/1 at 7:30 a.m. if Baby H doesn't show up before. Which I'm sure he won't. I think he is quite happy where he is.

Next week, I should have some adorable pictures to post and maybe even something to say. Maybe.

A Star is Born

A star was born in our family this week. M had her first big part in a play with a solo. Of course, it was the Kindergarten play, but it was still a big moment for her. We've always known she was a drama queen and that she sang as much as she talked, but we weren't sure if those things would translate into stage ability. It looks like maybe they do! She did a great job and was completely at ease, even when she performed the play in front of over 600 people in our Upper School Chapel on Wednesday. It was great as parents to see her in her element and feeling so good about what she was able to accomplish with lots of practice and encouragement from her wonderful teachers. The picture on the right is of her saying her line about not being a "la-ti-dah" girl. I love it because it's just her to a T.

I think we will have many more years of watching her perform. And now, it looks like the performances might just take place somewhere other than our living room.

Brain Freeze

It seems that my brain has been frozen until after this baby comes. I have no original thoughts or insights to write here. My kids are as cute as always, but I can't seem to get my act together to write about it. M has the lead in the kindergarten play this week (she even has a little solo), so I will undoubtedly have to post a pic and do a write up on it for posterity. That shouldn't require too much thinking.

Otherwise, I am just trying to keep moving forward with enough momentum to propel me to the end of May or first of June when the little one makes his appearance. Then I should have plenty to post about. Breastfeeding alone (or attempts at it) will fill days and days of posts I am sure.