Preston's Birthday

What a wonderful 11 days we have had with our sweet baby! He has been so easy (knock on wood), and just a joy to have in our family. His birthday went something like this:

My mother-in-law came into town on Sunday afternoon to make sure that she would be here for his arrival. On Monday, I saw Dr. Aycock and he stripped my membranes, and then I went to the grocery store and stocked up for the next few weeks. I had heard that Macaroni Grille's eggplant parmigiana would put me into labor, so guess where we ate dinner?! Yep, Macaroni Grille. My eggplant was delicious, and the sweet waitress kept coming by the table to see if I was in labor yet. At 1:37 on October 12, I woke up with a pretty strong contraction. I really couldn't believe it! (on a side note, I woke up at 1:39 with Kate. Isnt that crazy?!) They were about ten minutes apart, and quickly moved to five minutes apart. I was walking around our bathroom and closet by then and hopped in the shower. I woke Luke up, and told him the eggplant parmigiana worked! He was as excited as I was, and I told him to hurry up in the shower. I was hurting pretty bad by this point, and as soon as he got his bags packed, we headed to the hospital. The whole way to the hospital, I kept thinking, "I have become a wuss in the last 18 months. I don't remember it hurting this badly!" We got there about 4:15, and they got me all checked in. We got back to our room about 4:30, and my nurse, Dana, got ready to check me. I told her I was 2-3 in the office that morning, and she asked if this wasn't the real thing if I wanted to stay anyway. I told her I did, because his official due date was October 13, and we were ready! She looked up surprised and said I was 7 cm! This threw everyone into action! (That was also the reason my contractions were so much stronger than with Kate.) She immediately tried to start an IV, and had another nurse come in to finish my admission paperwork. She paged anesthesia, and the CRNA got there soon after. She tried twice to get an IV, and my veins just wouldn't cooperate. The CRNA then tried three times, and finally got it on the third stick. He told me if I had dilated anymore I couldn't get an epidural. I promptly told him no one would be checking me until he had that epidural in :) He asked if my water had broken and if I had felt him move down anymore. No and no. And if it had been yes, I wouldn't have told him! He got the epidural in at 5:40. He got ready to leave the room, and I told him I could still feel it. He reminded me it took a few contractions for it to get in full effect. I told him I was not trying to be a baby, just wanted to make sure it worked before I started pushing. I am sure he thought I was a "princess patient" as we call them, but I really didnt care at that point! Dr. Aycock came in at 5:50, broke my water, and told me I was 9 3/4 (just a little anterior lip for those OB folks).

I really couldn't believe it! At that point, I felt validated that my contractions were big and it was ok they had hurt like they did! They were working. He left to let me labor down a little since I pushed so long with Kate. Dana came back at 6:30, and said he is right there! So Dr. Aycock, a tech. and my friend, Sarah, from the nursery all came in. I started pushing about 6:40, and he arrived at 6:50. Whew! Such an easier time than the first! Sarah plopped him on my chest, and Luke and I both teared up a little at the sight of our precious boy.

I checked for a penis (I didnt trust our u/s-haha), and then started wiping him off. He was beautiful! I dont think anything, even already having one, prepares you for that moment when you see your baby for the first time. Right when he came out, I could visibly see my stomach change shapes. I told Sarah to put him on the scale. My guess had been 8lbs 2 oz, and Luke's was 8 lbs 4 oz. He surprised us all being 8 lbs 15 oz! Big Boy!

We had called our families on our way to the hospital, but we all thought it would be another all day event like Kate's birthday. Luke told his mom to wait until Kate woke up about 7, and then head our way. My mom, dad, and Jake took their time getting there as well.

When Luke went to the waiting room to get my family, they were all sitting there eating breakfast. They thought he was coming out to get food. He was asked them if they wanted to come see the baby, and they jumped up and left all their stuff (laptops, purse) sitting in the waiting room. They had no idea he was already here!

Kate and Amy got there soon after. Little Man surprised us all with his quick arrival. Kate was very unsure of him at first. She is not a morning person, like her Mama! She just looked and wanted to be held.

By the time they moved me up to my postpartum room, she had woken up a bit. My friend, Elizabeth, and our preacher came by.

Kate was getting ready to leave, and I had Preston in the bed with me. She came over to the side of the bed, and I held him down close to her. She started jabbering and laughing hysterically. She was stomping her feet, and pointing to him and then to herself. This went on for almost five minutes, and had the whole room cracking up! I am so glad we got part of it on video, because it was too funny!

We spent the rest of the day in awe of our Sweet Boy and sharing him with our closest friends and family.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Twas the Week of My Due Date

'Twas 2 days before my due date, when all through the house

I was still nesting, and hopefully not a mouse;

The pictures were hung over the crib with care,

In hopes that,you, Preston soon would be there;

 

Kate was nestled all snug in her bed,


While visions of her little brother danced in her head;

And me in my maternity clothes busting at the seams,


Ready for fall clothes and a night full of dreams,


Forget this getting up four times a night,


I am ready for it to be a baby in my sight.

For your room, I had a vision like a flash,


Turned to Luke who made it all-even the sash.


Where is fall weather? Where is the snow?


It feels as hot as it does  down below,



When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,


But clothes, diapers, and other gifts for my dear,

His room is all finished; it is now time,


A few days early will not be a crime.


More rapid than eagles his friends they came,


We've whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;


"Now, Sydney! now, Emma! Audrie, and Caroline, too!

On, Brandon! on Macy! not till Leni Jane's due!

To the top of the slide! to the top of the wall!

Now come on out! come on out! come on out all!"

  Your room is ready with fishing and flies,

  Your dad painted your furniture like the skies,

Some things old, and some things new,

A basket full of toys, and diapers too.

My friends at work, that dance late at night,

The prancing and pawing wakes us up with the light.
What a joy to work with the best nurses around,
And what a spread, no wonder I'm so round!
Poor Lizzie has had to wait on me hand and foot,
Listening to me complain about my house covered in soot;

  I've had the nicest shower in her yard out back,

Of the Harville's house, and man, what a pack!

Our small group knows how to throw a time so merry!

Complete with smores and a sundae bar with a cherry!
 

 

The gifts were displayed in an awesome boat,

And everyone left a thumbprint on the moat;
The catfish was delicious in between my teeth,

  And the decorations, oh my, even included a wreath!

There were many a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when we laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

Hey! Who's chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I look in the mirror, in spite of myself;

Your dad just winks, and shakes his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

You will come when your ready; I'm ready to work,

Just hurry up please! Don't make me a jerk,

 I'm ready to kiss that sweet little nose,

  And count each and every one of your toes; 

We'll spring to the car, and let out a whistle,

Will your hair be like the down of a thistle?

I'm ready, now, the end is in sight,

Come on Sweet Preston, Tonight's a good Night!

Our 18 month old...

Baby! She is still such a baby sometimes, but now, she acts more and more like a little girl everyday! She is saying Mommy, Daddy, Bandit, Babe, Dog, Bobo, Bye, NO! and I am sure many more I am not thinking of. She can follow short commands like, "put this in the trash," and "go get a pair of shoes to wear outside." She prefers to be outside all day, and now that the weather is nice, that's exactly what we do! She can open the door to her room-yikes-but will usually stay put until we get her. She LOVES her babies and usually has one or more in her hands at all times. She gives the sweetest hugs, is a good eater, loves to brush her teeth, and still loves her Daddy (although I have gotten more attention this week.) She jabbers all day long, and has the most expressive face! She will still kiss any dog on the mouth, but not her Mommy or Daddy! I mean, seriously?  I can't believe my baby girl is going to be a Big Sister anyday. I have just been praying for a smooth transition for all of us, but especially her. I have loved being able to go and do as we please for the last 18 months, and I know that is going to changed drastically. I just hope I can get my act together quickly so that we aren't cooped up for too long!

"She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities.  She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.  She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.  She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.  Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. "

-Barbara Alpert