Here we are over three months later and I am just now writing about Brad's birth. It's sad because I swore to myself that I was going to do that while still in the hospital. That obviously didn't happen. Actually, I am not all that sure that I looked at my computer after that first day. I was entirely too enamored with my darling boy. Any ole way, on with the show (or rather post!)
The months leading up to Brad
The months leading up to Brad's birth were very busy and very scary. Because my fluid was low for a while I had to be watched closely. I actually had two ultrasounds a week for two months just to make sure he was developing properly. If you have had a baby then you know that that is a bit unusual and just needing to do that made me a bit frightened. And, as each visit to the doctor involved 2 to 4 hours of my time, I was busy. As the days ticked away I became more excited and more apprehensive. What if there was something wrong? He passed every test with flying colors but what if that meant nothing? As much as I worried I also felt a sense of calm that no matter what might happen we would be alright!
Brad's birth
Finally the day arrived, October 24th. Ahhh. Finally it was time to hold my sweet baby. We were lucky. We were the second family on the doctor's schedule for the day. That meant we didn't have to show up until around 7 (no 5 am arrival!) but we were still early enough to not have the doctor be pulled away for other people. We arrived right on time (a miracle in and of itself in this family) and were taken back promptly. They strapped the monitors on me and discovered that for the first time in four babies I was in labor! What? That makes miracle number two! They stuck me with the IV first time out and as much as it sound like over kill I call that miracle number three. I am a horrible stick! Within two hours of arrival time they had me rolled back and started the prep for c-section number 4. It was then that the worst part of my day occurred. I have never before had any too large an issue with getting my block. Actually the biggest issue I have ever had before was a really nasty anaesthesiologist when I had Kiddo. This time- ouch! It took him five or six tries to get it in the right spot. And, of course, it is not a pleasant feeling each time. Finally I had to steer him to right place by telling him what parts of my body were screaming in pain for the nerves being hit. Seriously not fun. (I now understand why they don't let Hubby observe this part of things!) Once we had that out of the way they let Hubby in to join the party. My doctor introduced us to the resident who would be working on me under his supervision and away we went. In no time flat Brad had joined us. He was born at 9:32 am. The doctor brought him to me for hugs and kisses. Hubby was allowed to cut the umbilical cord. Everything was perfect. He got a 9.9 on his APGAR. He was healthy and adorable! And amazing! :) Hubby went with him to the nursery while I was sewn up. Funny tidbit here- I want to have the option of having more children and that is greatly dependant upon the status of the scarring in my uterus. So, as I was laying on the operating table, belly all cut open and such I started talking to my doctor about how everything looks in there. My doctor and I had an entire conversation about it while the resident was sewing me up. The resident just kept getting this look that said, "What on earth? Are they really having this conversation?" But hey, what better time to ask how things look than when he can look, right? Really things went exceptionally well. I actually was able to make some of the phone calls myself after getting out of the OR!
Brad's first few days
Brad's amazing attributes did not stop with his wonderful APGAR score. We quickly discovered that he was born on a 4 hour schedule! It was incredible! He let me get four hour naps in after each time he ate! (Yeah, I know every other mother on the planet is jealous of me right now!) Our pediatrician checked him out and declared him wonderful (of course) and sweet. Brad was so calm and sweet that he never cried while the doctor was checking him. For that reason it was the next day before the pediatrician noticed that he was tongue tied. We ended up with my poor baby getting his tongue and his foreskin snipped on the same day. Once again I was so happy to have my boy get a plastibell! Even after those two traumas he was just a sweet and happy baby who slept well and cuddled close. Willkins loved him immediately. Any worries I had about whether or not he understood that the baby was coming out of my belly were immediately alleviated. He just wanted to pet and kiss "his" baby! From day one they became friends. Thank goodness for my sweet babies because my back hurt a lot more than usual this time around. I mentioned the pain even on the first day but I hadn't told my Hubby about the issues putting the block in. Once we hit a point where the adrenaline rush of a new baby had worn off and he seemed pretty rested I filled him in. Thank goodness because soon thereafter I wanted to shower and apparently my whole back was one big bruise. Even the nurse caught her breath and said, "Oh my goodness! Ow!" when she saw it. But hey, if that is the biggest issue I have from the birth then woo hoo! I really have no reason to complain about it all. The most important thing is that Brad is amazing and healthy!
So there you have it, the story of how I added yet another amazing little boy to my brood!
