the birth story

I am finally getting around to posting pics and the whole birth story! Hooray! I know some of you out there have been patiently waiting to see pics, and so here ya go!

First of all, I want to give a little recap of the weeks leading up to delivery day... At 37 weeks I had an ultrasound to estimate the size of the baby. When a woman has gestational diabetes, it increases the chances of having a big baby. Well, that is all relative considering the fact that I NORMALLY have big babies...(i.e. Jakob: 10lbs 1.4 oz; Joshua: 9lbs 8oz; Drew: 8lbs 12oz.) So, I was worried that would mean my baby could end up being a 12 pounder! Anyway, at that ultrasound, they estimated the baby's weight around 8lbs, 4oz. Ummmm...with 3 weeks to go, that had me a bit worried. So, at my 38 week appt., my Dr. says, "Well, we don't want this baby to get TOO big, so at your next weeks appt. we will talk about scheduling induction."

UH-OH. I felt like I was having deja vu. That word, "INDUCTION," had been mentioned to me before...by 2 other doctors, with 2 other pregnancies...and guess what? Yes, I was induced...but not EARLY...it was only because the babies were a week late! So, I had a really hard time believing that THIS Dr. would actually follow through and induce early.

So...week 39 appt. comes along, and guess what? Dr. says that since I'm not progressing at all, we will wait one more week and to make sure I schedule an appt. 1 week past my due date to make sure I don't go too far OVER DUE.

SERIOUSLY? I wanted to punch him in the face. Even though I think he's a rad guy, I was NOT happy with that decision. Oh well. Nothing I could do.

So...I go to my 40 week appt...and this time, I see a different doctor. She says she is really surprised to see me still pregnant at this point! I start to see a glimmer of hope, that maybe she will schedule the induction! Then, she checks to see how far dilated I am and then says, "OOPs! Your water broke!" Ha ha. She totally did it on purpose! Love her for that! So, we went home, got my bag and made arrangements with my mom and for the kiddos and then headed to the hospital.

Here is a pic of the family right before we left...the last picture of us as a family of 5!

Brad and I were completely shocked that she broke my water in the office...we never would have imagined that being a possibility, but needless to say we were pleasantly surprised! That was all around 2:30pm... we made it to the hospital and I was in my bed around 5 or 5:30...not exactly sure.

I was put on pitocin at about 6pm, and that really got things going...they took me off of it at about 7pm and the contractions just kept coming harder and stronger.  Thankfully this time, the epidural was placed in time -- well, I mean at least it helped take the edge off the contractions, and then a few minutes later it was time to push!  OUCHIE!  Let's just say he didn't fly out like JOshy and Drew did...but definitely came easier than Jakob did!  We were all blown away when they called out his weight... 10lbs, 7.2oz!!!!! 

I never thought I would have a baby bigger than Jakob!  Holy cow!  I am so thankful that the dr. broke my water...because he very easily could have been 11 or 12 lbs if I had gone another week!!!

I love that they encourage skin-to-skin contact right after birth...it was so sweet to have him lay on my chest and give him a kiss!!  (I know you're all jealous of my sweet tan lines, ha ha!)

Proud Papa and Mama...

The calm before the storm...

Definitely NOT digging his first bath!

All clean...what a chunk!  Look at that double chin!

Proud Grama!

Proud papa...

Proud mama...

 

The boys were so cute when they first came to meet Aleks...they were fascinated by him!

They brought me treats... Peanut M&Ms (which they ate 1/2 the bag!!), spider earrings that Joshy picked out, and a cute "lil' Devil" hat and bootie halloween bootie set...  Those boys crack me up!

The whole family!  I can't believe we have 4 sons!

Sweet, sleepy baby...

And another Proud Papa pic...

Looking at these pics I realize how much he has already grown and changed in the past 2 weeks...  I have attempted a few photoshoots with him...and let's just say, I much prefer photographing OTHER peoples' babies!  I have found that I remain much more calm when it's not my kid!  :)  So, hopefully I will have some really great photos to show you soon...keep an eye out!

We have been truly blessed to have my mom stay with us and take care of all the cooking and cleaning and driving kids around, etc...that was wonderful!  She left on Saturday and now that it's been a few days, I am starting to feel more confident in taking care of things on my own with the kids and baby.  Brad is also a great help, and steps in whenever I ask.  We have had lots of friends bring us meals...and that has helped tremendously...just not even having to THINK about cooking takes a huge load off of me!  So, thank you to everyone who has helped out and sent kind messages...it really means a lot to know we have such an awesome support system!!!!!!!  

And now I must sign off...it's feeding time again! 

xoxo