Liam: The Birth

So, I never quite made it all the way to 40 weeks!  My c-section was scheduled for the morning of April 14, 2011. 

My mom arrived the evening before and we spent some time with Eoin and basically just making sure everything was in place and ready for the newest addition.  It was actually an unusually calm evening.  We had to be at the hospital at 5:00am; therefore we needed to leave the house at around 4:45am.  I couldn't eat anything after midnight due to the surgery, so thankfully McDonald's is not open at that hour!  I got up and showered and had my bags ready to go.  The evening beforehand I dipped pretzels for the nurses and purchased some presents for the grandparents, so I had quite the luggage upon arriving.  We checked in at the ER and headed up to our room. 

I was incredibly anxious for the surgery.  I was very nervous for the spinal.  The nurse had some issues starting an IV which didn't aid in squashing my anxiety.  Dr. Weaver tried to reassure me to no avail.  After a while (a couple of hours actually!) we were ready for the big event.  I hopped off the table and walked down to the OR.  This made me laugh as they 'wheeled' me to the floor for the operation, but had me walk down to the room.  Anyway, I let the anesthetist know about my worries regarding the spinal.  He was great, but I think I had him as nervous as I was towards the end.  After that everything occurred very quickly!  I was incredibly out of it and could sense Jordan only by his scent.  There was some pulling and tugging and then I heard the sweetest sound in the world:  Liam's cry!  I heard the doctor say "it's a boy, it's definitely at boy!" and then I could see him.  He was born at 7:36am. 

The surgery was much different than Eoin's.  I knew what was in store for me; this wasn't necessarily a good thing, as I had time to agonize the details and remember only the bad parts!  Unlike Eoin's birth, I was able to recover in the same room that he was being measured, tested and cleaned in.  I was a part of every minute as a spectator.  I missed this with Eoin.  Jordan was able to participate in Liam's first bath while I looked on.  Recovery this time was much different!  I was sitting up and although it hurt to speak, I could and I was very aware of what was going on.  This was sort of crazy to me as during the actual surgery, it almost felt like an out of body experience, it was very different!  I even had visitors in recovery this time.  Jordan's mom made it up to see us before the surgery and stayed while we were in the operating room (have I mentioned how incredible my mother-in-law is?!).  She got to hear his first cry from the other side of the door.  My mom brought Eoin to meet his little brother for the first time in the recovery room (so special!), Jordan's sister Ashley came up with Aidan (and left with Eoin) and my friend Katie peeked in! 

Once the initial recovery stage was complete, we headed to the room we would be in for a few days.  Liam was incredibly awake and alert for the first few hours.  He latched on well right away and ate like a champ! 

The first day was a busy day chocked full of visitors.  I was so happy that so many people took time out of their busy days to peek in on little Liam.  Although exhausted, I was taking in every single minute. 

My recovery was so great that a nurse commented that she couldn't believe I had a c-section.  We were released a day early, heading home on Saturday early afternoon.  I couldn't grasp the fact that we were so lucky to be leaving with another perfectly healthy baby boy! 

Introducing . . .

Milk Coma

In the wee hours when Liam wakes for a feeding I can't help but stare at him.  It is so different with the second child.  You love both absolutely unconditionally, but with the second I seem to be much more relaxed and able to enjoy the little moments.  Like this one.  My little man so perfectly content. 

And then there were 4

39 Weeks!

I'm 39 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 39 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby K is over 7 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 38 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity and anything soft!

Gender: It's a Boy

Movement: He definitely has slowed down in movement, but everything is good!

Sleep: I can't sleep. I can't get comfortable and I just have insomnia. Jordan asked me this morning if I ever sleep anymore

What I miss: Being able to do anything - I can barely get around at this point.

Cravings: I've lost my appetite lately - I think maybe my stomach has run out of room? I eat a lot of ice too, so maybe I'm filling up on ice

Symptoms: I'm 9 months pregnant - I'm huge, I waddle and I can barely move. I can't bend over or get comfortable in any position. BUT I'm SO thankful for this pregnancy and I'm trying to enjoy the very end.

Best Moment this week: Eoin received a be-lated Christmas gift of a tractor with a trailer and he said he wanted to 'haul baby stuff in it!' I am so excited to meet his little brother and I know he is too! Jordan was husband extraordinaire this weekend and helped me clean the entire house like it has never been cleaned before! He was amazing. We are now all set and ready for the addition to our family!

38 Weeks!

I'm 38 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby K is around 6.8 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 36 lbs

Maternity Clothes: I wear whatever fits and feels comfortable! Next week will definitely be flip flops and sweats at work, ha!

Gender: It's a boy!

Movement: He has definitely run out of space and now pushes instead of kicking/flipping, etc.

Sleep: I sleep terribly. I have bags under my eyes! I just can't get comfortable and when I do I usually have to get up to go to the bathroom.

What I miss: Being able to do anything - I can barely get around at this point. I am so thankful for Jordan for helping out so much so I can be a bump on the log!

Cravings: I've lost my appetite lately - but I still love ICE!

Symptoms: I'm 9 months pregnant - I'm huge, I waddle and I can barely move. I can't bend over or get comfortable in any position. BUT I'm SO thankful for this pregnancy and I'm trying to enjoy the very end.

Best Moment this week: It was a tough week; I'm just ready for this to be over, I've been doing what I can to snuggle and and love on Eoin as much as possible before the new baby comes. Saturday morning was fantastic. Jordan and I took Eoin to get his hair cut, then to Chuck E. Cheese and then to get a new tractor before heading to lunch. We just want to make him feel as special as possible. He is such a growing little boy. He told me this week that he is not a little boy, he is a man. I would by lying if I said I didn't cry, but at least I'll get another little boy to watch grow up. He is also got a new bike, a real one, with training wheels and he learned to ride it on Sunday. I am having such perplexed feelings that I want time to speed up so I can meet the baby, but to slow down so Eoin doesn't get any older!