I was scheduled to have a c-section on Thursday the 25th, but Baby Z had plans of his own! I woke up at midnight to go the bathroom and as soon as I stood up I threw up all over the place. I sort of sat there for a few minutes, trying to get my bearings and I started having a few contractions. I figured it was due to the throwing up and went and laid back down in bed. Over the next 30 minutes, I started to time them and they were 3 minutes apart and getting stronger.

I got up to see if moving around would help, and they kept coming every 3 minutes. I also kept throwing up, which was really not fun at all. We putted around the house until about 2, when I finally gave in and told my hubby that we should go to the hospital to get checked out. I called my mom to come stay with Spitup Boy, and she finally made it to the house at around 3am.

Once at the hospital the hospital they hooked me up to the monitors and it did indeed show a nice, consistent pattern of strong contractions. They put me on an IV to see if maybe I was dehydrated, but the contractions just kept coming. They gave me some phenegran for the naseau (which did nothing for the throwing up, but put me to sleep within seconds) and a shot of demoral. I ended up sleeping until 7am, when they woke me up to say that the doctor was there and they were ready to prep me for surgery. No one every checked to see how dilated I was…

Z was born at 7:28- it took them about 5 minutes to get him out. He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds, 7 oz and was 21 inches long. He is a huge kid! He looks like his big brother, except he has a head full of dark hair and I think his eyes are going to end up being dark as well.

They took him into the transitional nursery while I was in recovery, and noticed that he was having trouble breathing. He had fluid in his lungs and was breathing faster than normal, which they said happens with c-section babies sometime. I had to hang out in recovery for 5 hours because there were no rooms available. Meanwhile, Super-Daddy is going back and forth to the nursery taking pictures and checking up on Baby Z.

I was starting to get a little frantic because I hadn’t really got to see him yet, and I really wanted to breastfeed as early as possible and neither was happening. Finally someone from the nursery came down to tell me that he would be admitted into the Nicu until his breathing slowed down, and that they would be giving him formula through a feeding tube. I broke down and cried, and kept going for about an hour.

They finally got me into a room about 2, and I got a pump within minutes so I can do everything I can to get my supply up. They also brought me a wheel chair so I could go see the baby.

He ended up staying in the NICU the entire duration of our stay, and we were both released Saturday afternoon. The breastfeeding didn’t go very well in the hospital, simply because they really don’t allow a lot of time to learn to latch and what not. We had about 10 minutes at a time to try, and then they would finish him off with whatever I was able to pump (which I did 10 times a day) and formula. I hated the formula, and tried to fight it as much as possible.

Now that we are at home, we are 100% breastfeeding and it’s going really well so far. My milk has come in and baby Z is pretty good at latching and such. We nursed almost every hour last night, but after the ordeal that I went through at the hospital to be able to breastfeed him in the first place I am not complaining.

Overall I am good and moving around quite a bit, I have a little pain at the incision site but other than that I am doing great. My ankles have swelled up to the size of tree trunks, but other than that…LOL

(we also found out that due to the lack of rooms, the hospital canceled all scheduled c-sections. So if I hadn’t gone into labor on my own, my surgery for Thursday would have been canceled. So maybe Zachary knew something we didn’t. LOL)

And if you read all that…you get to see some pics of the Moose Man!

I am in the hospital doped up on morphine. Depending on how quick you are to read the feeds on your RSS reader, Baby Z is either just about to enter the world or is already snuggled up next to me fast asleep.

I love you all, and will update with pictures soon!

In 4 days, we will be a family of 4! The countdown is on, and we are over here nesting like crazy. I am cleaning, and Super-Daddy has gotten in gear and cleaned out the garage. So for the first time in 4 months, we can get the baby-mobile into the garage. (Which is going to be awesome when it comes time to get 2 kids in the car without them running into traffic)

Now, I just have to schedule someone to come and install the garage door opener so that I can actually use the darn thing.

I also got a “push present”, though I am not sure what it’s called if you are having a c-section. A “cut present?” ….that just doesn’t sound as cool.  Super-Daddy bought me a GPS system. So whether I am delivering diapers or going to a playgroup, I am set!

J,

Two and a half years ago, I remember sitting in front of my computer writing out a letter to you, much like I am right now. At the time, you were rolling around in my stomach and I was so anxious to see your face. I would stay up nights, wondering what life would be like once you made your appearance. I wondered what you would be like, and what your interests would be. I wondered what it would like to be a mom, and if I had what it took to be a good one. I couldn’t wait to see how your Daddy would interact with you and what it would be like to go from being a couple to a family.

And today, when I look at your smiling face, I can barely remember what life was like before you were born. All the trouble and pain melts away, when you look at me with your big blue eyes and say “I love you, Mommy.” You are such a smart little boy, and are always talking and trying to figure out the world around you. And you are sooo funny! You are always on the move, but there are a few moments each day that I get to cuddle with you as you are winding down. I love to lie on the couch with you before bed and stroke your hair as you begin to fall asleep. You truly are an amazing little kid.

It was no wonder that we soon started talking about giving you a little brother or sister. You were such a joy to be around, that the thought of adding to our family seemed like a natural thing to do. A few months later, around your 2^nd birthday we found out we were expecting again.

We started prepping you to be a big brother, and you really seem to understand what is going on. You keep asking me when baby brother is coming, and like to sing songs with me about “baby Z.” You kiss and pat my belly, and have gone to almost all of my doctor’s appointments with me.

There are times that I worry about how you are going to react to having to share us with someone else. Sometimes you hold on just a little too tight before bed, like you know that things are about to change. For 2 and a half years, you have been the center of our universe, and I want you to know what no matter what, you will continue to be loved just as much as ever. They say that a parent’s heart grows with the birth of each child, and I believe that to be true. You will always be my sunshine, and my baby and no one can ever take your place.

I know that our day to day life will go through an adjustment period, but with time I know that you are going to be an amazing big brother. You are so kind and loving, and Z is one lucky boy to have you to show him the way.

And even if I can’t hold your hand every minute of every day like I have in the past, know that every single second that we spend together is something that I cherish.

You are an amazing kid, and you are going to grow up to be an amazing man. We can’t wait to watch you grow and blossom and we will go into the future as a family of four, stronger than ever.

I love you,

Mom

(This is part 2- check out Letter to Baby Z)