The promised birth story...

First of all, sorry its taken so long for me to write this out. I had truly forgotten how having a baby in the house sucks up all your time and then some.

On Thursday Dec 1st, I went and checked into L&D at about 7:30 pm. They wanted me to come in early so they could run bloodwork and make sure the heparin was completely out of my system. They also put me on the monitor so they could keep an eye on Gabe all night. Since I had stopped the heparin 24 hours previously, they wanted to make sure there weren't any last minute complications. So, although being on a monitor all night was a royal PITA, I was more than happy to do it. I guess we scheduled my c-section for a good day because I started having the first contractions of my pregnancy that night in the hopsital. They weren't strong or productive contrax but they were happening.

The next morning, they came in at about 5:30 am and started prepping me for surgery.

I was a lot more stressed about the delivery than I had thought I would be. I guess I was still afraid to let myself believe I would really have a baby at the end of all this. Once they had me prepped, I had to have my hubby add some decoration to my belly...

Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of my OB's face when he saw it because they hadn't brought my hubby into the OR yet. I can tell you that finding that "note" had my OB and the rest of the OR staff laughing out loud. Once they got my spinal in and the drapes in place, they brought my hubby in. Once they started the c-section, we got the second sign that we picked a good time to deliver. Despite being 39 weeks 1 day, there was already some meconium staining in the amniotic fluid. Luckily, there were no complications from that.

Gabe was delivered at 7:56 am on Dec 2nd and started screaming immediately after being suctioned. As soon as her started screaming, I started sobbing. I couldn't (and still can't) believe that my miracle baby was really here and ok. Gabe screamed until Vic was able to talk to him and hold him and then he quieted right down. I was able to hold my beautiful boy while still in the OR. Gabe was a healthy 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long at birth.

They took Gabe to the nursey while I was in recovery. Thankfully, my time in recovery was short...I was able to move my legs only 45 minutes after my c-section was complete. Once I went to my room on the maternity floor, Gabe was brought to me and he roomed in with me the whole time we were there.

Gabe has been nursing like a champ the whole time. Before my milk came in, he lost 8.6 oz. However, my milk came in less than 2 days after delivery and, by the evening of the 4th, Gabe had already gained back an ounce. By the time of his first appt. with his pediatrician (Wed Dec 7th at 9 am), Gabe had already gained back all the weight he lost. My two older boys have been the best big brothers...

and the best helpers a mom could ask for. I have also been blessed with friends who have showered Gabe with gifts and love...

Just look at this beautiful quilt that was made for him.

I couldn't be happier than I am right now!