Papou and Yaya met Angelo yesterday too...he actually met all his Uncles and Aunts on Toms side yesterday too, but I forgot to get out the camera for that. We will just have to see them again soon! I can't wait till my side gets to meet him too...but for now, these pictures will have to do!
Papou and Angelo...so proud! :-)
The proud grandparents!
Caroline came to the hospital yesterday to meet her new little brother. I was so happy to see her!! I miss her so much, but I know she has been in good hands with Tom's mom. We have never been apart overnight and I miss checking on her before I go to sleep and playing with her. Things will be different, but she will be a great big sister, I know it! She all of the sudden seems so grown up to me :(
When she first walked in she was a little nervous it seemed, but she did come give me a hug and kiss. When she saw her brother she gave a little smile and tried to pick him up and hug him. It was cute. After that she got distracted and would just come back to him every now and then. Eventually she asked for her jacket and said bye bye. I'm not sure what she thinks but I loved watching her meet him and I can't wait to bring him home and to get a routine again.
Here are some pics of their first meeting...videos too...but again, you have to log into the blog to see them.
Angelo is finally here...he is quite the punctual kid. He came 3 minutes before his due date, completely on his own. He is beautiful and just the sweetest, calmest baby. He looks just like Caroline as a baby only with dark hair. He was born at 11:57 PM on Wednesday, May 4th. He weighs 8 lbs 4 oz (actually 8lbs 3.5 oz...but I guess they decided to round up) and was 21 in long.
I suppose you would all like to see pictures and maybe even hear how it all went. Don't read if you don't want to hear about birth! I did spare you from a lot of gross details though...
I went to the Dr on Tuesday evening just for a regular checkup. I was hoping my Dr would tell me I was close...or give me some sort of clue to when he would come. But, after my exam I was no closer to knowing when he would come because there had been NO progress. I came home, played with Caroline, put her to bed and then watched some TV with Tom until about 10:00. At around 1am I woke up for one of my regular nightly visits to the bathroom. When I got back in bed, half asleep, I started to have contractions. It didn't really hit me what was happening. I kept waking up every 10-20 minutes but didn't think much of it until around 4 am. Then I realized that this just might be the real deal. I decided not to wake up Tom because he had a test that morning that he needed to rest for. He got up around 6:30 and I told him we were probably going to have the baby soon....I didn't know how soon, but soon. He went off at 7:30 until about 10:30 ish for his test (which he passed of course). By the time he got home the contractions were about 5 minutes apart and slightly more painful. I had called the Dr and he told me to come in at 1:00 to his office. Tom's mom came over to watch Caroline and off Tom and I went to the Dr. He confirmed that I was in fact in labor and was about 2-3 cm dialated. He sent us off to the hospital and by 2:00 I was in my room getting all ready for AJ's arrival. In the hour from when I was at the Dr till we were checked into the hospital the contractions got pretty painful. Luckily I only had to endure that for about 2 hrs and 45 min until they gave me an epidural. I was a little worried about getting an epidural because I had heard it can slow labor and if I wanted to do a VBAC I had to do this all on my own without Pitocin. But...I decided it was worth the risk. Especially since if I did end up needing a c-section at the last minute I would be able to without being put to sleep. After I got the epidural I felt great until about 9:00 ish when it started to wear off on one side. The Dr. came to check me at 9:30 and I was 6 cm but Angelo's head was turned the wrong way so she was worried he would not fit and I would have to have a c-section. She told me she would come back at 10:30 and check again, but if there wasn't much progress we would have to go to the operating room. I guess Angelo heard because when she came back at 10:30 I was 9.5 cm and about ready to push. About this time I started to get really nauseous. Angelo's head was still facing the wrong way, but the Dr. thought since I was totally dialated I could just try to push him out and he should turn the right way. On maybe my second try at pushing he turned the right way which made me start throwing up. It ended up being about 45 minutes of pushing and feeling the urge to puke and he was out at 11:57PM. I remember at one point saying that if he loved me he would come out before midnight. I guess he loves me :-) I really just wanted him out! It was wonderful to see him. They put him right on my chest which was so wonderful compared to my experience with Caroline and the c-section. I was able to hold him for a few minutes....Tom cut the cord. Then they cleaned him off right in my room and brought him back for me to hold and breastfeed for an hour before they bathed of weighed him. He came out sucking and has been an expert at eating. I don't think we will have any problems with him gaining weight...he loves to eat.
So...that's the story. I would have to say a c-section was MUCH easier...BUT the bonding and recovery are much better with a vaginal birth. I'm really glad that I was able to do it even though it would have been easier to schedule the c-section. Now I can have a lot more kids like I want without too many risks! I LOVE the hospital I am at this time! The nurses are great...only thing bad is the food!
Welcome to the world baby Angelo James *He is named after Tom's father (Angelo) and my father (James). I like to call him AJ because I think it's super cute just like him :)
Here are some pics and videos. If you are getting this in an email you will have to log into my blog to see the videos. Don't mind me blubbering...it hurt so bad, I was just so happy to have him in my arms!
showing my contractions...
Feeling good right after the epidural...
He finally arrived!
Today I am 39 weeks....I'm STILL pregnant...1 week till the due date! I went to the doctor today and sadly there is not much to report. His head is as low as it can go and I'm not dialated at all. My back is killing me the past couple days. It hurts to lay down....it hurts to walk...it hurts to stand up...it hurts to sit and play with Caroline...it just plain hurts!! Caroline did not put me through nearly this much pain ;-) I can't wait to meet him soon I hope!
Nobody home but Caroline so I took the picture myself...
Grandpa and Nana sent an Easter package for Caroline. The play dough and books were a big hit...and the candy of course! The clothes were super cute too! She asks to play with her "pay" (play dough) every day and all the colors are "boo" and "purpa".
Video of her playing...
Caroline heard that her Grandpa got a boo-boo...so she wanted to try to make him feel better and show him her boo-boo. Hope you heal soon Dad, aka Bampa!
Tom had a birthday yesterday! Happy Birthday Tom! I didn't take any pictures...mostly because he would have hated it. But, I feel bad if I don't at least mention his birthday on here :-)
His parents came over for a barbque and then we had an ice cream cake that his mom made. It was super yummy...Caroline LOVED it and even had some more tonight. Whenever we sing Happy Birthday Caroline gets all embarrassed. I think she thinks we are singing to her. Caroline sorta fell out the back door and landed on her head...her first really big "booboo"...she's fine though...it matches the scrapes on her knees from Easter. All in all I think it was a great day and Tom hopefully enjoyed his birthday.
Hoyt Farm is pretty much our favorit place to go lately because...
1. It's FREE
2. Caroline loves the animals...well, she loves them, but she is a little afraid of them. When we walk by she says "it's OK" to herself. lol
3. I am trying to go into labor and there is a mile hike to go on after we see the animals...it hasn't worked so far...obviously.
4. At the end of the hike there is a giant park!
The other day I took a few pictures...
