Little Guy's Birth Story

It wouldn't be our family if there weren't some sort of adventure involved in everything, including childbirth. Actually, there wasn't as much adventure in Little Guy's birth as there was with some of the others', but there was still plenty of fun.

I had been having irregular contractions for a few weeks that weren't really doing anything. That didn't surprise me since my contractions never do anything. On Christmas Eve around 8:30pm, they started getting really strong and a lot more regular. Eating, drinking, and laying on one side didn't help so I knew it was getting close. I really wanted to be with the kids on Christmas morning, though. So, I stuck it out. After they opened presents Christmas morning, I fooled around the house a little cleaning some things up and doing a few final preparations. Finally, around 11am, I told the King it was time to go. His parents were in town, so it was okay to leave the four big ones with them. I knew they were in good loving hands.

At the hospital, they monitored me for a few hours and gave me IV fluids to stop the contractions. That didn't help, but I wasn't progressing. So, after a few hours, they gave me the option of going home until the next morning or just staying the night. The doctor would have delivered him that day, but being Christmas, there wasn't much in the way of staffing there. And who really wants to be born on Christmas anyway?

I was torn about what to do. I wanted to be home with my kids and The King. (His parents were only in town for a few days and it was Christmas, so I'd sent him home). But the contractions were really bugging me and I knew I couldn't really have any fun anyway, so I stayed.

In the time I was at the hospital just waiting to have the baby, Snort pulled the Christmas tree onto himself and rumor has it that it took five minutes to dig him out of it. At that point, the King decided it was time to just put Christmas away. So, I guess I did pretty well to miss out on having to clean all that up, right?

The next morning, they came in and I told them which type of anesthesia worked for me and which didn't. I've done this enough times that they just trusted me and did what I said. I got prepped for surgery and off we went. I did very well this time around, if I say so myself. I stayed calm and there were no glitches. Little Guy came screaming into the world at 9:05am Friday, December 26, 2008 weighing
7 lbs. 15.4oz and 19 inches long.

I woke up from the "twilight drug" about an hour later in a lot of pain since I'd opted not to have the stronger drug that made me itch all over. It took some time to get the pain under control, but I was a much happier camper once we did. Little Guy and I met up again in the post partum room.

So, that's about it. Well, mostly. The second night in the hospital, the King found a mouse in my room. That was...um...nice....ICK!!! So, we got upgraded to a better room. I was relieved because the new room was right across from the nursery, and Little Guy was having a hard time with some "boy problems".

I could have stayed until Tuesday, but I so wanted to be home with my kids. I felt like I was missing out on a lot in the hospital since I'd sent the King to spend time with his parents and our kids. So, I came home Sunday.

It's all been a little overwhelming, but I think we'll get it together soon. Once the big guys are back in school, things will begin to fall back into a routine I'm used to. There is always a little adjustment time required when a new baby comes home, and this time is no different.

Number One, The Beast, and Pretty are all in love with their new brother. Pretty thinks she just got a new baby doll and gets deeply offended if I try to take him out of her arms. Silly girl. The Beast wants to pet him all the time. I have explained to him that he's a baby, not a puppy. He now walks around explaining to everyone that we don't pet Little Guy because he's not a puppy. Snort hasn't even seemed to notice that there is someone new in the house.

I have to say this; I had no idea I even wanted to have another baby this soon. Little Guy was a total and complete shock to us all. But I'm completely in love. I can't imagine our family without him. What better Christmas gift than to be given our very own angel straight from Heaven.

He Is Here!!!

I have details, details, details for you. But they're all in my head right now. And my head is currently very clouded by nice strong drugs. Really, though, it's a good story complete with live rodents, super poops, and-of course-a most beautiful baby boy. For now, though, you'll have to settle for just a few details. If you want his full name, e-mail me or leave a comment so I can reply to you privately.
Name: Little Guy
DOB: 12-26-08, 9:05am
Weight: 7lbs. 15.4 oz. ( Out biggest one yet!!!)
Height: 20
Pictures: Well, I haven't gotten that far. Lucky for you, though, my friend is on the job. Click on this spot to see amazing pics. of him. Being that he's my child, he is of course practically perfect in every way.

I Would Like 45 Robots Please

Saturday night was our church Christmas party. When Santa came in, the Beast asked me if that was his daddy. (He knows the King has a suit, too.) I said, "Nope, that's your dad right over there", and pointed the King out. At this point, the Beast's eyes got huge and he realized this really WAS Santa Clause. Immediately he had to jump in line to talk to the dear old elf.

After bouncing up and down and just itching to get his turn, it finally came. He jumped up there, and showed Santa the new shoes he'd purchased that day. (They weren't on his feet. He needed Santa to see details, so he took the shoes off for closer inspection-silly kid.) Finally, Santa was able to help direct the conversation to the Beast's list.

"I would like robots, please". This didn't surprise me because robots have been on his mind a lot lately. The next comment did surprise me a little bit, though. "Actually, I would like 45 robots, please". Ummmm.....hmmmm.....I'm not sure how Santa is going to make that happen. Last time I spoke with Santa, he didn't even have one single robot on his list for the Beast. He is interested in hearing if anyone knows where Santa might find a robot appropriate for a five year old, though.

Well, I'm Glad My Children Are Learning Something From Me

Apparently I'm rubbing off on my children. This is the conversation Number One had with me this morning before school started.

Number One: Hey mom! I know what sarcasm is.
Me: Really?
Number One: Yep, I'll show you. (turns to Beast) Hey, Beast!
Beast: (excited to be acknowledged) Yeah?
Number One: You're cool!!! (turns back to me) See, mom? That was sarcasm. (Walks away)

Ummmm....I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed. Either way, I think that just confirms the fact that he IS my kid.

I Just Figured It Out

Last night, I decided that I needed to spend HOURS on end dipping little pretzels in chocolate and then into sprinkles to make Christmas gifts. Lovely gift, I know. But definately not something I'd typically do.

Then, this morning, I woke up and decided that I just HAD to strip all the kids' beds and wash all their sheets today. While the laundry was going, I decided that the master bedroom needed to be completely cleaned, the baby's bed washed and made with fresh sheets, the carseat ready to go, the changing table cleaned and stocked with tiny little diapers, and baby clothes ready to go. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!?!

After it was all said and done, I looked around and realized something. I'd heard rumor of it for the past several months, but I hadn't really take it seriously. Rumors are just rumors, right? But, looking around today, I realized it was totally true.

What did I figure out today? I AM HAVING A BABY in just over two weeks!!! ME!!! There is a baby in there, and he is coming out SOON. And then, he's coming home to live with us and be a part of our family. AHHHHHH!!!!!!

I took a few minutes to breathe deeply while this wild new realization kicked in. I think I'm almost to a point where I might be okay with having another kiddo in the house. If I'm not to that point, I guess I'd better get there soon because it is apparently happening whether I like it or not.

So, there you go. That's what I figured out today. It's still a little bit of a shock to me, so if you see me around town, be gentle. I'm likely to spontaneously combust at any point. If it's not having another baby that makes me do it, it'll be something one of the kids I already have does to me.

*breathing deeply into my little brown paper bag*

Kind of a Proud Mommy Moment

I got Number One four new pairs of pants in August, and they fit him fine. They now look like he's waiting for a tidal wave to hit. Seriously, well above his ankles. We didn't really have a ton of $$ for new pants, but I revamped the food menu so that I would have some extra money to take advantage of the holiday sales and get him three new pairs of jeans that would fit better. I'll have to get the fourth pair later. (The Beast also desperately needs new shoes, and I'm hoping Payless will have some awesome sale. Anyway, back to Number One...)

He has always had issues with gratitude and feelings of entitlement. It's usually kind of disappointing to get him anything because he never appreciates it, finds something wrong with it, or hates to say thank you. I know he's just a kid, and that's how kids are sometimes, but it still is often a real let-down to try hard to please someone only to have them disregard your efforts.

When I came home with these new pants tonight, he was ECSTATIC. I'd gone out of my way to get styles that he likes despite my own feelings about them. (If it were up to me, he'd dress like a little boy forever. He's really growing up, though, and it's time to let him shine a little more). He threw his arms around me, thanked me bunches of times, and giddily hugged the pants as he carried them off to bed. You'd have thought it was Christmas morning. (Actually, maybe I should have held onto them until then. I just wanted to let him try them on in case they needed to be returned or he hated them).

It's such a silly thing for me to be excited about. But it shows me just how much he is growing up. He can appreciate gifts now, and can acknowledge them. He even noted that he knew we probably had to give something else up for him to have them. (It wasn't like we're starving-just gave up some of the fancier meals in exchange for mac and cheese). Finally! All the lessons about gratitude, sacrificing one thing for another, and demonstrating appreciation are coming together for him. I guess he really is growing up...and maybe, just maybe, is actually hearing some of the things we say to him.

So, there you go. I had a proud Mommy moment today. (Now maybe later on I'll blog about the unfortunate incident involving the spilled water on our entry and my resulting belly flop on the carpet. That was NOT a proud Mommy moment in the least.)