Swing!

Charlie was uninterested in this project...
William helped keep track of the tools...

And read the directions...
I asked him what the directions said and he replied "put up the swing"

Success!

One Week...

Yesterday Charlie turned one week old. It went slowly, which was nice. He is such a sweet little baby, and we are just enjoying this stage so much. He is pretty much sleeping in 2-3 hour spurts round the clock, and refuses to sleep anywhere but next to me. I am trying hard to get him to sleep in his bed or swing because I still live in fear that I will suffocate him over night. William is adjusting to having him around for good, and seems to have a little more interest in him daily. Aunt Molly has been a huge help, taking him to play at the park and keeping him occupied so I can nap. Jason returned to work today and will probably work a full week next week. Grandma comes next Wednesday, and we are all excited to have her around. I am still feeling a little rough, but it is getting better by the day....

First Bath at Home...

This was actually after the bath. I love his little grins!
All bundled up after his bath...

Not too pleased with getting his hair washed...

Finally: Charlie's Birth Story...

I had kind of given up hope that anything was going to happen before the due date. So, of course that night, my water broke. I woke up to a very distinct feeling that I was leaking. I tried to get up to check and felt a GUSH! Yikes! In my bed! Thankfully, we had the waterproof mattress cover on. I woke Jason to get me a towel, then called the midwife. I didn't have any contractions yet, so she told me to try and sleep and come in at 5 or 5:30 am. There was honestly no way I was getting back to sleep. Adrenaline kicked in, realizing that today was the day I was having this baby. We spent the time collecting all the last minute things we needed, and doing last minute chores. Within the hour my contractions started. At first they were weak, but then quickly grew stronger, and stronger. We called Shelley and she arrived about 3 am, and we left for the hospital about 4:30. They were getting much stronger and about 7-8 minutes apart. After arriving at the hospital they took me straight to a room and my midwife checked me, and hooked me up to the monitor. The contractions were spacing out a little, but she said that wasn't uncommon when you come in to the hospital. They soon became regular again and I walked and sat on the ball to help them along. Over the next couple of hours we just hung out, breathed and leaked. I can't honestly remember the time that the next few things happened. Just know that it ended at 6:47 pm. At this point we were still at 9 am. Somewhere in here the contractions were getting stronger, but not strong enough, or close enough to make things progress. The midwife said that she was concerned that we were not going to have success unless they picked up. She wanted to start some pitocin. I was concerned about this for 2 reasons. 1- A natural childbirth with pitocin sucks. It makes the contractions SO MUCH WORSE! and 2- The risk of uterine rupture goes up with the use of pitocin. But, after talking it over with the midwife, whom I trusted completely, we decided to go for it. I was still determined to last as long as possible without an epidural, because I knew that I needed gravity to help me, and I feared that once I was stuck in the bed, I was sure to end up with another c-section. During all this time, my antibiotics were running in for the Group B Strep, and thankfully, I did have plenty of time to get my doses in. As for the contractions, once the pitocin kicked in, they did indeed become more regular, about every 3 minutes and much, much stronger. At the same time, Charlie started having problems. With every contraction his heart rate would drop, sometimes extremely low. (80-100) They decided to put the internal monitors in to get a better sense of what was going on. During these hours I was essentially stuck at a 6-7 cm dilation, but 100% effaced. Charlie would come down to 0 with a push and then float back up to -3 station. The midwife was getting concerned. The midwife checked me as I pushed and I would get to 10cm and then as I stopped pushing he would move back up and I would be back at a 7. So frustrating. They wanted to up the pitocin some more, and honestly I was pretty certain at this point we were headed for a c-section. I told them that if they were going to turn the pit up, I wanted the epidural first. I wanted to end all this pain if I was going to end up with a section at the end anyway. I also figured, with the decels, if I needed an emergency c-section, then I would have the epidural in place, because if I didn't, they would have had to put me under for the delivery. Around 2:30 the Dr came in for the epidural and it was FANTASTIC! It felt amazing, I could feel pressure, and move my legs, but felt no pain. Much better than my last one. After that was all set, they came in to up the pitocin. A while later the contractions were getting closer, and stronger, and they had me push some more, and Charlie had more decels. At this point I had to stay on my left side all the time. He wouldn't tolerate me in any other position. It is very hard to push on your left side! Around 3 Dr Simmonds came in. He said he wanted to see what would happen if I didn't push at all and we just let me and the baby rest a while. They upped the pitocin a little more, and I spent the next 2 hours trying not to bear down. I really felt a lot of downward pressure though, so it was really hard not to push. At 5 the midwife checked me again and I was a full 10cm and the baby was at 0 station and fixed. I pushed a few times and his heart rate dropped significantly (Down to the 60's at one point). Dr Simmonds came back in and said that I was now at +2 and we could attempt a forceps delivery if I wanted to avoid the c-section. He said that I had a very good chance at it going well since the baby was now so far down. He wanted the epidural topped off before we started, and the baby to get a chance to recover so he said we would start at 6:30. The Dr came in to top off the epidural and my Blood Pressure bottomed out. It had been very low since the epidural was placed, but now I was feeling really awful and it was 65/45. I am sure that wasn't helping the baby either. They flooded me with fluid, about 2 1/2 liters in 15 minutes, and I started to feel better. They got me to 100/70 and decided that was good enough to get started. Dr Simmonds came in and started setting up at 6:37. I pushed with him for 3 contractions and Charlie came out at 6:47. Pretty great! Charlie came out looking terrible though, his APGAR was only 4. They did 3 rescue breaths, and he finally started crying a little. They were taking him to the NICU, which was what I dreaded the most, but they handed him to me for a moment first. He was so limp and blue. It was awful. I told them to just take him! I would bond later! My midwife was right there with me so she took him from me and gave him back to the team. Jason left with the baby and they finished up with me. I ended up with some 2nd degree tearing, but honestly, I expected worse than that with forceps. By the time Charlie got to the NICU he was already doing better, and the staff were kind of surprised they had even taken him there. Jason said he looked better by the time they got him admitted. Meanwhile I was in the room waiting for Jason to come back and let me know what was happening. I could hear someone in the next room delivering and the baby started to cry and so did I. Thankfully, I had Charlie back with me in a couple of hours and that made all the difference. I was very nervous that night and got almost no sleep, fearing that he wasn't really stable and that he would stop breathing. He spent most of the night nursing and looking around with a very alert little face. I am very glad that I ended up with a VBAC, but honestly I couldn't have done it without the support of my midwife, Dr Simmonds, the nurses, and of course, my Jason. The recovery since has been very rough, I am in a lot of pain, but it is getting better with lots of ice and ibuprofen. I would do it again though if I got the same reward at the end!

Happy Easter!

Checking out what the Easter Bunny left...
Behold: The Chocolate Bunny!

William showed Charlie what he got, and explained that it is yummy...

He then used his Easter morning perogative to eat nothing but candy for breakfast...

Charlie spent much of the day hanging out and didn't seem too impressed by his brother's fixation on candy or bunnies.

This was one of the quietest Easter's I have ever had. I am still feeling like I have been beaten severly, so I didn't even try and go to Church. God will understand. William had a great time with all his Easter goodies, and Jason made us breakfast and I got some much needed rest. Our dear friend Karen brought us dinner tonight so we didn't even have to worry about that. Such a wonderful thing to have good friends. Charlie is looking more jaundiced today, so it will be interesting to see what Dr Rahman thinks of it tomorrow. He is such a good baby, and I am just loving his snuggly little newborn-ness. He is almost never being put down, which may hurt us in the long run, but we just can't help it!

Charlie Comes Home...

Taking it all in...

I look so tired...but I am.


Packed up and ready to go!

Tia got her baby fix...

William wouldn't sit for a family picture with us, so just imagine us together like these lovely people.

Jason, Charlie, and I finally got the go ahead to come home about 12 noon today. It was so nice to get out of the hospital. Solon and Andrea and the girls had spent the night with William, so we had a nice welcoming committee. I finally had my appetite back and it was nice to have other people around to hold the baby so I could eat. Charlie is a little jaundiced, but it seems to be resolving, and he is eating well, so it should get better right away. Everyone left around 3 and Jason took Will out for a walk so Charlie and I high tailed it to bed and took a nice 2 hour nap. I am hoping for a calmer night than last night was. Charlie is hungry and my milk is coming it, but it hasn't quite made enough yet, so we finally gave him some formula at 2 am, which made him sleep for a couple of hours. It's funny how you start to look an hour of solid sleep as such an amazing thing.... It is so nice to have us all home and back together again. I missed William terribly and it was so nice being back in my own bed!

William Meets Charlie...

Daddy shows Will how to let Charlie show off his grip...
William tells Charlie all about basking sharks and how they filter their food through wide open mouths. Charlie didn't seem too impressed yet...

William gets up close to check out the new kid...

Jason brought Will to the hospital yesterday around noon to meet Charlie. Unfortunately, Charlie had just returned from being circumcised, so he wasn't really in the best mood for sibling bonding. William seemed kinda stunned when Charlie was crying, but once I got him settled down he was more eager to visit with him. He did try to hold him after a couple of hours, for about 2 seconds, it ended so fast, I didn't even get a picture! William had a good time in the hospital room, and was very intrigued by the breast pump. He asked everyone who came in if he could use it to pump his boobies. It was pretty hilarious! Today when Charlie came home, William pretty much ignored Charlie and Mommy, but he seemed very happy to have Daddy back. We had Charlie join in on the nightly bedtime routine and William gave him the sweetest, most tender kiss goodnight, which makes me think it won't be long before everything settles down to our new "normal".

Charles Andreas Makes His Appearance...

Charlie, Jason, and I had a long, rough day. I will write more tomorrow, but here are some pictures to tide you over. 7lbs 9oz., 19.5 inches long, and he was born at 6:47pm. He came out peeing, just like his big brother. We are very happy to have been blessed with another cute little man!

38 Weeks...

I realize that I am still early. I get that. If I wasn't having all these contractions, I would be eager, but fine with hanging in there another 2 weeks. However, I am so tired of all these strong, but not consistent contractions! Charlie feels so low and I feel like he is gaining a lot of weight. I see my midwives tomorrow, and I am really hoping they will have some good news for me. As long as I am making progress in some way, I don't mind all this discomfort. I see it as a win-win. I am accomplishing half the work with very little effort on my part! As for Charlie, he seems to be happy in there. Lots of movement, hiccups, and kicks. William is very interested in Charlie coming out, and keeps asking him to come out and play with toys. It is very cute!

Barefoot and....

37 weeks and 4 days...

William's Week...

We planted seeds... Ate Ice Cream...

Tried Out the Bouncer....

And had a ball at Tyler's Birthday party!

Frustration...

Last night seemed very promising. Contractions came every 7-10 minutes and were growing increasingly uncomfortable. Then downright painful! We called Shelley and she came over and then they stopped, dead as we were leaving for the hospital. So irritating. I had a few on and off over night, but nothing significant. I went on a walk this morning, and they seem to be gearing up again, but I am feeling pretty awful. I hope this doesn't drag on for weeks and weeks!

Real Progress!

The midwife was very impressed with me today. I was 3-4 cm dilated, 60% effaced and -1 station! All very good signs that Charlie will be here before the royal wedding! LOL! There were other signs present today as well that I will not discuss here because I am a lady, but all in all I think we are headed for an early arrival! Whoohoo!

Changes...

I am feeling like Charlie will not be a Cinco De Mayo baby. I have been feeling strange all day today. Lots of contractions and just sort of restless. I am going to try and finish all my packing for the hospital tonight, because I am not sure how much longer I will have the chance. Or the energy! I am very excited to meet this little guy and to have William meet his little brother. We'll see what happens. Now I will probably go a week over! LOL!

Charlie Update...

I had yet another Bio-physical profile done today, and an appointment with the midwife. Based on how things are going now I am off bedrest! Whoohoo! As long as my BP stays low and my tests stay normal I can be up as long as I rest during the day and when I feel strange. I am so happy that it only lasted a few days. I can't tell you how hard it was knowing that I may have to do that for another 3 weeks! I still have to take my BP's and do the kick counts twice a day, and have 2 midwife appointments every week and another ultrasound every Monday, but it's still less hassle than complete bedrest. Charlie looked good today, they estimated his weight at 7 pounds, which puts him at about 8.5 lbs at term. Sounds good to me! He still has his little hand up by his face all the time, and the midwife said there isn't much I can do about it. I am concerned that it will affect the way he descends, but I guess it's the way he likes it. William had his hands up by his face all the time too. Strange little men.

Hiking Along the Potomac...

William fishing for his breakfast...

Hauling logs in the woods...

We think this is a "Virginia Bluebell" but don't quote us....

William was planning on bringing home this large rock to me, Thankfully Jason persuaded him not to...

William looks disappointed as his fruit snack falls off the rock...

The Potomac River. William told me that the water was "rushing really fast" when he got home.

William insisted on hauling the backpack for a while. He was a little staggery...

Will got a gingerbread man at the store on the way home and brought it into bed with me, along with the crumbs...

Since I am stuck here at home, on my left side, Jason took William out for some fun and energy burning. I love how close we are to the Potomac. We have so many trails around and the tow path less than 15 minutes from our house! William loves hiking and came back home very excited. He saw a spider, a bumble bee, and a chipmunk, which he was eager to tell me all about. He was also thrilled he got to go peepee in the woods, a highlight of any little boy. I was sad to miss out on all this fun, but honestly, I don't think I could have made it at this point.

Not Sure What to Think...

Sorry it's been so long without an update. Things have been crazy around here. I am now officially on bedrest, only being allowed to get up for meals, appointments and bathing. It stinks. Jason and I are trying to work this out the best we can, and I have had some help from a friend, thank goodness! William is trying his best to behave, but Friday was really rough and I am not quite sure how I am going to make it for the next few weeks. Molly is coming a week early, thankfully and at this point I am not sure what will happen next. I seem to have developed mild pre-eclampsia. My platelets are low, my blood pressure keeps going up, I am putting on pounds of fluid in days, and I basically feel terrible. I spent 4 hours in the hospital today getting new labs and another ultrasound. Thursday, I really thought they were going to take Charlie, and I was so scared, because he was only 36 weeks, and the lungs are kinda ready at that point, but not completely. My biggest fear is not having my baby go home with me again and having Charlie in the NICU like William was. I am just very thankful at this point that we can just wait and see and with careful living on my part, and careful monitoring of Charlie, he and I will both make it through this safely. I am also very grateful for good insurance!