Sunday, October 16, 2011

Eli's New Swing

We're putting Daddy to the ultimate test today! We've got him putting together a new swing for little man!

If only he could quit watching ESPN, we might get to use the swing before Christmas!

Update: mission completed! We have a happy baby in a new swing!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Pictures

 Last belly picture taken about 7 hours before I went into labor

Belly/cup holder during labor & delivery

First time holding our precious miracle!

The only picture of Tony & I in the hospital....we were too focused on Elijah Tate!

Elijah Tate in the NICU

Door hanger

Elijah Tate is perfect!

His perfect tiny feet!

Molly meeting Elijah Tate for the first time!

A standoff with Daddy!

Big Update!

Elijah Tate is here.  If you didn't know this, then you must not text or have facebook!  We are so excited to announce our bundle of joy came into this world on 10/2/11 at 2:58pm.  He weighed 7lbs 12.5 ounces and was 20 inches long. 

Our our last doctor's appointment, Dr. Callison had asked me to come back in on 10/10/11 for one last measurement ultrasound and for us to make a final decision on whether we'd attempt a regular delivery or go with the C-section.  She gave us information to read about c-sections, but luckily we didn't need it. 

Around 12:30am on 10/2/11 my water broke!  What a relief that all of this was going to happen naturally.  I've heard it's so much easier for it to happen this way.  The crazy part is that my regular doctor was out of town during that entire week.  So once we got to the hospital and they confirmed that my water had broken, we were told Dr. Kakani would be handling the delivery.  She immediately said she didn't do c-sections simply because they were a preference and that we would attempt this naturally!  So, at 6am I was still 2 cm dilated (I was also 2 cm dilated the Wednesday before at my doctor's appointment) so they started the pitocin. By the way, Dr. Kikani was the most supportive and amazing doctor.  She was a blessing in disguise!

I thought labor and delivery was pretty easy until around lunch when I actually started feeling those contractions.  They are no joke!!  Thank goodness for modern medical advancements and the epidural.  The epidural literally saved my husband's life.  I would have probably killed him without it!  It's absolutely the most frustrating thing in the world to be having those awful contractions while people just stare at you with that pitiful look!  But, the epidural.....oh, it was wonderful!

After about 5 or 6 good pushes, Elijah Tate was here!  Boy, he came quick!  He knew mommy and daddy were so ready to meet him!  He came so fast that he had amniotic fluid in his lungs and his little head was bruised.  So I held him for a couple of minutes and away he went for 4 hours of observation in the NICU. Luckily, he improved quickly and we were able to bring him to our room shortly after observation!

I can just say that mommyhood is the best.  It's the weirdest thing that I don't mind being awakened every 3 hours by a baby that makes the most precious faces and sounds.  He's just perfect.  I tell him every day how perfect he is and how mommy prayed for him every single day while he was in my tummy.  And the best part of my day is now when I pray over him at night.  He just seems to listen so contently! 

So, thank you for all of your prayers!  They have been answered.  We have been blessed with the most perfect and good baby.  We could never imagine he's be so happy! 

And for those who have been lucky enough to meet our other baby, Molly--you'll be happy to know she is transitioning to the big sister just fine!  She gets very excited when we have visitors.  Otherwise, she just lays beside Elijah Tate during his long naps and even sits on the corner of the bed at night so she can see in the bassinet.  When he cries, she goes to check on him.  And, when he has a stinky diaper, she always sniffs it first so mommy doesn't have to! 

What an amazing journey this is going to be!