He's Here!!

I was the first one up on Monday Sept. 9th at 6:30am.  This gave me about 20 minutes to reflect.  I stared at my big boy who just so happened to be laying next to me.  And marveled at how beautiful he is.  I stared at my big pregnant belly and tried to soak in those last few movements from the inside.  And last I stared at my husband who has given me these three amazing gifts for which I am so truly blessed for.  And then the day really got started.  Big brown eyes woke up with a smile, rubbed my belly and told me was excited for baby day.  He did want to know why daddy couldn't cut the baby out of my belly and then I wouldn't have to go to the hospital.  Which I didn't think was the best idea - haha.  We went and woke up Pierce and headed downstairs.  Made breakfast and pack up Brady's lunch.  Almost broke the NPO status a few times because I forgot and apparently eat leftovers off my kids plates a little too much!  We got up Dad at 7:30am and enjoyed our last little time as a family of four.  Brady ran to the bus (little did we know this was the last happy time he would go to school for the next few days) and put Pierce down for his morning nap.  Dad and I switched into high gear and got ready.  Last minute items in the bags, woke Pierce up at 10am and dropped him off at papa's.  We were on our way!   We were on time for this C-section.  Hubs and I got instantly nervous as soon as we got out room and I put on the gown.  The 2 hour wait seemed like forever.  And of course as soon as it was time to sign the consent Steve looked at me and asked if I was sure about the tubal.  I could have killed him!  I did not want to make the decision on this day when hormones and emotions run so high and he was the one that had been SO sure.  So we stared at those 2 different consents and tried to make a decision.  Eventually we chose the tubal.  I begged the nurses and doctors for Steve not to leave my side.  Thank God for Dr. Stevens, my anesthesiologist because he is the boss and gave the OK.  Much to the shock of the OR staff and my OB, Steve got to come and watch the epidural and everything else too.  It was so nice to have him there the whole time :)  Baby came out at 1:39pm and weighed 7 lbs.  Everyone was betting he was going to be 6 lbs. but I knew my little guy wouldn't disappoint.  He cried right away and then my tension and stress melted away.  Steve went over and took pictures and I could see him the whole time.  Dr. Bob gave me one last chance to change my mind on the tubal and I didn't.  My blood pressure only needed to be medicated a few times and although I was hot and nauseous I never barfed - yay!  I wanted to nurse this little guy right away because I was feeling so good.  And I honestly think it made a huge difference.  He knew what he was doing!  No problems with the latch at all. He has by far been the best nurser out of the three.  I even wanted to eat right away which is unusual for me.  Typically I lose my appetite for days. Well I would have took a picture but I ate that BLT and chips and carrot cake in 5 bites and it was darn good!  I got into my room around 4:30 on Mother Baby and couldn't wait till the boys got there.  I freshened up a bit and put on my cute gown - thanks husband!  They came up about 6pm.  I made sure I wasn't holding the baby because I wanted to see them and let them know mommy was fine.  Brady climbed right up on my bed and gave me a hug.  He was relieved I could tell and Pierce wanted to play with the SCD's on my legs.  Here are a few pics of the whirlwind that took place for the 45 minutes the boys were there. 

Reid Michael DiPalma

Hi, It's Mommy!

Love Steve's proud face in this one

Brady was so happy to see me.

This shot was a little painful but Pierce looks comfortable.

Brady's getting to be a pro!

Family of 5!  Impossible to get everyone to look at one place.

I hated every minute of being a patient and being away from my boys.  So I put the bug in everyone's ear that I wanted to leave the next day.  I know that is crazy.  But the nurses were not around.  Actually I lost my foley and IVF at 1am and after calling for my baby from the nursery I just went and got him.   It had been 3 hours since he nursed last and the staff at the desk said she couldn't leave  I was unimpressed with the nursing care and figured Steve would do more for me than they were.  Tuesday was a little crazy getting all the things done on our list but I made it home around 5pm pod #1.  Take that C-section pow pow! 
  
And finally Home Sweet Home!  Let the craziness begin!  Milk bar open for business!