an amazing birthday gift!

I don't know if it's just me, but doesn't he look older than 5 days? Literally every time I feed him, his looks have changed. He is all sweetness and nice, and really is an extremely mellow baby. He slept through part of his first bath. I didn't think that was possible. He slept for a 4 hour stretch last night, and went right back to sleep after feeding, for another 3 1/2 hours. And he's already 2 oz heavier than his birth weight.

I know I haven't mentioned P much; he's also not in any photos yet because he's had a cold and we haven't been letting him get too close to his brother. Which must be hard to understand when you're two. But he is fantastic, as well.

In case you're curious, I didn't get my VBAC after all, but I am totally okay with it. I might post some more details later, but suffice it to say that after almost four days of labour with very little progress and learning that there's a 30 degree difference in part of my pelvis vs 'the norm', I really think that the doctor and I did everything that we could have to give a valiant effort at the VBAC. After the initial disappointment, I am really, truly, okay with how things went. Of course, the end result is fantastic, and I am feeling really good. Things went so much better than they did with P's birth, I can't even begin to bore you with the details. The best part was that Adam and T stayed with me in the OR and recovery room and T was nursing as soon as I was put back together. And I remember all of the details. For which I am very thankful.

Oh, and happy birthday to me! I am one lucky gal.

Photo courtesy of Adam, of course.

here he is!

Thomas
March 25, 2010
9 lbs 9 oz

As I knew it would be, it was all worth it. He's a fantastic eater and sleeper. We arrived home today, and both boys napped at the same time (and so did we). I'm feeling great, and all is well.

update (still no baby)

Sunrise, Thursday morning. Phillip has said all along that his brother would arrive on the 25th. He might be right. Had a very long, not-restful night. Went in to the hospital again last night when contractions were a couple of minutes apart (did I say 'again'? this is getting a bit ridiculous), was checked, and nothing. Son #2 is still waaaay high up, just like P was, and even though my body has been trying to get things going in a rather intense way, it's looking like that just might not happen on its own. So I may not get my VBAC after all, but I'm determined to get this baby out while he's still healthy and wiggly (which he is, yay!) and before it's an emergency situation. I'm headed in to the clinic this morning for a regular appointment and for him to be monitored. Meanwhile, the contractions continue. (I've had about 6 since beginning to type.) Good grief - I'm going to plan on having happy news in my next update!

another no-news-yet early morning update

After another long night with lots of irregular (by no means mild) contractions, I am still at home, and hoping that today is this little guy's birthday. March 24, doesn't that sound nice? Really, my body is starting to get tired - my legs ache (I'm sure it has a lot to do with the extra fifty pounds or so that I'm hefting around and all of the walking and being upright I've been doing) and it's hard to get comfortable. Trying to get some sleep lying down is tricky; waking up in the throes of a contraction doesn't allow for the freedom of movement to get up, and I find it's much easier to breathe through if I'm standing and holding or pushing against something. I'm also happy to update people in between, but feeling kind of silly that it's the same news since Sunday night.

But. My body is made to do this. This happening on its own is exactly what I want, and is so much better than having the forced contractions I did last time, from being induced. I am certainly not the first one to do this, and I won't be the last. People go through much worse every day, and they don't even get to cuddle a sweet new baby in the end. I really have so, so much to be thankful for.

I just breathed through another contraction, one more step closer!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!