I've never been so nervous for something in my entire life. I didn't sleep at all the night before (expected) and had to report to the hospital at 5:30 am for prep. I was shaking the whole time but kept it together for the most part. I even got to walk into the OR! The staff was amazing and so supportive until Bryan could get back to me right before they started. The doctor had Jack out in less than 10 minutes, he screamed JUST like his sister. :)
Jack's first picture:
They warned me he might not cry because csection babies have a harder time with their lungs and such...but he was screaming before the doctor could even tell us he was here!
Mommy getting to see him for the first time. My first thought- he looks just like Layla did. My second thought- My God he looks big!
Jack weighed 9.0 lbs and is 19 3/4 inches long. What a CHUNK! I can't believe how much he looks like his sister.
They whisked him away while they finished up with me. I waited for a few minutes in my room for Bryan and Jack to show up but time just kept going by. Finally a nurse walked in to let me know that they were keeping Jack for observation because he was having a rough time breathing. We went through this with Layla so I didn't think much of it. Finally Bryan stopped in and very calmly told me things were fine, he was fine but that they needed to watch him. A few minutes later our pediatrician came in to explain that because he was struggling to keep a steady breath, I was Strep B positive and his glucose levels were low, they were going to keep him for at least 4 hours to make sure he stabilized.
I was crushed. That means I would have to wait to see him again, wait to nurse and basically just sit by myself in a room for 4 hours. After all the trouble I had with Layla's eating issues, I would have just gotten up and walked to the nursery to fed him had I been able to feel my legs. LOL. But 4 1/2 hours later I was able to hold my baby boy for the first time. It was love at first sight and I forgot all about those 4 hours of waiting.
My recovery has been amazing. I can't believe how good I feel compared to after I had Layla. I was so ready to leave the hospital and now, 4 days out I'm barely taking any pain meds. I'm in love with morphine even though it made me itch like a crack addict. I'm in love with the old man anesthesiologist that walked me through everything (seriously I wanted to just put him in my suitcase and take him home...ADORABLE!) and I'm so so SO thankful for a great doctor that took the time to do things the right way. What a difference it has made, I worried for 9 months and feel the biggest sense of relief now that things are over.
Jack has been nursing like a champion. In fact, the nurses wanted him to teach night classes to all the other babies on the floor. So far he's been an amazingly good baby- he eats well (as in, he's a huge porker and LOVES to eat), he's a fairly good sleeper, he's content and we've been able to introduce a pacifier and bottle with no problems. Thank you GOD for prayers answered. I know that sounds ridiculous but this has really helped us bond and helped this transistion to a family of 4 go SO much better than I thought.
And then there's Layla. I was so scared for her and so anxious that she'd hate being a big sister. Once again she has totally taken me by surprise. She absolutely LOVES Jack. She's head over heels and has been such a big help already.
Here she is in her big sister shirt and her totally fake smile. LOL. I love her.
Holding hands for the first time, she was so into him squeezing her fingers.
Giving Jack the blanket she brought him.
Jack brought her a camera. She told me it was the "best present EVER"!
She was very concerned about the tube on his foot (used it to check is oxygen).
Kisses for her little brother. :)
This was the second day she came to the hospital. She didn't want to hold him on the first day but was totally into it here:
We even got a cute video!
And here is Jack ready to go home on Thanksgiving. The blanket and bear were gifts from big sister.
LOOOOOVE I canNOT wait to hold him! And I can't stop laughing at Layla's smile!
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