As I finally write this post, our little guy is already 3 1/2 weeks old. He arrived August 3, a mere 9 days late! His cousin (Austin William Judd), although due two weeks later than Isaac, was born one day before him. James is absolutely smitten and can't get enough of his littlest brother. He loves to get right up close in his face to talk to him and constantly lets us all know when Isaac learns something new (e.g. can lift his arm, hold something, move his leg, yawn). Robert likes to talk to Isaac and, occasionally, hold him. Kate also likes her little brother, but, I suspect, is awaiting the time when he can run around and play with her.
I succeeded in my goal for a natural birth. Managing the contractions from 1am to 6am wasn't so bad. I slept for a few hours, took a bath, and tried to sleep some more. I woke up Ben around 6:00. The contractions were about 5 minutes apart and lasted for a minute, give or take. Ben helped me be less uncomfortable by applying counter pressure as we had learned/read about. We waited for Natalie to come at 9:00 before heading to the hospital. I checked in about 9:30am, dilated only to a 5.
The doula I hired, Angie Rosier, arrived about 9:45. After the nurse took care of some mandatory monitoring, Angie filled the bathtub and I spent some time there to be more comfortable while things progressed. The nurse had told us to come and get her if my water broke, I felt rectal pressure, or the need to push. I was starting to feel some rectal pressure, but knew I'd have to get out the bathtub once the nurse returned and the warm water was a nice place to labor. I waited through a few more contractions. When the pressure increased, we called for the nurse. I got out of the tub, into a dry gown and back to the bed. The nurse checked and I was dilated to a 9 and fully effaced. She said she was going to call for my doctor and also for the resident. She said she'd delivered a baby before, but didn't want to if she didn't have to.
As it happened, there was plenty of time. My doctor arrived and everyone prepared for a quick pushing phase to welcome in the new baby. To everyone's surprise, and my great disappointment, I found pushing extremely difficult. Similar to my previous deliveries, I couldn't easily find the muscles to push. I thought the difficulty in my two other deliveries had been a result of the the epidural, but it wasn't any different for me without the drugs. However, with the drugs, I wasn't also dealing with the pain associated with each contraction and the anticipation of pain between. I had a conversation with myself, reminding myself that there was only one way out of the situation. Thanks to lots of support and encouragement - Ben, my mom (who arrive just before pushing time), Angie, my doctor, and a couple of nurses - I was able to focus on the task and Isaac was born at 12:24 pm, just shy of three hours after arriving at the hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 21 inches long.
Isaac arrived with the cord wrapped twice around his neck, but the doctor didn't seem concerned as he cut the cord prior to delivering the shoulders and body. Isaac was immediately brought to my chest and all of the post birth baby care was done right there. I'd expected a crying baby, but Isaac was quiet. His eyes were open and be began nursing almost immediately. He nursed for quite some time, leading me to believe that we'd have an easy go of breastfeeding this go around. Not so, but more on that later.
The time in the hospital was quiet and special. We enjoyed several visitors, mostly family, and rested as much as possible. Ben stayed the nights with us. Kate, James and Robert spend the nights with Grandma Judd.
Dad sporting two very lovely
tattoos, compliments of Isaac.
Robert started preschool Monday. He was so excited and felt so big. He met his teacher the previous week and was excited to see her again. His classroom is the same room where Kate and James had kindergarten last year. He knows the campus and the classroom and was just excited that he was the one going to school this time instead of dropping off his older brother and sister. Absolutely no separation anxiety or first-day jitters at all. Sporting his dinosaur school bag Grandma Judd gave to him, he marched himself into the classroom, found his cubby and hung his bag, went potty (because they have little ones and he did that last year nearly every day he dropped off James and Kate), washed his hands, and started playing. I took a few pictures and tried to make a bid deal about the whole milestone, but he couldn't be bothered with me once inside the classroom. I decided to go with it and left. He was just as happy at pick-up and said school was "good." Wednesday and Friday were the same. What a big boy!
Playing at one of the several centers set up to help the kids get started . . .
Settled on making bead project. This is where I tried to say goodbye, but Robert couldn't be bothered.
A friend, Ellie, from the neighborhood/ward is also in his class. Both of them were excited about that.
As if we haven't had enough this summer. That little nodule at the base of my ankle bone is supposed to be part the the bone above it. "It's a good brake, though" said the orthopedist. Three weeks in a boot. No surgery; no pins. Good news, I guess. But not convenient. I'm supposed to be working off baby weight, not sitting on my butt with my foot elevated. But, speaking of baby, at least I wasn't holding him when I went down.
Robert looked forward to his birthday this year with great anticipation. At this age, he understands birthdays and celebrating them. He asked for a dinosaur cake, Sara (from Land Before Time) to be exact. Too bad no one noticed I inserted the "3" backwards.
Ben and I planned a last minute party for Robert at Mueller Park Canyon the evening before Robert's birthday. Ben, Kate and Robert bought and stuffed the pinata. I made the cake and bought the ice cream. Grandpa bought the paper products. Thanks to supportive family members who were game for our last-minute planning, Robert celebrated with an appreciable and enthusiastic crowd.
He was very excited about his dinosaur pillowpet. (So was Kate.)
More dinosaur presents from Grandma Judd.
A dinosaur bedspread for his big boy bed. (Many thanks to Grandma Judd for staying up late to bind the edges and have it ready for his party!)
Dad and the kids prepared balloons to welcome Isaac and me home from the hospital and to announce to our neighbors that Isaac had finally arrived.
James is absolutely smitten and can't get enough of his littlest brother. He loves to get right up close in his face to talk to him and constantly lets us all know when Isaac learns something new (e.g. can lift his arm, hold something, move his leg, yawn). Robert likes to talk to Isaac and, occasionally, hold him. Kate also likes her little brother, but, I suspect, is awaiting the time when he can run around and play with her.
His first car ride. . .
As I finally write this post, our little guy is already 3 1/2 weeks old. He arrived August 3, a mere 9 days late! His cousin (Austin William Judd), although due two weeks later than Isaac, was born one day before him. James is absolutely smitten and can't get enough of his littlest brother. He loves to get right up close in his face to talk to him and constantly lets us all know when Isaac learns something new (e.g. can lift his arm, hold something, move his leg, yawn). Robert likes to talk to Isaac and, occasionally, hold him. Kate also likes her little brother, but, I suspect, is awaiting the time when he can run around and play with her.
I succeeded in my goal for a natural birth. Managing the contractions from 1am to 6am wasn't so bad. I slept for a few hours, took a bath, and tried to sleep some more. I woke up Ben around 6:00. The contractions were about 5 minutes apart and lasted for a minute, give or take. Ben helped me be less uncomfortable by applying counter pressure as we had learned/read about. We waited for Natalie to come at 9:00 before heading to the hospital. I checked in about 9:30am, dilated only to a 5.
The doula I hired, Angie Rosier, arrived about 9:45. After the nurse took care of some mandatory monitoring, Angie filled the bathtub and I spent some time there to be more comfortable while things progressed. The nurse had told us to come and get her if my water broke, I felt rectal pressure, or the need to push. I was starting to feel some rectal pressure, but knew I'd have to get out the bathtub once the nurse returned and the warm water was a nice place to labor. I waited through a few more contractions. When the pressure increased, we called for the nurse. I got out of the tub, into a dry gown and back to the bed. The nurse checked and I was dilated to a 9 and fully effaced. She said she was going to call for my doctor and also for the resident. She said she'd delivered a baby before, but didn't want to if she didn't have to.
The time in the hospital was quiet and special. We enjoyed several visitors, mostly family, and rested as much as possible. Ben stayed the nights with us. Kate, James and Robert spend the nights with Grandma Judd.
