Heeeeeeeere's Baby John!

On April 11, 2014 (4/11/14), Eric and I went in for my 40 week appointment.  Despite many carefully thought out plans, it turns out that there really is no way to predict when a baby will make his entrance.  Not only had John not shown up early, he did not seem to have any interest in showing up mildly late.  And truth be told, I was running out of days where I had additional help at home.  I was getting nervous.  

Well, as it turned out, when the doctor scanned me, he noted that my fluids were low.  John's heartbeat was strong, but as I was term, they didn't want to take any chances.  In the doctor's words:  "I don't think you are going anywhere today!" 

We headed to Labor and Delivery where I labored naturally for a while until I stopped progressing (I'd started having contractions every 5 minutes on my own), they put me on a slow pitocin drip for a bit to get things going, which did the trick.  Unfortunately, John's head got stuck on my pelvic bone.  What should have been a very short period of pushing became an hour and a half that ended with the doctor using forceps.  It was a bit scary there at the end, but it all turned out very well and John had perfect Apgar scores.  The pediatricians commented that he was the healthiest baby they had ever run down the hall for.

And now we have him and are thrilled to get to know him.  The kids and Grandma came by the next day to meet their sibling.  And the smiles on everyone's faces were priceless.

 

After spending two nights in the hospital, John and I were discharged and headed home to see how life was going to change.

 To say it wasn't a bit overwhelming when we first entered the house, would be a lie.  But, now that we've been here a day, everything has settled down.  John is sleeping well...for now.  The kids are not constantly wanting to fill me in on all I missed while away.  And Grandma is here cooking.  So, yeah, life is pretty sweet.

 All three are excited to help.  I have to think up things that they can do.  So far, Will has been the biggest help as he ran to get me a trash bag after a particularly messy diaper and took it out to the garbage for me.  Molly sings and bounces John in his bouncy seat.  She is not showing signs of jealousy, which is good.  And seems to be comfortable in her role as an older sister.  Though, she was delighted to get to sit in my lap last night without have a baby in utero kicking at her.

 Then there is Dom.  It doesn't seem like it's been that long since he was our infant.  And, yet, now he is such a wonderful older brother.  He looks at John in awe and I know he is just waiting for that time when he can really help me.  For now, he understands his role is to not make me do more work than I need to and to keep his siblings out of trouble if possible.  Smart kid!

 And John is wonderful.  I cannot express how much joy I feel when I see him.  There was a lot of stress heading into these last few weeks and in a matter of seconds, it was gone.  The minute he was born healthy.  There was no way of knowing even a week ago that Eric would get to be here for the birth.  Or even knowing if anyone would be around to help out.  Though, I know friends would have stepped in.  I'm just grateful that it all worked out better than I could have hoped. 

 And I thought I would add this last picture of me just a couple of days before John was born.  Truth be told, I don't look that much different now.  But, we are happy.  Very, very happy!