Meet Drake!

GETTING STARTED






Here we go...here is my little bugs birth story. Lots of pictures, but we don't want to forget a thing. Out of my three kids, Drake was the hardest....and the longest. Go figure. We got to the hospital at 7:00 am. I was strep B positive this time (which I have never been) so before they could start me on the pitocin they had to get the antibiotic for Strep B in me. Got that going and had to wait a few hours to make sure it dids it job. Finally started the pitocin around 10:00. Started out slow, but pretty soon things were moving right along. I was dialating pretty good, the contractions were getting strong so on came my epidural. I always kinda get loopy after my epidurals with Carson and Lincoln both. So it was no surprise when I started feeling light headed and weak. Only it was alot worse this time. I felt so tired and like I could barely open my eyes. Right about this time my doctor showed up to break my water. Right after this, I got super out of it. I could hear my doctor and nurse talking back and forth but I couldn't make sense of what they were saying. I could just tell something was wrong. I guess my blood pressure started to go crazy low. In turn Drake's heart rate started to drop. With every contraction I had, his little heart had trouble keeping up. He was also posterior, so in the middle of all this they kept having me get in these crazy positions to get him to turn. So they were unsure if it was the pitocin, or my blood pressure or the weird positions that he wasn't liking.

To be safe they stopped the pitocin, they were afraid it was making things move to fast for him and they left me be on my right side. It was then up to me to progress on my own, no more pitocin. Which made things go much slower. I was having contractions but not as quick as before. They end of labor seemed to drag on, but Drake's heart rate picked right back up and my blood pressure got under control again.

Finally time to push. Drake still posterior. Lots of fun being put in crazy positions and being told to push. I pushed and pushed and pushed while my doctor did everything she could to straighten him out. Finally after about 45 minutes or so, he was good to go. Still a little crooked but enough that we could get him out. So he arrived at 5:53 pm on January 24, 2011. 11 hours after getting started.

ARRIVAL






He cried instantly. Sweetest sound I had ever heard. I was worried about my little monkey. I was sad for all that he had gone through in the last few hours and was so relieved to hear and see him. Those first few moments with him are undescribable. I will never forget them. I will never forget the way that I felt, the spirit that was in that room with me as I welcomed my child. The veil felt very thin to me in that moment.

6 pounds, 6 ounces and 19 inches long. Same size as Lincoln and an ounce smaller than Carson. Right where we had figured.

MOM AND DAD







Thiago cried...just like he always does. He never thinks he is going to, but oh he does. He is such a tender hearted little guy when it comes to his kids. And me, oh I cried and cried and cried. And held him close and kissed him over and over again.

HIS BROTHERS









If you are thinking Carson is in a lot of these and Lincoln is not. Well, you would be correct. Not a whole lot of interest for Lincoln. First thing he did when he walked in the room was yell out in an excited voice "Jenny". Yeah, he didn't care about me or his new baby brother...just Jenny. He took a few looks at him and said "baby brother" and that was it. Then he was off, destroying the hospital room, chowing down on chips and just being his usual crazy self.

Now Carson is a different story, he was mesmorized with his new baby brother. However mostly, he was just stuck to my side. Wouldn't leave his spot next to me on the bed. Had to hold my hand and give me kisses. Kept asking if I was okay, and if daddy was going to take care of me.

HOSPITAL STAY








Lots of sweet visitors and gifts for me and my boy. I am not going to lie I get the baby blues just a touch. I spend alot of my time at the hopital crying. Can't help it. I hate the hospital. I hate the bed, I hate the way you feel after, I hate the food, I get awfully homesick and overwhelmed. It takes me just a few days and I bounce back. Thank goodness it doesn't last for too long like it does for some people. We were more than ready to go home.

READY TO GO






All dressed and ready to go. Drake indeed looks like a little nothing all bundled in his carseat.

HOME AT LAST






And we are home. I am pleased to say that Thiago had to go to his office for a few hours today and I did quite well as a mother of three. Granted Drake slept a lot and my sweet cousin took Lincoln off my hands for a few hours. Still....I did it.

All in all, we are so grateful to have our little monkey here. He is the absolute sweetest little baby. I can already tell what a sweet and quiet little disposition he has. He is an absolute cuddle bug, a champ eater, seems to be so content and alert. I am in love...we all are. More to come, this is just the start of our new little addition.