I am SO BEHIND on this blog! I decided I should probably start by writing about Hal's birth while it is fresh on my mind!
Little Hal Christopher Blair was born at 7:23 am on Wednesday, June 28th. Since my last labor/delivery was, put simply, a nightmare, our doctor suggested we schedule a c-section this time. Leading up to the date, I was feeling pretty calm about it. All of my appointments had gone as planned, everything seemed great. I didn't really have any panicky feelings until the night before, but I was still ok. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 that morning. John, my mom and my dad accompanied me. Once they hooked me up to the monitors in L&D I had a hit of severe PTSD. All of the emotions and fear of my last time in that room came flooding back. Unfortunately, it was right when they were trying to insert my IV. I started throwing up, causing the IV to come out, and they had to do it again. Once that ordeal was done, I was able to relax a little. At 7:00 they had us walk down to the OR and had me get on the table. It was FREEZING! I was still feeling pretty good! The anesthesiologist was hilarious. He asked me to call him Cody....and I can't really recall his last name. Mickelson? Anyway, he put in the Spinal Tap which hurt, but not too terribly. Then I laid down and they put up the drape. I put in my headphones(a great suggestion from my mom) with my phone playing U2. THAT is when I panicked. Something about lying on a freezing cold table, wide awake, and knowing that you are going to be CUT OPEN, is pretty frightening. Anyway, at that point I had no choice. I am so glad my mom was there to pat my hand and rub my forehead through the whole thing. The anesthesiologist kept adjusting my headphones and telling me what to expect. "Here's the pushing I told you about" "They are stitching you up now" etc. Anyway, the whole thing, up until he came out only took 23 min! I felt a LOT of tugging and movement, but it wasn't painful. Hal looked great when he came out which was such a relief for me! They cleaned him off and John got to hold him first. It was such a different experience to not have him go straight to the NICU! Dr Kirkman predicted he would weigh 7 lbs 11 oz. He came out weighing 7 lbs 12 oz! So close!
Our time at the hospital was also significantly better
than the last time. Hal was able to come to our room immediately and
stay with us the whole time. We did send him to the nursery at night so
we could sleep, but other than that, he was with us. My pain was
pretty severe, but totally different from last time. I told John it was
like the difference between a broken bone or sprain (this time) and
severe road rash (last time). We had lost of visitors and I felt like
seeing people this time, which was great! I was up and walking by the
next day.
We hadn't 100% decided on the name Hal when
we went in for the delivery, but once he was born we both agreed. John
let me pick the middle name, Christopher. I picked it because both of
my boys had been due on my brother Chris's birthday and I felt like it
was a sign...or something. Plus Chris is a great example for my little
ones to look up to, and I love him dearly! It just fits!
We came home Saturday to my parents' house. They were all up at the Israelsen Reunion so we had a little time to adjust before they came home. It has been such a blessing to be living with my parents right now. My mom even took Hal last night so I could sleep! Amazing!
Hal has been a super sweet, mellow baby. He is an AWESOME eater, but has a little trouble burping. We love him so much! Even Johnson has started to acknowledge his presence! That relationship will take a little more time.
