And Oliver Makes Four

Thanks so much to everyone who commented with congrats on the newest member of our little family. Oliver is doing very well, and we are hanging in there. Just a little low on sleep and energy, but high on bliss and loving the dynamic of our new four member team.

Highlights include:

Much shorter labor, but with an added 10 times the intensity. I think I moaned for the epidural for over an hour before I got one. It was the first thing I asked for after handing the nurse my "au naturale" birth plan upon admission. I just told her forget it and tell the anesthesiologist to get his booty up there...pronto.

My midwife was wonderful. She was there for much more than just catching the baby. She held my hand through the epi, assuring me it was ok that I was getting one. Let us take a little catnap, then came in and told me I was at a 10 and ready to push.

Three contractions and he was out! He got to come right up to me skin to skin and stayed there under my gown for at least an hour. We loved that time. Again, our amazing midwife told us we'll never get that time back so we needed to just have him with us.

We were out the next day and home to Henry. No jaundice, or sleeping in the hallway, or arriving home with our new one at 11 at night like with Henry's delivery.

He's such a sweet little guy, and I have to remind myself he doesn't scheme to keep me up all night..but he just likes to hang out. Also that he isn't trying to rip my chest off, just trying to get some food.

I'm getting used to saying "the kids" now that it's plural. Brian went back to work today. I still have my sister and her husband visiting but I can already tell it is going to be quite the challenge when it is just myself with the littles during the day. But I'll take it...I'm lucky to be able to!

I.M.

Photos by my sister Tina.