James' Birth Story

It's been a verrrrrrrrrrrrrry long time since I have written a blog post.  I was going to give it up all together, but then I started looking back at Evan's monthly updates.  I reread every single one.  I had forgotten so much about each month!  I just loved looking back over it all (plus recording the information in his baby book because I hadn't touched his baby book in months).  I decided that I just HAD to record James' monthly update as well because I don't want to lose those memories.

So here I am!

James was a scheduled c-section due to the complications during Evan's delivery.  Matt and I both thought that the baby would make an earlier appearance than the scheduled date, but that wasn't the case.  Even though I was having contractions on and off for days prior to the c-section, we made it to Thursday, August 14th!

8 days to go!

8-13-14  Our last photo as a family of 3

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30am.  I was hooked up to an IV and monitors.  My nurse told me that I was having contractions and that if I did not have a c-section scheduled, I would have still been coming in that day!  James was coming, planned or not!

Waiting to go into the Operating Room

Matt was ready to go!

It was such a different experience this time around because instead of being wheeled into the operating room, I was able to walk myself in with Matt by my side and sit on the bed myself.  I had some trouble getting my spinal block because I was so nervous.  I wish Matt could have gotten the spinal block for me.  He's much better at those types of things.

After I finally calmed down, the c-section began!  After about 15 minutes, the nurses lowered the curtain and I was able to see them pull out James!  He was so BIG!  Evan was only 6 lb, 11 oz. so we were expecting another small baby.  

8:56 am  8 pounds, 2 ounces

Matt and the baby never left the same room as me.  We all went straight to recovery together for about 2 hours and then to our postpartum room.  Thankfully James latched on instantly and nursing was a BREEZE.  I was nervous because we struggled with Evan and it was rough.

The only issue I had was coming out of my anesthesia.  Right after they pulled James out, I became very sleepy.  I remember Matt brought James over and I was happy, but all I wanted to do was close my eyes.  I barely remember being in the recovery room.  Later on in the day I became very nauseas and even threw up several times.  The worst part?  I threw up in front of Evan when he came to visit.  Talk about not how I had imagined Evan seeing me after giving birth.  

The rest of the day is all fuzzy for me.  The shot they gave me to control my nausea made me very sleepy.  I basically slept, nursed, repeat.  I didn't even have the energy to call my best friends.  My mom and mother-in-law brought Evan by, but only for a little bit because I was not feeling well.  Evan was not very interested in James, he just wanted some love from his parents.

By midnight I felt back to normal.  Our family dropped by the next day with Evan and it went much better.  He was able to cuddle with me in the bed and he actually took interest in James.  By Sunday we were clawing at the walls to get out of the hospital.  

Evan's second time meeting James

Evan gave James kisses soon after this picture

We have transitioned pretty well so far.  I still have yet to really leave the house much (I like to stay put in my pajamas) and I have not even thought of tackling a public place with these two.  Maybe I'll get the courage once James is no longer nursing every hour!