Oliver's First Week Home

The first week home with a new baby is incredibly exciting ... but also a little bit exhausting.  So, forgive me for being a little late posting a few photos from Oliver's first week.  I cannot believe it, but today he is 10 days old -- double digits!  And, not just glorifying the ordinary for this blog ... I can honestly say that the last 10 days have been so wonderful.  I just love being a part of our growing family.  I couldn't be happier!

Here's a picture of "my men" from the day we brought little Oliver home from the hospital.  Then, the next morning it was time to celebrate big brother Jackson's 2nd birthday!

Happy Birthday, Jax!

(Please, no one tell him that his "breakfast birthday cake" was pink.)

Because I'm pretty sure he enjoyed it ... along with his breakfast bacon.

On the Monday after we came home with little Oliver, both he and Jackson had check ups at Haymarket Pediatrics.  Oh, how we love Dr. Eddie Michel and his staff (my former co-workers).  Oliver got a great report, weighing in at 7 pounds 14 ounces ... almost back to his birth weight.  Big Jax weighed 28.5 pounds and was 35.75 inches tall.  He is in the 50% for weight and the 75% for height.  Good genes!

Little Oliver had his first few tummy times this week.

And enjoyed just watching his big brother run around and play.

He attended his first of what will be many photo shoots (if Mommy has her way) -- for his newborn pictures!  We cannot wait to see these!

And he even made a long road trip to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC to have his posterior tongue tie clipped.  Just like his big brother -- he did wonderfully during the little procedure.  Actually, the ENT had trouble even getting him to cry in order to assess the tight frenulum.

(I think he looks just stunning in the photograph.)

Next time we make the long trip up to Georgetown, I hope it's for shopping rather than a doctors visit!  *grin*

Mommy and Daddy spent this first week just soaking in the cuteness!

Until ... before we knew it ... our little bean was officially one week old!

And -- cute . as . a. button!

Brothers

Naturally, many of you are curious about Jackson and Oliver's first meeting.  Well, here it is.  On Thursday morning after Oliver arrived, my mom, dad, mother in law, and Jax came to the hospital as soon as visiting hours began to see the newest addition.  Justin and I were eagerly awaiting their arrival ... and we grew super excited when we saw them pull into the hospital parking lot from my window.  Seeing Jackson walking down the sidewalk toward the hospital entrance in his "big brother" outfit was probably the most emotional moment for me.  Blame it on the hormones, but tears filled my eyes before he even entered my room to meet his little brother.

There was certainly a shock factor when he noticed that I was holding a baby in my arms.  His huge "mommy" smile vanished and was replaced with a very perplexed look.  Honestly, he looked more confused than anything else.  For months we've been talking about "baby Oliver in Mommy's belly" ... but I was never truly convinced that he understood what we were trying to prepare him for.  I think we were right.  Our suggestions that he come see his baby brother were quickly silenced when he spotted a left over banana on my breakfast tray.  Jackson pretty much ignored Oliver and kept repeating "nannie ... nannie" (banana).

Once the banana was in his belly, we tried again to introduce the boys.

Nope.

Jackson's interest = zero.

So, we moved on to the "gift" that baby Oliver had "brought" to Jackson.  And, everyone knows that a present is more interesting than a new brother when you're two years old.

Soon, we realized that perhaps the best way to proceed would be to just let Jackson warm up to Oliver on his own schedule.  That gave the grandparents some much wanted snuggling time!

And between Jackson talking on the "phone" ... and pressing every button on my hospital bed ...

We even managed to snap a few nice family photos.

And get almost one kiss for baby Oliver out of his feisty big brother.

It was so special to have both of our sons together ... to feel like a family of four for the very first time ... surreal, really.  But, I'll have to admit, I was exhausted by the time Jackson left -- and happy to have one more night in the "quiet" of the hospital with just Justin and our newborn.  In a weird way, it was almost like a little weekend getaway for us.  A weekend getaway with very little sleep -- but a lot of oohing and aahing -- and even more love!  It was another night to fully enjoy our newest bundle of joy.

But, like all good things do -- our alone time ended around 2 PM on May 4th.  Thankfully both mommy and baby received a clean bill of health and the green light to be discharged to home.  So, Justin and I dressed Oliver in his special "going home" outfit and hat ... strapped him in his carseat for the very first time (anyone else amazed at how small newborns look in their carseats?) ... attempted to snap another family photo of ourselves ... and departed for home with Oliver in tow.

Little Oliver was a champion backseat rider (along with Mommy) ... and soon it was official ... we were home from the hospital with a brand new baby and the real fun was about the begin!

Oliver Cage Heath

Oliver Cage Heath

May 2nd, 2012

4:53 PM

8 pounds, 3 ounces

21 inches

*   *   *

Breathtaking.

That is exactly how I would describe the birth of our second son, Oliver.  After a bit of debating over my pregnancy dating, my obstetrician, Dr. Eugene Louie-Ng, agreed to induce my labor on the morning of May 2nd.  I got to this hospital around 7:30 AM, and I was greeted by multiple hugs ... talk about a warm welcome!  I had visited the labor and delivery unit a few times throughout this pregnancy, and several of the nurses have gotten to know me.  Although I hadn't already met her, one of the bear hugs I received was from "Ginger" who would be my labor nurse.  God must have seriously been watching out for me on May 2nd because Ginger was everything a nurse should be and more.  From my first moments in her care, I knew I was safe and supported.

Once all the necessary paperwork was completed, Ginger started my Pitocin at 8:15 AM and things were underway.  It was at that moment that my labor with Oliver became remarkably different than my labor with Jackson.  This time, Dr. Ng did not break my water right away, but rather let me contract for several hours with my amniotic sac intact.  That meant much more tolerable contractions.  Honestly, I really wasn't in any pain although my contractions were consistently 2 minutes apart and lasting for 60-90 seconds.  Throughout the third trimester of my pregnancy with Oliver, I had lots of strong Braxton Hicks contractions ... and these didn't feel much different ... but they were!  At 11:30 AM, Dr. Ng returned to check my cervix and I was 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced; at that time, he broke my water.  I had to make a difficult decision at that point.  Dr. Ng had a complicated caesarean to perform in the OR at noon ... meaning the L&D anesthesiologist would be with him for awhile and unable to administer epidurals until the surgery was complete.  However, I wasn't really in pain.  Totally trusting in Ginger, I asked her opinion.  She told me that she would go ahead and get the epidural before they left for the OR because my contractions should really begin to augment now that my water was broken.  I agreed.

Those of you who know me well, know that I was absolutely terrified of getting another epidural after the bizarre reaction I had during my labor with Jackson (dropped BP, numbness to the collar bone, left sided facial droop, and difficulty breathing).  This time, the anesthesiologist, Dr. Drooger, provided me with a listening ear for my concerns and assured me she would use great caution.  However, like last time, about 10 minutes after receiving my epidural, my left side was numb to my nipple line and my left eye began swelling shut.  Ginger quickly turned off the epidural and paged Dr. Drooger.  Neither my nurse nor the doctor had ever seen this type of reaction in another patient ... and it happened to me ... twice.  Dr. Drooger had Ginger leave my epidural off for 1.5 hours, then turn it back on at half strength.  That worked wonders, and the rest of my anesthesia experience was wonderful.  I had an awesome epidural -- with the ability to move my legs and feel pressure without pain.  And, if you're wondering, after about 2 hours ... my eye was back to normal.

As it did during my first labor, my cervix began to change rapidly once I received my epidural.  By 3:50 PM, I was 5-6 cm dilated and 90% effaced.  By 4:20 PM I was 8-9 cm and 100% effaced.  And by 4:30 PM, I was 10 cm and ready to push!  There were a few crazy moments toward the end of my labor because Dr. Ng's other actively laboring patient was in the midst of pushing when I was ready to begin.  Since her baby was actually crowning, I had to "blow" (like the stuff they teach you in lamaze classes) while she delivered to keep myself from pushing.  As I said before, my epidural was a half strength ... so I could feel ALL of the pressure and stretching!  Ginger called for another nurse to come assist her ... and behold ... in walked Dominique (my labor nurse with Jackson)!  It was so special to have her present for the birth of both our our babies.  Dr. Ng quickly returned to my room as soon as his other patient delivered, and I began to push.  After 10-15 minutes of pushing through only 3 contractions ... baby Oliver entered this world!

At precisely 4:53 PM (3 days and 27 minutes shy of 2 years after his big brother was born).

The first few minutes with him were incredible ... with Justin and I giddy with excitement ... and my mom crying, naturally.

What a magical moment it was when Ginger placed him in my arms for the first time.  My heart could finally rest its worries and welcome him to our family.

He was perfect.

We were in absolute heaven.

Still at my bedside, Ginger and the nursery nurses began all of Oliver's necessary newborn assessments as we eagerly watched and waited.

His Apgar scores were 9 and 9, so soon he was returned to our arms ... and boy were we glad!

Tiny eyes.

Tiny nose.

Tiny lips.

Tiny (well, sort of) cheeks.

*   *   *   Huge Love   *   *   *

In no time, we were headed to the postpartum unit ... saying goodbye to our spectacular nurse Ginger ... and hello to the newest member of our family -- Oliver Cage Heath.  We were officially a family of four -- minus one very important family member who was staying with his Granny ToTo for the day.

All was well with the world.

Now We're Really Going Places

Happy Laboring

This begins Oliver's first "adventure" on this blog! Currently, I am at the beginning of my labor induction. My pitocin was started at 8:15 this morning, but due to the tons of contractions I've been having on my own over the last couple of weeks, I'm actually not feeling them much. Rest assured, however, that will certainly change as the day goes on. Otherwise, there isn't much to report ... Except that my nurse is amaaaaaazing (and has a son with a spinal deformity like Jackson, so we have majorly bonded). Very thankful for the blessing of her care! More to come as I am able. Prayers are appreciated. Happy laboring!

39 Weeks

WooHoo!  Baby Oliver is being evicted very, very soon!

Although I haven't chronicled this pregnancy as much on this blog as I did my first pregnancy, I have being taking weekly photographs and keeping a "belly journal" for myself.  However, since today is my last day pregnant this time around ... I thought I'd go ahead and share with the masses.  I'm not 100% sure "how far along" I am in these photographs because our pregnancy dates have changed.  According to my menstrual cycle, my due date was May 7th.  Then, after my first ultrasound, my OBGYNs moved my due date to May 11th (which I what I have been using all along).  Then, at my last appointment ... based my my belly measurement and the favorability of my cervix, they changed my due date back to May 7th.  That allowed for my labor induction to be moved up to tomorrow:  May 2nd!  Got all that?

So ... today I am either 38 weeks, 4 days pregnant (going by 5/11).

Or ... I am 39 weeks, 1 day pregnant (going by 5/7).

If we use what my doctor and the hospital are using, I am 39 weeks, 1 day.

And oh-so-ready to have baby Oliver in my arms intend of inside my belly!  If you're interested ... I will be trying my very best (for as long as I can tolerate it) to update Facebook and perhaps even this blog tomorrow and the days we are in the hospital after Oliver's birth.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers on this BIG day!  Please pray for a safe labor and delivery and a healthy mommy and newborn.  Thank you so much!

And now for the "big show."