Details . . .

Hi all! Thanks for checking in! SO here's the run down on last week . . . we hit forty weeks on Friday and I thought that it was crazy that Oliver hadn't come. Then, of course, we decided on his name and he still didn't come. We had all those nights of false labor, and I had my sono scheduled for the first, but we didn't think he would actually arrive on the first . . . SO - Ezra's birthday was on March 31st. We got up and sang him "happy birthday" in his crib. Then Jason blew up some balloons and we played with those and we baked the cakes (Aurelia's too since her birthday was coming) and decorated them and Jason hung up a banner for the birthdays. It was a good day! We played and ate Ezra's "kitty cat cake" in the evening after a great dinner of bbq burgers and fries.

I had some contractions during the day, but nothing that said "TOMORROW." We put the kids to bed, went to bed ourselves and then at about one or one thirty in the morning I had the most intense contraction and I realized that he was on his way out. In the next hour I woke Jason because they went from 10 minutes to 7 minutes to 5 minutes apart. I told him he'd better call SOMEONE, ANYONE, WHO CARES WHO to come to our house. At about 2:30? I called his dad, who said he'd be right over. We were at the hospital by 3AM. But then, of course, the contractions totally slowed down to 7 or 8 minutes apart -- but they were really "steep" -- really intense -- contractions when they did come. I was still only dialated to 2cm. The nurse said I could walk around. We took one lap around the floor and the nurse wanted to check me again -- weird. But then I was at 5cm. We were going to keep walking but she wanted me in the room because she said he was REALLY low down and she didn't want him to fall out -- as if. That was at 4:15. So I had to lay there for the next few hours. The contractions never did get closer together, but they did get stronger. By 6:30ish I was dilated to 8 and by 7:20ish I wanted to push. I DID have two shots of Federol (?) during the waiting time because I was shaking so bad in between contractions that I couln't relax through the contractions when they did come. I guess I never fully dilated because by the time I started pushing (which consisted of three big pushes that felt like one LONG push) the Dr. had to pull the cervix over Oliver's head so I could push him out. It was really painful. Like I wrote -- it felt like one long push and I didn't get a break in between (except to scream : ) and push some more. But, out he came and cried pretty good himself.

He's a beautiful boy and likes to eat. A lot. He reminds me a lot of Aurelia and Ezra so you know I'm totally in love with him. We spend two quality days and nights in the hospital and got to come home at 1PM yesterday. I forgot how weak one feels after that kind of work -- and now of course I'm full of milk and pretty sore. I did have some stitches with a second degree tear, but we found my numbing spray andthat helps.

The kids LOVE Oliver. Aurelia just wants to hold him all the time and kiss him and know that's she's his favorite person. Ezra is really aware of Oliver and wants Oliver to be able to do everything with him -- watch TV, eat "Ezra's milky" instead of mommy's milks, read a book. They both like to check in on him even if he's just sleeping in the bassinet. Ezra pulled a chair over the bassinet this morning and played the tambourine for him (before I took it away) just because. I'm so happy that they both seem to understand that Oliver is a part of the family now and that they want to be a part of caring for him.

Aurelia's birthday was on the 2nd and she graciously waited till I got home yesterday to open her cards and her Minnie figurine and to eat her cake. She really appreciated the calls and messages on the phone for her, though, to celebrate her becoming a big four year old. Thanks to everyone who did that.

We feel very blessed to have Oliver Benjamin home (his name means Affectionate, Wonderful boy) and would like to have you over to see him. This week we're trying to keep visitors to family only and some time next week will be happy to schedule some visits with friends. I like to take recovery slowly -- especially since I still have the other two to take care of and I don't want to over do it.

I also especially want to thank my MOPs mom friends who have filled up the next two weeks with what looks to be some wonderful dinners. Thanks for your prayers and support! I love you ladies!

PS if you notice the date on the pictures is wrong - that's because my camera missed the fact that Feb had 29 days this year. Weird. He really did come on the 1st -- no fooling!