Wednesday, February 29, 2012

It's A Boy!

No surprise here.  Even though I didn't know the sex of the baby, I would have been willing to bet $500 that it's a boy and, of course, it is.  Connor Allen Johnson was born at 4:35 pm this afternoon.  He took a little longer to arrive than we would have expected at sunrise, but when it was time happened quickly. 

For most of the day, while Micole was having contractions there didn't seem to be much happening.  When she was examined after arriving at the hospital, she was about 3 cm dilated.  By early afternoon she was only about 6.  Things were moving so slow, that I took a quick trip home to get my evening medications (that I didn't expect to need because I thought the baby would arrive much sooner) around 3:30.  I got back to the room around 4.  At about 4:20 the nurse announced that she was ready to start pushing the baby out and preparations were made.  I played Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" on the Ipad to set the mood.  Micole officially started pushing at 4:26.  So there was only 9 minutes of pushing involved. There was an issue with the umbilical cord getting wrapped around Connor's neck but Dr. Bilotta exercised grace under fire and severed the umbilical cord to prevent any injury.

I can only say that I am amazed.  I don't remember feeling this way with the other 2 boys.  Those times were amazing too, but in a different way.  I look at that little, tiny, baby boy and I just am in awe of how beautiful he is.  Feels so much different this time and I can enjoy this gift from God in a way that I couldn't before.  Possibly, too is that I know this is the last baby.  I will likely never have another.  That makes me savor it just a little bit more and the pressure that I felt back then with Cooper and Colton as a new father instead of an experienced father that I am today isn't there.  Just looking at Connor this evening and holding him in my arms, he seems more perfect than I could have ever hoped for. 

I had to leave him with his mother at the hospital, because Connor's two older brothers have to go to school tomorrow and I have to be there to get them to school.  I miss the little guy and I've only been away from him for about an hour.

I will have pictures up later this week.  I took plenty of photos and some videos.  Today has been immense and overwhelming and tiring but ultimately more than worth it. 

At the Hospital

We're officially admitted to the hospital. We've done some walking. Contractions are about 5 min apart. At last check the doctor said she was about 4 cm dialated. They put her on some pitocin to help speed up the contractions and broke her water. She doesn't want to do an epidural but I think she's gonna cave and get it done.

Leap Year Baby

Apparently yesterday was just the dress rehearsal.  After a few hours of some minor contractions, they went away.  They were the Braxton Hicks false contractions.  As soon as she started moving around and took a shower the contractions sort of faded away.  We went to the hospital and she was tested but no movement.  It was very disappointing.

But this morning she says the contractions are definitely real and the baby is coming today.  They are more frequent and more intense.  She is at about 7 minutes apart.  When they get to 5 minutes we are going to the hospital.  We still have to get the boys up and ready for school.  I didn't want a leap year baby, but of course I will take him or her when ever God decides it is the right time. 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Tuesday Morning - The End In Sight?

Micole woke me up at 4:45 this morning to tell me that she thinks she might be in labor.  She's certainly having some contractions but not frequently (like every 15-20 minutes or so) and she was having some cramping. There is definitely activity going on.  I'm taking the day off from work.  I wouldn't expect anything until later this afternoon or evening.  We're hoping it's not just a false alarm.  The new baby might  just be here before the end of the day, which would be good.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sunday Evening

It's Sunday evening and there is nothing to report on the baby front.  We've gotten out, walked, and done a few things this weekend, but there's really nothing to report.  Micole is disappointed since she was so hoping that she would wouldn't have to go to work tomorrow.  She's in pretty good spirits overall for a cranky, pregnant woman. 

I wouldn't mind a baby on Friday, since that is my birthday and that would be a good birthday present, though I'm sure Micole would like to go before then.  She definitely doesn't want the baby to be born on Wednesday since that is Leap Day and the baby could only have a true birthday every 4th year.  That would mean like not sending the kid to kindergarten until he or she is really 20.  By the time the kid is 18, he'll really be 72, ready for social security and way past college age. We don't want that.

Any day in February would be fine except for the 29th.  There are already quite a few family birthdays in March.  As it looks now there is a good possibility for the kid to join the March birthday club. 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Friday Evening Update

Well, nothing's really stirring just yet.  Just a few hours left on this 24th day of February.  The dream of 3 babies all born on the 24th is dying. Micole did mention a pretty big contraction earlier, but just one so nothing much is happening. She's just hoping that it's not next Wednesday before it happens. 

Some people felt that eating some spicy Mexican food and walking might help get things started, so we went to Acapulco's restaurant and the mall for walking.  I recommended that maybe she should try a little jogging and some jumping up and down on a trampoline.  That got a big fat no.  I was just trying to help.

Till our next update, Marty out.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Thursday's Baby Update

Today’s doctor visit gave Micole hope.  She is now at 2 cm dialated and her cervix is 50% thinned.  Dr. Gerwe also stripped her membranes.  Generally speaking, they would expect a woman on her 3rd child to go into labor within a day or two of having her membranes stripped. We’re going to get everything ready tonight and packed for the hospital.  There is a good possibility of us having another baby born on the 24th. The doctor said that the baby’s head is stuck on her pelvis.  This means Micole may have to go through some back labor. Exciting times for sure!

Monday, February 20, 2012

First Baby Update

We're officially past the 37 week mark as of last Tuesday. The new baby can arrive at any time. The due date is March 6th, but we are hoping for the arrival this Friday, February 24th. Cooper and Colton both have birthdays on the 24th, so it would be cool to have all of our chidrens' birthdays fall on the 24th. Her favorite OBGYN is scheduled to work Friday. Frankly, as far as everyone is concerned the sooner the better - Micole is more than just a little bit cranky.

Micole is actually in good spirits, but she's ready for this kid to arrive. She is going to the doctor once a week now. Because she's over 35 years old, she is considered to be "maternal elderly" so she also has to have twice weekly tests that consist of ultrasounds and checking the baby's heart rate. Maybe she's eligible for "maternal elderly social security" or something too. She should at least get the senior discount at restaurants.

This baby seems so much different to me. I'm a little more patient. I'm relaxed. While it's going to be life changing in going from 2 to 3 kids, it's not the same as going from 0 to 1.When Cooper was in the oven, I didn't have any clue how my life would change. Now, I've been there and done that. And then I did it again right after that with another child 13 months later. Today with the 2 boys at almost 6 and 7, I can relax a little and just enjoy this new baby in a way that I couldn't with them.

When Cooper was born, two days later my mother died. I was the happiest and the saddest I've ever been in my life. The happiest part has lasted for every day since, but the saddest part was about a year and half. Before the saddest part was over, 13 months later Colton was born. So suddenly happy and sad and all of the life changing responsibility and diapers and worries and everything else with 2 kids. So I almost feel in some ways I didn't enjoy it 100% as much as I could have and as much as I should have. With this baby I think I can relax just a bit and realize how great it is. I can just take a deep breath and smile and accept the beauty that God has to offer us. That is the hope, anyways.

At Micole's last Dr visit on Thursday, she was 1 cm dialated. The doctor said though the baby was still up north in "Cleveland". More updates to come....