Henry's Birth Story

We went in to be induced on 8/11/11 at 5am.  Neil and I arrived at the hospital right on time and got settled in room 133.  They got my IV going with antibiotics and fluids.




Mom arrived around 7:30 for the big day,  Dr. Tynes came by around 8am to break my water.  They started my pitocin and I progressed very quickly.  I did experience a few contractions before I received my epidural.  They were not fun.  Mom and Neil took turns letting me squeeze their hands while I had them.  Neil even made faces of pain like he was experiencing the same pain as me!  He said he was doing it to take my mind off the pain and to focus on something else...yea.  The anesthesiologist came in a gave me my epidural around 9am.  Ahhhhh...the relief! Since I was progressing so quickly, they had to turn the pitocin off and on several times. They decided to have me lie on my side so they could keep the baby on the monitor.  I was pretty comfortable until they decided to have me sit up. The movement of sitting up caused me to get sick, but it also had me progress to 8.5 cm!  I started feeling lots of pressure and before I knew it...it was time to push.  Neil and Mom were in the room the whole time.  I am the type of person that does not want to talk while I am in pain.  I requested that they not talk to me!  I wasn't trying to be rude...just wanted to not have to answer any questions.  I was screaming "please!" and "it hurts so bad!"  Neil was right there the whole time holding my leg and encouraging me. I started pushing at 12:02pm and Henry arrived at 12:20pm!  It was such a huge pain relief when he made his debut.  They set him right on top of me and I was just overjoyed.  He actually peed all over me when he was set on top of me!  Neil even got to cut the cord.  Henry came out screaming and was such a nice shade of pink.  This was a lot different than Bennett who came out sort of white and not breathing.  We were so thankful to get to hold our baby boy right away!  We were all crying with joy when we saw him.  Mom sobbed through the entire thing.  She said that besides having my brother and me that this was the best experience she has ever had.  Right after Henry was born, we opted to have the "magic hour" with just me, Neil and Henry before our guests arrived.  It was such a sweet and perfect time for us.  With Bennett, I felt like everyone got to see him before I did!  We really enjoyed our time with our new, precious addition.

In my cute gown ready for my IV!

Mommy and Daddy are so excited!

Yippee!  Henry is here!

Beautiful screaming boy!

So happy to finally have you in my arms.

There was something really sweet about this moment.  Henry was screaming and I started talking to him and he calmed right down.  It was so sweet!

7lbs 7 oz and 20 inches long

taking blood and his foot prints

Checking his vitals and getting to hold my hand!

Proud Daddy!  His shirt says "this is what a really cool dad looks like." 

Henry's blood sugar was a little low so Neil got to give him some sugar water.

Such a proud mommy!

3 Handsome Boys!

I am such a proud mama!!!

Henry is here!!!

We are thrilled to announce that our beautiful Henry William arrived today at 12:20 pm weighing in at 7 pounds 7 ounces! He is 20 inches long and just perfect! We are in love! Thank you for the prayers and support!!

39 weeks!

my last pregnancy photo!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 39 Weeks!

 Size of baby: from the I-pregnancy app... 7lb

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained quite a ton of lbs!

Maternity Clothes: All maternity. I pretty much wear the same few things over and over because only a few things fit.

Gender: A beautiful boy! His name will be Henry William.

Movement: He is doing great with his movement.  Heartbeat was in the 150s on Monday.

Sleep: I sleep really well except for the bathroom breaks and tailbone/hip pain.  I am up usually 1 1/2-2 hours. I am very tired during the day.  I have been taking a lot of naps lately.

What I miss: sleeping on my back and having energy

Cravings: fruit, water, lemonade, ice cream, and cold things

Symptoms: I am still having some pain in my tail-bone and hips and I am really tired. 

Best Moment this week: We are going in tomorrow at 5am!  I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I am asking for prayers for comfort, peace, and a safe and smooth delivery.

I've had a fun week this week.  I decided to send Bennett to daycare to give myself some "me" time this week.  I've really enjoyed eating lunch with friends and getting stuff done.  I went to lunch with Leslie, Casey, and Evie today.  Casey, Evie, and I even went to the movie today.  We saw "The Help."  It was so good and it was just like the book.

me, Evie, and Casey...Evie was sooooo good!

We had a really nice LONG family dinner tonight at Country Tavern.  I wanted all of us to go to eat tonight before to celebrate before the baby arrives.  Bennett was such a good boy even though they took forever.

Neil, Bennett, Mom, Janine, Me, Dad, Carolyn, and Richard

Birthday Party

We went to Ella Grace's 4th birthday party today.  It was so hot, but it was at a pool so I was all about it.  Anytime I have the opportunity to go to a pool...I am there!  Ashleigh had everything decorated so cute with beach balls.  She even made the party hats extra cute with rick rack and a beach ball.  Love it.  She gave the kids big water squirters to play with and we even got to take one home.  Bennett loved the things.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of him playing with all the kids.  He is eating in every picture I took of him!











Great party!  Thanks for including us, Ashleigh!

Big Helper

I have a new food blog that I am "lovin'!"  It is called Lovin' from the Oven.  She makes the best looking stuff.  When I saw her recipe for Zucchini Bread I knew I had to try it.  When I was a nanny on Fisher's Island during the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college, the housekeeper made zucchini bread all the time.  When I saw this recipe, it reminded me of taking care of 3 kids ages 7, 5, and, 2 and doing everything for them from 8am-8pm for a measly $300 per week.  I was a glorified slave.  At least I got to eat this fabulous bread that Jamaican born, Beverly made each week.  Memories.

I put on my apron and started working on the bread.  When Bennett saw that I put my apron on, he wanted his on as well.  He thought it was so cool to pull the chair up to the island to "help me."  As I was measuring the applesauce to go in the batter, I said "I have to measure it."  He went and got the tape measure and said "I measure, too!"  So sweet that he knew all about measuring...just not the same kind I was talking about! :)

He was really good at turning on the mixer.  Sometimes it would go really too fast  because it was just so fun to move the switch.

He wanted to help stir.  He did a great job helping me pour in the ingredients.

I tried to take this of him "stirring" and then when I looked a the picture later...he was licking the spatula!

We ate the bread this morning for breakfast and it was fabulous.  Bennett kept telling Neil "I made it for you."

Ice cream date with Mom

Bennett and I were craving come cake batter ice cream so we stopped at Maggie Moo's on our way home. I love these sweet impromptu times with my boy!