What a crazy two weeks it has been!

Life in our household has completely changed since my last post! Allow me to fill you in on all of the highlights.

Labor Time!

On Thursday, December 30th, my water broke at about 6:30 p.m. (Of course I was sitting at the dinner table at the time!) I hadn't been experiencing any contractions, and I never had that "flurry" of energy that I thought I would get right before having the baby. In fact, I spent the whole day lying around on the couch feeling kind of "blah". I did have a lower backache, but I attributed that to the nice little procedure I had done at my doctor's appointment the day before. I called my doctor and was told to head to the hospital. This was it! :)

right before leaving for the hospital--the last time it would be just the two of us!

Welcome to the world, Ryder Scott!

I was admitted to the hospital around 8 p.m., and the doctor started giving me Pitocin to make sure labor progressed. I had tested positive as a host for Group B Strep at one of my previous appointments, so the doctor didn't want me to be in labor for too long because it would pose a higher risk for the baby. I was in labor throughout the night and didn't call "uncle" and get an epidural until about 6:30 a.m. At 8 a.m. the doctor checked my progress and realized I was still only dilated 1 1/2 centimeters. WHAT?? The decision was made that this baby would be born by C-section since I had been in labor for 12 labors and nothing had changed. Apparently he was too big to make it down into the birth canal. I was prepped immediately and rolled into an operating room; Andrew was given a pair of scrubs and directions to wait in a side room until the doctor came to get him. Ryder entered the world at 9:49 a.m. on December 31st! The doctor and nurses commented on how big he was and how he didn't want to come out of the snug little home he had known for the past nine months. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 15 oz. and 22 1/2 inches long. How thankful I am that he was delivered via C-section!

glad to know that Ryder's arrival was just minutes away!

"Doctor" Drew

proud new daddy!

I had a pretty bad reaction to all of the meds I was given and lost a lot of blood, so I spent a long time in the recovery room instead of bonding with my little man. This was the first time I really got to snuggle with him late that afternoon, and it was so surreal. I couldn't believe he was actually here in my arms!

Grann and Ryder

Pops and Ryder

Heading home

We were discharged from the hospital on Monday, January 3rd. Ryder was able to wear the same outfit home that Andrew did when he was a baby. Ryder loves his car seat and slept soundly the whole way home.

Second hospital visit

After being home for only a few days, I ended up back in the hospital due to complications from my C-section. The doctors took x-rays, an EKG, and other CT scans thinking I could have pneumonia, a blood clot, or even post-partem heart failure. Fortunately, they were able to rule out anything really serious and discovered an infection at the base of my uterus. Treating it would be tricky though since I'm allergic to penicillin; the doctors had to find the right combination of antibiotics that would fix the problem but still be safe for Ryder since I'm breastfeeding. I was admitted once again to the hospital--one week after going into labor-- and wasn't discharged until Monday night. The absolute hardest part was being away from Ryder. Here I was, a new mom, and I couldn't be at home spending time with my baby. Thankfully Andrew's parents were able to stay a few extra days to help Andrew keep things running at home. I have to brag on Andrew for a moment--he has been absolutely amazing!!! He stepped right into the role of daddy, getting up for middle-of-the-night feedings and catering to Ryder's every need. Every morning he would get Ryder ready for the day and the two of them would come over to the hospital to spend the day with me so that our new little family could be together. Ryder even brought me a get-well card one morning with a picture of him in it so that I wouldn't be sad at night when he wasn't there. I cried like a baby! I guess it is times like this when you truly appreciate what you have and the importance of family. I feel so blessed!

I was sent home with a PICC line (an IV line that runs up my arm and to my heart) so that I can continue my IV medications for the next several days. A home nurse came to the house on Tuesday to teach Andrew how to administer the medications since they have to be given three times a day. It's a small price to pay to be at home with my two favorite guys! The nurse will be back tomorrow to do some blood work on me; hopefully my white blood cell count is returning to normal and I can be finished with the medications by the beginning of next week. 

Here's a cute picture of my little man snoozing--one of the things he does best!