After my appointment in the 18th we came home and were just taking it easy while Chase napped. My contractions continued and seemed to be getting worse so I called over and asked Dr. Staudte what he thought. He said to go ahead and come in. I still wasn't FOR SURE I was in true labor but I knew something was going on because the contractions weren't stopping.
Josh's sister came over to our house right away to watch Chase for us. I had bags packed for him and notes written about "things to know about Chase" and so on. I was so paranoid about it all. At the end of one of the notes I said to love him and give him lots of hugs and kisses. I said to be happy to see him when he wakes up because that is what he's used to. He gets the best big smile on his face everytime! I got emotional about leaving him and it never being the same again - but I let out a few tears and then said my goodbyes. We asked for a picture with him and he put one arm around each of our necks and squeezed. Such a sweetheart and just what I needed!
As we were walking out the door he started to pucker up. That made me sad so I suggested they come out on the front porch to watch us go and as we drove away there weren't any tears. Yay! I felt better leaving him knowing he wasn't sad.
We got there around 6:30 and they checked me as soon as we got there. I hadn't changed since my appointment. They could see I was having steady contractions so Dr. Staudte suggested I go walk around for an hour and come back to get checked again.
It was a long painful hour - but it worked! I changed 1 centimeter in
an hour. That was enough for them to say they'd for sure keep me and
not send me home. Wohoo! I was SOOO relieved because I knew at that
point 2 things: 1) I wouldn't be pregnant much longer and I was so ready
not to be pregnant anymore. 2) Josh was home and I wouldn't have to
stress about him not being there anymore. Perfect! Taylor and Ruth stayed overnight at our house with Chase - so he was set too!
And so the long night of laboring began. We all figured at first that we would deliver in the middle of the night. WRONG! It was the longest night ever! First thing they put in my epidural. They had to do it 2 times because they hit a blood vessel with the first one. I hated every second of that! They had to stick me twice for my IV too. Yuck! I hated that too. This epidural was much more numbing than the one I had with Chase. My legs, bum and half way up my back were useless. I am group B strep positive so I have to have antibiotic in my IV every 4 hours during labor. This makes my arm burn and makes me feel nauseous every time. So not fun! During my last dose of this they realized baby wasn't positioned right for delivery so they flipped me over and laid me on my stomach. Oh man...that really made me nauseous! I held it in while on my stomach but as soon as I was flipped back over to my back I couldn't hold it in any more. I absolutely HATE puking and did all I could not to. Dad was in the room too at that point and he has an easy stomach. Sorry Dad! After I got done puking Mom told Dad she was proud of him even though I was the one who just puked. Haha - I laugh now. Josh told me I was a good puker. Haha - a good puker?! I didn't know you could be good at puking. Everyone told me puking was a good sign. Well I didn't think it was so good! Finally I started feeling lots of pressure. I got to the point that I was telling everyone I was pretty sure he was falling out.
We got our Mommy and Daddy bracelets that match baby's so it would be certain he was ours. Josh said "look hun, now I got boobs and babies!". His bracelet says "I love boobies". It's actually for breast cancer but I doubt that's why he wears it. Haha.
It was time to push! I was actually really excited even though it doesn't show. I hadn't slept all night and was very exhausted.
One last kiss before we did this. I started pushing at 10:55...
..and at 10:58 our baby boy was born! I was a "rock star" at pushing according to the nurse. Three pushes and he was out! Much better than the 2 hours of pushing with Chase. They put him on my chest long enough for Josh to cut the cord and then took him to the warmer.
He had the cord around his neck which caused him some facial bruising. He was still beautiful to us though! Because the cord was wrapped around his neck he didn't get all the fluid out of his lungs on the way out.
We had to look but not touch for an hour. It seemed like forever!
Milo Dominic Mitchell was 8 pounds 8.1 ounces and 21 3/4 inches long. We didn't agree on a middle name until a few hours before he was born.
As soon as I was cleaned up Dad came in to get his eyes on Milo.
Finally we got our hands on him! He was precious as could be!
Mom and Dad checked him over and got their hands on him too.
I love how much my Dad loves his grandbabies. Few things make him tear up but a new baby in the family always does.
Ruth brought Chase over and was waiting in the waiting room with him for the OK to come in the room. Josh asked if he could go out to get him. I didn't want him to at first but the more I thought about it the more I was all about it.
..and I'm so glad I changed my mind because Chase looks SOO happy! and I know Josh was too. We missed him for sure.
He came in with Daddy sporting his big brother shirt ready to meet his baby brother. He was saying baby as he was walking in.
He climbed right up in my lap to check him out. I ALMOST started balling but surprisingly held it in and didn't cry at all.
Our new bigger family couldn't be more perfect.
Right away Chase wanted to give him kisses without us even suggesting it. He is such a sweety.
Grandma Ruth got her hands on him as soon as we were done introducing him to Chase.
I missed my big boy! We got him a present to give him at the hospital so he would feel special too. He got a toy camera and a new big brother book.
We did good because he wouldn't put the camera down.
The first time he helped hold Milo was too cute. He had a look on his face like he was big stuff and he was proud of himself. I agree with that though - he was right. He did really good but as soon as he decided he was done, that was it. He was outta there. I had worried so much about how Chase would react and I am so pleased with the way it turned out. : )
Dad gave me and Milo kisses before he went on to work for the afternoon.
Aunt Taylor came to check out her newest nephew to spoil. We'll see if Milo loves her as much as Chase does.
The nurses gave him his first bath so he'd be set for visitors. He screamed - as to be expected.
Mom took Chase home with her and kept him for us while we were at the hospital. The nurses took Milo to the hall to do a few tests and let us rest a few minutes. While they had him George and Aunt Carla both stopped by. The nurse didn't come in to tell us that they were here so we missed Carla all together but got to see George before he left for a few minutes.
Amanda came on her way home from work. She was quite proud of her new "nephew".
Later in the evening Tyson's family came over to meet Milo. They seemed to think he was a keeper.
Owen was pretty curious about him.
He got to hold him while they were there. He wasn't sure he wanted to at first but decided he did want to after he got warmed up to him a little bit.
After everyone left for the evening I washed my face and got comfy and snuggled with the baby a while. It felt so good to finally be able to walk! My epidural didn't fully wear off until almost 8 pm.
He has some pretty awesome lips.
Daddy did some snuggling too. When it came time to go to sleep we let the nurses take him. We didn't do that with Chase and it felt like we didn't ever get caught up on our sleep - so we decided that we would this time and I'm so glad we did! He still got brought in both nights we were there for me to feed him.
We got up and got cleaned up for the day pretty early. I was excited to get Milo dressed in real clothes and "play" with him.
His bruising looked so much better already the next morning. He just kept getting prettier and prettier.
Kayla and Maci came by to see him. She didn't get much time to hold him before the doctors had to take him to get an ultrasound on his heart and kidneys. He has a little fluid around his kidneys that he's taking antibiotic for and should go away on its own. He also had a heart murmur that they checked out but it turned out to be nothing.
Just as Kayla left big brother Chase and Grandma showed up for a visit. He hung out and ate his happy meal.
This is love!
While Mom and Chase were there, Jeremy and Colista showed up too. Eden was cute to watch. She seemed sort of surprised that he was real. Haha.
Colista forgot how little babies are. You always do.
Chase was pretty proud of his shirt. He walked around sticking him chest out showing it off. Cutie!
Josh and I both felt differently after Milo was born than we did after Chase was born. Not bad or anything...just different. Neither one of us really knew how to explain it. We sure love our new little bundle though! It's amazing how immediately you can fall in love.
We got a nice little nap in the afternoon after everyone left. It was much needed and fun to snuggle with baby too.
Jeremy texted Chris Hutson while he was there to let him know we were at the hospital with our new baby. Before we knew it he was in the room to check him out. He brought a big brother shirt for Chase and a little monkey for Milo.
Grandma Ruth came back for more snuggles too.
Sandy stopped by to see us and visited a while. Before she left Amanda came by again and surprised me with Hall's ice cream. Yum! She takes care of me.
This is the first picture we took that we thought Milo resembled Chase. I guess they are brothers after all!
We got up and started getting things gathered the next morning so we could get home at a decent time. We were ready to start our new routine as a family.
It was hard work getting ready to go home! Big yawns from little Milo man.
Mom brought Chase over so he could ride home with us in the car. He came in carrying a balloon for the baby. It was too cute how proud he was. He also wouldn't take this back pack off. He thought he had to carry it with him every time he came. Mom said she'd try to carry it for him since it was as heavy as he was but he wouldn't let her because he's a BIG boy! Haha.
All ready!
Here we go!
Chase pointed at Milo and said "baby" about 15 times before we left. He was pretty proud and "watched" him all the way home for us.
Home sweet home!
Mom had a little doggy and some balloons on the table when we got home to welcome us. She always makes things special. I love that Mommy of mine!
I tried to get a picture of the boys together but it turned out to be the first melt down. Chase thought he needed all the balloons cut off the ribbons and was pretty mad that we wouldn't let him.
This was the closest I could get to a family picture...
Chase was making me sad because I didn't want him to be sad...and he obviously was.
We finally got him to calm down for a second with a pack of fruit snacks. Haha. Whatever works! This family picture turned out a little better.
Milo is a chunka monk so his outfit that we brought him home in was pretty little on him. We got him changed into something comfy right away.
Sweet kisses from big brother : )
We tried to keep Chases routine the same as what he is used to and get him down for a nap. He didn't want to at first and gave us a run for our money. Of course we didn't want to scold him or anything because we felt bad since he was going through enough. We didn't push the issue and just relaxed best we could. Josh read him his new big brother book a few times. He seemed to really soak it up.
Isn't he pretty?!
We ended up all laying down and taking a family nap. It was nice to snuggle with Chase. We missed him!
I knew it wouldn't take long for Chase to find Milo's nose and honk it. He has always honked mine and Josh's noses. Haha - pretty adorable!
Milo got his first bath the first night we were home. Chase was rather curious about it all. I forgot how slippery when wet little tiny babies are.
Clean snuggly baby! I love the baby smell : )
We sat down just us to eat and I loved it. Chase played musical chairs as usual...
Chase was super curious when I would feed Milo all day. I can't imagine what his little mind was thinking. I got some tickle time in with him even while holding the baby. That is exactly what I want. I was afraid he wouldn't want anything to do with me if I had the baby.
The first night was interesting to say the least. It takes time to find what works best for you and get to know your baby and what he likes best and so on. We didn't get much sleep but it could've been worse for sure.
I am so grateful for my healthy babies...and to not be pregnant anymore. Recovery isn't fun either but I'll take that over pregnancy. Wow! We've got TWO kids! And so our new life begins...
