Welcome Henry!

Disclaimer: I'm actually not the worst mom EVER, and I wrote this a couple of months ago and am just now getting the pictures and words together. 

 So here it is: Henry’s birth story. I’m mad at myself for just sitting down to write it, but of course things have been busy with 2 babies and a full-time job. Better late than never. No matter what, I’m determined to write about that very special day so that I can look back and read this again and hopefully Henry himself will find it fun one day too. And the pictures! Oh the pictures are AMAZING! Forgive my appearance, as I am no Kate Middleton.

The night before my scheduled c-section, our families both came into town and we went to our favorite little seafood restaurant, just like we had the night before Finn. We had to be at the hospital at 5am, so we were ready and walking out the door at 4:15. I was HUGE! I knew this little boy might not be so little. Family, friends, and co-workers agreed that “this time you are not as swollen....your face looks so much better than before!!!” I agreed with them at the time, but now looking back at the pictures, I know they are just the sweetest liers ever, and I truly appreciate it! I felt really prepared with all of our bags packed just right, and I was ready to have this baby! I didn’t have a lot of anxiety about the surgery or anything like that this time. I just wanted him in my arms.

When we arrived at the hospital we got checked in really quickly, and then I was changed into that gorgeous hospital gown in minutes flat. I really enjoyed relaxing, hooked up to the monitor.....hearing that little heartbeat broadcast into the room is an indescribable feeling. It kind of seems to chant “fine, fine, fine, fine, fine”. As in “I’m just fine mom! And you’re about to meet me in such a little while!” The last few minutes of feeling the baby kick and squirm around are pretty surreal. And not knowing if this is my last pregnancy, I tried to soak it all in.

We had a nurse that was really nice at first but then tried to give us some grief about having Tammy, our photographer, in the room during the birth. Dr. Tucker (who I love almost as much as I love my own husband) saved the day and told her in no uncertain terms that this was OUR day and OUR decision and we could have Tammy there if we wanted her there! Nurse Meanie wasn’t very nice to him either, but judging by the beautiful pictures posted here you can deduce what the outcome was.

Nancy had brought these “Oh Henry!” chocolate bars to celebrate. She had a hard time finding them, but I’m so glad she did! Everyone who entered our room after Henry made his arrival commented on the candy bar in the bassinet with him. :)

I walked over to the operating room and climbed up on the table, just like last time. The spinal block was no big deal to have placed, and let me tell you, it works FAST! I mean, in about 3 seconds I was feeling NOTHING from my waist down. I was ready! Dr. Tucker came in and got started. Then in a few minutes the nurse brought Matt in, and boy was I glad to see him. (Logically, you know they aren’t going to forget to bring him in, but you sorta start to worry, like, ummm….are you gonna remember to grab my baby’s daddy? He’s out there waiting ya know. Of course they know!) Anyway, he grabbed my hand and then before I knew it, BOOM! Henry is here!!! Dr. Tucker said “Oh he’s a big baby!” before I even saw him. He held him up high for me to see (and for Tammy to capture). I loved him instantly! I was surprised because with Finn it took a little while for it to sink in. But with Henry I just felt this physical love for him right away. And he WAS big. Matt went with him over to the scale and reported that he was 8 pounds 12 ounces. Then Matt stayed with him while they did all the “I’ve just been born” stuff to him while he screamed and cried with the loudest new-baby voice I’ve ever heard! Even the nurses were laughing at how loud he was! They wrapped him up and Matt took him to meet our families. Apparently he continued to cry while they admired him, not convinced that life on the “outside” was for him.

Once I was in recovery, the nurse brought him to me and I held him and nursed him. He was wide awake and looked right at me! He had this funny long hair on the back of his head along his neck….a baby mullet really. It was funny. He was incredibly cute if I do say so myself.

We got wheeled to our room and Matt got to press the button and play the special song. Actually he did it twice because I didn’t hear it the first time. I think I was too busy admiring Henry.

We were in a teeny tiny room, but that didn’t stop us all from crowding in to experience the high that comes from a new family member that has arrived. Matt thought we should wait but I wanted to see Finn right away and let him meet his new brother. We had been talking about this “baby” for months and I wanted him to be able to put a face with a name! So Kim (our rockstar of a nanny) brought him up to the hospital. When he walked in he looked HUGE to me! He was wearing his “Big Brother” shirt that I had made him, and he brought balloons. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him and show him Henry. And in typical 17-month-old-boy fashion, he was only interested in the remote for the tv and the hospital’s telephone. He did say “Mommy!” and come up on the bed with us for a minute, but as you can see, we did not capture the beautiful moment I had pictured in my head. My hair is a major contributor to the not-beautiful part.

After everyone cleared out, it kinda becomes a blur. I had to get a few shots of anti-histamine because the morphine was making me itch like I had been bitten by a thousand mosquitos. This combined with exhaustion led to a day of sleeping on and off and snuggling sweet Henry most of that time. In fact, that’s pretty much how the rest of the hospital stay went. Henry was still getting used to being in the world and cried a good bit. At one point, the nurse came and got him and took him to the nursery so I could get some sleep. She knew just what I needed! Matt was sick with a bad cold, so he wasn’t the happiest of campers either. We were all glad when we got released to go home. Henry looked so tiny in his carseat all ready to go. He had on his special “Little Brother” onesie that matched Finn’s shirt. We were welcomed at home by Nan, Bop, and a very happy and spoiled Finn. The birthday fairy had come to decorate! This was a very big deal to me….it’s hard to explain but it made me feel like Henry was a real, actual, bona fide part of our family now. Like, once the birthday fairy knows about you, you’re legit! From that day forward we settled in, and then fun really started. ;)

For me, Henry has been kinda like the sprinkles on the icecream cone. I had this awesome life….I was moving along totally satisfied. Then God gave me something I didn’t even know was possible. And now I couldn’t imagine life without him. It seems like he’s always just been a part of my heart. A part I didn’t know was missing, but it was. I love you sweet Henbo.