Best Buds :)

Even though we're working with Odie on being gentle with his baby brother...he just can't get enough of him :)

Coming Home!

Since Spencer and I recovered so well, we were able to be discharged after two days...and boy were we glad to be home!!

Since mid-Michigan was in the middle of another snow storm, Oliver did not join us until the following day...but luckily we all made it home safe and sound!

Please Welcome Spencer Charles Garrett!

I am happy to announce that, for the most part, everything went just as planned! We arrived at the hospital at 6 AM, got checked in and started the onslaught of IV's, medications and paperwork. Right before we were about to go back to the OR, the hospital claimed that it didn't have two samples of my blood type...a new requirement...so we were delayed. Right as I was at my limit for sitting on those torturous OB triage beds, they found another sample and wheeled us on to our next destination.

I was transferred and given my spinal as Jason waited outside the door. Once I was numb, he was brought in and the procedure began. We were both quite nervous since Oliver required a stay in the NICU and we were stuck in the OR not knowing what was happening. Not to mention, it's quite unnerving to be awake and "hope" that you are indeed numb...which of course I was.

It took the Dr. a little while to actually prepare for Spencer's birth. My uterus was stretched so thin that she said that she could even see Spencer through it...the reason that we are all happy that I did not attempt a natural birth.

Slowly but surely, the time came for the resident to give the top of my abdomen a nice hearty push and then Spencer was born at 8:59 AM, February 18th, 2011.

He immediately started crying and assisted the nurses in clearing out those lungs! His apgar scores were 8 and 9...and he required no NICU assistance. He weighed only 6lbs, 13oz and was 20in long. Since his station was directly across from mine, I was able to watch him while they finished working on me...and Jason was able to hold him within a few minutes.

The post-baby work took a little longer since the Dr. needed to work on the thin sections of my uterus. She did say that we would be able to have more children...but Jason and I are happy to be done.

Once everything was stitched and stapled, I was wheeled out of the OR with Spencer in my arms.

We were lucky and were the first patients to use one of the brand new post-op rooms. It was a nice place to sit and wait for the feeling to return to my legs! This is also where we were able to send Spencer's first pictures to our friends and family.

Within a few hours were were moved into our final room where we were able to settle in for the next two days. Before we knew it, Spencer received so many wonderful visitors and gifts! I can't begin to thank everyone for their thoughtfulness!

Friday night, Oliver came up with Grandma and Grandpa Feazel. He was definitely more interested in the balloons he brought, but he loved his little brother immediately! We are definitely going to need to work with Oliver on being gentle, but I'm pretty sure it's par for the course.

Welcome Spencer Charles!

His First Picture!

A little calmed down...waiting for Mom to get stitched up!

In recovery with Mom and Dad!

After his bath and new outfit :)

Oliver bringing in Spencer's balloons...

Mom and Dad with Spencer (we couldn't get Oliver to sit still long enough)...

Last Day at Work!

Today is my last day at work for 10 weeks! The closer it gets to D-Day...the more nervous I am! Jason and I are crossing our fingers that Spencer can come back from delivery with us and skip the trip to the NICU that Oliver unfortunately had to take. Since Spencer will be about 10 days older than Oliver, we hope that it will be enough.

Of course, Oliver now has some bumps under his arm...so I'm waiting for the Dr to call back to see if they are indeed contagious as the internet says...Moms shouldn't be allowed to search the internet for kiddo diseases...

Last Check-up!!

My last check-up was this morning. Everything is still the same and we're expecting Spencer at his scheduled date: Friday February 18th!

I work through Wednesday and then it's on to last minute preparations!

Odie's all packed and ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa Feazel's house! He's excited about his roomies Aunt Shelly and Uncle Bill :)

The girls are excited as well...

P.S....Grandma...buy vanilla bones!

39 weeks...last belly shot!

Making Some Glitterific Valentines!

Oliver had a fantastic time making valentines today! After the first few, Jason and I realized that they weren't going to be "mail-friendly" so we just made one for Grandma Garrett, Grandma Feazel, and Aunt Julie :)

Odie was very artistic...using crayons, markers, glitter and little pom poms. He was especially fond of the glitter which conveniently came in little shakers.

Now our vacuum is glitterific and I'm sure our family room will sparkle for months to come :)

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Giving me the "look" for disrupting the artistic process with the camera...

Glitter!!

Our Last Lazy Friday....for a while that is :)

Today is the last lazy day for Momma and Odie! This time next week, if everything goes as planned, we will have a very time consuming addition to the family.

But for today, we're content with our friends, Dora and Diego, our coloring books...and, of course, an awesome case of bed head!

Happy Friday everyone!

38 Week Appointment

Everything still looking good on the baby front. Even though I had contractions all weekend and on Monday, there is still no more progress.

I did lose another pound, so somehow my weight gain has been relatively low at 13lbs...so that's something to be happy about!

Looks like we may have to wait until next Friday!

Less than 9 More Days!!

A quick run in the trails!

Since it wasn't too chilly out, Jason and I took the fam outside to run the trails he created with the snowblower. Originally, he made them for the girls since Hermie is the only one brave enough to step into any snow whatsoever...which only leaves the back porch or, most unfortunately, inside for Trudy and Fran. Since I've already experienced Trudy's peeing on the bed...on top of all my clean clothes...I've been very impressed with Jason's trails!


I also figured that Oliver would love a little romp in the snow, so out we went! He had a great time chasing the dogs, throwing Fran's ball, and shoveling snow...now only if he will be as willing when he's a teenager :)

37 Week Appointment

My appointment went well today! I met the Dr. who is scheduled to deliver Spencer on February 18th, and she was wonderful...which is quite a relief!

I am progressing towards labor, so with any luck he will be here early!

Regardless...

15 MORE DAYS!