Meet James

Well, the day finally came for James to join our family.  At my 34 week appointment, they told me that James was a big boy.  As in, he was about the two weeks ahead in growth.  No other problems at all. 

They decided to do another sonogram at 37 weeks... and basically told me the same thing.  So, don't think that I'm crazy when I asked to have an elective induction at 39 weeks.

They scheduled me when I was 39 2/7 weeks pregnant and it was awesome.  Preston was able to get things set at work so he could take a week off at home to help me out.  Emily was able to adjust her work schedule so she could watch Carl for us (a huge thank you!) And I was able to wake up bright and early and take a nice relaxing bath and get ready to meet my new babe!

Here is a prego shot from the night before.

Well, I love labor stories so if you don't want to know all the details, just enjoy the cute pictures of our little man.  

We walked into Shady Grove Hospital at 7:00am and filled out paperwork, etc.  Our nurse came and got us around 8:00am and we did all the question/answer prep stuff. I was having a few contractions on my own but definitely wasn't in labor quite yet.  I started at a 3cm and was at 50% effaced.  We started the pitocin around 9:00 and sat around... waiting. The contractions slowly started coming more and more.  Our doctor came in around 11:00 and broke my water and I was scared that the contractions were going to be pretty intense.  

By noon they were pretty hard and my doctor informed me that I was going to be pushing out another posterior babe.  So I asked for an epidural.  The anesthesiologist came and quickly slipped it in but was called out to a stat C-Section.  So he gave me some medication to start and handed me the beloved epidural pain reliever button and left the room.

Well, my left side was started to go slightly numb but within a couple minutes, my epidural pump started alarming saying that there was increased pressure.  Basically, it wasn't giving me anything because of a kink.  We alerted the nurse who wasn't quite sure what to do.  In fact, none of the nurses knew what to do and the anesthesiologist was unavailable to come and fix it.  After about an hour of this alarming, my nurse was able to find another anesthesiologist to try to come and fix it.  He thought he fixed the problem by adjusting the catheter in my back and proceeded to give me a dose to relieve the pain.  Then the original anesthesiologist came back from the C-Section and gave me another dose about five minutes after.  Neither one even touched the pain.  

I have a problem with trying not to complain (especially to nurses), and so when my nurse came back in the room and asked me how I was doing, I finally told her that I was dying.  We decided to have the anesthesiologist put a new epidural in.  

This was around 1:30 and I was at 6cm.  He came in and put a new epidural in place.  Thank goodness we had an angel of a nurse that day.  I was bawling in her arms as he was putting it in from the pain of the contractions.  He did give me a large dose though to help get the pain under control. 

The doctor was in the room at that time and asked if we should check me.  The nurse informed her that she has just checked me 15 minutes prior when I was at 6cm.  However, I had been feeling a lot of pressure down under so I asked her to check again.  Lo and behold, I was complete and ready to push!  

From there, it was crazy 'Go' time.  The doctor and nurse quickly handed off report on their other patients and ran back in.  Within three contractions this boy was out!  He had a nuchal cord x1 and was definitely posterior but was absolutely perfect!  Even had a nice round head like a C-Section baby.  Apgars were 8/9. James was perfectly healthy and I got away with just a grade one tear.  The doctor, nurse, and Preston were wonderful to support me through the labor.

James LaVaun Wankier was born on December 13 at 2:15pm (12/13 @ 14:15!)  

 He was 8lb 8oz and 21" long.  

What better Christmas gift could you ask for?

Later that afternoon, Emily and Carl came over to meet James. 

This is the first and only time that Carl has attempted to hold Sweet Baby James.  Once James started crying, Carl decided he'd had enough of that.  (Though he has definitely warmed up to him since then).

 Emily just has the natural touch with babies.  He snuggled right in with her.  James already loves his Aunt Emily.

 This is one of my favorite shots from the day.  My boys.... 

Though I am now quite outnumbered, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be surrounded by such wonderful boys.

 And now our family has grown to four! There aren't perfect words to describe the love that I have for my little family.  They bring such joy in my life!

 Well, if you know me at all, you would understand that the hospital was completely boring.  Don't get me wrong!  I loved snuggling and loving my little guy, but when he is sleeping 20 hours out of 24, you find yourself with a lot of free time... and secluded in a little room (at least I had the room to myself).  So when it came time to go home, I was ecstatic and completely ready.  

James, we are so glad that you are here and that you are a part of our little family.  I know that you will bring happiness and love with that adorable little face of yours.  Please know that you are loved by your parents and that we will always do our best to take care of you and teach you.  Welcome to our family!  

With love, Mom.