Our Delivering Doctor and Midwife

A special thanks to my doctor and midwife that brought Kallan into our lives. I was so out of it that we didn't get a picture with them the day he was born, but thankfully the were willing to pose for a quick shot when I went to see them at the office.

Our Midwife Abby, she was amazing! She helped ease the labor pains and really worked hard to try and get Kallan to come naturally. I was so thankful for her patience and reassuring words during labor and surgery prep. I am sad that she is moving away.

Dr. Young, the one and only doctor I actually met during my prenatal visits. He just happened to be on call the day I was in labor. We were grateful he was there to help Kallan arrive safely.

Brothers Forever

As promised the reaction of the my 3 older boys to the newest addition. Unfortunately, our camera went MIA the day after Kallan was born and we were unable to get pictures of their first encounter. I was still a little out of it, (they gave me morphine, yeah) so I think that scared Oliver and Emerson. They seemed more concerned with Mommy and did NOT want anything to do with the baby. Eli on the other hand took on his role as big brother immediately and wanted to hold him. ( I actually got the cutest picture on my phone of him, it is precious). He was and still is very loving, kind and very helpful with the baby. When Eli was holding him for the first time, Kallan got a little bit fussy and Eli started singing to him. It was a very sweet moment.

Eli loves his baby brother so much and I think Kallan already looks up to Eli.

Oliver and Emerson did come around the next day. Isaac brought them to the hospital (thankfully I was off the morphine, had more color, and was moving around a little bit). It was sweet, the boys actually wanted to hold him and gave him a kiss or two.

Emerson holding Kallan for the 1st time

Oliver with Kallan

Once at home Eli and Emerson continued to be as smitten with our newest arrival as we were, but Oliver still kept his distance. Thankfully now though all love Kallan and are constantly asking "where's baby?" Emerson will find the bouncy seat and carry it over to me for the baby (probably with other ideas in mind). They all sing to him and give him lots of kisses.

Oh how I love my 4 precious boys!!!!!!

Twins with Kallan right after we got home

Coming Home

Last Sunday when I arrived home from the hospital, Isaac, Kallan and I kind of sneaked in the house.  I needed a few moments to process being at home with 4 kids.  (Got to love the post pregnancy hormones).  I was teary eyed and scared at what that would bring.  So I sat on the couch for about 30 minutes trying to gain control of my emotions.  Finally Isaac and I decided it was time to bring the boys upstairs and feed them a late breakfast.  As they filed up, they didn't notice that I was sitting on the couch.  Emerson was the first one to notice me and in his sweet little voice said "Mommy, you came home."  Flood gates opened again, but I was happy to be back home with my 4 boys....thankfully this has been a good week. 

I Have Been Blessed....

Recovery from a c-section is not fun! You hurt and ache in your midsection. You can't lift anything heavier than your baby. You have to be careful how you bend, stand, and all over move. It really stinks! (Not that I would take back the choice I made)
Luckily I have had the most wonderful help from everyone! I can't get over the overwhelming offers to take my kids so I can rest, the meals, and the overall concern for my well being.
So Thank You to all of you! I am blessed to have such great family and AMAZING friends that are looking out for me. You truly have made this recovery go a lot smoother and less stressful. I love you all and hope someday I can return the service to you or others in need.

Brittany and the No Good Very Bad day....

I decided to blog about the arrival of our newest Frisbie while it is still relatively fresh in my mind. Now mind you this is the story of what happened according to my pain filled/groggy mind....

40 weeks 4 days

On Tuesday the 27th I went in to see the midwife (4 days overdue with child). I was uncomfortable, miserable, hot, and was tired of being kicked in every spot manageable. My induction was scheduled for the 30th of July, but I honestly did not think I could hold out until then (not to mention my mother was headed out on Thursday to watch my adorable nephews for the weekend). So I went in and plead my case, and left the appointment with a scheduled induction for the next morning.

The hospital called later that day telling me that they would call in the morning between 6-10am to have me come in. I was thrilled and went to bed that night with anticipation of a 6:00am phone call. Well, the call finally came in at 8:30 and we were off to the hospital by a little after 9am. By 10am I had my IV in and the pitocin started (evil drug, but was grateful for it at this point). At noon our midwife came in and broke my water I was at 4+cm dilated.

I must say I loved my midwife experience this time around. She was with us through the entire labor portion and helped ease my discomfort

As you can see labor pains are not too bad at this point

By 2pm I was having intense contractions and had progressed to a 5, and I was thinking "ok, baby could be here in the next couple of hours". They decided to cut the pitocin and let my body take over the natural contractions (luckily they continued). I spent the next 30-45 minutes soaking in the warm tub, which now makes me understand why people opt for a water birth, it was divine! I thought for sure I was at an 8 or a 9 and be ready to push shortly. Much to my dismay I was only at a 7, which discouraged me. The midwife also realized the baby was head down but facing posterior, this makes delivery a bit more difficult. (Oh I should also mention I was doing this au naturale). A hour later I was at an 8 but having major contractions and was immense pain, but my body was being stubborn and not finishing the job. Then baby's heartbeat dropped so they called in the doctor. By the time he came, baby was doing good, but mommy wasn't. I told him, the midwife and everyone that I was done, and I was serious. Of course they don't listen to the insanely pain driven mom and told me I was doing fine. I was to the point of hysterical, so bad they had to give me oxygen and they decided that I needed pain medication. At that point I didn't care about au naturale anymore, and so a spinal block was ordered for me to let me rest and finish dilating. That is the weirdest experience, I had no feeling from my mid-waist down. Isaac thought it was so funny that he was playing with my dead weight legs and laughing, bringing humor back into the delivery room.

Right after the spinal block...not looking so lovely now.

An hour later the midwife came back in, and I told her that if she said I was not at a 10 I was going to scream. Luckily I was at a 10 and ready to push. The midwife put me in several different positions to try and turn baby's head around, but he was being stubborn. Isaac and the nurses helped me know when to push since I still had no feeling, but then....I developed what is called a "hot spot", a place where the pain medication either wore off or didn't work. Oh I thought the contractions were bad, but even those did not compare to the pain shooting through my entire body at that point. They once again called the doctor back in to assist in the delivery. Again I told them I was done and just get the baby out. Out came the suction to get this little guy out. They can only apply the suction to the baby's head 3 times before they have to stop. Well my little stubborn guy did not want to budge and after 3 times, he still had a ways to go. I was then given the option...continue to push or have a c-section. I chose the latter. I was worried about the baby, although he was still doing fine. I was physically and mentally exhausted and knew that I WAS DONE (they finally listened to me)!

The doctor left to prepare and they got Isaac and I ready to go to the OR. The hot spot began spread even further and the spinal tap had worn off a majority of my midsection, so I had trouble holding still, which makes putting in an epidural for the surgery near impossible. The anesthesiologist asked if I wanted to be put under which I readily agreed (it was about 8pm at this point and I had been in hard labor/pushing for about 4 hours). So out I went, unfortunately Isaac was not allowed in the OR when I went under and missed the actual delivery.

I don't really know what happened after that, being knocked out and all. Isaac says they had our baby out in 15 minutes and he was able to come in and escort our 10lb 7oz, 22inch long boy to the nursery. They brought me back to and got me all put back together. About 1-2 hours after my boy was born they finally placed him in my arms, and I was SO happy! Although he was huge I was so happy he had arrived safely, and was now snuggling close to me and of course I was NOT pregnant anymore!

Welcome Kallan!

Holding my boy for the first time. Best moment of the day!

Because of the c-section I was able to stay at the hospital 4 days getting pampered and snuggling day and night with my new baby ( I enjoyed every minute of it!)

So by the end...It was a good day!

I will post later about my other boy's reaction to our newest addition...oh the joys of 4 boys!