Edwin Eugene

Ok it's that time - I'm finally getting around to writing about Edwin's birth.  After an eventful few days in the hospital in the beginning of November (3rd,4th, and 5th) trying to stop my contractions so that Edwin wouldn't come too early, and then being told to 'take it easy' for several weeks (for the same reason) I was glad when Edwin finally decided to join our family 4 1/2 weeks later.  Although he was still 2 weeks early, I felt like I was over due with all the anticipation from going into early labor.  

The day before Edwin was born (Dec 5th) Robert called and told me that he had to go to the emergency room because he had severely cut his arm while throwing a toilet in a dumpster.  At this point I had just barely started feeling contractions and wasn't really positive if it was the real thing yet.  After several hours and going down to the hospital to visit / pick up Robert I was sure it was the real thing and was just hoping to not have to deliver at St. Joseph's (which is where Robert was).  Lucy was already asleep at my parent's house by the time Robert was all stitched up and we were able to come home, so we left her there for the night.  After several more hours and not much sleep later I decided that it was time to go down to the hospital.

We get to the hospital and find out that I am only dilated to a 3 1/2.  This news is very disappointing to me seeing as I had been a 3 for the past month.  However after waiting in triage for 2 hours and dilating 2 more cm they said I could stay and was checked in.  Since I was positive for group B strep I had to take some antibiotics when I first got to the hospital and then again 4 hours later - meaning the dr. wouldn't come in and break my water until then.  The pain was a lot different with this one than with Lucy and lasted a lot longer.  After some deliberation I decided that I wanted to get an epidural this time.  It was amazing the difference it made!  I went from intense pain and anxiety to being able to relax and actually look forward to the birth of my son.  I was also grateful that since I held out so long I didn't have to go through the annoyance of having a catheter put in.  So, to cut a long story short the dr. came in about an hour later (after the designated 4 hours) broke my water and after about another 30 minutes and several pushes Edwin Eugene was born! It was about 12:45 in the afternoon on Thursday, December 6th, and he weighed 6 lbs 10 1/2 oz and was 19.5 inches long.

I loved that they gave him to me right away.  With Lucy they took her and checked her first because she was so early and so it was several minutes before they finally gave her to me.  But there is nothing quite like having them put that tiny, gooey, perfect baby on your chest right after he is born.  It has definitely been an adjustment having two little ones now, but it has also been wonderful and we are so grateful to have Edwin in our family now!

Blessings

I have been inspired lately.  By a book I'm reading Heaven is Here, by my amazing SIL, by life in general.  I've been inspired to always look for the good in a situation, to notice and be grateful for all that I have, to live each moment to the fullest.

I don't know how many of you have read or at least heard of the book Heaven is Here, by Stephanie Nielson, but it's about a women and her family and the trials that they went through after she and her husband survived a plane crash.  I am only about half-way through the book but I have already found myself crying through multiple parts (maybe not a good book to read while hormonal and pregnant)  Mostly during the parts where she talks about her kids after the accident and how guilty she felt for putting them through it all.  She talks about how her little toddler son had cried and clung to her the morning of the crash and didn't want her to go.  How she told him she would be home for dinner, and then ended up in a coma for 3 months.  It all just makes me so grateful for the life that I have, the family that I have, the healthy body that I have, and also realizing that in a blink of an eye everything could change.  

I don't want this to be too long, (I'm planning on writing more in my personal journal) but I just wanted to put down a few of the things that I am most grateful for.

My loving and wonderful husband, and the family that came with him.  I have so many amazing sister and brother in laws and nieces and nephews - I always love being around them.

My beautiful baby girl who isn't much of a baby anymore.  She is so sweet and loving.  I love it when she gives me kisses, and climbs on my lap with a book in her hand.  I love that she loves to help (even when it is not so helpful).  She has the best, sweetest personality and I love to see her smile and to hear her crazy laugh.

The fact that we will be having a son in December.  I am so looking forward to meeting him!

My family that I was born into.  Of course my own siblings and parents have had a huge influence on my life and I am so grateful to have them around!

One that I have been thinking about a lot lately, but is maybe not on the same level as family...That cooler weather is finally coming!  That the holidays will be here soon!  I love the holiday season, and I know it isn't here yet, but the cooler nights and mornings are a great start!

I could go on and on but this list is mostly for me and like I said I'm writing more in another source so...If you ever want to know what I'm grateful for feel free to ask :)

I mean seriously.  How could life not be good?