Claire's Walk Around The Sun

Back to Claire's birthday. :)  At school, when someone has their birthday, they do their "Walk Around The Sun" to mark their special day.  It's a great way to help the kids understand that one year is a revolution of the earth around the sun.  Claire looked forward to her "Walk Around The Sun" for weeks, and thought long and hard about what treat she wanted to bring for her friends.  She decided on Twizzlers licorice.

The "Walk Around The Sun" starts with all the kids sitting in a circle, with the birthday kid in the center.  Grandma did Claire's, and so joined her in the center of the circle.  A lit candle represents the sun, and there is a globe for the earth.  There is also a counting board for keeping track of how many times the birthday kid walks around the sun.

Grandma told something special about each of the 5 years that Claire has been here, and Claire dutifully carried the earth around the sun with a smile on her face.  She loved being the center of attention!  

But she had to share a little of the spotlight.  For months, Johnny came with me to drop off and pick up his sisters.  And for months, he cried that he didn't get to go to school, too.  But this time, he got to go in!  And he was beyond stoked.  So much so, that he couldn't help but be the class clown.  He made silly faces and played peek-a-boo with the girls closest to him.  That boy is a born flirt.

After Claire's 5 revolutions around the sun, all of her classmates and teachers joined together to sing "Happy Birthday" to her, and then she blew out the sun. ;)

Since Claire's "Walk Around The Sun" was the last order of business for the day, the kids returned to their "lines" to wait for their parents.  During this time, Mrs. Winfrey led the kids in singing songs.  It was fun for me to see my girls at school, and see how happy and engaged they were.

I've mentioned it before, but I had to include some visual proof.  Sophie is a little worker when she's at school.  After the kids all left for home, we stayed for a few minutes visiting with Grandma and letting the kids play with Braxton and Tavin.  And by kids, I mean Claire and Johnny.  Sophie was still at school, after all.  So she got right to work.  That girl will never cease to amaze me.

Claire's "Walk Around The Sun" was only the first of a few installments of birthday celebration for our adorable five-year-old.  There's more to come! ;)

One Month

I have to break into the chronology of events to document Luke's first month.  I've been scrambling to blog the last 5 weeks of memories and events, and I'm still no where close!  But I'll catch up eventually...I hope!

Oh, where to begin!  Luke has been nothing short of a delight.  He has the sweetest disposition, and just goes with the flow.  Which is good, since the flow would go without him I'm afraid!  Luke has this ability to make you calm just by holding him.  It's almost as if he just sucks the stress right out of you.  Needless to say, we all LOVE to hold him right now!

Luke has had quite an eventful first month of life.  We've taken him to Primary Children's Hospital and the ER in just over 24 hours time.  Now, before everyone gets all excited, both visits were precautionary and he's just fine.  The visit to Primary's was to check his belly button.  It just hasn't healed well since his umbilical cord fell off, and our awesome pediatrician wanted to be sure everything was looking okay.  An ultrasound was needed, and that's where they do pediatric imaging.  Like with everything else, Luke was completely chill through the whole procedure.  What a champ!  Then, just last night, we ended up in the ER with our little man to check on a really nasty cough that's developed over the last couple of days.  With it being the weekend, we wanted to make sure we stayed on top of things.  You never want to take a chance with anything respiratory with a baby just 5 weeks old.  His lungs are clear, however, so he's in no immediate danger.  Phew!  I hate taking my babies to the hospital.

Luke is a champion eater.  Still my best and easiest nurser.  During his first week home, we had a hard time getting his days and nights turned around.  But, with a little persistence on Mom and Dad's part, we got him on the right circadian rhythms, and now he's sleeping like a champ.  He's ready for bed between 9 and 10 every night, and wakes up to eat somewhere between 3 and 5.  But we're only up for an hour and then it's back to bed for Luke and me.  Can't complain much about that!  He's almost at 12 pounds now, so he's growing like a weed.  He's filling out those 3 months outfits, and some of his jammies are getting too small already.  Sigh.  They change so fast.

Luke loves tummy time, and enjoys stretching out on the floor and watching life whirl around him.  Since we brought him home, we noticed Luke's amazing ability to visually track things.  He has the strongest neck of any newborn I've ever seen, and can keep his head up on his own and turn it completely from side to side.  It really is astounding!  Though, (and I say this with all the humility possible) astounding is just something I've come to expect from our children. :)

I believe I've admitted it in the past, but I've worried if I would be as in love with Luke as I was with Johnny when he was a newborn.  And I can definitely say that I am!  I love Luke with an intensity that surprises me sometimes.  I seriously just can't get enough of him.  And because we've done this a few times now, I just know it will be no time at all before he's a toddler.  He changes every day toward that end.  And as exciting as that is, it breaks our hearts a little, too.

You're the sunshine in our life, Luke.  We love you!

To My Claire, On Her Birthday...

First, I wish I could say that I was writing this letter even remotely close to your birthday, Sweetheart.  But it's been about a month, and with your little brother's birth and life in general being crazy, this is the first chance I've gotten.  I'm sorry!

Claire, I just can't believe you're five.  I'm just sure it hasn't been that long since it was just you and me.  I remember looking down at you while I fed you when you were just a newborn.  I wondered what you'd look like, and who you would be.  I knew you'd be beautiful, so no surprises there.  But I don't know that I ever could have imagined the girl you would grow up to be in just five short years.

You've really blossomed this last year.  I used to worry that you wouldn't have the confidence to try new things or make new friends.  But you leave me speechless with your tenacity for life.  You have gained more confidence in five years than I've gained in twenty nine!  And your Dad can attest to that.  :)  I couldn't believe when you so easily took the stage for your part in "Beauty and the Beast" without the least bit of trepidation.  Seriously amazing.

You're such a good helper to me, and I know that your Dad and I would be lost without you as our first.  You couldn't be a more perfect first child.  Nothing ruffles your feathers, and you never get sick.  You're almost always willing to help me with your younger siblings, which with Luke's arrival I've needed desperately.  You are so patient and loving.  You and Sophie truly are best friends, and we love to see your friendship grow.  You look after Johnny for me, and help him with his iPad games whenever he gets frustrated.  You fetch bottles and diapers and burp rags and all sorts of things for me.  Thank you for all of that. 

My heart was so touched with how you handled your birthday this year.  We knew that Luke's birth was going to affect your big day, one way or the other.  We thought we'd get ahead of things and celebrate your birthday early, so we could have the cousin party you were so excited for before Luke was born and things got more complicated.  I was worried that you wouldn't like that idea, since you were very much aware that your birthday was on May 28th.  But, you understood what we were trying to do, and you were happy to have your party early.  Then, the completely unexpected happened and my water broke the morning of your party.  I was so worried that you'd be heartbroken that your party wasn't happening as planned.  But once again, you completely surprised me.  You not only were just fine with not having your party, you were genuinely excited to meet Baby Luke.  You have a heart of gold, Claire Bear.

You also have a gift for befriending everyone.  And I truly believe it's a gift, and one I hope you use throughout your life.  You have such a genuineness about you.  You truly exhibit the light of Christ.  I know that people that touch your life will know Christ because they know you.  I know that I know Him better because of your example and your sweet spirit.  

I could go on forever about how awesome you are, Claire.  Always remember how much your Daddy and I treasure you.  You are an irreplaceable part of this family.  You are an example, a light, a friend to all.  You make your Dad and I smile every day.  You make us proud every day.  We look forward to watching you continue to grow and mature during the next year.  We love you, Claire Bear!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

School's Out For Summer

The day after Luke and I came home from the hospital, the girls had their end of year program.  I believe the date was May 24th.  Claire and Sophie were so excited to be in the program, they practiced their songs and their lines religiously.  And when the big day came, they were ready!

Unfortunately, Luke and I couldn't quite make it out yet, so we missed the program.  But Daddy dutifully took pictures and video, and as I expected the girls were as cute as could be.  The program was at the Clearfield Library, and Claire was sure to tell me all about the stage that was there.  Once they got there, they took their places and looked into the crowd for their Daddy.

They found him. ;)

The girls have enjoyed having their cousins, Braxton and Tavin, in school with them.  It's fun to be close to family again, where the kids can have real friendships with their cousins.

Then it was time to get on stage.  This was Claire's favorite part.  Ever since she did "Beauty and the Beast", she just loves being on stage!

And the girls sang their hearts out!  They love all the songs they've learned, and I love what each song teaches them.  Most of all, I love how cute they look singing them with gusto! 

Claire and Sophie did much of the program together, but they also each had a portion that they performed with their classmates that were their age.  Sophie did a song about being a seed.  Unfortunately, we only got video of that.  But she was so cute!  She crouched on the ground and grew up nice and tall.  She shook her hips like leaves in the wind and sang loud and clear.  Sophie loves to perform!  

Claire was part of a song about animals.  She played the part of the crocodile.  Grandma would ask, "Crocodile, Crocodile, what do you hear?"  Claire would reply, "I hear an ostrich, screeching in my ear!"  We practiced her line, and she did it so well.  I was particularly proud of her use of "an" ostrich, instead of "a" ostrich.  I know, I know.  Nit-picky.  But I come by it honestly...and genetically.  :)

This is a new face of Claire's.  She makes it whenever she knows she's cute, she knows people are watching, and she doesn't know what to do.  I love it!

One of the reasons why we made the move home from California was to get the girls into their Grandma's preschool.  It was especially important to Danny, who personally benefited a great deal from his Montessori education.  We know that we are beyond blessed to have access to this amazing education for our children, at the hands of their loving Grandma.  We know we could never do it anywhere else, and we are all so grateful. 

Claire has excelled in so many ways during her 5 months at school.  She knows all her sounds and her numbers.  She can count as high as she wants, and can even count to 100 by tens.  She has told me all about her body and its different functions, and that animals live in habitats.  But mostly, she tells me who was at school that day, what they were wearing, and how cute so-and-so's shoes were.  

We learned a lot about Claire's interests and aptitudes.  She loves art.  She always looked forward to her time in the Art Room with Mrs. Winfrey.  She colors well beyond her age group, and she colors true to life.  She also has penmanship that is beyond her age group, and she loves writing her name on everything.  She is excited about reading, and her goal for the summer was to be able to read a book by herself.  We're working on that!  More than anything else, I learned how confident Claire is.  She has learned how to be a good friend, and she is confident and caring in all her interactions with other children, whether she knows them or not.  I think she is well-prepared for kindergarten next year.  I'm not, but she is. :)

And then there's our Sophie Anne-kins.  This girl loved school!  She also knows all her sounds, and can count confidently to 20.  She can read from her word charts, and enjoys doing so.  She was really good at telling me what kids weren't nice that day, or who had a problem. :)  She is my little other-mother.  But she also knew if anyone was missing that day, and then would excitedly tell me the day they came back.  

We found out a lot of surprising things about Sophie during her months at school.  Apparently, our Sophie who won't stop moving or talking at home is the best worker in the bunch.  She finds some work to do and keeps on doing it.  Then she'll put it away, pick out a new activity, and quietly work away at that.  It doesn't matter if the other kids are playing around, Sophie likes to work.  I can hardly believe it!  Where I always assumed Sophie would be our social butterfly that was a distraction in class, she apparently prefers to work on her own.  She has plenty of friends, and she loves those friends fiercely.  But when it comes to working, she prefers her solitude.  Go figure!  She particularly loves puzzles and things that she has to figure out how to put together or build.   

I think I saw the most progress from Sophie in her coloring.  When she started school, she had a very difficult time staying inside the lines.  Which was totally age-appropriate.  Then one evening, after only a few weeks of being at school, Claire made Sophie cry by accusing her of being a "scribbler".  This was really hard for Sophie to take, and we talked to both of them about it.  After that, Sophie seemed to really focus on her coloring.  And by the time school was out, I had a hard time distinguishing Sophie's work from Claire's sometimes.  I'm really proud of Sophie and her determination to become better at something.  

Sophie also had a special place in her heart for each of her teachers, and they for her.  Mrs. Moss, Mrs. Winfrey, and especially Mrs. Raleigh loved Sophie's deep, gravely voice.  They loved her enthusiasm, and loved her concentration.  In fact, Mrs. Raleigh used to tell Grandma not to worry if Sophie went missing, she'd be at her house! :)  Where Claire would easily tell me that her favorite room was the Art Room and her favorite teacher was Mrs. Winfrey, Sophie told me all her teachers were her favorite.  And she meant it.  What a little sweetheart.

Again, we're so grateful for the school!  Sophie is excited to go back in the fall, and I'm sure Claire will back in some capacity.  Johnny is anxiously awaiting his chance to go as well, as he hated dropping off the girls every afternoon and watching them walk away into a wonderland of learning and fun.  He'll get his chance, as I hope all our children will.

Being Home With Luke

Claire, Sophie, and Johnny were so anxious for us to bring Baby Luke home.  I think they were kind of excited to have me home, too, but mostly it was all about Luke.  And really, I'm totally okay with that!  I love seeing how my kids are excited to meet their new sibling.  I always think they're going to be too young to care for long, and each time they prove me wrong.  Such sweet spirits, we have.

Claire and Sophie were especially excited to start being big sisters to Luke.  I'm fairly certain these two girls will make excellent mothers some day.  They are so nurturing by nature.  

Sophie has especially taken to Luke.  She was just a couple months older than Johnny is now when we brought Johnny home, and there was so much she couldn't do.  But not this time!  She makes sure that Luke always has what he needs to be happy.  Especially a story at bedtime. :)

There was one more person that was just as excited as his siblings to get Luke home.  And that was Great Grandma Lovell.  Great Grandma reminded me over and over again in the weeks before Luke's birth that it was her job to hold the baby. :)  And it's a job she does very well.  She loves to hold Luke and tell him stories about Great Grandpa and all sorts of things.  And Luke loves to listen.  These two already have a special relationship, and it's a special thing for Danny to see.

Even though Johnny doesn't have the attention span that his sisters have for caring for Luke, he definitely loves his little brother!  Of the few words Johnny says that anyone can understand, "Luke" is one of them!  He loves to give him kisses on his head and say "Ahhh...Luke!"  These two will be fast friends...just as soon as Luke does more than sleep. ;) 

We were home only a few shorts days before I glanced at Luke sleeping in his bouncer and realized that he had already changed.  We always forget how fast that happens.  

Days continued to pass, and Luke continued to grow up and I continued to heal.  Danny had the whole week off after we got home, and we all very much enjoyed the time together as a family.  A new family.  We all spent a lot of time holding Luke and getting to know him.

And I can say with certainty that I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I wanted to!  Life definitely got busier with Luke around, but it also got more fun and fulfilling.  We love our little guy!

Our Hospital Stay

After a crazy "birth day", the next morning was quite peaceful.  My nurses got me up and walking around, and once I wasn't bound to my bed I started feeling much better.  I spent a decent amount of time that morning nursing Luke and just getting to know this beautiful boy of mine, and dosing here and there.  It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday.  I don't remember much from the day, but I do know that we had a couple of visitors.  Uncle David and Aunt Camillia came by to meet Luke, and we had a good time visiting with them.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my wits about me enough to get a picture.  Ugh.  Uncle Matt and Aunt Jenny also came by, bearing delicious gifts of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, which was beyond wonderful! 

The details are fuzzy now, thanks to very effective pain medications, but I'm pretty sure that Danny and Johnny ended up spending the next afternoon with Luke and I.  It was so fun to see Johnny again, and see how much he loved his little brother.  I know these two are going to be best buds.

Johnny instantly knew his role as a big brother, and got right to teaching Luke the important things in life.  Like how to drink a bottle.  First, he tried to physically help Luke with his bottle.

But when that didn't work, he decided to teach by example. 

Finally, Luke got it!  Johnny was so pleased with his teaching skills, and proud of his little brother's accomplishments. ;)

I really did enjoy some time with my boys.  BOYS-plural!  I needed some time to adjust to the fact that I now was the mother of two incredibly handsome and strong boys.  What more can a mother ask for?

A bigger bed, perhaps? :)

My Mom also came back and spent some time with me and Luke while Danny took care of the kids and got them to bed.  I totally forgot to get a picture of Grandma Candy and Luke on the day he was born, what with the ridiculous pain and all, but I was sure to rectify that mistake.  Honestly, I think this is an awesome picture of the two of them!  I'm grateful to have such an awesome Mom that was so willing to be with me and help me out.  Thanks, Mom!

Danny was wonderful to run back and forth between the hospital and home to make sure that not only were Luke and I taken care of, but that Claire, Sophie, and Johnny were cared for and given as much of their routine as possible.  He truly is a one of a kind husband.  And father.  So, when the three of us were together at the hospital, we all spent a decent amount of time sleeping.  I have this same picture of Danny and each of the children when they're just a day or so old.  I love seeing how much Danny loves our children, individually, and how much comfort our children get from being on their Daddy's chest.  I just love it.

And I especially love how much Luke looks like his Daddy.  What a lucky little guy!!

Luke continued to change day after day.  I decided to spend a full four days in the hospital and take advantage of the extra time to heal before going home to our regular life.  We decided that Luke was tired of wearing the same old shirt all the time, so Daddy brought him a pair of jammies to wear.  And I swear his cuteness went through the roof!

Danny and the kids surprised me one evening by stopping by with the most gorgeous bouquet of long stemmed roses I'd ever seen.  Danny has a tradition of bringing me roses when I have a baby.  It's really the only time he gives me roses, specifically.  I love that it's become our little tradition. :)

I have to admit, I quite enjoyed my stay at McKay-Dee.  The food was AWESOME!  I had a piece of apple pie with every meal (don't judge, I just had a baby!), and my favorite thing was the California Wrap, which I had for lunch every day.  It.  Was.  Awesome!  My nurses were amazing, and I was very well taken care of.  But eventually, the time came to go home and try to get our new life under way.  Don't get me wrong, I really missed the other kids.  And I was getting anxious to sleep in my own bed again.  But I also knew I had quite a bit of recovery left ahead of me and it wasn't going to be easy to do that at home.  Nevertheless, we were going to do it!

I had to take a picture of Luke all swaddled in his isolet.  My kids look so big in there compared to the other babies in the nursery.  I won't lie...I take pride in that! 

Danny started getting Luke dressed for his big debut in the outside world.  Seriously, he's such a hand-on Dad, and I'm often overwhelmed by how lucky I am to have him as the father of my incredible children.  Like I said, Danny really is one of a kind...

Luke had a different idea.  He was thinking naked was the way to go!

But alas, we're not that kind of family! ;)  He tolerated his new outfit well enough...

Finally, with my fourth child, I got a "Mommy" outfit as a going home outfit!  Each of the other three wore something cute that referenced their Daddy, but I put my foot down this time. :)  I put the finishing touches on his outfit, and then just admired my work.  This pregnancy and delivery were definitely harder in a lot of ways than the previous three, but looking my this little boy made me realize it was all worth it.

While we were waiting for all the discharge paperwork to be ready to sign, Luke and I spent some time just cuddling.  I also couldn't resist getting a picture of the monkey on his pants.  Too cute!  The girls called him "Monkey Butt!" when we got home.  I think we'll keep working on a nickname. :)

Finally, all was said, done, and signed, and we were cleared to take our precious boy home.  Danny and I lamented a few times just how quickly it's all over.  You spend so many months waiting with anticipation for the birth of your child.  You wonder so many things, and can't wait to meet this person who will be such an important part of your life.  Then, almost before you can appreciate it, they're here and you're heading into life. Those first few days are so precious, and they're so fleeting.  I loved every minute I had with just Luke.  It's probably going to be some of the only time we spend together one on one in his early life.  And there were many quiet moments where Danny and I just admired this amazing child we created together.  It truly is a miracle.  And such a privilege.  

As always, we asked our nurse to take the obligatory "going home" picture before we walked out of that little room we called home and into the world and the life that awaited us.  Welcome to the world, Luke!

An Early Arrival

Luke Daniel Call

May 19, 2012

2:05 pm

10 lbs 3 oz

20 1/2 inches

Luke's birth story really begins the night before he was born, now that I think of it.  I was hardly able to sleep that night.  I was so terribly uncomfortable!  But in a different way than I was every other night.  I felt like the baby was wedged way low, so low that I wasn't able to comfortably lie on my side.  But, I told myself that I only had 3 more days until I was done being pregnant.  I could make it that long.

I woke up on Saturday morning, the 19th, very tired.  Danny had spent the night in the girls' room, as Sophie was having a hard time.  I went in to say good morning, and as I sat on the edge of their bed to talk to Danny, I was so uncomfortable I realized I wasn't going to be able to sit there for any amount of time.  I patted Danny on the leg and told him I was going to go lie down for a while in our bed.  I was past the point of attempting sleep, so I played a word game on my phone.

Claire came bounding into our room a few minutes later, asking what time it was.  We had made plans to celebrate her 5th birthday that afternoon so that we didn't have to worry about the baby and I being around people so soon after his delivery.  Claire was counting down the hours until 4:00, and she just had to know how much closer we were to party time than we were the last time she had asked...five minutes earlier. :)  I told her it was 8:05 am.  She came into bed with me and asked if we could plan her party.  As we were talking, I started to remember some of my dreams from the night before.  I realized that throughout my dreams, I had always been looking for a clock so I could time contractions.  I thought that was interesting, but didn't think too much of it.  Then I started to notice that I was experiencing some pain, but not in the way I remembered my contractions feeling with Johnny or Claire.  But, just to be on the safe side, I checked the time.  It was 8:17 am.  I kept playing my word game, while Claire chatted my ear off in her adorably excited way.  I remember thinking to myself that I was awfully uncomfortable, but I figured that we'd get up and get moving, I'd eat some breakfast, and within an hour or so I'd be feeling back to "normal".  Just after finishing that thought, that strange pain came back.  And intensified.  And intensified to the point where I was saying, "Owww, owww, OWWW!"  Claire asked if it was the baby, and I told her yes, it was just the baby.  Then I coughed, and I immediately knew my water had broken.  I glanced at the clock, and it was 8:30 am. 

Thinking back, it's kind of funny how calm I was.  My water has never broken on its own.  Even after all that labor with Johnny.  And I have never gone into labor early!  I was just two days past the 39 week mark!  I got out of bed, very slowly and carefully as I didn't want to make a mess.  Danny was still in the girls' room across the hall, so I started to call out to him as I waddled to the bathroom where the floor was (gratefully) not carpeted. :)  I didn't want to yell very loud, cause any added pressure made more water come out and I was pretty grossed out at this point anyway.  I finally got Danny's attention, told him my water just broke, and saw him wake up quicker than I think he every has before!  He came and helped me check and make sure the fluid was clear and I checked for a prolapsed cord.  Everything was just fine.  Then he shooed the kids upstairs and told his Dad what had happened, while I stood in the bathroom trying to figure out what we were supposed to do next.  Seriously, we had not really considered going early, and certainly had never planned on my water breaking.  I wasn't experiencing any more pain, or having any contractions, so I decided to go ahead and shower and get cute for the inevitable pictures post-birth.  I knew that I was fine, and the baby was fine, so there was no use rushing to the hospital like it was an emergency.  Plus, I had to finish packing my hospital bag.

I also remember feeling so bad that Claire wasn't going to get her party that afternoon.  She was so excited to turn 5, and I was just broken-hearted for her that her party would be delayed.  We talked about it, and she assured me she was fine.  She was going to get the best present of all!  Baby Luke was coming!  I am so blessed to have such sweet children.  We made our way upstairs, and I started to get a bit emotional.  I asked Danny for blessing, which Papa helped with, and then it was time to say goodbye to my kids.  It was hard for me to leave them.  I'm always somewhat aware that there's no guarantee that something won't go terribly wrong.  It is child birth after all, and surgery at that.  But mostly I realize that our family is about to change.  It's the last time I see them the way we are.

My sweet Sophie was the first to come give me a hug.  She assured me that she wouldn't miss me too much, and that she wouldn't cry.  Whenever she says that, I know what she means is that she's going to miss me a lot.  That didn't make saying goodbye any easier for me.

Next was John Boy.  I started crying for reals at this point.  Johnny has been my only son, my little guy, and my special buddy for 21 months.  I have such a special place in my heart for him that I've worried if there was room for another son in there.  I also knew that bringing Luke home was going to rock Johnny's world, and I was worried for him.  I love my sweet Little Guy.

And then there was my Claire.  My sweet oldest child, who was so willing to give up her birthday without a single complaint.  I don't know what I would do without such a special girl for my oldest.  I told her to take care of her siblings for me, and that we'd see her later that day.  

We tried to get a picture of me and the kids before I tore myself away, but it wasn't terribly successful.  It does, however, very much catch the spirit of the moment. :)

And then we were off!  I called my Mom to tell her we were on our way, and that I would let her know when to come to meet us.  I also called my Dad to tell him we were having the baby.  Then, I did what any self-respecting person does nowadays, and I updated my Facebook status! :)  I also sent out some texts to my siblings.

We got to McKay-Dee Hospital and were admitted to the triage unit of Labor and Delivery.  My nurse was very nice, and they did their best to keep me from making too big of a mess everywhere I went.  Which meant sitting in an uncomfortable triage bed with towels stuffed in unmentionable places, while I answered all the health questions, got my monitors strapped on, and got an IV.  It really wasn't too painful...for the first hour or so.  But as Danny and I already knew, Dr. Davis was out of town that weekend.  So we had to wait for the on-call doctor from Circle of Life to be available.  Dr. Bierer wasn't going to be able to do my surgery until 1:30 pm, so there was sat, and sat, and sat.  I tried to make the best of it. :)

My Mom showed up about 30 minutes before we headed back for surgery.  She came to be with me during the time that Danny and the baby spend in the nursery, and as you'll read later, I'm immensely grateful that she was there!  Anyway, she brought some delicious lunch for Danny (of which I was terribly jealous), and after visiting for a few minutes, she left for the waiting area while Danny and I prepped for surgery.  Interestingly enough, we weren't separated for this part.  With my previous sections, Danny always goes in another room to get dressed in his scrubs and then I don't see him again until right before surgery.  We weren't separated at all for this one, and I very much needed Danny's presence.  A tender mercy.  At any rate, right around 1:30 pm, Danny and I and our baby started our walk to the OR.

The worst part of the walk was the still leaking amniotic fluid.  Seriously, this kid was living in a swimming pool!  I couldn't believe there was still so much fluid!  We made it into the OR, and then found out that we were supposed to be in another room.  So, we gathered up my IV and monitor cords and I leaked my way to the second OR.  I feel bad for whoever had to clean up that mess! :)

Shortly after arriving, the anesthesiologist came in and started prepping me for my epidural (which I didn't realize was an epidural until much later, I thought I was getting a spinal block).  I was especially grateful that Danny was there.  I hate that part, and it was comforting to have him there.  To be fair, this was the easiest epidural/spinal block that I have had yet, and before I knew it my legs felt like a million pounds and I was too numb to get my legs back on the table.  The nurse and anesthesiologist helped me lie down on the operating table, and then the doctors arrived.  After some small talk, which is always a bit awkward, they checked my block.  Unfortunately, I was still feeling too much.  So they hit me again, and after about 3 minutes, it was time to start the surgery.

This is when things starting getting interesting.  The first few minutes is pretty much like the other surgeries, except I was feeling a lot more than I usually do.  I wasn't feeling any pain, but I had a lot more...sensation... than I had in the past.  I asked Danny to talk to me about anything in order to distract me, but it didn't help.  Then the assisting doctor told me that I was going to feel some tugging.  I knew we were close to meeting our son.  But then the "tugging" started.  For the next 90 seconds or so, those two surgeons were pushing and pulling and twisting and leaning on my body in order to get my son out.  Apparently, my uterus isn't as pliable as it once was, and Luke was indeed wedged in there.  I honestly thought I was going to die.  I couldn't breathe, and they just wouldn't stop pushing on my chest!  Finally, Danny told me he could see Luke's head and then with one final pull, he was here!  And immediately there was a piercing scream.  And immediately after that I started crying.  He was here!  And I wasn't dead! :)  The assisting surgeon brought Luke to the side of the curtain so I could see him, and I was so happy to finally see him!  And I was especially happy to hear that healthy cry.

Danny left with Luke to an adjoining room in order to get Luke cleaned up and measured and such while they closed me up.  It was at this point that I started to have a difficult time breathing.  At least, it felt to me that I was having a hard time.  I started to get panicky and nauseous.  My nurse came over to tell me that Luke was 10 lbs 3 oz, and I responded, "Really?  That's it?"  She replied, "You sound disappointed, Katie!"  I wasn't disappointed, I was surprised!  After what I just went through, I figured he had to be bigger than Johnny was.  Luke had the best apgar scores of any of our kids, scoring a 9 and a 10.  He pinked up right away, and was perfect.

They finished closing me up about the same time that they finished up with Luke.  And I was seriously having a hard time at this point.  They transferred me from the OR table to another triage bed in order to send me back for observation, and I started to throw up.  Well, I tried anyway.  It is incredibly difficult to throw up when your chest is numb.  I felt like I couldn't get enough air in, and I was seriously panicking.  I thought for sure something was wrong.  But the nurses and doctors assured me that my color was good and that I was just fine.  

Meanwhile, Danny and Luke went to the transition nursery to get Luke a bath and such.  

While they were in the nursery, I was wheeled back to triage and set for observation for an hour.  My Mom met me so I wasn't alone, and for the first little bit, I felt like I was getting better.  My breathing got back to normal, and mostly I just felt very tired.  Finally, Danny and Luke made their way to triage, and I was able to hold my son for the first time.

Honestly, the first thing I noticed was his lack of hair.  He was basically bald!  Something else I just was not expecting. :)  I had a hard time really believing he was mine.  He just didn't look like the other kids did to me.  Nevertheless, I was happy to see him, and it was so comforting to hold him.  After a moment of introduction and a few kisses, I started nursing him.  Luke nursed like a champ!  I could barely believe that it was his first time.  But after a few minutes of nursing, I started feeling quite a bit of pain.  I handed Luke back to Danny and tried to stay calm and collected. 

It didn't take much longer before the pain was more than I could take.  I was feeling my afterbirth pains pretty strongly against my incision, and I felt like it was killing me.  After the nurses gave me two more doses of epidural to no avail, every got a little concerned.  Dr. Bierer was called back to take a look at me, and my sweet nurses tried one more serious shot of pain reliever through my epidural.  The third dose finally took, and my pain started to subside.  It never totally went away, but it started to abate.  What everyone figured, after it was determined that I was okay, was that it must have been air trapped in my abdominal cavity.  Which would make sense for how brutal the delivery was.

During my hour in triage, the pediatric nurse came back for Luke so he could have his blood sugar tested.  Danny went back with him, of course, and while they were there I was transferred to my recovery room.  Gratefully, my Mom was able to stay with me through all of this.  Once I was in my room and comfortable, my Mom and I chatted and I ordered some lunch.  I was STARVING!  And luckily, I didn't have to stick to an all-fluids menu for 12 hours post-op.  It took a while, I can't exactly remember how long now, before Danny and Luke came back to my room.  Luke's blood sugar was a little low, so they gave him some formula and kept him longer than usual to get another reading.  He was fine the second time, and was able to come back to me.  I took some time and just held my beautiful boy, taking in every detail.  I remember feeling how soft his head was, and how perfect his skin was.  I also noticed immediately how much of a cuddler he was.  But, unfortunately, my pain level started to increase as I held him, so it wasn't long before I passed him off.  

Because I had an epidural for pain management, I also had a cute little button that I could push every 15 minutes to get another dose as needed.  I pushed that button faithfully every 15 minutes!  Eventually, my Mom headed home and Danny, Luke, and I had a few minutes to ourselves.  I think we all dosed for a few minutes!  Then we ordered dinner and waited for some very special guests to arrive...

The kids were so excited to meet Baby Luke!  Johnny was wide-eyed when he first saw his little brother, and then was pretty distracted by my water view out the window.  The girls, however, were totally content to gush over their baby brother.  (Side note: Thanks for Aunt Julie and Aunt Katie for making the girls so gorgeous! :) )

Claire is a natural "other-mother", and sang Luke a lullaby.

First, isn't this the most gorgeous picture of Sophie?  Sophie was ready to be the big sister and do anything to help Baby Luke feel happy.

We tried to get a shot of all FOUR of our kids, but Johnny wasn't feeling particularly cooperative.  I knew I was getting a glimpse of the chaotic nature my life was about to embrace. :)

Luke was also introduced to Grandma and Papa, Aunt Julie, and Aunt Katie during this visit.  We've never had so many family members come visit us in the hospital as we had with Luke, and it was fun to see everyone and have them tell Luke how much they loved him.  

Eventually, it was time to get the kiddos home and ready for bed.  Many thanks to Papa, Grandma, and the Aunts for all their help while we were away.  From what I understand, the kids were pretty good.  It was hard to say goodbye to the kids, and I worried about how they would do that night, but by the time they were ready to leave, my pain was starting to get pretty bad.  I realized that even though I had been pushing that button faithfully every 15 minutes, my pain was not only NOT going away, it was definitely getting worse.  I also noticed that my legs still had absolutely no feeling in them yet.  And I was getting terribly uncomfortable in that bed, but had no way to move.  Things were getting pretty bad pretty fast.

By 8:00 pm or so, I was really starting to lose it.  We called the nurses in, and they did their best to make me comfortable.  Unfortunately for all of us, they had to get an order from the doctor in order to switch me from the epidural to oral pain medication.  I had awesome nurses during this time, but the one that stayed on-shift with me for the night was really awesome.  She stayed by my bedside a lot of the time, and tracked my doctor down by every means possible.  It was after 10:00 pm before they were able to get me some very high-powered ibuprofen into my IV.  Those two hours, between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm were quite possibly the worse two hours of my life!  The pain was excruciating, and I was worried that if I was experiencing that much pain then, what was the rest of the recovery going to be like?!  My nurse suspected that there was something wrong with the epidural itself, but again, couldn't do anything but shut it off.  I still had the lead in my back and would until the next morning.  I was supposed to be up and walking by 10:00 pm, but at midnight I still had virtually no feeling in my legs.  

After they got the ibuprofen in my IV, I started to feel much better.  Around midnight, they were able to get an order for Lortab from my doctor, and after that I was finally able to be pain-free.  And sleep.  Around 4:00 am, my nurses came in to check my vitals and offered to help me roll over so they could get me all cleaned up and change my bedding a bit.  I was grateful for their service, and after the were able to move me I almost immediately got the feeling back in my right leg.  It was amazing!  I think I had been sitting on a nerve that whole time.  Ouch.  By 5:00 am, I was able to stand for the first time and walk around my bed.  I felt a million times better after that!

That morning after Luke was born, I was finally able to hold him and take in the whole experience without being distracted by pain.  I looked over at Danny while he was holding Luke and sleeping and I realized something.  Luke's hairline was exactly like Danny's!  In fact, they were basically twins.  And immediately I fell in love with my little Luke.  I knew then that even though he didn't quite look the same as our older three, he was ours.  And I loved that he looked so much like the man I love more than anything in this world or the next.  After a traumatic delivery and a pretty rough night, I finally was feeling a sense of peace.  And love.  I was so grateful to have him here, and to be blessed with such an amazing family.

It was determined later on that morning that my epidural lead got kinked in my back, so I wasn't getting any medication where I was supposed to.  Only into the surrounding area, which was why my legs were numb for so long.  No wonder I was in so much pain!  No pain meds after surgery is just pain torture.  

But Luke was worth every minute of it all.  Through all of the hullabaloo, he was so peaceful, patient, and calm.  We've come to realize that Luke is definitely is own guy.  Everything about his arrival was unique to him.  In fact, even his pregnancy was very much different from the previous three.  We can't wait to see who he becomes.  Welcome to this world and to our family, Luke!  We already love you more than words can ever express.  Happy Birthday, Little Man!