Mighty Miles - 4 weeks

Miles is 4 weeks old today and it has been a big day. His umbilical cord finally fell off so he was able to have a real bath. I cannot believe it "hung on" so long. Baby boy also smiled at me today for the first time. That is always the best treat in the world. He had been making eyes at me for several days so I knew it was coming.

I've said it before but I really can't believe how fast these first weeks go by. The last 4 weeks of a pregnancy might as well be 4 years but those first 4 weeks of a new life are just moments. We are all enjoying and loving on our new little guy. Everyone loves to hold him and take care of him. I just know he's going to fit right in with our crew.

Lately

Well, I haven't been able to post as quickly as I had hoped to because we have all had the flu. Well, thankfully Miles has not been sick but all of the rest of us have. Caring for a new, newborn, 5 children who have the flu all while having the flu myself has been interesting. Rick was also sick but somehow managed to hold it all together and still be a huge help. I am also thankful to my mother and sister without whom, we would not have eaten. Seriously, they kept us fed. They also have done our laundry. EXTRA thankful for food and laundry help! :) We are all on the mend now, except for Kate, but hopefully she will be soon. Today was the first day I even attempted a group picture with all 6 and is also the first day everyone has had actual clothes on in over a week. I hope to be able to take more pictures soon and maybe some outside when the rain stops. Apparently it has been raining for over a week but I honestly didn't even notice. :)

The girls are in love with Miles but so are his big brothers. Here are some of the funny things I've heard from them this week.

Henry: (the first time he sees Miles) OH LOOK!! He's moving!!!!

Henry and Jack: Can I pet him?

Jack: (when Miles jerks) Is his arm broken?

Henry: Can I hold him again; he won't break my arms.

Miles - How he arrived

If you aren't interested in the details of how Miles was born, here's the short version:

He's here!!

8 lbs, 10 oz and 22 inches long

I'm going to record how he was born for my memory. If you'd like to read it feel free.

I went to my 39+1 week doctor's appointment on Wednesday. I had made some progress from 37 weeks and was now 3 cm and 70% effaced but Miles was still really high at a -3 station. I came home that day thinking it might still be awhile because he was so high. I noticed at 10pm that I had contractions coming every 10 minutes. This wasn't that unusual and so I just decided if I could go to sleep and ignore them that they were not the real deal. At 12:30 am I woke up in terrible pain. I had horrible cramps in my back that would get worse with each contraction. I honestly couldn't even time my contractions because the back pain was so bad. I walked around the house, drank water, took a bath and continued to get in and out of the bed to try and get some relief. I finally did fall asleep again around 4:30 am. When I woke up, I decided it must not be true labor because I had been able to go to sleep. I was still in pain but not as bad so told Rick to just  go ahead and go to work. About 30 mins after he left, I decided I needed to go to the doctor to see what was going on. I got there and had 2 different doctors examine me. My doctor (who has delivered all of our babies) was supposed to be at the satellite office that day but it was closed so he was there! He decided I was at 4 cm but still really high so he sent me down to labor and delivery. That was around 10 am. I was admitted and my nurse got my IV started and then my doctor came down to check on me again. At 10:30 am, I was at 6 cm which I was super excited about but the baby was still very high at a -3. He decided to break my water and see if that would make the contractions even stronger and help bring Miles down some. WOW! That made my contractions super strong!!!! Around 12:30 pm, I was checked again and had made no progress. I was still 6cm and 70% effaced and a -3 station. At this point, I got the epidural and pitocin was started to help things along. At 1:00 I was at 8cm, 80% effaced and -1 station so it definitely helped. 

Before the epidural :) 

At 2:30 I felt pressure and was complete. The nurse got everything set up for delivery and for the baby and called the doctor. He arrived at 3:06 and said to call him back once the baby was crowning. I pushed through 2 contractions and we had to call the dr back in. Pushed one time and Miles was here, at 3:16pm!! :) Rick and I both said that this was the best, easiest, and most peaceful labor we've had. I can't tell you how excited and thankful I was that my doctor could deliver all 6 of our children.

Love at first site for these 2 big girls

So I guess I sort of went into labor on my own and was sort of induced. :) Either way, it was perfect and we are very thankful and feeling mighty blessed.

He's here!!

Miles Benjamin was born yesterday, 1-3-13, at 3:16pm!!! He weighed 8lbs 10 oz and was 22 inches long. He has a head full of dark hair just like Claire and Simon had/have. :)

I'll post more info and some pictures when I come home but just wanted to give an update on our good little boy who came early for us.

We are thanking and praising the Lord for our baby Miles.

39 weeks

Only 5 days left until our baby boy is due! I can't believe it's so close now. I went to the doctor today and have made some pretty good progress. I know that may not mean anything, but either way, I know I'm closer than I was a week ago. I'm hoping he will come by his due date because we like to be punctual in our family.  :) My doctor doesn't want me to go past 41 weeks and although I know I could push that date, I don't feel the need to. So the latest he will be here is Monday, January 14th.

My 40 week appointment is next Tuesday but maybe I'll be back with a different update before then.

For my records, here is the order of how I've carried each child.

38 weeks 3 days - Jack - spontaneous beginning of labor - 7 lbs 11 oz
38 weeks 6 days - Kate - induced - 6 lbs 7 oz
39 weeks - Claire - induced - 7 lbs 6 oz
39 weeks 2 days - Sims - induced 8 lbs 9 oz
39 weeks 3 days - Henry - induced 8 lbs 5 oz