And then there were Four!

He's here! At last!

We came into the hospital at 6:45 yesterday morning. It was time for our little guy to come. I was a little sad at first that my doctor wasn't going to be in for the delivery, but my nurse was so awesome that it soon eased my fears and I was a lot more comfortable. Our little guy decided to be a stinker pretty soon after we got started. He kept dropping his heartrate and wasnt bringing it back up.

Now this is where being a nurse just ... sucks... sometimes. Because I knew what steps they needed to do. First, lay mom on her side... no change. Start fluids... no change. Put on oxygen... no change. Call in extra help... that's when I started to tear up and realized how scared I was. His heartrate was still low. Thankfully whatever had caused his distress relieved itself a little and he was able to pick it back up. But I stayed on Oxygen, fluids and my side for most of the morning because whenever we tried to stop he would drop it again.

Thankfully a little after 1 they broke the water and things started evening out. I labored with no drugs, no epidural for the next 2 1/2 hours. My Mom came in soon after 1 and it was great to have my little 'team' of Tom, her and the nurse help me through those. About the time I had decided to give up on doing this 'naturally' it was time for baby to come... literally. None of team was ready despite my saying that he was coming! lol

They did one check, thought he was getting close... so they started getting things. 6 minutes later he was on the bed and soon after in my arms. He is the most handsome little guy with beautiful long hair! (Go figure... my boys would have hair) haha- SO FAR he is the calmest baby I have ever had, and very content. He squeaks when he is hungry or wants to be changed... and only after feeling ignored for awhile will he start to cry. In fact he came out holding his breath! They had to convince him to open up those lungs.

 (Kiley)

Abby, Kiley and Kara came up with Grandma and Grandpa last night. Their reactions were so sweet. Abby asked me if we could take this baby home with us. They went with Tom and bought a present for the baby from them... and he had presents for them. Kiley and Kara loved petting his hair and seeing the baby. It is wonderful seeing them all together! Kiley was very sad when she had to leave me in the hospital and I gave her a bunch of hugs and told her I would be home soon. Abby told me she would take care of Kiley and Kara and help Grandma at home.

But oh yes, I'm sure you were wondering:

Christopher Edwin Dose
Born at 3:48pm
7lb 2oz and 20" long

Early Rising

The night before the birth of my son... and amazingly I was able to sleep until 4am. I'm not sure how anyone expects you to sleep the night before. The hundreds and thousands of things that run through your mind, not including the doubts, fears... excitement.

40 weeks 1 day. He is going to be a stubborn little guy. For the hundreds of times these last few weeks that I was SURE I would be going into labor soon... and he's still hanging out, happy as a clam.

I've gone over it over and over again... should I have picked a date? To be 100% honest I picked this Tuesday because like walking, washing my floors, cleaning my house, stair walking... I thought FOR SURE this... this of all things would make him come on his own.

Wrong again mom.

So here I am, a few hours before we start everything and I think I've come to peace with this thing after much prayer, thought and constantly texting people... that this is ok. That things happen for a reason, he is coming today (hopefully not tomorrow) for a reason and that in the end, a healthy baby... healthy mom are what is most important in the end.

Grandma and Grandpa (Tom's parents) are staying with the girls while we are gone. I'm struggling with that too! I know it's just 2 days but this first part is so scary right now for me. I love my girls so very much and wish that it weren't 5am so that I could sneak in and give them all a last hug. I've done my best to prepare them that we are going to be at the hospital, that their baby brother is coming (gosh that still seems unreal to me). I hope things go well and I can see them again soon.

Well I think that is it for me right now... stay tuned... I'll hopefully post updates soon!

(I love you three girls so very much! Mommy will miss you, come see me soon!)

Mini Bit

Courtesy of Abby:

Abby: "Mom, would you like to hear my story about the Hawkeye house, the pink house and the Princess house?"
Me: "Ok Abby, tell me your story."
Abby: "We can make a pink house for you! And And it will be pink, and have a pink couch, and pink lamps, and a pink tv... and you can watch commercials!"

Lol... commercials?

Last night she discussed the Hawkeye house for daddy, it was quite similar only there was no discussion of commercials and a rather lengthy description of all the Hawkeye things this house would have.

I bet you have a good idea what the Princess house has....