One Week Old

Well, Caleb is now a week old. I can't believe it has already been a week and at the same time, it feels like it has been longer. Time is funny that way. We are settling in nicely. My mom is here helping out which has been wonderful. At least I'm getting a feel for what life will be like with two. I think I can sum it up with one word, too: multitasking! For example, I'm typing this post one-handed while Caleb is eating his dinner. :o)

Real quick, I'd like to tell the story of Caleb's birth for those that are interested. It all happened pretty fast so it won't take up too much time. It started when I woke up last Wednesday morning. I was having crampy contractions again; nothing too painful. They were coming often, but not on a predictable schedule. I didn't want to call my midwife yet because I already had an appointment at 4:30 that afternoon. I was determined to make it to my appointment! Around 1:30 in the afternoon, Laura Anne fell asleep for her nap and I laid down myself to rest and start timing the contractions. It was around that time that they began to be pretty uncomfortable. Enough so, that I was not able to fall asleep through them. And they were still not on a regular schedule. I called my midwife to tell her what was going on. She said that because the contractions weren't regular and weren't lasting 45 seconds, she didn't think I needed to come to the hospital.

Fast forward a little to 3 PM. Chris called to say he was on his way home. My contractions were getting stronger and stronger but not unbearable. By the time he got home, I couldn't do much of anything. I knew something was up. We got in the car and I told Chris that we needed to go to the hospital instead of my appointment. As we were driving to the hospital Chris was timing my contractions and found that they were 2 minutes apart and 40-45 seconds long. Our friend, Ellen met us at the hospital and took Laura Anne for us. Chris got me in a wheelchair and we went up to Labor and Delivery. They put me in triage to see how things were progressing. I was 7 centimeters dilated! They admitted me right away. I walked down the hall to a room and sat in a chair while the nurse prepared the bed. At this point, it was around 4:30.

Once I got in bed they put the belts on me to monitor contractions and the baby's heart. Contractions were getting really intense. My midwife came in a little after 5 and checked me again. I was fully dilated and could feel the baby moving down with each contraction. Before I knew it, it was time to start pushing. My body took over and with 3 contractions, Caleb was out! Like I said, it all happened so fast it took me a while to process everything. I think I'm still trying to convince myself that Caleb really is here; that I really did give birth just a short week ago. Anyway, it was an incredible experience and I wouldn't change a thing.

When we were discharged from the hospital on Friday, Caleb weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces. At his check up Monday, he was almost back up to his birth weight already, so he's definitely eating well!

Laura Anne is so in love with Caleb and she loves to help out. She calls him "little fella" which we find adorable. The two of them definitely keep me on my toes!