...and two were three...

It’s so warm in my house right now. We’ve got the fireplace crackling and I’m wearing a big fat sweater. The heat is turned up and all I can think of is how at this time last week, I would’ve been sweating like crazy in these circumstances. There’s something about unloading an 8 pound, 10 ounce incubator from your belly.

My second son, Samuel Benjamin was born Monday night at 6:53 p.m. He is absolutely perfect, and I am completely smitten with him. (pictures coming soon!) Maybe it’s because I know he’s our last baby or because I feel this inexplicable bond to him thanks to the trauma we’ve both been through. I look at him and it’s so clear that he’s been through just as much as I’ve been through… we both have the battle wounds to prove it. Ointments and painkillers (for me, not him) and confusion and our entire worlds turned upside-down. I just want to sit and hold him.

The other kids seem to love him just as much as Adam and I do. Sophia, of course, is a little mommy. She wouldn’t leave my side Wednesday once we got home. She has a million questions and they alone overwhelm me. Ethan seems a bit indifferent to the whole thing, but tonight, before he went to bed, he asked if he could sing Sam a lullaby. I said, “Sure,” and then I pulled him close so I could hear him. (He sings really quietly… I think he gets embarrassed.) Anyway, the song was to the tune of Brahm’s Lullaby and the lyrics were something like this:

I love you. I love you. I love you, Baby Sam.

You’re the sweetest… Baby… in (two syllables)

Our whole family…

Yeah, he doesn’t quite understand meter yet, but it was still really sweet.

My labor was… well, let’s just say whoever said they get easier every time was really mistaken. It was, by far, the hardest labor I’ve had. The trouble started when the nurses changed shifts at 3 p.m. My first nurse, a lovely young mom named Ellen, was off and my second nurse, Kathy, a crabby older woman wearing blue crocs and a snarly expression, came on.

As soon as Kathy came in, I turned to Adam and said, “I miss Ellen.”

My labor really started kicking in about the same time (perhaps my body was reacting to the crabby nurse?) and it was at about that time that Kathy, the crabby troll tripped over my IV, nearly tearing it out of my arm.

For whatever reason, this really messed me up. It hurt to begin with, but it wasn’t just that – it scared me… and I started crying. I could not control the sobs – and they were sobs. Ugly faced sobs. I’m not ashamed to admit it because darn it, I was going through something major here…

Not long after that, Kathy (who had yet to apologize for destroying my peace and my arm) decided she needed to examine me. I’ll spare you the details, but this sent me straight back into tears. I’m not going to relive it, but it rivaled the worst contractions on the pain scale.

Thankfully, the epidural was on the way.

That’s when we met the anesthesiologist. She seemed nice enough and as she gave us her spiel about epidurals and all of the possible side effects she began yawning. A lot. Then I swear she was slurring her words.

Adam must’ve noticed too because he said “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” She was cheery. My room didn’t understand cheery with Kathy on the other side of the bed punching facts into the computer.

“Why are you so tired?”

I was terrified she would use her needle to take out on me what I’m sure would be aggravation with my husband. But he had the right to ask, and he said, “I just want to know before you stick a big needle into my wife’s back.

He takes care of me. I love him for that.

In the end, she was fine, and for about a solid hour after she gave me the epidural, I felt relief. I was fine. Pain scale went from an 8 to a 2… and then hard labor kicked in and I was certain I was never going to survive.

Obviously, I did survive and I’ll spare you the rest, but I have to say that I have the absolute best husband in the world. I knew Adam was a good husband, but the way he handled my labor – he truly got me through it. It was his voice that I focused on. His encouraging words that I paid attention to. And finally, after five good pushing intervals (pushing for three sets of ten seconds), this baby was placed on my belly, which had been his home for nine months.

They whisked him away seconds later. He needed suctioning and cleaning and all kinds of other things. I had no clue what they were doing with him, but over my doctor’s shoulder I could see them working on him. Suction. Crying. More suction. Crying. Another nurse.

“Is he okay?”

They thought they heard a heart murmur. Called in a NICU nurse to see. I prayed. Made a mental note to ask our pediatrician about it the next morning. Soon after my kids arrived with my mom and our whole family sat together in my hospital room, one more member richer. (Baby doc said no heart murmur after examining him in the morning.)

He didn’t have a name until Tuesday night, but we finally decided on Sam. It was funny because it was my pick months ago. Adam nixed it, convinced it was too popular. Then, during my labor, I told him how Sophia calls him “My baby Sam” (she latched onto it when I was lobbying for the name…) and seconds later, Adam said, “I think I’ve decided on a name…”

I thought it would be Grayson, which was the name we were leaning towards… so when he told me he liked Samuel, I was like, “WHAT?”

He did the same thing with Sophia’s name.

Men.

Lol

The hospital stay was eventful. I learned that although the epidural might not work in your midsection, it can still completely numb your legs. After delivery, my right leg was fine, but my left leg was unusable. Adam helped me into the bathroom. Once there, I thought I was okay. I sent him out and promptly crashed to the hard tile floor. It was painful and humiliating and the nurse came in and yelled at me. I had no idea I wasn't supposed to try and go to the bathroom. (What's a girl to do?) Anyway... lesson learned.

This is a long entry, but there’s been a lot happening around here. A lot of great, awesome, wonderful stuff. Including the sale of our house, but I’ll get to that later. J I do have baby pictures to post later on today.

Right now, I’ve got a hot shower to take and a baby to feed.

I have a baby.

His name is Sam.

And I am the most blessed person in the world.

Comments

[Rosa]

I got to your blog by accident, I wanted to say; Congratulations on your new baby, my best wishes for a healthy happy child, sorry you had such nasty experience in the hospital, your DH is a keeper, best of luck ,Rosa.

[Bridgette Mehlig]

Courntey,
I was so happy to here about sweet little Samuel Benjamin. I can't wait to see him ! ! I'm really sorry that you had such a hard time in the hospital. But I'm glad that you're all doing great now. Have an awesome day and all my love to you and your family. Especially little Samuel ! ! Love you.

[Amy Howe]

I've got tears, girl. The way you wrote this, I felt like I was there with you - you have such a gift! For writing and for motherhood. You're awesome. :)

Love ya.

[monicaintexas]

He is beautiful. Congrats to the whole family.

Monica

[Shari]

Congrats on your beautiful baby boy. So glad you and the baby endured the whole trying process. Love the pics of the three kids together!

[catherine feegel-erhardt]

I am so excited for you! and your family! Loved reading your story. Sorry about crabby Kathy. Please tell your husband that "I LOVE HIM...although I have never met him... I love him for taking such good care of YOU! I love him for looking out for YOU! I love him for speaking UP!... you are blessed beyond measure!
Congratulations my friend!
PS.. I admit it.. Samuel is a MUCH better choice than Catherine...at least this time!

[jenn]

OHHHH Super congrats!!!!!! I'm so happy for you!!! I just checked the pics out above...beautiful!!!!!

[michele]

congrats, you guys!! he's just beautiful!! take it easy and enjoy getting to know your newest love!

[Linda Albrecht]

He is absolutely the most beautiful little guy!!! I can almost smell his sweet little baby smell. Babies get to me every time - they melt my heart and make me want another one. Problem is I'd have 50 if it had been possible ;-)

Loved reading your post. You make me laugh -- and you definitely made me cry. It's such a magical amazing special time to give birth and to have a new baby in the family. Sigh... I wish I were there...

Best wishes for many wonderful baby days ahead. I can't wait to see more photos as he grows with your family.

Lots of love, Linda

[Bernie]

Congratulations to your whole fam! I also loved reading your story - think you got it just right with the info and gories! I'm soooo proud of your hubby...he had 2 very precious peeps to think about! That's one happy, smiling little girl in your photo....have a wonderful life together you 5!x