July 2015: A Son is Born

July 2015 ranks up there among the best months of my life.  It was the month we welcomed a son into our family!  

Late in June, my Mom flew in from Canada. It was so nice to have her here! As a mom of two on the verge of welcoming a new baby, I felt like my every waking moment, and many of my sleepy ones too, were dedicated to taking care of everyone else.  And then my mom came, and it felt like someone was there to take care of me. And it meant the world.  

Afraid that any Canada day festivities would put me into labor before the 4th of July, we stayed in and ate cake to celebrate the birth of my home country.  Grandma even brought us all some cute Canada shirts to represent. 

 If I have any regrets about my mom's stay, it is the lack of pictures we took! So sad. This picture is one of the few I took while she was here.  In fact, I may or may not have promised her I would not post it... (She was not picture ready).  But her presence during this time was so huge for me, I can't post about July 2015 and not include photographic evidence that she was here! Also, what a sweet moment. Girls and Grandma reading in the swing.

 On the 4th of July (the date we hoped the baby would come) we ventured out for a small neighborhood parade near where we used to live.  It was a fun morning spent with good friends.  That night, we watched fireworks from the parking lot of our church.  I've never been sadder to be watching fireworks on the 4th of July.  We had hoped I would be watching them from the window of my hospital room.  To clarify, we were hoping for the 4th because it was David's Grandma's birthday, which she loved. And the official due date.  And the midwife I loved and was hoping to deliver the baby planned to leave town the next day. That was a sad night for me.

 On July 8, after four long days of hot, angry, pregnant woman, I woke up at 6:00 a.m. with cramps.  I woke David around 6:30 and told him I thought this was the day.  Five minutes later, I was sure of it. David asked if he had time to have a shower.  Knowing how quickly these things can progress (Afton's labor was 2 hours, start to finish) I told him probably, but just a quick one.  Three minutes later, I was telling him to get out of the shower.  I peeked into Mom's room, told her we were going in to the hospital, and we were off!
Long story short, we took the toll road, got there in 15 minutes, and I definitely wondered if I might have the baby in the car.  Then  in the reception area of the hospital.  Then I thought for sure he would be born on the floor at the L & D check-in where they asked me A THOUSAND questions that I already answered. (Why did I even register?) I declined any anesthetic, which I sorely regretted for a few long minutes, but felt great about afterwards.  Bo Johannes was born at 8:26 a.m. at 9 lbs 1 oz.  the most beautiful baby boy I ever saw.

The aftermath of the birth was not so much fun. The mechanics of my body were way out of whack to say the least.  I could hardly walk or move one leg independently of the other at all.  I genuinely worried I would never make a full recovery.  David spent the nights with me at the hospital, as I couldn't get out of bed on my own to get the baby. (And something in me just won't allow the baby to go to the nursery.)  Mom stayed with me during the day, which was wonderful despite my groggy medicated state.  That's right, what I avoided in anesthetic during the birth, I made up for in the days following.

The following video shows who may have been the most excited to have Bo home.  Here is Bo and Tex's first introduction:

The hardest part of July was probably saying goodbye to my mom.  It wasn't enough time!  We didn't even show her all the sights!  She had hardly seen the newborn she came to meet! And most importantly, how would I survive without her? She would be missed sorely, but those moments she got to be here with us were gold to me.  Thanks for coming, Mom.  

 And then just a bunch of pictures of newborn Bo.  How could I pick just one?  These first couple were taken my my awesome and talented friend Ariel.  I'll be forever grateful.

In his cradle next to my bed.  Our version of co-sleeping.

Bo's two week appointment.  He slept right through it.

At the splash pad.

His first swim. He didn't love it.

What were we doing at the beach in the same month our baby was born?  Good question.  It didn't seem so crazy at the time.

Clearly, I recovered enough in the following weeks to bed out and about a bit.  Nine months later, I feel much stronger, but some days I still wonder if I'll make a full recovery.  But this baby was worth every bit of it. When I had been home a couple of days, I was gazing lovingly at my new son, when I noticed Paisley watching me. She asked, "Mom, why do you love him so much?" And, boy, do I ever.