Early Bird

I thought the title for this blog entry was fitting, considering we have a little of an "early bird" with Reagan (arriving 3.5 weeks early), and she sleeps with her mouth wide open - looking like a baby bird - somewhat.

So here are some details of the past couple weeks...

On the 7th of April - I started to have some back labor, but didn't really think anything of it until it got consistent and starting hurting a bit more than a back ache.  I didn't really think "labor" since it was completely different contractions from my labor with Hudson.  After about twenty min. of thinking "what on earth"... I thought to finally lay down - left side and drink water - I know genius.... it took me a while to figure out these weren't going away.

After laying there for 45 min. I called Spencer and told him I was having contractions every 6-9 min. and they were not going away - Spencer was home in a matter of 10 min calling my doctor and rubbing my back - I know he is a keeper.  My doc. had me go to the hospital; I wasn't thrilled.  I knew that once I stepped into the hospital my contractions would stop magically and I would feel like a complete dork.  We took Hudson to our wonderful, amazing and lovely friends Mandi & Ben's home.  (He thought he had won the lottery being able to play all night with their son William!)  And took off to the hospital.  I wasn't really in pain, just uncomfortable.  We arrived, they hooked me up and I was indeed in labor... not dilated more than 1, but my contractions were not letting down.    They wanted to watch me for about 2-3 hours before they decided to send me home or keep me.  By the 3rd hour I was dilated to 3-4 and I was going to be staying.  This was a shocker to me.  I seriously thought I was going home... and I actually got a little nervous knowing how early I was.  My contractions got a little worse, but were every 2-3 min. apart.  The bugger of all of this is that Reagan decided to come and my body was not agreeing with her... so it took FOREVER to dilate.  To spare all the details it took me a whoppin' 22 hours of labor before I was at a 10, and I was not about it.  What happened to faster laborers with your 2nd, third, fourth deliveries?  Seriously??  Oh well.  I will say that she was out in 1 push... I was really excited about that one!  Well, I was excited after it was all over... at that moment nothing really excited me... other than her.  I was so tired.  She arrived on the 8th at 12:38pm  

She came out beautifully.  She was so calm, and just peaceful.  Mandi (remember = awesome friend) was there and took all those AMAZING pictures of Reagan and us when she was born.  I am so glad she was there... I know I would have never had anything close to pictures like those if she had not been there.  So THANK YOU Mandi.  

After a few hours, and meeting Hudson (Which Hudson was interested then giddy when he saw that Reagan came with a sweet helicopter just for him). the nurses took her into the nursery and the pediatrician started watching her.  Reagan's breathing was too fast, and she wasn't able to calm herself down.  She also started to lose oxygen.  They quickly put a monitor on her and got her all set up in one of their heated beds.  Her breathing continued to not be consistent and  so they put some oxygen on her and an i.v. to hydrate her while they monitored her.  They didn't know what was wrong for about 3-4 days.  But came to the conclusion that she was just needing time to mature... that a few days would help her and she would figure it all out on her own - which she did a week later.  So it was the waiting game that we had to play.  And believe me it is not a fun one.  It makes you grateful that there are doctors and nurses who know what they are doing and what to watch for; it also makes you grateful for your health & your children's health.  Even though she was in the hospital for a "small" week... and it was nothing serious, it was emotionally tiring and heart wrenching to not be able to hold her or be with her.  

I was able to board at the hospital (stay while she was there to feed her and be close) after being discharged.  The hospital staff was amazing and let me stay for free.  They were wonderful to us during this time.  So every 3 hours I was in the nursery feeding her and trying to sneak in extra cuddling time with her.  It was a bit tiring and Hudson started to have a hard time with all of this after a while.  So when the doctors told us she could come home we were overjoyed!!  

She has been home now for a week and 2 days and has done SO well.   She had gained 10 ounces and continues to grow each day.  She is such a sweet blessing and has brought a spirit full of peace and even more love into our home.  We couldn't be more grateful for her and little Hudson.  It amazes me how when I think of our new family I couldn't imagine it without her - everything fits perfectly.

Hudson is doing okay - as predicted.  He loved her and thinks she is well interesting... but has had it out with me.  Which I know will eventually stop - but it breaks me heart.  He has become this little stinker, well BIG stinker in every way - but only to me.  It is astounding what a new baby brings to the "table" when you have another child at home.  Hudson's world got a little rocked... but each day he does well.  I think that he will do better once everything has calmed down and I can just be with him & Reagan during the day.  

Some funny comments/deeds of his lately are:

   The first day he walked in and saw me breastfeeding and was really interested in what I was doing.  He came straight over and sat there watching Reagan eat, and where she was eating from.  He finally looked up at me and and said, "Um, mommy... baby wa-wa (water)?"  He then pointed to my breast and said, "water?"  Ummm... yip.  I am full of water Hudson.  It was funny.  He was content with my answer and went off.  But if anyone asked him about the baby, which he gets really excited about, the first thing he tells them is that mommy has wa wa  - and it is the baby's wa-wa.

He calls Reagan : Baby Regs (he adds an "s" on the end of MOST words).

Spencer walked into the family room the other day and found our little man with his baby doll feeding the doll through his belly - button.  Shirt up and all.  Hey, at least the baby had a blanket with it to comfort it.  

So there is my long entry... it has taken me a bit to get to... but there is most of the information.  I will upload pictures when I get them going.  Our other computer with all of our pictures has crashed and we are trying to figure that all out.  

Hope you are all well, and thank you for you thoughts and prayers!  We love you.