Alicia’s Birth Story

Alicia,

Hey there sweet little angel! I’m so glad that you are here in the outside world now, instead of in my tummy. I love being able to hold you, and kiss you and take care of you.

The delivery went well. We got to the hospital at 5:30, as requested. After checking in we were taken to our room, room # 10. They had me change into a hospital gown, and hooked me up to a monitor so that they could hear your heartbeat. They also put in an IV, and prepped me for surgery. After that was the wait… 7:30 took a long time in coming!

About 6:45 the pastor from our church showed up to say a prayer, but he was the only company we had before you were born…. Which was fine with me!

At 7:15 it was time to go to the O.R. Daddy had to stay in the room until they were ready to operate, so I went alone with the nurse. As we were walking out of the room Dr. Prescott showed up. He asked the nurse if we were waiting on him. She laughed, then asked him who was going to assist him in the surgery. He said, “I think my Mom is coming.”….. Silly man! Later when Dr. Flath showed up the nurse asked him if he was Dr. Prescott’s mom. He gave the nurse a funny look and asked if he should be up on the operating table. He’s as funny as Dr. Prescott is.

The anesthesiologist got me numbed up (with a spinal tap), then the nurses did the final preparations for the surgery. Then they went and got Daddy. Once the doctors got started, it didn’t take long at all. Before we knew it we heard someone say, “I see the head, get your camera ready!”…. Daddy got a shot of them actually taking you out of the tummy. Kinda cool, and kinda messy too! Daddy also got a shot of Dr. Prescott (in full scrubs) handing you over to the nurse. Which I am glad about, because he wouldn’t pose for one later when Daddy asked him. He said, “Oh, you don’t want to break your camera.”…. We took that as no.

What a beautiful sound your first cry was. (Though really, it was more of a squawk!) I cried tears of joy when I heard you. Your apgar scores were 9 and 9, which is wonderful. You came in better than both your brothers, who were both 8 and 9. I tried to watch what I could while they wiped you up and got you weighed and measured. But, the screen was in the way, and I could only listen. I was so glad when I finally got to hold you, after being taken back to room 10. After an hour there, we were switched to another room for the remainder of our stay.

You’ve been home for a week now, and I am enjoying every minute. You are such a sweet, good little baby. You sleep really well, usually only getting up two times a night…. Though, last night you got up three times. I could tell it wasn’t because you needed to eat, as you took less at each bottle. You ate the same amount over night as you usually do. I hope this isn’t a new thing.

Your umbilical cord has been bleeding a bit for the last couple of days, since Wednesday. I called the clinic, and the doctor said that it wasn’t anything to worry about.

You were born with some light red marks on your face. One of the nurses called it a “Stork Bite”. She said it would fade in about a week, but so far they haven’t. (You have one on your forehead, right above your nose, and a couple tiny ones under your nose.) They may call it a stork bite, but I say it’s where God kissed you goodbye before sending you to live with us…… It’s a very kissable spot.

Jared,

Well, now you’re a big brother two times over. And you seem to love it. You aren’t showing any signs of jealousy at all, which is really nice. You also tell me how cute Alicia is, or how pretty her hair is. I let you hold her sometimes, and you love that.

On October 5th we got you guys a new kitty. You love that cat! We have her sleep in you boy’s room at night, and she plays so well with you. Last night she was chasing you all over the house, and boy was it funny. Both you and Misty were completely worn out. We have never seen a cat play quite like her before. She also likes to play in the excer-sauser, she’ll get in the seat, hang down and bat at balls. Then you’ll make the seat spin around while she’s in it. It doesn’t seem to bother her at all. You also will put her in a bucket and pack her around the house, and she actually likes it! You will get on your little ATV, put the bucket in your lap, and ride her all over the house. I can’t believe that she actually stays in the bucket!

We started you in the “Patch the Pirate Club”, that is on Wednesday nights at our church. You really love it, and it will be good for you to attend.

Josh,

You seem to be adjusting well to your new baby sister. You are wanting to be cuddled a bit more, but that’s to be expected. You’ve gotten to hold her a few times, and you really like that. We just have to watch you closely, so that you don’t poke at her eyes and stuff.

We got you and Jared a new kitty. She came to our house on October 5th, a few days before Alicia was born. But we REALLY have to watch you around her. You are so mean to her. I have started to spank you when you yank on her, and grab her so harshly. You have got to learn, or you’re going to seriously hurt her. We called her “Misty”, and when you say it, it comes out “MeeMee”.

You are saying more and more words, and are starting to put very small sentences together. Like two or three word ones. It’s nice to hear you starting to talk. You still love to dance, and get down and boogie whenever a faster song comes on the radio. Hot wheels, Little People, and your ride-on toy are your favorite things to play with. Oh, and you also like to play with Toy Story stuff as well.