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| A few hours old |
Matthew is two weeks old. ALREADY. I received my weekly email from baby center yesterday... reminding me that I am now 39 weeks pregnant with only 1 week to go! I know I could go online and update my account to let them know I already had Matthew, but instead I find great joy each week in being reminded that I COULD still be pregnant. Instead I am thoroughly enjoying having baby Matt here in my arms. Is it possibly that I could have guilted my unborn child into coming out early? There is a small part of me (though irrational) that believes perhaps I did.
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| First nap with Dad |
Matthew's birth started much the same as Jack and NonaJane's. I started have frequent Braxton Hicks contractions, that gradually became more painful, intense, and hard to ignore. Looking back, I'm pretty sure I was in early labor starting on Thursday night.. which progressed slowly thru Saturday night when we headed into the hospital. Because of my history of false labor (three failed runs to the hospital with NonaJane) Adam wasn't exactly believing me that Matthew was really coming. I asked him if he wanted to put anything in the hospital bag... he nonchalantly replied that he could grab some stuff later IF we ended up staying.
Luckily my parents had decided to bring their new camper down to Hillsdale lake for a 'test-run' over the weekend (a mere 3 miles from our house). They were planning on a quite weekend, and perhaps some time at our house visiting and helping out with things pre-baby. Instead, they got a wake up call at about 1:30 in the morning requesting they come sit with NonaJane. Jack was sleeping in the camper with them, and was very disappointed that he had to come back home to be with his sister. Poor kid.. we had to drag him out of a camper when I went to the hospital with NonaJane too. What are the odds??
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| The kids and Papa meeting Matthew for the first time |
Adam and I got to the hospital around 2:30 AM and by 3:30 they informed us that Matthew would be born within the hour. I think Adam and I were both in shock, as we were more or less preparing ourselves for being sent back home (prepare for the worst and hope for the best right??). I sent out texts to some of my close family and friends stating "I'm having a BABY!"
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| Matthew looking worried in NonaJane's arms |
At 4:13 AM, a 7 pound 3 ounce screaming baby boy was born (via c-section). Nothing about him looked like a 3 week early baby. He was big, strong, and loud. Adam and I both looked at each other in shock listening to our little man scream. We couldn't help but think "oh Lord, what have we done... this kid is LOUD." But perhaps Matthew sensed our fear, because we have not heard that same cry again. In fact, Matthew is the most content, cuddly, sweet, calm, and patient baby of all three. (A very close comparison to Jack as an infant, except Jack fed much more frequently due to his small size of 5 pounds). So far Matthew sleeps the longest stretches, feeds with the most consistent schedule, and uses sweet goat noises and rooting at his hand to notify us of his hunger. He seems to be truly polite, as if he is well aware that he is the third child and Mom and Dad might lose it if he gets too demanding :) I've started my positive parenting approaches early by frequently telling him what a "good baby" he is!
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| Relaxing at home |
The past two weeks have been beautiful. So far being the mother of three has made me feel confident and accomplished. BUT.. the past two weeks have not been a true test of reality. Adam was home from work the first week, and my Mom came down and helped me the second week. Thus this week is my FIRST real week at being a mother of three. I'm crossing my fingers, and my toes, that everything stays smooth. I think I can... I think I can... I think I can... :)
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| Snuggles with big brother |
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| Morning milk coma |
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| Jack looking proud |
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| Daddy of 3 |
