Baron Isaiah Adams

Last Friday our little baby Bear joined us two days before his due date and almost two weeks before his scheduled induction. The basics are that after 29 hours of labor our precious little guy joined us at 10:38 p.m. Baron was born by VBAC with the help of two wonderful nurses, our great physician Dr. Downey, Delilah (our doula who played a VERY important role), and of course his fabulous daddy. I did not have to be induced which was huge miracle. And having him early was a very good thing as well, especially considering he was 9 pounds 13 ounces and 22 inches.
Unfortunately he had a collapsed left lung so he was in the NICU until Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Being home with my 3 guys the last two days has been so nice. No, I'm not getting any sleep due to my nocturnal baby but I'm still so grateful to be home!

The following is probably pretty boring but I wanted to write all of this down so I don't forget.

Here's what has happened in our family the last week:

Thursday 2/11 Jay's 33rd birthday
Jackson and I got up and made Jay a birthday breakfast and then I took Jackson to school. Jackson had missed school on Tuesday due to a nasty cold and double ear infection. Jay and I went to my obgyn appointment and heard again that Baron was at a +4 with no dialation or effacement. He also felt of my belly and said, "this baby doesn't seem too large. I'm sure he's not over 8 pounds yet." Note to self, feeling of the belly is not a scientific way to determine fetal weight.
Then we scheduled my induction for the 25th and off we went. While at lunch I complained that my stomach was really hurting. I said Baron must be clapping because I was having cramps on and off. Jay wasn't feeling good either so we went home and took a nap before getting Jackson from school. That night Nana and Papa babysat for Jackson so Jay, Jeremy and I could go see Avatar in 3D. The movie was at 5:25 and before we even sat down I was very uncomfortable. For the entire movie (and this is a LONG one) I was squirming around in my seat and not feeling well. Jay and Jer asked what was wrong but I just thought Baron was getting so big that his hands moving were causing some pretty bad cramps. They were only about every ten minutes but I was trying to ignore them. When we got home I sat on the sofa and told my dad that I couldn't make it two more weeks and that I was more uncomfortable that night than I had ever been at two weeks late with Jackson. I texted Jenna (one of the only people I know who has gone into labor naturally) to get her opinion but she wasn't there. I called my mom and she thought I was in labor but I didn't think so b/c I had never felt it before and didn't want to go to the hospital and look stupid.
The entire night was miserable. I got no sleep and had "cramps" now known to be contractions every 5 minutes from about 10 p.m. until about 4:50 a.m. when I texted my doula. She said my body was just getting ready for labor and this could go on for another two weeks. . .I almost died.
It was Friday, February 12th and we awoke (well, I didn't awake but I got out of bed) to see 12 inches of snow. . .in Texas people! And I was in labor, with no induction!
So, I called my doctor at around 9a.m. (as soon as his office opened) and he said that if it was still going on around 2 p.m. to go to the hospital. By 10 a.m. the contractions were getting closer to 3 minutes apart (ranging from 3-5) and I was desperate to get to the hospital. I was really worried it was false labor and I would forever be known as a total wuss but I didn't care. We started calling around to get someone to watch Jackson and Jaclyn was sweet enough to rush over. We called her and she and Emma were at our house within twenty minutes. Thank you Jaclyn! She gave me a quick adjustment (specialized to get me ready for a VBAC) and off we went. Once at the hospital they checked me and I was 100% effaced, Baron was at a -1 station and I was dialated to a 1. Jay and I were both amazed. Throughout this entire pregnancy we had prayed that I would go into labor and have a safe VBAC and it was starting. Such a huge blessing. Jaclyn took Jackson to Adrienne's house and he spent the night there playing with and being loved on by the Hirst family. Thanks so much for taking such good care of our little man:)
I've gone into so many details that I'm going to skip around b/c the next several hours are now a blur but basically I went through 24 hours of labor and broke down and got an epidural. This is a decision I have NO regrets about! That was the greatest thing ever and within 3 hours Baron was here. The entire process of labor and birth was amazing. I know most everyone has been there and done that but for Jay and I it was a first and we were just so awestruck by God's plan. We were so happy to be able to hold our precious guy at 10:38 p.m.
After Baron was born, at 9 pounds 13 ounces and 22 inches, he was immediately taken to the nursery due to breathing problems. Jay and I had some time together and then Gaga came up to spend some time with us at the hospital.
I sent Jay home to get some sleep around midnight and then got a visit from the pediatric specialist. By 2 am they had done x rays and found that Baron had pneumothorax (basically a collapsed lung) and was being taken to the NICU. I called Jay (at 2:30 a.m.) and gave him the news. We prayed for Baron and then tried to get some sleep. As is typical I got about 90 minutes of sleep due to worrying etc. I wasn't allowed to feed Baron because it would have been too much stimulation. He was getting all nutrition from an iv.

Saturday
Jay was at the hospital bright and early and so were all of the grandparents and great grandparents. We weren't allowed to hold or touch Baron b/c he was in the NICU under the oxygen tent. It was pretty sad but Jay and I tried to stay really positive. Adrienne brought Jackson up and he was pretty upset that he didn't get to meet Baron. He did crawl into bed with me and look at pictures and videos from the night before. Luckily Nanny and Paw Paw had come the night before and took Jackson home to take care of him for the weekend. Thanks so much! Due to the stress and craziness of the situation we asked for no visitors other than parents.

Sunday-Valentine's Day
Jackson woke up throwing up and called me crying saying, "why can't you take care of me mommy? I really need you mommy, can't you come snuggle me, I'm sick." I know he was being very well taken care of by daddy, Nanny and Paw Paw but I was so sad not to be with him. Both of my babies needed me and I couldn't do much for either of them. That night I had my celebration dinner (the hospital gives you steak and lobster etc.) by myself in the room that night but was really just feeling blessed because they finally let me nurse Baron that day. His pnemo was better but his jaundice was pretty severe. We were very happy that his lungs were improving. . .and since I'd been through jaundice with Jackson I felt comfortable with the situation.
Jeremy brought me a movie that night and while watching it Jenna called me and surprised me by walking into my hospital room! It was so incredible to see her. I definitely have the greatest sister in the world. She was here from Sunday evening to Thursday morning and having her here was wonderful.
Jenna spent the night with me in the hospital and went with me to the NICU every 3 hours for an hour to nurse Baron. I had been fine being by myself at the hospital the whole time but it was really nice to have her there for a night. She's the best and I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful sister.

Monday
I was released from the hospital but they let me "board in" in a NICU room. It was so nice to be near Baron and still be able to nurse through the night. I had a bit of the baby blues this evening just being overwhelmed by Jackson being sick at home and Baron being sick at the NICU and not being able to do anything for either one of them. Jackson had cried after a short visit with me and begged me to come home but sissy went home to help Jay put him to bed. Jackson loves sissy and it helped tremendously to have her here to help with him.

Tuesday
I stayed at the hospital all day to feed Baron. Sissy took Jackson to chuck e cheese so that Jay could come spend some time with me. Jack and sissy came up later and Nana and Papa picked up dinner for us from Blue Goose. Just before we sat down for dinner Baron was released from the NICU. It was around 7 p.m. and Jackson got to meet Baron for the first time. He loved his tiny feet and toes. He kept wanting to touch his tiny toes. He was so excited to sit in the car with Baron that night. We all went home to eat with Nana and Papa and had a nice first night at home. Jackson was very sweet and protective of his baby brother.

Wednesday
Our first day home. We had to take Baron to the pediatrician and then to the lab for blood work to be sure his jaundice was under control. It was so nice to have all of my boys home and aunt sissy cooked for us and took very good care of all of us. She even took Jackson to my MOMS Connection play date at the fire station.
Jenna slept in the room with Baron and I and helped me with the night. I slept about 1 hour due to his being nocturnal:) But it was still great to have him with me. Snuggling his sweet little body and knowing he might be my last baby.
Jackson talks to Baron through out the day and then says, "it's o-tay mommy, Baron don't speak well. Someday when he big he speak well like me."
Jackson has been nothing but sweet to Bear but he keeps telling us that he wants to hit him. He's pretty stressed out by Baron being here but is doing his best and we are really trying to be patient with him.

Thursday
Sissy had to leave and we both cried. Jackson again threatened to hit Baron but was actually really sweet anytime he was around him. In the morning he was cleaning the kitchen furiously and said he was "getting the kitchen clean clean clean so mommy won't leave me and go to the hospital again." Poor little man. He also cried today saying, "please don't leave me mommy. I don't want you to go back to the hospital." He's such a good big brother despite his verbal threats.

Now I'm sitting here with Jay and Baron just looking at my sweet baby. I know this may be my last little man and I just want to enjoy every minute of his tiny days. God has really blessed me and I am trying not to take anything for granted. Jackson's life has been so wonderful and he has just amazed Jay and I with his sweet spirit and fun personality but I can still wait to see how Baron developes. I don't want to rush anything and just want to completely enjoy each stage. I love the newborn stuff (other than no sleep!) and love the cuddles and love the yawns and stretches. He is a dream of a tiny little baby and I just love him so much. I think it's easier to appreciate the second baby and that you enjoy everything more due to the lack of stress and worries.

Being a mother is such a privilege and I am just thanking God that I get to raise my babies and be with them each day. I know the days ahead will be challenging but also filled with joy. Thank you Jesus for my wonderful family!