It's not every day that I get to introduce a new human into the world. And it's definitely not every day that I get to introduce the cutest baby EV-ER (unbiased opinion, I swear!). So I'm pretty excited to share with all of you my son, Baby H. David and I have chosen not to share his name on the blog (as of now), so we can call the little man Baby H, Baby Ten June, H, Little H or (most appropriately- he is my son, after all) H Dawg. Oh, H Money definitely works, too.
H was born a week and a half ago on August 30th. My water broke on Wednesday evening at 11:30 PM (right after I had just sent Cassie an email yelling at her to rest up after being injured that day, ha!). It was kind of crazy... I was lying in bed reading a book and heard a pop. Seriously. That happened. A few minutes later, the water came. I woke David up and expected him to freak out, just like he had done every time I had a contraction or even made an "ooh" noise, but he was crazy calm. Since David was so calm and I wasn't having any major contractions, I decided to take a shower and eat something. Priorities, people. I knew they wouldn't let me eat anything once I got to the hospital, so I had to have some food. So we stopped at Taco Bell. Kidding, kidding, I woofed down a couple of protein bars and a glass of milk. I was ready for battle! We checked into the hospital around 12:30 AM.
My entire delivery was relatively easy, which was such a blessing. I got an epidural when the contractions started getting stronger around 4:30 AM, I started pushing around 10:00 AM and I delivered Baby H at 10:21 AM. Like I said, I cannot complain! I had so much amazing support from David, who stayed by my side the entire delivery. Well, him and the 13 doctors/assistants/nurses/students that I had the pleasure of having as an audience. Good thing I'm not a modest gal!
Immediately after delivery, David and I had an amazing "bonding hour" with the baby. The hospital I delivered at has this "bonding hour" policy where only momma and daddy (no nurses or doctors, even!) are allowed in the room to have skin-to-skin contact and feed the baby right after he was born. Basically, this time was a whole lot of tears and "I love him so much!" sentiments between me and David. Such a precious time, I loved every minute of it.
When the nurses came back in after the bonding hour, they started a few tests on the baby. Because I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, they took the baby's blood sugar. Unfortunately, his levels were low- very low. We supplemented the colostrum I had just fed him with some formula to increase his blood sugar. Then the nurse told us they had to take him to the nursery to continue to test and monitor his sugar levels. Um, take my brand new baby? I don't think so. I was not a happy camper. Hopefully the nurse I released my snotty, sobbing breakdown on didn't hold it against me.... Especially when I told her she was being ridiculous and could just run the tests on the baby in my room instead of the nursery. Oops.
I finally agreed to let them take the baby if David could go with him. So off they went for about 3.5 hours, until H's blood sugar levels stabilized. During that time, my sweet husband sent me no less than 30 picture and video texts, letting me know they were doing okay. I sobbed each time I got one- it was so amazing to just see him! I know that sometimes sick babies may stay in NICU for weeks at a time, so I thank God we did not have to deal with a situation that. We were very lucky. But that was still the longest 3.5 hours of my life!
After delivering on Thursday morning, we headed home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. Yes, we got home just in time to watch the UGA football game. A pretty sweet first afternoon for little man! Since then, I'd say we're settling in nicely. The baby is eating and sleeping like a champ, I'm recovering well, we've had so many wonderful visitors... I couldn't ask for anything more!
Everyone told me that all mommas fall head over heels in love with their children... and I have become absolutely smitten with my little guy, that's for sure. But no one mentioned what happens with the other man in your life.... I have been so amazingly blessed with the world's best husband. In addition to being a rock star diaper changer and swaddler, David is my rock. It is literally the best feeling in the world to look over at him holding H and know we made this beautiful baby and we're caring for him together. I know, my sappy pregnancy hormones are getting the best of me. But it's true. I'm madly in love with both of those boys!
Now little H is eleven days old and already growing like a weed. So far, his hobbies include whimpering like a kitten when he sleeps and letting his mommy and daddy make him dance awesome old school dance moves (watching a baby do the sprinkler is seriously hilarious every time).
David and I are so blessed with this healthy baby. And thank you all, so much, for your love and support. Between our friends, family and blog family, we feel so loved!
I promise to keep y'all updated with lots of cute pictures as the H-meister grows. I'm one proud momma, so I can't wait to share his little life and all of its adventures!
The H Dawg is seriously a beauty, Michelle! You and David are so blessed!! What a special time in your life - enjoy it and soak it all in! Congratulations to both of you, and to Little H for getting you as a mama!
ReplyDeleteHe is a total beauty!! They grow up so fast. My little niece was born last Dec and now she is standing on her own. I cant even fathom it!!! Soak in these precious newborn days!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! Little Ten June is adorable and I'm so glad that everything went well and everyone is healthy! What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteHe is just too precious! I am so glad everything went well. Love the idea of the "bonding hour!" Let me know when you are ready for some mussels!! :)
ReplyDeletehe is so beautiful!!!! and what a nice easy birth story. :) i like it that way!
ReplyDeleteand i think i shall call him l'il h.
He's adorable, so sweet! He is so lucky to have both of you for parents!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you again! He is so sweet. Enjoy these precious few weeks, they go by so incredibly fast.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! I love the bonding hours!
ReplyDeleteH Money is adorable! Enjoy every second with your little man! They grow too fast :0)
ReplyDeleteAck, I'm all choked up! I'm so happy for you guys, and so thrilled the experience has been a great and loving one. that bonding hour sounds amazing. and ps -- that feeling of seeing your man with your kid, it never goes away. John pulled our 90-lb 11 year old son in his lap last night and loved on him, kissing his head the same as we did when he was a baby. I just stopped dead in my tracks and stared. Welcome to the amazing and emotional lifelong journey of parenthood! xoxoxoxox
ReplyDeletesweetness!!! congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Michelle! So happy to hear it was a smooth delivery and the whole family is doing well! Now, go snuggle that handsome little boy some more :)
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for all of you, Michelle. Your description of your husband made me think back and remember what it was like when I watched Eric with our girls. Thank you for that memory. Cherish them all, they are so fleeting.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Lori
Congratulations! These pics are so precious. Reading your story made me fondly remember when our first son was born...18yrs ago! What! The time does fly by so remember my favorite saying..."The days are long, but the years are short" Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how precious he is! And I loved hearing his birth story...I'm so glad he entered the world quickly and glad to hear he's doing ok! I know the feeling of having to send my son off to the nursery...not fun at all! But he's healthy now and that's all the matters. XO
ReplyDeleteAh I just LOVED reading this- so so happy for you and congrats on such a beautiful precious boy! And PS, that bonding hour idea is so lovely- wish my hospital did that!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorable! What a great birth story to boot. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you had a good birth experience and that H is doing well - he's just adorable! Makes me want to meet and hold my girl even more - less than three weeks from today. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Michelle!!! So excite for you and David! Little H is just unbelievably precious. I totally get why you are smitten! Glad that you are already loving motherhood!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. I loved reading this. We are planning on adding our own little human next year and I am honestly terrified of giving birth. I am glad to know your experience was well...I won't say easy...but not difficult. Baby H Dawg is absolutely precious!!! I hope everything is going well and you are getting enough sleep. Annie just had her baby and can't take naps during the day so she has been delirious!! Keep up the updates!! Congratulations again!!! xoxoox
ReplyDeleteHe's just perfect! (and I don't say that to all new moms). Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeletehe is adorable!! i cant believe i am about 2 weeks away from experiencing this same thing!
ReplyDeleteYou are one lucky mama to have had such a fabulous experience! Own it, girl! ;) So happy that you all are adjusting well. Mr. H is just precious. :)
ReplyDeleteHe is precious! Glad he is doing so well.
ReplyDeleteLittle Mr. H is just adorable!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be adding our own little human boy to the world this November. I've so enjoyed following along with your pregnancy & DIY journey.
"Little H" is perfect and so lucky to have such loving parents!
ReplyDeleteHandsome baby! Congrats & enjoy every minute!! My little girl will be 2 in November & I cannot believe how fast it's gone by.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Baby H is such a doll!! Being a Mommy is the BEST thing in the entire world!! Enjoy every second, my little guy is 5 months and time is flying!!
ReplyDeleteHe is perfect, Michelle. Just beautiful. And I'm glad you ha such a great birth experience and that bonding hour sounds amazing. Give H money a squeeze for me.
ReplyDeleteHe is so little! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteWell, if reading this post isn't the best way to start a day, I don't know what is! What a blessing!! Hold on to each and every moment, Michelle ~ so thrilled that all went well and all IS well. And thank you for being a happy spot in my inbox. :)
ReplyDeletexo Heidi
Ahhhh, this post was amazing. Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteI love these posts! Thanks so much for sharing! Baby Ten June is adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteThis post melts my heart. I love reading about how much you love him. So, so precious. He really is the cutest baby I've seen:) AH. I want to hold him!! Glad you're doing well...and I'm also glad you still have time to text a bit hehe:)
ReplyDeleteAwww - this post got me all teary-eyed! H dawg is so precious!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to meet baby H!
ReplyDeleteOh!! He is SO cute!! So happy you guys are doing well and are healthy! Post more pictures of him soon.
ReplyDeletexo
Oooh. He is adorable!! Congratulations. I'm so glad you had such an easy birth....and I cannot even imagine how sweet these times are for you guys. Enjoy every minute!
ReplyDeletecongrats!!!! He is gorgeous(baby boys can be) and he shares a b-day with my oldest! August 30th is a great day! :)
ReplyDeleteHe is precious. Congrats! I know what you mean by baby dance moves...they do do the sprinkler :)
ReplyDelete-Sarah
I am so so happy for you guys, Michelle! Baby H is truly perfect. What a sweet blessing! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That's my first daughters birthday, and I also just welcomed a new baby into the world August 17. Isn't it the best?!!! :) Hope you're enjoying your time!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story - congratulations!!
ReplyDelete