Babies and Holidays

So my laptop somehow got a virus on it and so we're out of commission right now. It's a shame because I can't download any pictures and my husband just got me an awesome new camera for Christmas.

The holidays were joyful. Our family and friends were so generous with us and I can't thank them all enough. I feel bad because we didn't do very much for them this year since we just bought a house and had a baby. We usually do something for a family in need and go easy on our family. This year we sponsored coats for a family through the Lion's Club D is a member of. But Christmas was a lot of fun because P totally gets the whole presents thing now. He had so much fun unwrapping them and going "Cool, Awesome!" And he had a funny laugh that sounds a lot like the way he makes a horse sound. It was precious. Baby C of course was totally excited too. You just couldn't tell what with his snoring and all.

P has been a perfect big brother and covers C with kisses and hugs. Sometimes too much, but at least we haven't had any jealousy issues. P likes to get bottles and hold C while he plays. (Meaning mommy holds C on P's lap while P plays.) P also likes to cover C with blankets. He's wonderful.

After three different blood tests, we finally have confirmed that C does have Hemophilia B or Christmas Disease. I'm just relieved that we're done with poking my newborn with needles. Hemophilia is where the blood is low or missing a protein called factor that helps it clot. C is low on Factor 9. If he gets hurt he'll need to get an injection of factor 9 to help him stop bleeding.

We have an education class on Jan 7 up at the Toledo Hemophilia Center. They'll help us recognize bleeds and let us know what to do and help us work with our hospital so there's always factor available if C should need it. We're also working with C's pediatrician so she can be a liaison for us with the local hospital.

This will be an interesting journey and I'm wondering if there are any other moms out there in the blogging world that have babies with Hemophilia. The plus side of all this is that since it's a genetic thing, I have my parents to ask questions to since they went through it all with my brother.

Other than that, C is getting really big. His ped says he has big hands and was impressed with his weight gain. C isn't much for regular feedings, but I don't time them or anything. He's eating and gaining weight and is healthy. He does have terrible gas and keeps me awake with his grunting.

This has been a wonderful year. New house, new car and our new little Baby C. We've truly been given everything and we are so, so grateful.

Oh Boys

Well first of all, welcome to this great world C.M. Brooks! He is truly a miracle. And so is me getting some pictures up this quickly because I also just got Halloween, etc off my camera too.

Here's our details:
I knew something was up on Wednesday and thought, "Today is the day we go in." So after dinner we decorated our tree and I felt a couple of things, called the good doc who said to come on in to check us out!

So we did and I was pretty sure we were staying. I came in and was 5cm dilated and two hours later when Dr. S came in to check me I was 8cm dilated. Wow that was fast! So D and I mostly just chilled and talked and enjoyed the hospital's semi-cable. I was having contractions that started out pretty irregular and didn't hurt at all. I was stuck on 8cm for a good 3 hours and the contractions started to get pretty powerful in that they no longer are just in one place, but spread over the whole belly. So I considered sucking it up and waiting, but I remembered how my body didn't want to go from 9-10cm last time so I thought, "Screw it! This hurts and it doesn't have to so drug me up Dr. Man!"

The drug doc came and needed a little convincing to give me an epidural. My platelets were down all the way to 103 and lower than 100 and they won't do it. Plus I was so far dilated. Anyway, he did. And I bet every woman loves him. I could feel a little spot where my contractions were still happening and he felt bad and asked if I wanted him to up my meds, but I said no since I like feeling what's going on. I just wanted to take the edge off. He def did not get that and said, "You're certainly one of a kind. I know I'd want more drugs."

So it was good that I did because I was able to relax and C's head shot down a couple of stations and I went to a 9, but still could not get to a 10. My last baby the doc made me push past that, which caused pushing to be 3.5hrs but Dr. S said, "I know you don't want Pitocin, but it could help get to that last cm." And I agreed, b/c really I just didn't want to be started on Pit. I figured if I needed it to start, then he wasn't ready yet. Anyway, a little Pit and we were at an easy 10 and I could really feel the contractions which was fantastic b/c it didn't neccessarily hurt. The good doc came in and less than 15min later we very easily pushed out our little boy! He was born at 6:46am Dec 3 and weighed in at 7lbs 5oz and is 20inches.
The nurses were wonderful and it was the easiest most relaxing experience and I felt SO good!




He and P look an awful lot alike, thank goodness since P is beautiful. C's hair seems to be lighter and is very fuzzy. It's almost crimped and he has really golden fuzzy shoulders. His eyes look like they'll be the same color as P's too. Two beautiful boys! We shot out of the hospital pretty fast, but C didn't lose any weight and I felt really good and was walking around. It feels good to be home and even more wonderful to be with P again. I missed him to tears. I'm happy to not be pregnant and to be able to hug my husband without two feet between us.