Christmas/Adjusting to baby

Well, like I said, we got to go home on Christmas Eve. As much as I had prepared to have someone else play Santa while I was gone, I still wanted to do it so bad. We got home and my dad and his girlfriend had made us an awesome Christmas dinner! We were so thankful for that! They also gave us a breakfast casserole for the next morning. So awesome! We ate dinner and later that night the kids opened up their traditional gifts, ornaments and p.j.s. Rich's mom got them the pjs and she did a great job picking them out. They looked so cute and comfy! Each year they get a new ornament. I try to make it somehow represent something in their life from the current year, whether it's something they like, are good at or something new they've done. It is so hard to find good kid ornaments though! I looked everywhere this year. I finally got some at Kohl's. I got Julien an artist one, since he loves coloring and does it daily. I wanted to find him something that represented starting school, but couldn't find anything. Jonah got a Grinch ornament cause I couldn't find squat for him, but he still liked it cause he likes that movie.

hanging up their ornaments

Santa came! The kids were spoiled. I barely bought them anything because we had several packages from family and friends. We feel so blessed by the sacrifices and generosity of others.

I didn't get many pictures from Christmas morning. I was so tired! This year just didn't feel the same because I had just had the baby and was so sleep deprived and out of it. But I could tell the boys enjoyed it so that's all that matters!





















Later that night my dad and Carolyn and her mom came over and brought us dinner again! We are spoiled! The kids got some fun gifts from them; walkie-talkies which they are so cute with; Julien got new boxing gloves since his old one were thrashed; and Jonah got the blown up guy that they punch and he talks. Total boys stuff and they love it!

Adjusting to baby
I can't believe it's already been a week since Cooper was born. I can not even express how happy I am to have this baby! He is so precious and I can't get enough of him. The kids are adjusting well to him. They have been busy with Christmas toys and Daddy was home for a few days, and the past two days they've been at a friend's house. But they love their baby brother and are both very good with him. I'm sure they are frustrated with me that I am a lot busier with the baby around, but they seem to be quite happy about the baby. Julien loves holding him and Cooper is usually really content in Julien's arms. I caught Julien talking to Cooper while holding him the other day, and he was saying the cutest stuff to him. Too bad I can't remember what he said, but I remember melting over it. Rich and I are adjusting pretty well too. Rich gets a lot more sleep than I do (lucky!), but he is still tired because he has picked up a lot of slack for me, which I SO appreciate. He loves Cooper so much and I love seeing him with a baby again. As for me, I'm doing pretty good if I've been able to sleep. At night my hormones go insane on me. I guess I have postpartum depression because I read up on it, and I have some of the symptoms. I'm not depressed about the baby whatsoever. I'm quite obsessed with him! I just have moments of being so overwhelmed and emotional. I have a really hard time asking people for help, even though I'm trying to get over that. My friend Carol has been awesome and has helped me so much when Rich isn't around. I also have a lot of guilt right now because I feel like I can't be as good of a mom to the older boys (at least for right now). I know it will get better and easier as we all adjust and most of all as I get more sleep! I know my hormones are to blame so I'm trying not to beat myself up too much. I just can't wait until I feel more normal. I'm just so tired. And I'm frustrated because I'm still having pain from my epidural and wishing I never got it. I guess I expected my body to heal faster than it has. BUT I love this little angel I've been given and I know pretty soon I will start to feel better and be able to take on these new challenges easier. I am trying to cherish every little moment though and even though it's hard at this phase, I'm in no rush to get out of it because I love tiny little newborns! I'm so amazed every time I look at Cooper and realize I finally have my baby and he is just so precious. Anyway, I'm fine, nothing to worry about. Once we get on a better sleep schedule and my body heals I will be great!

Here are a bunch of pictures from the past week...

Love my family!

Welcome baby boy!

WELCOME

COOPER JOSEPH HARRINGTON
7 lbs 12 oz
21 inches long
Born Dec. 23 @ 12:37 p.m.

Birth Story
This will be a long detailed post, so feel free to skip to the pictures! Here is the story of how things unfolded to deliver Cooper. Tuesday, Dec. 22nd I was busy at home doing last minute Christmas things. I took a walk with the boys hoping to get labor started. I came home and nothing seemed different. That night after Rich got home I left to go shopping at Kohl's. Rich's dad had sent a gift card for the boys so I went to go pick them out something and was planning on walking and walking around the store since it was open until midnight. I think I got home around 10:30 pm and began wrapping the rest of the presents that I had left to wrap. I started having consistent contractions. They weren't really increasing in intensity, but they were coming really close together. Yeah! Rich eventually went to sleep. I had an adrenaline rush and couldn't sleep. I got everything ready, presents wrapped/labeled, fudge set aside for Santa, etc. I was prepared in case I wasn't able to be home for Christmas. Anyway, the contractions went on for hours. I tried standing, walking, sitting, laying down, and nothing made them go away! I finally called my sister (a nurse) who was working a night shift (thankfully) and she told me to go in. So I called my dad and woke him and he headed over to stay with the boys (thank you, dad), gathered the last minute stuff and woke up Rich. We were in the car on the way to the hospital by 4 am. I hadn't slept at all, but was not even tired because I was so excited that I was hopefully finally in labor. So as we were driving I had a couple of contractions BUT...WHAT!!....they totally slowed down! Great:(! They went from 1-5 minutes apart to about 15-20 mintues apart. I was so bummed. We decided to just go in since my dad was there already and we were on our way. When we got there the nurse checked me and said I was dilated to a 3 but that I was still very closed. They had me on the monitor for about an hour. I kept telling Rich that I needed to walk and I knew that would help, but I had 2 nurses come in and tell me I had to lay there for 2 hours. The point was to get things going, not to waste time laying there. Finally my favorite nurse that shift came in and said I could go walk around. I was so motivated. Since I no longer had sciatic pain, walking wasn't so hard, so Rich and I started doing laps all around the labor and delivery floor. I got some really funny looks from some nurses, like "what is this big huge pregnant woman doing walking around so fast." I didn't care, I was going to progress the labor, even if that meant they would send me home and I'd be back the next day. Eventually, I think after an hour, I wore Rich out. Hehe. It was really late, so I felt bad, but I was just going off of adrenaline. So we went back and my nurse checked me again. She said I was now at a 4. As she was checking me I was literally pulling on her hand trying to make her stop, it killed! I mean seriously killed! And then all of the sudden she says, "did you just pee?" That's when I was sitting in a ton of warm water. I said no, and she said, "oops, that's not good, uh oh!" Yep, she broke my water on accident. Right before that happened Rich and I were planning on them telling us to go home and I think that's what the nurse was going to do since I didn't want to induce with pitocine. But she sped it up for us. So then I was moved to a delivery room (the last one...everyone after me had to share a room, I lucked out)! My contractions started picking up. Nothing too unbearable, but no fun either. I waited about an hour and then decided to get an epidural because labor and delivery was packed that night and the anesthesiologist was going to get busy. I didn't really need the epi quite yet, but didn't want to miss my opportunity to get it. Call me a wus. Anyway, I got epi and it relaxed me enough to allow me to finally fall asleep. I slept off and on for a couple of hours. Every time they would check me I was still at a 4! It was not progressing. I could still feel a lot of my contractions, but was trying to hold off on pressing that little bottom to give me more drugs. I didn't want to slow it down even more. My Dr. told the nurse to give me pitocine but she doesn't like giving a lot of that so she just gave me a very little. At 11:40ish a.m. I told the nurse I felt pressure so she checked me again and laughed and said, "wow, you are totally dilated! The baby's head is right here." So she called my Dr. who was at his clinic. Meanwhile she told me not to push and she basically sat there massaging the baby's head and kept him from coming out. I felt like I could give one push and he'd be out. I don't remember having that feeling with my other deliveries. This time I could feel a lot more. Meanwhile I had several nurses in the room preparing for the delivery and this one nurse in particular was so funny! She was cracking me up and started making fun of my Dr. (he's an interesting guy) and I was dying. I kept telling them to stop making me laugh because it was going to make me push the baby out. Anyway, it was fun. My Dr. got there about an hour later and baby was out with two pushes. So easy.
So finally my little mystery baby was laying on my chest and I still remember the warmth of his skin and it felt surreal. Up until that moment I was still not used to the thought that I was having another baby. I wanted this baby so bad. I hadn't had one in almost 4 years! He was finally here! Everything went smoothly. It was a great moment. Julien's deliver was absolutely spiritual and text book. Jonah's delivery was spiritual for a split second until they took him from me before I barely got to look at him and he wasn't breathing. He spent 5 days in the NICU and I even had to go home without him. It was the worst moment of my life as a mother and so hard. So Cooper's birth was a big relief because I was able to feel all of the sweet feelings and enjoy the moment and relax. I was so happy! And what a little cutie he is! He had me very curious for 9 months, but he's finally here!

I just want to add that I LOVE and respect nurses! They have an amazing job and they are so good at making you feel so comfortable in the most awkward situations. I was so happy to have great nurses for this delivery!!

Cutting the cord (sorry if this picture is gross to you). I've never gotten a picture of this before.

Cooper getting measured and weighed.Right after I nursed him for the first time. He did great!

Right before he was wheeled away to get cleaned up and poked.

I love my little boy! I love newborn eyes and their sweet little curious looks!


As Cooper was off getting his stuff done, I was feeling pretty good. Rich left to get some lunch and everyone had left the room. They brought me lunch and I ate most of it. Then all of the sudden I felt so sick! There was no one in the room and I had nothing to throw up in. I didn't think I had time to call for the nurse either. And my legs were still numb from the epidural, so I grabbed an empty bag of chips next to me, and filled it up and then some, if you know what I mean. Hey, it's all part of my story. After that I felt dizzy for a few hours. Meanwhile my dad, Carolyn, Carolyn's mom and my kids came by to see the baby. I was so out of it. But it was good to see them. Julien was absolutely precious about seeing me and the baby. He was glowing. Jonah was excited too, but still in his own world.
They wheeled him in just in time for the visitors....

"I'm all cleaned up now!"

Rich and I spent that night at the hospital and my dad stayed with the boys again. Rich left at 6 am the next morning and I spent the day trying to sleep in between all the different interruptions (gotta love hospitals). I begged to be sent home that day. They were originally going to keep us there until Christmas around noon. I was so bummed. I didn't want to miss Christmas with the boys. It totally didn't feel like Christmas anymore, but I was so looking forward to being in the privacy of my home and participating in our family's Christmas Eve traditions and Christmas morning. I love seeing their little faces on Christmas morning. They DID let me go home on Christmas Eve! Rich came back with the boys and we hung out for a couple of hours until they discharged us.All ready to go home, just waiting on the nurses...we can't wait!!

It's finally time to leave!

The ride home was so weird. The big boys looked sooo big. Jonah especially. In fact, over the last few days I'm noticing just how husky Jonah is! It's amazing to finally be home with our sweet baby that we thought would never get here!

Next post will be about Christmas Eve/morning, and some more pictures of the babe, and an update on how we are all adjusting.

Think I'm in labor.....

Okay people, I have had contractions every 1-5 minutes for the past 3 hours. I called my sister who is a nurse and she said to go in. I just called my dad, he is on his way. I'm going to pack up my last min. stuff and wake up Rich. I think it's the real thing. Look for a post from me tomorrow; if there isn't one then that means I'm in the hospital. Praying for a healthy baby and to be home for Christmas!!! Hope it's not false labor!!!

He sees you when you're sleeping...

Every time Jonah acts up lately Julien is quick to say, "Jonah, Santa is watching you!" Jonah then looks at him in disbelief and says, "Nah, he's at the mall!"

Santa/Baby Update/and more!

Yesterday when I went to wake up the boys, the first thing Julien did was sit up and say, "YES! We get to go see Santa today!! This is the best Christmas ever!" (A typical enthusiastic comment from Julien). Jonah sits up and says in his very tired and serious voice, "ugh, not right now though, not right now." Total opposites!

Jonah has always been apprehensive about seeing Santa. We were hoping this year would be different. Although Jonah didn't show a bunch of enthusiasm to see Santa this year he didn't show any anxiety until it was his turn to go see him. Rich had to go up with him again. But there were no tears this time and no running away. He just wouldn't look at him! It was really funny. He brought a wooden dinosaur that he had painted to show Santa. He just sat there and chewed his gum and looked the other way as Santa tried to talk to him. Rich was trying to get him to tell Santa what he wanted. By the way, he upgraded his list from Cheetos to a cell phone. I love this video because Jonah was totally playing cool like he wasn't scared but it's obvious he was.
Looking in the funny mirror while waiting in line!
waiting in line, showing me what they brought for Santa. (Jonah's fake smile)!
He is in heaven! Julien lives for this stuff! Santa made him feel so special about his card and Julien told me that Santa told him that he was going to take his card all the way to the North Pole!Santa tickling Jonah's ear, trying so hard to get Jonah to let his guard down. Maybe next year! Jonah still had fun even though he was timid.
Okay. As I was walking away, Santa pulled me back and told Rich to take a picture like this with my belly. No that's not part of the chair by Santa's face, it IS my huge belly. This is it, folks, this is the last belly shot you're getting.
I took the best picture of the three of them where they were all smiling, but of course it came out blurry! These are still cute!

I just love watching my children experience all the wonders of childhood! I adore their innocence and belief! I have just as much fun being a parent during Christmas, as I did being a kid at Christmas! I can't wait until Christmas Eve; being Santa is the best!

*BABY UPDATE*
Well, as they say, "I'm still around!" I thought for sure this weekend I was going to have him. I had a ton a big contractions and lots of cramping. I was also so fatigued, worse than ever. Yesterday I went to see my Dr. and I woke up feeling nauseous and crampy. "Yes! Today is the day," I thought. I could hardly sit in the waiting room with my eyes open, everything was spinning. While I was waiting a woman commented on how low I had gotten, and I asked if she had seen me before. She said she had and she didn't think I'd make it to my due date. So that pumped me up. I thought for sure the Dr. would give me some exciting news that baby was coming very soon. So finally I get to see the Dr. and as I was laying on my back and he was measuring and feeling my belly he said, "hum, you're still pretty high." HIGH??? WHAT?? Um, is he crazy?! I have a beach ball between my legs when I sit down for crying out loud! He asked how I was feeling and I told him how crampy I have been, etc, and so he decided he would check me. My dr. doesn't usually check his patients until 39 weeks because he doesn't want to aggravate anything. But he checked me and said I was very closed. (Sorry if this is TMI for you). Hum. I sat up and said, "so am I dilated at all?? He said, "no." Ugh. I wanted to shake him and say, "yes I am!" Jeepers. Not what I want to hear! So anyway, like I've said before, it's not my timetable. I think we got spoiled with Jonah because he came out at 38 weeks; so now 38 weeks is here and we are feeling overdue. I just have a fear that the baby will get too big and I will have to have a C-section. I'm so afraid of that, mainly because I can not, I mean CAN NOT, be in bed for weeks with 3 children and no help. Can you tell I'm having my end of pregnancy anxieties? What will be will be though.

I also wanted to give you all this website. www.thecarseatcanopy.com My friend brought me over dinner tonight (love her!) and she gave me this website and told me to pick out the one I wanted as my baby gift from her (did I mention I love her?). Her friend in UT and her 2 sisters invented this thing and its gotten really big. I love this idea. Check it out!

And finally, for my own journal purposes, I wanted to take a picture of this sweet little ornament that Julien painted for his teacher for Christmas. When he was done he said, "Oh yeah, she's going to love this!" lol. I think he is right:)!

A card for Santa

Julien came home from school one day, last week, and told me he wanted to make a card to take to Santa at the mall. He worked hard on it and I just love it. I had to scan it before the Mall Santa gets to take it and I'll never see it again.
This is the front The middle is "Santa's address."
The back...milk and cookies, of course!


When I asked Jonah what he wants Santa to bring him this year, he said, "presents." I asked what kind of presents and he thought and answered, "um, Cheetos."