Family of 4

It’s official. As of 4/24/2014 we became a family of 4! Christopher Quinn Baxter made his appearance via c-section at 1pm weighing 8lbs 15oz and measuring 20.5″ long. This c-section was scheduled, which in a lot of ways made things much simpler than last time, especially for someone like me who likes to plan well in advance. Not being induced and in labor for 20 hours prior to the c-section was also nice, as I was much less fatigued by the time we got to the “getting the baby out” phase of the plan. The c-section itself was a little unpleasant, but I suppose that is to be expected. The only unexpected part was that the little bugger STILL didn’t want to come out! Apparently I grow large babies, with large heads, that don’t drop. 2 grown adults pushing on my stomach while my OB attempted to grab his head through the incision was somewhat uncomfortable and after a couple failed tries at positioning him they ended up using suction to grab him and pull him out. On the bright side we’re both fine and they got the baby out (as per my birth plan). My ribs and back felt like I’d been in a car accident the next day, and they had to keep a close eye on little man’s head for the first 24 hours but we both recovered with shining colors. I was less fatigued and less intimidated by recovery so I was up and about much faster and will be going home after 3 days this time instead of 4.

Christopher is an excellent nurser–outpacing his older brother from his very first feeding. They were still trying to clean him off and the nurses were commenting on how hungry he was, rooting around chasing anything that moved. This time I didn’t have complications to my anesthesia so I was able hold him on my chest and nurse right away in the recovery room. He latched and ate like he’d been doing it for months. (SO THANKFUL).

I’ve spent a bit more time at the hospital alone with Christopher than I had anticipated, so I’m glad my recovery is going so well. It is difficult to juggle a toddler schedule with a daycare and babysitting schedule so Jason has been at home more than originally anticipated. I am looking forward to going home tomorrow and starting his two weeks of paternity leave so that we can really enjoy some time all together.

Today William came to visit and meet his new brother for the first time. In typical 2 year old boy fashion, he couldn’t have cared less about the new baby in the room. He was pretty excited to look out the second story window however, pointing out how far up we were and all the cars in the parking lot below. He tried to tell us the baby was too big for him to hold, but we managed to get him to sit still just long enough to give him a quick look over and smile for a picture. As part of his adventure he told Jason he wanted to go to the restaurant and get food, so they took a stroll down to the hospital cafeteria. We pushed Christopher for a lap around the maternity ward in his bassinet to get in some recovery walking for me, and Will wanted to push and steer the bassinet around all available obstacles.

Some initial observations: Christopher again has Jason’s more olive complexion. He was born with less hair than Will. Unlike William, I think he also might have Jason’s hands and feet. He still has my nose. He is pretty mellow and a really good nurser, which in turn makes me less stressed. The delivery of a second newborn was much less intimidating to me than the first one was. We are all in love with him already!