Since We've Been Home

Drew's Birth

 Okay so here the journey begins.  Andrew decided it would be a good idea to get me walking into the hospital.  I really hope I was having a contraction during this picture because I look pathetic.  I woke up at midnight on Sunday with contractions.  Because all week we had just been waiting for anything I stayed in bed a while to see if they were really contractions and to see if they kept coming.  By 12:30 I woke Andrew up and said I think I am having contractions but I am going to walk around and see if they stay.  So I was up doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen to see what would happen.  By 1:30am they were still coming on strong so I got Andrew up to start timing them.  We put on the good old Cosby Show to have something to distract us while timing them.  By 2:30am I knew it was time to get ready for the hospital.  The contractions were coming every 5 minutes or less apart and I was in pain.  We called our sweet friend Kristin to come over and take care of Sadie Jane when she got up.  She arrived around 3ish and we were off to the hospital.  It was a whirlwind to me to see how fast things were going because with SJ I labored at home for around 9 hours!  I took one last look at my only child SJ and we got into our car and headed off.

We got checked into the hospital right away and here I am enjoying my epidural.  A few things were different this time around.  The nurse had to try twice to get my IV in-no fun but it all worked out.  The epidural went smoothly but I did feel some weird nerve action in the midst of it.  I got my epidural when I was at a 6 or 7.  They gave me this wonderful liquid meal as you see in the picture but they wanted me to lay on my side so it was a little hard to get anything down and I was starving!  Unfortunately the epidural slowed things down.  My doctor was one busy woman on Monday so it took her a while but around 11:30 she broke my water and they put me on pitocin.  So we waited a little longer and then around 12:30 I started feeling the urge to push.  Well remember how I mentioned my doctor was one busy woman?  She was in the middle of another procedure and my pain was getting severe.  I kept holding off because Drew was still up high so I thought in waiting maybe he would drop.  The pain got to be too much and I knew there was no way I could not stop from pushing so just as Andrew called the nurse in she told us my doctor was on her way and that I could start pushing.  Pushing, I hate pushing.  I know it is how to end all of the pain but I dread it each time.  So now I am in pain and shaky but I am glad I get to do something through the pain and not just lay there.  I start pushing and the nurse told me that with the first few pushes Drew moved way down.  This was a huge encouragement to me because with SJ she would just not come down and I had to push forever.  I kept praying to God before I pushed that He would be gracious to me and He definitely was!  My doctor arrived and within a few more pushes Drew was crowning.  This was great but probably the worst pain of my life as she told me to wait until the next contraction to push him out.  In my head I wanted to say-NO WAY!!! But I knew I had to do it and as I told the nurser, my doctor and Andrew how much it hurt they all encouraged me to hold on and before I knew it my doctor was telling me to push again.  He came out and I was very relieved! 

Here he is right after he was born.  It was such a joy to have him right there with me as they finished things up.  I didn't get to do this with SJ because she wasn't breathing when she first came out so they had to keep working on her for a while before I got to hold her.

Andrew James Callaway weighing in at 8 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long.

Remember how I was starving???  I was thankful they gave me food right away but who really has good hospital food?  Andrew had some leftovers from his lunch and I downed them as soon as I could.  My favorite thing about the hospital is their ice and this lovely drink they make-cranberry juice and 7up.  It is so good and I probably had 7 of these big drinks before I left the hospital.

Here's SJ and Nana meeting Drew for the first time.  SJ really has no idea what is going on but really likes having Nana here to play with  and loves saying baby.

So that's it-Drew is here and I am recovering much faster than I did with SJ.  I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed us with this little boy.  I never knew having 2 children would be so much fun! 

Introducing Andrew James Callaway

We officially became a family of 4 this week!  Andrew James Callaway "Drew" to us was born on Monday October 24th sometime in the afternoon.  It's all a bit foggy to me but my guess is that it was 2 something.  He weighed in at 8 pounds and 6 ounces, just a little bigger than his Sissy.  He looks just like SJ and we are overwhelmed by the goodness of God to bring this new little life into the world and allow us to take care of him.  More pics to come and maybe his birth story for those that are interested:)  Sorry this picture is not the greatest!  I didn't get a really good one of just him in the hospital and this is our 1st family picture.  It's special because it is the 1st but as you can see SJ is a little distracted by my cell phone and I look like I had been up for 24 hours straight-oh wait, I was!  Andrew and Drew look great though!

While Waiting...

 We are trying to stay busy while we wait so here's a little of what we have been up to.  Sorry for the lame picture of myself but I found this new technique for curling your hair that is super easy and I feel I must share it!  Here's the website that explains it http://mdschoolmrs.blogspot.com/2011/10/pinterest-love-no-heat-hair-curling.html
Check it out and you will not be disappointed.  I love when I can get ready in about 15 minutes!

 SJ decided she would do her own hair today.  She loves putting things in her hair but when I do it she can't wait to get it out.  I am thinking she might be a little independent in that way.

 This is what happens when daddy comes home.  He loves to wrestle with SJ and she mostly just runs around and squeals.

 I have been wanting to do this fall project to put on our shelf where I try to decorate for the seasons.  I love projects that look good but require no skill.  Those are the projects for me!  I had some leftover burlap from another project, found this leaf on a tree outside of Michaels, and picked up this frame for $5 at Michaels (these are my favorite frames and they always go on sale there).  I gave SJ a granola bar to keep her busy while I put this picture together.  If you can do a project during snack time for your kiddos you know its a keeper!

We'll see if our baby boy comes today...

39 Weeks and Waiting

We are officially on baby watch these days.  I am over my cold and I think SJ is too so we are ready for Drew to come.  Its such a weird thing waiting for a baby to arrive.  You wake up each day thinking-today could be the day.  Andrew is very excited to meet his son and keeps hoping we will be at the hospital soon.  I am trying to get rest and also soak up as much time I can with SJ.  These last days of just me and her are so precious to me and I don't want to busy myself so much that I don't stop and just play with her.  So hopefully the next post on our blog will be introducing Drew to you all!!!

Pumpkin Patch

We got to join several families from our church for a field trip to Hawes Ranch today.  It was fun to take Sadie Jane around and introduce her to pumpkins.  I was glad to have Andrew's help as my due date is getting closer.  I don't think it would have been possible to carry SJ, our pumpkins and baby Drew around this place:)

Update on Drew's Room

Well we finally got to hang what we have so far for Drew's room last night.  I am so thankful Andrew likes hanging stuff.  I am no good at it!  We hope to add a few more things because it still looks a little bare to me but it feels good to get going on the decorating.  SJ has found great joy in playing with the base for Drew's car seat. I have found her in there several times just sitting in it.  Hey whatever entertains her and she can't break I am okay with!  This shelf is my favorite because I love to add personal touches in the room.  Here is a picture that Andrew drew when he was little, some of his baseball toys from when he was a kid, and of course something to represent the Lakers.  It's been fun putting this room together for Drew and being able to think of things that Andrew would enjoy passing on to him and looking at with him.  

Now all we need is a baby for the room!