Joseph Paul

My alarm clock was set to go off at 4am on Thursday, June 23. I was already in the shower though... too excited to sleep until 4am. I took my time knowing full well that my next shower wouldn't feel quite as good. Anthony and I got ready and threw our bags in the car.



The girls were fast asleep at my mom's house as we drove 30 minutes south to the hospital. We walked in while it was still dark and, after checking in, were welcomed to the "prep" room - the same one we were in right before we had Lia. It's such a strange feeling to get into the same bed, put on the same hospital gown, and watch the same clock as we had done 31 months before.



Our doctor came to greet us and there was something comforting about him taking a minute to chat with us as he sipped his coffee. Like, this surgery you're about to have is no big deal... I'm having a cup of coffee right now just like every one else who is getting ready to start their day.

Anthony put on his scrubs.. I put on my hairnet/showercap thing, and we made the walk to the OR.



And I was in that sterile room without anyone I knew, just a bunch of nurses busily getting things ready. There was one in particular that came over, introduced herself to me and acted like my best friend while I got the spinal - from the same anesthesiologist that I had with Lia. I laid back on the table and listened to all the beeping, surgical jargon, and Bob Marley coming from the speakers. They put up the curtain and then Anthony was right by my side.



It happens so fast. You listen to the doctor explaining what he's doing, nod when the anesthesiologist asks if you're okay, and smell that distinct smell of the laser hitting skin. There is pressure, fear of feeling pain, and anxiety about the baby coming out safe.



At 7:42 Joey was born. First I heard him cry, then I saw that dark hair as they held him up. He was big. Well, big for us.



I was craning my neck to watch him get wiped down and cleaned up.



I was watching Anthony's teary eyes look at him.



I kept asking how much he weighed and it seemed like 20 minutes went by before they told me. He was 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 21 inches long. That's a big difference from my 6 lb, 15 oz Ava and 5 lb, 4 oz Lia.



The rest of the surgery was no fun. Anthony left with Joey - and nurses - to go to the nursery. I started getting the chills.. with uncontrollable teeth chattering. I was wheeled into the recovery room, covered with heating blankets and I even got a few shots to help with the nausea. But of course, as soon as they started wheeling me up to my room the vomitting started and lasted pretty much the whole way. And a few times in my room. The rest of the hospital stay was much more enjoyable.



The girls, Gramma and Mimi came to visit everday.



This little guy is such a good baby. He goes right along with all of the chaos of his two big sisters. They hold him, they kiss him, they just have to touch him everytime they are close to him. Sometimes, when they notice that Mommy isn't holding him, they look around and ask in a concerned tone, "Where is baby Joey?".



Be still my heart...



And now I need to think of a new name for this little blog. Any ideas?