Axl's Birth Story

I knew I should have posted this right after he was born because I didn't want to forget anything...hopefully I won't. So, I was originally scheduled to go in on Tuesday the 5th, I went to see the Doctor the previous Friday and he informed me that the hospital was under staffed and they had to push me to Thursday the 7th.  I was devastated! Not only could I not wait any longer to see this baby but I was to the point that I was beyond miserable.  I wasn't sleeping and every thing hurt.  Mostly my hips though.  Kathy (Nana) flew in that afternoon though and that helped tremendously.  She was such a big help with Carter since Nate couldn't do much either (that story to come in another post)

Carter's outfit to pick up Nana at the airpot, of course we had to go to Red Iguana after

Nana reading Carter a story

And of course Carter had to try the bassinet out...

My dr wanted me to come in again on Tuesday to have a non stress test and make sure things were ok and that we could wait until Thursday.  I had too much fluid and was starting to swell pretty bad so he was being cautious.  Of course when I go in they couldn't find the heartbeat on the monitors and so he had to come in and move the baby around and found it right away.  (I knew the baby was fine because he was kicking like crazy) I talked to the Dr then and he basically said if I couldn't handle it any longer just show up at the hospital and we could do the surgery..all he asked is that I don't go in the middle of the night so he could get some sleep.  He also gave me some sleeping pills.  I took a pill that night and slept really well, in fact I didn't even get up until 10:30...I don't remember the last time I slept that late.  When I woke up there was a message on the machine from Dr. Vered.  He said he wanted me to go in that day for surgery.  I called him back and the first thing he asked is if I had eaten....I told him no that the pills he gave me knocked me out.  He said good! Come to the hosptial! So..I made a few calls got some things together and we headed to the hospital.

Before we left.  I don't think Carter had any idea what was happening. 

When we got there to check in the anesthesiologist was at the desk waiting for me. He basically said...hurry up let's get going.  It was kind of funny.  Once I got checked in things slowed down.  I guess they ended up getting really busy and had to call another nurse in.  I still only waited about an hour.

One last belly shot..in the attractive hospital gown

let's go!

So, they take me back and start prepping.  I was really nervous because with Carter things went so fast I didn't even have a chance to be nervous about surgery.  This time around was totally different.  They did the spinal and then I just laid there listening to the dr and nurses.  It was kind of funny listening to them, just reminded me of being in the office talking to my co-workers.  When Nate finally came in the nurse told the dr that he was going to nursing school and he wanted to watch the surgery.  So he came up and said hi to me but then went on the other side of the curtain to watch.  I was pretty out of it, I remember being extremely nauseous and hot.  I did feel like I was in a classroom though, they were telling Nate step by step what they were doing.  Everyone in the delivery room was just as excited as we were to find out if he was a boy or a girl.  They don't get to be surprised very often.  As soon as they brought him out they held him up and the anesthesiologist said look Mom its a boy! 

I really don't even remember taking this picture. 

Nate took him into the nursery and told Kathy, my Mom and Kari.  They saw him being wheeled in with a blue hat on and then Nate held up a sign that said Axl Jake.  The name was a little bit of controversy.  Nate wanted Axl with Carter and I said no, then of course he wanted it with this one and I still said no.  We both thought of names the entire pregnancy and really couldn't agree or come up with anything.  And it's even harder when you don't know the sex of the baby.  About a week before he was  born I agreed to Axl Jake...and when I agreed I had a feeling he was a boy.  

Perfect head with black hair

Big Brother coming to visit

Such a good boy

I stayed in the hospital until Saturday.  Tried to rest and recover from surgery.  It's all kind of a blur.  Carter came every day at least once.  He took turns staying home with Nana, going to my Moms, and Kari's house.  He was more than ready for us to come home. 

Heading home

Once we got home things got a little crazy! I didn't expect much different but it was still hard.  Nate and Kathy were both sick (bronchitis) so neither of them could hold Axl.  Carter only wanted me and Axl needed me and I needed sleep.  It was rough for the first 3-4 days but we all adjusted and it worked out.  I guess it always does. 

Axl as jaundiced before we left the hospital so we had to have lights set up.  He was on them for 3 days and we had to have his blood drawn to check his bili ruben levels every day for a week at the hospital after coming home. We also had to go the the dr for a weight check.  

This added to the stress of being home.  He had to be on these lights 20-22 hours a day, so I couldn't hold him and comfort him as much as I wanted.  He wasn't comfortable lying on them so he didn't sleep that great, plus we slept in the living room and I was on the couch for three nights.