We are home from the hospital and enjoying life as a family of four! Here's a little recap of the day Graydon was born.Before heading off to the hospital, we decided to take one last photo of the belly. Here I am on the morning of December 31st. 41 weeks pregnant.
We arrived at the hospital around 5:20am. They immediately put us in a room and gave me a robe to change in to. Once I was settled in, I was given an IV and hooked up to a fetal monitor. I loved having that monitor. I could look over and see the baby's heartrate any time I wanted, which really helped me to relax - knowing that everything was fine in there. 
Shortly after 7am, Andy got changed into his scrubs.
Around 7:45am, I walked with the nurses to the OR and got prepped for surgery. For whatever reason, it took a little while to administer my spinal. I knew that it had taken effect when I felt that warm wave rush down my legs. They laid me down, pulled the curtain up, and then brought Andy in. I got a little emotional at this point as it really hit me how close we were to the birth of our next child. A few minutes later, the doctor said that he could see the baby's right ear. Soon the head was out and I heard those first beautiful cries. After a big push on my belly, our little one was officially born. Within moments, I heard the doctors and Andy all saying, "It's a boy!" I was filled with so much joy and just started crying. There are some moments in life that are just monumental. You want to remember every last detail about them. That is how I feel about hearing each of my kids' first cries and learning if they were a boy or girl. I wouldn't trade these moments and memories for anything.Here's Graydon! 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 inches long. It's a good thing he had that extra week in there as he's still a peanut. I guess we just cook them little!
The nurses took him and cleaned him up and then brought him over to me. I loved looking at this sweet face for the first time.
Andy went with Graydon to the nursery while I stayed back and got stitched up. The anesthesiologist administered some sort of sedative to me that brought me into a very relaxing dream-like state while the doctors worked on me. I remember being able to hear their conversation but also drifting off into la la land. This did give me some much needed rest. Soon enough, I was able to go to the recovery room. After being there for a few minutes, they brought Graydon to me! Being with my baby in recovery was such a new experience for me as Bella had to go straight to the NICU. I got to hold Graydon right away and tried to nurse him. He ended up being too sleepy during that time so we tried again later. They have me all bundled up here as my body temp dropped down to 94. Andy eventually had to take Graydon from me as my low body temp. was starting to bring his down. 
Once my body temp reached 97.1, I was able to go to the Mother/Baby room where we stayed for the rest of our time at the hospital. After being settled in for a bit, Andy went to pick up Auntie Kristen and Bella so they could meet Graydon. While they were gone, I was treated to a half hour massage. It was heavenly!
The first photo of our new family of four!!!
Me and my kidS! I have KIDS! Plural! I love saying 'my kids.' 
Bella got this new t-shirt from her baby brother. 
After my surgery, I was on a liquid diet for 24 hours. Bella thought my italian ice looked pretty good.
She saved the JELL-O for me. 
It's been fun to watch Bella's interactions with her little brother. At first, she was a little timid around him - not too sure if she wanted to hold him or give him a kiss. But after a short while, she forgot all of that. Now, she likes to hold him as often as she can and even gets a little territorial - not wanting to share him with others. I'm looking forward to watching their relationship grow over time. 
My Loves!
A few more of Graydon at the hospital:
I woke up on Friday morning feeling pretty emotional. The previous night had been a rough one for me. I was in a lot of pain and feeling a bit overwhelmed. I think that some of the postpartum hormones were starting to kick in as well - making every emotion a bit amplified. Andy got a call that Bella was not doing well at home, so he had to leave. I cried a little when he left and just really wished that my mom could be out here. Later that afternoon when Andy returned to the hospital, he asked if I was up for a couple of visitors. Right behind him was my sister Lori and my mom. Words can't express how happy I was to see them. I started crying again. This was the best gift. They already had to leave today; but they were here for exactly the time that I needed them most. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos from their visit on my camera. I'll have to get them from Lori. On Friday evening, Graydon and I got to go home! I was so ready to leave the hospital. Here's Graydon getting dressed for the first time. He wore the Jelly Belly socks that Andy bought last month (in honor of his nickname).
Strapped in and ready to go!
Our first few days at home have been going well. Graydon is a pretty good baby. In his short life so far, we have learned a few things about this little boy:1. He hates getting his diaper changed. You will hear the most traumatic, shrill cry ever during each change.
2. He's a great pooper. On Day 2, they hoped to see 2 wet diapers and 2 poopy ones. I'd say that he easily had at least 7 poopy diapers on Day 2.
3. He loves to eat. I think he'd be content to eat 24/7.
A few times today, I had a moment of panic when I realized that I haven't felt the baby move in a while. The panic would last just a split second as I remembered that I'm not pregnant anymore. Guess I got so used to being pregnant that it feels weird not to be. I'm just so grateful that Graydon is here and is healthy!
Bella and Mommy - just settled down for a long winter's nap. I can't seem to make it through the day without napping. My energy levels are at an all time low. Poor Bella has been fighting a cold and is currently healing from an ear infection. We had a few rough nights this week that culminated with her crying in the middle of the night that her ear hurt. She described it as "a bug bit me in my ear." I took her to the doctor the next morning and, sure enough, the ear in pain was infected (the other ear is perfectly fine). Nothing that a little Amoxicillin and ear drops can't help. 
I am now sporting "puffy pregnant lady face". I don't notice it as much when I looke in the mirror - but it's hard to mistake when I see the photos. . . 
After church and just before bedtime, we let Bella open up one gift.
Dora pajamas!!!
All ready for bed!
Here's our tree all lit up with the presents underneath! 
The big gift this year was this Radio Flyer wagon. It was actually a combined gift for Bella and Jellybean. Besides the wagon, we got Bella some books and puzzles and filled her stocking with socks, underwear, bubble bath, etc. Jellybean also got a book, wipes, and some bath soap. Beyond that, all of the other gifts were from family and church members.
Another little thing we stuck in her stocking was this window chalk. We had to take a break from gift opening for a while so that she could play with this and some of her other toys.
Here she is standing in front of the new wagon!
She couldn't wait to take it for a spin. And, do you like her crazy hair! We wasted no time with making ourselves presentable that morning!
We took another break from gift opening to eat breakfast. In fact, one might say that we're in another break as we speak since there are still some unopened gifts under our tree. Bella just gets really excited about everything she opens. She likes to spend time playing with it before moving on to something else. I'm fine with that - it kind of stretches out the holiday a bit. Anyway, here is Andy serving up his big breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage, english muffins, hash browns, and orange juice. Very yummy! 
After breakfast, we decided to bundle up a bit and take that wagon for a spin!
At that point, Bella was more interested in running around playing with Auntie Kristen. And yes, she is dressed up as a princess again. She loves those princess dresses!
Onto other things:
In goes the stuffing. 
Before closing her up, we had to put this little star inside. 
We named her 'Ginger'. There's a birth certificate and everything. 
And here is Bella with the finished product.
We also made some Christmas cookies earlier in the week. Once Bella got hold of that rolling pin, it was hard to get it away from her. 
Bella and Auntie Kristen decorating the baked cookies. Kristen arrived in town on Tuesday and has been such a big help. It's so nice having her here!
Deep concentration as Bella decides where the frosting should go. 
Our finished cookies! Can you tell which ones Bella decorated?
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! (and that we have some baby news to share soon!)
A few steps into the room
I'm thinking that we'll probably move the little swing downstairs eventually, but for now it'll stay here.
The final touch to this room will be the baby's name above the crib. We obviously can't do that part yet since we don't know if Jellybean is a boy or girl.
Here are a few of the finishing touches that I made:
Ultrasound Photo with Psalm 139: 13-18
Hanging Frame (will fill with more photos when baby arrives)
Growth Chart (hung on closet door)
Today at church was the children's Christmas program. It was so cute! Bella did a little recitation, sung with her beginner's class, and then was a sheep for the Christmas story. I was able to get a few pictures, but really wish I would have brought my video camera to tape her singing. She did a great job! 
I managed to have a pretty productive scrapbooking week. Here are some of the layouts I did:
FLOWER GIRL
Our dental appointments went really well! Bella was awesome and so brave! I went back with her for her exam and cleaning. She didn't cry or get freaked out and was really excited to get a new toothbrush, floss, stickers, and bouncy ball! Guess I was worried about nothing!
