Introducing Reid Robert Stamps- Saturday, September 3, 2011

Reid came out crying and had an 8/9 on the Apgar scale. He was cleaned up across the room from me and I was so excited to be able to see him and hold him so quickly (totally different experience than being in the OR with Cole and Gwen). Reid's sugar levels were fine and he latched on fairly quickly to nurse. He went to the nursery and was brought to me every 2 hours to nurse.

Hospital Time

Daddy dropped me off at the front of the hospital to sit on the same bench i sat on when my water had broken with Gwen and Cole. The parking attendent kept asking if we wanted the van valet parked but Daddy refused. The man shook his head and i nicely said: "Don't worry, i'm not going to have the baby on this bench!". He left me alone after that!

When we made it upstairs to Labor and Delivery (around 11:30 am) I was told that I passed "the towel test" (yes, i had a towel in between my legs and my water was gushing. That landed us directly in a Labor room. Dr. Thomas was there and informed me that i was only 1 cm dialated. She started a low dose of Petocin and we waited...and waited... My contractions were getting close to together and more intense but unfortunately i was only 1 cm. again when I was checked. I was very uncomfortable and finally agreed to try a little Stadal to take the edge off. It definitely made me feel a little loopy but I was able to relax and breathe through the contractions. After it wore off, I was about 4 cm and we started talking to the anesthesiologist about an epidural. I was in a lot of pain until I got it and once it was in, only one side took so i could still feel intense contractions on one side. The anestesiologist was able to adjust it to get the other side to work, thankfully. After that i just hung out for a few hours and tried to get some sleep. I was checked about 2 hours later and was 9 cm. The Labor and Delivery floor was extremely busy so Dr. Thomas said if i was comfortable that I should rest and she would go do a C-section. That was fine with me so i just hung out.

Around midnight it was time to start the pushing process (yep, successful VBAC here i come!!!), which was very difficult because i could not feel anything. The nurse, Dr. Thomas and a med student told me when to push. I was having a difficult time figuring it out and also felt like i couldn't take deep breaths because of my acid reflux, allergies and asthma. I could take one good breath at the beginning of the contraction but the second and third breaths were not great. Also, i was feeling pretty sick to my stomach. I pushed for awhile and then Reid's heartrate went down so the doctors wanted me to lye on my side and to push through every other contraction. After a few times of trying that Dr. Thomas said that she was going to help with the delivery by using the vacuum. A few more contractions (and a lot of puking) and Reid Robert Stamps was born at 1:14 am. He weighed in at 6 lbs, 10 oz and was 19 inches long. I had to remind Daddy to put down the puke bucket and go take pics :)

We're a little behind here...

Mommy hasn't been very good about updating the blog recently. So here is the low down--

Wed. August 31, 2001, I was 40 weeks pregnant. We never in a million years thought you would stay in there that long! Don't get me wrong, i didn't want you to come early and have to endure all of the preemie stuff, but just thinking that Daddy and I considered the progesterone shots from week 14-delivery to keep you in there is really funny. I honestly was not very uncomfortable (up close to 30 lbs at 40 weeks) and continued the regular routine with Gwen and Cole in the last few weeks. I went to my 40 week OB appointment on 9/1 and was told that I was not dialated at all and was still 50% effaced. The doctor agreed to push back my scheduled C Section in hopes that you would come on your own.

On Friday, September 2, 2011, the kids and I were at Ricky Park for the morning enjoying the nice weather. We were heading to the bathroom before going home and i started feeling a little crampy. When Gwen was on the potty, my water broke. I quickly got everyone in the car, called Daddy and headed home to meet Daddy and to take the kids to Kristin's house. Gwen was singing happily in the back seat: "Mommy's water broke. Baby Reid coming today!". Cole was upset because he did not want to go to Kristin's house. He kept crying and saying: "Doleden (Coleman) and Gwennie go home!". He did calm down quickly when Kristin had him in her arms and he had his favorite comforter. WE took our time getting everything together and i ate some leftovers (meatloaf) along with some crackers. We waved goodbye to our neighbors (they were out packing for a weekend camping trip) and we were on the way!

Dearest Little Reid,

Let's see?!? I'm now 38 weeks, 2 days along and you are still very happy hanging out in your little oven. You have been positioned head down for many weeks now and your back/butt are always on my left side (you totally prefer that side!). You are constantly moving your little legs around my belly button on my right side. My belly does waves throughout the day and i have no idea when you actually sleep. You usually get the hiccups once a day in the evening.

Last week at my 37 week u/s you weighed in at 5 lbs, 8 oz, which put you in the 13th percentile. The doctors are not worried and mommy is perfectly happy having a small man :) I was checked yesterday and you are not trying to come out any time soon- I was 50% effaced (thinning out) and not dialated at all. I have been feeling warn down the past few days and sick in the evenings.

Gwen and Cole are getting very excited to meet you. Gwen talks about you often and requests to hold and carry you. Your big brother and big sister picked out some special presents for you and proudly wrapped them a few weeks ago. Your room is mostly complete besides a few random decorations. So, little Reidster, we are waiting for you. Waiting for you to make an appearance (Cole and Gwen want to sing Happy birthday!) and can't wait to share our love and make many memories with you.

Love, Mommy

Catching up...

So apparently I have a lot of catching up to do, Little man (or Reid as we've been calling you!). Following are some of the events that have taken place over the past few months:

Gwen is EXTREMELY excited to meet you. She announces daily: "We're having a baby, mama!". She has been practicing changing her doll's diapers and asks questions about carrying you and holding you often. She has also taken to reading books about becoming a big sister.

Cole also enjoys kissing my belly and saying "hi baby" to you. One of his favorite songs is Pat A Cake. He usually sings "C for Cole", "G for Gwen", "D for Daddy", "M for Mommy". The other day he asked for a letter for "Baby Reid" and has been saying "R for baby Reid" ever since!

On 6/9/11, I went for the dreaded 1 hour glucose tolerance test. I felt fine the entire time but completely failed it. Luckily i failed it enough that i didn't have to take the 3 hour test that i took when i was pregnant with your brother and sister. I went to visit with the nutritionist and have been on a strict diet ever since. I haven't been gaining weight but the doctors are happy that you're gaining and aren't a huge baby.

For Fathers Day we made Daddy a picture frame with Gwen holding the letter "D", you holding an "A" and Cole holding a "D". He took it to work and gets to see your adorable u/s pic every day!

On 6/25/11, we visited with the Pajerowskis and the Khans. Eileen is pregnant with twin boys and Deb is pregnant with a little man as well. We took some funny belly pics (see pics) and talked about how the four of you men will be the best of friends!

On 7/12/11, we took a few pics (see above) of you and mommy in your new nursery. This was a special day because it was the day i officially was the most pregnnat that i had ever been since i had your brother and sister at 32 weeks, 6 days. We have been working hard to get it ready for your arrival. I couldn't find any bedding/curtains that I liked so i had some custom made on Etsy. We bought your crib and dresser from Ikea and are now working on some wall decor.

On 7/14/11 we went for an u/s at the OB's office. I was 33 weeks and you weighed in at 3 lbs, 13 oz. The doctor was very pleased with your growth and we got to see that you were head down. You even had one of your legs straight out to mommy's side. You definitely are an active little man. You like to stay right in the center of my belly and I see you rippling around all.day.long!

On 7/15/11, I noticed that you had the hiccups for the first time. Since then you have had them a few times.

On 7/20/11, we had a maternity pic session with Christine Stewart. Our usual photographer had to cancel, so Christine stepped in to do the shoot. 

Kick, Kick, Kick!

You are an active little man. You've been moving around a lot more recently. In the past few days, you have been kicking Cole and Gwen when they sit on my lap. Daddy and i were laughing yesterday because your brother and sister haven't quite figured out that mommy's lap is getting smaller. Whenever they sit there, they keep grabbing on and pushing their little bottoms back further only to realize that you are taking up the space where they used to sit!

22.5 Week Belly Pictures!