Why Hello There!

Here it is, a little over two weeks since I pushed my baby boy into this world. It was an intense 15 hours of labor but after increased and then decreased doses of oxytocin, external and internal monitors, the use of a peanut ball between my legs (that I had never seen nor heard of in my life, was used to open up my pelvis and allow baby to descend easily, so the nurse said), multiple heart rate drops, oxygen masks, much frustration, and anxiety a pulled muscle and a few burst blood vessels, finally at 10:32pm my Baby JV was coerced from my womb into the world. His labor and delivery was by far, for me, the most intense of my four babies. But of course after all that, when they laid my baby in my arms and I looked into his bright and alert little eyes and he looked directly into mine, all of that stress from that long process didn't matter as much because he was finally here and he was all mine.

Gone were the frustrating thoughts of how we thought he would be here at least two weeks early, I mean I was already dilated almost 4cm around 38 weeks and was contracting not regularly but enough to cause dilation. Gone was the small feeling of defeat when week 40 came and left and I was still very much pregnant. Gone was the nonchalant attitude when I expected to be induced on my due date only to be told to wait another four days. Bringing my healthy 7lb 4.6 oz baby boy into this world was such an eye opener for me and I believe my husband as well that to this day we are amazingly still in awe that we now have four beautifully handsome little boys. I mean yes we knew nine months ago that this would be the outcome, I knew we had conceived before the pregnancy test could even detect it, that's about 10 months actually but to experience the reality of it is still surreal. 

Having this little guy in our 30's is a breath of fresh air, we are a lot more mature, and relaxed about having this little one. Now I didn't say it was easier because it has it own set of difficulties, trials and errors and so on but our mindset about some things is a lot different then 5 years ago when we had our other baby boy and definitely on another level from 7 and 10 years ago when we had the others. I'm not sure if it's because I'm really done having children or what but I feel a sense of accomplishment and completeness and I'm liking it, it feels good. Now like I said things aren't easy breezy lemon squeezey believe me we still have our struggles. The usual, operating throughout the day on very minimal sleep, issues and concerns with breastfeeding, making time to spend with 5 individuals 6 if I include myself and realizing that at 30 something my body is not going to bounce back quickly as before. Like I said, I have my fair share of struggles but I'm learning and adapting as we go along, seeing what works and what doesn't work and having as much fun as I can even through the tears.

If there is one word of advice I can offer to any new mom and by new mom I mean a woman who has just had a baby, be it her first child or her 6th child, it would be to take a shower! That's right, have someone watch your wee lil one for an hour or so or wait until baby is down for one of his many long naps and hop yourself into the shower. Make it a long steamy shower that lasts at least 45 minutes and use the last 15 minutes to take your time putting on some good smelling lotion, some body spray or perfume and don't forget the deodorant, don't laugh because I love forgotten myself. Lotion your body from head to toe, spritz in some body spray put on some comfy lounge wear and feel beautiful and relaxed even if it is just for 20 minutes or so before you are jolted back to your reality. At least when you get back you will feel a lot less stressed, a lot more comfortable and you will smell so fresh and so clean! Take some time to yourself Momma because we deserve it I mean we did just push out a mini human. Gah Lee!

Until next time, whenever that will be right? I know I have to get better at that....

Crowns Galore