Getting To Know Our Little Man:)

We spent the next 60 hours after Anderson's birth in the Hospital. We struggled with breastfeeding and poor little man was projectile vomitting up my Blood mixed with Amniotic Fluid all that night and next day:( He had to go to the NICU where they suctioned out his stomach. SAD! He recovered nicely and was on the mend:) Although Nursing him was still unsuccessful. He was having a hard time latching and so I decided to try and pump for him...NO BUENO!!! The pump was no good and I couldn't get a good latch with it either. I had so many Lactation Consultants TRY and help me out. We got him to latch and eat MAYBE 3 times successfully while in the Hospital. It was very frustrating and I was getting a little discouraged. The nurses determined that Ander-Man has a tongue thrust and tight mouth muscles and we were going to have to TRY to Breastfeed, then Pump, then Supplement with Formula. I just couldn't produce enough for him and he was losing weight. (Long story short, I tried and tried to nurse, but was not having any luck. After 9 days, I had to call it quits, it wasnt worth the stress and sadness. I am at peace with my decision to quit, Anderson and I are so much happier)

These next pictures are of Patrick (SUPERDAD) I was pretty much down and out from the delivery and was VERY SORE!!! (nobody ever tells you about what you feel like after birth. I literally felt like I got hit by a semi-truck. I used muscles I didn't even know existed...ha. Plus, Little/Big Man dislocated and fractured my Tailbone on his way out...YOUCH!!! Anyway, Back to Patrick. HE WAS AMAZING!!! He did Everything for Anderson those first couple of days (Except feed him) I could not have done it without him. He was loving and supportive and was there for the baby and I. I LOVE PATRICK MORE NOW THAN I DID BEFORE!!! During labor he was a rockstar and kept me going and helped me continue pushing when I was so tired and ready to quit. He would whisper in my ear and tell me how amazing and beautiful and proud of me he was. he kept me sane and calm and confident and because of him, I was able to labor without fear. toward the end of my three hours of pushing, i was getting a little discouraged. Patrick offered the most amazing and powerful prayer I had ever heard. I dont remember the details now, but it was what drove me to the end and I was so grateful for his strength and confidence in me. Our bond is one that can never be broken. I love that Patrick is so hand's on and he LOVES being a daddy and is so proud of his new son! He tells me all the time, "look what you did, you are amazing. You delivered this precious gift and you did it the way we wanted. Thank you." I love how much he loves me and I feel so blessed to have him as my eternal companion and sharing my journey:)

I could look at his little face FOREVER!!! Anderson and I spent many hours (mostly in the middle of the night) Staring at eachother. I loved our early morning (before Daddy woke up) cuddling sessions. I probably slept a total of 6 hours in 60 hours. I was on a "Mommy High" and just couldn't sleep. I just couldn't believe that this creature came out of me and that we were now in charge of him and that He Was Ours! I was loving every minute of it!

He was a little Jaundice so we let him lay in the sun for a couple of hours a day.

My Sister-in-Law Mari came to the Hospital and took Pictures of him and us...I love these pictures and am so grateful for her photography skills to capture these "Hospital Moments" THANK YOU MARI!!!

Before we knew it, it was time to go home. We got him dressed for the first time and after a re-assuring kiss from daddy, we were on our way!

PROUD DADDY!

When we got him home, we introduced him to Tader and Cedric...they were VERY CURIOUS and took turns smelling him and looking at him. They were so good and their first encounter was very positive:)

Everyone was so excited to get their hands on our little bundle of joy.