Heading home to Fox's Den

We are so blessed to have such supportive families that fly from far away to visit with Fox in his first hours of life!  Rachel, Cindy and Lauren all flew in from Colorado, Florida, and North Carolina, respectively.  Rachel and Cindy got some snuggle time in with Fox before we left the hospital.

Let's not forget our Doula, Emily.  She really should think about doing this for a living along with her Pediatric NP.  She is a natural labor coach!  She definitely earned her snuggles with Fox.

Now for the moment we have all been waiting for... the resemblance test.  How much does Fox resemble his daddy?  You be the judge!  

(however, there is not much to judge- Fox is a clone of his daddy! I just love them both to pieces)

Fox made a great transition home!  It helped having Mallie, Cici, lots of aunts; Lauren, Emily and Rachel around to ease into being home!  Daniel and I actually got naps the first few days home.  Rachel came over and put together the pack n play, multiple strollers and my baby brain cant even remember everything else!  She is quite the handyman.  We could not have done it without all of the support from our family! THANK YOU!

Coming home means that the first bath time is right around the corner... I was happy to have plenty of hands on deck for the first bath.  Fox was not pleased with the sponge bath due to the inconsistency of warm water on him.  He loves being warm and snuggled... who could blame him.  One of the best qualities I've discovered about Fox is that he recovers and pacifies himself so easily.  I love what a trooper he is :)

I finally got my SUSHI fill from our favorite sushi restaurant!  We had all of the family over to eat sushi together.  Here is a picture of my sisters and I with our babies.  I feel like I have officially joined the family "mommy club."  I have learned so much parenting from Emily and Rachel over the years.  They are the ultimate SUPER MOMS and I am grateful that I get to call on them for anything and everything parenting.  Even at 5 in the morning or late at night, they answer their phones for my questions and concerns!

With a newborn there is so much time for snuggles!  I just keep thinking to myself that he sleeps so much, and I just love holding him all day and night.  I'll admit, it can be difficult putting him down or passing him off to someone else.  His soft baby skin, his fresh baby smell... It melts my heart!  I want to hold onto him forever!  With that being said, I do share my little man...  :)

The above picture is a great one of Fox with his Godmother!  Daniel and I asked Emily to be Fox's Godmother.  We know she will always set a positive example for Fox and be involved in his life!  We could not be happier that she has shared his journey already from prenatal to delivery and beyond! 

Mark flew in town shortly after Cici and Aunt Lauren left town.  It was obvious 'Papi' was smitten from first sight!

Papi got to witness a few firsts while he was in town.  We introduced Fox to Tummy Time!  He loved it!  We were all impressed with his neck control for only being 2 weeks old!  I know all parents brag about their baby being so "advanced" and ahead of other babies his age... but seriously Fox IS in the neck control department!  Even his Godmother said so :)

Papi also got to witness Fox's first baba!  It is a special moment watching Daniel feed Fox his first bottle.  As I predicted, Fox guzzled his first bottle right up!  I love the way Fox stares at his daddy while taking his bottle.  adorable.

It sure was an eventful first two weeks home for Mr. Fox.  The next picture is one I hope Fox will cherish later when he grows up and sees how adorable his first girlfriend was when they were both precious babies.  Sophie and Fox have become quite the adorable couple.  Sophie's mom, Stephanie, and I are buddies and now our babies are best buddies.  They often text each other checking in and seeing how the other one is doing.  Such sweeties!  Fox will show Sophie how a lady should be treated by being just as chivalrous as his daddy!

Labor and Delivery Part 2

My Dr. came in a little before midnight to check on my progress and assured me she is staying in the hospital and ready to deliver this baby when I was ready.  It was shortly after that that the nurse insisted we begin a few practice pushes to prepare for the real thing!

It was around 12:15/12:30 in the morning and time for everyone to move out of the delivery room and time to get this Fox out! Emily and Daniel stayed with me and we began pushing.  To get more "in the zone" Daniel turned on some music (Lumineers to be exact) and so continued the pushing.  I was given quite the compliment by my delivery nurse, "You have a gift for pushing!"  Not sure what that means, but in the moment of delivery-that was a major compliment and more motivation to keep going to get my little man out safe and sound. 

Just before 1:00 a.m. in walks the Dr.  It was 'GO' time!!!  I could hear Emily telling me his hair is brown and he will be out in another push.  I couldn't believe that I was moments away with meeting the little man who would immediately steal my heart.

7 pounds 11 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long and born at 1:05 am.  He is perfect!  Daniel cut the cord and bring on the first snuggles!

overjoyed.  be still my heart.  i am in complete love. 

Fox got cleaned up, measured, weighed, etc and then back for more snuggles with mommy!

more snuggles and first feeding

Daddy is a natural

Time to spread the love,  Fox.  Let the party begin.  We are looking so forward to spending the rest of our lives cherishing you, teaching you about life, music, movies, the world and sharing numerous memories with you.  You are the best thing that ever happened to our family.  We love you to the moon and back.

Labor and Delivery Part 1

April 9th!  I finally get to see my little man again in a sonogram!  I was 38 weeks and ready to check in on Fox's progress.  Daniel and Mallie were able to make it to the sonogram with me.  The sonographer told us that my fluid was low, but everything else looked GREAT!  I didn't think anything of it!  While walking across the hall to the exam room Daniel mentions to me that he has time to stay and meet with the Dr.  The sonographer leans in and says, "dad, I think you might want to go ahead and call out of work.  Unofficially, I think you will be having a baby tonight."

Talk about WHOA!  Daniel and I were immediately taken back.  Don't get me wrong, this is ALL we have been wanting for 9 months now, but something about the surprise of the news made us go from feeling so ready to, "holy moly what are we doing?!?"  I felt so unprepared... even though Daniel and I were plenty prepared.  The Dr. confirmed that we were delivering tonight and we needed to go home, grab our bags and head over to the hospital.

Time to get the phone-tree going!  Daniel, Mallie and I all called our "people" to let them know we were heading to the hospital to meet our Fox Man!  I called my Doula, Emily, and she was going to meet us at the hospital! I, then, called my other sister Rachel in CO.  I was still a bit shaken up, anxious, excited, nervous, everything!  Rachel was so calming and encouraging!  I am incredibly lucky to have such comforting and understanding sisters!  Now time to call my twin and see if he is having any sympathy pains.  While he had no pains, he was quite excited to hear about the arrival of his new nephew!

I know we were asked to head to the hospital after just picking up our bags... buuuut for my sanity, I needed to run through the shower, shave my legs and primp my makeup and hair :)  If I am going to be having all kinds of people all up in my crevices I want to look my best.  Around 2:00 we parked at the hospital and were ready to get this labor thing started.  I was hooked up to my IV and the nurse started me on a low dose of pitocin.  The following picture is of me handling the low doses of pitocin.

Ok, so I was told I was still too happy... so they bumped up the pitocin...

Alright... I'm still handling this a little too well... sooooo....

Ok I am DEFINITELY feeling the contractions now... However, I am still needing to dialate more.  And so...

yuuuuuuup.  I'm feeling them reeeeeeeeaaaaaalllllll well now and I'm progressing with dialation.  At this point, I was worried I would not be able to sit still during a contraction while receiving my epidural.  (Yes, I am not superwoman and was happy to accept the epidural)  I had Emily, Daniel, Dalie and Mallie all in the room with me hanging out while I labor.  Daniel, Dal and Mal left the room while I got my epidural and my gracious Doula held my hands while I got my sweet sweet drugs. Thanks Emmy!  After the wonder drugs, it was smooth sailing :)

Things were moving along nicely and then we had one gigantic surprise:  Look what flew into Dallas...

I was a hot mess! I could not believe Rachel up and left Colorado Springs with three kids and flew to Dallas to be here for the delivery!!  I couldn't speak I was so emotional and typically I am not one who is at a loss for words.  This meant so much to me!   Thank you again Cameron for getting Rachel to Dallas in time!! As the night went on, I kept laboring and everyone else stayed busy in their own fun ways...

This leads us to ... Labor and Delivery Part 2

Last Shower

I cannot believe how well a classroom of fourth graders can keep a secret!  Little did I know my classroom and teammates had been planning a surprise baby shower for me for the past 2 weeks.  My class and I come in after recess to an adorably decorated room!  Foxes were everywhere!  I was completely surprised!  A handful of my moms got together and decorated the room.  They brought cupcakes, bottled water, a diaper cake, napkins, and gifts!  Fox and I were so overwhelmed! Here are some pictures of the shower.

If only I had pictures of the kids wrapping toilet paper squares around themselves estimating "how big" my belly was :)  Quite cute!  Thank you to my fantastic class and parents for making Fox and I feel so special and loved!!