Reese's Ride-a-Thon

Every year Reese's school does a fund raiser they call Ride-a-Thon. The kids raise money for the school and then ride their tricycles and bicycles around the parking lot to the beat of fun music! The concept is like Jump Rope for Heart.

This year it was on October 22nd - the week I arrived home from the hospital. Since I could not attend, Matt and Pat went to watch Reese ride.

She had a great time! They said she would stop when the music stopped like musical chairs. LOL!

The birth of our baby boy ~ Lane Matthew ~ October 17, 2010

Today, October 24th, marks Lane's one week birthday. He is an absolute love and we all adore him. Reese loves him as much as we do, and she is the best big sister. Our first week with Lane has been wonderful. He is just precious and such a good baby. I know it is all easier because we have "done this before", but he has also made the transition easy for us all. More on his first week at home in the next post...for now I would like to share his birth story.

I knew Lane was on his way and my hope was to make it through the weekend. I was dilated to 2cm and felt a lot of pressure and sporadic contractions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I had a busy day on Friday and really wanted to get through that day as something told me he would come very soon. I had two house appointments, one at 8:00 a.m. with the electrician at our house and one at 2:00 p.m. with the plumbing fixture company to finalize selections. Between those I had a crucial hair appointment! On Saturday, October 16th - the beginning of my 37th week, I tried to take it easy, but still had some last minute stuff to do. I was very uncomfortable that day and had to walk with caution. We visited the pumpkin patch, Scott and Lauren and my Mom. When we got home, Reese and I began to make muffins (crazy I know, but I wanted them for snacks after Lane arrived and they have since been perfect for just that) and Matt ran out to get dinner.

I began having consistent contractions at 6:00 p.m. and finally laid down on the couch at 6:45 or so to see if they would calm down. When they didn't, I called Matt and told him to get home ASAP. Then I called my Mom and had her come over just in case my call to the doctor confirmed we needed to head to the hospital. I called the doctor around 7:15 p.m. describing my condition, and they said to come on in. So I brushed my teeth, refrained from eating the muffins or pizza Matt brought home because I knew I wouldn't want food in my stomach if a c-section was near and packed the final items in my bag. Mom and Grandma Ruth arrived shortly after. Mom went with us while Grandma watched Reese. I gave Reese a big hug and told her I hoped she would be able to meet Lane the next day.

At the hospital, they hooked me up and began the monitoring process. The on call doctor wanted to ensure I was in labor before proceeding with the c-section delivery because I was just 37 weeks and white male babies "wimpy white boys" so they call them are the most at risk for being immature at this point in the pregnancy.

Two hours later around 11:30 p.m. I was having more frequent and intense contractions and was dilated to 3cm, so they decided to proceed with the c-section.


I received my IV in the labor and delivery room and then walked into the operating room - it was the last time I'd be able to walk for a while so why not - sat on the operating table and there they administered the epidural. Even before the epidural, the shakes began. The nurse said it was a surge of hormones and completely normal. I watched as all the nurses and assistants prepared for the surgery. I asked one doctor what his job was (in the procedure) and he said that he would be pushing my stomach (oh yes, I remember that feeling) to help get Lane out. The anesthetist (Bert) and I became good friends. My epidural was not kicking in as I could still feel when he would poke me with a pointed edge. I was super paranoid they would cut me open before I was numb, so I proceeded to tell Bert how to do his job (i.e. give me more drugs). He did which then made me feel sick to my stomach which called for even more drugs. He assured me he would not let them cut me open before I was completely numb but the fact that I could still feel had me nervous. He went on about how he had been doing this for 10 years and knew what he was doing blah blah blah. :) We bantered back and forth until I finally felt it all go numb. At that point I asked if they were going to let my husband in and at some point Matt showed up by my side. I then asked if they had started yet and they all laughed saying if I didn't know what was going on they were not about to tell me (i.e. Yes, we started five minutes ago!). Behind the curtain which was higher than last time which I appreciated, Matt and I held hands quiet and anxious. Then they said, "Here he is!". Bert asked Matt for the camera and began to take pictures. "Uh oh" I heard him say above me "Your memory card is full". I looked at Matt saying, "We charged the camera but didn't clear the memory! It was all those pictures of the house." Luckily, Bert was able to delete enough to take pictures of Lane coming out of my stomach (so cool, but not posting those pictures!). I heard Lane cry and they said "12:22 p.m."

They whisked Lane off to level 2 NICU as he needed oxygen assuring us he would be just fine. Matt left shortly afterwards. He and Mom went with Lane and were able to go into the nursery with him. The rest of the my procedure took 30-45 minutes before I was taken to recovery. I recall the doctors saying they had another c-section after mine and I said, "Maybe she won't be a bossy as me!"

Matt and Mom with Lane in the nursery...

As his blood sugar was low, the nurse gave him formula in the nursery. I told them before going into surgery that I would be breast feeding, but please feed him formula while in the nursery. Mom said he drank like a champ.

We also supplemented with formula until my milk came in which made his pediatrician happy especially because he dropped to 6 lbs 5 oz by Monday. I must give Matt the credit for supplementing with formula when Lane was in our room because I was still a little groggy on Sunday afternoon.

On my way and much by coincidence, I was able to see Lane for a brief moment. He was in an incubator on his way to the nursery. I was only able to touch him through a small hole. Mind you, I had not held him or even seen his face at this point. I was half out of it, but I remember putting my hand in the hole and touching him. My recovery was a blur. Afterwards before going to my room, they wheeled me into the nursery where Lane was and this is when I got to touch him on his back.

Lane's pediatrician came to see him Sunday morning around 8:30 a.m. She then came to visit and told us he was doing well breathing on his own could go back to the regular nursery. We finally got to see Lane at 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning. This was the first time I got to hold him.

My beautiful boy! I still marvel at the fact that Matt and I created this beautiful child. What a miracle.

I was surprised to see that he is a Blondie! Covered from head to toe in golden hair. He is precious with navy blue eyes like Reese had when she was born. We will have to wait and see what color they turn as he gets older.

Bonding with Mommy.

Bonding with Daddy.

Reese came to meet her baby brother Sunday afternoon. She immediately climbed into bed to hug Mommy. See the blue dog she brought for baby Lane. She and GiGi bought it from the gift shop on their way up. What a great big sis!

Lane had some neat gifts for Reese too.

Look how excited she is to open them. She got a Dora Memory Game.

And some super cool stickers!

Then she was presented with a Sibling cake! That was way cool. The timing of ordering the cake which the hospital provides for free worked out perfectly with Reese's arrival.

Reese getting a good look at baby Lane.

Mommy and her greatest loves (minus Daddy who is her first love). I am so blessed to have my sweet Reese and Lane. I love how happy Reese looks here. She has adjusted so well during this big transition. I am very proud of her!

Daddy and his boy. Lane reminds us of Reese in many ways in his gestures, but he also has his own distinct traits, facial expressions and personality.

What a sweet face.

I was up and around Sunday afternoon and walked the hospital on Monday. Everything just seemed easier this time. I didn't swell near as much as last time and my pain didn't seem as bad. I decided Matt should go home and be with Reese at night instead of staying with me. That allowed him to put her down, get a good night's rest and then take her to school before coming back to hang out with Lane and me. We had Lane stay in the nursery, so I could get some rest each night.

My office sent this lovely plant.

Pat and Sharon sent these cute arrangements too.

You can really see the blond hair here - his head is strawberry blond.

The hospital counted Saturday night (Sunday morning) as my first night in the hospital and a c-section qualifies for a 3 night stay. Therefore we were scheduled to head home Tuesday. The night before I got everything packed and ready. This trip home was much more relaxed than with Reese.

Lane's going home outfit was simple and comfy much like Reese's. I must have grabbed the 3 month pants because they were huge!

Our traditional family photo ~ I look much better this time around ~ actually managed to put on make up and brush my hair.

First car ride! We had Lane all set and then could not find the car keys. I stayed very calm as Matt and I both searched high and low for them. I knew he must have placed them somewhere that he normally would not have. After retracing his steps we found them on top of the car above the passenger side door. Whew!

I think Matt drove 20 mph the entire way home. Glad we only live a few miles away from the hospital. It was sweet how cautious he wanted to be.

I had pumped right before we left the hospital and fed Lane when we got home. I apparently was not doing it right because he took over and held the tiny bottle in this hand.

GiGi picked up Reese from school and I met her at the door with big hugs and kisses. Reese was so excited to greet her baby brother!

We got her ABC stool and she peeked into his crib.

She is smitten with Lane!

We are so blessed to have these sweet children in our lives. Thank you Lord for blessing Lane and me with a healthy pregnancy, labor/delivery and recovery.

We love you both so very much and could not be happier!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

A few weeks ago, Reese and I bought pumpkins and decorated the front porch!



Then last Saturday, October 16th, we finally made it to the Pumpkin Patch. It was something I really wanted to do before Lane's arrival and we made it just in time as I went into labor later that evening at 6:00 p.m.

As you can see, Reese had a blast!

I think she looks like me in this picture - it reminds me of one taken when I was a kid.

There were many different kinds of pumpkins to explore.

Reese learned a great song at school about pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns.

It goes...

Mr. Pumpkin, Mr. Pumpkin

Eyes so round, Eyes so round

Halloween is coming, Halloween is coming

To my town, To my town!

We bought this one and added it to our porch collection.

Afterwards, we went by Scott and Lauren's house and Reese played with Zoe the cat.

After I took one picture, Zoe ran off. Reese went to find her.

I had felt uncomfortable all day, having sporadic contractions and feeling a lot of pressure because Lane was very low. We went by Mom's house to pick something up that might help relieve some of my discomfort then headed home. I wanted to do one more thing before Lane arrived, and I had promised Reese we would, so Reese and I made muffins. I knew they would freeze great and be a perfect snack. The contractions started to become consistent around 6:00 p.m. We were on our way to the hospital at 8:00 p.m.

More on Lane's birth in the next post!