What a few weeks it has been

Where has the last month gone?! Being away from home for so long really stunk, but I have learned a lot of things in the process.

August 30th FINALLY arrived after nearly 3 weeks in the hospital. I was so nervous for the c-section (which was really not bad, by the way), and I was so excited to meet my newest little man. The day seems like somewhat of a blur now. First of all, my nurse that day was awesome! She was so much fun, and I am glad she was with me. My OB is another story. . . she came into the room at around 10ish and asked if it was okay if she took a photo of my placenta because of the split placenta. I said I didn't care, and then she said to my nurse that she would meet us in the OR at 11:30. Michelle said we would head back there at 11:00 to start getting everything ready for the c-section, and my doc said okay. Everything was going really well in the OR. In case you've never had one I will tell you that a Spinal starts working CRAZY FAST!! I swear as soon as she stuck me with the needle my body was numb from the breast down. Anyway, I was getting excited and just trying to breath to stay calm until Kurt came into the room. He got there shortly after (he's awesome by the way!)! Then, I heard my nurse talking about the time, and the anesthesiologist was almost pacing behind my head. I looked at the clock to see that the clock said 11:40!! She was TEN MINUTES LATE. The next two minutes felt like ten minutes until she came in at 11:42. Seriously, TWELVE MINUTES LATE????? WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM LADY!!!! Anyway, she came in and made a comment about waiting for us to call to tell her we were ready. . .she clearly said she would meet us here at 11:30 just an hour or so ago!! I heard her and so did my nurse!! Anyway, Kaden was born by 11:47. Now, I know that c-sections are quick, but she came in the door at 11:42 and he was completely out by 11:47 . . . completely out with TWO BROKEN BONES!!! I just cannot help but thinking that if she had been on time or had taken a little more time to gently reposition his arm we would not have had to spend the next 4 days going back and forth between my room and the NICU to see him. That's really hard when trying to recover from having a c-section. Not to mention that every time I see the look of pain on his face and hear him cry that "I'm in pain" cry it makes me so angry at her. He is such a champ though. Unless we are doing something that is messing with his arm (changing his clothes, etc.) he really doesn't cry. He's such a good baby!! We are really so blessed.

In the NICU, Kaden looked so pitiful. He was on a lot of Tylenol, and he had to be fed through a tube (which was really not much fun for him or for mommy or daddy to watch).

I was discharged on Thursday night and Kaden had to stay in the NICU. I didn't want to leave him, but I had told Jackson that I would be home Thursday night and I did not want to disappoint him after being gone for 3 1/2 weeks. He was pretty excited for me to be home so I am glad that I made the decision. Kurt and I were so worn out on Thursday and just going home and getting a good night sleep in my bed made all the difference in the world. I was also able to dry my hair for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks and I cannot tell you how good that felt. :) I was like a new woman. Now, I have not dried it again since then . . .HAHA! It was nice that day though. :) We fully anticipated spending Labor Day weekend going back and forth between home and the NICU, but when the doctors came in on Friday morning, they said Kaden had done everything he needed to do to be released to come home on Friday. We were shocked and completely unprepared to take him home. . . we didn't have a diaper bag with us or anything. The NP said that if we had asked her the day before about him going home she would have said no way, but he did so well from Thursday to Friday that she thought he would do fine at home with us. We were so excited. . . and I think us leaving was just enough to make Kaden work to get home with Mommy and Daddy. :) Anyway, we are thrilled to be home with our family of FOUR. Jackson and Wrigley have both been great with Kaden. Jackson is the BEST big brother Ever!!

Saturday was a relaxing day. Susie came up to make us dinner and help out with some things around the house, but other than that it was just us, which was nice. On Sunday, we had a house full of visitors. Andrea, one of my BFFs, came up from St. Louis to visit and meet Kaden. I haven't seen her in forever so it was really nice to see her. I hate living so far away, but whenever we are together it is like we haven't missed a beat.
My family came up too. Mom, Dad, Hunter, Denise, Adrianna, and Tianna all made their way up to see us. Denise and the girls have never seen our house so it was really nice to have them up here. We actually got a photo of Mom and Dad with all five grandkids, which never happens without someone having a sour look on their face. :) It actually turned out really well, though.
Kaden decided to stay awake all night last night so everyone else in the house is sleeping right now, which is why I have had time to write such a LONG blog entry. Sorry about that! :) Regardless of the 3 1/2 weeks that I had to be away from home, the pain from the c-section, the NICU stay for Kaden, etc., I have never been happier in my life. My time away has really taught me to think about the things that really matter in life. I've learned to be more patient, and I've learned that leaning on God in trying times will get you through anything. I am so incredibly blessed to have a wonderful husband who helps around the house, takes care of our boys' needs, defends us and advocates for us at all times, and loves us so much. I am also blessed to have two beautiful boys who are so sweet.

I really feel like the luckiest woman alive and I have never been happier with my life. This experience has really made me learn to lean on God and has strengthened my belief that all things happen for a reason. I really did not look forward to the experiences that I have had in the last month, but now that all is said and done, I realize what an important role this month has had in my life . . . now and for the rest of my days. I love my family! I love my life!

Happy Labor Day everyone! :)