Henry James is One Month Old!

Hi Henry!

You were officially one month old yesterday on Oct 25th! Here are some pictures from your first month of life!

As you can tell, you slept a lot this month ha ha. Your siblings love you, and your Dad and I are just smitten! We just took you in for your one month check up today and you were 10 lbs and 10oz and 21.5 inches long. I can't remember the exact percentages but you were about 70th something percentile for weight and height both and about 80th something for head size. Your sister was super small, your brother was super big, and you are middle of the road! But not just middle of the road... of course you are super special in every way. ;-) You were showing off at your doctor's appointment today... rolled over on the exam table (something 4 month old's do), smiled and cooed when Kaelyn was talking to you in the office (something 2 month old's do), and followed the light with your eyes. The pediatrician said you were an overachiever and acting more like a 2 month old! Super bright and ahead of schedule already! :-) You seem to be a very mellow little guy and mommy is so thankful for your easy going personality! We love you so much little guy! Happy one month birthday!

The Birth of Henry James

It is apparent that sir Henry James, would like to establish himself as being very different from the rest of the children. Unlike his siblings which arrived early and on time, Mr. Henry decided to uniquely bless us with his presence exactly 1 week past due. I thought I was in labor with him twice in the middle of the night that same week, but then every time I laid down to sleep, he decided he would go to sleep too. It was definitely one of the most depressing weeks of my life! I wanted to meet him so bad, and honestly, I thought he was going to be early like his brother! I wanted to see his sweet little face and cuddle him, and was so ready to be done being pregnant!

We were told to go in to get an ultrasound to check on his fluid levels and make sure he wasn't too stressed out in there at 41 weeks. I was miserable on the way to the appointment because I had a few contractions in the car that were very uncomfortable. I didn't think anything of it though since I had been having mild contractions for days and couldn't trust myself anymore as to whether they were Braxton Hicks, labor contractions, real labor, false labor, or what was what! The ultrasound was 30 minutes long, and I had a couple of mild contractions on the exam table. I was miserable up there, but it was nice to at least see his sweet face if even on a screen! I had tried everything imaginable to get him out... all the old wives tales and everything that people tell you to do. It was apparent that he just wasn't going to come until he was ready and we just needed to wait it out! 

Scott and I decided that we would have some quality time together that evening. We dropped the older kids off at Grandma Linda's so we could go out to dinner. We first thought we would go to our favorite restaurant, Windsor, but when I started to get a few more contractions, we thought we'd better go somewhere closer to the house just in case. We decided on Chipotle because it was 5 minutes away and would be a quick dinner. Before we had even driven down the street, I told Scott to pull over because I had to concentrate on a contraction. When the contraction was over, I told him we should still go out to eat because it was probably nothing. We continued to drive about 10 feet when I got hit with another difficult contraction. At this point, we decided Scott should drop me off at home. He turned the car back to head home. I then told him that I really wanted to have that time with him and maybe we should still go out to eat. We sat there for a second as he studied me and then asked me to listen to my body. Upon further reflection, we decided I should go back to the house and he should go pick up dinner for us!

As soon as I got home, contractions started coming on hard and fast! Grammy was in the kitchen and I explained why I was home early. I went to the living room to lay down and before long I was pretty sure I was in labor. This was around 6:30pm. The contractions were very close together and picking up in intensity fast. Scott brought dinner home and I told him he needed to get the kids over to my parents house where they were going to spend the night. I tried to have a few bites of Chipotle but it wasn't tasting good so Grammy made me some eggs and toast which really hit the spot! I wasn't that hungry but knew I needed the energy if this was true labor. I went upstairs to finish packing my bag and called the midwife to give her a heads up that I'm pretty sure this was it but wanted to wait about an hour just to make sure. After I hung up with her, the contractions just kept coming on faster and faster. I texted Scott to "HURRY" and he made it home in record time! I have no idea how fast he was going in my dad's BMW (we traded him for the mini van ha ha) and I'm pretty sure I don't want to know. I had Scott call the midwife to tell her we were definitely coming in and to get the birth pool started. I laid down in the back seat with some pillows and Grammy and I and Scott were on our way! Ohhhh man labor contractions and car rides sure don't mix!! Every bump sent me through the roof! 

We arrived at the birth center around 7:30pm. The midwife, Amy, checked me to see how far along I was. I was happy to know I was at a 7 and the cervix was nice and ready for baby pushing! This was exciting because with Liam I went from about 7 to a 10 in about 5-10 minutes and pushed him out 5 minutes after that! I know all labors are different but it was still reassuring to know that after about an hour of contractions I was already at a 7. Well, I had had 2 nights of a few hours here and there of "false" labor all week but you know what I mean! I got in the tub immediately and it felt really great! With the past 2 kids I had been in a large jacuzzi whirlpool tub but I wanted to try a home birth inflatable tub this time because of the softer sides and soft bottom. It felt so good to finally be at the birth center and we started to settle in. We got my birth mix playing and put Peace and Calming oil in the diffuser. I was working to try to get into my labor zone but everything had happened so fast I was having trouble getting comfortable and really settling into the mindset. I worked through contractions and tried to picture little Henry coming down.

After about an hour and a half or so, my OB Nichelle arrived and suggested Scott get in the tub with me. He reclined back and I laid sideways in his arms. Oh. Yes. This was the comfy spot that brought Liam into the world. It was familiar, comfy, and I finally got in the zone. I felt like pushing almost immediately! I tuned into my body and felt my body urging me to gently push him down. 

I could feel that he was higher up and as I started pushing I could feel him making his way through the birth canal. I was so much more in tune with my body this time and it was amazing! Somehow the pain seemed way more manageable because it was familiar and I was able to surrender to it and not be afraid of it. The more relaxed I was, the more comfortable each contraction was. Soon, my midwife Amy suggested I reach down and feel his head. I could feel his hair and the tip of his head. AMAZING. I continued to touch his head and push slowly with each contraction. I soon felt him stretching the perineum and let him sit there for a bit. I had read and watched a lot of videos on how not to tear and wanted to work really hard on that this time. It was hard to let him sit there and not power push him out like I did the last 2 babies, but I worked on my breathing and slow grunting. I was actually talking to my midwife and OB throughout the pushing phase asking for advice haha. It is kind of funny watching the video back because I was definitely not in the same kind of pain that I was with the other 2 kids! My body definitely knew more what to do this time! 

Soon, Nichelle gently said that his heart rate had dropped a bit and that I needed to get him out. With the next push, I felt his head pop out. With another push, one shoulder, than the other shoulder, then the rest of his body, and the umbilical cord. I felt every little part of him and watched his little body come out of me! Nichelle placed him delicately on my chest. Oh the joy of feeling that warm little body on mine! I had waited what seemed like a lifetime for that moment! He was here! He was finally here! The cord had been wrapped around his neck which is why the heart tones dropped at the end, but after some gentle rubbing, he was a healthy shade of pink in no time! Henry James Van Sande, born at 9:28am on Sept. 25th, 2015.

We moved to the bed to deliver the placenta, and had some quiet cuddle time just Scott, Henry and I. He latched on like a champ, and was breastfeeding in no time. After a couple hours of restoring fluids, eating, and resting a bit, Henry's newborn screen was done. He was 8 lbs, 5oz, and 20 inches long. We headed home around 2am because mama wanted to shower at home and sleep in her own bed! Such a whirlwind delivery! 3 hours of active labor from start to finish! Oh Henry, you were worth the wait!

1 Week Old!

Yesterday you were one week old! I really thought you were never going to come out of me little man. You have really set yourself apart as wanting to be different than the other two! It's amazing how my heart has fallen so in love with you over this past week. Your face was new to me and now it is like I have known it my whole life. I have memorized every little wrinkle and every little detail of your tiny body. I still can't get over how small you are. I forget how teeny newborns are! I am so excited to do life with you. I am nervous about having so many small children but my gosh, Henry... you are the chillest little dude. It's almost as if you are saying to me, "it's going to be okay mommy" with your laid back personality. We don't even hear you cry unless you are starving or we rub cold wipes on your man parts! I love you so much little man, and I can't wait to watch you grow up. Cheers to life together and welcome to our family dear one. You are God's baby. The baby I didn't even know that I needed. What a blessing. I know God is going to teach me so much through raising you and your brother and sister. Love you, buddy.