Welcome James

After much waiting, we were finally able to welcome Sweet Baby James into the world.

What is the birth story you ask, well let me tell you.

James was due March 15th but, as I anticipated, he came a little late. So with him not coming on time my doctor decided to have me come in for a neonatal stress test on March 17th. So I went in for the stress test and my Blood Pressure was a little high so they did some tests and sent me back to my doctor. She promptly told me that she would like to induce me, right then. I, of course, was not ready, so I asked if I could go home and get some things first. She looked pursed her lips, but said I could go if I hurried back. So at 3:00 pm Sean and I checked into the hospital.
It could just be me but it seemed to take a long time to get us going. Since I was not dilated yet, they couldn't give me pitocin. So instead they gave me cytotec hoping that I would eventually dilate. Well, 8 hours later I still hadn't dilated so they told me they needed to do a balloon procedure. Now from my days in Nursing school there is very little I remember about OB/GYN, but I did remember the balloon. They dilate you by gradually putting in saline in a small balloon. The nurse explained the procedure to me and it was everything I remembered. I said to the nurse how painful that sounded and she said that they do it gradually but they could give me some pain meds if I had any pain. So the resident came in and said I should only feel some mild cramping (she must have some horrible "mild cramps"). I hear the nurse ask if she wants 200 cc's and the resident says that she would like 800cc's which I remember being the full amount. And as soon as the balloon was filled I thought I would scream. I told the nurse that I would definitely be wanting some pain meds and right away. After some further examining the resident realizes that my water has broken and has mecomium in it, which means the balloon had to come out. I was not sorry to see that thing go, it was the worst pain I have felt in my entire life. So about an hour later my pain meds have worn off and I am still feeling quite a bit of pain. So the nurse comes in and I tell her I either need another dose of fentynl or an epidural and that I would certainly prefer the epidural. She says that because I'm still not dilated that I probably shouldn't get an epidural but she'll leave that up to the anesthesiologist. Thank heavens I knew the anesthesiologist. He could tell I was in some serious pain and promptly placed the epidural. After the epidural was placed she gave me an exam and found that I was dilated to a 5. Two hours later I started pushing and an hour after that James was born. I've been told that not many women remember their labor that it's a survival thing, but I actually remember it. I remember with every push Sean was "pushing"with me. I remember the nurses saying we were getting close but I didn't believe them. I remember the doctor saying that he'd come out with this next push and I thought, already?! But he was soon out. I remember holding my breath until I heard his cry. I remember my doctor showing him to me then handing him over to the NICU nurses. I remember all the comments about his full head of hair. I remember the stitches. It's a surprising amount that I do remember.
After about an hour I got to hold my little guy and was sent up stairs to recover.
My recovery went well, except for breast feeding but that never really goes well for any new mother.
James had a couple of issues. At times he couldn't keep very warm and would have to stay under the warmer in the nursery. Also his heart rate would drop down to 70 beats per minute (anything under 100 for a baby is considered bad) and had to have an ECG and be seen by a cardiologist. Luckily his heart rate only dropped that low when he was sleeping, but came right back up to normal range when he was awake. So the cardiologist gave us the ok and we were able to take him home.
So far he has been a little angel baby and I've been so lucky with him.
And now, more pictures:

Just a tid bit about this picture. Annicka was taking these pictures and wanted to do some nakie baby pictures on the fluffy white blanket. Well she saw this trick on pinterest where you get the father to lay under the blanket with the baby on his chest. Sean did not want to do it because he was afraid that James would just pee all over him. Well we tried this then when Sean was moving to sit up he was holding James in the blanket and we thought that was a great pose. So Annicka hurried to take the picture and exploded all over Sean. We figure that's why he looks so content in this picture.

This is a pretty typical scene in the Rogers home now. This boy gets plenty of snuggles. We actually use the term "My turn"constantly in reference to holding James.

This was taken on his 1 month birthday, and yes he is still in some of his newborn clothes. We had some trouble at first getting him to gain weight. When we would take him in to the doctor he would gain inches but not much weight. So now he is in the 80th percentile for height and 10th percentile for weight.

Here he is on his blessing day. We had to hurry and take a picture before he had a 'splody diaper and ruined the blessing Auntie Karen let us borrow. It was a good thing too because when his Grandpa James was holding him he 'splodied all over Grandpa James white shirt. My poor dad was cleaning his shirt off and every time he thought he was done he would find another spot where Baby James had gotten him.

This first month with Baby James has been wonderful. Of course there have been sleepless nights, loads of dirty dishes and laundry sitting undone, and many tears, but it has been the best month ever and I'm sad to see it go so quickly. Every moment with this little guy is precious.