Welcome Elias

Elias William Charmatz is here! My c-section took place last Tuesday, May 17. Elias was born at 2:36pm, he weighed 6 lbs 13 oz, and was 17 3/4 inches. We had to arrive at the hospital at 9am and I had some blood taken. Then we were given a room and we just sat and waited until we were taken back for the surgery. The anesthesiologist and my OB did a fantastic job!

The funniest thing about the Cesar (what they call a c-section here) was when they lowered the curtain to show us Elias for the first time he peed on me! I could not believe he came out of the womb peeing! Then when the pediatrician took him examine him, he peed on the pediatrician too!

I was worried that I would be given too much medicine like Caleb's birth. But I was given the perfect amount. The day after the surgery I was out of the bed and walking around on my own. with Caleb I was not able to get out of bed for at least 2 days and I was not mobile on my own until the day before I left the hospital. This time once I was out of bed I was moving fine. It is amazing to me how well my body could recover when I only had the surgery and not the labor. My blood pressure has been high, which is odd for me, it is never something that I have struggled with. I also somehow hurt my shoulder. I am seeing a midwife tomorrow about the blood pressure, hopefully it has gone down!

Elias is wonderful. He is nursing really well which is such a blessing. Caleb did not nurse well until he was over 2 months old. For the most part Elias is sleeping well too, although he has a good amount of gas. So nights have been a bit of a struggle. Last night he was up from 3:30am-6:30am. Then of course he had a wonderful day. Hopefully tonight will be better!

Caleb and Brian visited us in the hospital twice a day. Elias gave Caleb a present each day he came. Caleb has taken to Elias very well! He loves to give him hugs and kisses. He gets upset when Elias cries, especially when I change his diaper. He says "no hurting". He also asks where Elias is when he does not see him. It is so sweet! I am hoping all the good feelings toward his brother will last!

My parents come in on Saturday, 5 days! I can't wait to see them!

Here is the last pic of me pregnant. The anesthesiologist told me I had quite a bump and the baby was bursting to get out! I agreed! Then one of our sweet Elias.

The night before

Tomorrow is the big day! After months of waiting and lots of conversations tomorrow we will meet our new baby boy, Elias! As I have written before I really struggled with wether to try for a v-bac or do a planned c-section. Last Tuesday Brian and I had a long talk with my OB about how the baby was looking and if the v-bac was a viable option. She wanted me to wait until 37 weeks to make a decision. She checked where the baby was and he was not in my pelvis anymore like he was the week before. It also looked like he is going to be at least as big as Caleb. So she said that realistically my chances of having a successful v-bac are slim. She said we could wait until I go into labor and see how it goes and then decide wether to do the c-section then. But my recovery from the c-section will be better if I just do the surgery without any labor. So Brian and I decided that the planned c-section was the best option for me. I go in at 9am and the baby will be out by 2:30! My OB has 2 c-sections for tomorrow and I don't know if I am first or second.

I have so many feelings about tomorrow. I am nervous about the surgery, I know the recovery will be tough. I am also nervous about Caleb's reaction to Elias. Will he be jealous of the time I will have to spend with Elias? Will he act out to get my attention? Or will he adapt to the new situation? Will I be a good mother to 2 kids? Will I manage time with my boys fairly? Do I remember how to care for a newborn? Will Elias have as many problems as Caleb did? And if he does, how can I deal with that and a 2 year old? But I am also so excited to meet Elias! I can't wait to see what his personality is going to be like. I wonder if he will be similar to Caleb or completely opposite. I am really looking forward to going through all the baby stages with a new baby! When will he roll over, stand, crawl walk, talk? I can't wait to find out!

I also can't wait to see my parents! They are coming in the 28th. It has been 10 months since I have seen them. We skype every week, but it is not the same as seeing them. I miss them terribly! I am so excited to spend 3 weeks with them!

Brian will be off work starting tomorrow for 2 weeks. I have stocked our fridge with leftovers from the last 2 nights of meals and the freezer with meals as well. I will be in hospital 5 days. So I think Brian and Caleb will be ok while I am there (at least as far as food is concerned). Our church is taking care of meals for us when I get out of hospital until my parents arrive. I am so grateful we have found such a caring church!

Well, here we go again! I hope Elias is ready!