Kade is here and healthy!

Thank you Lord for giving us a precious, healthy baby boy! Kade arrived today at 12:15 p.m. weighing 6lbs 14 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. We are so proud to have him here safely. God is good. We had a few scares today during the labor and delivery process. Kade's heart rate kept dropping with each contraction (which apparently is to be expected) however, his heart rate stayed down after contractions several times. This is not good. My nurse (who was awesome by the way) was guessing that his cord was wrapped around his neck and the contractions were causing him to decel. There was a time when 3 nurses rushed in and started rolling me to my side, put an internal monitor on Kade's head, and were looking very anxious. Kade's heart rate had dropped again and was not coming back up as quickly as they like. This of course made Bryson and I very nervous. Thankfully a short time later he was back to normal. When Kade was actually being delivered his cord was in fact wrapped once very tightly around his neck. Scary stuff. The doctor quickly cut it away and pulled him out. He cried very soon after arriving, which made me feel much better. However, he was not turning pink like he should and his oxygen saturation was low. I was very anxious all over again when I looked over and saw that they had an oxygen mask on him and were rubbing him while looking concerned. They were getting ready to take him for closer monitoring in the nursery when he finally started coming around. Once again we were thanking God that he was alright!
 Even with all the scares we went through it was all in all a good labor/delivery. Much, much better than my experience with Elliana. I truly only had real bad pain for about an hour of the 7 hour or so labor process. That was wonderful let me say! I much prefer a 7 hour labor to a 17 hour labor as well. Bryson was so wonderful during the whole day. Though he gets pretty torn up seeing me in such pain, he was so very helpful and encouraging to me! He never left my side and was such a comfort to have with me. Let me just say I love my husband so very much!
 Elliana came by a bit earlier to meet her brother, who has blonde hair and steele gray eyes I forgot to mention (so cute!). She was missing her nap and a little cranky, but excited to see her 'baby.' She kept saying, "aww, baby!" She's too sweet and I can't wait to see them grow together. I know she'll love having a baby brother and Kade will probably one day be looking up to his big sister. I miss my baby girl, but we should be heading home tomorrow. I can hardly wait to get home and be with both my sweet babies!
 Again, I just want to thank God for sending us a healthy, sweet baby boy. We are thrilled to have him here. Also, thankful for the shorter, less pain filled delivery. :)

Waiting for the big arrival

Kade's first picture, he was so blue!

Sweet baby boy

Proud daddy!

So glad to finally be holding him in my arms!!

My precious family of 4

The BIG sister!

My sweet babies

                                                                   

Kade is coming!

We are scheduled to induce on Wednesday the 15th...that's in 2 days!!! I am so very ready to meet little Mr. Kade. In some ways I can't believe how long it's taken to get here, but on the other hand... wow the time is here!  We go in at 4 a.m. (really!?) and I'm thinking I should be hooked up and getting my pitocin by 5. Hopefully not many hours later, Kade will be here safe and sound. I am so nervous and excited at the same time. I DREAD the actual process of labor and all. Trust me I did NOT forget that pain in the least. Those people who say you forget about it, well they lie. I knew having Elliana wouldn't be a cake walk, but really I had no idea what I was in for. I'm praying this go around might be a bit easier. Maybe the epidural will at least work the entire time anyhow. Ultimately though, I truly just hope and pray that Kade gets here safely and is healthy. We have been so blessed once already with a perfectly healthy, happy little girl...I just pray God sees fit to give us a healthy little boy as well!
  Today I'm chilling with Elliana and soaking up our last bit of time together with just the two of us. She's so stinking precious and I know the new addition will be a big adjustment for her. She's such a good natured baby though, so I really don't forsee any major issues.  She is crazy about babies and wants to love on every one she sees. She said, 'love you' for the first time today. Even though she was just repeating me and doesn't know what it means yet, it still melted my heart. :) I'm really going to miss her while we are at the hospital. It will be her first time spending the night away from Bryson and me. I know she'll probably do great, but I will so miss laying her down and checking on her throughout the night.
 Bryson has been so good to me during this pregnancy. I've had lots of back pain (with this massive belly of mine) and he's been very good to give me back rubs and help me out in so many other ways, like bathing Elliana for me. I know he's just about as ready as me to get this baby here. I can hardly move and grunt around like a pig when I do. Bryson's always having to pick things up for me and get me things that I can't reach because I can't bend over! I'm so incredibly blessed to have Bryson as my husband. He is a wonderful daddy too, and I know adding a son to the family will just be icing on the cake!
 Tomorrow we go for our last OB appointment and then of course Wednesday is the big day. Please pray for our family this week as we are transformed from a family of 3 to a family of 4!