Birth story to 1 week old

     My birth story is pretty uneventful, and that thrills me :) I had such a wonderful experience delivering Austin. The anticipation leading up to the C-section was intense, but I was surprisingly calm about it. My mom got here last Monday night/Tuesday morning around 1:30 a.m. I couldn't really sleep that well, so we hung out for a little bit, and then we went to sleep. The next morning I was calm and excited. Adam and I took off for the hospital around 10:00, and we waited until they called us back to the pre-op room around 11:00. When we got back to the pre-op room, they had the baby stuff all set up, and I got ready to be wheeled back to the OR. The doctor came in around 12:00, and we were off! I have to say, I hate the epidural. Especially because I wasn't in pain before I got it. It hurts, but only for a few seconds, so it wasn't all that bad ;) Once everything was administered, I waited for my hubs to come back! I didn't feel nauseous at all, and I was just chillin. Adam and I were chattin, and we smelled burning skin. I asked the Doc if he started, and he started laughing, and said, "yes, did you not want me to?" At 12:25 p.m., our sweet Austin came out pink and screaming. He is absolutely perfect. He weighed 8 lbs 5 oz, and was 20 inches long. Adam walked him back into the post-op room, and I waited as they sewed me up. Longest 30 minutes of my life. I wanted that baby! Once I got to post-op, they immediately put Austin on my chest for some skin-to-skin. He wiggled down and then started to nurse. Amazing. He stayed there for a good hour before they took more vitals and rinsed him off. Then, we were wheeled into our post-partum room. Austin nursed, pooped 6 times, and nursed some more. I had minimal bleeding, and everything was great. Mom and Connor came up to visit not long after, and he was less than thrilled. He was sweet, but didn't really want much to do with his baby brother. I think seeing me with an IV scared him. The next morning, they removed the IV, and I was able to stand up and walk to the bathroom. I was so surprised that the pain was minimal. I remember after Connor, I thought I was going to die when I had to stand up for the first time, but I know that was due to the trauma my body went through. Our hospital stay was very brief. We were only there for 2 days, and they let me go home. My doctor came in on Wednesday and asked me when I wanted to leave. I had no complications, and Austin had no complications. He didn't leave my side except when the nurse took him to take vitals a couple of times. Other than that, he basically stayed on my chest breastfeeding and snuggling. I can't even tell you how amazing it feels to have a full term, healthy baby and a great recovery. I just want to say to the mommas who had a difficult first pregnancy and delivery.. It doesn't mean your second pregnancy and delivery is doomed. I trusted my OB, I trusted my body, and I trust God. Anyway, Wednesday night, my OB came in to circumcise Austin, and we left Thursday afternoon!! It was insane. I stayed 11 days in the hospital with Connor, and I was home after 2 days in the hospital with Austin.

    The first couple of days home were an adjustment. As soon as I got home, Connor reached up for me to hold him. Obviously I couldn't, and we both cried, but my husband distracted him and has been incredible throughout it all. Every time Connor saw me nursing the first couple of days he would cry, and he wanted nothing to do with me or "baby." Friday morning, I boohooed thinking Connor hated me, and I just felt extreme guilt. I know that everyone goes through a transition period, but it is really hard. Well, Adam took him to Chuck E Cheese and kept him occupied the next morning. That afternoon when we got home, Connor was much better. He gave me hugs and kisses and he even laid down with me and Austin. I was snuggling both of my boys, and I was in heaven. Connor came around really quickly, and now he is amazing with his baby brother, whom he now calls "Austin" :). He brings me his pacifier, blankies, and kisses and rubs Austin's head. He is an awesome big brother, and I am so blessed. Connor even helped us give Austin his very first bath. It was really special. I cannot imagine not having my boys. All 3 of them! My husband is absolutely amazing. He was there by my side, and yet he was there for Connor. He has been so patient and loving, and I am a lucky lady.

   As for Austin's first week, he has been such an angel. I am just waiting for it to end. Haha. I know that sounds awful, but I am convinced it won't last. Breastfeeding is going wonderfully. He latched from the moment he was laid on my chest, and he has been great ever since. He has been sleeping, eating, and pooping around the clock. At night, he has been sleeping in 5 hr stretches before waking up to eat/poop. I'm so confused! I actually freaked out b/c I tried to wake him to eat and he just would NOT latch. He wanted nothing to do with my boob, and I finally gave up and he fell asleep. I let him sleep, and sure enough, he woke me up when he was ready. I've only pumped one time because in all honesty, I don't want to bottle feed if I don't have to. I have an adorable nursing cover that looks like a wrap, and I'm not shy about breastfeeding this time around at all. With Connor, I was really shy about it, so it was stressful trying to pump before leaving the house, etc. I do plan on pumping to keep up my supply though. I have an electric pump, but a good friend let me borrow her manual pump, and I really like that.  Austin's first doctor appointment was Friday morning. Mom went with me while Adam took Con to chuck e cheese. Austin left the hospital weighing 7 lbs 12.5 oz & Friday he weighed 7 lbs 13 oz. My milk came in Thursday/Friday, so I'm hoping he has gained back what he lost by this Friday at his next appointment. He eats 10-12 times/day, even with his long stretches at night. The rest of the weekend we just soaked in the sweet new baby, and I dreaded Monday morning when Mom had to leave. She was such a huge help, and it is SO hard saying goodbye. Connor calls her "Nia" instead of Nana, and she loves it. They really bonded, and of course she hated saying bye to Austin. But, we settled in as a family of 4, and life is so good. Here are a few pics of my sweet boy!

Austin James Hill