Hi folks! Finally getting around to posting about the arrival of Gareth! I went into labor on H's 2nd birthday 11-23. I noticed that I was having contractions at about 3pm. I knew Derek was planning on stopping off at the store after work so I called him at 3:30, about the time he was walking into Target. I told him he should pick up food for dinner but that he should get home quick! By 4 pm my contractions were 6 minutes apart and by 5pm I was on the phone with the on call doctor telling her I was on my way! Melissa came to pick up H and we hurried to get to the hospital. I hadn't decided if was going un-medicated this time like I did with H but in the car I declared "I am soooo getting the epidural!" Anyway a few hours later I was medicated, happy, and luckily my water hadn't broken. We told the doctors that it was our son's birthday and we really wanted to wait until the next day to have this little guy. They agreed to let me wait it out (unless nature had other plans) and then right before midnight they broke my water. I pushed for 2 1/2 hours! Just like I did with H! UGH! Then all of sudden he decided to come out and there I was holding my precious little guy! I don't think I have ever cried that hard in my life.
I stayed the next day at the hospital but I really wanted to be home for Thanksgiving. I couldn't stand the thought of being alone in the hospital eating cafeteria food. YUCK! So we brought Gareth home on Thanksgiving.
Here is our complete family! So much has happened of course in the last 7 months. Here is a picture I think sums him up pretty well.
He is a much more serious little guy than Harrison is. I could tell that in the womb though! He does laugh and smile(I swear!) but you have to work for it. I think he is smart, don't wear your heart in your sleeve Gareth. From my experience it just brings you pain. I enjoy his more skeptical nature! We had a rough couple of months at first. Having a two year old certainly made this harder on all of us. I don't know how I managed on ZERO sleep but I got through it. Gareth had to go to the dermatologist for bad eczema/cradle cap. You will notice he still gets spots on his face. This has cleared up a lot though, he must have been so uncomfortable!! He also grew a ton in the beginning (3 inches and 4 lbs in the first month, ouch!) so I think he was in a lot pain. We seem to be over the hump though. I hope I did enough to comfort him in his first months.The new house is coming along. I have lots of ideas in my head and absolutely no money. So for now we try to pay our bills and are thankful we have food on our table. Times are lean around here but I know i will be thankful for everyday with Gareth. Harrison has grown up so fast and treasure the memories I have of him and I when he was a baby. I want those same memories with my Gareth!
Harrison is doing very well! He loves bugs, playing pretend, and he got potty trained about 4 months ago. He loves his brother (I know this cuz he tells him so) and loves to play with him. Here is a picture of the first Schille belly
That is all for now. Look for more posts to come!
Love,
Mama Panda
