Awesome Foursome

What was once three has now become four!  Our sweet little girl is now a big sister!  This morning, very early, we left home and checked in.  Not to a luxury hotel, but to a hospital, to bring our son into the world.  We have been in shock throughout the past nine months, as we had no idea this would happen.  The initial room was busy with intake procedures and nurses prepping Beef and I for the miracle that was about to occur.  Around 6:30, the took me across the hall, into the operating room, and proceeded to set the epidural.  Once set, I was laid out on the table, arms strapped down.  I hated this position.  It left me so vulnerable.  When you’re awake for the procedure, it’s wonderful to be able to see your baby, to not wake up groggy and have to remember where you are.  But it’s also a little frightening, because you can see and hear everything going on, and to an extent, you can feel it.  But you can’t DO anything about it.  You can’t lift your body, you can’t move your legs.  And as if you don’t feel weird about that, they strap your arms down, so you don’t “accidentally” move them.  The room was silent, and after Beef came in, I could feel them working on me.  I looked at him, watching them, and he looked back at me, that look in his eyes, I’d only seen once before.  Still, no one said a word.  I asked if everyone was alright, and the doctor told me yes, they were fine, they were honoring my birth plan request to have it be quiet.  I assured them that talking and laughter were fine, I guess I hadn’t figured out how quiet they could be until just then! Finally, I could feel the pressure release and hear the sweet sound of our baby boy screaming in the room.  It was bitter cold, and I remember thinking how cold he must be.  They got him over to the table, cleaned him up, and Beef cut the cord.  The nurse held him up so I could see his face.  He had red hair and dark skin.  And he looked angry.  But then, I guess most babies look angry when they are screaming.  I wanted so badly to hold him, to sniff him, to nuzzle him.  I wanted to feed him and whisper to him.  But none of that would be happening for awhile.  Pretty soon, the nurses were wheeling him out, and I ordered Beef to stay with him.  “Don’t let him out of your sight!” I ordered.  And within two hours, he was cleaned, I was stapled back together, and we were falling in love with each other, Cheese and I.  He is a calm child, not much for observing his environment like his sister was.  He’s just relaxed and sleeps a lot.  Unless he’s hungry.  Then he gets a bit frustrated.  That’s okay, mama can fix that!  And so, as I stare into his eyes, I think about our sweet threesome, and how we are now an awesome foursome!