Bringing Baby Earthside

Here are some pictures from the birth that one of the nurse's took for us. They're surreal to look at. I wanted a natural birth, but because of some scary medical stuff, an emergency c-section was required. Still, it was the best it could be. The staff were so amazing. I feel blessed to have been able to deliver at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish, MT.

So, here they are, in order...

Under the knife!

He came out, eyes wide open.

Cutting the cord.

 

Squalling for momma.

He was so calm in daddy's arms.

 

As with all my babies, they are tear inducing, beautiful to see.

It has been a struggle, but with so many joys, to soften the difficulties. He needed oxygen, and glucose because his blood sugars wouldn't maintain. He showed signs of an unidentified infection, but he was strong and we only had to stay for about 2 weeks.

His older brothers visited him and were so protective and loving from the get go (Lachlan was too little, but saw him when he was in my room to nurse).

At just a week, we got to take pictures. Here is just one from a series of lovely pictures taken at the hospital, by Lot 22...

He has been so fun to watch grow. He loves our dog Cocoa and she loves him back. Connor is the one he practically leaps to now, because he makes him giggle. Chloe loves him too, but only when he's sleeping and can't pull her fur.

 

Lachlan wasn't too impressed with Brennen, who showed he had spunk and a bit of humor from the very start. They get along a little better, though Lachlan still gets possessive of daddy from time to time.

He is such a smiley baby!

Cute as a button!

 I am blessed with four sons, and this last one, I am soaking up all the babyness of him! God took care of us when my medical issues threatened to be overwhelming. I thank Him for all my blessings, big and small.

Baby Bell #4 Arrives!

I have been remiss in keeping up with my blog! However, I have a very good explanation. First, just trying to keep up with three boys, while running a household that also includes a dog, cat (that just had kittens) and chickens as well as homeschooling two of the older boys, is most definitely a full time job. Add to that, pregnancy (while being type I diabetic), and managing my 7yo's diabetes and well, it's pretty much organized chaos all the time.

So, things got more complicated when I started showing early signs of pre-eclampsia. It seemed to be fairly under control, until I went into labor. The doctor thought I was barely 38 weeks, but in the end, we found out I was just 36 weeks, so much earlier than expected.

I went into the hospital and labored for more than a day, but there was no progression, except that my blood pressure was dangerously high and baby's heart beat was dipping too low for comfort, with every contraction. Exhausted and scared, I was told that baby might not survive a natural birth and I might not either, as I was now at risk for seizures. Thankfully, my husband was there to give the immediate go ahead on a c-section. It wasn't what I wanted, but it had to be done to save our baby, and myself.

The doctors and nurses were amazing and so caring. Before my husband could come be with me during the procedure, the anesthesiologist was so reassuring, and the doctor talked me through every step. A nurse took pictures during the procedure so I could look back on what happened. They were simple and modest. At 8:22 am on April 30th, our sweet baby Brennen came into the world, bright eyed and squalling. My smallest baby at 6lbs 11oz and 19 1/4 in.

Brennen had some breathing issues, and his blood sugars didn't want to maintain. There appeared to be an unknown infection causing his little system to work harder than he could keep up with and I wasn't able to nurse him right away. It was so hard to see him, hooked up to monitors and with an IV in his arm (later in his foot when the IV blew). His heels were so terrible looking from all the blood sugar checks and my heart hurt when I heard him crying from my room.

The nurses were like close friends, rather than medical personnel. They hugged me and told me it would be okay. God heard so many prayers for his recovery, because I was eventually able to nurse him with no trouble and his vitals began to improve. He roomed with me for that last couple nights of our hospital stay and now, I want to never let him cry or be hurt. Our family is complete and together finally and I don't want to change a thing.

The boys love their new brother and even Lachlan (2yo) has learned to say "Baby Brennen" and strokes his hair lovingly. I am so very blessed to have such a beautiful and loving family!