Gotta Love a Newborn

Almost Made Me Cry

So today at about 7:40 I went up stairs to wake Emma up for School (not normal, she usually wakes me up at 7). She came down stairs and threw up. That is kinda a good description for how my day has been.

Anyway, as a Mother of 4 little ones it is hard to find time for myself. At about noon, I had barely gotten back from picking Alan up from school, had just finished completely changing Bryce again, had 4 hungry kids and really needed to go to the bathroom. So I sent the kids downstairs and put the crying baby in his bassinet so I could have a moment to myself. I was hurrying in the bathroom because I could hear my crying baby in the other room. Then I heard him stop crying.

When I came out of the bathroom I discovered that Logan had come back up stairs, gotten Bryce's toy monkey and binkie, and was helping Bryce suck on his binkie while "entertaining" him with his monkey. Seeing that little boy gently taking care of "his baby" was seriously one of the sweetest moments I have ever had as a mother. I have been so impressed with Logan's adjustment to there being a new baby in the house. He still has his two year old moments, but I have not seen one hint of jealousy and he is always so soft and gentle when it comes to his baby brother.

2 Weeks already

Baby Bryce is 2 weeks old today. Can you believe it. It sounds like such a short time and yet he fits in so perfectly that it seems like he has always been with us.

Our sweet little man went in for his 2 week check up today and we are pleased find that is now weighs 9 lbs 7 oz (90%) and is 22.75 inches (95%+). What a big boy. He is already growing out of his newborn size clothes and I am guessing he only has about 2 more weeks until he grows out of his 0-3 months stuff. He is already too tall to properly swaddle in normal sized receiving blankets. His poor little feet always hang out the bottom.

Answers to name that baby

Congrats to their Grandma Hilton and Great Aunt Becky for getting it right. I would also like to point out that their Daddy also easily got them all right. So here are the correct answers Baby A is Logan, Baby B is Emma (who was also the biggest and her poor little face is all swollen and bruised in that picture. I had kinda forgotten about that until looking back at the pictures), Baby C is Bryce, and Baby D is Alan (who is also the only one of my babies who didn't have a stork bite.)

The Story of Bryce

Bryce Christian Hilton
December 29, 2009
8 lbs 14 oz - 21.5 inches

After what seemed like a whole year of pregnancy I was very ready to not be pregnant anymore. Other that being big, uncomfortable, nightly reflux, Bryce being on my cyatic, and the pain in my hips keeping me up at night everything with the pregnancy was great. I had hopes of Bryce joining us before Christmas, but I knew they were only hopes since none of my babies have ever come early.
Ultrasounds had Bryce measuring about two weeks big, but at least my doctor was willing induce me a week early to keep me from having a 9 pound baby. So on December 29th Scott's mom came down to be with the kids and Scott and I headed up to McKay Dee Hospital for my scheduled induction.
I was amazed at how nice and smoothly everything went. For those of you who don't know labor and delivery is my favorite part of pregnancy... really. We got to the hospital just after 10am and they got me started on the IVs and stuff like that. Once we had everything going, we put on a DVD we had rented on the way to the hospital, Up. Once the movie was over we decided to have the anesthesiologist give me the epidural. I wasn't really in any pain yet, but I was having pretty good regular contractions and if I figured that if I was going to get one I might as well get it before I was in a lot of pain. I think it was the best epidural I have ever had. It went right in and was just the right amount the whole time (I could feel everything, but it didn't hurt). Just before 2pm my Dr. Spencer came to break my water and I told him I thought I would be ready to deliver at about 3:30 or 4. At that point I was feeling a little sleepy so I made Scott go get food while I took a nap. (Is this the most boring labor and delivery story ever or it is just me) At about 3:20 Scott was back and I told him that I thought it felt like it was time, but I knew my nurse was busy helping the girl in the room next door, who based on what we had over heard was not having an easy time. So we waited a few minutes for a nurse to come check in on me. when a nurse came I told her I thought I was ready so she checked me and surprise surprise I was "complete." So they called Dr. Spencer and told me not to push.
We had to wait about 35 mins for the doc because there was a snow storm and bad traffic. By the time he got there everything was ready and waiting. It took 3 pushes and possibly 2 minutes and he was out. The official time was 3:59.
At Mckay Dee they had two options for what they do after your baby is born. The first option is the more "traditional" way where the doctor starts cleaning the baby up, Dad cuts the cord, then the take him over to the warmer to clean him up a little more and weight him and stuff before handing him off to Dad. The other option is called "skin to skin." That is where as soon as the baby is born they pull down the top of the mother's gown and lay him directly on her bare chest all fresh and slimy. I am going to let that sink in for a moment..... Now guess what I chose to do?? That's right I chose the traditional method.
So after Scott cut the cord they cleaned and measured Bryce and then wrapped him up. I don't remember why, he actually got to be passed off to me for a moment. It is always such a neat experience meeting these new little people.
A little bit later Scott went with Bryce to the nursery and they took me to my postpartum room. I was very impressed at how efficient they were even though they were busy that day.
Bryce and I spent the next 2 days there. Because Bryce was 8 lbs 14 oz a week early he was labeled LGA (Large Gestational Age) so they had to monitor his blood sugar levels and he was also most likely to be jaundice. I guess just because a baby is big that doesn't mean he is healthy. Due to the snow storms and all the rules about visitors we had very few visitors while we were in the hospital, but Bryce's Grandpa and Grandma Hilton made it up to see him. I think Grandpa was a little extra excited to see Bryce since they now share a birthday. There were no kids allowed so the kids had to wait 2 whole days to meet their new brother. It just about killed Emma to wait that long.
The day we went home Bryce's billrubin levels went into the dangerous levels, so we had to have a light blanket on him as much a possible and we have had to go back to the hospital every day to have his numbers checked. On Monday his level were low enough that we can take him off the light blanket. It is so nice to have him be a little more portable.

So far it has been SO GOOD having this new sweet little boy in our house. All the kids (and everyone else he meets) are totally in love with him. Logan has really taken to his new role of "big bro," which he says regularly while pointing to his chest. Alan caring and gentle with him and Emma just has too hold several times a day. Bryce himself fits right in, so far he has done very well sleeping through all the noise of our crazy house and is very patient and laid back with all the love and attention. We could not have asked for a sweeter baby.Already to go home

Christmas

I have been meaning to do the "Christmas Post" for a while, but we mostly took video and I haven't felt much like editing video and time is passing quickly so I thought I better do it before it is just too late.
Christmas was so nice this year, even though Bryce decided not to join us for it. Christmas eve was spent at the annual Hilton family Christmas Eve party. It is always so nice to see everyone and spend time with so much family and on the way home we drove around a little looking at Christmas lights.
We must have really worn out the kids because they all slept in until about 8am. The kids were all so cute and excited to see what Santa had brought and were so sweet and waited their turn as Daddy passed out presents. I am bummed that I forgot to make them take a picture in front of the tree before we opened presents, but oh well.
I think the biggest hit of the day was Alan's "red spike," followed closely by Scott getting Wii Punch Out. The kids had a love/terrified relationship with Spike at first but in no time they all warmed up to him.
After presents Daddy and the kids played a little Hungry Hungry Hippos while Mommy got breakfast ready. Then we played in the basement with the new bikes/scooter and Logan's base ball set. Later Mom, Dad, Eric, Jake and Kevin came over and to the kid's delight they came baring gifts.
That night we went up to Mom and Dad's for a yummy dinner. Overall it was just a very nice, easy going day filled with happy kids and family. It was a very Merry Christmas.

Logan quickly got the hang of his new baseball set. Uncle Kevin took at turn on it and hit Grandma in the leg with a ball. Uncle Kevin needs a little more practice and to take a few lessons from Logan.
Out of everything I think Emma's favorite gift was the Hello Kitty lip gloss watch in her stocking.

Name That Baby

I probably have better things to be doing right now, or even more important posts, but just for fun I was looking back through our old picture of my little babies and thought it would fun to put up a little comparison. There is one picture of each kid and they are all from when they were in the hospital just after being born. Can you tell who is who?

Baby A

Baby B
Baby C
Baby D

PS I am waiting a little bit before posting any comments just so no one's guess is influenced by others. I know the suspense is killing you. ;)