Hospital Time and Going Home

We had a great stay at Hillcrest South and Blake's birth was a great experience all the way around.  Although I was sick for the first 12 hours of his life we finally had a moment I felt it was safe for me to hold him.  I love this picture with the little smile on his face! 

We took so many pictures trying to capture his first few hours.  These are the moments that you never want to forget.

Blake loves his daddy!

All snuggled up!

And finally after two days we were ready to go home. 

Big Sisters

Bailey and Campbell were so excited to become big sisters!  They were counting down the days until their little brother would be here.  Bailey was willing to do anything that mommy wanted her to.  Campbell on the other hand wanted to help but made it very clear that she would have no part of changing diapers!

Blake and Bailey meeting for the first time.

Campbell already being a great big sister and feeding her brother right after he was born!

 

When Blake was born Bailey was 9 years old and in the 3rd grade.  Campbell was 4 years old and in pre-school.

Blakes's Birth Part 2

After Blake was born mommy was taken to the recovery room.  After a few short minutes they allowed all of our family to come into the room.  Everyone got to hold and meet Blake for the first time.  Although mommy was very sick it was a neat time just to see everyone's excitement as they met him for the first time.  After two girls you can just imagine the thrill of meeting this little man!

Blake and Grandma Becky, aka Grandma B

Blake and Grandma Melton

Blake, Grandpa Melton, and Daddy

Blake and Grandpa King, Uncle Brian's tummy is in the background!

And the sweetest boy of all - Blake Andrew Melton

Blake's Birth - Part 1

When it was finally our turn to meet Blake we walked to the operating room.  You would think that they would wheel you down, but no you get the privilege of walking down the hospital hall in the beautiful free flowing gown!  Once you are there they immediately have you sit on the operating table and the anesthesiologist begins to give you your numbing drugs.  I don't know if mine was having an off day or what was going on but after 4 attempts of putting a very large needle into my spinal cord he finally found the right spot, it was dreadful!  It was the worst part of this whole adventure and Tim could hear my screams of pain outside as he waited to come in.  But once the drugs were in I could instantly feel my legs getting warm and tingly and I had to lay down.  After a few minutes you can feel nothing from the chest down and your pretty much good to go, that is until the nausea sets in.  Luckily my anesthesiologist was great about getting me the drugs I needed into my IV to stop the nausea, for awhile, more to come on that later.

I have to say that this was an amazing birth experience!  About 15 minutes later it was time for all the pulling and tugging to get Blake out, and then I heard it, Blake was crying!  It was the most wonderful sound that I will never forget.  I will always remember Tim and I looking at each other with a tears in our eyes and giving each other a  look of relief that he was finally here.  He was a beautiful baby weighing 8 pounds and 13 ounces, he was 19 inches long.  What was so different about this birth was that they wasted no time bringing Blake to me.  They placed him on my chest and left him there for as long as I wanted.  In the past they always took the girls and cleaned them up and took them to be looked over, but with Blake we got to have this super awesome moment of meeting each other for the first time.  I remember hearing him cry as they brought him to me and after they laid him on my chest his crying stopped and he was so peaceful, a memory I will keep forever!

Our big boy! 8 pounds 13 ounces, 19 inches long.

One proud daddy!

Taking Blake out to meet his new family.

Two very excited sisters ready to meet their new brother. 

Waiting For Blake

We arrived at the hospital at 10:00am on Thursday, April 10th, 2014.  We were quickly taken to our room so that mommy could be prepped for the C-section.  I got all the fun stuff like the never ending IV and all the anti-nausea medications they could fill me up with, for some reason mommy gets very sick during childbirth! 

We waited and we waited.  We brought the girls with us, we wanted them to be able to experience all that was in store that day in hopes of creating some memories that will last forever.  The girls did awesome and they were so excited with all that was going on.  Campbell was a little uncomfortable with all the things they were doing to mommy.  She found comfort in watching her I-Pad.

We had many visitors even before Blake made his big appearance.  Grandpa Melton and Grandpa King, Grandma B and Grandma Melton, and Uncle Brian.  The s-section was scheduled for 12pm but they were running a bit behind so we waited some more.

Finally!  The doctor, Dr. Kathleen Heffron, came in the room and said it was time!  She walked out the door and no sooner had she left that the nurse came in and said it would be a little longer because another mom had gone into labor and needed to be delivered, so we had to wait again!  About an hour later it was finally our turn and we were so excited to go meet our little guy!