Baby Caleb's Arrival

Baby Caleb's birth story is surprisingly very similar to his big brother baby Ryan's, which has both good and bad parts in it. As with Ryan, on Caleb's birthday I had just a routine doctor's appointment in Seattle, and like Ryan's, I drove to Seattle alone with Jonathon in tow, which I never really did. But it seemed like a regular day, no big deal, just like with Ryan. When I got into the office my wonderful doctor checked me out and the moment that her eyes got as wide as can be I knew something was up. All I could think of was, oh my gosh, just my luck, and then I looked over at Jonathon playing so nicely with his cars in the seat near by and thought, not again! My Dr. then told me I was dilated to a 3, which I had no idea of (you would think this being my third I would know!). Then as if her eyes could get any wider, they did, she said I feel a limb! I was so shocked, and when she said she felt he was in the breech position my heart dropped, because that meant another c-section probably, and being that I had one with Ryan, that meant my future would consist of c-sections from now on, which was a horrifying thought at the time.

So, just like with Ryan's story, my Dr. calls upstairs to labor and delivery and has me admitted at once. Jonathon sits on my lap as they wheel me upstairs, I don't know why they wouldn't let me walk, so embarrassing! I tried to make it a fun ride so Jonathon wouldn't see his mom freaking out. I called Jake about ten times with no response, he was it Tacoma in a meeting trying to square away plans for our brown's point property. Finally I get a hold of him after I am settled in my hospital bed, with my gown on and the whole shebang and tell him the news and that Dr. Waller wants him to come within the hour. So, Jake naturally is in turbo mode and makes it up to the hospital within the hour. Jonathon meanwhile, is sitting on the sofa/bed watching me as I hide with a sheet the nurses putting an IV in my wrists so it doesn't freak him out. An OB doctor then came in the room to do an ultrasound on me and confirms that the baby is breech but that they can try and turn him. Good news!

When Jake arrived we had some decisions to make. If the Dr.'s try and turn the baby I could have him vaginally, if as they are turning him baby doesn't like it and his heart rate drops, an emergency c-section would be performed, not good. The other option was to just opt for a planned c-section, they could stop contractions and we wouldn't be rushed. Going home was not an option, even though I wasn't having active labor contractions at the time, Caleb's knee was descending down the birth canal a tiny bit, but they managed to push it up when they checked me, weird I know.

After about an hour and a half that Jake and I were left to discuss things with, I started contracting, every five minutes, and they were painful, and it was like my body just decided, hey you're here at the hospital, lets get this baby out. So in a matter of two hours I dilated from a 3 to almost a 6 and baby Caleb made the final decision of his birth for us. We couldn't try and turn him at this point because I was too far dilated, my Dr. was astonished. So, in that next hour I was prepared for my c-section and Caleb was born shortly after at 5:31 pm, I went in for my appointment at 2 pm.... so you can imagine how fast this all happened, just like with Ryan.

As I look back I feel grateful that with both c-sections, I happened to be at the hospital when active labor took place, rather than here in Puyallup an hour away, this was a blessing in disguise. I am grateful for the success of the c-section and how smooth it went and how calm I was knowing ahead of time and having it planned rather than it being an emergency like Ryan's. I remember every detail of the c-section and was truly blessed with a great team of doctors and nurses.

When little Caleb came out Jake handed him to me and as we both gazed at him we named off some names we had on our list and as we said Caleb, it rang like a bell and just fit him perfect. Words cannot describe the tears of joy that ran down our faces and we kissed his warm cheeks, felt him breathing, could feel his healthy heart and lungs and kiss his chubby cheeks. How long we have been waiting for this! Caleb healed so much of our hearts in that moment. Only those who have lost could understand the incomprehensible beaming joy of holding a healthy baby once again and we will never take a second for granted!

We were surprised that only being 2 weeks early from his due date he was only seven pounds, Jonathon was a week early and was 8 lbs 1 oz. We think Caleb is a perfect mix of both his brothers and we adore this, he has some distinctive Ryan traits and Jonathon traits. Ryan surely sent us the cutest and most special little baby. We are so loving our little newborn, an although my incision has been painful, nursing tender and being up all night is upon us, we smile at it all because we feel so blessed. The recovery of this c-section has actually been a lot easier than my previous and now I feel confident that I can handle more in my future and that it will all be ok!

We can't wait for you all to meet him, enjoy the pictures of baby Caleb's special arrival day!


Proud daddy!

Proud mommy!

cutest baby bear ever!

Proud big brother! He adores Caleb and always wants to kiss him and help burp him and hold him and constantly tell us how much he loves his baby"broder"

The boys, man I am really out numbered!

loves!!

Proud Grandma who flew in just a few hours after we called her with the news!

my cute cute boys!

our little family with angel Ryan watching over us all :)

brothers :)

Another proud Grandma :)

I think I fall in love all over again as I watch the love of my life be daddy

Jonathon relaxing with his snacks and movies at the hosptial haha

baby mine

Proud Uncle Chris (my brother) and Aunt Talynn flew in too to welcome our bundle of joy

getting ready to head home!

going home outfit, thank heaven for little boys it says, so true!

All packed up and ready to go home! Although, we do miss the 24 hour puddings and ice cream and danishes provided :)

Our sweet bundle of joy at home with eyes wide open, sent straight from heaven :) We love you Caleb Ryan!