Baby Zachary is born!

I was scheduled for my 4th and final c-section at 7:00 am on May 3, 2013.  I was supposed to be at the hospital at 5:00 am.  But as I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, baby Zach got anxious and couldn't wait to get here.  At 12:40 am, my water broke.  I couldn't believe it.  I've had my water break and labored with all my other kids, so I was looking forward to going in and having the c-section without any labor first. But it was not to be.  We called the hospital to let them know we were coming early and headed in.  I began having contractions in the car that were fast and hard.  We got settled into the room, got an IV, and began prepping for surgery.  They got the fetal heart-rate montior on and called Dr. Benham, the anesthesiologist, and the surgical team in.  However, there were 2 other ladies down the hall that had requested epidurals, so I had to wait while the anesthsiologist placed those.  It seemed to take forever.

Meanwhile, my contractions were still coming quickly and were getting very painful.  Soon I would feel a contraction, and would hear Zach's heart beat on the monitor go "beepbeepbeepbeep...beep......beep.........beep................beep....................... beep......beep...beep..beepbeepbeep" when the contractions was over.  It was scary to listen to it go up and down as I had contractions.  This is exactly what happened with Kason that necessitated my first c-section.  The nurses kept coming in and changing my position to see if that would help his heart-rate.  I could tell they were getting nervous, and I was anxious to get him out safely. 

Finally, the time came to wheel me into the OR.  I told the anestheologist that I'd been pukey the entire pregnancy, and that I'd had bad nausea during my previous 3 c-sections so to be ready with a puke bag.  I don't think he took me very seriously.  They cut me open at 3:30 am, and I immediately began puking.  Gross.  Poor Tige had to hold the puke bag and wipe my face.  The baby was out at 3:36 am, and I puked that entire 6 minutes.  But as soon as he was out, I felt fine.

This is my first glimpse of Zachary Jair Hazleton

Born May 3, 2013 at 3:36 am

7.0 lbs and 20 inches long

Zachary means "the Lord remembers"

Jair means "he will brighten"

It took them nearly an hour to sew me up.  The nurses said that some Dr.'s do a quick (and crappy) job and just staple everything closed, but Dr. Benham took a long time sewing me up with tiny stitches.  They said I'd heal faster and better because he'd taken his time to fix me up right. One of the reasons I like him so well.  When I finally got back to the room, Tige and the nurse were with the baby, and were looking a little concerned.  He was grunting, retracting, and nasal flaring.  This means the muscles around his lungs and stomach were fighting for him to breathe.  They had called the NICU down to look at him. 

After the NICU Dr. looked at him, they decided to put him skin-to-skin with me and see if that helped.  Sure enough, he calmed down, began breathing better and was soon able to nurse. 

Since Zach was born so early in the morning, lucky Kason got to swing by on his way to school and meet him.  He didn't get to stay long, but was so cute and so excited!

Later that afternoon, Grandma Taylor came with Abby & Taylor.  I LOVE this picture of Abby getting her first glimpse at Zach.  You can see the instant love in her eyes.  Taylor climbed up there to see him and said "he's so nice!" 

One of my late night feedings.  Love this boy!

The kids came ot see us each day.  They were excited to see me and the baby, but also excited to see my IPad!

And Taylor was thrilled to eat all the crackers and grapes that were by my bedside.

Saturday was the half Ironman, which Tige was supposed to race in, but ended up having Kirk race in his place.  Matt raced too, and Tige voluntered at a couple of stations while Grandma Taylor had the other kids.  I had a mostly quiet day at the hospital resting and enjoying my sweet baby.  Tige stopped by in the afternoon, and we had a nice visit, just the two of us.  I enjoyed that time a lot.

Cathy Ford took me for a pedicure the day before I had Zach.  We got matching purple, glittery toes. I loved looking at them in my hospital bed, and several nurses said how pretty my toes were.  I enjoyed having one "pretty" thing when the rest of me felt and looked horrible.

Zach has hair!  Well not a lot of hair, but a nice head of dark hair, about and inch long in the back.  All 3 of my other kids have only had fine, blonde fuzz, which basically means they were bald until the age of 2.  So it's fun to have a little dark haired boy.  It's the exact color or Tige's hair.

Our first family picture, Sunday morning.

Zach's visitors in the hospital:  Grandma Taylor

Grandpa Taylor

Aunt Teina

Uncle Kirk and Aunt Shalisa

Cousin Gavin

Aunt JaNae and Uncle Matt

Also, Jena DeHaan, Cathy Ford, and Jackie Andrus visited us at the hospital, but I didn't get pictures.

Grandma Bev came to see us when we got home.

and so did Cathy

We've had a great time loving up on baby Zach.  He's a little sweetheart who is happy and likes to cuddle.  The kids are lined up to hold him, Abby most of all.  We are in love.