Catching up: April 12 - April 27

Tuesday, April 12

So my doc had told me to call the hospital at 9am to see when to come into the hospital to be induced...L&D (Labor & Delivery) proceeded to tell me that it was really busy that morning and to call back at noon to see when a better time to come in would be.  Seriously?!  Isn't that why they make the appointment in the first place?  I was a little angry at first, but then I thought, hey, I can eat breakfast now.  So did that...then Missy was off to Universal Studios by herself to check out Harry Potter World (so happy for her!).  I figured since we had a couple hours to kill, I made an appointment for a massage.  :)  Did that, then called the hospital...

STILL busy, but they said come in at 3pm and it shouldn't be as crazy.  Really?

We grabbed some lunch at the mall and then it was go time.

They checked me into one of the nicer/larger rooms, but they said at any minute since they were busy they may move me to a smaller room.  WTF.  Oh well.

A very pregnant me getting ready!

 They gave me Cytotec, labor-inducing drugs; just a very small dose, around 4pm.  Then around 8pm I think they gave me another dose...things got blurry around this time, but I believe around 11pm I started getting bad contractions, and I was ready for my epidural.  The anesthesiologist was really good and in no time I was on cloud 9 and fell asleep.  It was blissful.  Around 3am they decided it was time to move me as someone else was going into labor...ugh.  So we were pulled into another room; but it was actually a good move as it felt a little cooler and Hubs' chair/bed was comfier.  I was all good, epidurals are THE. BEST.

Around 8am I woke up having to use the bathroom; nothing too demanding, but I couldn't sleep and I couldn't reach my nurse button and Hubs was passed out, so I tried watching a little TV.  15 minutes later Hubs woke up and I really had to use the bathroom, so I had him grab my nurse button...unfortunately they were changing shifts so they wouldn't be in for another 20 minutes or so.

8:45am rolls around and the head nurse/mid-wife finally checks on me...and right away she tells me I'm actually going into labor-his head was crowning.  Hahaha...so not a poop, but a baby.  Well how about that.

They weren't really prepared for this (which you'd think they would be considering it's a Labor & Delivery Ward), so they wheeled me into the C-Section Operating room.  For some reason most of the nurses weren't familiar with that room, so they were all scrambling around trying to find everything they needed (comforting, huh?).  I had Hubs get me my phone and headphones so I could grab my baby-pushing playlist...yes, I was prepared with music this time around.  But by the time I got my headphones in, the baby was half-way out.  Yes folks, labor with this little guy seriously took under 10 minutes.  It was my dream come true, phew!

World, meet Ozzie Matthew Hovland - 24 inches, 9 pounds, 4 ounces, born on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 9:07am (I think...).

He was so alert and ready to meet the world!

 That day Aunt Missy and Leif stopped by to meet Ozzie for the first time it was adorable, but I don't have photos of visit...

Thursday, April 14

My other little one dropped by for another visit with his Aunt Missy the next day-I was glad to see him again.

Had to get another photo with Ozzie.  

Hubs and his second little boy.

It was a crazy experience, but after having baby #2, here is what I learned/words of wisdom to pass on to moms-to-be:

1. It might seem like common sense, but take care of your body while pregnant.  With Leif, I worked out and ate well (I had the time to work out)...with Ozzie, I never worked out and ate everything.  I think I got a little out of control with food/eating out, thus spiking my blood pressure and having those crazy hospital visits.  Although, Ozzie's labor was way easier than Leif, but that's because my body was ready for it...

2. Hospital beds are the worst.  Be prepared to be uncomfortable.  If you want to bring your own pillows, do it.

3. If you are on the fence about epidurals, in my opinion: GO FOR IT.  But that was just me.  I applaud moms who opt for natural births, but I felt that contractions were worse than the labor itself.

4. With Leif there was a television in the delivery room with a channel of gorgeous nature scenes, so I concentrated on that as much as possible.  With Ozzie, I had music (even though I listened to about two tunes, delivering to Hall & Oates "I Can't Go For That")...so I suggest having something or someone there to help distract you from the pain.  Hubs was there of course, but I needed something extra.

5. Read about what to bring with you to the hospital, but I say pack light.  You really aren't going to be moving much and the hospital usually provides the initial onesie/blanket/hat for baby.  I stayed in the hospital gown because it was easy for me to nurse in and with your woman parts all messy, I'd rather get the hospital gown dirty than my own clothes.

6. Enjoy the help from the nurses during your hospital stay...those ladies/men know how to swaddle your baby and for some reason they have a magic touch.  When they swaddled Ozzie, he'd stay fast asleep; when Hubs or I tried, he'd break out and cry.  Good times.

Here we go catching up with lots of photos:

Saturday, April 16

I was released from the hospital on Friday...we had to stay an extra night due to me losing a little extra blood than I should have after the birth, so they wanted to monitor me.  But everything was fine.

Leif decided to mimic Tom Cruise that morning...

Oh, Nana came in on Friday!  Here they are playing with his Potato Heads.

Nana getting some quality cuddle time with Ozzie

Sunday, April 17: I can't remember what we did that day, but Leif didn't have a very long nap/played hard...and proceeded to fall asleep while eating dinner.

And another sleepy boy :)

Tuesday, April 19: Leif absolutely loves Ozzie, and it's been really sweet capturing his affection for his little brother.

Wednesday, April 20: Lots of kisses!

Friday, April 22: Cutie pie

Saturday, April 23: To keep Leif occupied, found a cardboard dinosaur at Target for him to finger paint

That night was bath night with daddy...lots of bubbles!

Tuesday, April 26: Pop Pop had time to come visit Ozzie too!

Wednesday, April 27: Me and my boys.  They make me very, very happy.

That night was Ozzie's first bath!  He seemed confused and a little worried, but he was a champ.

Next post: Ozzie's first fun trip out and more!