From the Hospital

One more Scott addendum because LB foolishly gave me her username and password and now I can add things anytime I want. But this will be the last time because I have relevant information. I thought everyone would want to know his size. He measured in at 21in and 7lb 3oz. He weighs less than Ada did (7lbs 11oz)! And she still only weighs 23lbs. Poor guy is destined to be a horse jockey.
-Scott

Hey everyone, it's Laura Beth. I am taking back over my blog.

I read the post below, and for the record I did not ask Scott to say anything about my water breaking or mucous plugs--I apologize for that information. I am sure none of you wanted to hear that:)

First things first. Little John is doing GREAT. He is so strong and healthy other than the fact that he just got too excited about finally being born that he took too big of a breath:) Truly, he is doing wonderful. The little hole in his lungs is gone based on the most recent x-ray, and tomorrow, if things stay the same, they will take out the tube that is currently in his chest. Once the tube is out for a day, he can come home. Woo-hoo.

As much as the doctor has assured me throughout this entire process that everything is going to be just fine, you can imagine how emotional it's been. You just don't want your baby wisked away to the NICU right after his birth. Add the fact that I am exhausted, hormonal, and once again, pumping rather than nursing, well I have cried a few tears;) But...for the most part I am doing great as well.

And last night, I decided to make the best of a bad situation, and I slept all night long. I won't do that again, as I am now pumping at John's bedside and immediately giving him that magical colostrum through a bottle (tears over that), so I will be downstairs in NICU every three hours tonight. And tomorrow, hopefully, I will finally be able to nurse him. For those of you who understand my sentiments towards breastfeeding, please join me in praying that he will latch on like he never even saw the bottle. Other than his lung being 100% healed (which it is well on its way), my next main prayer right now is that all of this will not stop John from nursing. I know that the Lord is in control of this little man's life, and he certainly knows the health benefits of breast milk, so I am (trying) to trust Him with this. At times I have complete peace, and at other times I don't have peace at all;) You know how that goes.

I did get to hold John for a brief second after he was born, and as soon as that tube is out, I can hold him again. I am dying to get him in my arms.

Labor itself was wonderful, as most of you read below. We got here at 4 am ish, and I was in quite a bit of pain. But as soon as that epidural was in, things were much, much better. John's contractions were much worse than Ada's. I am in awe of women who do this without an epidural. My epidural was also different in that I felt much more of the birth than I did with Ada's. I truly thought that I was going to have John before the doctor came because of the intense pressure I was feeling in my entire lower region including my legs. I was holding on to the side of the bed, wondering if the doctor would ever get there. But once we started pushing, I only pushed through 4 or 5 contractions, and John was here. What a glorious thing to see that baby for the first time. And he reminds me so much of Ada when she was born. They are not identical, of course, but you can certainly tell they are siblings.

And his hair. Ya'll, he has a head full of dark, dark hair. What in the world? No little red-headed boy for us, unless it falls out and comes back red. I was actually born with dark hair, so it could happen to him too.

What else do I want to tell ya'll? Thank you for all the comments, friends. I feel like little John is so loved already. And of course, please continue to pray for complete healing of that little lung. I can't wait to show you pictures. I am so proud of my little man. He was a little bug eyed and swollen when he came out (do any brand new babies really look that great?), but he is looking better now;).

I am sorry if anyone called and I have not responded. Scott accidentally left the hospital with my phone yesterday, so I have been away from my phone for 24 hours. Do you see a pattern in my life? I always have some sort of trouble with my phone.

I will continue to update as we learn more about how John is doing. For now, I am going to get some rest.