The Complete Recap of Sam's First Week

Here is my attempt at recapping the birth of my 3rd child.  I have pictures from multiple sources so I could fully capture the magic of September 6, 2011.  My doctor agreed to doing my c-section two days early so I could go to my grandma's funeral.  This was without a doubt the most emotions I could possibly handle in one week!

Sarah came to my house just before six in the morning to get the kids ready and to the hospital to meet their new brother.  Max also had his first day of preschool to look forward to.

 You can see how excited he was.

Hank couldn't wait!  He was dying to show Crusher his extremely loose snaggle tooth.

The beauty of a scheduled c-section is knowing exactly when your baby will arrive.  Mom, dad, and Jeri kept us company while we waited to go the operating room.  Randy had all his gear on, looking like a stud!

I had to take a profile picture to prove he was in fact housed in my body for the past 39 weeks.  How he fit, I will never know.  I must say my experience this time around was far less dramatic than last time.  I walked into the operating room, got the spinal block (which didn't hurt one bit), and my doctor asked me what kind of music I wanted to listen to.  Of course the obvious choice for a delivery would be John Legend radio on Pandora.  I kind of felt like I was at a day spa, other than the whole ripping a baby from your gut part.  I will never forget the song playing when he made his arrival at 8:52 a.m.  There is nothing like the soulful Lauren Hill to welcome your child to the world ("Ex Factor" was the song from one of my favorite CD's of all time Miseducation of Lauren Hill).

 Here is Crusher just seconds after birth. 

 His official weight 8 pounds 4 oz. 

 As they put my insides back, I got to hold my new baby.  What a surreal experience.

 The thing I will remember most about this picture is the song playing in the background....  Alisha Key's "Empire State of Mind".  It makes such a difference having music playing during this experience.

 He is perfect in every way.  I can't express my gratitude enough for a strong, healthy baby.

 Randy headed down to the nursery while they continued to work on me.  He was so happy and relaxed this time around.

 Crusher's first bottle.

 Proud papa

 My boys kept me company while I waited to go to my room.  This is the most cuddling they've allowed me in months.

Patiently waiting to see Crusher.

 Ahhhh finally Hank got to see his new brother.

He has so much dark hair and his features seem so different from Hank and Max.  I kept checking his ID bands to make sure he was really my baby.

Max loves his brother.  The first thing he said was "Hello Crusher, I'm Max".

He loves to feed him, hold him, and hug him.  Max is an awesome big brother.

I can't believe I have 3 boys!! I feel like our family is complete now.

The nurses even gave him a mowhawk like his brothers.

It took us two days in the hospital to decide on his name.  I knew his name would probably be Sam about 3 months ago but I wanted to see him first.  Hank really wanted to name him Russell, another name I love, but Randy and I both decided he was without a doubt Sam.  Hank didn't take the news too well but he is learning to love it.

We had so many visitors.  The usual suspects came to the hospital multiple times.  Jeri had quality time with all 3 boys throughout the week.  She came to the rescue when the boys were tired of sitting at the hospital.

Even a trip to the ER after she smashed her finger in the car door couldn't keep this proud grandma away!

Of course Auntie Sarah was there as much a possible.  She also helped out with Hank and Max on multiple occasions.  I can't thank her enough for everything she did during the week.

 

Baby hungry much?

Jack made himself at home in my hospital room.  

He wasn't sure about the baby but he wanted to be close to me.

My sweet mama was there as much as she could be, but she had so much to do for the funeral.  This baby served as a positive distraction for sure. It was such a hard week for her.

She managed to stop by any spare second she could.  Larry had to get his Sam fix as well.

 

 Grandpa Curt made many visits.

My dad couldn't wait to show his grandson off to Chris and Missie.

 Principal Ross, aka Kate, took the day off from her responsibilities to be at the hospital.  It really meant a lot to have her there.

Grandpa Griff stopped by several times between his trips to the ER. 

He loves Sam Randall!

His Great Grandparents were well represented.

Grandma Yvonna

 Grandpa Sherm

Grandma Jerry

Auntie Kunz

Dyson

Isabel

Lucy

Scott

 The Bromley Family

Becky

Missie

 Shellie

 

Jessie and Crystal

Randy and I really tried to get a picture of everyone who came to the hospital but we missed pictures of Riley, Hayley, Phil, Colby, Dan, Brett, and Karla.  I knew we had a lot of support but sheesh, after posting all these pictures it is overwhelming.  We have so much love surrounding us.  I feel so lucky and blessed.

Sam is joining an amazing family.

I had the option of staying in the hospital an extra day but decided my family needed me at home.  The boys were so excited to take Sam home.

 I couldn't wait to get this tiny body dressed!  He has some amazing new outfits.

 Hank and I bought this outfit 4 months ago.  Sam loves it, can't you tell

 It is hilarious how tiny he looks in this huge carseat. 

 I have to mention how amazing Randy was during all this.  He was constantly running back and forth from the hospital to the school to give Hank his shot, to football practice, to preschool, then back home.  He completely took care of everything and when it was all said and done he said "being a mom blows!".  We are adjusting to life with 3 kids and it is crazy to say the least.  I am so lucky to have Randy as my partner through all of this.  I couldn't do it without him.

This post has taken every ounce of strength I have.  There is no way Sam can say I didn't take pictures of him!