Welcome Mason Matthew Baker!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but at the Baker household we've had a VERY busy week! I normally post to the blog each Sunday, but we were a little preoccupied that day! Last week I was having lots of contractions, especially when I was on my feet and walking around. After my Tuesday appointment, I was up most of the night with contractions, and really thought I would be heading to the hospital on Wednesday, but instead I went to work. I was miserable all day, so decided to take a sick day Thursday. After staying home, relaxing, and staying off of my feet for a day, I felt so much better! So I went ahead and went to work on Friday, then regretted it because I felt awful. I decided that I was not going to go back to work this week (it was only a 2 day work week) and lined my sub to start Monday.

Over the weekend we relaxed and didn't do too awful much...every time I was on my feet I began having contractions and not feeling well, so I tried to take it easy (and tried to resist the temptation to walk, walk, and walk some more to bring labor on)! Saturday night we were relaxing at home and Zane decided to perform for the camera. Here he is singing a couple of songs:

"Days of the Week" song

ABC's

Sleepy Santa

Sunday morning I woke up and was having lots of cramping. I started also have pretty regular contractions and they began getting closer together. Finally, after 2 1/2 hours of that, I gave in and called the hospital. They ended up telling me to come in to be checked out. So we called our awesome friends, Jason and Mary, and asked if we could bring Zane over to their house so we could possibly go have a baby! They are so good to us and even offered to come get Zane so we didn't have to go to their house. We took him over there around 10:30 and headed off to the hospital! I had a hard time leaving him there because I knew our lives, and his, were about to change drastically! He had no clue whatsoever and could have cared less that we were leaving...he was at Madelyn's house!

We got to the hospital at about 11:00 and they took us to the triage area to assess me and see what was going on. I was dilated to 5 cm, 90% effaced, and -3 station. The nurse talked to the on-call doctor, and she said to go ahead and keep us and we'd have a baby! I was very excited that they didn't tell me I had to go home! We even got to be in the same hospital room as we were in with Zane...how lucky!

Since I was already dilated to 5 cm, they told me I could have my epidural just as soon as they got everything hooked up and they paged the anesthesiologist. I was ready for it! The doctor came in and introduced herself and she talked about how easy and quick she thought this was going to go for us (man was she right). At 1:45 I got my epidural and at 2:00 they broke my water. After that, it went very fast! They checked me at 3:00 and I was dilated to 8 cm. At 3:45 they came in and said they saw changes in the baby's heart rate, which was nothing to be concerned about, but was telling them that it may be time to deliver. So when she checked me, I was 10 cm and ready to push! Just a few minutes before that, Matt stepped out of the room to get some fresh air, so I had to call him to come back up quickly!

As soon as Matt walked into the door and to my side, they asked me to start pushing. That was at 3:52. At 3:56 (4 minutes later), Mason Matthew Baker entered the world! Neither Matt nor I could believe how quickly and easily it all went! Here are his "stats:"

Mason Matthew Baker, 11-23-08, 7 lbs, 14 oz, 21 3/4 inches

We very quickly learned he has a GREAT set of lungs!

We were very excited for Zane to meet his new brother! He was still at the Ottis house, so we called them. Mary left her girls home with Jason and brought Zane to see us. On the way, she told him that they were coming to see his new baby brother named Mason. When she said "Can you say Mason," Zane's reply was "No, Bobby." I wondered how that would go! They stopped and got McDonald's for me, yum! Mary also made me pumpkin bars...I'd been DYING to have some of them. Mary is so good to me! At first Zane wasn't sure what to think...he kind of shyed away from Mason. The week before, we had bought "Bobby" a couple of gifts for Zane to give...a book and a "little lion" that looks a lot like his bigger lion. Zane came and brought the gifts to Mason.

Brothers!

All Zane wanted to do was see Mason's hands. He kept saying "where his hands, mom?" He would put his finger in Mason's hand and have him hold it. It was so cute! The longer he was there, the more he wanted to be around Mason, look at him, and touch him. After awhile, the grandparents showed up, then he started doing a little bit of showing off...as soon as visiting hours were over they were sure to tell us...I think he was getting a little loud! Matt's mom ended up staying through Tuesday so that she could stay with Zane and Matt could spend time with Mason and I.

Monday was a very relaxing day in the hospital. The nurses took such good care of us, I enjoyed every moment of it! That evening we had quite a few visitors from my school who wanted to meet Mason. I am so lucky to have such great friends! Keeta brought Zane again and he was even more excited to see Mason. After a little while he got bored and wanted to leave. He said "this dumb place. Let's go." At least he's honest!

Zane chilling and watching cartoons

The new family of four!!

Tuesday Matt and Keeta took Zane to preschool, all set to show off with pictures of he and Mason! He was not wanting to stay at preschool and did not want to talk to anyone about the baby, but we thought it was important to get hm back on somewhat of a normal schedule! By the end of the day he had talked some about his baby brother, but didn't give them many details. He had taken a picture to show them, but wouldn't let them see, although they said he did sleep with it during rest time! We left the hospital around 11:00, so I got to go inside and pick him up from preschool. It was fun to watch him and Mason in the backseat. He kept looking over at Mason saying "Hi Mason."

Mason not happy with his going home hat
Right before heading home

All buckled in, ready to roll!

When Matt woke up Tuesday, he felt awful...his body hurt all over the place. He was very worried about all of us catching whatever he had, so he made a doctor appointment for later in the afternoon. He went and found out he had strep throat and also a temp of 103! That was NOT what I wanted to hear the day we were home from the hospital with a brand new baby and a 3 1/2 year old to take care of! So, since we've been home it's mostly been me taking care of 2 (really 3) boys! I'm ready for Matt to feel better so at least he can help hold Mason once in awhile! I know he feels so bad that he can't help out, but it's more important that he gets healthy first!

The more Zane is around Mason, the more he loves him! He's always asking about "my baby" or "my baby sister" (we have to work on that...all the other kids at daycare so far have had baby sisters, so that's what he's used to). Yesterday Mason was sleeping on the couch and Zane was watching a movie. The next thing I knew, Zane was over beside him, standing by the couch, just resting his hand on Mason's stomach. He kept looking at him and smiling! It was so cute, I just hope it keeps up!!

It has been so much fun getting to know Mason! I think he looks so much like Zaner! So far he is a wonderful baby! He loves to eat, I don't have a problem feeding him!! He likes to sleep too...day and night! I just hope that he remembers that nighttime is the BEST time to sleep!

Check out our flickr site, as I posted a lot more pictures there. Check back this weekend...I should be back on track for posting now (hopefully...)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakerbunch/

Take care!

Matt, Amy, Zane & Mason