Kolton James Andersen

I am a planner. I plan everything. I can't help it... it's just the way I am. So... I strategically planned when to have a baby so that I could be off for the summer with the little tyke. Everything went according to plan until.... on Cinco De Mayo my blood pressure spiked. So, my doctor sent me to the hospital for fetal stress tests. Everything with the baby was fine. But here's the thing about high blood pressure... being in a hospital room attached to machines and monitors by yourself isn't conducive to bringing said blood pressure back down. I only needed to make it 5 more days. For a moment there it looked like Kolton was going to go ahead and come early making finals and final grades a tad bit tricky but... I was able to leave, put on bed rest, and only had to cancel one class. The following week AFTER I posted grades, my bp spiked again so... on Friday the 13th of May (my nephew's birthday), Brian and I went to the hospital to have this little guy. Apparently he had some planning of his own. We got there 2 hours early ready for a wait. My nurse was doing her orientation and shook so badly it's a miracle my iv worked. She was very friendly though and she and another nurse got me going on ivs and getting things ready for surgery. They came in to let us know that we got bumped and it was going to be an extra half an hour. We were kind of bummed because nothing is worse than the waiting part. Then they came in a few minutes later and said, "nevermind, we are going into surgery in 15 minutes." We were grateful. Brian was ready to meet his son.

And so was I...
The prep and surgery were a little different than they had been with Xiana but I guess that's to be expected. There is something so futuristic about going into a room with tables and massive lights and listening while doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists count instruments and devices. They hang a curtain so you can't see what's going on... and after the crazy spinal I got I certainly couldn't feel anything.
You wait for a few minutes hearing scraping noises and the smell of burnt flesh while they cauterize the incisions and suddenly....
Without feeling or seeing a thing...
You hear a sweet little baby cry. I cried when Xiana was born and the only person who acknowledged me was the anesthesiologist. He asked, "those are tears of joy right?" This time I thought I was beyond that but... the second I heard that sweet noise, I began to cry.
Of course by this time daddy and half the nurses were over with Kolton. The focus in the room had shifted so, once again, the anesthesiologist got me some tissues for my tears. It's kind of funny. Thank goodness they have to pay attention :)
Kolton James Andersen weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz and was 20 inches long. We were both immediately surprised at how small he was. We had wagered more along the lines of 7 and 1/2. I guess I just make small babies... I couldn't believe how much he looked like Xiana. It was such an instant flashback to the day she was born. His little body was almost the same size as hers and his face, though distinctly more masculine, was so similar it reminded me exactly how she looked the moment she was born.
C-sections are different. This is our first family shot :0
He is such a cute little guy and he has also been a very good baby. I can't believe how lucky we are to have such a wonderful little sleeper. Plus, so far his disposition is sweet and mellow.
He looks around with those big eyes in his tiny little face and it absolutely melts your heart. I was in a significant amount of pain this time around. I'm not sure why it hurt so much more than my last c-section, but all I have to do is look at this little face and it makes it all worth it.
Even his little frowny face is adorable.
Then he got to meet big sissy and she was over the moon... for a minute. Then she really wanted to leave the boring hospital so that she could make it to her princess party. I'm very grateful to my parents for keeping Xiana for the weekend and getting her to her party. I think it made all the difference to a little girl whose world is in the process of unraveling to reveal an entirely new and unfamiliar one. Grandpa snuggles were mandatory for this particular weekend.
I still couldn't get over how much he looked like her until... his other big sissy walked in and then... I couldn't get over how much he looked like her. Like Xiana, Ekco was a bit hesitant at first. She didn't want to hold him and seemed apprehensive at best. But it didn't take long for her to want nothing but to hold him and to be near him. She started out lukewarm and left elated. It is a lot to take in I know. I remember when my little brother was born. I was thrilled at the prospect of him... the actuality was less than stellar. It's a big transition for both the girls.
Still it's obvious that they love him.
Just as much as we do... (well maybe not quite as much :)
Child birth is such a surreal thing. There are so many hormones and emotions and things running through your mind. I find it's hard to articulate those moments for some time... maybe you can't ever really describe what it is to walk into a hospital as one person and come out as two.
This sweet boy is certainly loved. We had visitors galore. My parents and, of course, the girls came. Then Jeff, Tyson, Mark, Tosh, Ella, and Rowan, Kevin and Kylee visited. Ali and Larry came in the evening as did Kacie.
And we were overjoyed. Tired and scared, but overjoyed.
And the kids swarmed him and loved him.
And I was soo very ecstatic to meet my son. Wow, even the words my son seem so strange as I sit here a week later typing them... my son. And what's more I got to meet this guy all over again.... his daddy. Brian was so cute with him and as soon as he was born told him, "hey buddy, I've got big plans for you." This made me chuckle because I know it's true. Brian really stepped up to the plate. Words simply cannot express how wonderful this experience was with him by my side. I haven't been able to think about it without tears coming to my eyes. I repeatedly felt that this is why the Lord wants us to be families... so that we can help each other through and share in these magnificent moments. It was so incredibly much easier this time around than last. Brian stayed both nights at the hospital with me which was so comforting. With the pain of my incision it was really hard with Xiana to get up and down a million times in the night. With Kolton, when he fussed, Brian got up and handed him to me. It was amazing and truly so much less stressful or challenging. Even if Brian can't do the feeding or the late nights for me, just having him there with me made all the difference. This pregnancy I was really excited at the beginning, but as we got closer to our due date I started to feel ambivalent. Then I felt guilty that I felt ambivalent. But I just couldn't help but be so frightened at how hard it is to have a new baby; how scary everything is; how lonely it can be. Then, we had him. And it is still scary, but not lonely. It is still worrisome, but I have Brian to bounce ideas off of or turn to for emotional support. I swear I feel like I met a new guy that weekend. He became the mister mom, take-care-of-me, proud papa and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Aunt Ali loves him already. Tyson said, "man you guys got an awesome baby."
And by day two I was up and walking.
And we were once again... a family.
Two big sisters and one little brother meeting each other again. I can hardly wait for all the experiences and life they are going to share.
Xiana's highlight of the weekend was definitely getting to feed brother a bottle. Unfortunately that was the last time since she has had a cold ever since. We have repeatedly reassured her that there will be many bottles in his future. (but hopefully they won't be formula ones like this was) And as it turns out, my genes must not be that strong because he is, without a doubt... an Andersen
And an amazingly sweet little Andersen at that.
Fortunately they let us leave the hospital after only 2 nights. I can't stand staying in the hospital and even when the doctor told me that I would have to come back the next day to get my staples out... it was worth it! Although I will say, we delivered at Saint Mary's and all the nurses and doctors were wonderful. We really had a pleasant experience there. At the end of the day though, it's still a hospital and we were thrilled to sleep in our own bed.