Caleb's Story

Alex's birth, as you may recall, was a bit traumatic; I started bleeding at 35 weeks and after two days was induced.  Alex had to stay in the NICU for a week and was on oxygen at home for a month.  Caleb's birth, on the other hand, was completely different.  My Dr. guessed that he would come pretty close to my due date (May 31st), but for whatever reason I was convinced that he was going to come early.  As each week came and went, I grew bigger and more bitter.  Don't get me wrong, I was happy that I was going to have a full term baby who hopefully wouldn't have to stay in the NICU, but there was a BIG difference between 35 weeks and 40 weeks.  At 38 weeks I was 70% effaced and dilated to a 3, surely he would come soon!  But no.  No change as the days slowly passed.  "I'd be very surprised if you make it through the weekend," my Dr. told me three days before my due date, but he put me on the list to be induced the following Monday, just in case.  Friday came and went.  Saturday came and went.  Sunday came and went.  Spicy foods, long walks, still no baby.  

Then the fateful day finally arrived.  The hospital called the night before to tell us that a nurse would call us in the morning, although they didn't tell us what time they'd call.  6:30 am?  7:00?  7:30?  8:00?  I thought I was going to lose my mind when they hadn't called by 9.  I was just about about to call them when my phone started to ring.  "Hi this is Labor and Delivery, we are ready for you.  How soon can you get here?"  And just like that, we were on our way to the hospital to have a baby.  

It was so surreal.  All of that waiting.  Months, weeks, the hours that morning, all waiting was going to be over by the end of the day.  I was shaking uncontrollably on that car ride to the hospital with Alex; this time around I couldn't have been more calm.  We arrived, checked in, brought in our bag, I got my iv, and just like that we were off and running before 10 am.  I'm the type who appreciates modern medicine and gladly accepted an epidural after 20 minutes or so.  I laid in my bed, nicely numbed, watching several episodes of "The King of Queens" (there wasn't much else on).  Much to my nurse's surprise I was ready to go by about 1:30; they had to scramble to get the Dr. down and find another nurse to help out.  After a couple big pushes, Caleb Isaac Laurendeau was born at 1:55 pm, 7 lb 12 oz, 21.5 in long.

I must admit, this time around was SO much nicer.  I got to lay there and hold my baby for an hour before being moved to a recovery room.  I didn't have to go all the way downstairs, check in, and scrub in, just to see my baby; instead I got to have him right there in my room.  I didn't even have to move when family came to visit.  I didn't have to worry about how many people were by his bedside.  No beeping monitors, no having to weigh every dirty diaper, no crazy Drs wanting to stuff a feeding tube down my baby, no car seat tests, it was wonderful!  It was so nice to just hang out at the hospital with my tiny boy and relax!

My mom brought Alex to the hospital a couple hours after Caleb was born.  He looked at Caleb for a second, but quickly moved on to the buttons on my hospital bed.  The rest of the family came for a visit later that night and showed a little more enthusiasm.  We came home two days later.

Life with two kids definitely has it's hard moments.  It takes me FOREVER to go anywhere now.  I feel like my days are a long list of constantly shifting priorities. "Ok, Alex wants milk, then I can switch out the laundry, and then shower.  Oh wait, Caleb just pooped, so I'll change him first then get the milk.  Oh wait, now he's hungry.  Ok, I'll change Caleb, get Alex his milk, feed Caleb, switch out the laundry, then maybe I can shower.  Dang it, Alex just pooped.  Ok, I'll change him in the middle there.  Oh good grief, Caleb just pooped again.  Change him again. . ." and often it's 3:00 and I still haven't brushed my hair.  It is a bit exhausting trying to keep up with Alex all day and still having to wake up once or twice during the night with Caleb, but it is so completely worth it!  I love my boys more than words can ever describe, and I'm so grateful for them!  I think back to where we were a year ago, believing that a second pregnancy was impossible, and I can hardly believe that this sweet little miracle has joined our family!