Noah Arrives Earlier than Expected!

The morning of December 6 was like any other day. I felt great and wanted to take the kids on a small hike up Thunderbird Park to visit Santa and have a photo. We had just put up our tree a few days ago and were really getting into the Christmas spirit...even in our shorts and T-shirts. :) You gotta admit, it's kind of funny seeing Santa in the desert! Santa was a saint that day. It was pretty warm to have on the full suit. The kids waited in a long line (about an hour) to have the chance to sit on his lap and say hello. (And remind Santa of the Tinker Bell doll and Spider Man costume requests!)

Fortunately, we had our friends, Samuel and Spencer to dig in the dirt and explore with while we waited to see Santa.

Though the hike was mellow, it may have been just the trick for starting my labor. Later that night, about 1:00 a.m. I dashed out of bed and tried to run to the bathroom with my legs squeezed together as tight as possible. My water broke...and truthfully I wasn't sure if I had wet the bed or not. I wasn't having contractions and it just didn't feel like labor. I spent the next hour on the internet, looking up signs of labor...ruptured membranes...and any other pertinent info. The big question: Should I stay or should I go? We had childcare lined up, but didn't want to wake everyone up for a false alarm. Matt stayed home and I decided to drive myself in. If it was the real deal, then Matt could get a ride to the hospital from one of our friends.

By 5:30 the contractions had started and I was admitted to a labor and delivery room. Things were moving pretty quickly from there. Matt took Miah over to Criscell and Caleb's and Ian spent the day with Mandy and Will. Matt arrived at the hospital at 7:30 and by 9:30, our beautiful baby boy was here...two weeks early!

Welcome: Noah Kendall
8 lbs. 1 oz.
12-7-2008
Ten Fingers and Ten Toes!

The first two days at the hospital were wonderful. I spent time healing and holding our beautiful baby. The days flew by. We were so fortunate to have Mandy and Criscell watching over Ian and Miah while I was away. It was a special moment when Ian and Miah met Noah for the first time. They were so excited to have a baby brother of their own and were very proud.
I talked with Ian and Miah over the phone each morning while I was at the hospital. On the second day, Miah asked me if Noah was talking yet. :)

Miah is such a big helper! She wants to be there for everything.

Ian is a proud big brother!

Ian and Miah are glad Noah is here and are ready for both Mom and baby to come home. However, Noah's bilirubin levels were climbing and he was having a problem with jaundice. They decided to admit Noah to the Stork's Nest and begin phototherapy about two hours before we were supposed to be discharged. It was a pretty sad day. I can't believe how hard it was to walk out of the hospital without our baby. He stayed an extra two days and I went back and forth for feedings and visits. Looking back, it was crazy busy for us after just giving birth. After a first child, you can come home and rest, rest, rest. After a second child, you can still come home and rest, but not as much. However, after a third child what can I say...life keeps on going and it just isn't easy to find the time for rest. Besides, there are two precious little ones that missed their mommy while she was away and they can't wait to catch up on their time together! Is three busy? Yes! But we wouldn't have it any other way. Our lives are blessed.