Okay, okay...

I guess you want to know about - and see - my new, beautiful, sweet-smelling, handsome baby boy! (Or at least my sisters do; they both called today for that specific reason.) But, I have to warn you that many tears will be shed on my computer keyboard while I type about this beautiful experience. Not like you'll be affected by them or even know they're there, but I hope my computer doesn't short out as a result.

Everett Daniel Foster took his first breath at 1:26 a.m. on Friday, January 29th. He weighed in at 7lb 6oz and was 20.4 inches long. He is, of course, a perfect little man. So handsome, so tiny, so fun to kiss and snuggle and stare at. We are smitten.

Birth Story

I last posted when we were headed to the hospital. We got there and by the time they got us in a room I was having very regular, strong contractions. However, they hooked me up to monitors and had me lie down while they got me all checked in and everything stopped. Ugh. So as soon as we could, we started walking the halls. I would get things going again just to have it all stop. My back and legs were hurting, I was tired, and (above all) FRUSTRATED. Tyler and I went back to our room where he encouraged me to relax and let my body do its thing. I had him say a prayer and then we both decided to lie down and get some sleep while we could. Ty had been up super late the night before and was just getting over being sick so I knew he needed to sleep. I let my body totally relax and was almost out myself when the first contraction came...3 minutes later, another...3 minutes later, another. Hooray! They just kept coming. This was at about 10:30 p.m. I let Tyler sleep for almost an hour before I needed him by my side. He had to be on my right side and could touch me and talk to me in between contractions, but not during. I needed quiet in the room. I get very quiet myself when I'm in labor. I spent the next two and half hours standing next to my bed, hand on the rail, rocking back and forth.

The doctor came in at about midnight and gave me a side hug and then hung out until he was needed. My mom got there about the same time. She's never witnessed a birth aside from her own 5 children and I thought it would be cool for her to be there just as I was pushing my little man out. I really didn't notice anyone in the room aside from Tyler whose thumb I had to squish against the railing during those last contractions. My mom said that everyone was very respectful of what was happening; everyone who came in and out was very quiet. I was getting close - dilated to about a 7 or 8 - when the nurse and doctor started to be concerned about the baby. They were pretty sure that there was a problem with his cord. I was mostly unaware of their concern, aside from them having me change positions 3 times to see if Everett's heart rate would react better. The natural birth process is pretty amazing and so very personal; I was in a different place mentally and so focused on what I needed to do. By this time I barely had time to move in between contractions and couldn't believe they wanted me to lie down and be on my hands and knees. I just wanted to stand. Pretty soon I was at a 10, but there was a little bit of cervix left which the doctor kept trying to massage away because they really wanted him to deliver soon due to his heart variables. I wanted to push, but was encouraged to wait because of that last bit of cervix, so I refrained the best I could. Finally they told me to push. It was more work than with Kelly, but only took 5 or 6 pushes. I broke a blood vessel in my eye from the pushing, actually. No tearing, though!

They knew that there would be a cord around his neck because of his heart variables during the contractions, but what they weren't counting on was it being wrapped 4 times around his little neck! Every professional in the room was amazed; none of them had ever seen that in the delivery room before...only in a cesarean situation. I heard the nurse ask the doctor a while later if the cord was unusually long (which would explain how it could be wrapped so many times but still allow him to descend) and he said, "No, I looked, but it's a normal length." It wasn't until the doctor came to check on us the following day that I realized how worried he had been during the delivery. He told me that because I was so close to delivery by the time he got there, because I'd had two other children, and because I was so in control he decided to allow me to try and deliver normally. He also said that if it had been my first baby there would have been no question - he would have done a cesarean. He indicated that it was somewhat risky for him to let me keep going. I attribute that little miracle to the priesthood blessing I received before delivery and the many prayers that I offered throughout my pregnancy concerning the delivery. He also said that my labor "was a pleasure to watch." What a great doctor. And I had a wonderful nurse who was perfect for me. I feel very blessed! Because of the cord situation, it took a few minutes longer than normal for them to put him on my chest...but oh! I don't think a mother ever forgets that moment with any of her children. I was overcome...still am. Elation and very little sleep followed.

The kids have adjusted quite well. Kelly hasn't really been phased, but Max has been a little emotional. That seems to be leveling out now, though. Today Everett started to cry and Max began running around the room, searching for his pacifier, "Hurry, Mom! Everett's crying. I need his binky! Where is it?!" I think he's going to fit in around here perfectly. We are SO glad to have him here and are not taking for granted a single second...we know how fast time goes.

My mom left today and I cried quite a bit. Those visits with my mom are so very, very special to me. She is amazing with my kids, cooks up a storm, makes sure I sleep and drink water and take care of myself. This morning she woke up early and cleaned my entire house before she left. Oh, I miss her already. My kids were always fed and dressed with their hair done when I woke up. They sang songs and played games and baked all day. Every time she came downstairs with them, she would sit down and they would slide down the stairs on her lap...even while she was on the phone one time!

She put the bubble machine we have on the side of the tub for bath time, which was a hit with Kelly especially.She's a tough act to follow; I hope I don't bore my kids to death now. :) 'Thank you' doesn't cut it, Momma!At his first Dr. appointment (4 days old) he had already gained weight - 7lb 11oz. The doc was very impressed. I produce cream, I tell ya.

So there you have it...a whole lotta information, peppered with several cute pictures. What more can you ask for in a single post?!