A Christmas to Remember: James's Birth Day

I woke up at 3:30 a.m. with a contraction.  After monitoring the contractions for over an hour, which were coming every five minutes and were intense but manageable, I got up and packed last minute supplies in my hospital bag, ate a bowl of cereal and called the doctor.  Around 5:30, after only three hours of sleeping in bed (he fell asleep in front of the tv), Joshua popped out of bed and packed up his things while I woke my parents to tell them that we were heading off to the hospital.  I may have inundated them with a bunch of information (i.e. which presents Alma could open from Santa) that I had been mulling over.  It was exciting but we were a little unsure if we really were in labor or not.  With Alma, my water broke at 4 a.m. and there was no denying that labor had started.

We got to the hospital at 6am and had to enter through the ER because the main doors were locked.  Not wanting to be separated from Joshua, we parked in the garage and walked around the hospital to the ER, which was refreshing in the cold air.  Joshua thought it was hilarious that I would pause (both walking and talking) for a contraction and then once it was over quickly return to my chatter again.  He teased that they wouldn't need to put a contraction monitor on me, they could simply listen to when I paused my endless banter.

Once we got  to the ER at 6 a.m., we were told that someone from the Labor and Delivery floor would be there shortly to escort us up.   After a half an hour of steadily increasing contractions and a very nervous looking front desk attendant who was constantly calling up to L&D to see when the escort would get there, we walked through the winding hospital up to the L&D floor.  In the triage room, I was found to be between 5-6 cm dilated and was official admitted to the hospital.  

 

One last photo of the baby bump while in the ER watching It's A Wonderful Life

We were moved to a labor room around 8 a.m. were we hung out -- I was mostly on a yoga ball and Joshua was by my side massaging my neck -- for a relatively painless laboring process until 9:30 a.m. when the doctor arrived.  She checked me and found that I was 9cm dilated.  With her guidance, I broke my own water with a push around 9:45 a.m. and began pushing the baby shortly after.  Pushing this baby was a bit more intense than with Alma and lasted a little longer.  He decided to twist on the way out, which ... well, wasn't the most pleasant.


As soon as James came into the world at 10:22 a.m., they handed him to me bum-first so that I could see that he was a boy -- yeah, a little weird, I would have been okay with them just telling me -- before I got to hug him and snuggle with him.  I couldn't stop repeating "Hello, Baby."  I will always remember the excited look on Joshua's face as he kissed me and congratulated me on doing a good job.  It was a very happy moment.

An hour later, my parents brought Alma to meet her little brother.  Joshua went to the lobby to bring her back to the labor room and we had some time together as the new family of four. She was excited not only to meet James but also because she had been given a "Big Sister" sticker by the hospital staff.

Comically, when we asked Alma if Santa came that morning she said, "No."  While we were confused at first, we realized that when we explained that Santa was going to come at night while she was sleeping, we forgot to mention that he would also leave at night before she woke up.  She had been expecting to see him in the morning.  Sure, he ate the cookies, drank the milk and left presents, but he didn't officially visit because she didn't see him herself!

Then my parents joined us and we had a nice visit while Alma snacked on pretzels.  We were so blessed that my parents were visiting and they could watch Alma and celebrate Christmas with her while we were in the hospital.  It was nice to not have to worry about her or juggle her around between friends while my parents drove out to Bethlehem from their house, as they were planning to do if we went into labor before their visit.  Also, my brother's family, who were already planning on joining us at our house on Christmas for a feast, still came so Alma got to enjoy the holiday with her cousins. 

Twas the Night Before Christmas

 In telling the birth story of both our children, it seems that starting the day before seems best.  We spent Christmas Eve in a flurry of baking (Joshua), cleaning (Joshua again) and resting (Laura).  Along with cleaning the entire house, Joshua baked all the holiday cookies (anise, biscotti, orange shortbread) and an amazing povitisia well into the night on Christmas Eve's Eve and Christmas Eve.  He was an animal of productivity ... and probably a little sleep deprived.

Late in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, my parents arrived much to all our delight.  We attended the 4pm Christmas Mass and luckily someone gave up their seat for me because I don't think I could have endured the crowded standing-room only section along the pews.  After Mass we came home to a fantastic meal of Omaha steaks and all the fixings.  Before Alma went to bed, we put out cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.  The adults spent the evening watching the Sound of Music.  It was ideal.

 We also spent some time dressing Alma up in her Halloween costume and taking silly photos of "Mary" (Laura) riding her "donkey" (Alma).

All of this was just a set up for the 3:30am-Christmas-morning-dream-ending contraction that started James's labor process.

The rest of the birth story will follow tomorrow...

Merry Christmas!

Baby James Anchor Chisholm joined our family this morning at 10:30am, weighing in at 8 lbs, 10 oz and 21 inches.  We couldn't be happier!

40 Weeks

So many people I know (or at least keep in touch with through Facebook) had babies last week and this week.  Every day I seem to see a new baby photo on Facebook.

I have been (superstitiously, I admit) purposefully not been finishing important projects in hopes that the baby would want to arrive at an inopportune time.  Obviously that wasn't working so in the last few days, I finally installed the closet doors in the baby's room, purchased a Christmas gift for Joshua, packed my hospital bag, wrapped the last of the presents, and finished up a load of other projects.  Hear that, Baby?  Baby?  Hello?

Kate said that I need to act like her when she was waiting for Neal to propose ... once she decided that he was never going to do it and she became fine with the situation, then he proposed.  So I was like, "I'm supposed to think that the baby is never going to be born and I'll always be pregnant and then the baby will come?"  Ha!

Whenever the baby arrives is fine with me.  Sure, it is still difficult to not want a great birthday for the little nugget, but I'm trying to be open to whatever happens.  At the OB doctor's appointment this morning, we discussed scheduling an induction on New Year's Eve if the baby doesn't arrive naturally before then.  What a fun birthday that would be!

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Yesterday we spent a few chilly hours at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, which is just a half hour from our house. It wasn't the best zoo but it was so empty due to the weather that we had no problems seeing the animals.

Santa "Visit"

Yesterday morning were planning on going to see Santa at the mall but at Mass they announced that the Knights of Columbus were having a breakfast fundraiser with Santa. So we adjusted plans and went to that instead. 

Alma was shocked to see Santa in the auditorium.  Even though we sat at the furthest table from him, she still wanted to just stay in Joshua's arms, especially after Santa waved at her. Eventually she ate some breakfast (still on Joshua's lap) and stared at Santa the whole time. After we were done eating and beginning to pack up, Santa came over with a little present for Alma (a tiny stuffed bear and candy cane) which he gave to me while she clung in Joshua's arms and sucked her thumb. She was really impressed that I gave Santa a hug. 

It made me happy that we didn't have to brave the craziness of the mall to have her avoid the big guy.  She has spent the day talking about how the stuffed bear came from Santa, like it is the most magical thing in the world.  She is such a sweetie.

Alma talking about the baby

Best Days

We have been soaking in these last few days of being a family of three. 

Nana and Alma's Birthday Party

Alma's Birthday

37.5 Weeks and 24 Months!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Alma!

On top of Hawk Mountain, enjoying a granola bar

Our lives are so different than we could have ever imagined two years ago before such a charming pipsqueak came into our lives.  And we couldn't have asked for anything more wonderful.  Cannot wait to see how she continues to grow and develop both as a person, a daughter and (soon) a big sister.

Love you so very much, Alma!

Ron's House Demo

Back in 2007 when Joshua first started working in Camden, New Jersey for CCOP, he initiated a "quick win" project with Father Jud and members of the St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (where Alma was baptized) and School to take down a dilapidated and abandoned house that was being used for all sorts of crimes (remember the drug bags?) and was located just feet from the school.

Well, finally -- because this is how slow progress can be in a city like Camden -- the church and community had a major win this week with the demolition of the house!!!!  How exciting!

Just take a look at how bad the house was when Joshua started working on this project. Amazing!

Congratulations to Father Jud, the St Anthony Local Organizing Committee, Kate Goodman and the rest of the CCOP staff!!!

Laura and Alma

Decorating

Last weekend we pulled out a few decorations but I'm looking forward to going all out this weekend.

Bowling Shower of Awesomeness

While we were at my parent's house for Thanksgiving, Kate came to visit and take me out for a special night to celebrate the coming of the baby.  It was beyond fun to get time with her -- eating good foods and BOWLING!

Here's Kate mugging it up with Alma.  What a good impression of Alma's "cheeeeeese" face!  I'm so blessed to have such a terrific bestie!

War College Museum

We also went to the War College's outdoor exhibits.  It was great to watch the grandchildren run through the bunkers and explore the space. 

Daddy Running

While home for Thanksgiving, we went on the Rail-Trail.  Alma, Grandpa and I rode bikes while Joshua ran.  Alma loved watching her father run.  They are such a cute pair.

Ikea

Completely random post to proclaim my love for Ikea.  Gosh, I miss living closer to its godliness.

"Loll-Pop"

Alma's love for lollipops continues.  She is amazed at the idea that they turn her tongue colors.  Although regardless of the color of the lollipop, she is convinced that her tongue is "boooo!" (a.k.a. "blue" for those not fluent in toddlish)

Ice Skating

A few weekends ago Joshua and I were feeling beat from our hectic schedules of work, trying to get the house ready for the new baby and taking care of Alma.  So we plopped down on the couch, snugged up with Alma and turned on the tv to ice skating (actually the National Ice Dancing Championships).  Alma was entranced.  She has been "skating" through the house with her dolls ever since.

The other day I had the chance to take her to the newly re-opened Bethlehem ice skating rink which is just up the street from our house.  She was thrilled ... and then easily bored.  I cannot wait until I can take her out on the ice to give it a try!

Fashionista

The other day during a walk along the Lehigh River, Alma and I stopped to rest and have a snack.  She found my Blackberry in my bag and asked me to take a picture of her.  I asked her what she wanted to do for the picture so she put on her hat like this and then said "cheese".  Could this picture be any more cute and silly?!

Hawk Mountain Hike

Last weekend we hiked up Hawk Mountain, a bird sanctuary about an hour drive from our house.  While we didn't see many birds (one red tail hawk in the distance), it was a more comfortable hike than the last time Alma and I hiked there in (at least) a foot of snow.

Our Little Grunge Kid

Every workday I send Joshua a photo that summarizes our day that I snap with my low-resolution Blackberry camera phone.  Most of those photos make their way onto the blog because they do a good job showing Alma's everyday life.  When I sent Joshua this photo, he called me laughing because she looked so much like a 90's grunge-era kid.

Illick's Mill

The other day we had a little bit of time to kill so we went to Illick's Mill near our house to watch the ducks, a man who was fishing, a train that drove by (the conductor waved and blew the horn for us) and a bat that was catching the early evening bugs.  I love these quiet times with Alma when we can enjoy being outside together.