Guess who's here?????

I'd like to announce the newest member of our family

Lukas Henry Mrazek

January 11th   1:54 am     

7lbs 12oz    20 3/4 inches

He decided to arrive four weeks early. There were some complications with him being so early. I'll try and keep it short but want to document a little just for memory.

We went on a family hike/walk after my regular check-up that morning where I reported "everything seems to be normal". About 20 minutes into our adventure the contractions started. And never stopped. There came on full force and were about 90 seconds to 2 minutes apart. I had never really gone through labor ( I did with Max but had an epidural so I didn't feel any pain. That delivery ended in a c-section and Alex was a scheduled c-section as well). I figured it was because I was walking and needed to lay down and drink water.

We finished our afternoon outside and by the time we got to the car I was pretty sure I was in labor but insisted on trying to make the contractions go away with rest first. They were still roughly 2 minutes apart. By the time we got home I could hardly sit they were so painful.

Came home, rested, still strong. Rested more, drank water, called my Mom, still strong. Rested, ate something, still strong. Then I started bleeding and called Kaiser. They wanted me to come in right away. All hell broke loose trying to get us out of the house. I still had a month to prepare for this moment.

We figured it out and made it to the hospital where we found out they were experiencing a "birthquake". Apparently every other pregnant lady in my county went in to labor that day too. So there was some waiting. They found out the cord was under his head which meant I was "urgent but not emergent" and I was instructed not to laugh too hard (which threw me into a fit of giggles), walk to the bathroom (which got me a catheter without any pain meds...yowza!), cough, sudden moves or do anything that could make my water break.

By the time I got to the OR I thought I was going to die for sure. Contractions are PAINFUL! I guess I'm a wimp too but I could hardly move by the time they got me in there.

Then I got my spinal....and everything was perfect.

Except the baby. Being 4 weeks early  he still had some developing to do. Breathing was one of them. He was placed in their nursery (level 2 NICU...I learned it's for the "less serious" babies) and was on oxygen, feeding tube and a CPAP machine for several days. Every day we tried new things and every day he improved. Some moments took us a step backwards but in the end he fought his way through. We were there for 7 days.

It was scary but after getting to know some of the nursing staff I was was comforted that he was going to be fine. He just had some growing to do. Oh, that staff...I really miss them. Our experience there was FANTASTIC from start to finish.Every single person we came in contact with was incredible.

We have been home for 7 days and we are all adjusting to life with three boys. Hmm.. lots of growing to do on my part too. Max and Alex are in heaven with him (so far) and Lukas is doing great. He's gaining weight and his jaundice is almost gone (although in most pictures he looks like a yellow marker).

We are so in love...again... Welcome to the world Lukas!

(Well that wasn't short now was it)!