Friday, January 23, 2009

He's Here!

I went into labor with this little guy on Inauguration Day, just as I had wished...

But the official arrival of Charles Benjamin was on Wednesday, January 21st at 12:45 a.m. weighing 8 lb, 2 oz and measuring 21 inches. I was shocked he was that big!

He was very alert when he was born. We think he definitely looks like Eli did as a newborn, but has slightly rounder cheeks.
Here's Charlie with my favorite OB, Dr. Miller:
Labor Story (feel free to skip this and just look at pictures)
The night before (so Monday night) was a rough one for me and I didn't sleep well because I was cramping and feeling gross. I had some contractions on Tuesday morning, but they were 10-20 min. apart and not very regular. I called my friend Lindsay, and we went to lunch at our favorite Mexican place with the hope that some spicy salsa would get things going... and it did!


That afternoon I had more contractions, and they got more intense and closer together from 3-4 p.m. I realized they were about 5-7 minutes apart and stopped being in denial that I was really in labor - I called Ben and he hopped on the train to come home from work, which would get in a little before 5 p.m. I talked to my OB's nurse, and she recommended I go in to the hospital pretty fast, so Lindsay and her daughter came over to be with Eli (my mom was coming, but wouldn't get there until a little later), and my friend Maraley drove me to the hospital. Ben arrived soon after that (he walked from the train stop to the hospital).


I was really happy that my OB was on call at the hospital that day, so he checked me and I was 5cm dilated. I labored for a few more hours, trying to wait to have the epidural so things could progress as much as possible. I asked for the epidural at 8 p.m, but the anesthesiologist was tied up in a surgery until almost 9 - that was not a happy hour waiting for it! Then when he did come, he tried the first time and the needle went in the right spot, but the catheter didn't go in well. So he had to REDO the epidural and the whole thing took forever. And didn't feel so great. A little while later, I was still feeling the cramping and contractions, so he gave me more through the IV (but this left me numb until 5 a.m. the next morning).


Right before the pushing, I had a really long, hard contraction that caused the baby's heart rate to drop and stayed low for a little while. It was pretty unsettling since this happened many times in Eli's delivery (and caused the emergency c-section), but it didn't happen again.

Also, the baby was posterior for a while, which is why I once again had awful back labor, but he finally turned the right way. I pushed for an hour and 15 min., and then he was here! I was SO happy to have a successful VBAC. I had second-degree tearing, so that hasn't been fun, but it's still a much better recovery than with the c-section. Here's a shot of the three of us just after he was born.

The next morning, my parents brought Eli over to meet Charlie!
Eli wore his Big Brother t-shirt :)

This is my favorite shot of the two boys:
Eli was (and has been) very sweet with Charlie. He is very curious about the baby and likes identifying things that are for the baby.
My mom with Charlie:
He already has chubby cheeks and thighs. His cheeks have at least two dimples, which are pretty cute.
My dad with Charlie:
We had visits from Carrie, Rebekeh, and Lindsay, which was really nice. It was fun to have them hold my brand new baby!



We left the hospital yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. I could have stayed until this morning, but the floor was completely full and it seemed pointless because we were getting zero help from the nurses by that point - I was ready to come home.
We were welcomed home with this cute sign from Carrie:
Eli was excited to show the baby his favorite things, like froggy:

Overall, we're doing well. It's definitely different healing from this delivery... by the end of last night, I couldn't sit down because it hurt too much. Hopefully that will get better soon.
And you know I was tired because I didn't have the energy to do this blog post when I came home yesterday :) We're so happy to have Charlie here and think he is such a sweet little guy!

37 comments:

Mostess Mommy said...

Aww, those pictures of Eli holding Charlie are the cutest I have ever seen! Congrats on a successful delivery and the cutest little Charlie Severson there ever was! We can't wait to meet him!

tatum said...

he's just perfect! congrats to you and your adorable fam.

Jonathan said...

Awwwwww!!! My newest nephew! You're amazing, Sarah! Love you all!

Jonathan said...

(ahem, that comment-and this one- is actually Danielle. Jon doesn't want you to think that he left a girlie "Awww" message...)

Have fun cuddling the kids! And good luck sitting... Yeah... I took a pillow with me everywhere I went for a week or so... Oh the joys of motherhood :)

Cami Severson said...

hahaha! That previous post by "jonathan" cracked me up! At the first one I was thinking, sheesh, that doesn't sound at all like Jon. Weird. I have never heard him express so much emotion in a post. That was really funny!!

Anyway, the real reason I am posting.... CONGRATULATIONS Ben, Sarah, and Eli! How exciting to finally have him here! You guys, he is absolutely beautiful! You two make gorgeous kids!! He doesn't look like a newborn. He is so perfect! I can't see him, for real!! Love you guys!

Cami Severson said...

ooopps. I meant that "I can't wait to see him for real!"

The Millers said...

Sarah! I am so happy for you that he is here, and the the VBAC was a success. He is darling -- you have two very cute little boys, and I know they will be great friends. Good luck with the healing, and we need to talk on the phone soon. This is so fun that we have these babies so close in age.

RP said...

Congratulations! I'm so happy things went well and that you have your new little baby to enjoy now!

Beckie said...

HOORAY! He is the sweetest little thing, and I am so glad I got to hold him already!
Eli makes a very cute big brother!

Brittany said...

Congratulations! He is so beautiful! I don't remember what Eli looked like as a baby, so I'm going to have to look back at your blog to see teh resemblance. I'm so glad you named him Charlie. It fits!

The Christensons said...

Yeah Sarah! I'm so glad things went well and no c-setion this time! Can't wait to meet little Charlie and see you all again! Get rest when you can :O) You all look GREAT!

Marci said...

How come my body never goes into labor when I tell it to?! :-) CONGRATULATIONS!!! Charlie is absolutely beautiful...seriously, he doesn't look alien at all :-)! I'm so happy for you that you were able to have a VBAC too and that Eli seems to be adjusting. The picture of your two little guys is adorable! I can't wait to see more pictures!

Unknown said...

Congrats on your VBAC and perfect little boy. He's beautiful! I love, love, love having 2 boys so close in age. They are such good friends! And keep the motrin close. You're probably going to need it for a while! =)

Young Family said...

Congratuations! He is very cute.

Ryan said...

Congratulations for you all! He is beautiful! So glad to hear all went well! Preston gave me a 3rd degree-took the doughnut seat everywhere!! Wishing you lots of rest and a good recovery!
Maureen

Laura said...

Congratulations! Glad to hear everything went relatively well and everyone is healthy.

The Yosts said...

Congratulations! Our kids are an hour and a half apart. Glad that things went well and I hope you have a good recovery.

kell-bell said...

What a cute little guy, I can't wait to meet Charlie in person!

Hillary said...

Congrats, Sarah! I was just checking your blog with my other friends to see an update on your pregnancy and was so excited and surprised to see that you had your baby. And he was so healthy and big! I'm so glad you didn't have a C-section again (even though I know about a second degree tear, and they aren't too fun). But I'm so happy that you are home and well. Congrats again!

barbara said...

He is beautiful! Congrats!

Kelley said...

Congratulations Sarah! I can't believe tiny little you had such a big baby. He is beautiful. I'm so happy for you. Give your cute mom a hug for me!

Amber Snow said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm calling you tomorrow!! I'm SO thrilled that everything went so well and you had a successfull VBAC - yipee! Love the name Charlie, love the pics, and love that yall are all happy and healthy!!

Harley King said...

Congrats. Charlie is beautiful and you look great.

Valerie said...

What a cute little guy! Your boys are just too adorable and I love the picture of the two of them. Hope the recovery goes well!

abbey said...

Hey Sarah! Firstly I just want to say how much I enjoy reading your blog. The kids love seeing pictures of Eli. Secondly and more importantly Congrats on the arrival of little Charlie! He is beautiful. Well done to you for getting through another labour and delivery. Not easy work! Hope you are all settling in at home and look forward to reading more about you guys.
Abbey

Jodie, Stefan and Natalia said...

sarah, good job on the whole labor. i know that pushing can be tough-- especially when it goes on for a while. with the recovery, i can't stress the importance of ice packs. did you take the chemical icepacks from the hospital?
anyway, charlie is so cute. i love the cheeks! chubby newborns are great. eli looks so sweet in the pictures.

Sarah said...

Congrats!!! So so exciting. And such a cutie. We sure miss you.

Christina Huling said...

Sarah, he is beautiful! I'm so happy everything went in your favor? So you had a successful vbac? Awesome!

Kell's Belles said...

He's just darling, Sarah! Congratulations! I'm so glad you had a successful VBAC and that everybody is home now. That picture of the two brothers is beyond cute!

And I'm so excited you went with Charlie as the name! It totally fits him :)

Aaron and Emily said...

I was wondering why Jon was starting to sound like Danielle...

Sarah, you look really good! And you have such long labors, too! I can't believe how long you had to labor for, and that Charlie was your second baby. Ouch, ouch ouch.

Charlie is so cute. I love his great big beautiful eyes.

You know, I almost called you Tuesday night... I guess you would've been in the hospital. Hope he is sleeping and eating well, and that Eli is adjusting!

marta said...

oh my goodness. what a darling beautiful li'l boy. congrats! i love the name. charlie and benjamin are my faves. enjoy these first days. what a sweet mama you are. happy recovering.

Sarah Beck said...

Oh my gosh...So CUTE!!! Congrats Sarah, he's adorable

Katie and Greg said...

How fun and exciting Sarah! I wanted to cry at seeing your beautiful, beautiful pictures of your new little Charlie. He is gorgeous and Eli is going to be an awesome older brother. I am soooo happy that the delivery didn't end in emergency C-section and that the VBAC worked out - that is quite an accomplishment! Whew, I bet that is a relief. Best of luck in the next few weeks - Hooray for babies!

The Knisley's said...

Beautiful! Beautiful!!! :-) Congratulations, you guys! I'm so glad everything went well with the delivery and that Charlie is healthy. He is as cute as can be. I'd say keep taking pictures for us, but I know how you are! :-) Keep 'em coming-I love seeing them!

Love to you,
Faye

Kerstin said...

He is so cute and I love the name Charlie. He looks just like Eli to me. I am happy to hear the VBAC was successful and your recovery isn't as hard- those darn c-sections.

Mike, Jess, Elijah, Julia and Amelie said...

Oh, your pictures are just darling!! We are so glad that the delivery and Charlie's first week have gone well. He is beautiful - yes - gotta love those cheeks! You all look great! Congratulations!

Gwendolyn said...

So I realize I'm like 2 months behind here (you'd be surprised at all the things you can catch up on when you're a week overdue) but CONGRATULATIONS Sarah (and family)!!! He is seriously a beautiful baby, Sarah, great job! I can't wait to have one of my own :)