I'm 30 - - Among Other Things.

Well, we've been home now for a tad over a week and seem to be doing well. We decided on a middle name the morning that we left the hospital. His name will be Andrew Bryce Hohmann. He was actually 6 lbs. 8 oz. so he's quite a bit smaller. Not such a tank. And he was 20" long. This was a hard delivery for me. Though I know a lot of wonderful women who have gone through C-sections (my mother included), and though I know it isn't true, I think there was a part of my brain that felt that somehow I had failed as a mother and a woman because of the section. I cried with gratitude and relief when I finally heard Andrew's cry. We didn't know why his heart rate was dropping so drastically during contractions and I had sudden fears that he would be another Rebekah scenario. Then in recovery I saw him for the first time - he was beautiful, calm, and safe. And I cried again. The anethesia had still not worn off so I only had use of my left arm. I felt so useless and helpless! I couldn't even hold him! A nurse had to help me latch him on for the first time because I didn't have full use of my arms! That was so very hard and humbling for me. I'm generally an independent female with a lot of energy. To be in such a physically dependent state was very hard mentally and emotionally. It still brings my feelings of inadequecy to the surface as I think about it.
Now that it's been a week my perspective is better. Mostly I'm grateful that we're both here and safe. I'm humbled that the Lord feels I'm strong enough to handle the situation and the emotions that come with it. I'm grateful that we are living with my mom so that my other two kids could be well cared-for between her and Michael. I have wonderful visiting teachers who have helped out more than they know. This has been and still is a tremendous learning experience for me. I hope I can glean from it what the Lord wants me to learn.
So here are a few more pictures:

Bekah LOVES to hold "Baby Andrew" (which - btw - has been his name for about 4 months). She's getting better at it and no longer needs help, but we stay close just in case. Patrick, on the other hand, has held him two or three times but it only lasts approx. 15 seconds.

With Nanny. They're best buds when it comes to sleeping. I haven't quite figured out how she always gets him to zonk out like he does.

The Fam. We plan on getting some family pictures taken this week so we can all be in it, but this will have to do for now. Isn't my hubby cute? Though he called on the first day by himself to ask what to feed the kids for lunch, he's become my newest hero. He helps with everything even if he's already pulled a 12 hr. work day. He's also been my biggest emotional support through all of this and I couldn't ask for better. Love you hon!

In the meantime, I had a birthday on the 27th and turned the big 3-0. Am I supposedly mature now? Haha! Like that's ever going to fully happen. Michael took me to dinner that night without 2 of the 3 kids and we went to a Jon Schmidt concert the next night without ANY kids. It was very nice to be together. I can't imagine my life without my kiddies, but sometimes it's nice to get out and remember what it's like with just the two of you as a couple. I think I'll do another post soon about 15 vs. 30 years old. So much fun to look forward to!!