The First Week.

As most of you saw by my Instagram, Baby boy was born last week. June 9th, 2015.

He was 5 days late but once he came, he came in a hurry.

Earlier that day, I had gone into the hospital for what I thought was leaking amniotic fluid. They tested me and said it was not but that the test wasn't 100% accurate so to come back in if it kept happening. I went back to work still unsure of what it was that I had experienced. That night at about 11:00 pm, as Scarlett stood beside my bed telling me that she couldn't fall asleep, my water broke. We called my sister who was coming to stay with Scarlett while we were in the hospital. Since I didn't seem to have too many contractions yet, I decided I wanted to stay home until Scarlett fell asleep. She seemed a little out of sorts with the confusion that was going on, she didn't fully understand but knew something was happening. Sweet girl kept asking me if I needed a hug.  My sister arrived and still I didn't want to leave until she was asleep. Unfortunately, she would not go to sleep that night. I'm sure she sensed something was going on.

By midnight my contractions had begun. They started out 3 minutes apart and went to a minute apart pretty quickly. Ty suggested that we get to the hospital asap since the contractions were coming on so quickly. I finally agreed even though I was sure I had hours. By the time we got to the hospital which was only a few minutes down the road, I was already 7 cm dilated. It was a blur and went so quickly that I barely recall. The pain was worse than I remember with Scarlett. My nurse mentioned during my labor that often times when it comes on so quickly as this one did, it can be more painful. Oh boy was it!

At 4:17 am, after 4 hours of labor and 5 pushes, my 8 lb 12 oz baby boy was born.

Looking just like his sister, I fell in love all over again.

Amazing how that happens. I had little time to dream about what he looked like or what he would be like. Life was so busy over the last 9 months, but as soon as they put him on my chest, I saw his face and it was like....fate. That was perfectly him. And he belonged to us. We named him Maxwell Theodore. 

It seemed like everything this time around was easier. The pregnancy was similar but less stressful. I worried less about silly things like stretch marks and how I'd look in a bikini afterwards. I know what amazing things the body can do. I was still nervous about the delivery since anything can happen. Scarlett's delivery was pretty much text book but your first is not always an indicator of the next. For example: Scarlett was 10 days early, Maxwell was 5 days late. The delivery did indeed prove to be quicker and easier than my first. The first couple of days with him in the hospital were less stressful. I knew what to expect. I knew that my milk wouldn't come in for a few days and that he would eat non-stop until it did. I knew that he would sleep very little and if he did sleep more than Scarlett did, I'd be thankful. I couldn't wait to get out of the hospital, where last time, I was petrified.

It's been a week since Maxwell was born. It took me 3 days just to write this. Ha ha. If I took photos of life lately, it would be me in my sweats, hair in a messy bun, nursing Maxwell 24/7 and putting in the 30th load of laundry this week. I'm still adjusting to being a Mama to 2 littles. I wont' lie, it's an adjustment and I have a whole new respect for Mamas of 3 or more. But I do realize that things will get easier as we develop a routine. Scarlett has been extra helpful and seems so much more grown up since the baby was born. She transitioned amazingly and I couldn't ask for a sweeter little girl. We catch her singing to the baby on the baby monitor. She rocks him and gives him his pacifier. melt....

So now it takes me all day to get just a few things done. Baby Maxwell eats non-stop and I feel like a milk machine. Still, I'm enjoying it all. This newborn stage will be gone soon enough and that makes my heart sad. This second time around, I know that they are all stages that will pass whether I want them to or not. So instead of feeling stressed and unsure about it all, I'm soaking it all up. The beauty of the second child. What I would tell myself if I could give advice to me as a first time mother. I'm loving being his milk machine, even if I can't get out of the house as often as I like right now. I'm adoring the way Maxwell looks at his big sister and how Scarlett is enamored by him. My heart is full. I'm so very blessed with this sweet boy that I have taken to calling "Bubs" lately. I love multi-tasking my time between my 4 year old, who all of a sudden seems so big, and a newborn who needs me every moment of the day.

I have enjoyed this journey so much. I sat thinking about it today and got a little teary thinking that I can't bottle these moments up and keep them forever. These photos are as close as I can get to saving such a wonderful time in our lives. Our family seems complete now. Ty and I are loving these golden moments...never taking it for granted.

Welcome Baby Maxwell....you are so loved. 
Thank you everyone for the congrats and love on our baby boy!!