One and more

Has it really been one month?! One month ago we had a crazy adventure which resulted in our newest addition Samuel which brought our family total to five. Since then we've had, two graduates, two grandparents come from Washington to visit, one house, crib, van listed for sale, twenty applications for jobs filled out, six rejection letters from those jobs, one ER trip, thirty saying and hearing the phrase "I'm tired" coming for us the parents (a daily occurrence), six boxes thus far mailed off, one move up to Nai Nai's house and memories too numerous to count!

Ok that took a lot more brain cells than I thought it would to write like that. And Eric says I don't have many to spare so I better stop. :)
What I wanted to do was a FAQ about the delivery of Samuel. There are different versions of what happened floating out there and we wanted to set the record straight.

Q: Did you plan on having a home birth?
A: NO! We did not plan on having this baby at home. We hoped to make it to the hospital but didn't even make it to the van let alone the hospital.

Q: Were you scared? Was Eric?
A: I would say more nervous but only after I got into the ambulance by myself and at the hospital not sure when Eric would arrive. Eric said he didn't have time to think about it. Adrenaline kicked in and he just did what needed to be done.

Q: Did you have any contractions or signs that you were in labor?
A: Yes I did have contractions. They started to get noticeable on Saturday morning while shopping in town but not strong enough that I had to sit down and rest. It was more "oh there's another pain, give me a sec to catch my breath." On Sunday they came more often but not any stronger than the day before. The only "sign" I was in labor was my water breaking and the need to push which all occurred in 40 minutes.

Q: Did your mom help with the delivery?
A: No. By the time mom came down to our house I had already delivered.

Q: What were you thinking while in labor?
A: Women think while in labor? My only thought before hand was "I need to push" my next thought was "Gosh I'm tired."

Q: Were you in pain? (I think I guy asked this question, women know the answer)
A: Yes but not bad as it could have been. Because things went so fast there wasn't a lot of pain other than that need to push. William was delivered naturally, Matthew I got the epidural when I was 9 cm. So I knew what I could handle but it's called labor for a reason. It ain't easy. However because of the speed of which it happened I felt pretty good after wards. I actually had Eric and others tell me that while I might feel great mentally I need to rest because I did just give birth. What I say is that "I delivered but did not labor."

Q: How have the other boys been with Samuel?
A: They have been great! William was so excited to have a baby in the house and calls him "my baby." He is so gentle and like with Matthew goes to the crib when he's crying, tries to get him to stop, either with words or sharing of toys, then comes and tells us Samuel's crying.
Matthew is also good with Samuel although has gone through more of an adjustment than William. Because of his age, barely one when Samuel was born, Matthew didn't understand the concept of a baby in the house. Matthew was also not walking when Samuel came along which meant there was someone else to hold and Matthew didn't like that. Now he's fine with the baby. He LOVES to give him kisses and does so with his mouth WIDE open! Matthew also likes to comfort Samuel by patting him when he cries, which generally leads to louder wails but at least he's trying.

Q: Are you sad that you have only boys?
A: My boys are healthy, happy and the joys of my life. We treasure each of them for who they are and love their individual personalities. Would I like to have a girl? Sure but I wouldn't trade my boys for one. Ever.

Well I think I'm out of brain cells cause I can't think of anything else to write about. Hope this gave you a more accurate picture of how Samuel joined our family and what we've been up to since his arrival. We are now into the final 30 days of our stay in Hawaii. There's still more we'd like to do before we leave and more memories we plan on making before saying our final Aloha.