Joseph's Birth Photos

Thanks to my sister, Carlee, who was able to capture our intimate (yet not too intimate) experience of Joseph's birth. Thanks so much Carlee Anne!

Dr. Aagard. The BEST OB I've had so far!

His First Two Weeks

Oh man, I think I always forget just how much I LOVE newborns. I get so caught up that last trimester with how little sleep is coming my way that I forget how much I love to snuggle with a newborn or how I love their open mouth kisses as they are looking for food. I am loving my newborn.

We are learning a lot about you. When you were in my tummy you got the hiccups all the time. You still get the hiccups all the time. It sounds so painful, but you never cry. You also sneeze a lot.
You hate to have your diaper changed and you really don't like baths either. You are one happy little camper if you are being held (which is never a problem finding someone who wants to hold you).
Like your siblings, you have a strong little voice.

Like your siblings, we hope to channel that voice of yours to do much good in your life. You love a pacifier, which is something new for us. Your brother and sisters did not like them at all.

 You do a lot of this:

and you sleep best in my arms. I don't mind one bit and love to watch you sleep. You often make noises, even make an almost laughing sound while you're dreaming.
You sleep for 3 hour stretches during the night and I inevitably have to bring you to bed with me in the early morning in order for you to go back to sleep. This is a big no no for me, but I can't help but love to snuggle with you so I always cave.
We discovered just today that you inherited your dads webbed toe. He is so proud! I'm just grateful your sisters didn't inherit it. I'm hoping you'll be as good a swimmer as your daddy. I give credit to his toe.

 You are loved by your family. I just hope I don't nibble your cheek or ear right off.

Happy two weeks sweet baby boy!

At two weeks you are:
20 -1/4" long
weigh 6# 13oz.

Growing Up

Hannah has been begging to have her hair cut short since....well, forever! We finally conceded and the hair is gone. She looks so grown up to me. She's changing all the time. I'm able to have more mature conversations with her. She's in between that stage of wanting more privileges, but doesn't like that with more privileges  comes higher expectations that we don't have of her siblings yet. She doesn't like that part so much. She is quick to show us that she is responsible. Just this morning she had most of her chores finished before I even made it downstairs. She is a big help to me and I need to remember to be a little more patient with her. After all, she is only 6 even if she seems so much older to me most of the time.

My Week Old Baby

Nathan is 5

I've kinda felt bad knowing that I wasn't going to be up for throwing Nathan a birthday party this year. I think he would have enjoyed it more this year than he did last. But alas, I couldn't bring myself to have a house full of kiddos with my newborn.

Nathan has been more aware of this birthday than any before. Maybe because he celebrated it in preschool so for the longest time he thought he already has his birthday and that he was already 5. Or it might be because he knew he was going to have a new brother right around his birthday. Whatever it was, it has been fun to see his excitement for his special day. And special day it was when he was born. I will never forget when the nurse placed him in my arms. Like my other children, I fell instantly in love, but for some reason, I dare say, it was stronger with Nathan.  His delivery was so calm and I was calm. But enough about his birth. On with what I love about this 5 year old of mine.

#1 - Your Eyes! They are big, expressive, deep, and beautiful. I love to look into your eyes.

#2 - Your moves! No body can bust a move like you can. I turn the music on and the rhythm just flows bud. You know how to bust a move and I love it!

#3 - Your laugh! oh heavens, if I could bottle it I would. It is so contagious.

#4 - That you are all boy! Anything and everything that is boy stuff, you love. Dirt! Playing rough! Swords! Cars! etc.

#5 - You are determined! I absolutely LOVE to see you set your mind to something. For weeks you've been practicing whistling because you know your Aunt Suzie and Grandpa Eyre are great whistlers. It was a proud day when you came running in to show us that you've learned how to whistle. Same goes for snapping. You've got it down. I'm also so impressed with your Lego abilities. You can build just about anything and sometimes I'm amazed what you've built all on your own.

Nate's Favorites at 5:

Color: Blue

Movie: The Incredibles

Food: Pizza

Hero: Nephi in the Book of Mormon

Song: Nephi's Courage

Game: Operation

Comfort: still his blankie

Activity: Swimming

 

 Nathan loved all of his gifts. Hannah even wrapped one of his old toys and he was thrilled to open it. Guess we know what we'll be giving him next year for his birthday.

 His big gift was a new bike. LOVED his expressions when we brought it out.

Happy birthday sweet boy! We sure love you!





Joseph Stephen Lombardo

(written while in the hospital)
I'm in the hospital tonight. It's just after one a.m. I'm breathing a
sigh of great relief that my baby Joe is here and that he's healthy.
He is positively perfect!

After being so sick with food poisoning the last few days, I noticed
yesterday that I couldn't remember when I felt Joe last. This week has
been busy with end of school stuff that has kept my mind so occupied I
just hadn't paid much attention to my body. I had such an overwhelming
feeling of concern come over me this afternoon to do what I could to
have Joe move, but all my attempts were in vain and I felt nothing.
Aaron happened to call at this very moment and I didn't want to cause
any concern, but when he asked how I was feeling I couldn't hide my
fears and told him how concerned I was. He came right home and told me
to call my doctor. A nurse called me back just shortly after Aaron
walked in the door. I wanted to come across calm to her but my
calmness was shattered when she said I needed to go to labor and
delivery immediately since I couldn't remember the last time I had
felt my baby. I broke down in tears and just then my sister Susan
knocked on the door making it possible for us to literally leave right
then. Aaron grabbed my hand on the way to the hospital and we drove in
silence. It was an agonizing drive as I feared the worst. I was in
tears the whole time and I know Aaron was feeling equally afraid. I
kept praying that all would be well.

Once we were here at the hospital, the nurses immediately took me back to
listen for a heart beat. Joe's heart sounded loud and clear and both
Aaron and I broke into tears. I all but sobbed and laughed at the same
time.

They wanted to monitor me and my baby for an hour to make sure all was
well. Well..... all was not well. Joe's heart rate was concerning to
them and they strongly advised me to stay and be induced. My stubborn
self wanted to make sure induction was absolutely necessary. My nurse
did a great job explaining to Aaron and me why the heart rate was so
alarming and why they would not be okay sending me home. Of course the
risk of leaving out-weighed being induced but I did ask to remain
being monitored for a bit before they started me on pitocin. I was
already having regular contractions and I wanted to see if breaking my
water would get things moving on its own.  Indeed it did. The doctor
broke my water at 8:30 and the contractions increased significantly.
My water was also green which indicated a bowel movement from baby.
Another good reason he was coming tonight. Plus, the cord was wrapped
twice around his neck when he was born. I can't help but believe that
these two conditions is why I felt so strongly to call my doctor about
not feeling him, which got me to the hospital so Joe could arrive to
us safely. Many prayers of thanks were given by me this night.

 I was so shocked he was so little. Only 6lbs. 6 oz. Total laboring time was 2 hours start to finish. He was born at 10:30 pm.

I want to explain why going all natural was such a big deal to me.
I've had two epidurals and now two without any drugs. I don't think I
am more heroic or super without the drugs than I did with the drugs.
Having a baby is miraculous no matter how they get here. There were
plenty of times I thought to myself I am insane to be doing this and
full out cried in desperation for the pain to stop. But if the recovery could be fast. If I could feel comfortable relatively quick after birthing, than I wanted to try all natural again. I'm so very grateful the pain was worth it for those two hours because I hardly feel as though I just had a baby. I can hardly comprehend how one can be in such agonizing pain one moment, and almost instantaneously it is over the second you give birth. It is a complete phenomenon.

I did however choose to stay the two nights at the hospital this time
than my typical overnighter. I wanted to just soak up the quiet and
personal time with my baby Joe. I have been alone with him most of
today. I have loved the quiet one on one; smelling him, nursing him,
loving him. He is perfect. Yesterday he nursed like a champ, but he's
struggled today and I've been grateful to be here, just the two of us
to figure it out.

The kids came today as well. Hannah and Nathan have been beside themselves excited to see and hold Joe. Apparently Hannah could hardly sleep
last night because she was so excited. It was darling to see their
excitement. Hannah is going to be such a big help. I'm so grateful to
have her. Abigail was intrigued but said she didn't want to hold him.
Okie dokie missy! I think Joe is going to be quite loved at our house
and Aaron and I can both tell that we are going to have to teach our
kiddos boundaries on loving too much. Should be fun.

No rookie father here!

So one more night of just me and Joe. I'm going to relish every
moment. But I will be ready to go home tomorrow and letting Joe's
brother and sisters smother him just a tad. I'm feeling so grateful and blessed!