Welcome Beau Kevin Housley!!! December 29, 2010

Our little boy has arrived!! Here's the story.... my actual due date was Dec. 31; however, based on one of my three ultrasounds, my doctor was going off of January 4, 2o11. We were getting a new insurance deductible on January 1, so I realllllly wanted him here before the end of the year. My doctor is very conservative, and when I told her I wanted to have him by the end of the year, I believe her words were, "well, sometimes what we want and what we get are two different things." well duh..... :)

At 38 weeks I was dilated to a 2 and 30 percent effaced. I was so excited, and she even scheduled me to be induced on the 29th. However my excitement was crushed the next week. At 39 weeks I was exactly the same, at a 2 and 30 percent. I was two days from my scheduled induction and now my doctor wasn't too excited to induce me. She said she still would but my chances of a repeat c-section were high and she would recommend waiting. Ugh....now we were faced with a choice. (such is life, right??) I had the "end" in sight and now she wanted me to wait another week or TWO?? We still felt we should proceed with the 29th, but we were cautious to make sure we were making a good choice and not just an emotional choice.

The morning of the 29th arrived, Isaac slept over at my parents so Taylor and I could get to the hospital by 7:30 a.m. The thought was to try the "balloon" which mechanically dilates you to a four. When we got all checked in, we learned that I was now dilated to a 3 and 60 percent effaced (the most I've ever been on my own!) They started the process for the balloon---SO PAINFUL, literally had the thought "forget this, do a c-section!" --- and then, after all the pain, the balloon didn't take. So they started me on pitocin. At my last appointment, my doctor didn't want to do pitocin, but since I had progressed more, she was willing to start it. I was worried because I was on pitocin with Isaac and it didn't do anything and I ended up having a c-section with him. Luckily, the pitocin did what it was supposed to and at lunch time the doctor broke my water.

Prior to breaking my water I was asked if I was ready for an epidural. I wasn't--but when the first contraction after my water breaking hit, I was ready!! By the second one I told Taylor to go get the nurse! Epidural went in well and then it was such a great afternoon. I really don't know how to describe it, but it was almost serene and peaceful. Both Taylor and I slept. At 2:45 p.m. I was at 4.5, at 3:50 p.m. I was at a 6 and then by 4:05 p.m. (15 minutes later) I was at a 9 and ready to push. At 4:25 p.m. I was at a 10 and pushing. Beau was born via VBAC at 5:47 p.m. I must say, Taylor was sooooo great through the pushing stage. I would keep forgetting that I had to hold my breath, and he would be there saying, "good job Val, you're doing great, hold it, hold it, good, almost done...." He seriously was the best coach through that hour and I am so appreciative of him!! Oh and I should mention, the 29th was our FIVE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Beau Kevin Housley

7 lbs 4 oz

19.5 inches

We were anxious to leave the hospital, so as soon as 24 hours after Beau was born came, we were discharged and on our way home! The above picture was taken of Beau right when we got home. He is wearing the same outfit Isaac wore when we took Isaac home.

So, life with two kids....seems so natural! Beau is a great baby. I'm not feeling exhausted, and perhaps that is because I am not working like I was with Isaac. However, the recovery has not been fun!! As of yesterday (Monday) I was finally feeling pretty good. I had no idea what to expect since Isaac was a c-section and until Monday I kept saying, "And they say this recovery is better than a c-section??" But my mom reminded me yesterday that I am up and about much quicker than I was with Isaac, so I will try to focus on that instead. But I can say that now I am feeling much better in all aspects. Beau nurses well and it has gone much better than it did with Isaac. I still have a love/hate relationship with nursing, but I am planning to stick to it.

Speaking of Isaac, he has been a GREAT big brother. So far I would say there hasn't been an adjustment issue--is that still to come?? He loves his brother so much and we talked about him so much before he came that now Isaac is so excited. Isaac always wants to kiss and hug Beau and hold him. He tells me when he is crying and will try to comfort him by saying, "It's ok, Beau." We don't hold back on letting Isaac play and be loud...Isaac will run through the house and will yell or scream and Beau sleeps right through it...hopefully that will continue!!

So life is good and wonderful!! We're so glad he is here healthy and well!

Taylor came up with the name "Beau" and his middle name is after my dad. We've known since the 20 week ultrasound what we were going to name him and have referred to him by his name ever since then. So Isaac has known who "Beau" is for a while.

My handsome boys!! I love having two sons! We've heard that Beau looks a lot like Taylor and has Taylor's chin.

Isaac put a Cowboy's football by Beau during his nap...it was so precious. We got a little toy motorcycle "from Beau, to Isaac" that we wrapped up and gave Isaac at the hospital, while Isaac brought that teddy bear we made from Build-A-Bear that was "from Isaac, to Beau." Obviously Beau didn't care too much, but it's cute when Isaac plays with the motorcycle and I ask him where he got it he says, "Beau!"

We're so happy to be a family of FOUR!!!!!!