I can't believe he is FINALLY here! We are so thrilled to have a new little boy in the family. Just a few quick details...
On Monday morning I went in for a scheduled doctor's appointment. I knew that most likely my doctor would tell me he wanted to induce me this week because my fluid levels were quite low. Jason and I had talked about it and thought that Wednesday would be a good day. After our ultrasound where our doctor said that my levels were too low to keep waiting for me to go into labor naturally, we sat down to discuss induction. I was about to say, "How about Wednesday" but he said, "How about now? Long story short, he didn't even let me go home! Jason had to go back and finish packing us, get the kids packed, get the dorm ready for someone else to look after, etc. They admitted me right away and induced me at about 11:30 in the mornign via cervical pill. Contractions started within the hour, but were very manageable. By 6:30 in the evening I was still only at 3 cm (all of my children have been so patient to come out!) so he decided to break my water and start me on a pitocin drip (three kids, three times on pitocin!) He broke my water at 7, started the drip by 7:30 and I delivered at 9:29 pm.
The next four hours were a bit hard as they didn't really let me be with him. I got to see him for about 30 seconds and then I didn't get to hold him until he was about an hour and a half. They kept telling us he was too cold and needed to be under the warming lamps. I got to feed him at about an hour and a half adn then they took him again and I didn't see him until 1:30 am, four hours after delivery. Jason had to fight his way into the nursery to be there for his first bath. But finally, I got to hold my little boy and look over every inch of his sweet little body. What a miracle.
On Tuesday Alaina and Caleb both got to come visit (though not at the same time). They were both very excited in their own way. Alaina really wanted to hold him (though that didn't last long!) her favorite part was getting to play with the buttons on Mommy's bed! Caleb surprised us by climbing up on the bed and wanting to look into Levi's bassinet. We figured he would be completely oblivious to the whole situation!
We came home this morning (Wednesday) and we are all doing well. Both kids seem to be very interested in Levi and Alaina thanked God for him tonight when we prayed. Levi seems to be adjusting well. Thanks for all of your love and support.
A few of my favorite pictures so far. You can see more in the Welcome Baby Levi photo album.
He is totaly adorable Janet - congrats to the whole family!! :)
Posted by: peta | April 20, 2006 at 03:28 AM
Yeah-I am grinning ear to ear!! He looks adorable (as do you all)CONGRATULATIONS!!! So happy for you :)
Posted by: Margie | April 20, 2006 at 03:37 AM
He's gorgeous! Congrats!
Posted by: Angela | April 20, 2006 at 03:41 AM
Congratulations!!! He's beautiful :)
Posted by: andibean | April 20, 2006 at 04:17 AM
oh he looks so sweet! congrats to you and your family I am so happy for you all!!!
Posted by: CD | April 20, 2006 at 04:22 AM
He is absolutely beautiful Janet!! Congratulations and welcome Levi!
Posted by: Jennifer | April 20, 2006 at 05:02 AM
Congrats Phillips family! And Caleb now a big brother - woohoo!! He is absolutely beautiful Janet, what a little miracle. Now go get some sleep :)
Posted by: traci | April 20, 2006 at 05:15 AM
Levi is so beautiful...and you have some really awesome pictures to scrap!!!! Congrats, Janet!
Posted by: Angie Wags | April 20, 2006 at 05:18 AM
He's precious- what a sweet little bean!!! You have a gorgeous family! Happy Scrapping (new babies are always so much fun) :-D
Posted by: Kristi | April 20, 2006 at 05:48 AM
He is gorgeous!!! :) Congratulations to you and your family!
Posted by: Keela | April 20, 2006 at 05:49 AM
He is gorgeous Janet!! Good to see you're all doing well! Big Hugs. :)
Posted by: MandaBean | April 20, 2006 at 05:58 AM
Oh congrats!! I was just here last night checking to see if you'd had a baby yet. He's beautiful! So glad to hear the family adores him and is adjusting well!
Posted by: Tiffany Hix | April 20, 2006 at 06:27 AM
Congrats Janet and fam! What a blessing! He is just precious! So glad that everyone is happy and healthy.
Posted by: Andrea Victoria | April 20, 2006 at 06:28 AM
He is just perfection Janet!! Congratulations, you guys must be absolutely tickled to have that beautiful baby there with you now!! They kept Emily from me when she was born too for the same reason, she wasnt warm enough...I remember that being sooo hard! I was induced for all three babies too!! How funny our birth experiences were so similar! Anyhow, rambling, CONGRATS!!
Posted by: Robin | April 20, 2006 at 06:29 AM
Awwwwww! He's just absolutely beautiful!! I'm so thrilled for you and rejoicing and praising right along with your family! I'm gonna come back later to read the post. Only had time to look at the pics right now. Just enough to melt my heart *sigh*
Posted by: Shannon B. (aka dancingirisheyes) | April 20, 2006 at 06:55 AM
CONGRATULATIONS JANET!!!!! OH HE'S GORGEOUS! They had to induce me with our dd for the same reasons! Hoooray you are all home! Okay now let's talk...you have a dd and 2 boys now. Um...you are my mommy twin! LOL Seriously! We will be sharing such similar stories! LOL Sooo I wish you the best...hope the feeding and sleeping is going well....and hope your dd is a huge help and that your other lil guy is not feeling like 2nd best yet. I hated that! Smoooochies!!!!!
Posted by: Shabby Miss Jenn | April 20, 2006 at 06:56 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Barb | April 20, 2006 at 07:31 AM
CONGRATS! I don't think he could be any cuter?!?!? And that pic of his older sis holding him is just the BEST!!
Posted by: Andrea* | April 20, 2006 at 08:28 AM
Awww Janet - he is just perfect, what an absolutely precious little man! You are awesome to already be sharing this with us! Enjoy!
Posted by: Kellie | April 20, 2006 at 08:59 AM
oh my, what a wonderful, beautiful blessing. congratulations! levi is such a cool name!
Posted by: lauren | April 20, 2006 at 09:05 AM
Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
Posted by: Kathryn | April 20, 2006 at 09:34 AM
Such a darling!!!! Congrate!!!!!! YOu looking well yourself!
~Mindy~
Posted by: Mindy Terasawa | April 20, 2006 at 05:08 PM
He's beautiful, Janet. Congrats on your new son!
Posted by: Kellie (joelsgirl) | April 23, 2006 at 07:17 PM