The day finally arrived for my scheduled c-section. We have never experienced that before. It was kinda nice to just work up to the big event. We got a lot done that may be another post. It's not to say there wasn't the usual worry and trepidation. I didn't sleep much the night before but knew the next day the doubts would be answered. We arrived a few minutes late to sit and wait. Greg was not impressed. I was dismayed to be with a training nurse who had a very hard time finding veins for the requisite IV lines. Finally after their 3 failed painful attempts the anesthesiologist promptly and confidently placed a line and we rolled into the operating room. This was a special experience last time. This time it was much less personal and the surgery as a whole was a lot more physical. I'm happy to say though that the baby is and was perfectly fine. I was able to hold him a while until the odd angle necessitated he be held more upright. But it was nice to touch and feel him a bit through the utter discomfort of being beat up as they pushed pulled and literally punched my uterus back in my body.
At the end I was so happy to be put in a room with this sweet bundle to hold as my legs woke up.
Greg had gone to work earlier in the day. It was a long night of constant checking and caring for baby. There is no rest in the hospital. I reflected on the nicety of midwife birth where you go home and figure life out. Or you rest together in a normal bed dealing with the healing process and getting to know baby. How I value those sweet times with midwives. 
Being a c-section baby he had none of the head bruising or swelling of the other kids. Thus he is able to open his eyes and look around. We spend a lot of time in this brown chair. I enjoy standing occasionally.
The younger kids were so thankful the older kids went to school so they could be the baby holder. There is not enough time holding him if you ask any of them.
After the usual stress and agony of learning to nurse and a 2am order on amazon that showed up the next day, then getting his membranes clipped on his lips and tongue the next day nursing has improved 100%. He primarily nurses getting a bottle only in the early morning hours when I just need a break and some sleep. I miss uninterrupted sleep but all in all he is doing well.
Merle and Andrea are just tickled to be the older siblings they accept my non-stop sitting and again I'm so thankful for Aliza's presence to take them everyday outside for hours to burn off steam. Seriously she has been game changing and I repent for all the crazy-ness of the other kids first few weeks of life. It was much harder trying to manage them and baby.
The next day I facetimed with maybe the two most excited people Merle and Andrea. Aliza has been a rock for them. Taking them daily to water the cows and run off energy outside. They are having so much fun being kids together. Part of my postpartum heart is very sad the baby won't have a close sibling to share life with.
The next day the doctor allowed me to leave. Greg came around 3 and we drove to Vale where we moved a car from Les Schwab to his shop even though the doctor told me no driving for two weeks. Life in the real world "I need some help please." I drove home then not wanting to move back to the passenger seat. Legs and reflexes worked just fine. These girls were thrilled to meet and hold baby brother.
A problem with so many sweet people to name is having enough names of respectable people not already used or with attachments. We wrestled through many name thinking maybe we had gotten close on one- I had wanted to name him Archie James. Greg never bought into that one. He liked Dave but too much baggage with that one so we moved on. Anna while driving me around suggested Jake for a long ago uncle that Aunt Gwen had told her about. That sounded good to me it's definitely only a male name, and has not been used, is short easy to write, all around checked our self determined boxes. We used Robert for Rob Wagstaff who we counseled with years ago when contemplating another child. But as that took so long to happen had dismissed from memory.
A problem with so many sweet people to name is having enough names of respectable people not already used or with attachments. We wrestled through many name thinking maybe we had gotten close on one- I had wanted to name him Archie James. Greg never bought into that one. He liked Dave but too much baggage with that one so we moved on. Anna while driving me around suggested Jake for a long ago uncle that Aunt Gwen had told her about. That sounded good to me it's definitely only a male name, and has not been used, is short easy to write, all around checked our self determined boxes. We used Robert for Rob Wagstaff who we counseled with years ago when contemplating another child. But as that took so long to happen had dismissed from memory.
I'm thankful my body is able to care for him. I was very worried if with my advanced age and lack of thyroid if my body would do the routine. So far so good. All is actually very good and better than many of the last 4 kids have done. I am blessed. With all the fear and uncertainty and reluctance the outcome is much smoother and better than I had worried. Back to my brown chair I go to hold my little bundle of hunger and to enjoy these moments of time celebrating being able to and relief to be on this side working the system I see we can do. 14 healthy active bodies walking around inspires hope and confidence we can grow people. We are so blessed with the addition of our Jake Robert to our family.
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