Koen's birth story

I thought it might be fun to write down Koen's birth story while the details are still fresh in my mind. One day he may like to know...

Dan and I had decided early on in my pregnancy that we were going to schedule a c-section for Koen's birth. After our complicated delivery with Bodhi, we decided it was the best way to go. The c-section was scheduled for February 3rd at 8am, just 3 days before Koen's expected due date. The night before, I woke up at 1:30am and could not get back to sleep - I was excited, anxious, nervous, all of the above. So needless to say, I was exhausted by the time we arrived at the hospital at 6:30am (not exactly the way you want to start life with a newborn!). We were taken to a room to get prepared for the surgery and both Dan and I could not stop smiling, laughing and joking - by this point, we were both so excited. After a short while, people started filing in, introducing themselves to us and letting us know that they would be in the OR with us for the surgery. Being in a teaching hospital, each one of these people also had a student with them to observe - very quickly Dan and I realized that there would be A LOT of people in the room! At about 8:20am, the nurse came in and told me it was time (that's when the nerves kicked in!). She asked me if I wanted to put something on my feet because the floor was cold, so I put on my big colourful wool socks that my mom knit for me and waddled down the hall to the operating room. It was all very calm and civilized - a far cry from what it was like with Bodhi's delivery!

I lay on the operating table looking at Dan and hoping desperately to just let me hear that cry. The next thing I knew, all the people in the room started cheering and all I wanted to do was tell them to be quiet so I could hear my boy's cry! Finally they all quieted down and there it was, the sweetest sound I could hear - Koen's first cry. They brought him past me and put him on the scale - I almost passed out when they announced his weight - 9 pounds 1 ounce! A big boy! After our midwife swaddled him in a blanket, she handed him to Dan who lowered his cheek to mine. What a moment.

Soon afterwards, we were being brought back into our original room for recovery. They placed my sweet boy on my chest and within seconds he was having his first feed. He was a pro right from the start. They wheeled us down the hall to our room, my boy in the crook of my arm and his Daddy following close behind. I was so happy.

Soon after arriving back in our room, our midwives arrived to let us know that all babies born over 9 pounds had to have a glucose test and Koen's had come back that he had low blood sugar. After a few more tests, his blood sugar level still wasn't rising, so we were told to start supplementing with formula - something Dan and I both were not happy about having to do. All through that night, the nurses came in and out doing test after test on the poor little thing, until finally he was in the clear! We were ecstatic. By the time we got Koen home, he was eating like a champ, off the formula, and completely healthy. Just a little something to let us know that he would be keeping us on our toes!

I could never have imagined how well this little guy would fit into our lives, but he just has. It's like he has always been here and it was meant to be. We all feel it.

On big brothers...

I grew up with two big brothers and have always loved this fact. I have never wanted for a sister (although I feel extremely fortunate to have the sisters-in-law that I do) and feel like I got everything I needed out of sibling relationships from my bros. They are smart, funny, caring men who have always looked out for me, loved me and accepted me for who I am. I am a lucky baby sister. When I was pregnant with Bodhi, one of my first thoughts upon finding out that he was a boy, was that my future children would be lucky like me and have a big brother. Now that Koen has joined us, I am thrilled that he will get to have a big brother to look up to and to look out for him.

Bodhi is already showing signs of pride and love towards his baby brother. He always wants to hold Koen and when he does, you can see Bodhi's little hand gently stroking Koen's ear or his tiny fingers. No one has ever told him that this is what you do with a baby, it's 100% innate love that Bodhi is feeling for his little brother. When Bodhi has the chance to introduce Koen to anyone new, he immediately runs over and holds Koen's hand and says "This is my baby brother Koen!" - loud and proud.

My brothers taught me so much growing up and still are teaching me a lot (mostly to do with parenting at this point - not only are they great brothers, but they're both great dads). I am over the moon that my boys will have this opportunity as well.

Sleep.....

The night before we went into the hospital to have Koen, I slept about 3 hours. I was excited, nervous, anxious ... all of the above. Needless to say, since that night things haven't really gotten much different in the sleep department what with having a newborn around the house! The first couple of nights in the hospital Koen didn't really sleep at all (and neither did Dan and I!). There were people coming in and out constantly monitoring his blood sugar (he was born with really low blood sugar but it sorted itself out quickly, thank goodness).

Since we've been home, Koen is bunking in with us spending half his night in the co-sleeper and the other half in the crook of my arm. He's doing pretty well so far, sleeping 2-3 hours a stretch and up about 2-3 times a night. Of course, his big brother alarm goes off each morning at around 6 so that signals the start to our day. Which for Koen means, wake up, eat, go back to sleep for 2 hours.

I forgot how funny it feels to be sleep deprived, especially when you're deliriously happy already - everything is pretty fuzzy. I'm glad to be keeping this record because I'm sure in a couple of days I won't even remember writing it!

Announcing....

Welcome to the world Koen! We've been waiting 9 long months for you to join us and you are finally here. We couldn't be happier. You came along on February 3rd at 8:50am. You came out with a big cry and sporting a full head of dark brown hair and you were perfect. The nurse wrapped you up and handed you to Daddy who leaned down and put your cheek next to mine. That is a moment that I will never forget. When I first laid eyes on you I couldn't believe how much you looked like your big brother when he was newborn - such good looking little boys I have!

Now that you are here, we are a family of four and it all seems to fit just right. Bodhi is such a doting, loving big brother to you. He brings you blankets when you're sleeping, rubs your forehead when you are crying and reminds Mommy and Daddy that you should be wearing socks to keep you warm. You are so lucky to have a big brother like him.

Your first few days in the world we spent in the hospital getting to know each other. We were counting the minutes until we could take you home and show you off. Bodhi was so excited to have us all home again and couldn't get enough of holding you, kissing you and introducing you to everyone.

We are so happy you are with us and we all love you so much. We can't wait for what lies ahead!

xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxo

Mommy, Daddy and Bodhi