Joshua Kyle Hercules

Baby Josh wrapped in a fleece blanket so comfy!!

All the boys hanging out on the couch!

Josh is such a good sleeper! He slept 4 hours his first night at home!!

Me and Josh at the hospital, recovering from a long day.

Daddy and Josh bonding at the hospital.

Joshua Kyle Hercules was born at 10:15pm on Monday, December 15. He weighed 8lbs, 21 1/2 in long. And what a cutie!! We can't tell exactly who he looks like yet, but I would say he looks more Hercules then anything. He has the cutest pudgy cheeks just like his daddy did.

Kyle and I were to go to the hospital on Sunday night. Kyle's brother Joey ended up being here in Rexburg, and was able to stay at home with Conner. That was a huge blessing not having to worry about finding babysitters to help with Conner. So, we went to the hospital at 8pm to be induced. Josh was still pretty high, but I was dilated some, so they ended up putting some kind of tape thing on my cervix to soften it and help and I was just to sleep there at the hospital. Well, it would have been fine, except Josh was being so wiggly they had a hard time finding him on the monitor and keeping him there. So, at least every 15 min. the nurse was back in adjusting the strap across my belly. Obviously, when somebody is waking you up that often, it is hard to get a good sleep. Monday morning they started the pitocin. After a while they were able to break my water, and I hold the record for the most water!! It was amazing how small my belly seemed even after that. Well, after hours or waiting, Josh's heart rate kept dropping. So, they had to stop the pitocin. That would stop my contractions, and we would be stuck. Then they would start the pit again, but then his heart would drop again, and the cycle kept going on like that until he was finally born. I only had to push for 20 min, but the cord was wrapped around Josh's neck 2 times. So, he was really lethargic, and pale. It makes me so grateful to be in such a country though, where there are people who could help and have the medical personal there. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't have the doctors and nursers there, you just never know what kind of emergency may happen. Anyway, Josh had to stay in the nursery over night, but that did give us some time to sleep and rest from all that hard work. But man is he worth it!!

Conner and Josh are already best friends...ok, well Conner doesn't know how to be soft really yet, but he is getting there. He is fascinated with Josh. It's a lot of work trying to take care of both boys, but it helps that I have the best husband to help me out. Well, Josh just finished eating and I need to try to get some sleep. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up the blog with everything else going on!!!

baby soon

Yesturday I had the amneocentesis done and it wasn't really what I had expected. Really, it wasn't to bad, it wasn't to great either. I don't know that I would want to do it again. The kin prt didn't hurt at all, but as soon as it hit my uterous, it cramped up, and wasn't nice. After a couple of hours though the cramping stopped and all was back to normal. So, we took the sample to the hospital for the testing, and I stayed in the car while Kyle ran it inside. He gets up to the desk to drop it off and says "I have the amniotic fluid for testing to drop off." The Secretary replies, "Are you the patient?" "umm... yeah, I'm expecting any day now..." here's your sign... Are you serious? Since when has a man had amniotic fluid?!?!?!?! But it does make for a good laugh!

We got the results in today. They can't say for sure that his lungs are fully mature but they know they are not immature. The best they can say is that they are intermediately developed. AAgghhh... then what do you do? However, by now, they could be developed. So, after discussing with the doctor the options, we are scheduled to be induced Sunday night. And hopefully have a baby by Monday morning. My sister Melanie will be driving up on Sunday to help out with Conner. I'm really excited to see her again, it has been long time. I think the last time was nearly a year ago. And my mom will be here in 13 days!! When I told my mom though today, she is a little disappointed that baby herc will be 10 days old by the time she sees him. But I'll be ready for the help. We will see how it goes.

amnio....

So, it seems that after every doctor apointment I have to blog about it.... I just got home from having an ultrasound done of baby herc. As of now, he is measuring to be just over 9lbs. I can't say I'm surprized, but technically I still have 3 weeks, so he could still grow a lot! He has a huge head, of course, a big abdoman, and little legs. haha, short and stout. And I tell you what he has some huge cheeks!! Just like his daddy did when he was a baby. Along with seeing how big the baby was they also measured how much water I have. The doctor said through a normal pregnancy one would have 10-20 oz (I think oz, that's the only thing I can think of). Well, as of now I have over 30oz of water!!! That could be one reason I am measuring so big is because of all the water. I asked the doctor if that is harmful to the baby at all. He said that the only negative they have found is that the baby will just kind of float around and never come down into the pelvis to deliver. He checked my cervix also, and I am about 2-3, but he couldn't touch the babies head, so either his head is to big to fit, or there is to much water keeping him floating to high. The doctor said if he knew the babies lungs were fully developed, he would induce me tomorrow. The only way to know that is by doing an amniocentesis. So, I have that scheduled for tomorrow, and if it shows that his lungs are developed then I could be induced as early as this weekend. Or, I can just wait and see if I go into labor. The hard thing is they can't break my water because the baby is still to high, and the only thing to bring the baby down is contractions, but because there is so much water contractions may not even do it. And that makes my risk for a c-section even higher. Oh, the joys of labor and delivery, and the unknown!! So, I'm a little nervous for tomorrow, but I'm sure it will it will all work out.

Conner has figured out how to blow kisses now. It is so cute!! The other day we were all going out to run errands and I had Conner's hand and we were walking out to the car. All of a sudden, Conner stopped and turned around to look at Kyle who was locking the apartment. So Conner stopped and looked at Kyle and held up his hand and wouldn't move until Kyle took Conner's other hand. It was super cute!! I'm excited to see him as a big brother, maybe even as early as this weekend!! We will see.

Snow....

So, it fianlly snowed last night. I'm not sure exactly how much, but at least 3-4 inches. It has been so nice not having to worry about road conditions or snow boots or anything like that. And it has made it to Dec. 8 which I would say is a record for Rexburg. I'm not sure how true it is, but Kyle was telling me about a rumer that has been going around. He said that President Clark asked all the BYU-Idaho faculty to fast and pray with him that Rexburg would not have snow until the roof on the new expansion was complete so the building could stay on track. I don't know if the roof is done, it's hard to say, but I wouldn't be surprized.
I'm still pregnant...and Joshua is still huge... my belly is measuring full term and Wed. we will start the ultrasounds to get an estimate of how big he is. Can't you just see it in the paper..."Hercules Baby Born 12 lbs!!!" That's what he feels like now anyway. I still don't have a hospital bag packed, or any of the little baby clothes pulled out, or really anything really ready for the baby, so I guess I'm not prepared enough for him to come, but I sure am ready. Each day is a victory if I make it through the day. And it has been a GREAT day if I get dinner made. haha!! I'm ready to have my body back and see my toes again! But Christmas is in 17 days which means I will have the help of my mom in 17 days!! And I will get to see my sister and her man (whom I have never met). I can't wait to have the help of family! That's the hardest part of living so far away I think.
The new apartment is great. Conner loves it! I feel like we have child-proofed everything, and yet every day he finds something new to get into. I don't know how he does it, he is just too smart. He is a great kid though, always laughing and playing. He loves shoes!! He will just carry his around and he gets so excited to put them on. Once you put them on him though, he goes straight to the front door and waits to leave. He tries to put his coat on himself now, and gets one arm in and thinks he is done. It is so funny. He also LOVES the Christmas tree. So, the bottom half of the tree never stays decorated for long before he takes everything off. Then, we find his little toys balancing somehow on the lower branches!! Who knew there was a bouncy ball there at Baby Jesus' birth!! It's so fun to have him here for Christmas. I don't think he understands Santa Clause or anything yet (maybe next year), but it will be fun to let him open some presents and see his face on Christmas morning.
Hopefully the next time I write, I will have to post pictures of little baby Hercules!!!!