Raiden James Parkinson

Yup, as I am sure you have heard, our little man has made his way into the world; and let me tell you, it has already been quiet the journey and its only been almost 2 weeks! So lets start at the beginning!

Monday April 4,2011: Raiden's Birth Day
We woke up at 7:30 am... I guess you could say we were a little excited since we didnt have to be at the hospital till 10. Once we were awake we showered and got dressed for the day, then ate some breakfast and packed a few last minute things. by that time it was only 8:30. So we packed everything into the car and headed over to my mom and dads house to drop Charger off and say good-bye. Of course that took awhile since Charger is like my child. So after saying good-bye, shedding some tears, and wasting a little time we finally left my parents house, and headed to the hospital. The whole morning seemed surreal to me. I couldnt quiet get it through my head that after all of our hard work making this baby, we were about to meet him face to face in a matter of hours.
We made it to the hospital and checked in right at 10. Since I was scheduled for a c section at 12:30 they started me on an IV and started preping me for surgery. This all was a little scary since I had never been in the hospital. I've never even broke a bone or had anything removed from me! So I was VERY greatful to have my wonderful husband there to hold my hand. We passed the time by watching random shows on tv and talking to the anesthesiologist. (if thats even how you spell it)And just as an off note, Paul Bisser was my anesthesiologist, he was AMAZING! He made everything sound so easy and I felt completely comfortable! He was such a fun guy! Finally it was 12:30 and when my nurse came in I was so incredibly nervous, only to find out that we were following a surgery that was running late, so we were moved to 1pm.
FINALLY it was 1 and we were both so ready to get this done and meet our baby for the first time! I always thought that they only wheeled people around in hospitals on beds in the movies. HA! I was wrong! I got to be wheeled back to surgery on my bed. Which I will admit, was prety cool. :]] Once back in the OR they started to get me ready for my spinal. Now let me explain the difference between a spinal and an epidural. A spinal is a form of morphine called duramorphine, so it is perfectly safe for the baby. They inject this into your back like an epidural oter than it goes into your spinal fluid, unlike an epidural that only goes into the nerves I believe. This stuff is awesome, other than the itchiness.
Anyways I was moved onto the operating table and told to hunch over best I could with my belly. During this time they stuck a needle three times into three different spots on my back to numb the area for the spinal. Now having a spinal was soooo weird! When they pushed the medicine into my spinal fluid I could feel the warmness from the medicine go down one leg and back up and down the other. Then I was unable to feel anything from my shoulders down. It was SO weird! I could see them moving my legs around but couldnt feel it! I could also try to move my legs, and I knew that the message was being sent to them, but they wouldnt move! During all this Jud was out in the hall waiting and getting his scrubs on! As I was laying there I couldnt help but laugh! We were having a baby! He was finally coming!!
So while I was laying there and they were cutting me open to get our little man out Jud was standing my head holding my hand and watching the whole thing! He kept describing everything to me! I kept wishing I was able to at least see what was going on! After feeling a little pressure on my ribs I heard Raiden emerge into this world! His tiny little gurgly cry brought an overwhelming sense of pride and joy! They held him over the screen infront of me and I was able to see his tiny scrunched up face! We made him! I still cant get over it, that he came out of me!
Raiden and Jud were sent to the nursery for him to get weighed, measured, bathed and fed! While all that was happening and Jud was filming it all. I was still in the OR getting put back together. They use disolvable staples! That are on the inside!? You cant even see them! Its so crazy! While laying there getting put back together I layed there and listened to Raiden in the nursery crying and screaming and Jud laughing. Best sound I've ever heard!
Finally I was wheeled in recovery for the next three hours where my aunt and parents were waiting. After a few minutes Jud came in with the clean Raiden. There I was ale to hold my sweet baby boy for the first time! What a feeling!
The doctor said that the 8lbs 7oz 21in Raiden wouldnt have fit through the birth canal anyways. So it was a good decision that we decided to just have a c section; because it would have ended that way anyways! Saves me and him lots of stress!
We stayed in the hospital the rest of Monday, all day Tuesday and Tuesday night, then Wednesday we stayed until about 6pm. We were having steak and shrimp for dinner. So of course we didnt want to miss that!

Thursday April 7, 2011: Our first day home
Jud had to go back to work this day which was sad. But we got bills to pay! So my mom came over and helped me out TONS. Well I mostly slept and helped as much I could but recovery is going to take me a little while!
The rest of the week went by in a blur and this week hasnt been much better! I'm able to care for Raiden on my own now! Which is an awesome feeling! I knew that a baby was a lot of work, but HOLY COW! Every night I feel like I've just got done working a 16 hour day! :]]
This last Tuesday April 12 Raiden went in for his check up along with me. But he also go circumcised. What a horrific event for me! I wont go into the details, but at the end of the day I felt like the worst mother in the whole world to do that to my little guy. But its the healthiest solution, and I'd rather he go through that experience now when he cant remember it, instead of when he is 45 and is in a ton of pain and able to remember it. Its amazing how fast they heal! Its been 4 day and he already looks like he is all healed up!

Can I just brag about my baby for a minute!? He is AMAZING and SO strong! He can already hold his head up; well for like a minute he can, and then he gets tired. He has slept all night a couple nights! Yes that is right, my week and a half old baby will go to bed at 11 and not wake up till 6! Be jealous! :]] Of course this has only happend 3 or 4 times. But the rest of the nights he goes to bed at 9 wakes up at 11 eats about 4 oz. (he's already an eater!) gets a diaper change and goes back to bed till about 3:30 or 4am. We do the same routine and then we is back to bed until around 8am! He burps SO good, and hardley ever really cries. He just fusses a little and does a little whimper! Good thing he is so patient with his momma cuz it has been a learning experience for sure! Once he is awake at 8am he stays awake and just looks around and tries to talk until about 11am. Then he eats and hits the hay till about 3pm. Then he wakes up eats goes back to sleep till about 6 or 6:30pm. Then eats and is awake and looks around until about 9pm. Then he repeats the whole thing over again! Of course I'm his mother so its only expected that I think he is the greatest! What mother doesnt think their child is simply amazing!?
I cant believe that he already almost two weeks old. His umbilical cord fell off a couple days ago and it made me want to cry like a baby! He is getting so big! So this Tuesday April 19th we are headed in again for mine and his two week check up! Now that I have everything all caught up I will post some pictures hopefully tomorrow of us at the hospital and new born and maternity pics tomorrow! :]]