Michael

Everyone we have been talking to has asked us for some more pics of the new little guy. Here goes.

Michael Ryan Morton was born at 0752 on 7 June 2011. He weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. (which is exactly what Jared weighed), and was 21 1/4" long. His Apgar scores at 1" and 5" were 8 and 9, respectively, meaning he was pretty much an optimally healthy baby. He was born at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, MN via a scheduled C-section. As far as the name goes, there is no specific reason that we named him Michael, other than it being a classic name that sounds good at all ages. His middle name is after Ryan Hess, the good friend of ours that died last May. I wouldn't name one of my kids after just anyone, but Ryan Hess was an exceptional person - an example in a thousand ways. I am honored to have my boy carry his name.

I have been given permission by Katelin to say what I am about to say this: Things could barely have gone any smoother. After the surgery, Kate had some nausea, but meds were always able to take care of it before any vomiting, and it had subsided enough for Katelin to eat by the day after. There were no other complications, and Kate left the hospital just over 48 hours after the C-section. Her OB had said to her a few weeks ago that she was "going to love this C-section." It turns out he was right. He is kind of a pioneer in the use of dissolvable staples. They go in subcutaneously and dissolve after a few days, which means no "train track" scars. Also, less chance of infection, less pain, etc.

Everything also went almost perfectly with the baby. He was a little irritable after his circumcision, which I assured him was completely understandable. He has been eating and voiding well, and seems pretty content. His behavior is a lot like Sara's right after she was born. He is pretty mellow. He spends a few minutes looking around and sneezing when he is awake, and then just goes back to sleep.

Everything is now going fine with the kids also. Initially, John refused to come to the hospital. We could not figure out why, but he was just plain not interested in seeing the baby. He eventually came around, and is really enjoying it now. Sara has been enjoying it for months.

Anyway, the pictures are below.

***WARNING: THE FIRST THREE PICTURES ARE FROM THE OR, A LITTLE BLOODY***

Dr. Shibley starting to lift out the head.

Dr. Shibley lifting Michael out. It's hard to tell from this picture, but his first act in mortality was to whiz all over the doctor.

Dr. Shibley holding up the baby for the first squawk.

First picture after they made the baby presentable.

Michael caterwauling next to his official weight readout.

Michael, paterfamilias, materfamilias.

Eating his fingers.

Putting his finger on his nose. He did this for a long time, and it was really cute.

First sleep.

The happy sister.

The (reluctantly) happy brother. You have no idea how many booger and poop jokes it took to get John to smile. Telling him that Michael peed all over the doctor finally put him over the top for a good belly laugh and a great picture.

The Three.

Baby and Dad.

Baby and Mom.

Binkies, blankies, and baby prep...and a $70 bag of popcorn

Well, it really is almost here!! I'm scheduled for a C-section for Tuesday morning, bright and early, and I feel such a mix of emotions right now and I want to blog a little, so forgive me if it's a little jumbled. Of course I feel more than ready in some ways--my baby belly is really quite impressive, but I'm ready to evict the tenant! He's still totally squirmy, and I must be complaining a little too much, because the other day Sara asked if she ever gave me trouble. I could honestly answer her that she didn't though, or at least I've forgotten if she did. I remember getting more uncomfortable with John, although a big part of that was the end of summer heat. I think maybe the boys are bigger, too.

Two weeks ago Tuesday night (so at 37 weeks) I was having contractions consistently enough that we ended up in the hospital and we were so excited that we'd have an early surprise, but it was a false alarm. I thought 5/25 sounded like such a nice birthday, but I guess it wasn't meant to be. So, we've really been on pins and needles since then, expecting a repeat any second, but I haven't had any more consistent contractions. But, I've totally been having contractions, so it has really been a long ending for this pregnancy. The kids keep asking if the baby is squeezing my tummy anymore, because they can't wait to get to have sleepovers with friends for a few days. Sigh. Here's the picture we took as we headed off that night...



Okay, I should be done with my pity party, because of course at the same time as feeling all this discomfort and dare I say it? Pain! I've been feeling SO blessed. So many others have really difficult pregnancies, and mine just hasn't been so bad. I am so excited and we all are. The kids are just being totally adorable, even during trips to the boring fabric store to get blanket materials. I let them pick out some fabric to have one be from them.

Jared is patiently waiting...ha! Waiting is not really one of his favorite sports, and we have gone through quite a list of things keeping us busy, well, just passing the time really. He is on his fifth model airplane including about 50 hours spent making a Super Hornet. He has also finished the game Angry Birds--all 3 worlds. Lots of solitaire, and tons of crossword puzzles. Oh, and Burn Notice has been my thing, and sleep. I am still a master of sleep, though it is more and more fitful and uncomfortable. With every wince and gasp I make, Jared is quickly asking if it's a contraction, which it often is, but lots of flips, pokes and breakdancing on my insides can make me gasp, too.

I think I've got what I need ready to welcome a little man home. Several people have been so generous and lent/given us a ton of stuff, so we've hardly had to buy anything, so that's awesome! I had a good time getting out the clothes that I saved from John, and he thinks it's pretty funny he fit any of that. Oh, and the pix at the beginning of the post are from a shower my visiting teachers threw for me--SO nice!

Anyway, I'll post pictures of the blankets I've made and the carseat canopy--which I'm so excited about. My genius sis-in-law Megan had one for my niece, and then my friend Emily posted how she made one from a blog tutorial, so I decided I would try it. Big step for me to stray from my one thing I make--blankets. Anyway, I think it will be very handy! Like I said, I'll post pictures, but I'm going to have to go all the way downstairs to the other computer to upload photos.

**Okay, here are the pix...**

The kids picked the robot material...

And this is one of those triangle blankets, ready to make a baby burrito!


And, I promise some photos of the "big" kids, too. They really are so big, and love to remind me how old they are getting. John just lost his 6th tooth, so we hardly recognize him, and have resorted to calling him "Toothless." He still has 8 more days of kindergarten, but they have started their all day schedule, so I feel like I never see him now! He is a very good student, and really tries hard on every worksheet and assignment. I love helping him with homework, and am very proud of all he's learned this year. Oh, and about that $70 bag of popcorn--a few weeks ago, he put in a bag of microwave popcorn while I was teaching piano and made a slight mistake when he entered the number. Instead of 1:40, he did 4:40. Uh, yeah. That was close, and it pretty much roasted the microwave, and the lovely odor was awesome! So, we have a new microwave and a few more ground rules for it!

This picture is of John receiving an award at school for showing respect!

The next two are from his Spring Concert...


And Mother's Day...isn't this the sweetest thing?
And this toothless picture was taken two teeth ago...
And a little artwork...

Sara has been my little side kick, and I'm not sure I'm ready to send her off to school next year! She is so ready, though, and especially now that John is gone so much--the days are getting quite long for her! She has helped me help with "Project Think," which is a special thing I help with for a few of the kindergartners. She gets so excited for Thursdays, when we get to eat lunch with John and then do Project Think. We decided to do a science theme, so we've had a lot of fun. We planted seeds, went on a nature walk, did a butterfly garden, did a baking soda and vinegar volcano and coke and mentos fountain, and this week we made butter, so that has been a lot of fun.

She also has been with me at almost every doctor appointment, and the doc has let her help find the heartbeat and lots of other things, so that's been fun for her, too.

She is becoming quite an artist, too...

A little field trip to check out our friend's plane...
And a little party with a frog in the bath...John wasn't too sure at first, but then he loved it.
I feel like there are a million things I haven't blogged about--probably because there are--but that's good for now. We'll be back later with pictures of the newest little Morton! Any last minute advice on things that got you through the last of it or favorite things to do in the hospital? I'm totally dreading the whole hospital thing, but again, I'm so grateful for it at the same time.