Our baby is here!
Leading up to the birth, I’d been hoping for a more pleasant delivery experience than last time, and I got it! It wasn’t the all-natural birth that I’d always wanted, but it was wonderful nonetheless. Like last time, this was a relatively long labor. Before going to the hospital, I’d been having rather painful contractions for more than 24 hours, which meant that I hadn’t had much sleep. When my contractions were finally coming at regular intervals, Josh and I headed to the hospital.
We checked in about 2:30 a.m., and after some initial prep, I slipped into the tub to labor some more. While in the tub, I made the decision to get an epidural. My birth plan had been “wait and see,” but as I told my midwife right before delivery, I finally learned something about myself. For me, pain relief was the right decision.
The rest of the delivery went so much more smoothly than last time. I felt in control, I felt confident, and the baby was doing really well. After I was fully dilated, we waited about 30 minutes before I started to push. I used some of the Hypnobirthing techniques that I’d learned to focus on breathing the baby down, and I swear that it worked! By the time I started pushing, it only took five or so rounds. The baby was out 9 hours after we got to the hospital, as opposed to 14 hours during Linnea’s birth.
As my midwife put our new baby on my chest, I couldn’t believe how big he (It’s a boy!) looked. He weighed 8 lbs, 15 oz, and was 23 inches long. I think he will take after his very tall Daddy! We named him Linus James—the name we had picked out for a boy during my first pregnancy. Like Linnea, Linus is a popular name in Sweden, though quite rare in the U.S. He definitely looks like a Linus!
Josh, Linnea, and I are all adjusting well to life with Baby Linus. Josh is obviously so in love with the boy, and it’s sweet to see those two snuggled up together. Linnea has responded well for the most part, though she has requested that the baby be returned to my belly a couple of times now. Physically, I feel so much better than I did last time. I made it out of there with no stitches—what a pleasant difference! Emotionally, I am just ridiculously happy. Now, if we could just get a little more sleep!
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you and so glad that the labor went well and that you followed your instincts!!
Kate Hopper recently posted..its done!
congratulations!! beautiful. LOVE the name too!
Jolene recently posted..Sometimes- you just need that reminder…
Thanks, Jolene! We’ve received lots of good feedback on the name. It’s fun to come up with something that surprises people!
Congratulations! He is beautiful! Way to go, mama. Look forward to hearing all about him growing and Linnea teaching her little brother all sorts of fun thing.
Elle recently posted..H for Helpless A for Angry
Thanks, Elle! I am sure that the twosome will prove fruitful for new writing material!
Oh yay! I am so happy for you and your family. Love the name! Congratulations!
Alecia @ Hoobing Family Adventures recently posted..Captivated
Thanks, Alecia! It was fun watching you go through the same thing just a few weeks ahead of me!
Love that Linnea has asked that Linus be returned to your belly – hilarious!
Congratulations again, so happy for you.
Thanks, Steph! Hope your writing is going well (life, too!)!
Congratulations again, Emma! I am so happy to hear that labor and delivery went so well. Linus is beautiful. 23″ might be the longest baby I’ve heard of!
Thanks, Kathy! I looked it up on the CDC charts, and 23″ is well beyond the 95th percentile.
You cannot imagine how elated Piper was when I told her that the baby had come out of your belly. She threw her head back, covered her hands over her mouth and when she finally wound down, she said, “I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!” Okay, so she probably is pretty clueless about what happened, but it was still super adorable. She cannot wait to meet him. Neither can we. Sleep when the baby sleeps!
XOXO
That is too funny! Yes, we can’t wait for everyone to meet him. We are around, so let us know!
Congratulations! So great to hear you had a great birth experience. Enjoy your new family member!
Thanks, Mo! Hope you three are doing well, too!
Congrats, Emma, Josh and Linnea! With that length, I’m thinking Linus might be the top basketball recruit in the class of 2029!
Thanks, Eric! You may be right given this kid’s size, but Josh is quick to say that he’ll be taking up golf first.
CONGRATS!!! I have been checking daily to see when the new baby was here. I am so very excited for you all! I am really happy you had a pleasant birthing experience this time around.
Thanks, Rose! It was fun to be able to announce the news finally.
Congratulations! Glad to hear things went well and that baby Linus is here and healthy! Take care!
Thanks, Kristy! Hope you and Mark are doing well, too!
so precious! many congratulations.
magnolia recently posted..negative cash flow
Thanks, Magnolia!
Congratulations. You didn’t get much chance to wait! Yes, I think the births get easier because you leave behind so much of the unknown. My Brian was 23 – 1/2″ but he was 11 lbs. 1 oz. That’s why I commented to Rose that Linus must be long and lean. One of the young woman who works with us had quite the time with her daughter accepting the baby brother. She kept asking him to be sent back for a different one. One day Nanette went into the next room and heard a commotion. Came back and baby was on the floor. Didn’t get there by himself! It was kinda of a shocker for Nanette. Those sweet little girls can turn into monsters! My mom says she visited my school a month after my brother, Jerry, was born and the teacher hadn’t heard a word from me that I had a brother. I wanted another sister.
Wow! How tall is Brian as an adult? I looked up Linus’ length on the CDC charts and 23″ is literally off the chart!
Luckily, Linnea seems to be directing her frustrations at me and Josh more than at the baby, but I will keep an eye on her!
HOORAY, EMMA!!! So happy you had a great birth experience and so delighted by your (not so) little boy! Sending you all sorts of good vibes during this transition period. Doubling your kid load is tough at first but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. Congrats Wilhelms! You make beautiful babies!!
Thanks, Rachel! It’s been cool to watch you one step ahead of us. I am going to make every effort to savor these maternity leave days. I know yours went by too quickly!