Sunday, November 24, 2013

Ocotober Babe - Party of 5

The Birth Story
Hearts beat fast, the day was getting closer, we were having bets on when little Ronin, our baby boy would come.  Reena came 3 days before her due date.  Debrie came 4 days before her due date.  I being hopeful and ready, bet that his due date would be October 3rd.  Dan bet on Ocotber 4th.  The girls kept asking when Ronin would be here.  Everyday, many times a day Debrie would lift up my shirt, talk to the baby and kiss my belly.  She tells everyone about her baby brother where ever she goes.  The anticipation was high.  I was eating spicy food and walking a ton.  That night, October 3rd I was tired by 7:30.  I told Dan to please put the kids down and clean up for me.  I headed to bed.  I was out within a matter of minutes.  I remembered vaguely that Brie came in to snuggle with me and Dan came home from soccer.  2:30 came and I woke up with contractions.  They were hard and painful.  But I tried going back to sleep thinking they were just Braxton Hicks, but they were 3 minutes apart and so so painful.  I was dilated to a 2 on Tuesday but even I knew that after that I was not a 2 anymore.  I decided to wait it out anyway because I was so tired and Dan looked so sleepy.  About 15 minutes later I ran to the bathroom and felt like pushing.  It was now 3:00 and I woke Dan up and said it is time.  Ronin is on his way out.  I was excited, in a lot of pain and fear that it''s going to be another natural childbirth.  Reena's birth with the epidural spoiled me.  Debrie's natural birth scared me of wanting another for a while.  But Ronin decided he wanted to be like Debrie, even a little faster.  We got to the hospital and checked in at 3:19.  I could hardly walk.  I screamed for that darn epidural but he came so quickly the epidural took maybe 3 contractions away and it was all natural childbirth all over again.  Like Bill Cosby described, it is like taking your bottom lip and stretching it over your head.  Ok that's a bit much  At least it was fast.  Matt and Shelly, Dan's cousins told me that all 3 of my births together still isn't equal to one of Shelly's.  Poor girl.

Anyway there's the story for ya'll.  I delivered in my street clothes again.  I was dilated to a 9 when i arrived at the hospital and 5 minutes later a 10 and crowning.  It was natural child birth all over again. I was stubborn and fiesty about the pain med, but if I had pushed earlier he would've been out earlier.  So illogical when you're in pain.  2 hours from contraction to birth little Ronin Quan Stevens joined our family at 4:00 AM weighing 8 lbs 10 ounces 20 inches long.  He was smaller than his sister Reena by 5 ounces and smaller than his sister Debrie by 9 ounces but he was bigger than them by his 1 week appointment.  He was 9 lbs 6 ounces and 21 inches by 1 week!!!.  We're all so glad he came to our family. I'm so glad he chose me to be his mommy.  A son so perfect and absolutely handsome.  We couldn't take our eyes off of him.  I was in love all over again.  His sisters couldn't leave his side,  they were in love.  They pampered him with kisses and hugs.   Here's the catch of it all, the  crazy part I think.  We left the Mac to watch over his sisters while he was being born.  We had the webcam outside the girls room and had our phones to watch over them.  Nope we didn't ask anyone to watch our kids.  I knew it was fast.  We were gone for less than an hour.  Dan was back before they woke up.  He even got a few hours of sleep in before they woke up to a note that was left for them outside their room that said brother is here.
Facebook traffic volume went way high the day he was born.  Hundreds of congrats messages and comments from friends.  I don't think  I've seen as many comments.  My friends were excited to come meet him.  Many came and brought us treats and meals.  Here is a quick copy and paste from what people said to us on your birth Ronin


  This little man is worth every pain.  He has such yummy cheeks. 
Before we left the hospital there was a photographer from Bellababy and she asked us if she could take our pictures.  It was free so we decided to give her the ok to take our pictures.  We ended up ordering 2 pictures of the ones she took.

He steals my heart.  He came home a day after and his sisters started getting runny noses.  That was hard keeping them away from smothering him with kisses.  He is a healthy baby so thankfully he didn't pick that up.  He's a darling chunky baby.  There is nothing cuter than a chunky baby in my opinion.
Funky chunky.  10 lbs in less than 2 weeks.  He grunts in his sleep and right before he wakes. Such a boy!
Proud grandma Ma
Handsome little man with great hair!

Gangsta poses

Ba Ngoai's first 3 grandkids
I feel so grateful for my mother and her 2 weeks of dedicated service. She went back to Philly and we are missing her dearly. She took Reena to school, jogged to school to eat lunch with her, jumped on the trampoline with the kids, baked with Debrie, and was an amazing cook. Everyday was filled with yummy food and treats. I love my MOM!!!!
Aww...snuggle wuggle Reena's words when she's near him
There is only one thing I could want more than this. More sleep!!!
Reena read to her siblings so I could get some rest
My dad tells me that I'm lucky to have girls first.  They are great babysitters.  As can be seen here, two little moms to do your hair.

 


 My sister came for a visit.  She has been there for every birth of my children.  She helped play with the kids and cuddled with them at night.  They adore her
 

My handsome BOYS!
2 weeks                                                                  4 weeks

I'm Super Man.  The kids love it when Dan does that to Ronin
A lil' boy to watch football with.  Daddy couldn't be happier




Reena:  Heavenly Father, I'm so glad you gave us cute Ronin.  Could you please give mommy another cute baby?

 And here are a bunch of pictures of the little guy.  I had so much fun practicing some photography with him. 













Church Ready-I love shopping for and dressing up my boy.  Such a handsome little guy.  Mixed race babies take the best from both worlds



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