Felix has stolen my heart & I’m sure I’ll never get it back. He’s been a joy to hold this last week, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the love & support of friends & family. We’re doing remarkably well; I’m slowly recovering, Penelope’s pulling all the stops to get as much attention as possible & Felix sleeps & eats all day (and most of the night).
I was so ready to have Felix, and so grateful that my doc pushed up the date for induction to last Wednesday night! Would you like to hear (read) all about it? If not, read no further & just scroll through the awesome pictures courtesy of the lovely Rachel Call. By the way, It was awesome having her take pictures of Felix’s arrival. Rachel was absolutely fabulous to work with. Her photos obviously speak for themselves. Check out her facebook page to see more pics of the birth. If I ever have another kid, we will have her take the birth photos again.
About a week before Felix arrived, I got an email from Rachel offering to take Felix’s birth photos. She’s just starting out a birth photography business, but her portfolio so far is incredible. I was so excited that she’d offer to take photos for us! With Penelope, Chris was so busy worrying about getting the right angles, that he was sort of separated from the experience.
Last Wednesday night, I was admitted into the hospital for a scheduled induction. As the nurse hooked me up to the monitors, she asked me if I could feel the contractions. NOPE. Sure enough, I was having little contractions about 10 or so minutes apart. She hooked me up to the antibiotics & we waited. After four hours she was able to get me hooked up to pitocin & start the labor process. I didn’t want to get the epidural right away because that would render me bed-ridden until Felix’s arrival, so I held off.
Every hour after 2am, the nurse would come in to check on my progress & ask me how I felt. She seemed to disbelieve that I truly didn’t feel any contractions for about 4 hours. I didn’t feel any of them! I only had some back pain. Finally, I was so annoyed with my back pain I asked for the epidural. Turns out that constant back pain I’ve been having for the last few weeks were contractions!
Once the doc broke my water, it was only a couple of hours until I started pushing. It didn’t take much to get Felix out, perhaps 30-45 minutes of pushing. I can’t describe to you the fear I had when Felix was passed to me without so much as a scream. He was entirely blue. I held him for maybe 15 seconds before the nurses took him away. It was a good 5 hours before I’d get to hold him again.
Turns out he inhaled meconium. The fact that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck probably didn’t help his breathing situation, either. He had to be on assisted breathing for about 5 hours before his lungs were cleared out & he stopped wheasing. It was sort of heart-breaking to not have him in my arms right away. I missed him. I was grateful, though, that he was getting the help he needed. Thank you, modern medicine!
We’re just thrilled to have him in our family. It’s sort of surreal to be a mother of two, but I can’t imagine anything else.
I’m really excited to get back into the swing of things. I’ve got a lot of projects in the works that I’m hoping to complete & share soon. What projects are you working on? Anything fun? Share in the comments!
aww, he is sugar.
xo
Congrats! He’s SO CUTE! Love the picture of you and Penelope and Felix!! :) I’m working on a men’s shirt to little girl’s dress for my daughter’s friend. I’m also organizing my house, which isn’t so interesting but will make for easier crafting/creating/room to play.
love the pictures! i’m so happy for you… and jealous that your baby is out while mine is still in :) but it’s only a mater of days now, yay!
Congratulations! What a terrifying ordeal. . . thank goodness everything turned out well. Thank you for sharing your story! Now go take a nap. :)
projects? i’m still trying to figure out how to be a mommy to one!
but I can’t wait to see more of your cuties and your projects.
Hello, sweet little Felix! I’m so happy for you and your family, and glad that he’s doing well now.
Wow, that must have been terrifying to watch him struggle to breathe. I’m so happy that he’s doing well now. Congratulations! He’s beautiful. I love the pictures.
how beautiful!! I would love to have a birth photographer when we have more children. :) I am working on LOTS of projects. Just finished a baby quilt for a dear friend who just adopted a little girl. I’m also making cards and more crayon cases for my nieces and nephews – and digging deeper into digital scrapbooking. :) We’ll be moving soon, and I’ll have a mile long home decor to-do list, so I’m trying to finish up a few more things before that happens.
What beautiful images! Congratulations! (This doesn’t help my baby fever…)
I know exactlly how you feel about the whisking your baby away. I didn’t even get to hold mine. He had the same thing and I saw him for probably 10 seconds and then he was gone. I thought he’d be back in like 10-20 minutes. Nope. I’m hoping with our next it’s not like that because it was just crazy not knowing what was going on. On the positive side if it happens again at least I know the baby will be gone for awhile.
congratulations! he is beautiful, and your family looks so wonderful! what fabulous pictures, they will make such amazing memories.
Congratulations Melissa! He is perfect.
How good is God for allowing all the scares to turn out so well. Just looking at the photos bring such a rush of memories when I first held my little boy. Can’t wait to hold my new little one soon. Enjoy those precious newborn moments!
Anna
Congrats! He looks great.
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! Enjoy the recovery process and have fun with baby Felix! :)
Congratulations! He’s beautiful!
What a beautiful baby he is!! Congratulations and I’m so happy to hear he’s doing better! Best wishes to you and your family! xo
Absolutely LOVE the photos–they tell the wonderful story of his birth. Welcome, Felix!
Congratulations! He is so handsome. Enjoy your sweet baby boy!
Welcome to the world Felix…Congratulations! What lovely photos, that’s a great idea.
Congratulations! You and the baby look so beautiful.
Congratulations!! What a wonderful time for your family, they are a such a sweet sweet gift to us. Enjoy your newest blessing.
Congrats Melissa! He is darling. I’m so glad he’s alright and I hope you’re recovery well! Fingers crossed that he gives you some good stretches of sleep tonight!
Congratulations Melissa!! Felix is perfect. I am so glad that everything went well and that Felix is okay. Enjoy your beautiful family!
Melissa, he is AMAZING! What a beautiful baby and those images are priceless. Congratulations!
Aw! Congratulations. It’s great that you had such beautiful pictures taken during/after the birth. I hope you’re resting up with baby Felix & taking it easy right now :)
I love the idea of having someone else take the pictures! How cool is that?! The pictures are absolutely beautiful! I’m glad things went well, all in all! Congratulations.
beautiful birth story! :) congratulations on the new addition <3
Many congratulations! What a gorgeous little boy, and such amazing photos. Hope you all are doing well, and enjoying all that new baby goodness.
Congratulations!!! He is beautiful! As are you! That gal did an awesome job of capturing it all. What a blessing to have those photos! And, I’m so glad he recovered quickly—thank heavens!
Good luck in the transition! 2 is a big change, but once you get in the swing of things, it’s the BEST ever!
lots and lots of love,
melis
Aww hes so cute! Him and Pen look adorable! Glad hes fine now, but how did he inhale meconium if he can’t really breathe in your tummy?
Best wishes!!
Bellesme
He’s darling! Congratulations!
Congrats on the new little boy! He looks adorable. :)
Congratulations Melissa! Sounds like you had a bit of a harrowing experience, but I’m happy to hear your little one is healthy and home with you. The photographs are so sweet. Rest up mama. xoxo Jenn
Congrats Melissa. Glad to hear everything is fine with your new bundle of joy. Stop blogging and go enjoy the time with your little family. We will wait until you come back :)
Welcome little Felix! We had friends whose infant also inhaled some meconium at birth. It is so frightening to start out with a scare like that. What a relief that Felix is all recovered and in your arms again. Congratulations to you and your family!
Hello little Felix! What an adorable baby! So happy that he is feeling better now, congrats to you and your family!
Aahhh…nothing compares. You and little Felix are in my heart!
Melissa he is an ANGEL! Congratulations. So glad to hear you’re both okay!
I’m dyeing a pillowcase…nothing too adventurous! Will finish it someday. :) Enjoy all that cuteness you have in your arms!
Oh man, Congrats Melissa! What a BEAUTIFUL baby!!!
Yes, of course I got projects in my head, but who wants to think about projects right now???? Your baby is AMAZING!
Congratulations ! He is beautiful and the photos are amazing.
Congratulations!! He’s beautiful and the pictures are wonderful.
Penelope is a little woman now, she’s the proud ” eldest sister” :))
Best wishes!!!
Congratulations! You’ve described the experience so beautifully.
Congrats. He is just perfect and the pictures are so sweet. What a great way to start a lifetime of memories with your new family.
Congrats on baby Felix-he’s adorable!:)
beautiful pictures and a beautiful baby boy! Congrats!
Oh, Meliss!!! I’m so happy for you. He is absolutely perfect. What a big baby. I can’t believe your little body held such a big guy. I hope you’re taking a break and getting some rest!
Felix is so beautiful! And you look great! :) Congratulations and I’m so happy to hear that everything turned out well despite complications.
OMG! Congrats, he’s beautiful! I’m so happy for you!
Congratulations on the new addition, and thanks for sharing your story! I’m eager to see what projects you have coming up, but don’t work yourself too hard.
Congratulations to all of you! So glad that things are going well and are hopefully slowly getting easier… Reading all of this makes me excited to have our own little Violet soon. Only 2 more months! Can’t wait to see what your mind comes up with, maybe with a little more sleep!