Kellen Christopher

Kellen Christopher is here! He was born at 8:50 Wednesday morning (12/17) weighing 7lbs 3oz and 21 inches long. I had about one contraction an hour through the night Tuesday night until about 4:30am when they started to be at least every 5 minutes. We left home about 5am, and after a VERY uncomfortable 40 min drive to Rex, I was admitted at about 6am. I have to mention that Cole is absolutely without a doubt the best baby in the whole world. I knew I was in labor all night, but wanted to wait as long as possible to wake Justin and Cole. I guess I thought he would cry (Cole, not Justin:-)) and be really upset if we woke him, but he was SO GOOD! When Justin walked out of Cole's room after waking him up, he looked at me and smiled so big as if to say, "i'm a little confused, but happy to see you...where are we going?" Things progressed very quickly once I was admitted, and after about 10 minutes of pushing, Kellen was here. I have wondered how I would possibly love another child as much as I love Cole, because I didn't think it was possible. All my friends with more than one child told me over and over that I "just would" but I'm not sure I ever really believed them. The second my doctor put Kellen on my chest, I understood. I didn't have to think about it, I didn't have to try...my friends were right, I "just did." I loved him just the same. I guess I thought I would have to love Cole less in order to love another child as much as I loved him, but somehow there was just more love. It's not the kind of love you can explain, it just makes your whole heart smile. Justin has never understood why I (or anyone else) cry when I'm happy, but the moment I saw both of my boys I cried. I tried to explain that the tears are a combination of love, pride, joy, thankfulness and a good bit of "thank goodness labor is over!" At first glance the first thing Justin and I said was that he looked exactly like Cole. For some reason I just expected him to be a carbon copy. We spent those first couple minutes comparing their features. I was just saying to Justin tonight that I feel like I have known his face my whole life. Cheesy, I know, but it's like I look at him and it feels strange to think that I didn't know what he looked like a week ago. So we stayed one night in the hospital, and I decided I wanted to be discharged without staying the second night. I can't sleep in the hospital and was anxious to get home and be with Cole. Things have been surprisingly smooth since we've been home. Justin has been such a huge help, and I dread the day he goes back to work. Thankfully my mom will come stay for a few days before I'm totally on my own! Friday we had to get Kellen's bilirubin level checked, and thankfully it was ok and we didnt need a bili blanket. I seem to make some pretty yellow babies:-) You'll see from the pictures he has a nice "glow," haha. Sunday we went back to the pediatrician for a weight check since he was 6lbs 14oz on Friday. He weighed 6lbs 15oz, and they said his jaundice was improving so we didn't need to have it checked again.

I'll have to post more tomorrow, I'm starting to fall asleep typing! Cole has been an amazing big brother, and Kellen is a GREAT baby. Here are a few pictures, I'll post more tomorrow. A huge THANK YOU AGAIN to Marty and Jim for my awesome new camera!!