My Little (big) Sunshine

We had our third boy in January. Again, we chose to have a surprise (which is amazing how much that irritates people!) and of course, almost everyone was completely convinced that this baby was a GIRL. "You're definitely having a girl - I can tell by the way you're carrying"..."Oh, you've been more sick this pregnancy?? Definitely a girl."...it went on and on. But, if I truly went on my mama instincts - we would definitely be having another boy. :) Sure, I would have those moments - "well, maybe it could be a girl..I have been more sick"...but, I always assumed we were having another boy - I told people I would be shocked if the baby was a girl. We did not "try" for a girl. We just knew we wanted another baby. Thankfully, this baby looked very healthy on every ultrasound and my pregnancy was going great. That was all we could ask for. We did not care what the gender was. I thought it would be so special to be the parents of 3 little boys. I could picture it. Of course a little girl would have been a blessing too! However, God's plan was for us to have three boys :).
I knew I was carrying big. One doctor that I saw towards the end of the pregnancy was a little concerned. "Does this baby feel big to you?? You know, we can induce you at 39 weeks". Been there, done that. No thanks. I just wanted to go into labor on my own. I actually wanted to try for a natural delivery. I knew that would be close to impossible if I was induced. I wasn't too terribly worried either because Nathanael had been almost 9 lbs. and my labor/delivery with him had been even easier than Noah's (who was only 6 lb. 14 oz.). Big baby? I wasn't scared...
I went into labor on Tuesday, January 18th. I labored off and on all day. That evening we went to the hospital only to be sent home (not progressing,  although I was already 4 cm. dialated). We went back only a few hours later because those contractions were coming hard and fast. They admitted me the second time. I labored all night without any drugs. I walked the halls. I breathed. I relaxed. The contractions were manageable. Actually, with all the fluids they gave me they about all but stopped. In the morning, my doctor came and broke my water to get things going again. Well, that worked. I was in extreme pain, and so I asked for an epidural...little did I know I was in transition and the epidural was a little too late. So, even though I didn't plan on it, I got my natural delivery.  Before the baby had completely entered the world, Josh said "It's a BOY!!"- because his face looked so much like Nathanael's. And, sure enough, we had another boy. Nicholas Charles (named after my Dad and Brother) was here! And...he. was. BIG. Never in my life did I think that I would give birth to a NINE pound FOURTEEN ounce toddler  baby. 21 1/2 inches. He looked like a chubby newborn Nathanael. He was beautiful. He already had chubby cheeks and rolls and the sweetest dimples in both cheeks. We were in love all over again.

baby love

Daddy with his third BOY

Big brothers Noah and Nathanael meeting Nicholas

Our little (big) Nicholas is 5 months now and has been growing steady. He was 20 lbs. at 4 months (Noah's weight at 1 yr.). He has the biggest smile, the bluest eyes and the sweetest dimples you've ever seen. His big brothers have been in love with him from the beginning. Between the 4 of us, he gets kissed and snuggled all day. He has the sweetest personality and he has done everything early - smiling, laughing, rolling over (both ways).I have a feeling he will be crawling soon ( he wants to catch up with his big brothers!). He has been such a blessing to our family. He is our little ray of sunshine- our sweet Nicholas. 

It is impossible not to smile while looking at this

5 months old