Grant Nicholas Cicero= 8 lbs. 8 oz. 20.5 in. of preciousness! ;)

Wow! I can't believe I survived childbirth! For those of you who truly know me, I am sure you never thought this day would come... I didn't either! Well, I didn't actually DO much, I just cried, laid there and got cut open. But regardless, it was quite an experience. I never imagined the rush of emotions that I would feel. Leaving for the hospital I kept trying to imagine what it would be like driving home with a baby. After you have been with someone for almost nine years you kinda get stuck in your ways. We got to the hospital and checked in. I had the most fabulous nurse ever! Nick's friend from high school, Jessica, babied me through my IV (which I was freaking out about), and all of the other pre-op things they do. I really don't know what I would have done without her. I was completely terrified of the epidural but after all of the tears and anxiety, (and drugs that made me feel drunk) they managed to get my baby out. When I first saw Grant all I could do was cry. Nick and I were instantly in love. I remember them handing me our baby and the first thought that I had was "where are his eyebrows?". I expected him to come out with caterpillar eyebrows like his parents... I am still waiting. I had to keep reminding myself that he was actually our child. He grew inside of me. It was really an amazing moment for our little family. I have never been happier or felt more complete in my life as I do now.

The hospital stay was short and not so sweet. :) You can probably tell from the pictures...which by the way will never happen again. My face will be banned from all forms of photography for the next babys birth!!! I passed out, had a terrible time trying to pee, and had to beg the nurse to let me shower. We had lots of family come to visit. We loved getting to show off our precious baby. One great thing was that the baby wasn't born with any problems and my diabetes went away instantly. I ate as much candy and dessert as they would let me order. I want to especially thank my sister Jennifer for taking so many beautiful pictures and helping me get through all of the medical things and answering my questions. Also, Nick.... poor Nick. He saw parts of me that no man should ever have to see. Poor baby had to carry me, while I was naked and passed out) and watch them give me a catheter (that hurt like hell) und he held my hand every step of the way. I am reminded of how lucky I am to have sich a supportive and amazing husband.

So, after only two days they actually let us leave with a baby! The nurses and doctors at Woman's are wonderful and I must say they made me as comfortable as possible. I wish I could send them all thank-you notes. Except for the lactation consultant (she was kindof a weird, hyper hippy that made me nervous. Nick was scared to drive on the interstate which I thought was cute. When we got home we just kept saying "wow, we have a kid!" The past week-and-a-half home have been really nice. We have had lots of visitors and everything has fallen into place. So far baby has been on a good schedule and he lets me sleep a few hours at a time in the night. I weighed him today and he was 8 lbs. 15.5 oz.!! He is such a precious sweet potato! He pees on me daily. I always heard that boys do this but I definitely underestimated how often this would happen! I love all of his long hair and his cute little nose and those fat cheeks. I can just hold him and kiss those cheeks all day. Breastfeeding has been going surprisingly well. I was really nervous at first that he wasn't eating enough. Now I have more confidence and I really enjoy it. I always thought I would be kindof wierded out by the whole nursing thing but I have found the exact opposite to be true. I think it makes me bond with him even more. And there are times when I think , man it would be nice for someone else to wake up at night and give him a bottle so I can sleep, but I wouldnt have it any other way. For those of you out there that are pregnant and not sure if they are going to giving breastfeeding a try, go for it! You will be surprised how rewarding it is. It's hard work, but so worth it.

I look forward to the future and our new life with Grant. I am the luckiest person in the world! Here is a quote that I love and says exactly what I feel.

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
-Elizabeth Stone

Ready or not

Wow, so many thoughts running through my head. Today Jordin, Jude and I went to DeAngelos. I came home and tried to get all of the clothes washed, dishes done, and bags packed for tomorrow. It has been hard to get going because I have not slept AT ALL in the last two days. This is very unlike me. I don't know if it is my body preparing me for what is about to happen or just nerves. Either way, I have been up all hours of the night wide awake! Nick came home and we decided that we should definitely go out to dinner one last time before the baby comes. We had a great time at Zeas and then drove around everywhere looking for "It's A Boy" cigars. Mission not accomplished! He will just have to buy some from the hospital. I can't decide if I am more anxious/nervous or excited. The thought of my stomach being cut open totally freaks me out. But the thought of seeing our baby for the first time makes me want to burst with excitement. I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve. It is hard to believe how much our lives will change tomorrow. I can't wait to see Nick hold our little boy for the first time. It makes my heart happy to see and hear his excitement. He said he is really nervous about taking pictures :) This is because my sister was not able to get off of work in time to come and be our "photographer". I better give him a little lesson tomorrow. I hope everything turns out ok tomorrow and that Grant is a healthy boy. It is funny to me that everyone asks if we are ready. Does anyone really have any clue what it will be like? I feel like I have done everything I can to be ready but I am still unsure as to how we are going to care for a whole little life. Hopefully, we will be half the parents that our parents were to us. We have had great examples. Will update soon after baby arrives. Until then, wish me luck that I don't have a nervous breakdown tomorrow. :)