Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Boy Experience

Fair Warning this post will be intensely personal as I cannot find my journal to write in, and as you may know from previous postings this is my only other form of written record that I rely on... and I disdain the "write on a separate piece of paper and then transfer it in later" strategy.

Behrgen Ekai Hyer Rose- B.E.H.R. took quite awhile (the 40 weeks plus 6 days to get his full name). I still think Brett would have been more than happy to keep it at Behr, but I love and will call always call him Behrgen in addition to Behr. Momo didn't get it at first, but after mom explained like how people name their children place names (Austin, Tyler, Dallas, Boston, etc.) I hope she warms up to the idea that it is an awesome Norwegian name. Regardless, I love it. Ekai was the last name to make the line up. Beating out numerous contenders we couldn't commit to we finally went with something that had the root of Kai (which we love as both Japanese and Hawaiian and feel matches Kayla) and started with an E to do the Tano suggested (spell his short name with his initials). It was a bonus that the meaning is awesome meaning wise ocean, or ocean minded. Hyer, Brett's Norwegian surname rooted from Hayer, meaning Heir in English.. but not sure about the Norwegian take on it. Rose wasn't really optional but is awesome of course.

All observations are by contrast with Behr. I guess I should say many. Many things I've noticed as all his own. But two inches longer, almost a pound heavier, thinner cheeks, bigger nose, more muscular thighs, these are all descriptions offset by sister Azure. So here are all the observations so far:

As much as I want Brett's honey brown eyes in one of our children I think blue may win again with Behr. His eyes are already bluey even though they maintain the same grayish kinda brown that Az also had. This may need an update in a bit though as he is barely getting to the stage where his eyes are open more often. Right after they put Behr on my chest I noticed his muscular thigh, reminding me of Brett's biker legs. They seemed so big in those first moments although since then others have thought he has skinnier legs than Azure had. He seems to possibly have Moms feet so he may get lucky in the shoe shopping arena unlike his sis. His cheeks and face are round but don't seem to have as much pout and puff as Azure's did. the bottom of his face is thinner. He is the experience of boy I guess altogether. His features not as soft with a bit wider nose. His hair is dark, and his face started purple, then he seemed more fair overall than Az, and now he looks about as red as Azure was but Dad says Az was still more red. He sleeps a bit more splayed out explaining my rib pain while he was in the womb.

Quick Birth Synopsis:

Each night around bed leading up to DD, the braxton hicks became stronger and I would occasionally get lower pains. I thought Wednesday in my head for some reason, but Brett didn't necessarily find the 9th ideal (liked the even numbered days). Anyhow, the nights were pretty restless for several days leading up to it. Sunday and Monday I lost my mucous plug (a tell tale sign with Azure coming 2 days after that as well). Tuesday night it seemed like the contractions were just a bit different, and though I slept through most of them, they were different enough to get up at 4 am and see if some movement led to more of them. Sure enough it did and while Brett was getting ready for work, I noticed the regularity, and told Brett to hang back from work. Lucky we did. I thought about going for a walk to the ocean, or something else to start the labor day but thought it more responsible to put together all our stuff (Az, B, and I). that turned out lucky too because by the time we were ready it was 7 am and I had progressed to the point that I knew we should be going in if I wanted any chance to use that tub, and not have a horridly awful car ride. So I called in, called Linda, met up with Jenna and after 6 story stair climb tradition we checked in at 8ish am. I saw Connie in the hallway and reintroduced myself.   
 Continued Oct. 13, 2013

Linda had called Connie which resulted in numerous advantages. She got the tub started right away, kept all the unnecessary staff and personnel out of the room, and just overall had a very gentle and calm energy. Everyone agreed she was even better than Linda who I was originally happy with last time.

Continued Oct 14, 2013

After the initial 30 minute fetal monitoring (which is junk to have to sit there) I just labored in the room, went for a loop walk around the unit (when Azure and Mema arrived) and then finally was able to get in the tub for the last 15 minutes or so before delivery at 10:18 am. I loved the relief the water gave. I had somewhat of a hand on Behr, but definitely didn't have the picturesque "catch my own baby" birth. Many hands were there. He had a strong cry which made his purple head less worrisome. He had the cord around his neck twice, but was fine. Connie coached me to wait for some of the pushes during delivery, which resulted in more pain than I remembered with Azure, but recovery has been better because of that. My tailbone has been more sore this time and Behr has some battle scars from his meeting with that and the quick pace of the overall birth. Some bruising in the face, red in his eyes, and a couple of red marks on his forehead above his nose. Wonderful Birth experience. Again different in several ways, I was more alert since it was day, quicker... which was how the whole pregnancy felt as well.

Behr ate the whole night the first night and next day but ever since he has been a good sleeper (3 hour stints) and great eater of course. He is now starting to get fussy during the evenings which I always attributed Azure's belly being sore to, but tonight skin to skin worked great (unless it was the gripe water) so that may be on the inventory list of strategies.

Behr is just as influential of light and love as Azure was. Brett has been super dad, I want to recommit to doing everything right as a mom and for our family, and this time I think I have that rekindled desire with a bit more of a realistic take. You are an amazing little creature Behrgen, Thank you for being part of us.

Behr is a Libra (Scales) and a water snake