My dear sister, Sister Alisha Speakman,
Hiya Sis! So, here he is. Your new little nephew!!! :) I don't know if dad or anyone sent you pics of him yet, so here are a few. He's a keeper, huh? :) He has already changed so much, its crazy. I wish I had time to go into detail about everything, and hopefully someday soon I will get it all written down and send a copy your way, but for now here is the quicky version. I was supposed to be induced Tuesday night, but when we got to the hospital all the beds were full so we got sent home. :( (Apparently they had left a message on Justin's phone, but we didn't get it before heading down there.) Bummer. But I had been praying and praying to go into labor my own, cause I just knew the labor would be so much easier and go more smoothly if I went on my own, so I thought maybe this was an answer to prayers in a way. (I was only wanting to be induced cause Aunt Angie was only here for a limited time and I wanted to take advantage of her being here after the baby was born as much as possible.) So Wednesday morning my doc found out I hadn't been admitted and called me to come in and strip my membranes again, (thank gooodness! Another answer to prayers. :) ) and three hours later I started having contractions. Wahoo! :) The kids and I met Justin and Angie and Swanson at Gecko Grill for lunch, then Justin and the kids and I just headed home and watched Tangled (LOVE that movie!). I put Bella down for a nap, did some cleaning, the usual stuff., just waiting for the contractions to get stronger and closer together. By 6:00 Wed night they were coming faster and harder and every 5 min apart, so we said goodbye to the kiddos, loaded up and headed to the hospital. I was so excited, and SO grateful I was going in on my own. Not only could they not turn me away, but I had the most peaceful feeling and was so relaxed and just knew everything was going to work out great. My little man was on his way! :) So by the time I got all checked in and into a room and got the epidural and all that it was about 8:30. I asked for my doc to break my water cause I knew that as soon as she did the baby would be here, and I was right! My doc got there about 9:40, broke my water, and I went from a 5-6 to a 10 in 20 minutes! I started pushing at 10:10, and two pushes later he was out! No ripping or tearing, (another blessing!) and the first thing I noticed about this little guy was his nice pudgy rolls and deep, throaty cry. I was already in love. 9 lb, 1 oz!! 21 in long. My biggest baby by far! He had tons of dark hair and he came out with a little mohawk! He was such a chubby little thing, with a cute double chin and everything. It was such an easy delivery, and I was really alert and aware of everything going on, unlike Braxton's birth. I tell ya, the Lord sure does hear and answer our prayers. I just KNEW that if I could go into labor myself, it would be alot easier delivery and that all would go well. I am so grateful the Lord helped that happen. And he is such a beautiful little angel baby, Alisha. I can't wait for you to meet him! He has been such a good baby so far, which I am SSSOOOOOOOO grateful for. :) I don't think I could do this if he were fussy or a bad sleeper. Again, the Lord knew I needed a good baby to keep my sanity. He had a hard day today, so I am hoping it was just a one day thing and he will be happy again tomorrow. He usually is happy all the time and only cries when he is hungry, and he smiles so much!! I love him so much already. Its amazing hpw quickly that complete, all encompassing love comes. What a sweet boy he is.
We were going back and forth between names. We couldn't decide between Brody and Brock, then all of a sudden we switched to Caleb or Conrad...it was such a hard decision!! A name is a big deal, ya know?? :) We had actually decided on Caleb the last night in the hospital, and then I tried calling him that all night and it just didn't. Finally, with the help of some awesome nurses, :) I chose to go with Conrad, and I'm glad I did. It fits him. Different and quircky, but strong and bold. Justin loves it, and calls the boys B-rax and C-rad!! He he he. Conrad Peter Caruso, Peter being after Justin's father.
The kids are doing pretty good with him. They love to hug and hold him, but of course Bella is having a hard time sharing me, especially when its time to feed Conrad or when she just wakes up in the morn or after a nap. Some days are harder than others, but for the most part, because he has been such a good baby, things are going pretty good. I am having a really hard time with breastfeeding right now due to multiple problems and issues going on, and that is causing alot of stress and pain for me, but thats another long story. I had a blessing and done alot of praying and the fam has helped out ALOT, which has been a lifesaver. I don't know how people do this without family nearby, I tell ya. They are so good to us. So hopefully the problems that I am having will be resolved soon and I can feel like myself again. Other than that though, things are good. I sure love ya and think about you alot. Its great to hear how you are doing and I can't wait to see pics of this new jungle wilderness you are livin in. :) You are amazing and wondeful. All my love,
Your sis
My little Man
