At the Hospital

Kidlet 5 has arrived!! For at least a little bit he will be known as Peanut Maximus on the blog. He was born on a Tuesday morning at 8:27 a.m. by C-section, and it was a smooth affair. He is a healthy guy, weighing in at 9 pounds 3 ounces at 37 weeks (if he had cooked longer, I have no doubt that he would have rivaled Mr. TOF’s almost eleven pounds). The C-section was actually a lot of fun because my doctor asked if I wanted a clear drape for the birth and I said, “YES! Of course! I want to see everything I can!” After I told her all about how I have always really wanted to see a cadaver, she showed me everything she could: the baby, the placenta, etc. and I could see a lot of the surgery reflected in the lamp above the operating table. It was a great time!

Recovery has been surprisingly easy after my C-section. I was not expecting that, but I am extremely grateful.

Mr. Trouble on Feet was thrilled to be the first guest to hold Peanut Maximus at the hospital. All of the other siblings had work or activities on the day of the surgery, so Grandma Kathy and Mr. TOF came up in the afternoon to sneak in the first visit. Peanut Maximus has a face that seems to be a cross between both big brothers as babies: the lips of the Devious Snail (and some scrunchy faces that rival his biggest brother) and the lower chin and cheeks of Mr. TOF, which make you just want to squeeze him.

Grandma Kathy has been visiting to help with baby holding and countless odd things around the house that have made things easy for everyone.

Both big sisters came to visit with Grandma on Day Two. YaYa came in the late morning, and The Banana came in the afternoon after she was done with rowing and lifeguarding. They both got in lots of cuddles.

The Banana came at the right time because there was a free small “birthday” cake from the hospital that had been recently delivered. She ate almost the whole thing and had fun being a food critic with every bite.

We were able to leave the hospital around lunch time on Day Three and headed home. It was so nice to be home, and there were so many arms ready to snuggle Peanut Maximus.