Matthew Meets His Family

The three older kids stayed with Mimi and Grandpa while we were at the hospital. On Saturday evening, they came up to meet Matthew for the first time. I think Alivia and Will just needed to see Matt and me to make sure we were OK. They had no interest in holding Matthew and everyone just stayed a short time. On Sunday, Alivia and Will had warmed up to the idea and were more comfortable at the hospital.

Will's face when he first walked in and saw me and the baby is priceless

John still looks like such a baby himself with that crazy paci! None of the kids wanted to hold him at this point.

Aunt Emily dropped by on Sunday

Where's Peyton? (He has a germ-phobia and stays away from hospitals)

On Sunday, Alivia and Will returned and Alivia was more than ready to hold her baby brother.

Daddy sweetly talking about how tiny Matthew is. . .

Mimi and Matthew

I have been surprised by how Will has embraced the baby - he is really sweet with him. Anytime he cries Will says to me, "I think the baby is hungry, Mommy."

Upon arriving home on Monday, we had a visit from Avery and Paige

Grandpa, Matthew and Alivia

Who does Matthew look like?

Alivia - 2 days old

Will - 2 days old

John - 2 days old

Matthew - 2 days old

Matthew Kurt Risinger, Jr is HERE!

Our family is complete! Baby Matthew arrived on Saturday, February 4th at 3:46 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 11 oz. Here is the birth and baby story as best I remember. . .

My water broke right at 8 am as I was about to get out of bed on Saturday. I had felt really uncomfortable the night before but never expected to go into the labor the next day. It always seems like such a surprise. . .

We called Mimi and she arrived at our house by 8:30. I had been warned to not linger at home to labor so (to my dismay) we headed to the hospital before labor had really even begun. We met Mia (my "doula") there around 9 am. We checked in - it was all very laid back and quite a different experience from my other births. I was about 4 cm upon arrival and absolutely no contractions were happening yet. Dr. Binford was on call for Dr. Gooch and we had a discussion about an epidural. I was really anxious about going through all of that pain again and decided to try an epidural this time around since I had never done so before. I was hoping that the delivery would be more controlled and less tearing would occur down there. Plus, I just wanted to have these "relaxing" births that everyone talks about!

Dr. Binford told me that if no contractions had started by 12:15 pm, they would start me on pitocin anyway. . . By about noon, my contractions had started on their own, and by 1 pm they placed the epidural. The rest of the birth was PAIN FREE - I never in the world expected it to be so great. They had to start me on pitocin after the epidural slowed things down. I felt pressure at the very end and it was when Matthew was crowning. I was able to give some very controlled pushes and he came out after about 2 pushes. I could feel the pressure but no pain at all. It was awesome. I am so glad I experienced birth both ways.

The only thing I missed with the epidural was the natural high that occurs after natural delivery - it is hard to describe, but is amazing. You feel like you can climb a mountain. With the epidural, I just wanted to go to sleep!

Here is the timeline:

8 am - water broke

9 am - arrival at hospital - 4 cm

12:05 pm - contractions started

1 pm - epidural placed

1:30 pm 5 cm dilated

2:30 pm pitocin started

3:46 pm - Matthew arrives! 8 lbs 11 oz

I am so thankful that the birth went well and most of all that Matthew is healthy. Next hospital procedure - vasectomy for Matt. Ha ha!

Last Day of Work (as an MD) for Awhile

Today was my last day of work at Seton Topfer until I return from maternity leave in mid-May. It was bittersweet, strangely enough. We have just transitioned onto a new electronic medical record system and this was the first week of our "go-live." I am dreading returning in 3 months with baby-brain, all the while trying to breastfeed in between patients, and re-learning the very complicated system. Plus, it is always so excrutiating to go back to work after I have gotten used to being at home with the kids every day - I get out of the habit of thinking like a doctor VERY quickly.

With that being said, I really love my work and am so thankful they will hold my job for me until I return. I have also decided to cut back 1/2 day upon returning, which they also have allowed me to do. I remember in medical school thinking "How will I ever be a physician, wife and raise children?" And God worked it out! I am blessed to be able to work for Seton.

Upon walking into work today, the staff surprised me with this sweet gift basket for my baby boy. I was so touched!

Pictures for Ms. Jenny

Will came home from school today convinced that Ms. Jenny wanted him to "take pictures of everyone in the family." Here are his shots. (Matt was still at work).

39 weeks

Here are a few last shots of me preggo! I have been thinking about posting something poignant about being pregnant - so here goes:

Dear Pregnancy:

I have spent about 3.07 years/160 weeks/1,120 days/26,880 hours with you. It has been bitter and sweet, but mostly sweet. Before I got pregnant for the first time I was convinced that I would have great difficulty, but you proved me wrong.

I won't miss the burning round ligament pain, the itchy skin, the hemorrhoids, the groin pain and the restless nights. But oh how I will miss the miracle of it all: feeling the babies move inside, seeing a little hand or foot brush just underneath my skin. Having people smile at me simply because they know. . .

I just cannot imagine not believing more in God after spending so much time with you. As I close on my last pregnancy, I am so thankful that you got to know me and I got to know you. I thank you (actually, God) for the 4 beautiful gifts that you have given me. In about 2 years I will long to be with you again, but alas our time together has to end at some point. Sigh. . .

Love,

Christy

Preschool Conferences for John and Will

Matt and I met with Will and John's preschool teachers earlier this week. It is always fun to hear about what the kids are up to at school and to see some of their artwork and hear about their development.

John is definitely a favorite of Ms. Constance and Ms. Charlene. Although he is one of the 3 youngest in the class, they both commented that he was much more mature/advanced and played with the older children - most likely because he has older siblings. He LOVES the sandbox, and is very verbal. Ms. Constance said that he loved music, singing and art as well. They were both floored by how much he ate and how quickly he could shove a whole banana in his mouth. She showed us artwork that reflected how he is learning to hold onto the crayon better and draw more consistent linear lines. Fascinating. They both were struck at his athleticism already and how he loves to climb, jump and run. They stated they have found him standing on tables in the class several times and have had to say "Both feet on the ground John!" HA! I'm glad to know it happens even when two adults are supervising him!

Next we moved on to Ms. Jenny (who we love) and the Jivin' Giraffes. Ahhh, Will. Last week Ms. Jenny sent me an e-mail stating that Will had SPIT on another child during chapel. Matt and I both had to contain our rage before dealing with the situation. Matt spoke to Will about it in his room and then spanked him. So needless to say that was fresh on our minds. Of the three children, Will is the most sensitive to change and I think he is acting out because he knows the baby will be arriving shortly. Anyway, Ms. Jenny was so encouraging and sweet and said that Will was definitely ready for Pre-K next year and was on track to go to Kindergarten in 2 years. She wrote this on her evaluation sheet:

Will is a very bright boy that likes art and exploring new activities that are introduced in class but most of all, he LOVES cutting/writing/creating at the writing center and building on the carpet. He is very independent and confident at school. Will has great verbal skills, using his words to clearly express himself. He can also identify many printed names in our class without photos to help. He has good fine motor skills (probably from all his daily cutting!) and can write his own name. He gets along well with his peers and is learning how to solve problems. Will is a fun boy and a joy to have in class!

I feel so blessed to have good teachers for the boys this year - they both really enjoy school and it gives me time to homeschool Alivia.