Sunday, September 26th marked the exciting arrival of Eli Fisher Beutler. He was 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long. It was so fun to wait until the delivery to find out we were going to be blessed with another boy! Jackson and Zoey love their new brother and Jackson isn't too upset that we didn't name him "John Deer" afterall (Jackson's fascination with tractors is evident in everything right now).
The delivery went really well. We got checked into the hospital around 5pm. Dr. Holmes broke my water at 5:30 pm. and Eli was born at 7:04. I decided to do it all naturally this time around. Many women may think I'm crazy, but it's just something I wanted to do. Luckily, my deliveries are short enough that it was doable, I don't know if I could handle anything longer! By the time I was dilated enough and ready to push, I began to question my strength and resolve to go through with it! But too late to make any changes at that point! One Contraction later, Eli was born and peeing all over the place! Brian got to make the announcement and it was just an exciting feeling in the room.
Tuesday afternoon we got to go home together as a family (I can't believe we are a party of 5 now), and that was also a wonderful feeling. I needed my rest and recovery at the hospital, but going home always feels so good. I'm glad to be on the recovering end (technically I'd still be pregnant today)! Leave it to the brutal honesty of a toddler though, Jackson asked me the day I got home from the hospital: "Mommy, why did you put that baby back in your tummy?" Even post-pardum hormones in tow, I found that one funny!
We are still adjusting to our new life and routine. I have had lots and lots of help the past few days which I really appreciate! It seems like the more children involved in the picture, the more help that is needed getting my feet back on the ground. Running errands, taking Jackson to pre-school, meals, laundry, watching the kids so I can sleep....it's all so appreciated. I'm looking forward to finding a new routine to slip into, but for now I feel so overwhelmed with the idea of having to do it all myself. Luckily I haven't had to yet, and I can slip into that new routine slowly. I feel so blessed to have so much help nearby.
Eli is changing so fast already. I love his little cheeks. At our last pre-natal visit, I asked to get another ultra sound so I could anticipate the size of the baby. Dr. Holmes snapped a shot of his face while he was in the uterus, and his cheeks were so prominant! He has long finger-like toes, long fingers and big hands, very little hair, and a very mellow personality so far. He loves being by people, being held and hearing a heartbeat next to him. It has taken a few days to get him to sleep in his crib. Until yesterday he would only sleep if he was being held...
He's so cute, so loved, and we are so blessed to have in in our home! I look at his tiny body in my arms while I'm nursing him and am amazed at his perfection. It amazes me that such a wonderful and complete being can grow inside of me. It's so wonderful to have the presence of someone so fresh from heaven in our home. Welcome Eli- we love you!
