The Name

We had picked out a boy's name for our child several years before Staley was born.  And that name wasn't Briggs.  It was Halas.  Named after George Halas, founder of the Chicago Bears, we had long ago determined that Halas was the name we liked for a boy.  If Staley had been a boy, she would have been Halas.  Had Adelie been a boy?  Halas.  And up until a few weeks before he was born, Briggs would have been Halas too.  But a few weeks before he was born, Zach's sister suggested the name Briggs.  It still has a link to the Bears, as Lance Briggs has had a long and successful career as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.  Zach and I both really liked the name.  And we were both becoming concerned that people would automatically shorten Halas to Hal.  I really didn't want a baby Hal.  And so Briggs it became.  (Thanks, Jill!)

Lucas was an easy choice for us.  Growing up, Zach's cousin Luke was his best friend.  Luke lost his battle with cancer when he was just 15.  We had always known that we wanted to honor Luke's memory by naming a child after him.  I'm glad Briggs gets to share his middle name with someone who was so important in Zach's life.

Zach and Luke

Briggs' Birth Story

The third time around, I knew what to expect.  Briggs was scheduled for a repeat c-section on 3-5-15 at 11:00.  Zach and I dropped off Staley at preschool and Adelie at her baby-sitters for their usual routine, and then we headed to the hospital to check in around 9:00.  I went through all the normal preparation--answering questions, signing papers, meeting with the surgery team.  Briggs was monitored, keeping up his usual daily activity that received many comments about what a happy baby he must be.

Our pastor, Gary, came to pray with us.  He shared a verse with us that really spoke to me and calmed me in that moment.  Zephaniah 3:17:  "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will deliver.  He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."  My mom and Zach's parents came to see us before we were wheeled back into surgery.

Once in surgery, everything went smoothly.  My spinal was placed without difficulty.  My vitals were good.  Zach came to join me, and it was only about 5 minutes later that Dr. Martin had Zach stand up to see if we were welcoming a baby boy or a baby girl into the world.  Zach said, "Well hi there, Briggs."  The tears flowed.  Briggs was cleaned off, examined, weighed, and measured.  Weighing in at 7 lbs, 9 oz and measuring 19 3/4" long, he was the picture of health and perfection.

Welcome to the world, Briggs Lucas.

Unlike the births of Staley and Adelie, they let Briggs stay with me while they completed my surgery and then in the recovery room instead of whisking him off to the nursery.  Although he wasn't interested in nursing, it was so nice to be able to immediately hold and snuggle my new baby.

Family time

While Staley and Adelie were both delivered by Dr. Croland, I had decided to switch physicians within the practice and Briggs was delivered by Dr. Martin.  I loved her!  She was always so thorough and concerned.  At each visit, she acted as though she had all the time in the world to answer my questions.  She was always able to explain things thoroughly, to address my concerns, to answer all my questions.  I felt very comfortable with her and was so happy that she was the one to help us bring our new baby into the world.

Briggs with Dr. Martin

We spent our 2 night stay in our private room as a family.  Our first night was rough.  After having my catheter removed, I was unable to use the restroom throughout the night.  While I was struggling with this, Briggs decided that he was happier being awake and held than sleeping.  Needless to say, night one was a very sleepless one for both Zach and I.  But as my issues resolved the following day and Briggs had his circumcision the following evening, all three of us slept much better the following night.

Holding my new love

Daddy with his little guy

On that first evening, as Zach was holding Briggs, I heard him say to Briggs, "I have so much to teach you."

After 2 nights with a healthy baby and a healing Mama, the doctors were ready to let us go home.  And as much as we loved having those first few days to bond solely with our new baby boy, we were ready to get home and start our new life as a family of 5.

God Gave Us You

I'll admit...

There were days when I was overwhelmed with two.  Days that I wondered if I could handle three kids.  Days that I worried that three might be too hard.

Then God gave us you.

I didn't know if I was prepared to do it all again.  The pregnancy.  The anxiety.  The surgery.  The recovery.  It was going to be hard.

Then God gave us you.

I thought having another girl might be easier.  We know girls.  We have all the girl things we could ever need.  I thought another girl might be nice.

Then God gave us you.

Was I ready to start all again?  The sleepless nights.  The constant nursing.  The crying and diapers and irregular schedule.  Was I prepared?

Then God gave us you.

And God knew exactly what he was doing.  The second I heard your cry, the moment they laid you in my arms, my heart was filled to overflowing with my love for you.  There is nothing--no surgery, no anxiety, no schedule, no sleeplessness--that I wouldn't take on for you.  I know without a doubt that you are the child God has chosen for our family.  My beautiful baby boy, I couldn't love anything more.  

I prayed daily for you.  For this child I was carrying.  I asked God to keep you healthy.  I asked God to keep us safe.  I thanked God for the blessing of another child.

And God gave us you.

What a true blessing you are!!

  

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

Briggs Lucas was born this morning at 11:21 a.m.  Weighing 7 lbs, 9 oz and measuring 19 3/4" long, he is the perfect size for cuddling.  He has wavy, dark hair and is healthy and mellow and the picture of perfection.  God is good!!

Happy birthday, my beautiful baby boy!

Tomorrow

By this time tomorrow, we will no longer be a family of 4.  Zach and I will be outnumbered.  Staley will be a double big sister.  Adelie will be a middle child.  And the doctors can officially let us know if baby #3 is a girl or a boy.  And I can't wait!!  Sure, there is a little anxiety that always accompanies a surgical  procedure.  And yes, I will continue to think about and worry about the health and safety of our new baby until he or she is in my arms.  But the primary feeling I have at this moment is excitement.

Staley and Adelie are excited too.  The past few weeks, Staley has been demonstrating a little more clinginess and sadness.  I'm not complaining that she has been more cuddly, wanting to sit on my lap or hold my hand or give me more hugs and kisses than usual.  And although she can't verbalize why she has occasionally been bursting into tears for no reason, I can only assume that she is anticipating this major life change that is about to occur.  Every time Staley talks about the new baby, she is very excited, but I do think she is also very aware that life is about to change.  So yesterday, as a special treat, I left work a little early, picked up Staley from pre-school, and we had a fun little outing.  Staley wanted to go to the Build-a-Bear store and make big sister presents for herself and Adelie.  Then we also picked out fun, new pajamas to wear for their sleep-over with grandparents while we are at the hospital, and rounded out our trip by sharing a fruit smoothie.  It was such a fun time to give some undivided attention to my oldest.

Life is about to change.  My attention is about to become more divided.  My days are about to get busier.  My nights are about to become less restful.  And although I can't imagine my heart being any fuller than it already is, I know it will be.  Our life is good.  Our God is good.  Each day with my family is a blessing, and tomorrow is going to be a big one.

My little loves...ready to be big sisters.

Misunderstanding

This evening, we were trying to decide what to have for dinner.  I was offering the girls some quick, easy options.

Me:  "We can have quesadillas or fish sticks or frozen pizza or..."
Adelie:  (very excitedly)  "Elsa pizza!  Elsa pizza!"

They do make "Frozen" cereal and "Frozen" fruit snacks and "Frozen" yogurt, so why not "Frozen" pizza??  Unfortunately, I think plain old pepperoni would have been a big disappointment.

March???

March.  Little shoots of grass springing up.  Leaves reappearing on the trees.  Flower buds.  Dusting off the spring coats and rain boots.  The beginning glimpses of spring.

Or...

More snow.

Nobody asked for my vote.

Because I am over it.  I'm done with cold.  With snow.  With winter.  Come on, March.  I expected more out of you.

 But at least the girls enjoyed a little more time in the snow.