The Birth of a Superhero

Well it's as inevitable as gravity...what goes up must come down...baby goes in baby comes out...question is always exactly when... When contractions started Friday, November 12th, mommy thought, "This is it!"...but after a full weekend of steady but non-active labor inducing contractions still no baby... Monday came and mommy was so exhausted from lack of sleep that she stayed home and finally slept straight through the day!  Her belly was huge and uncomfortable...the contractions made it impossible to get comfortable even though they weren't painful and nothing was working in her favor...this made her very cranky:)  Working made the day go by so Tuesday and Wednesday she worked and tried to stay busy...Uncle Joey, mommy's boss, was nervous that she would end up delivering in the office lol, but no such luck!  When she left work Wednesday night, she knew the time was almost here... "Won't be seeing you tomorrow, we're having a baby" she told Uncle Joey (who just rolled his eyes cause this was practically a mantra of a very uncomfortable wishful pregnant woman...difference was this time she knew for sure!) 

Thursday morning the contractions were 5-6 mins apart so mommy went to the hospital to see what progress was being made but she was only 2 centimeters dilated and the contractions were still not that intense so the doctor sent her home to wait patiently.  Daddy went to work and Nonna came to spend the day with her very uncomfortable cranky daughter:)  They stayed busy and Nonna rubbed mommy's back to help with the aching from the contractions.  Mommy tried to get as much rest as possible knowing that the time was just around the corner.  Finally at 6:30pm, mommy said, "Time to go to the hospital!"  Nonna drove (since it is highly inadvisable for women to drive themselves to the hospital, thanks Aunt Katie;)  When we got there we found out that apparently EVERY baby in the area wanted to be born so the L&D rooms were full to capacity!  Dr. Greybush told mommy she was 3 centimeters and to keep walking around and they would get a room for her and then break her water.  Mommy called Daddy and told him to start heading toward the hospital while Nonna and her kept busy exploring the triage area, walking and talking. 

Daddy arrived and the nurse said they would get me a room in a couple more mins.  When the attendant came to move mommy, her water broke EVERYWHERE...and just like that active labor hit like a brick wall!  Mommy vomited ALL over the room...it was like a cut scene from the Exorcist!  Even christened Daddy's hoodie (though his reflexes prevented full coverage lol!)  They rushed me to the L&D room and got me set up...within 1 HOUR and 30 MINS Mommy went from 4 all the way to 10 centimeters and was ready to push!  At this point the contractions were so violent, Mommy could barely breathe...it felt like her ribs were collapsing her lungs...that's when she finally wasn't afraid of the epidural :)  But than the doctor came in and asked if Mommy was "allowed to push" because of her eye surgery in 2006?!!  Mommy wanted to slap the doctor for asking NOW and not over the last 9 months when she talked over her medical history! (In Dr. Greybush's defense, she was the only doc in the practice we never got to see and she didn't want mommy to lose her sight, but mommy would've thrown something if she could!)  So then they wouldn't give an epidural until they could get ahold of the retina specialist because they thought they may have to give a C-section!  Finally after what seemed like hours but wasn't that long, they got an answer and Mommy got drugs lol :)  Finally could breathe deeper and gained some energy...then it was time to push...well actually you started trying to walk out and Mommy told the doctor, "I'm not pushing but he's ready to pop out!"

Everyone moved into position, Daddy even got to hold mommy's leg and help her push :)  P.S. Daddy was AMAZING the whole time but he is Superman after all ;)  The rest of the time flew by...Mommy pushed, Daddy cheered and you kept working your way out!   It felt like only 15 mins and one final push brought a screaming you in this world!  You were mad as hell...maybe you were expecting something a little less cold and glaringly bright? lol!  They put you in mommy's arms and we looked at each other for the first time... it was magic...in a way that there don't exist words to describe...  Then Daddy cut your cord and they took you away to clean and weigh you.  You were 7 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long!  Once you were clean they brought you back to mommy and daddy.  The nurses kept going on and on about how incredible everything went... This being mommy's first baby, it didn't really sink in what they were talking about.  But then they explained that it had only been 3 hours total for you to come into this world!  They had never seen someone deliver their first baby that fast!  Truthfully mommy had fully expected it to take at least 12 hours so even though it felt quick, she had no idea it went THAT quick!  Daddy went out to get Nonna and Zia Ria who were patiently waiting and apparently a whole bunch of other people showed up too:)  They couldn't believe you were already here! 

So that my dear Professor X is the story of your birth...you made quite the entrance into this world...though that really shouldn't be too surprising given who you are! ;) And with your arrival, your mommy was dubbed and officially inducted into the superhero hall of fame along with you and your daddy Superman.  On November 19th, 2010, a fairy princess became Wonder Woman and joined her boys in the fight for justice and the protection of all mankind and fellow superheros!  Welcome to the world Xavier, it will never be the same again! 

Ode to Fall Babies:)

Well my little caramel latte, you will be a fall baby no matter when you decide to make your appearance!  And while I find summer babies sizzling ie your Daddy lol, as a fall baby I can truly brief you on the joys that lie in being a "Fall Baby".  First things first...there's the weather...fall brings about a change to the hot humid days of summer, cool breezes and drops in the humidity make the warm air a delight to experience...early morning air smells crisp and fresh while mid-afternoon sun makes you feel like a little kitty cat curled up in a sunny spot on the porch!  Along with the beautiful weather comes the masterpiece God paints in the foliage... vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow and brown mix gracefully with the various shades of green..slowly transforming the picture outside the window to one of ripe abundance...waiting for children to run through collecting leaves, apples, pumpkins and all manner of items to decorate and create something amazing with their imaginations!  That was one of my favorite day dreams while waiting for you...imaging you, me and Daddy running through piles of leaves, picking pumpkins and apples, sipping apple cider and going on hayrides... Not to mention eating the awesome food your Nonno and Grandpa make come Thanksgiving time!  I'm hoping you come a little early so I can enjoy that food this year and not be in the hospital with that nasty clinical fare : P



Xavier's 1st Halloween Costume



This whole journey together has been an amazing ride, my little baby...and I can only imagine that you being here, finally, in our arms will be the most spectacular moment of our lives...each day that we get closer, I try to stay busy with the small things left to do but my energy is fast depleting!  This past weekend was your Grandma's birthday and also Halloween so you and I skipped the housework and headed on over to Jersey while Daddy worked!  Of course this being your "sorta kinda" first Halloween, we couldn't let you go without a costume :)  Not with Mommy being such a HUGE fan of costumes lol!  And not to mention the perfect shape for numerous ideas...what can I say you making me REALLY round has it's advantages!  So I came up with the perfect costume for you!  But then the more I thought about it, the more I thought you should have one and I should have one that goes along with it...actually the original idea started out as this... You as a jack-o-lantern... of course a baby one lol!  Then Daddy was trying to decide if he would dress up this year and I told him to go as a black cat...which he didn't find too amusing...though what can I say when it comes to word association jack-o-lantern = black cat...they always go together in my mind!  But that gave me a brilliant idea!  You would go as a baby jack-o-lantern and I would go as your little black cat friend who climbed inside lol :)  Technically, you're inside of me...but hey it works!  So far our costume has been a success...thank you my little inspiration lol!  Mommy couldn't have done it without you...well could've, but then it wouldn't have been as perfect! 

Mommy and Xavier - Halloween 2010



Your Grandpa made a delicious dinner for all of us and we handed out candy to all the neighbourhood kids, holy cow were there a lot of them!  They didn't stop coming until well after 9pm!  And some not-so-little kids came as well :)  Boy, some of the costumes were great!  Mommy spent most of the time sitting and watching the action while holding your cousin.  You didn't care for her sitting on your "house" too much lol!  I can just imagine the two of you running around and tussling on the floor when you're a little bigger!  Next year for Halloween, you and Daddy can go as superheros or something fun like that! :) 

And someday when you're older, Mommy and Zia Lina will take you to Carnevale in Italia so you can experience that as well!  The costumes are amazing and Daddy hasn't seen Italy yet so it'll be high time to finally get him there lol!  Of course we can't forget trips to the Ren Faire with your fairy godmother Ina ;)  She's made you the most amazing little elf hat!  You're gonna look so handsome!  When you get a little bigger, we'll add a cape and maybe a Non-sharpened sword ;)  You'll have to wait a while to play with the swords Mommy and Daddy have!  I'm sure you'll enjoy the Pirates and Jousting just as much as Daddy no matter how old you are!  We're so excited to play with you and see you grow and enjoy using your imagination to fight evil dwarfs and dragon-slaying knights :)