He's Out!

We are rejoicing in God's amazing work in our son's life as he was released from NICU today and is now in my new roommate! The greatest thing, however, was that the kids were able to meet their new sibling! They all instantly fell in love! Daniel proved to be the loving big brother we knew he would be - so excited to meet this new little brother! Matt was truly eager to hold Drew and was thrilled to see that he had a brother that looked more like him - dark hair and dark eyes! Sarah was beyond ecstatic with holding a baby and begged to hold him every minute she was here! It was great to see all their love and excitement for their new brother.

Grandparents also came today to meet the new grandson. Though my mom was present during our harrowing experience - she didn't really get to see him as they whisked him away pretty quickly. So all the grands met him and held him today. My mom, of course, was near tears as she experienced the fact that we almost lost the little guy and was extremely thankful to be holding a healthy, albeit BIG, baby boy.

It was a sweet day. I am just so thankful to God for giving us another miracle. Andy and I believe we have asked a lot in the miracle department - many of you remember that Daniel had two complete knots in his umbilical cord and technically shouldn't even be here! We believe each of our kids is a miracle and gift from God - but our last two are particularly special as we could have lost them both. More proof that God is very much in control of our lives and our children! Thank you for all your prayers - please continue to pray for Drew as his left arm continues to heal and that he would gain full use of it!

He's Here!

When the day started I didn't think he would be arriving today as when we called at 6:00 am to confirm our induction the hospital said they were full - I was so disappointed! But I left it up to God and figured He knew what day he wanted our baby to be born. Thankfully 50 minutes later I got a phone call telling me to arrive at the hospital by 8:30 am! I was so happy! It actually worked out pretty well as we were able to wake the kids and see them to our friends house and reassure them that things were going to be okay. Poor Daniel was a bit upset about leaving us, but seemed to do well once he was dropped off.

We arrived at the hospital and things started moving quickly. I was already 5 cm dilated and so ready to have this baby! They started the pitocin at around 9:30 am and things kicked into gear pretty fast. I am a wimp when it comes to pain and requested the epidural at 11:00 am! The doctor finally arrived at 11:50 am and made my life so much better! What I hadn't counted on was the epidural causing my blood pressure to plummet making me feel absolutely horrible. They soon corrected that and things progressed normally. I was able to sleep, rest, and relax while my body did the work of getting ready to deliver our boy.

Finally at 3:15 pm I was given the go ahead to start pushing. Now with Matt I pushed 3 1/2 hours - you know first kids! With Sarah and Daniel it was a breeze - delivering them in about 3 pushes. This one was a bit more difficult. I pushed for about 30 minutes and finally got his head out - massive cheeks! But then the drama started (we can't have a kid without a dramatic entrance!) His shoulders got stuck. All of a sudden the doctor is calling for help and there are twelve people yelling at me to push harder and pressing on my belly and pulling on him to assist in his birth. They were finally able to pull him out and immediately took him over to give him oxygen. It seemed like forever before he finally cried - but never a sweeter sound was heard. He is currently in the NICU with a fractured left clavicle - very common for these type of births. He is, however, already gripping with his left hand and starting to move the arm more. They believe he will make a full recovery and have full use of his arm. His stats are:Name: Andrew Elijah Schultz (we'll call him Drew)

Weight: 10 lbs. 12 oz.

Length: 21 1/2 inches

Head: 14 inches

Chest: 14 inches

And his shoulders are wider than 14 inches! He is doing well. Andy and I were able to go down tonight and hold him for about an hour. We praise God for bringing our baby safely into the world. The doctor told Andy that this was one of her most serious deliveries in her 10 years of practice - only one other compares to ours. We thank you all for praying for our son and his arrival. Please continue to pray as he grows and develops - that things would progress normally and he would grow strong and healthy.

37 weeks 4 days

Yes, that is how far along I am in this pregnancy. Only 2 weeks and 3 days, at the most, to go as they won't let me go beyond my due date (01/28/10). Though at my Dr. appointment last Thursday I was already dilated 3-4 cm. YEAH!! I was hoping to go last week, but little boy Schultz is hanging on by his toenails! He is getting quite large and it is getting harder to drive (I have short legs and a very big belly!) and to walk around and do normal things - like clean the bathrooms and laundry! Each day the kids ask if today is the day he will arrive - it's starting to drive me crazy! I know they are anxious and want to meet their brother - but I keep telling them God is in control and will let him arrive on the day he is to arrive. I am hoping his day is soon!

In the mean time we are getting ready for his arrival. The clutter from the bedroom is almost gone, the laundry is almost caught up, and I even painted our headboard for our bed today! It was a dark blue and it is now a sage green to match the new bedding I bought about 10 months ago! I am finally getting brave enough to remove the white sheets from our bed - though I did that for the kids a couple of months ago. I am praising God that we still are in the clear as far as bedbugs go. We pray each day that we will never have to go through that experience again. I am so thankful for all Andy has done to our house. It really is looking quite amazing. We are going to be hanging pictures this weekend - if the baby doesn't come - so I will post pictures of what the house looks like. I am in love with it again!

I will post any updates about baby Schultz as soon as the great event happens! Please pray that he will arrive safely and that all will be well! Pray for the kids, too, as they adjust to a new sibling - we think Daniel is going to be a riot - he is already so in love with this little guy!