The Kitchen Family

H e  h a s  a r r i v e d...

 Brendon Lee Kitchen

July 15, 2011

11:31 am

7 lbs. 9 oz. 20 in.

 Let's start from the very beginning...

 Take one last long look at this massive belly, cause it's the last time you'll see one of these baby bellies on me for quite awhile.

 What an interesting experience - setting my alarm clock, waking up and showering, doing my hair and make up, packing my bag and leaving with plenty of time to make it to my "appointment" on time. I will admit that it was convenient knowing when I was going to deliver so we could be prepared, but it just about drove me bonkers counting down until the time came.

Brock and I sat in this room and twiddled our thumbs for 

a bit while they were getting ready for me. WEIRD.

Ready or not....here comes the baby.

I was taken by surprised when I did not feel ANY pain getting the spinal epidural that numbed me from below the bust line down to my toes. The whole process was SO quick. I only cried once when they wheeled me into the operating room to get me prepped and ready, and Brock had to go wait in the other room til I was ready. Tears streamed down my eyes, but not for long. The O.R. was full of the sweetest ladies I could ask for. They all swarmed around me, asking my thoughts and feelings, made me laugh and made my nerves go right away. Within a few minutes the blue sheet was up blocking my view, and Brock was at my side. I felt no pain, very little pressure even throughout the surgery. Every now and then I just felt my lower body shift back and forth.

Brendon was out, I heard a raspy cry, Brock took a peak {he was pretty bummed he couldn't watch the whole surgery - hospital policy} and my eyes started streaming.

A quick kiss before they took my 

fresh baby boy away to the nursery with Daddy.

My parents had Cohen and met Brock at the nursery window 

to see Brendon have his first bath and get snuggly warm.

After what felt like a century, I was taken to my private room to get my hands on my new little one. The nurses had to monitor me for just over an hour after surgery to make sure all went well.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. Dang, we make handsome boys.

Such a sweet experience witnessing my 

two boys meeting each other for the first time.

BROTHERS.

Cohen could not be more sweet and soft with Brendon.

He adores him and asks about him constantly, 

and includes "baby Brendon" in everything we do.

A VERY proud Grandma.

My parents are LIFESAVERS, staying with us for about 10 days to nurse me back to health, and take care of my little family of four.

When my parents and Cohen met me and Brendon in our room for the first time, Cohen walked in with these beautiful flowers and said "here ya go mama!" so excited that he accidentally dropped them in the floor.

Aunt Davita, Gabe, Corbin, Em & Brendon, Chels.

They gave Brendon his first Dallas Cowboys 

jammies when they came to visit.

MY BOYS.

I couldn't be more happy to be so out numbered.

Reed, Melissa & Brooklyn Garza.

We appreciate their love and support oh so much.

My handsome son.

The best two ladies in the whole hospital - and I was lucky enough to get them BOTH as my nurse and Brendon's nurse.

Norelis & Jayna.

So patient, sweet, very informative...I wanted to take them home.

I forgot how much I HATE putting a newborn in a giant car seat.

So nerve-wrecking. I will admit I had my sucker on hand in case he started gagging or choking on our car ride home as I sat next to him in the back.

 

One of the first things I noticed about Brendon is that he looked COMPLETELY different than Cohen. His mouth is like Cohen's {and mama's} but everything else about his face is JUST like his Daddy's in my opinion. I LOVE IT! He does have dimples but they are hidden more on this chubby cheek baby. Also, Cohen had very short stubby hands/fingers/feet/toes and Brendon's are SUPER long and skinny.

Cohen was so excited for Brendon to come home so he could show him his toys. Army guys were the first thing he showed him.
Before we know it, they will be running around chasing other.

We are in love.
Things couldn't have gone more smooth at the hospital.
We talked the doctors to let us go home a day early, so we only had to stay two nights.
Now we are HOME, resting and recovering.
Brock started Medical school orientation {another post} the day after we got home, so things couldn't be more CRAZY and exciting.
Brendon is SO great. A very good-natured baby, at least for the first four days of his life. He is nursing VERY WELL and is a pooping machine. He eats every 2-3 hours.
Every day his "look" changes so much.
Cohen is being the sweetest boy to his little brother.
We are so lucky to have two handsome healthy boys.
WE ARE IN LOVE.