Well, things are going pretty well here at home. I have had a lot of help from family and the ward. They have brought us dinners and my mom has been helping out around the house. Matthew has had his good and bad days. Yesterday he had a 3 1/2 hr crying spree for no apparent reason. That was hard. Jamie is learning a lot of patience when I hand him over to him in the evening.
The picture above is our first real outing. Nana, Matthew and I went to home depot for some blinds. I think we over dressed him. It really wasn't that cold.
Aunt Jackie and Uncle Dave came over this week and brought Jamie's old Matthew Tyrone Cabbage Patch Kid what he had when he was a child. This was a big deal for Jamie because he really doesn't have anything left from his childhood. Even I had heard about Matthew Tyrone. Apparently he meant a lot to him.

Matthew and his 12 week older cousin Sage. We all think he won't be smaller than her for very long.

Daddy playing a mean trick on Matthew. Those big Italian noses have to be good for something :)

Just like his dad, he found his thumb! Oh no.

It's good to be home

We are now finally home. We came home yesterday (Friday) the 16th around 3:00 pm. I was just tired of being in the hospital. I just couldn't relax and get in a routine. Our first night went okay. Jamie was really helpfull. The most frustrating part of it was the supplementing of feedings. He started having a hard time latching on let alone accepting an additional little catheter that feeds him supplemental milk. I have been worried about his jaundice level and wanted to make sure he got plenty to eat. My milk still has not come in however I think it is getting very close. I seem to have a little more than before. I don't think I will be supplementing tonight if all goes well. It has been a very emotional day for me today. I thought we didn't need any followup with Matthew's billirubin level however we got a call from the pediatrician's office this morning saying they wanted us to go in and get it checked again this morning. Thank goodness they didn't even have to prick him because they used a little light on his chest that can determine the level. It was only 8, down from 12 yesterday.
It was really fun to see how our animals reacted when we brough Matthew home. Other than Paige jumping up on my belly when I first came home it has gone well with them. They have all been very curious of this new little creature in the house. The most protective has been Toby. He wants to be in the room with him all the time and is allways perking up his ears whenever he makes a noise. I think he will be very protective.
Well, Jamie has been a great help here at home and has a really yummy dinner ready for me to enjoy. I will try to keep the posts going. Enjoy the pictures.

In the car ready to go

On our way out from the hospital

Matthew's cute new outfit Daddy picked out for him.

Like father like son. Jamie found this hat to match his and he HAD to buy it. It is for a 3-6 month old but it had to be worn. He looks so cute in it.

We are headed home!

I will try to post some going home pictures later. I am able to stay here for another day but we are all tired of being here in the hospital. I am feeling really good and want to get home to my routine and comfort of my own home. As long as Matthew's bilirubin level turns out okay today there shouldn't be any problems with bringing him home. Last night he ate well with the extra supplement we were giving him through a little catheter taped to my breast. I hope my milk comes in soon. They suspect it should come in tonight or tomorrow night. I will continue to supplement until then. We are so excited to bring our little boy home. We have waited for this moment for a long time. It is like a dream come true.

It's Vincenzo with one c

I just realized that Matthew's middle name was spelled wrong here on the blog. It is Vincenzo with one c, not 2. No new pictures today. We have been busy. I don't know where all the time goes. Somehow every 3 hrs feedings take up a lot of your day. I am feeling pretty good today. I have let up a little on my pain meds to start weining off of them. I am getting up frequently to try to promote healing. Jamie went home to do some work today. I realzed how much of a help he has been once he was gone. He really has been a great dad and husband through all of this. I am so proud of him. Today Matthew got checked for Jaundice. He is slightly jaundiced. He registers barely on the chart, enough that they want to check him out again in two days (saturday). I am a little worried about how well he is eating. He is latching on pretty well and sucking strong however he is not swallowing very much. He hasn't had many wet diapers today so I may start supplementing today just a little with formula through a small tube taped to my breast just to make sure he is well hydrated until my milk comes in. Thank you all who have supported me through this pregnancy and delivery. I really feel blessed to have such a great family and friend support.

Matthew is 2 days old!

Our Sweet Little One

Well, my mom did such a fabulous job of narrating the blog that I am just now updating it. She really gave a play by play of what happened during and just after Matthew's birth. We are now in day two of Matthew's life and we love to have him here with us. He is such a sweet baby. He has a great suck and is learning to nurse well. I think it is me that needs to learn a lot more. Just today he got a little frustrated that he wasn't getting more than just colostrum. Daddy is doing a great job. He is so protective of him. He has such a hard time when he cries. It breaks his heart. As a help to me and my sore tummy Jamie so far has changed all the diapers and he is really good at it. He already got pee'd on and just laughed about it. He is so happy and proud to be a dad. So far I am doing pretty well. My pain is tolerable with my medication. I am getting up and around and walking a few times a day. My legs are still really swollen but they are looking better hour by hour. We will likely be going home on Saturday morning to get in as much rest here as possible. So far we love being parents.

I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I awoke and saw that life was duty.
I acted, and behold—
Duty was joy.
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941)

Close up of Matthew and Mommy

Skin to skin is so important to stimulate the desire to nurse. Matthew loved it.

My first Mother/Baby nurse Jeanne. She was great. She taught me how to nurse.

My first time in Grandpa's arms. What a proud Grandpa.

Just down to our room. I am so happy to finally see my baby.

Evening Update by Very Tired but Happy Nana Anderson

For those who are just reading this blog, you will notice as you read on that many of the posts of Oct. 12 and 13 are in the first person of new born Matthew. It was my honor to have been asked by his parents to record the events leading up to his birth. I thought that since I was taking notes for them and with so many friends far and wide, it would be nice to make the record available to all of you friends and family who wanted to hear all about it while I was recording events for them.

My overall impression was how hard Kim and Jamie worked together, how tender Jamie was, and how maturely Kim handled everything. She was disappointed that all of their planning was changed at the end, but overall, they both did what was best for their baby. The caregivers were incredibly kind and professional. Amy was a tremendous help through out the long night as she knew the hypno-birthing methods since she had used them herself.

Dr. Wold told us this afternoon that Kim had done such a good job of pushing that getting him out of her pelvis was the third most difficult C Section he had done. She had pushed him down so well that the nurse had to push up as the doctor reached in to pull his head out. I'm sure Kim will be sore tomorrow! The baby and mom both had fevers before and after delivery which required Matthew to have an IV and more antibiotics. His fever has dropped and so has his mom's. His head is more pointy than most C section babies because of how he was wedged in. Kim had pushed for two hours and given it her best effort. She will probably have C sections with future children. But she told me she is happy that at least she understands what labor is all about. Before Jamie went with Matthew to the newborn nursery he pushed his crib to the door where Amy and I were waiting. When he saw us his eyes filled with tears of joy. It was so tender! Jamie was so intent on being with his little son in the nursery and most of the time had a hand or finger touching him at all times.Matthew looks a bit like his daddy and seems to be a strong crier and good sucker. The whole little family is very tired and ready for a more restful night. Watch this spot for more pictures of the events following Matthew's birth. I have to use another computer to upload the pictures. After the pictures are posted, I think I will leave the updating to the Lucchesis because, frankly, this has been a lot of time consuming work and I'm exhausted! But all the effort was worth it. I hope someday Baby Matthew will read about his passage into this world, know how grateful his Nana is for the opportunity to be there when he came to Earth, how much he was loved and how happy his Nana was to meet him.

This it the first time Kim got to hold Matthew.

Sleep tight Lucchesis!

An interruption from Nana...

There are many more pictures, but I have been very busy and now I need to help Kimmie get to her room. I am so proud of her and Jamie that it is hard to keep my eyes from leaking! Matthew is so cute! Kim hasn't seen him yet, but that is immenent. Jamie won't leave his side. It is so cute. Kim had the C-section because her pelvis was too small. So all of her next babies will be by Caesarean but at least next time she won't go through 15 hours of labor!

I am going to see that they get settled and then leave. Other pictures will have to wait until I get some lunch and a nap!

They're all doing well and I thank our kind Father in Heaven for his watchful hand through it all. What a blessed day!

Matthew Vincenzo Lucchesi

9:49 AM

I am here! I weigh 7lb. 1 ounce and am 19 3/4" long. I have a fever because Mommy did, but the nice nurses gave me an IV (ouch, that hurt, except they gave me a little sugar water first which made me happy). I am getting antibiotics like Mommy for Strep B. Daddy is staying with me through everything they do in the nursery. Thank-you doctors and nurses for helping Mommy and Daddy get me here! I cry alot but that just means I have great big lungs that are working really good.

Nana will tell more of my story after she helps Mommy get to her new room. (She pretty much brought everything but the kitchen sink to her room. I think we need to call a moving company!)

9:30 - Going, Going...

These pictures are actually backwards. The one below was taken last. Sorry, Nana's in a hurry to see me. Next blog - I'll be here!!!!

9:25 Update

Bart, the anesthesiologist, is giving Mommy more medicine in her IV and has made her lie down. Annette, the nurse, gave Mommy a shave on her tummy and she had to drink som nasty antacid. She is still wearing an oxygen mask. Nana is going to leave her computer for a while, to try to see everything she can see.

9:08 Update

Dr. Wold says that with an epidural you can push for 3 hours, and my head is starting to swell. I'm not moving down very much. Dr. Wold thinks that maybe I should come into the world by Caesarean. I am a BIG boy and maybe bigger than can be delivered vaginally. Forceps won't work because my head is still too far up there. Since Mommy has an epidural they can get her numb really quick and do the surgery very soon, probably within a half hour!

Mommy and Daddy have decided to get me here soon, so watch out world, I'll be coming with less of a cone head than most of you out there!!!

9:00 Update

Uncle Jacob called and asked if he could come in, but my daddy thought it would be better if he waited. But then Mommy thought that he should come up and help Daddy give her a Priesthood blessing. So he came right up. Thank-you, Uncle Jacob and Daddy!

Dr. Wold is on his way to access Mommy and me.

8:45 Update

Don't be worried about how Mommy looks in this picture. She is just tired and resting from her last round of pushing.
Mommy is starting to run a fever. Sometimes fever is a sign of infection and sometimes it is from pushing. The nice nurse is going to talk to the doctor and see what he says. Mommy was at 8 Pitocin for a while, but my heart rate went down a little too much, so now she is down to 4 and she is breathing oxygen again for me.

8:20

Mommy moved down on the bed so she is sitting more upright, but Mommy is getting a little frustrated and tired. I know she can do it! Keep up the good work, Mommy!

8:00

It takes a village to have a baby!

7:50 Update

I know why they call it "labor."
The face of a woman in labor - pushing very HARD
I am coming from one celestial place to another earthly place just down the street...

7:35 Update

I think I am big! Mommy is working very hard. Nana is helping with my leg and Auntie Amy takes a turn sometimes. Daddy is always by Mommy's side holding her leg. The doctor said most first time moms take an hour or more to push their babies out. I know my mommy is a hard worker. I can tell how much she loves me!

7:00 Update - Complete!

Mommy really wants to get me here. My head is just waiting to start coming out. She is completely dilated and effaced and we are just waiting for the doctor! The nurses just came in and they are going to let Mommy start pushing.

Nana probably won't be blogging for a while.

6:40 Update

Mommy is moaning through contractions again. She says she feels pressure. And Nana's cell phone died, so she can't text all my relatives. If you need to call her, call Grandpa instead or my daddy, but I don't think my daddy will be able to answer!

When Nana woke up after about an hour of sound sleep, she noticed a distinct change in Mommy. She was breathing harder during contractions. It's getting exciting for my family!

6:30 Update

8 cm!

Our friend, Megan, went home when her 12 hour shift was over. She was so nice to us. She loved that we got her a burrito from Beto's in the middle of the night!

Our new nurse is Annette. She is really nice, too. She said she would be back in 15 minutes to check my Mommy. She has another nurse from Delta with her who is learning.

5:30 Update

7 cm and 4 Pit. The sun is coming up and I hope to see it soon:)

4:30 Update

Dr. Wold came in and checked my mommy. She is still about 6, so they are putting her back on 2 of Pit. Mommy switched sides to get more comfortable. Auntie Amy is still doing work on her computer and Daddy helps Mommy whenever she needs it. My heartrate is still good. Nana is pretty tired!

3:30 Update

Mommy is at 6! That's a lot of progress in 20 minutes! My head is much further down. Mommy is feeling the pressure of my head.

3:10 Update

Megan came in and turned off the Pitocin. She thinks Mommy doesn’t need it anymore. Mommy is getting very tired from shaking. Auntie Amy has gone to Beto’s to get us some food. She is worried that maybe she won’t make it back in time to see me be born! Nana thinks she will make it back Mommy's contractions are coming about every 90 seconds to 2 minutes. No one in the room is too sleepy anymore!

2:50 Update

2:45 – Mommy just had a HUGE contraction. Megan came in and flushed the line and her contractions started again. When they were going to about 40 before, the last two have gone up to 100! That means Mommy might be progressing faster than we thought.

2:50 - Mommy is 5+ and completely effaced! Auntie Amy has decided she won't be going home!

2:40 Update

At about 2:00, Mommy's nurse began amniotic infusion. This is when they put saline solution like what's in Mommy's IV, through the tube that is inserted into her womb to increase the pressure there. This helps to keep my heartrate where it should be. Mommy is resting comfortably. Daddy is going to lay down now. He is worried because he and Nana are going to share the same small bed. Nana told him to pretend we were all out camping and we are just in a tent so not to worry, he's not sleeping with his mother-in-law!

Mommy's Pitocin drip is now back to where it was before the epidural - 8. Her contractions slowed down considerably and she has had the shakes since the doctor gave her the epidural. She is using her breathing techniques to control the trembling.

1:50 Update

1:45 – Megan is staying around after the epidural and not increasing the pitocin because Mommy’s blood pressure is a bit high and my heart rate has dropped to 85-90 but only for 60 seconds. Megan put oxygen on Mommy.

1:50 – Megan is having Mommy lay on her other side. My heartrate went down again when Mommy had a contraction, but came right back up. Mommy’s blood pressure is good now. Megan won’t increase the Pitocin until my heartrate isn’t going down so much during a contraction. Auntie Amy, Nana and Daddy are all patiently waiting for me to arrive.

1:15 Update

Labor is hard! Thank-goodness for good doctors and good medicine. I'm glad that I am being born in such a modern age!

Mommy felt bad that she was in so much pain. I want Mommy to know that I just want to be born and it doesn't matter how I get there! She has gotten me this far and it doesn't matter one bit whether she feels every contraction or not. And that's that! Daddy says so!

The anesthesiologist is on his way...
It was hard on Mommy to sit up like this. She also had to sit through three contractions.
Nana watched as the doctor got everything clean. Auntie Amy couldn't look! Maybe when I grow up I'll be like that nice doctor that took Mommy's pain away!

This brown stuff was the stuff he used to clean Mommy's back.
The only thing inside of Mommy is a very tiny tube that pumps good medicine inside.
Now Mommy is much happier and laying on her side. She might even take a little nap.

12:45 Update

Mommy is dilated to 3 1/2 cm!

12:30 – I feel bad for Mommy. She is so nauseous! She is still sitting on the stability ball. She isn’t sure she can do this without an epidural. Nana, Auntie Amy and Daddy all said she could do it.

12:40 – Mommy got some help from Amy and Daddy and lay on her right side. It is getting hard for Mommy now.Megan has come in to check how Mommy is progressing.

October 13th - It's a new day

12:10 Update
Mommy just had a longer contraction. She's still sitting on the stability ball and humming through them. Here blood pressure is 121/78. Megan increased her Pitocin to 4.

Mommy, I love you for what you are doing for me!!! And Daddy, you're the BEST example!

11:40 PM Update

Mommy is anxious for me to come, so she has agreed for the nurse to start a drip of Pitocin. This will speed up the contractions and make them stronger. They are starting with 2.

Baby Matthew Diaries

I'm ready to be born! Nana is helping to tell my story while Mommy and Daddy work to get me here. Today is October 12th, 2009.

It’s time I am born!I am anxious to see my parents and the world! It was about 5:30 PM and Mommy and Daddy were going to Lowe’s to get some paint for the doors. They stopped at the Pleasant Grove Community Garden and while Mommy was talking to the lady, here water broke and ran all the way down her leg. She had told Daddy to come out of the car and he thought she wanted him to pick something up, but she really wanted to tell him that I was coming! Mommy called the doctor and then Nana. Then she and Daddy went home and started packing.

6:15 PM – Mommy and Daddy got to the hospital and discovered that Mommy’s old neighbor, Megan Lamoreaux Wilson would be their labor nurse! She lived down Killarney Drive and Mommy knew her! My parents were very happy about that.


7:20 - Auntie Amy came to give Daddy some dinner and she also brought some scrambled eggs for Mommy. Mommy's nurse, Megan, asked Mommy questions about whether I should have a vitamin K shot, hepatitis C vaccine and antibiotics in my eyes. All of these things are good for me so Mommy agreed. She gave Mommy and Daddy instructions about the tags I will have on my legs to identify me and that no one but them could go into the newborn nursery.

7:36 - Dr Wold came in and told Mommy that things are going fine. Her blood pressure was up at first but is going down now. Megan adjusted the monitor around Mommy's tummy to pick up contractions better. Dr. Wold will be back to check at around 9 or 9:30.

8:15 - Mommy turned over on her side and when she did, the monitor stopped picking up contractions. The doctor and nurse and Mommy and Daddy decided to put an internal monitor on so that Mommy can move around a little better and Daddy won't be worried that my heart rate is too high. I felt something when they put the monitor in my scalp because Mommy felt me move! Daddy is doing an awesome job of helping Mommy!
8:30 - Mommy hasn't progressed too much, but the contractions are consistent.

9:10 - Mommy sat on the stability ball and Daddy rubbed her back. They are being very patient.

9:27 – Grandpa came in. Mom is sitting on a stability ball. Daddy is pushing on Mommy’s back. It is nice and dark in the room and there is some soft music playing. Nana is taking notes for me. Mommy just complained that the contractions weren’t getting strong and then she had a bigger one. Nana told her to be careful what she wished for.

9:50 – Grandpa left so that Auntie Amy could come in. Grandpa didn’t like leaving but the rules say that there can only be two visitors in the room, so he is in the waiting room. Auntie Amy told Daddy to keep an eye on Mommy’s hands to see if they tensed up. Tensing causes more pain, so Daddy needed to help her relax more.

10:20- Dr. Wold checked to see how much Mommy was dilated. 80% thinned out, 2 ½ cm dilated. 30 – 40 is the measurement Mommy is having and those are mild contractions, 50-80 are the kind that really works. Pitocin is an option. Megan will check every couple of hours to see if she is progressing. Mommy’s blood pressure is 133/63.

10:40- Auntie Amy came in again and will come back to help Daddy with hypno-birthing. Everyone is being so nice. I can't wait to see them with my own eyes. Nana is taking lots of pictures.