The Latest Addition to The A Team

Written by Melissa

So, it's been a while since my last post - I got a little encouragement from a friend to update the blog. So, you should know I haven't taken a summer hiatus. Nope, instead, I've been on maternity leave!!! That's right - the latest addition to The A Team is Axel Charles Zbeeb, born June 11, 2014 at 8 lbs 15 oz and 20 1/4 in. Today, Axel is six weeks old. Time flies... and it also stands still. You know what I mean! "They" say the first month is the hardest, but if you know me, I'd say everyday is pretty tough. Parenting is the hardest job on earth. I'm so lucky to be doing as part of a team!

I went into Piedmont Hospital on 6/11 to be induced. The boy was quite content in the womb, but at nine days late, Mama was ready to meet him (past ready). As with most inductions, mine went super fast --- and also super painful. I didn't know it, but I was going to have this baby naturally. I went in to induction already 4 cm dilated. I should've asked for the drugs immediately! Instead, I thought, "I'll just see how far I can go and call in the anesthesiologist in a bit." Well, I wasn't prepared for how quickly I'd progress and how intense the pain would get... after laboring for only a little over two hours, I asked for an epidural. About 45 minutes later, I received it - and the damn thing DIDN'T WORK!!! Say what?! I was squeezing Nana's hand so hard she was turning blue. I kept saying, "He's got to come back. He's got to come back!" (Course, Andrew and Mom tell me it was more like grunting and moaning than coherently talking.) Nana passed my hand on to Andrew and then next thing I know the doc is telling me that if I would just start pushing I'd be out of pain as soon as the baby came. It was time and I am pretty sure I very clearly said, "YES! Let's do this!" Not more than a push and a half later, Axel entered the world at 1:14pm. And the doctor was right, the relief was instantaneous. It was awesome! To be scared to death one minute of all the pain you are in - to immediately return to normal with a precious 9 pounder on top of your chest. Breathtaking!

Oh - and did I mention Asa was in the room? Yep, he had been telling me for weeks (months, really) that he wanted to watch his baby brother come out of his Mommy's belly. I contemplated it for a short while, but deep down I knew he could handle it. And I thought it would be an experience of a lifetime for him. Of course, I had prepared him that it might hurt me just a little and he'd have to understand that I'd be fine. I told him if he got scared, it would be okay to ask Nana to take him outside in the hall. I had NO idea he'd witness me in that much pain. (I told the nurse I was her first unintentional natural delivery.) Still, Ace was determined to be a part of it. Andrew and Mom kept trying to get him to stand up by my head and watch from that angle, but oh no - the boy wanted the best seat in the house. I think he was shoulder-to-shoulder with the doctor. Asa watched the miracle of Axel's birth - and he never skipped a beat. He was the first to see his brother enter the world. I love that! And so does he!

The last six weeks have been both amazing and exhausting. The obvious hardship of sleep deprivation has taken it's toll, as well as the fact that I have a little one that decided rather quickly he preferred the bottle to the boob. So, not only have I been pumping, feeding, washing, sanitizing, diaper changing, etc. (you know the drill), but I've also been pondering a lot about our family - our very special and unique family - and that has been quite an emotional trip. Ariana has visited with her brothers a number of times in the last month and a half. She seems super inquisitive about the baby (and his car seat), but is fully in love with Ace (and his shenanigans that he so obviously puts on just for her). Watching them interact, I wonder how they will all be growing up... how they will engage with each other throughout their childhoods into adulthood... who they will be individually - and as siblings. I wonder how each of them will come to understand their family life and their personal roles in it. I wonder how the decisions I have made for them will effect their whole lives, their happiness, their joy, their sorrow, their pain. It's been a taxing thought process, but a necessary one. I suppose I'll be on this trip forever - wondering about the well-being of my kids. But then I suppose that is the same for every parent. So as much as I feel like no one could possibly understand, indeed I am not alone.

I have the best family, really. It goes without saying that Heather is by far the best Mom I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, let alone sharing my world with. And Jim couldn't be a more incredible Dad --- and playmate to the kids! :-) And, of course, Andrew does everything in his power on a daily basis to make my life as easy as possible. He's the best partner and friend I could ever ask for. I'm amazingly blessed. And, therefore, so are my children... and it shows. Asa is a very happy, well-adjusted, mature, and advanced (if I do say so myself) boy. Ariana is thriving with Jim and Heather - taking her first few unassisted steps in the last month and even beginning to potty train! She laughs at just about anything Asa does and, despite not talking, her eyes tell us she is an very happy girl. Axel is what the pediatrician calls "an early smiler." He's been giving us a big grin for weeks now. He coos with all of us and seems very ready to join this nut house... oops, I mean, the Zbeeb Zoo.

With all this love and happiness, I am constantly reminded of my blessings. I don't have a normal life, but I do have a joyful one. I'm very grateful. And now for your viewing pleasure...

Pictures of Axel in the hospital:

Pictures of Axel at home:

At last check up (1 month old), Axe was 11 lbs 1 oz. and "strong as an ox" during tummy time for the doc. We go back at 2 months for his first of many vaccinations. I'll do my best to post more often, but I won't be headed back to work until September. Until then, I plan to soak up every moment at home with this handsome little guy, the best little brother around.

Thanks to all of you for calling, writing, and visiting. We are so excited to welcome Axel to our family, to The A Team, and to the world!