Introducing Caleb Clyde Civello

We'd like to take a moment and introduce the newest addition to our family ... Caleb. He was born in Dublin, CA at Valley Care Hospital and arrived on Monday November 19th, 2012. He weighed in at a whopping 9lbs 7oz and was 21.25inches. Caleb, just like his big brother David, made his arrival 5 days late. And just in time to get home for Thanksgiving.

 

 

Wednesday November 14th came and went in a blink and no baby. On Sunday November 18th, we strolled into Valley Care Hospital ready for my induction as the Broncos game was coming to an end. I had to suffer through the end of the Raiders game to know what happened with the Broncos game.

Everything went great. as far as getting Caleb here with a bang. Slow start to my induction but progressed well. Pain kicked in to high gear around 6am and moved from iv narcotics to an epidural rather quickly.  I had been seen by the anesthesiologist before he came on because he had learned that I was trouble. He took a good look at my spinal column and seemed to devise a plan of attack. And the anesthesiologist actually got my epidural to work! At first only my left side was numb but my right side got numb just in time for pushing. Of which I actually got to do very little of.

Although my pain not only brought me to tears but made me shake as well, it got managed. Epidural took forever to wear off. My left leg was literally useless and I couldn't move it on my own til more than 2hrs after. My ribs and back did just fine through all of it so that was definitely a blessing.

All in all ... nursing has started out great this time around so I'm hopeful we don't have any issues. I'm definitely beat as is Mike, but hopefully we can catch a few z's tonight.  
 

 

 
 

 

 

David is so excited to have his new baby brother. Thrilled actually. And of course showed him his new crib and which screws he put in so he'd be safe in their room. He's giving kisses and hugs and loving on him. He's being such a great help. I hope this never changes.

I was induced on Sunday the 18th in the late afternoon and had Caleb at 11:32am on Monday the 19th. We were discharged on Wednesday the 21st at 8am. Headed to Safeway for medicine and groceries for Thanksgiving. Thursday the 22nd we headed to grandma and grandpa Civello's for Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. Everyone was shocked but honestly, what else were we supposed to do? Everyone was happy and healthy so we came to show off the new guy.

Then in normal Danielle fashion ... we put the Christmas tree up on Black Friday. Yup. Monday the little man entered the world, Wednesday we got home, Thursday was Thanksgiving and Friday we put up our tree. What? Why not I figured. It's as good a time as any. I felt good. It was tradition. So we put up the tree. I wasn't sure if/when I'd feel as good to put it up any other day. David was a great help and so was Mike.
 

 

This big guy has overwhelmed us and taken our hearts by storm. Including David. He is also incredibly smitten. As we all are. So many things to watch, teach and enjoy with Caleb ... and we'll love every single minute of it.

A little sick ... a lot of pain ...

I got a cold. Then another. Guess what. It got worse. And what do you know ... I ended up with walking pneumonia. Yea! Ok no. Not only that ... but I've been coughing so badly that one morning ... I heard a 'pop'. Mike had to make me sit up. I could do nothing. He physically sat me up in bed and I yelped out. Scaring him and myself. I needed his help. And his mom's. I needed to figure out what was going on with me. I was sick. Real sick. In pain. Lots of pain. I couldn't take care of myself let alone David. I was scared.

Went to my doctor and her concern was that I had a broken rib. Off to the ER we went. As we strolled into the ER with my very pregnant belly the nursing staff got excited for the arrival of a baby. I had to break the bad news to them. I wasn't there to have a baby. I was there to make sure my rib wasn't broken prior to having a baby. They were very confused. Needless to say ... I got stuck with a very large needle stuck in my hip to give me some very necessary pain relief. Then they did their best to get me on a table to take some xrays of my rib.

Waiting ... waiting ... waiting ... keeping David occupied and not scared one bit in the ER was semi daunting but we did it. Mommy was real hurt, we were in a very white and weird place. Doctors poking mommy. Here ... color this coloring book. OOOOoooo look ... stickers! But as per the usual David ... he was amazing. More calm than we were.

Results ... no break. Phew. Just some torn ligaments/cartilage between ribs. Pain will continue because ... well ... I'm alive and breathing. But it will subside more quickly than a break. The catch ... will it be before Minius makes their arrival? Ugh ... I sure hope so. Labor, let alone delivery will be unbearable with this pain.

Not only do I have to worry about the pain ... but alas ... I have to get better. Because if my cold gets worse then I could end up with pneumonia prior to delivery and really get a hospital stay.

Off to rest and get healthy ... Minius could be here any day ...

Last chance for the pumpkin patch

Since David has been obsessed with the pumpkin patch and Halloween marked the official last day before they closed we headed out for some last minute pumpkin patch fun. We were just two of very few people there. The staff was working on breaking down everything. There were very few pumpkins out and the people were focused on other things other than selling pumpkins. They were ready to move on it seemed. But it was still the early afternoon of one of the kids' favorite holidays because afterall it was socially acceptable to dress up and wander around asking for, receiving and eating candy. :)


 
 

 

 We enjoyed our quiet time at the pumpkin patch together. It was a cool afternoon. I wanted a few more 'lasts' for David before his sibling showed up. Last things where he was the only one vying for attention. Before he had to share the lime light. But in the end ... he is very excited for the new arrival and looking forward to sharing the spot light with Minius. He's such a wonderful little boy. So joyous Loving. Spirited. He's going to be an excellent big brother. Afterall, he has two parents that they themselves are little siblings. So we'll be the ones to create the best big sibling. :)
 

 


 
 

I had such a fun time watching him play. Live life fully. No regrets. Full steam ahead.

 

 

David took the below photo himself. Not bad for just over 2yrs. :) Mind you, my heart was racing and praying that he didn't drop the camera.

 

 
more cheap fun.