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Daddy sleeps. A nap well deserved! I know moms and babies get all the focus thus often leaving dads feeling left out and neglected. Well let me go on record and say that we have one awesome Daddy in our house. He’s been an amazing partner with seemingly endless patience and understanding. I couldn’t be more grateful to travel this parenting journey together! Teddy meets Coco, Papa and Aunt Kiki!  

We busted out a little early and were excited to head home to see Andrew and start this new life outside of the hospital! 

Welcome to the world Henry Theodore Phillips! We are elated to finally meet you….and learn that you are actually a HE!

Little man Teddy was born EXACTLY on his due date; February 18, 2017 at 2:18 am in Morristown, NJ. He weighed 7 lbs 13 oz and was 21 1/4 inches long. He’s ever so slightly larger than his brother at birth although currently possesses a lighter more ‘Kleinfelter’ shade of hair. But like his big brother, he has wonderfully blue eyes.

So, how did it all happen?! Well the story is much shorter and less painful than his brothers’ but here it goes. Around 7pm on Friday February 17, 2017 I started with contractions. Instantly the contractions were long enough (1 minute in duration) and close enough (5-8 minutes apart) which put us into the ‘zone.’ After the required 1 hour of consistent contractions we called the doctor. While we could have waited slightly longer, I now knew the power, beauty and wonder that is an Epidural and did NOT want to miss my window. So we called the doc, shared our data (again tracked by the appropriate app) and were given the green light to head to the hospital.

I kissed Andrew goodbye (an obvious new step in the process from last time) who was already in bed, hugged my parents and off we went. I was admitted to the hospital around 10 pm- at which point my contractions were consistently 2-3 minutes apart and I was 5cm dilated. By 12 am I was in my room being visited by the miracle man, aka the anesthesiologist, with my Epidural. After his stop in delivery room 12, I was in my happy place. But I was still having some intense pain in my back so the doctor gave me a ‘bolster’ which took me then to my VERY  happy place. Afterwards I felt nothing, no where.

Slightly after the happy drugs the doctor broke my water which consequently kicked my contractions up to 90 seconds apart. At 1:55 am the pushing began and by 2:18 am on February 18, 2017 Henry Theodore Phillips joined the world, completed our little family and filled our hearts with endless love! So were we surprised that HTP was a boy? Simply put, ‘yup.’ Both Andy and I were non-committal on Teddy’s gender during pregnancy but deep down thought he would be a she. I mean how could the Chinese gender chart, ring test, heart beat analysis and various other old wives tales be wrong?! It’s practically science. BUT we are blessed to be the parents of two cute little boys and can’t wait to start this new chapter in the Phillips family adventure! Bring on the planes, trains, diggers, cars, and all things little boy!

And why Henry Theodore? Henry is a family name on Andy’s side and Theodore, well we just loved the name Teddy. So why not name a boy you adore with a name you love?!

There’s no question now, we’re in the home stretch with baby #2! Our due date is officially 5 days away! February 18, 2017 felt light years away when we started this journey in June and now it’s hard to believe we’ll be a family of four in just days! But seriously, any time this baby wants to make it’s grand entrance is fine with me. I’m mentally ready, my bags are packed, slightly rested from the weekend (about as good as it will get), there’s no snow in the forecast, all grandparents are in position and I’m pretty sure Andy is well over my daily (really hourly) complaining about my general discomfort.

So as we start to close this pregnancy chapter (FOREVER! There will be NO trying for a 3rd folks), I thought it important to take a moment to reflect….because I may never get a moment to myself EVER again.

• What did I like most about being pregnant? To be honest, the 40 weeks leading up to child birth is not my fave. It’s uncomfortable, filled with restrictions on things I can’t eat, drink and do (which I don’t do well with) and just exhausting. But knowing at the end of this journey I’ve helped create a perfect little person with my best friend is pretty astounding and humbling. It somehow makes it all worth it. I’d also add that pregnancy is without question a bonding experience. The level of truly ‘REAL’- I mean downright deeply personal and sometimes gross- conversations I’ve had with my closest support system of other mommies has without question strengthened bonds with some of my most favorite people. I feel so lucky to have an amazing network of women and a wonderfully understanding husband in my corner.
• What did I like least? I miss wine. And not feeling like I’m constantly going to pee my pants.
• Does it feel different the second time? Yes! Baby P #2 is WAY more active than Andrew. I’m talking full somersaults and kickboxing in utero…constantly. God help us if this child is even more active, energetic and curious than Andrew!
• What am I most excited about? Seeing Andrew as a big brother.
• What am I most nervous about? Handling the inevitable toddler tantrum in Costco, Target, Wegmans, etc. with a fiery two year old and infant. Literally carrying two kids at once scares me…
• Girl or Boy? We took an unofficial poll a few weeks ago. Grandma and Grandpa James vote girl. Coco and Papa vote girl. Aunt Kiki votes girl. The Barbas vote boy (though are VERY much hoping for a niece!). Andrew just wants to name the baby- boy or girl- Bob. Daddy won’t commit to a guess. And mommy just wants it healthy and out.
• When will the big day actually happen? Today works. But I think this kid will be much closer to their due date, just like big brother.

So for now we wait, enjoy our last few days with just Andrew and I look like this: