gabe is 5!

Gabriel turns 5 today. I am working on writing out the kids' birth stories, as I never have, and even though it's out of order, it seems like a good time to tell what I remember of his birth. My mom is working on writing about it from her perspective, too, and I can't wait!

I was SO DONE with being pregnant. It was the middle of the summer in Georgia, and I was hot, tired, and uncomfortable. I convinced my doctor that he should induce me at 39 weeks, and was so excited! Well, the day of the induction, I got a bad surprise. Our hospital only had 6 labor and delivery rooms, and they were all full. My elective induction was out the window.

I was so upset, and I cried and cried. Tyrone went to work, and I wasn't sure when we would meet our 2nd son. Well, as luck would have it, Gabriel was meant to come! My water broke the very day that I was to be induced, and the hospital was forced to make room for me.....but not before Gabe and I ate a big bowl of collard greens :) I knew it would be awhile before I ate again.

My labor with Gabe was about 8 hours, from when things started getting intense, and I received several doses of pain medication, but no epidural. Mom arrived at some point, but I honestly don't remember when. Tyrone's dad also stayed for awhile, and of course Tyrone was there! Things were pretty uneventful, aside from the pain, of course!

Gabriel Joseph Martin was born a beautiful, healthy, 7lb, 4oz, 20 inch long little boy at 8:05 am, July 1, my smallest baby. He was perfect, and maybe a tad mad :) I specifically remember watching Tyrone watch Gabe and feeling my heart melt. A daddy in love with his newest son :)

My mom went home, Gabe went to the nursery to be checked out, and I was quickly taken out of L&D because they needed the room. I later found out that there were 8 babies born that day in those 6 rooms. I started feeling badly, and actually passed out in the wheelchair to my new room. Turns out, I was hemorrhaging and almost ended up not being able to have more children. I required 2 units of blood and some extra hospital time.

Other then some jaundice, Gabe was perfect and able to leave the hospital when I was. Kaleb was 2 1/2 and taken with his new baby brother, constantly wanting to cover him up with his blanket. Sibling rivalry wouldn't rear it's ugly head for at least a year :)

Our lives have been fuller, crazier, more loving, and busier since Gabe entered them, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Happy birthday, buddy. We love you!