Silas Arthur

On October 23rd, our lives were forever blessed by the arrival of our first son, Silas Arthur Charlebois. He is so extremely perfect; we are all smitten by him! I already can barely remember what life was like before him or what it would be like without him.

The story of Silas' arrival is much different than any of the girls' births were. After a very easy and normal pregnancy, I started developing some more unusual symptoms I had never experienced with the girls. During the final weeks leading up to his birth, I had been experiencing hip pain, especially on the right side. At first it was just annoying, then it started to become painful, and then it started going out on me completely at inopportune times.

When it got bad enough, I called my doctor to see what could be done to help me function as a pregnant mother of three with a hip that wouldn't support me. His said the only way to make it go away was to have a baby. We scheduled an appointment for the next day for him to check my cervix, and if things were favorable, set up a plan for an induction.

The next morning I hobbled my way into his office with all three girls in tow. I was already 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced; the doctor said it would be easy to put me into labor if we wanted to go that route. I was all for it (get this baby out of me!), and expected to set up a time in the next couple of days to induce. Imagine my surprise when he told me I could head straight upstairs and get the process going! I told him I had to take the girls home, call JP, wait for my mother-in-law to come watch the kids, and then I'd come in.

JP and I arrived at the hospital around 12:30 pm. At 1:30 they gave me a cervix ripener thingy. I started having contractions, but they were very mild and about 6-7 minutes apart; not hard labor by any means. At 5:30 the doctor came in and broke my water. Right away the contractions picked up and became more intense. A little bit later I got an epidural and all was beautiful again. For the next couple of hours JP and I watched TV, barely aware that I was in labor at all. I was so comfortable that I thought my contractions had stopped altogether even though they hadn't.

At 9:00 pm the nurse checked me again and said I was ready to push. JP went into the bathroom as the doctor was walking in. After the first push I knew this baby was coming fast. I called to JP to hurry up if he didn't want to miss it. Three pushes later Silas was born and I burst into tears at the sound of his sweet, tiny cry. 8 pounds, 7 ounces. 20.5" long. So perfect.

Tonight, I am in newborn heaven. There is absolutely nothing sweeter than snuggling my tiny baby boy, his warm little body close to me, tiny soft cheeks to kiss, that sweet newborn smell making my heart melt every time I breathe it in.

Silas weighed in at 8 pounds, 13 ounces at his one week checkup. From here on out it's a steady climb forward as my tiny son gets bigger and bigger every day. Within weeks his newborn stage will vanish and I'll have to pack away his tiny clothes. It doesn't seem fair that it should go so quickly, but I'll take every moment I can get.

Silas, you've already filled my heart with more love than I ever thought it could hold. I am completely smitten with your handsome face (looking just like your daddy!) and peaceful disposition. Your big sisters adore you and fight over who gets to hold you next. You are loved from every direction, and you always will be.

Now...I think I'll get off the computer and snuggle my baby. :)