It's a boy!

Photography by Nicole Benitez, Perfectly Posh Photography
http://perfectlyposhphotography.blogspot.com/

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I gathered the courage to take maternity photos when I hit 38 weeks, and I guess it's a good thing I did because I wasn't pregnant much longer...

We are proud to announce that Cole Isaiah Geraghty joined our family at 2:10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25th. He weighed in at a 7 lb 8 oz and was 20" long. He's completely healthy and such a good baby!!!!!

What a miracle


Our beautiful boy


Look at that tiny butt...he's keeping up the family tradition


My labor began around 4:30 Friday morning, but I wasn't exactly sure what to make of it. The contractions were weak to moderate, short, and very far apart. This went on all day. How irritating. So I went about things as usual. Caden and I watched Brian compete in an intramural track meet, ran some errands, and I did a little work in the afternoon. All the while, I had these strange half contractions. When Brian got home, we talked about his day and then I threw in there, by the way, I'm having contractions. Real ones, he asked. Hmmm...I think so...?!

But things continued to go slowly. The hospital encouraged me to just stay home, so that's what we did. The neighbor girls kept me company watching TV. Well, I watched TV. They watched ME, with huge smiles, almost like they were waiting for me to give them a present. After they left, Brian and I settled in on the couch, ready for a long night. We went for the spontaneous TV movie again (with Cade, it was Young Guns...this time, Con Air). As the hours passed, I got tired and frustrated. What am I doing wrong?! Brian held my hand and provided encouragement. You're getting closer, he said. But I'm not sure if he was convinced since he started playing X-Box.

Yep, I'm in labor. See my card that I kept track on?


Around 1:00 a.m., I finally progressed. And when I say progressed, I mean REALLY progressed. My contractions jumped to 6-minute intervals and by the time we called the hospital, summoned our babysitter Brandee, gathered our stuff, and got on the road, they were 3 minutes apart, and dropping. Holy crap...we're in fast forward now. We had a 45-minute drive ahead of us so Brian picked up speed and got pulled over leaving base. Luckily, the MPs didn’t want to deliver the kid themselves and they sent us on our way without hesitation.

The drive took forever even though Brian made it in under 40 minutes. He drove like he was trying out for Nascar. On a few turns, I thought the baby might fall out. We got into some heavy rain. Apparently we don’t drive to the hospital unless it’s bad weather. Then we got to the gate to get on base and it was locked. You have GOT to be kidding me. (Brian had some choice words at that point.) He pulled over a cab driver, got directions, and whipped a U-turn around him. We finally found the front gate and the hospital and an Army EMT helped get me upstairs. I'm relieved the pre-admission paperwork was done because it was hard enough signing the one form they gave me.

Check-in time...1:50 a.m.

Delivery…2:10 a.m.

Do the math. Yeah, 20 minutes. Brian’s Nascar skills were an undiscovered, NECESSARY talent. So all of you that told me, "Get to the hospital earlier this time!" I failed miserably.

The delivery went well. I was dilated 7 cm when we arrived and at 10 within no time. No time for an epidural. Heck, my doctor barely had a time to get on a gown and gloves. She told me I couldn't push quite yet. Who cares about the gown...let's GO!

I was soooo incredibly elated to see that I had another little boy. He is so beautiful and perfect and I just know I was meant to have 2 boys. They'll be buddies. Brian had a smug grin on his face too. He said, "So it's true...I DO only sire males." Now the difficult part...a name. The poor little guy was Infant Geraghty for half a day. Good thing we brought the baby books. His name is perfect for him though. Isaiah means "God is Salvation."

Trying to name Infant Geraghty (obviously he's trying really hard)


Nobody can deny that Cole is so incredibly cute. He has Brian’s nose for sure, but I think my chin. Mom says his mouth looks just like mine in my baby pictures. His hair color is fair just like Caden’s. He has a round little face and the baby frog legs that Caden had. The neighbor girls could not believe how big his feet are.

Hey bright eyes!


Check out the sideburns


Little frog legs


Very proud Daddy


Tiny hands


Cole was tolerant of all the uproar the first day but the second day was rough. We had some complications with the circumcision. He bled a lot and they had to cauterize around it. They say it will heal fine. Brian and I were both exceedingly upset but there can be complications with any procedure and there’s nothing we can do now. We just pray it heals fine and our little man isn’t in too much pain. We have an appointment tomorrow so I hope we get good feedback.

We got home from the hospital yesterday and I was beyond relieved. We stayed 2 1/2 days and that old army hospital was not a luxury hotel. They eventually switched us to a private C-section room, which was a huge plus. But when we initially got here, we shared a stuffy room with another family and I had to walk down the hall to use the restroom. The supplies were bottom of the line. We got good care in Labor and Delivery but in the Mother Baby Unit, we didn't get any extra attention. The circumcision issues didn't help our level of satisfaction either. I think Caden sensed our discomfort. He went into meltdown every time the nurses so much as touched "his baby."

Time to take Cole home!


Little helper


We're settling into life with 2 kids pretty well, although the house is trashed and I feel like I'm behind on everything (like blogging). I'm feeling really well and am recovering fast. Cole is such a good baby too, so that helps. He eats beautifully and sleeps a ton. I actually got more sleep last night than I have in months.

Our friends here also have helped make the transition so easy on us. They took care of Caden and maintained his normal routines (Brandee and Caryn even spent the night). They decorated the house for our return home and they brought us meals for every night this week. What a blessing.

I'm sure you're wondering what big brother thinks of all this. In short, he absolutely adores Cole. He took to him immediately, patting his soft hair and giving hugs and kisses. He picked out a "trucks" sleeper for him and even drew him some pictures. He's legitimately helpful, especially when I'm feeding Cole. He brings me things when I ask. We did have one incident of jealousy today where he tried to shove Cole away and wanted me to hold him instead, but I'd say we're doing pretty well so far. I think it helped that we talked about the baby in a positive way for so long, and encouraged Caden to pat and love my baby belly. The only problem is he seems to think there's a baby still in there and wants to talk to it. Oh my. I've apparently created some confusion.

He loves to pet Cole

First time holding little brother (and I do NOT need your help, Dad)


I love you so much Baby Cole, I'll share Froggy (for 5 seconds)

I made you a picture


Both my boys in bed


Did Caden grow overnight? He looks like a giant.


My parents arrive Friday and cannot wait to meet him. Mom was especially disappointed that they missed the actual arrival but we've been on the phone and Webcam constantly. Pat and Pam arrive mid August as well. Yay!

Thanks to all of you for the well wishes. I apologize that it's taken me so much time to get to this. Life is busier now! To really impress you, I'm feeding Cole while I write this. Yeah, I rock.

Can't kiss him enough