Maximus James

Sorry it has taken me so long to post pictures of Maximus, but I have been busy resting and enjoying my sweet baby boy :)

Flowers from Cognex saying Congrats on your new Cognoid :)

Maximus James was born three days after his due date on Friday, May 9th at 4:07 pm.  We tried to get induced May 8th so Paul could go to his Grandma's funeral the next day, but there weren't any hospital beds available so we had to try again the next day.  We were admitted at midnight on the 9th.  After all the paper work was done, they started pumping Penicillin in me because I had Group Beta Strep.  They wanted to get 2 doses in me, which had to be given every 4 hours, before they tried to move labor along, so Paul and I were able to get some sleep.  By 8:30 am, the doctor came in to check on us.  I really wanted to avoid getting Petocin if I could, so I asked if they could try breaking my water to see if labor would pick up on its own.  I had been having contractions on and off for the past two days, so I was hoping the combination of contractions and breaking my water would do the trick.

We waited for hours, watching the Titanic while I bounced on an exercise ball.  The pain started picking up by early afternoon, so I asked for my epidural.  I asked for a lower dose this time around so I could feel my legs....so glad I did that!  I could feel the contractions but they weren't painful.  Then from 2:45 to 3:30, I went from 7 to 10 centimeters and was ready to push.  Three pushes and he was born!

Dr. Wilson holding Maximus

The doctors and nurses couldn't believe how big he was!  A whopping 9 lbs. 2 ounces and 20.5 inches long!  By far my biggest baby yet.

It seems like we waited FOREVER for this baby to come!  Note to self: Don't expect a baby to come early just because the others did.  We were so glad to finally hold him in our arms!

Proud papa

Already smitten

By the time they moved me to the recovery room, it was already 6:30 pm.  Paul stayed around for about 45 more minutes, then left to relieve our friends, the McCarthys, from kid duty.  He brought the girls by the next morning to meet their new baby brother.

The girls checking out their new brother!

Our 5 kiddos.  I was quite impressed with how well Paul did getting the girls dressed & doing their hair!

Little Mama, Ava, holding Max

The little girls giving Mommy some love

My babies

Madeline and Max

The oldest and the youngest

Baby burrito

Sweet baby face

It is amazing how much cuter babies get each day.  They are born all puffy and red, but even after 24 hours, they look like a whole new baby.  I know I am biased, but I think he is the cutest little thing I've ever seen! :) 

Maximus' "Lil Bro"going home outfit seemed quite fitting

So tiny in the carseat

Max and I got to come home on Sunday, which happened to be Mother's Day.  I can't think of a better Mother's Day gift than a new life to love!  We were greeted with a beautiful Mother's Day display of roses, a "To a Fabulous Mom" balloon, and toilet paper streamers!  Rose had planned the whole thing out by making a grocery list of exactly what she wanted to get and putting the plan in place.  They worked hard the night before on special crafts for me.  It was very sweet.

My beautiful roses

Crafts from the girls

Ken and Joy came to help with the girls on Saturday and Sunday.  They took the girls out to eat, helped them with their crafts, took them to the store to pick out something special...the girls had a great time with them!   

Fun with Grandma Joy

Our family

Proud Grandparents

The little ones already fighting for Daddy's attention

Max rocking some camo in his "Rocket ship" seat, as the girls call it

Ella wasn't so sure of Max at first.  The day after he came home, she said, "I don't want a new baby.  He cries a lot."  But now she loves him and goes up to him multiple times a day to rub his head or give him a kiss.  Yesterday she took care of her baby doll all morning while the big girls were outside.  And when I fed Max, she fed her baby just the same.  I know a new baby takes some getting used to, but she is really doing great!

He's awake!

My mom came the next day to stay with us for the week.  I LOVE, love, love having her here!!!  It is so nice for me and the girls to have that one on one time with her.  I am so grateful for all her help, especially since Paul had to go out of town for a few days.  And she was so good with the girls.  She made pancakes, played card games with them, pushed them on the swings, let Ella style her hair, etc.  And she has the magic touch when it comes to babies.  She can always calm them down.  I hope to be as good as her some day!

Ella, the hair stylist

Grandma Titus with all her Klinker grandbabies

Paul and Ella admiring the babe

Max and Paul getting to know one another

The girls are so good with Max.  As soon as they wake up in the morning, they start asking to hold him.  They shush him and sing to him when he cries.  They bounce him and give him his paci...just like little mothers.  And Max is so good to let them hold him, even when he is wide awake.  I don't think Max was put down the whole first week of his life!

Maximus in his baby polo

Talking to my little man

Love his little pullover sweater (thanks, Anthony!)

Baby love

Max's crazy hair

We are looking forward to Maximus' baptism this weekend
and to the rest of the family getting to meet him!