Alexander Porter Sherman...

Alex was born at 7:33 a.m., on December 29, 2011.  He weighed 9 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 1/4 " long.  He's a little smaller than Sam was, but not too much.  Apparently, I'm incapable of having "normal" sized children. 

Since I'm a repeat c-section, we checked in at 6:00 that morning.  I actually slept okay that night, which is a miracle since I haven't slept the last 3 months of this pregnancy.  I just kept having dreams that I overslept, or that I couldn't get to the hospital.  Weird, I know. 

We got there, went through all of my medical information with the doctors and anaesthesiologists, and pretty soon I was walking into the OR.  It was a little surreal to say the least.  Last time everything moved so fast.  This time, I chatted with the nurses and doctors while we were getting ready.

In what seemed like no time at all, they had started.  With Sam, I was so overwhelmed by the fact that we were about to actually have a child that I don't think I truly understood what was happening.  This time I heard Alex cry for the first time, and I cried like, well, a baby.

We headed to the recovery room, and we got to love on Alex.  I was able to nurse him, and it seems that he's going to be much better at that than his brother was. Our parents and Sam came in to see him, and I think it finally hit Sam that "baby Alex" was not a figment of his imagination.  So far, Sam has been very sweet, and it doesn't seem that he's had any major jealousy issues.  Fingers crossed that this will continue. 

Overall recovery was a little harder this time, but the past few days I've truly felt like myself.  I've got to say that there is a special place for labor & delivery nurses and mother/child care nurses.  I had some seriously sweet and caring people who worked with us while we were in the hospital.  As Anthony put it, "If I ever have to be in the hospital, I'm requesting to be put on the L & D floor."

And now, the obnoxious amount of pictures...

Getting checked out by the nurses

Sam checking out his brother

Sam brought his new camera to the hospital so he could snap some photos.

Proud dad and big brother

The grandparents checking out their new grandson

Snuggling with Alex

Up close and personal with Alex

So far, so good...

First pic as a family of four

As a friend put it, "Sam is so over it."

Sam, Alex, and Papa-Sissy

(Sam refers to his daddy's parents as one hyphenated person.  It's like their rap star name.)

Daddy with both of his boys

And another family pic--pardon the puffiness

Meeting his great-grandmother and great-aunt

Sound asleep

Leaving the hospital

Big brother "helping" feed his little brother

It's amazing how much Sam and Alex look alike--not that I'm surprised...

Sam

Sam

Sam

Alex

Alex

As much as I absolutely loathe being pregnant, I am so glad that I'm able to do it and have healthy babies.  This 2nd pregnancy has certainly not been easy--9 months of nausea and vomiting, horrible indigestion & acid reflux, back pain, and 3 trips to the hospital (4 if you count delivery.)  In the end, it's worth it.  I have 2 sweet baby boys.