Hello friends ~ so excited to introduce you to the newest member of our family! He showed up a few days ago at 7lbs 13oz, a little over a pound more than his sister.
Won’t go into many details like with Nori’s birth story, but I was a few days overdue, trying to get comfy in bed (an impossible task), when what I thought were Braxton hicks / practice contractions started to feel increasingly more painful. Not long after, I was hollering loudly from contractions every 30 minutes, while a groggy Nick uttered his famous last words “just try to relax and get some sleep…”
You’re usually advised not to go to the hospital until contractions are at a 5-1-1 frequency (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long, for 1 hour), and with Nori it took half a day at home to get that point. Nevertheless I barked that we needed to get going ASAP, and sure enough, by the time we checked into the hospital at 2AM, my contractions were ~ every 3 minutes and I welcomed that epidural with open arms!
My first time giving birth at this hospital, I was much too nervous to look at the big mirror they offered to roll into the delivery room. Curiosity got the best of me this time, and WOW…all I can say is our bodies are amazing and I can see why my husband looked so ashen!
Everyone kept telling me that pushing would be quicker the 2nd time around and that baby would slide right out, but my first was definitely the easier delivery ; ) I learned at the hospital that baby boy was positioned “sunny side up” or head down, but facing my belly instead of my back (which apparently can result in more intense contractions, and a more painful or prolonged birthing experience). The doctors tried manually turning him as I pushed, and I also recall a lot of olive oil packets being drizzled down there to facilitate the process!
All in all I’m grateful for a fairly straightforward labor & delivery – especially considering the additional precautions during COVID. For my hospital that meant you or your support person can’t leave your delivery room once you’re in, less hands-on interaction with postpartum nurses, and while I did have a mask on the entire time during labor and pushing I barely noticed it to be honest. Every hospital is different, so if you’re birthing this year definitely check with your hospital beforehand.
As far as recovery goes, oh how quickly we forget this stage … even though I knew what to expect, it hasn’t made it easier (especially since each birth can be quite different!). I do know to lend myself much more grace this time around, and having my mom here to help has been a godsend! Nori has been spoiled by her beloved “po po” with daily home baked goodies and trips to her favorite parks.
Big sister Nori practicing how to hold the baby!
Nick in a bit of disbelief that he’s now a dad of two!
You have a beautiful, precious baby boy! Congratulations! The day he was born was also my grandson’s birthday! Congratulations on your beautiful family!
Growing up I’ve never had a family to cherish and to love….so it’s a true blessing to be able to be a part of your family, albeit spiritually and not in the physical sense.
For some of us, we can only imagine what it would be like when our chance to have a loving family finally arrives;
Until then, may your family be forever blessed.
In LORD Jesus Name.
Jean, congratulations to you and your growing family!!! Sending hugs. I’m one of your many long-time followers and my heart is full seeing pics of you and your family 💜. I’m due with my 2nd LO in 6 weeks and had PPD after my 1st. Just know you are very Loved :).
When my friend, who took 18 hours to deliver her first boy, delivered her second son in an hours, I thought my second child would just slide right out with minimal pushing as my first child only took me 3.5 hours to deliver. But no, even though my second child came out in 1.5 hours, the contractions were still as intense, and pushing was still as tough. And my son was even 1 oz lighter than his sister. *shrugs* Oh well. Anyways, congrats and welcome little handsome Rio!
Thank you for sharing, Jean. So happy for the new addition to your family! He’s a handsome little man and I can’t wait to hear all about the transition from 1 to 2 kids, when that day comes. Wishing you a good recovery. Get lots of rest! ❤️
Welcome to the world Rio! You are so adorable. Congratulations Nick and Jean!
Maureen
Huge congrats on Rio! He is absolutely beautiful and so sweet … so very happy for all four of you! 🙂
I love that you included a postpartum picture – so valuable to normalize childbirth and the real postpartum experience.
CONGRATULATIONS! Rio is absolutely perfect and I just love how excited Nori looks holding her little bro.🤗
I had a rough long time pushing too, because Penny was almost sunny side up and coming out at an angle. It’s crazy how fast you forget this though. Enjoy your time home and lots of sweet snuggles with the little man.
Congratulations! Really happy for you. Look at his chubby little cheeks. How cute
Oh, my gosh! I looked away and Rio is here already! So happy for you and Nick and Nori, and so glad you’ve got your Mom’s support as you all settle in together. Love and hugs!
Congratulations! Wishing you and your family all the best.
Welcome to the world, Rio! What a sweet family of 4! Congratulations to both you & Nick 🙂 Can’t wait to see Nori be the best big sister to her di di!
Congratulations to your beautiful, growing family! You are so sweet to share you personal family story. Be kind to yourself and enjoy these precious newborn moments again!
This post, the pictures! Joyful and Beautiful!
Congrats!!!! Glad mama and baby are doing so well. You guys look wonderful 🙂
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story. You are so lucky!
Congratulations!!! Rio is such an alert baby. A sunny side up delivery ; I feel your pain! I had the same with my second one and you are doing all the pushing not the baby.. try to use the sitz bath multiple times in the day.. it does help! Best wishes to you and the fam!
Jean, I am so so happy for you, Nick, and Nori!! It occurred to me this morning that I hadn’t been on EP since August … and something told me that your little one had arrived! Welcome to the world baby Rio! May you all be surrounded by love, grace and health. 🙂
Congratulations to you all!
Awww. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful son. So happy for all of you and I’m glad you are doing well.
Congratulations!! I love his name!
Dear Jean. I have been looking at your website every day to see when the new baby arrived and I’m so pleased to see that baby Rio arrived safe and sound. I’m equally pleased that you’re doing well too. I was so happy to hear that your mom is there with you, even though I saw from an earlier post she came out to stay for awhile to help with everything. What a great mom. Well Rio is adorable and so is Nori. Thank you so much for sharing your stories. I really enjoy hearing about you and even though I don’t know you personally, I care about you a lot. I even send your special announcements to my family because I’m so happy for you. Love, Valeri
Huge congratulations to you guys!! He is so precious and handsome! Enjoy the snuggles 🥰 w a heart full of happiness.
Congratulations Jean and Nick. Seeing your family made me tear up. I’m so so happy for you all 💗💗💗💗
Felicitations on your bundle of pure joy! Sending you all strength (and hopefully a bit of sleep!) in the days ahead. And, can’t wait to learn more about the origin of baby Rio’s name. 🙂
Rio is so adorable! Congratulations mama! Wishing you a speedy recovery
Congrats & so v happy for u all. Welcome to the world Rio🌟❣️
OMG! Congrats girlie! You have a beautiful family.
Sincerely,
May
He’s adorable! And Nori is so sweet. Congratulations!
Congrats to you and your family!! Glad it was a safe and healthy delivery!
awww. So cute!
Rio is gorgeous, Jean! Congratulations to you and your family — I am so happy for you! 🙂
Congratulations! He’s adorable. I saw the bruise on Nick’s hand and laughed thinking–maybe Jean bit him after he told her to try and relax lol. Glad everything went well. Enjoy your little one!
Jean!! Thanks so much for taking time to share an update even a week PP! Congratulations on another healthy birth and on your beautiful family. Looking forward to meeting Rio and falling in love with him like we have with Nori. Be well!
Love your beautiful sweet family! Congratulations and welcome precious Rio!
Beautiful!!! A beautiful family you have! Enjoy every moment, and thank you for sharing this momentous occasion with us, your readers!
Jean, congratulations to you and your family! My goodness, Rio is so adorable! Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations!! He’s beautiful. Motherhood looks lovely on you.
Welcome baby Rio!! I had a mosquito bite on my ankle after my second was born, and the puffy legs made it nearly unbearable (ridiculous thing to say after birth/pregnancy I know), so I feel you! But compression socks were a lifesaver 👍 highly recommend.
Rio is so sweet and precious, Jean!!!!! Nori holding him is just to much for me! I can’t! What a beautiful family!! xoxo Fernanda
Happy to read that you had a safe delivery. My husband said something similar with my first pregnancy. “Are you sure this is it. Lets try to get some rest.” With my seventh, he only asked to for a five minute shower ( he was outside all day building a roof in Charleston on a hot June day).
Thank you again for sharing your body postpartum. It is a topic that should be discussed more openly to help both young men and women understand all aspects of parenthood. Our bodies go through so much during pregnancy and afterwards. Take care and enjoy your bundles love.
Congratulations! Rio is perfectly beautiful, as is Nori. May God bless you and your family.
Hi! Congratulations! Rio is beautiful and I love seeing him interact with Nori!
I’m so happy for you and wish you all the best!
Congratulations, Jean! Baby Rio is gorgeous. So happy for you!
Congratulations
Wonderful news! Congratulations!
What a perfect little guy and what beautiful family photos!
Wishing you happiness always!
Cat