William "Liam" Henry Manning

Our third and final baby boy is finally here! We named him William Henry after his Great Grandfather and his Grandfather and are going to call him Liam. He was born on September 14th at 7:42 am weighing 8 pounds 9 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long.

39 weeks - on our way to the hospital

This birthing experience was so different than my previous ones. First of all, I actually made it to my scheduled date. I still cannot believe it. We got to the hospital at 5:30 that morning and checked in. Bill and Beckie met us there so they could help take care of the boys while I was prepped for surgery. My mom and dad arrived shortly afterwards. I couldn't eat or drink since the night before and this caused a few problems for the nurses to find a vein to draw blood and start an IV. It took two nurses to finally find a vein for the IV and a few pricks. One of the pricks even left a huge 3 - 4 inch bruise on my arm. Then they had to call the lab to draw blood since they were having such a hard time.

It seemed like time was flying by and then they wheeled me into the operating room. I climbed onto the operating table and they put in my epidural. Shortly after my epidural was put in, they brought John into the OR and they got started.

Having a c-section is a very weird feeling. I was completely numb from my chest down to where I couldn't even move my toes. However, you can feel pressure. It actually hurt when they pulled Liam out of me. He cried, though, as soon as he came out and that is the most precious sound in the whole world.

They quickly took him over to the warmer and started cleaning him off. John went over to be with him and the warmer was in a place that I could see as well. As soon as Liam was all clean and warm they brought him over for me to see and took a picture of the three of us.

John and Liam then went back to my room where the nurse finished up with Liam. As soon as my surgery was complete they wheeled me back into my room and they handed Liam to me for the first time. I was a little nervous because I get the shakes terribly bad from the anesthesia but one of the nurses told me that holding the baby would help. I was skeptical but it actually worked.

John then went out to the waiting room and brought Carter and Preston back to meet their little brother. Carter was very sweet and Preston, well, Preston was and still is just very curious.

After we had time as a family of 5, the rest of the family came back and we announced his name. It was an exciting moment to finally share his name, especially since it is such a special name.

I was then taken to my post partum room where we remained until Thursday, September 17th. Liam spent most of the time in my room with a few trips to the nursery so we could sleep. He is such a good baby. He loves to sleep as did my other two boys. He also loves to eat and is a great nurser. We had a few hiccups the first couple of days but I worked with a great lactation consultant in the hospital and as soon as my milk came in all of the problems disappeared.

He is now almost two weeks old and I can hardly believe it. I know time is going to fly by and I want it to slow down. With Liam being our last I know I am going to try to hold onto each and every little thing. He is already a little more alert and having a little more awake time. Before I know it he is going to be running around with this brothers.

My Dear Liam, We are so blessed to have you in our family. I cannot wait to create more memories with you and watch you grow up. You are my baby and will forever remain my baby. I love you, sweet Liam!

Family of Five!

Dr. Jacoby - my wonderful doctor!