new momma

OK, so I am totally in love with my child. It is all Ansel, all the time around here and we couldn't be happier.
Currently he is fast asleep in a sling around me which is the only way I can type and get things done.
I'd like to use this spot to post current pics of Ansel and keep you all up to date on his progress. You can check in as you please without being bombarded by emails from us with large picture files. There may be times when I deviate from the main purpose of the blog so bare with me.
If you did not receive Ansel's birth story I have included it below.

Dear Friends and Family,

We’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our family: Ansel Montes Leeds Born: Sunday, May 27, 2007 2:33 p.m. 6 lb 8 oz 19 inches

Sunday started as a normal day. I was having mild cramping which I thought were Braxton Hicks (practice ) contractions. Then my water broke in a trickle. I was in denial and had a small breakfast while I debated calling the hospital. As it became clear to me that I was probably in labor and when one’s water breaks the baby has to come out within 24 hours, I decided to call and they told us to come in. We showered and took our time. I was beginning to get more uncomfortable but nothing that I couldn’t talk through or made me double over. We drove the 10 minute trip to the hospital, almost stopping at a garage sale, parked on the street and walked a block, and went up to triage an hour after we’d called them. They did not think my labor had really started because I looked too comfortable. Within an hour I became very uncomfortable and started to have clearer contractions and wanting some meds. They called a doctor to check on me (so far I had not seen a doctor). For those who do not know, the baby had been in a breech position for weeks and I’d tried acupuncture, yoga, an external version procedure and chiropractor services to get it to turn head down. Nothing worked and at my next prenatal appointment we were going to schedule a c-section for my due date which is June 9 (13 days later). The doctor on Sunday said since I’d eaten that we’d probably wait 6-8 hours to do a c-section that day. Then she checked my dialation and said I was already 4 cm and that the baby had to come out within an hour. They prepped OR and wheeled me in, started the epidural which was great and delivered our son! He wouldn’t turn because he had one foot up behind his ear and the other bent with his knee in my pelvis! You can see in the pictures that his legs are always sticking straight up.
I may be biased but he is the cutest, sweetest, best baby in the world. We spent three nights in the hospital and came home last night. Breastfeeding is going well and I am dealing with pain management for the surgery, healing well. Grandma and Grandpa Montes are thrilled to bits with their first grandchild. Grandma Leeds arrives tomorrow to meet her first grandson. We’re looking forward to the coming weeks as we get used to our new life and my body heals itself so I can take Ansel on walks and visits.
Love.
Diana. Jeremy and Ansel