We had a very exciting anniversary this year - Elias Matthew Walters was born 12/30/11 at 8:05pm. 6 lbs and 18.5 inches long. He was only 35.5 weeks, so a bit earlier than expected. Just so happened that he was born on our 7th wedding anniversary!
James has named the baby Cubby, because he loves the show Jake and the Neverland Pirates on the Disney Channel. James is so emphatic about the name (and has been ever since we found out he was expecting a brother) that we also call the baby Cubby most of the time.
Since it was our anniversary and Tobias was off work for the holidays still we decided to have a family day and we went to Annapolis, about 1.5 hours from home and where we planned to deliver. We went to a movie, got hair cuts for Tobias and James, and then to PF Chang's for dinner. Things got a bit exciting at dinner! We made it to the hospital at 7:15pm and Cubby was born at 8:05pm. I had a drug free natural child birth that went very smoothly. 
He was a very healthy baby and tolerated delivery very well. Apgar 9/9 - just like James!
Because we were so far from home and the labor happened so fast, James was at the hospital while I delivered. He was not in the room, but played right outside the room with his cars and dinosaurs. Luckily, we had friends in Annapolis shopping that day who came to the hospital as soon as they could and were able to take James home after meeting his baby brother!
James was amazing and handled all the excitement very well. As soon as he met Cubby, James said "Hi Cubby, I'm James and I'm your big brother and I love you." Tobias and I couldn't be more proud of our big boy!
Me and our boys just minutes after Cubby was born!
Tobias bonding with his son - I love this picture and we have a similar one from when James was born!
The day after Cubby was born, Tobias brought James back to the hospital where we all enjoyed a nap!
One proud Mama!
So fresh and so clean. Happy baby!
James has named the baby Cubby, because he loves the show Jake and the Neverland Pirates on the Disney Channel. James is so emphatic about the name (and has been ever since we found out he was expecting a brother) that we also call the baby Cubby most of the time.
Since it was our anniversary and Tobias was off work for the holidays still we decided to have a family day and we went to Annapolis, about 1.5 hours from home and where we planned to deliver. We went to a movie, got hair cuts for Tobias and James, and then to PF Chang's for dinner. Things got a bit exciting at dinner! We made it to the hospital at 7:15pm and Cubby was born at 8:05pm. I had a drug free natural child birth that went very smoothly. He was a very healthy baby and tolerated delivery very well. Apgar 9/9 - just like James!Because we were so far from home and the labor happened so fast, James was at the hospital while I delivered. He was not in the room, but played right outside the room with his cars and dinosaurs. Luckily, we had friends in Annapolis shopping that day who came to the hospital as soon as they could and were able to take James home after meeting his baby brother!James was amazing and handled all the excitement very well. As soon as he met Cubby, James said "Hi Cubby, I'm James and I'm your big brother and I love you." Tobias and I couldn't be more proud of our big boy!Me and our boys just minutes after Cubby was born!Tobias bonding with his son - I love this picture and we have a similar one from when James was born! The day after Cubby was born, Tobias brought James back to the hospital where we all enjoyed a nap!One proud Mama!Unfortunately, when Cubby was about 15 hours old he started to show signs of an infection. His respiratory rate increased, his color was poor, and he wasn't acting healthy. We had a great nurse who called the pediatrician immediately.
Cubby ended up in the NICU and was treated for sepsis which requires a 7 day treatment of IV antibiotics. Having a child in the NICU is awful although we are so thankful for the care he received. The hardest part for us was the separation. After 2 days in the NICU Cubby was moved to the step-down NICU where I was able to stay with him for the remainder of his treatment. Tobias and James stayed at home that week. It felt like my heart was being ripped in two pieces, I wanted to meet the needs of James and Cubby but I couldn't. Thank goodness Tobias is such a super dad! 
All the wires and IV fluids were so hard to see. It was amazing to see the rapid turnaround for Cubby - in just the first 24 hours in the NICU his condition improved and has continued to improve daily. We received great care and were lifted in prayer by our family and friends.
James was very understanding about Cubby needing to stay in the hospital. We explained that he was sick and needed medicine and James understood that. James is such a compassionate person! James handled all the medical equipment in the NICU well too and even enjoyed watching some cartoons while Cubby was in the NICU.
Cubby ended up in the NICU and was treated for sepsis which requires a 7 day treatment of IV antibiotics. Having a child in the NICU is awful although we are so thankful for the care he received. The hardest part for us was the separation. After 2 days in the NICU Cubby was moved to the step-down NICU where I was able to stay with him for the remainder of his treatment. Tobias and James stayed at home that week. It felt like my heart was being ripped in two pieces, I wanted to meet the needs of James and Cubby but I couldn't. Thank goodness Tobias is such a super dad! All the wires and IV fluids were so hard to see. It was amazing to see the rapid turnaround for Cubby - in just the first 24 hours in the NICU his condition improved and has continued to improve daily. We received great care and were lifted in prayer by our family and friends. James was very understanding about Cubby needing to stay in the hospital. We explained that he was sick and needed medicine and James understood that. James is such a compassionate person! James handled all the medical equipment in the NICU well too and even enjoyed watching some cartoons while Cubby was in the NICU. Cubby also struggled with jaundice and had to spend 2 days under the special bili-lights. His jaundice levels are now considered safe and continue to fall. 
It was really difficult to have the first 9 days of his life spent in the hospital. But we are so thankful that Cubby is now healthy. Parenting a premie brings different challenges than we had with James who was born at 7lbs 14 oz and was full term!
It was really difficult to have the first 9 days of his life spent in the hospital. But we are so thankful that Cubby is now healthy. Parenting a premie brings different challenges than we had with James who was born at 7lbs 14 oz and was full term! 
Family picture taken on the day Cubby was discharged from the hospital.
Hands - look at those beautiful hands.
Honestly, one of the sweetest pictures ever.
Who is more proud - Daddy or big brother?
Who is more proud - Daddy or big brother?
My mom flew in and met us at the hospital on discharge day. Here is Jill Mama meeting Cubby for the first time. 
Time to go home... finally. Cubby wore the same jumper we brought James home in 4 years ago.
Loaded up in the carseat and ready to hit the road.
First bath, James helped and even gave Cubby some of his toys to play with.
Time to go home... finally. Cubby wore the same jumper we brought James home in 4 years ago.Loaded up in the carseat and ready to hit the road.First bath, James helped and even gave Cubby some of his toys to play with.So fresh and so clean. Happy baby!
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