A Smart Story: Welcome Evan Jonathan Smart

We have had so much fun welcoming Evan into our family. We felt all the prayers for a peaceful delivery. The delivery was as calm and peaceful as Brendan's delivery was chaotic and stressful. Both with amazing outcomes!

We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 AM on Thursday March 1st. We were both very tired as neither of us slept well the night before (if really at all). Jenni (Jamie's sister) came from Missoula the night before to stay with Brendan. We both were anxious, excited, and nervous all at the same time. Jamie was struggling with the emotions of having surgery (even though it was what was recommended and what we both felt was the right decision, it is hard to choose to be cut open). Everything went SO SO SO very smooth. We were put at ease to know so many people. Shelby (the nurse who saved Brendan's life) was our nurse for the surgery and entire recovery.

Shelby...truly a lifesaver and AMAZING nurse

Our anesthetist was a parent of several students Jamie had in class and coached, someone who we both knew and someone who we both really liked. Dr. Richards and Dr. Trinh did a great job with the surgery. There were several varicose veins lying on top of the uterus that they had to remove and Evan was really stuck (they had to vacuum him out) but other than that, things were very routine and were very calm. At 8:29am Evan Jonathan Smart arrived with a cry.

BUDDHA BABY

WHAT A GREAT SOUND TO HEAR (one we didn't hear with Brendan). Josh was able to cut the umbilical cord (barely, he said he won't be able to do it again), help get Evan cleaned up and then Mom got to see/touch him for the first time. After a few minutes Josh and Evan went to the nursery while Jamie was stitched back up.

Cutting the Umbilical Cord

Proud Dad

Mom Meets Evan

What just happened to me?

Jamie's recovery went great. Evan was able to join her in the recovery room to nurse for the first time. Things could not have gone better. We arrived back in the room around 10 and were greeted by Jenni. Josh was able to spread our good news to family and friends. So fun to all be together.

Evan came out hungry, he latched on great, most of the first day he nursed. Even with eating that much he still seemed so hungry. After a long first night of unhappy, unsettled, hungry baby we were able to meet with a lactation consultant who evaluated him. Her, along with a nurse from the night before noticed that his frenulum (the tissue that attaches your tongue) was really tight, making it hard for him to eat efficiently. In the morning we met with Dr. Boyer who was able to do a really minor procedure to slightly clip that tissue making it easier for him to move his tongue. After this procedure Evan was able to eat so much easier, more efficient and was a much happier baby.

He has been super sweet and so very easy. He sleeps so much, eats so well, and is fun to cuddle with. We are enjoying the first week of a babies life that we didn't get to have with Brendan.

Speaking of Brendan, he is a CHAMP! He has to be the BEST BIG BROTHER EVER! He truly has done so well with this huge transition in his life. We couldn't be more proud of him. Once again he has shown us how very brave, kind, and amazing of a boy he is.

Brendan was able to come and meet Evan in the hospital Thursday afternoon. He jumped up and down with excitement, gently touched his brother, gave him a kiss, poked him in the eye and then began playing with a football we had given him from Evan. He has continued to be very gentle using his big brother hands. He likes to bring him toys and has tried so hard to be patient with Mom not being able to play or hold him like he wants. We keep telling Evan how lucky he is to have such a great big brother like Brendan. Christine was able to meet us at the hospital to capture Brendan and Evan meeting for the first time. What a huge gift to have so many great pictures. Thank you Christine for continuing to bless our family in so many ways.

We came home on Saturday afternoon. Jenni helped us make a yummy chicken, rice, veggie dinner (something Jamie had been craving), it was very special to sit down for dinner as a family. So fun to finally be home and start our life as a family of four!

Brendan's birthday was the next day...We'll look forward to telling you about it in our next post.

Thank you to all our friends and family who prayed for a peaceful delivery...it defiantly was, it has been a very special couple of days. Thank you to all the people at Pullman Hospital who helped us so much. Thank you especially to nurse Shelby and nurse Whitney who have helped bring two amazing boys into our world. You both mean a lot to the Smart family. We have so much to be thankful for.