Angelica Grace Designs Blog

Monday, December 06, 2010

KROSS ANTHONY SEAMAN IS HERE!

He's here!!!

Kross Anthony Seaman entered this world at 7:38am on December 2nd, 2010. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long. The above picture was taken on the way home from the hospital Saturday while in his car seat. Yes, my doctors ROCKED and gave me a pass to go home a day early. I was only there for the typical 48 hours instead of 72 as usually enforced with a c-section. The pediatrician and my OB had to approve my departure after only 48 hours in the hospital given that I had a c-section. I was so thankful. Being stuck there - away from my other children - is tough. Baby Kross and I were extremely happy to bust out of there early. :)

I've gotten so many emails and so many facebook posts with questions so I'm going to try and touch on all of them. First off, we've been bombarded with love and support from all of you. We can't begin to thank everyone enough. I was in tears at one point as I sat reading all of the posts and CONGRATS messages from you guys. My heart is so full at this moment and all of you really helped me get there. I apologize for not blogging sooner. The hospitals internet was down for 2 days while I was there. JUST MY LUCK! I went thru some serious withdraws during that time. I couldn't even get the emails off my phone because we couldn't pick up a working wifi in the hospital. It was such a pain.


I got to the hospital at 6am last Thursday morning. By 6:30am, the nurse I had got my IV in my wrist on the first try and I was a happy camper. THAT NEVER HAPPENS! I told her that she was my hero fo' sho'! LOL! At 6:45am, they had me walk back to the OR - in a gown that didn't fit my huge body which left me almost showing my backside to everyone I passed in the hallways on the way there. It wasn't a pretty sight. I promise you. I hopped up on the OR table and of course the room was freezing. They made Brent wait outside until after the spinal was administered. And who did I get for my spinal anesthesiologist, a "training student." Oh yes...you read that right. The person who gave me my spinal was a resident in training. Talk about anxiety. The young man had a hard time getting the needle in the area where it was supposed to go in my back but thankfully the head anesthesiologist was there to help him slow down and re-work his steps - eventually accomplishing what we all came there for. I was SURE that I'd either end up with a spinal headache or some sort of freak out once the numbing began after his inability to land the spot on the first try. By the grace of God though, neither of the two happened. Funny enough, during the process of him trying to get the needle in the right spot of my back, I looked down and realized I still had my iphone in my hand. The OR nurse looked at me and said, "You gettin' ready to call somebody?" We all just started laughing. It was too funny. They took my phone and handed it off to one of the nurses as they laid me down and stretched my hands/arms onto the boards beside me. Thankfully this time my hands weren't locked down during surgery.

Due to my heart condition, the team of anesthesiologists had a bit of a time getting my heart rate under control before they began the surgery. They wouldn't allow Brent into the OR until they got me stable. After adding several doses of additional medicine into my IV line, they assured me they had me stable and where they wanted me. I was beginning to get nervous because I could hear everything they were saying above my head and I think that only made matters worse. Brent was eventually brought into the OR and was able to sit down beside me - up by my head. He stood up a few times to grab some photos over the curtain like this...

Sorry for the gory shot. I know some of you weren't expecting that and are about ready to kill me now. LOL! However, what an amazing picture. This is literally Kross's first breath of life and Brent captured it. Although gross, it makes me very emotional when I see it. My stomach is filleted open like a fish here but I move quickly past that and on to the emotion his little face exudes as he enters this world. God is soooooo good!

The doctors had him out of my stomach within 10 minutes of being in the OR. Once they cleaned him up a bit and weighed him, they brought him to me. I was instantly in love - as all Mothers are when they see their children for the first time. I was able to kiss him quickly and then they took him and Brent up to the nursery together. I remained in the OR until they were finished stitching me up. It seemed like that part took an eternity. All the while, I was praying for God to make me more comfortable on the operating room table. The spinal was something that scared me a bit and I'll admit that I was fearful of it and it's effects. I had moments of feeling as though I couldn't breathe very well but it was more so due to being congested rather than the symptoms of the spinal. I was given oxygen to help that feeling subside but at times I felt it only made it worse. Once they finished in the OR, I instantly began shaking. It was that uncontrollable shaking from the anesthesia. That lasted in the recovery room for about 30-40 minutes before it went away. They had every warming device on me possible. Brent was able to come down into the recovery room with me for that hour. My memory of all that is vague. The whole process was like an out of body experience for me. The anesthesiologist even played Christmas music off his ipad in the OR during my surgery. Therefore, the song Silent Night will never be the same for me ever again. As that song played along in the background, my mind wondered into this surreal place - listening to the OR machines beeping and the doctors talking about Christmas gifts they've gotten their family members as they cut me open & sewed me back up. I stared at the ceiling and all of the surgical "blue" shades in the room for the longest time as the Silent Night song drug on and thought...this is like something out of a movie. Like I'm not really here. It totally felt like an out of body experience as I concentrated on praying that God would make the process go quick and that he would help me to remain calm even at times when I felt it was possible to have a panic attack on the table. The power of prayer is an amazing thing. That mornings events proved no different. Between all of your prayers and mine as well, God walked calmly beside me and I survived the ordeal that I had dreaded for 9 long months.

This image above is one I just had to share. It was taken by my friend Megan in a photojournalistic approach. The shot is of Brennen - looking thru the nursery room window - anxiously awaiting the moment when he gets to hold his new baby brother. Megan's image shares so much emotion here. I just love everything about it. His reflection in the glass, his emotion that is so prominent and so forth. I'm very thankful that Megan and my friend Rochelle were there to be my "eyes" that morning beings that I wasn't able to see these moments myself. What they captured on camera for our family are priceless memories and many of them I would've never seen had they not been there to document the morning for me. Thank you Megan and Rochelle. Both of you ROCK! I can't wait to see the rest of the images you guys captured. :)

We are now home and three days into this new reality of becoming a family of five. How sweet it is! My parents are here and I'm in heaven. The picture below is one I took yesterday while Kross slept on my Dad's chest for almost 2 straight hours. He was so very comfortable there. To see my Dad with him melts my heart. As all of you know, Kross now carries my Dad's middle name (Anthony). We were thrilled to honor my Dad with this surprise when we learned I was having another boy. Dad keeps calling him "LT" for fun. (Little Tony. My Dad goes by the name Tony.) Speaking of his name, I'm so glad to hear all of the awesome comments about Kross's name. You guys really expressed how much you love his name and how different and unique it is. I am so thankful to hear that the name we chose was a huge hit. Many of you have asked for me to explain how we came about that name. Truth is, I've had that name in my head since Kenidi was born. If Kenidi would've been a boy, she would have been named Ashton Kross. However, she turned out to be a girl so we went with Kenidi Grace. :) I've always loved the name Kross though and basically just came up with it because of my love for crosses. Many of you know I collect crosses and somehow that name just clicked for me when I thought of it one day about 8 years ago. I also felt like it could be my own way of giving glory to God for such an amazing blessing. The love for that name never subsided and it turned out to be an easy name that Kenidi could pronounce as well. Therefore, it just stuck. We felt like it was a good fit. So...Kross Anthony Seaman it is. Not only does Kross fit his look well, but he carries the name "Anthony" very well too.

Unfortunately, I'm moving very slow at this point. I'm still very sore from my incision and my legs and feet are swollen up like an elephant. No joke! They are HUGE. I put a call back into the hospital today to ask them about the swelling being so bad still at 5 days out. I'm hoping it is all normal and that it goes away QUICK! I can't stand that swollen up feeling. Because of being so uncomfortable, I've had very little time to capture many images. However, I'm hoping to change that this week. I've got lots of newborn props I hope to try out on Kross and also plan to do an impromptu shoot with him and my other two blessings from God int he next couple of days. I will share all of them once I get them taken and uploaded. I can't wait to share Kenidi and Kross together. Kenidi is madly in love with her baby brother and refuses to leave his side. Same with Brennen though. We actually fight over who gets to hold him next. Ha ha! Yes, he is already waayyyyyy spoiled. Kenidi has been very motherly to him and helps me pat him on the back when he needs burped and does things such as hold his hand while I'm changing his diaper. She is in heaven. We've noticed her having a couple of "emotional" moments here and there when the attention wasn't directly on her but those come and fade fast. Overall, she is doing very well with his permanent status. Brent and I are trying very hard to keep her up on the pedestal she is most familiar with and the top priority we've always made her. We sent photos to her teacher at school today of her with her baby brother as well as some photos of just him alone. Her teacher emailed me already today and said they put the photos up on the projection screen so that she could show off her new baby brother. The teacher said Kenidi "beamed" when she saw the photos come up. Again, God is soooooo good to us. Although exhausted, I'm still standing after these first few days. I'll slowly adjust to this new normal and hopefully get in a new routine that flows well for our family. Most importantly though, I couldn't be happier than I am at this moment. My God is a BIG BIG God and I'm proud to serve him.

Thanks again to all of you for your prayers, cards, calls, emails, well wishes, CONGRATS, gifts, flowers, etc. Your words have left me very emotional and so very thankful for each of you. Stay tuned. I'll be back soon with a new post and lots of new images to share.

Much love and many thanks. XOXO, Brent, Angie, Brennen, Kenidi, & Kross

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32 Comments:

Blogger The Clines said...

Congratulations Angie and welcome to the world Baby Kross! He is beautiful.
Teresa

12/06/2010 11:25 AM  
Blogger Jill said...

I'm glad you got through it alright. What a cute baby he is! I have never heard of the name Kross before, but I like it. It's a strong, manly name. :-) Love that pic of Brennen! Congrats on your new precious boy!

12/06/2010 11:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Iv'e been checking your blog like every two minutes! First time I regretted getting off facebook! I am so happy for you. His name is so beautiful. So perfect. Congrats!!! -Emily

12/06/2010 12:07 PM  
Blogger RCShuey said...

Images soon to come, right now I am full of tears. This is precious! So precious. Love ya!

(PS: i started my blogger name for my nephew, hence the "auntie chell")

12/06/2010 12:08 PM  
Blogger Lori Allberry said...

Angie, Angie, Angie, this is the most beautiful post, with the most incredibly beautiful pictures.
I just can't tell you how happy I am for you! I anxiously awaited hearing your baby news!
He is PRECIOUS, and his name . . . oh my goodness how I love his name!
I wish you only THE BEST Angie!
You are a beautiful, wonderful person!

♥Lori

12/06/2010 1:13 PM  
Blogger jenny winstead said...

the baby is BEAUTIFUL! and i love his name! i hope you post some momma/baby pics soon! :) congrats on your new addition. i love his hair too! :)

12/06/2010 1:37 PM  
Anonymous Megan said...

Beautiful and funny story, Angie! I was really surprised to see my pic there. Thanks, I'm flattered! = ) Glad to hear all is well, except of course the elephant legs. ; )

12/06/2010 1:46 PM  
Anonymous Michelle Kamen said...

Love reading your blog, Angie!! Congrats!

12/06/2010 1:46 PM  
Anonymous Karrie Wright said...

congratulations! Kross is absolutely adorable and flawless! He is perfect! :)

12/06/2010 1:46 PM  
Anonymous Matt Cavalier said...

Beautiful story and images. I was very touched by it all. I'm very happy for you and the rest of your family. Little Kross is adorable.

12/06/2010 1:47 PM  
Anonymous Jennifer Gaskill said...

Great story and LOVE the picture of Kross's official entrance to this world. He is absolutely gorgeous! Get a big stick now Girl, you're going to need to keep back all those little girls! :) Congrats to all of you.

12/06/2010 1:47 PM  
Anonymous Melanie Todd said...

Your blog is so beautiful and so is baby Kross. His story makes me both cry and smile at the same time. What an awesome blessing he is! Congratulations!! :)

12/06/2010 1:48 PM  
Anonymous Mommy said...

Angie,I am so happy for you and all of us. We are so blessed! This blog post was worth waiting for. I can't wait to see the pics your friends took also, but you won't let us put the one's on here with you in bed with Kenidi on one side, Kross on the other, and you trying to facebook on your phone, too good! God is great! xoxoxo Mommy

12/06/2010 2:29 PM  
Anonymous Shelley Kolthoff said...

Ang,I am soooo happy for you and your family!!! What a precious and perfect name...LOVE LOVE IT!!! You did it girl, I wish you still lived here so we could see Baby Kross, the pictures are just so sweeet! So glad all went well in the hospital but even more glad you are home with all your babies!! You are so blessed and I couldn't be happier for you and your family!!! What a wonderful Christmas present!!! God is sooooo good!!!! This blog brought tears to my eyes, I am just so happy for you and proud of you!!!! The name is the best!!! Btw, you know I still want to get a cross necklace from you :) Congrats to you and the family!!!! Love you girlie!!!! Will keep checking your blog for more pics and I expect to see Kross with you!!! Love you sis!!!! Xoxo

12/06/2010 2:44 PM  
Blogger A Mothers Heart for China said...

Angie & Brent~what a surprise blessing for your family. I remember the day Kenidi was born. Kross is simply perfect. I am thrilled for your blessing and I can almost smell him through the screen. God is Faithful.
1 Peter 5:10

Kim~ :)

12/06/2010 2:46 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

Hi Angie,
Congrats!! He is just precious! Take care of yourself while you heal!!! Keeping you and the family in my prayers.
Pam

12/06/2010 4:37 PM  
Blogger Maria said...

Angie & family ~ Congratulations!!
What a beautiful baby! I, too, had been checking this blog every 5
minutes to hear the big news & see some pictures. It's amazing, isn't it, how strangers connect through blogs? You get so caught in stranger/friend's lives & wait patiently for a new post as you would wait patiently for a phone call from a close friend. I'm so happy I stumbled across yours in blogville. You have a beautiful family, now made complete by Kross.
Much love & happiness to you all.
Maria

12/06/2010 6:48 PM  
Blogger katy said...

amazing. amazing. amazing.
precious. precious. precious.
beautiful. beautiful. beautiful.

Congratulations! May God bless bless you, your new little one, and the rest of your family!!!

12/06/2010 10:30 PM  
Anonymous Dina Darling said...

CONGRATULATIONS! He is Beautiful!!

12/06/2010 11:19 PM  
Anonymous Jennifer Gill said...

Love the Kross OR picture. what a beautiful moment!

12/06/2010 11:21 PM  
Anonymous Becky Robertson said...

Angie-Your posts just melt me. You are such an honest and uplifting person. How blessed your family is to have you! Baby Kross - what an angel!

12/06/2010 11:28 PM  
Anonymous Brady Ramsey said...

Congratulations to you all! He is so adorable!

12/06/2010 11:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you and your family of 5! Welcome to the world precious baby Kross! He is beyond beautiful! Blessings to you all!

12/07/2010 1:07 AM  
Anonymous Trae said...

Great job! Kross is beautiful! Go ahead – spoil him rotten J Blessings to you and your family – give Grandma Susie a big hug for us too – xxxoooxxxooo <><

12/07/2010 9:06 AM  
Anonymous Alice Hobbs said...

Congratulations!! You have a beautiful family and what a precious addition!! I've been following your blog for a while and enjoy it so much. My name is Alice we have three
children two girls (9) and (5) and our last was a boy (3). I love them all dearly but I have to share how much I was able to cherish and enjoy the last baby. You'd think with three things would be so very crazy but I think because I knew he'd be the last, I treasured every bit of it that much more. So happy for you and your family, take care and enjoy the Christmas holidays as you've received and brought to the world the best gift of all...Life!

12/07/2010 9:08 AM  
Anonymous Crystal said...

I'm in tears Angie.. so beautiful. I am so happy everything went so well... or as well as it did. The photos are priceliss. He is perfect. And I loved hearing about Brennen and Kenidi... I knew Brennen would be another perfect BIG brother and so happy to know that Kenidi is doing so well. It's amazing how things turn out. God is so good ALL the time. The first photo of Kross is AWESOME... the gory side is completely over looked. So completely beautiful!!! I know you will cherish that photo forever.

Looking forward to all of your upcoming photos and more importantly updates on all your cute kids!!! =)))

Congrats to you MOMMA of THREE. Welcome to my world. ;-) Pretty amazing, I must say.

12/07/2010 12:20 PM  
Blogger Amanda Rooney said...

OH. MY. WORD.

He is soooo stinkin' adorable!!! I can only imagine how spoiled he will be!!

I'm so thankful that Kenidi is taking all of the change so well - what an answered prayer!

I'll be praying for your recovery. And try to just soak it all in...these first few days go by so quickly.

And thanks for sharing the pictures with us! Kross is just beautiful!!

12/07/2010 3:52 PM  
Blogger Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Angie, big congrats on the new baby! He's just precious. So happy to hear the news. What a great Christmas present for your family. Hugs!

12/07/2010 6:05 PM  
Blogger The Seaman Family said...

Oh my goodness, he is the cutest thing ever! What adorable pictures!!! Congrats to you all. :)

Aubree

12/07/2010 10:22 PM  
Blogger Raija said...

Congratulations Angie! Your little boy is just beautiful! Also, when I saw the photo of Brennan, tears filled my eyes. What a wonderful moment your friend captured. I'm so happy for your family!

~ Sonja (former student from your online photo class)

12/08/2010 12:18 AM  
Blogger Amber said...

Congratulations from Texas!! My Cross Haven turned 8 months old last week! So needless to say, I love the Name!

12/08/2010 9:29 AM  
Blogger OUR WILD ZOO! said...

Beautiful baby, Angie! Kross is absolutely gorgeous and I have to be honest: I totally cried when I saw Brennan looking through the glass...just amazing

I'm soo happy for you and your family, truly.

12/09/2010 9:17 AM  

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