He Arrived....Finally!

He finally arrived and it is quite a story!

I was on the schedule to be induced Tuesday the 26th. We took Jack to stay with my parents and waited for the hospital to call to confirm. We were instructed to get up, get ready, and call the hospital at 7 am. We did just that! Upon calling, they informed us that they were full because so many women had come in during the night. They said they could possibly fit me in around noon if it is ok with my doctor. So for now, just wait.

I was INSTANTLY frustrated! I was instructed not to eat, as is normal when being induced. So, finally after poking around the house for a few hours and not hearing back from the hospital, I rebelled and insisted we go to breakfast at Kneaders! I had to get out and get my mind off the realization that I was probably NOT having this baby today! They called on the way to eat and said they won't be able to get me in today and so I was to call again in the morning and I would be put on PRIORITY.... whatever that means! I was being pessimistic. I knew it was not the hospitals fault and I shouldn't be taking it out on them, but I was ANGRY! Telling a pregnant woman that you won't be having this baby on the day you have been planning and looking forward to for a few months, is like telling her you have to wait another 9 months! That one day felt like 9 months!

My Mom was amazing, as is normal, and told us to relax and enjoy the time together and she would keep Jack. Mike's parents and brothers were in Florida and so we took advantage of the nice tv upstairs and watched movies and rested. That still didn't do it for me and I was about to pull my eyeballs out. I was so cranky, tired, and just DONE being pregnant. The last 3 weeks have been really hard on my back. I carry my babies in my back and as you will find out, it was quite a load I was carrying!

As the day pushed on, Mike's sister called and saved my life! She was so sweet and invited us to dinner. It was soooooo nice to get out, get my mind off my frustration, and did I mention to get out? Dinner was fabulous and it was nice to spend time with Brad and Jen and their girls. It was nice to not have to worry about our crazy 3 year old either!

In the end, I survived the longest day of my life. We got up and started the same routine. I was so nervous to call! I was so afraid they would push me back again! My doctor only induces on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and so if it was not today, then I would have to wait until Monday and I would have died for sure! Upon calling, the charge nurse said they were pretty full and just started an emergency C- section. She said to wait and hour and call back at 8 AM. I was BOILING! I tried to contain my anger and just kept praying that they would get me in today. I called back and they said I could come in at 9 AM. YAY! I didn't love waiting an hour, but I was not complaining about that! I was just grateful!

We went in at 9 and did a little paperwork and they took us to my room. I delivered Jack at St. Mark's Hospital and so we were curious to see how we liked Alta View. The nurse told me to change into a gown and put my clothes away. We waited for an hour before our nurse even came in. She had been helping with a C-Section and apologized for the wait. She started my IV and I had to empty a bag of fluids before we could start the Petocin.

At 10:45 AM, I was finally hooked up to Petocin and my doctor came in to check me. Dilated to a 3 and 70% effaced. He then broke my water, which was not the most enjoyable part of my day. I never felt much with Jack, because I had my epidural started before my water was broken or any contractions started. Dr. Smith predicted that I would deliver in the early evening between 4-8 pm. He also said I could have my epidural anytime I was ready.

I was having pretty steady contractions and finally gave in and received my epidural around 12:30. Afterwards, Dr. Smith came back to check me. Dilated to a 4 and 80% effaced. I invited my Mom to come in for the birth and assigned her the job of taking pictures. She arrived around 2 PM or so. I was checked again at 2:30 and I was at a 5 1/2, but the nurse stretched me to a 6. At 2:50, our doctor predicted we would have a baby in our arms in an hour or two. It was a little hard to believe the time had finally come to meet our little guy!

Then the action hits! My nurse checked me at 3:40 and I was a 7 1/2. (We know all of this for sure because Mike writes down the events and times of delivery day. It is fun to have afterwards.) Our nurse left the room after she checked me and I had a series of strong contractions and at 3:44, she quickly came in, checked me again and I was at a 9! She started getting things ready for delivery and at 3:55, I was at a 9 1/2 and we started pushing to get me to a 10. I was pushing and after a few series of "pushes", she had me stop because he was crowning! Our nurse said he defiantly has hair and it is dark! Our doctor was in the room at 4:25 PM and after one push, he was born at 4:29 PM! All 9 pounds and 7 ounces of him! He was a BIG BOY! Everything happened so fast! Mike cut his cord and they laid him on my chest. I will never forget how he felt. He was BIG! One of the nurses said, "I sure hope you didn't buy too many newborn diapers!" I still couldn't believe I was carrying such a hunk inside me!

He had a head full of dark hair and it was curly! I wondered if he might have some curl. He was solid and had big chunky cheeks!

He did great on all of his tests. He really screamed though! Everyone kept commenting about the set of lungs he had!

We are so grateful that he arrived, healthy and strong, even if he is big!