***Disclaimer: this will be a long post of catching up***
Birth Story:
It's 6am on Easter morning. I wake up as I normally did - to use the bathroom. This time something didn't feel right - I turned the light on in the bathroom (which I never do) and that was it...
my water broke.
I walked out of the bathroom and Stew sat up in bed...I said "My water broke!". I felt ok - so I got back in bed...and we layed there for about 30 minutes (don't think I'm crazy...my Doctor told me that if I wasn't having contractions, there was no reason to rush to the hospital). We came downstairs and called Labor & Delivery. They told us to take our time - but it was time! Time to come into the hospital. I went in the shower - made myself a light breakfast and made sure I had everything I needed and wanted in my hospital bag. Stew was quiet. I knew he was nervous.
We said good-bye to Nate and made the 15 minute trip to the hospital. We were calm...yet nervous. We jammed to Adele and at one point I even mentioned the fog across the pond near our house. We were calm during our drive. I just knew - knew everything was going to be ok. I was at peace.
Just as we pulled into the hospital parking lot, my cell phone rang. It was one of the Doctors from my OB office. The
ONE doctor I hadn't seen during my pregnancy. Go figure! But even
that didn't bother me. He said "
Where are you? I'm waiting for you"
We made our way to the 3rd floor, past the fish tank that I had seen during our hospital tour, past the waiting room and checked into the nurses station. I was quickly told to change and Dr. Goldner examined me. He confirmed that my water
did break. I was hooked up to fetal monitors and the nurse informed me that I was having contractions. I said "Oh...
that's a contraction?" Over the last few weeks I had growing concern that I wouldn't know what a contraction was...and there I sat in the hospital having contractions and I didn't realize it. My contractions weren't strong and I was only dilated 2cm. We decided to let my body do what it was suppose to do. We walked and walked and walked. I sat in the bath, took a shower and sat on an exercise ball - all in the hopes of jump starting my labor. By noon I was hungry! We were told that during our hospital stay we (both Stew and I) could order anything we wanted.
Waaahaaahaaa. Music to my ears.
My way of relaxing - watching Sports...we had the Celtics game on during my labor!
After lunch, I began having strong contractions. I had them from 12-4pm. At 4pm...when the nurse asked what I wanted to do...I said "I'd like to go home now". Being home, I thought, would make me feel better. I guess, allowing myself to escape the pain. No one was letting me go home. The shower, bath and breathing weren't doing it for me. I asked for a epidural. By this point I was 4cm and almost 100% effaced. The anesthesiologist came in...making jokes, watching the game...I was silent. I just wanted him to do what he had to do to make the pain go away. He said that he's never seen a patient so calm and so still. I would have done anything at that point...as long as the pain went away.
It's now about 5-6pm...and we are just waiting.
Amazingly, the time went fast. I wasn't in pain. I was comfortable. I had Stew and my Mom there with me the entire time. My Dad was there for a good part of the day too, but the sight of me in pain was too much for him to handle. He had to leave for a bit, but came back once I was comfortable.
At 8pm, my Doctor came in and said that it looked like my labor had stopped. WHAT?!?!? Stopped? what does that mean? The baby had moved and was now laying sideways. He was trying to fit through the birth canal and was being to show signs of head swelling. He said "We will re-evaluate in one hour...then we should discuss a c-section." I couldn't believe that I had been in "labor" since 8am and 12 hours later, I was going to have to have a c-section. For the last 10 months - I prepared myself for both a natural and c-section delivery. I didn't want to be disappointed either way. As long as the baby was ok - I was ok.
At exactly 8:45pm, my Dr came back into our room. He took one look at me and said "Oh Shit, we're having a baby". The room quickly turned into something I had only seen in the movies...literally. My Celtics game was turned off, my food trays were no longer visible and it was pitch dark out the windows I had been staring at all day. I was about to have a baby. I was about to be a Mom.
I had Stew to my left and my Mother to my right. I felt safe. All the worries I had over the last 10 months were gone. I pushed for exactly 20 minutes. I pushed maybe 10-15 times and I had my son in my arms. That was it. It was over. He was here! I have never felt anything like that - ever! Stew cut the umbilical cord and our Son was placed on my chest. He was perfect. I did it. I did what I was supposed to do.
After two days in the hospital - it was time to go home. We were ready.
We introduced Nate to his little brother - and started a whole new journey...as a family of 4.
Our first walk...
Play time with Mom
My girlfriend Casey, her daughter Taylen. Baby Stew & I. They are 12 days apart.
Baby Stew's Stats:
He's amazing. He's so little, yet so big. Here are his stats:
Weight:
Birth: 7lbs 11 oz
Two Weeks: 8lbs 6 oz
Hair:
Birth: Dark brown with hi-lights
Two Weeks: Brown with very blonde hi-lights
Eyes:
Birth: Dark blue
Two Weeks: brighter blue
Feeding:
(breastfeeding)
Birth: Every three hours
Two Weeks: he's eating almost every hour
Sleep:
Birth: He was sleeping about 20 hours a day
He is now sleeping less during the day, but will get up to eat.
Big {Fury} Brother Update:
From the minute we got home...Nate has been amazing. He is so gentle - yet curious. He has become so much more protective...of both me and the baby. Nate never barks...unless there is a really really good reason. Now, he'll listen for sounds outside and let out a deep bark. Anytime I go upstairs to change Stew or to put him down, Nate comes with me. He sleeps right next to his bassinet during the day and watches over him constantly. It is so cute. I love it. He's been a great big brother. And he's still my big baby - I can't wait for him and Stew to be best buds.
So there you have it. Birth story and update all in one post. I'm glad you're still reading!
Tomorrow is Mothers Day! I am so excited to celebrate my first Mothers Day. Stew and I are planning to go shopping at the Outlets and enjoy some time together - with Baby Stew. We are going to my parents for lunch later in the day - I couldn't ask for anything else.
Today we had newborn photos taken. And - I plan to keep posting about the last two weeks. It was Stew's 31st birthday on Wednesday. We had a Mexican dinner and he has been enjoying his gift - a KEGERATOR! My parents bought him a pony keg for it too. He's in HEAVEN! Pictures to come.
Enjoy Mothers Day weekend!
