A Birth Story

Even after all this time I still cannot believe I am typing this out.  MY SON'S birth story!  I feel so very blessed to be able to say that.

My c-section was scheduled so we knew when our baby would be born.  I slept an hour and a half the night before.  Finally got out of bed at 4 am on April 16th.  The anticipation was driving me crazy.  So many emotions running through my mind!  I showered, did my hair, makeup...why not...I needed something to keep me busy.  We got to the hospital at 6 am.  Our c-section was scheduled for 8 am. 

We walked into labor and delivery and were sent to our own room for prep.  I undressed, put the fancy shmancy gown on and laid down in bed.  The clock seemed to tick by so sloooooow!  I was not very nervous, just excited.  Jerry was getting pretty anxious, it was adorable.  Two nurses came in and started asking 500 questions.  Mostly about my health history.  It was so unreal when I had to discuss my previous pregnancies.  I just could not believe where we had been and where we were at in that moment.  Though this journey was beyond painful at times, in that moment it was all very much worth it.   

The anesthesiologist came in and introduced himself.  He was so nice and made me feel so calm.  He explained everything he was about to do and constantly asked how I was doing.  The epidural was not bad at all.  I think my history and all the shots and injections helped prepare me.  Everything below my chest was completely numb.  He kept asking if I felt anything as he took a needle and poked me.  I did not feel a thing...what a crazy feeling.  My parents, my sister K, and one of our friends stopped in right before I was rolled into the operating room.

Once they rolled me in they moved me over to another bed.  There was my dr...who I absolutely love, three nurses, anesthesiologist, and Jerry.  Everyone was so very nice.  They all seemed to be as excited as Jerry and I to find out the gender.  The rest of it is a bit hazy.  I was so surprised at how tired I was.  I knew the epidural would make my body numb, but I did not anticipate how tired it would make me.  I was struggling to stay awake.  I must have looked crazy stretching my eyes wide open.  There was NO WAY I was going to miss the birth of my child.  The anesthesiologist must have noticed and said that it was ok to shut my eyes.  He would not let me miss anything important.  So I shut my eyes, but could still hear them working.  Jerry was right by my head and reassuring me that everything was ok.

They then said that they were ready to take the baby out.  I then felt like I was on a roller-coaster.  My whole body was being shaken and pulled.  Jerry said my head was all over the place, but that I had the biggest smile on my face.  Then the most amazing sound I have ever heard...my child's cry.  It was so absolutely beautiful.  My dr said that she was going to let daddy tell me the news.  He looked at me with the biggest smile and said IT'S A BOY!

It was love at first sight.  He was so gorgeous and those chubby cheeks were just adorable.  I could not believe I was looking at MY son.  I stared as they cleaned him up.  Tears were pouring down my face.  I have nevre been so happy.  The nurse took some ink and put our babies footprints on Jerry's hands.  He was such a proud poppa!  The nurse then said 8 pounds.  A minute later another nurse said, no not 8 pounds.  I was told the previous day in an ultrasound that the baby was 7 pounds so I was shocked with 8.  The nurse that corrected the first nurse said 8 pounds 3 oz.  I could not believe he was so big.

We were both then taken to a recovery room.  Jerry went out to tell all of our family and friends that we had a boy.  I made him record their reactions since I would not be there.  Jerry came back and I said well I guess we need to give this boy a name.  We had not had one for sure name, just several we liked.  I asked Jerry what he thought and I will never forget the look in his eyes.  He had tears in his eyes and said I really love Easton.  That was all I had to hear.  His middle name is after Jerry's father.  My nephew was named after my father and I thought that it would be a great honor for Jerry's father.  He was so touched he was crying when we told him. 

We stayed in the hospital for 5 days.  Though I was terrified to take our baby home I was ready to start our new lives.  He is almost 1 month already and has grown so much.  I rarely put him down and sniff that baby smell and kiss those chubby cheeks every chance I get! 

BOY....OH BOY!!

That is right...IT'S A BOY!!!!  Easton David was born on April 16th at 8:16am, 8 pounds 3 oz!!!  We are so in love.  Sorry to take so long to post the great news.  It is hard to get away for a minute...and honestly I don't really want to be away.  This was one of the very first pictures taken by daddy after he was born.  Many more pics and birth story to come!

Time for our Closeup!

I wanted to share some of our favorite maternity pics.  I love them all, but this post may be too long if I were to upload all of them.  My sister is a photographer and did an awesome job!  She is amazing and has been so supportive over the years.  I loved that I could finally share this special moment with her!  Love you beyond words Aunt K!

Showered With Love

No, the baby is not here, yet.  However, we do have a c-section scheduled.  I would rather not post the date for the entire world to see (who knows what random person stumbles across our blogs).  I cannot believe that very soon I will finally be holding my baby.  It has been over 5 years that we have been trying and I am so very thankful this day has finally come!

Sorry, I have been away for so long.  I have been meaning to post so many times, but have been so busy getting things ready, finishing up at work, and well just staying awake. 

I ended up having 5 baby showers!  I am so thankful and honored for all the time and money that all my friends and family put into celebrating my child's life.  I know that Jerry and I will love this baby with all our hearts, but to see how many people love our baby already...I am speechless. 

Here are 3 of the cake pics from the different showers....

I will try and post some maternity pics very soon!

33 Weeks

I do not have time for a long post, but I just wanted to post about my last couple dr visits.  Everything is good.  I already started weekly visits.  Because of my elevated NK cells and MTHFR they are just keeping a close eye.  I do not mind one bit because it means I get to take a peak at the baby.  Here is last weeks pics...

The second one shows the baby about to put their fingers in their mouth.  Most of the ultrasound the baby had their thumb or some fingers in their mouth.  So crazy!!! 

After the ultrasound they monitored me for about 30 minutes.  It is the same monitoring they do in the hospital when you are in labor or having contractions.  It was really cool to see the heart rate for that long.  It was anywhere from 130 to 170.  Even crazier was when I was hooked up I had a couple contractions.  I had no idea that was a contraction!  I thought the feeling was just the baby moving.  It is a bit of a tightening feeling and I have had several in the last month.  I guarantee most women have them during pregnancy and have no idea.  I understand they are very mild and nothing compared to what I am in store for. 

My fluid level is on the low side of normal.  They said no bed rest, yet.  Just take it easy. 

On another note, I have to share my husband getting ready for the baby.  Here is how my husband is preparing......my poor puppy. 

I have to admit though, he did pretty good with a wagging tail!  I assure you the diaper was off within seconds.  No dogs were harmed during this picture :O)

30 Weeks and A Very Special Valentine's Day

Wow, cannot believe 30 weeks already!  We are so close!  This weekend I have my first baby shower.  It feels so unreal.  So many times I would dread baby showers.  So many times I would come home and just cry.  Not this time...at least this time they will be happy tears! 

Yesterday was Valentine's Day as everyone knows.  We really don't usually do anything special.  It is just another day and I can tell my husband every day that I love him.  I do not need Hallmark to pick the day.  Well, my husband felt otherwise yeaterday and did too much!  Feel free to skip this post if gushing over your significant other makes you ill.  I am not saying we are perfect by any means, but my hubs sure does make me feel special. 

He called me earlier in the day and asked what time I would be home.  Then he insisted I be home at a specific time.  No earlier, no later.  I got home and was not feeling well.  Just achy and tired.  He told me to go down in the basement and lay down.  I was instructed to go downstairs and to not come back up until he said so.  I did not mind one bit, because the couch and blanket sounded fantastic!

I heard some commotion, but tried to ignore because I knew he was trying very hard to surprise me.  Finally he led me up the stairs.  This is what I found....

He went and picked up Olive Garden.  I absolutely LOVE the OG!  I could eat as my whole meal salad and breadsticks with Alfredo dipping sauce.  I am not kidding...I have done it many times.  He said he was going to make me a home cooked meal, but he knows me too well.  I am rather embarrassed to say it, but it is very rare that I like home cooked meals.  It does not matter who is making it.  Now, I will eat anything and will never be rude to anyone making me a meal.  With all honesty though, I do not actually CRAVE home cooked meals.  I am aware...I am weird. 

He even thought about the beverage and picked up some sparkling grape juice for the two of us to share!

Last but not least...dessert.....yum!  I was so stuffed from dinner but somehow found room for these delicious chocolate covered strawberries.

Finally, the night was ended with a 45 minute back massage.  Holy Moly that was the best Valentine's Day ever! 

I love you Jerry with all my heart!  I certainly won the lottery when I met you.  You say you are worried you will not be a good father.  Well, if you love and care for our child half as much as you take care of me...I would consider our child the luckiest ever!  Like the song says, to the world I may be just another one, but you make me feel like the only one in your world.  Thank you for being My Valentine...mwwwaaaah!

28 weeks

I do not have to much time to post, but wanted to share a couple pics.  We got to look at the baby again last week.  Here are two pics from the ultrasound.

The first picture is a profile pic.  The second picture we actually saw the baby yawn!  It was beyond amazing.  If you turn your head to the right that is face on.  That big black circle is the baby yawning.  I think the baby is tired of being cramped up in there.  :O)  Just a little bit longer baby and you will be out!!  I can't believe it!!!