The "Birth Story"

Isn't it like a right of passage to tell the story?  Since we now have a more established nap time (which takes place in the crib for the most part, thank goodness.  But I will admit, that is all my fault that he wouldn't! That boy is just too cuddly!).  And seeing as he is 7 weeks today, what better way to celebrate!  To keep you interested in what will probably be a long winded story, I will insert pictures every so often!

The night before I had him, July 9, my mom and sisters threw me a freezer meal shower.  Best invention ever.  Since we had the majority of boy items, the guests brought freezer meals (homemade or store bought) to help out through the first few weeks after having the baby.  At the end of the shower, after almost everyone was gone, I started to feel sick.  I went upstairs and laid down hoping it would just pass.  My dad came in and kept me company while I laid down.  After I had Owen, he told me that all he could think was "she isn't going to last much longer".  Guess he was right!

The next day, July 10, I woke up around 5 with really uncomfortable back pain.  Which, to be honest, at this point in my pregnancy, wasn't entirely out of the normal.  But after about a half hour of switching positions and rolling over, they got worse and more pointed.  They were now in a specific part of my back rather than general pain.  After about 15 minutes they were more like contractions.  Let me tell you.  Heavenly Father lets us forget the pain they actually are so that we will have more kids!  I couldn't believe that I had felt those before!!  They were excruciating!  And coming super fast and super close togehter.  Around 6:30 am, they were about 4-5 minutes apart.  I figured maybe I should pack a hospital bag.  Oops.  Totally unprepared.  Everything. No hospital bag, nothing was ready in Owen's room except the crib, Jacob's bag wasn't packed, our house was a disaster, and I hadn't been grocery shopping in about 1 1/2 months.  Again, oops.

Owen's first picture

I called my mom and dad around 7:15 thinking that I just could't wait any longer (that was where Jacob was going).  We got there around 7:45 to drop him off.  I promise the times are important!  Got to the hospital around 8.  The nurse took one look at me with a smile that sort of said, "I am trying not to freak you out, but we need to get you in a room". It may have had something to do with the way that I was hunched over with an iron grip on Joe's arm.  They got me into a room, changed, and decided to see if it was real labor.  I was dilated to a 5.  I asked for an epidural (yeah, I totally did!).  They called him in, he came in and talked for a second, left to get his stuff, and that is when the fun stuff happened.

Those darn contractions!  They got awful, and I had to push! He came back in to the nurse saying, "She's dilated to an 8!"  It had been 10 minutes since I was a 5.  Just as an FYI.  The anesthesiologist was mad because they had just told him I was a 5.  We no longer had time for an epidural.  Thankfully, that blessed man gave a spinal tap.  Best thing ever!  I enjoyed labor after that.  Too bad it didn't take long after that.  He gave the epidural around 8:45.  Owen was born at 9:28 am.  Compared to Jacob's 18 hours of labor, I was thrilled with the 4 hours this time!  He was 7 lb. 2 oz. and 20 inches long.  He is a doll and an absolute blessing to this family!