I am a little slow getting to this post. It has been on my list of things to do for a week now. Most of my friends who live around here have heard the story of the day Devin was born. But I wanted to post this for friends who haven't yet heard it.
So last Monday, the 30th, I woke up with a list of things I needed to get done and I was not feeling very well. I just felt different. I don't know how else to explain it. I even called my doctor's office to ask a few questions about what signs to look for if I really am in labor. I have had 3 children and have been induced every time. So I have never actually gone into labor by myself. I had my doctor's appointment scheduled for the next day so we were just holding out until then. Justin had decided to stay home from work and I went about all the things I wanted to get done. I went to the post office and I did some shopping at Wal-Mart. I started having some contractions, but I wasn't doing a very good job timing them. I was busy driving and walking around the store. I was suppose to go out to lunch with my cousin, Lisa. I called her and told maybe we should wait until tomorrow and see how I was feeling. When I was at Wal-Mart I really started noticing that the contractions were coming more regular about 8 or 9 minutes apart. This was about 11:00am. When I had called the doctor's office that morning they had told me that they like the contractions to be 5 to 6 minutes apart. So I finished my shopping and went and picked Emily up from school. By the time I got home I was starting to think maybe something was really happening. I told Justin I was going to take a bath and see if the contractions would stop. I was not in the tub very long when I realized that the contractions were not stopping and they were now 7 to 8 minutes apart. We started to talk about going in to get checked. I was really hesitant to do this. I didn't want to go to all the trouble and be sent home if I was not really in labor. I just wanted to wait a little bit longer and see what happened. But we did start talking about getting a few things in order for the girls. I was suppose to do the afternoon carpool. Justin called Layla and asked if she could pick up the kids. It was about 1:30 and I was laying on the bed and all of a sudden I felt what seemed like a bubble pop inside of me. It was very defined and I felt like people around me should have been able to hear it. I jumped off the bed saying "Uh oh!" and then there was a gush. Justin was standing there and all of a sudden we no longer had to wonder if this was really it. Panic started to set in. We had to drive to Ogden and make arrangements for the girls. I was taking care of myself while he called his mom to come get the girls. Then he ran Emily over to Layla's. Gina and Chantell were there. They offered to go get the girls out of school and keep them until his mom got here. It seemed like a long trip to Ogden, but I really don't remember anything about the ride but being in pain. I called my midwife while we were on the way. They were gone to lunch and I kept getting the answering machine. I was being to think he might not make it in time to deliver the baby. My contractions were now 3 minutes apart and I had started to feel pressure and I began to wonder if we were going to make it to the hospital in time.
When we got there it all happened like what you see in the movies. Justin pulled up to the emergency room. I little, 80 year security guard came out with a wheelchair. They helped me get in and he asked me "So, where can I take you?" I was in total disbelief. At this point I was in a lot of pain. The contractions were so close together that there was not a whole lot time in between to compose myself and I was started to snap at people. Justin told me later that my response to the poor old guy was "Are you kidding me?" I didn't remember that. Justin went to park the van while they started to take me up to labor and delivery. As luck would have it I got the new person to wheel me up. It was her first time up to labor and delivery by herself. When got up on the 4th floor and she just kind of stood there not knowing which way to go. I am sitting there having contractions and people are starting at me. So embarrassing! Finally someone pointed her in the right direction.
When we got to the nurses' station I told the lady there my water was broken, contractions 3 minutes apart, 4th child, and I deliver fast. I have never seen people get to work so fast at the hospital. She got me right in a room and people were running everywhere. I had tested positive for Strep A and I had to have an IV antibiotic to help protect the baby. The nurses were in a panic trying to get an IV in my arm so they could start running that. They like you to have 2 doses which take about 4 hours. Of course there was no time for that. They were hoping to pump in one dose as fast as they could. I was wanting an epidural but they had to get the IV in first. I was dilated to a 6 and I was afraid it was going to be too late for me to get one. This was my lowest point. I had never planned on natural childbirth. It really was hurting and I didn't think I could do the whole thing if I had to feel everything. Obviously I do not have a high tolerance for pain. The nurses could not get an IV needle in. They poked both my hands multiple times. My hands were bruised and bleeding. It took them a good 45 minutes just to get the IV in. All this time I am waiting for an epidural. I was crying telling Justin this was not the way I had planned it out. I admit I did yell at him when he tried to soothe me by rubbing my head and smoothing my hair. I told him to stop touching me. Sorry, Sweetheart! Finally the anesthesiologist came in and did the IV. They started the antibiotic and got the epidural in. Things were so much better after that. I calmed down and could joke around with Dale, my midwife, and Justin. I was nicer to people around me. Even though the baby was all ready to come they held me off as long as they could waiting to get in as much antibiotic as they could. I guess I am fortunate that I am one of those people that only need to push a couple of times and the baby is here. Devin was born at 3:38pm.
I felt like the whole thing happened so fast and it was a whirlwind. In a couple of hours I went from running errands to having a new baby. It was amazing! There is nothing quite like seeing your brand new baby for the first time and welcoming them into your family. I just felt so blessed. We had waited so long for Devin and he has done everything according to his own time table.
He is such a cute little thing. He is now 11 days old and so far he has been such a good little boy. He is pretty content most of the time. He only cries when he has a reason to like a dirty diaper or being hungry. Once you take care of what is bothering him he calms right down.
The girls love him. They are constantly volunteering to hold and feed him. They have been very good helpers. We just feel so lucky to have him as part of our family.
This is from my view point. I could hold him all day.
I couldn't resist putting this one in. This is right after he had his hair washed. He has some natural curl to his hair. It dries all soft and fluffy. He is just starting to smile. It is hard to get him to do it. I can't believe I actually got a picture of it.
Today it has been 3 years since Mariah was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. I always have to pause and reflect on this day how grateful I am for her and that she is a perfectly healthy little girl today. I can still remember the fear and sorrow of thinking we might lose her. As most of you know, she is by far my most difficult child and we do not always get along. We are different in almost every way possible. But boy, do I love that little girl! She is my child and I am grateful for her and what she brings to our family. I always have to stop and think how much she means to me on this day.
I love you, Momo!
He is so cute!
He has huge feet. We compared them to the girls footprints and they are so much bigger then theirs.
He loves to have his head rubbed. You can almost hear him sighing when his hair gets combed and he loves having his hair washed.
I am a little slow getting to this post. It has been on my list of things to do for a week now. Most of my friends who live around here have heard the story of the day Devin was born. But I wanted to post this for friends who haven't yet heard it.
So last Monday, the 30th, I woke up with a list of things I needed to get done and I was not feeling very well. I just felt different. I don't know how else to explain it. I even called my doctor's office to ask a few questions about what signs to look for if I really am in labor. I have had 3 children and have been induced every time. So I have never actually gone into labor by myself. I had my doctor's appointment scheduled for the next day so we were just holding out until then. Justin had decided to stay home from work and I went about all the things I wanted to get done. I went to the post office and I did some shopping at Wal-Mart. I started having some contractions, but I wasn't doing a very good job timing them. I was busy driving and walking around the store. I was suppose to go out to lunch with my cousin, Lisa. I called her and told maybe we should wait until tomorrow and see how I was feeling. When I was at Wal-Mart I really started noticing that the contractions were coming more regular about 8 or 9 minutes apart. This was about 11:00am. When I had called the doctor's office that morning they had told me that they like the contractions to be 5 to 6 minutes apart. So I finished my shopping and went and picked Emily up from school. By the time I got home I was starting to think maybe something was really happening. I told Justin I was going to take a bath and see if the contractions would stop. I was not in the tub very long when I realized that the contractions were not stopping and they were now 7 to 8 minutes apart. We started to talk about going in to get checked. I was really hesitant to do this. I didn't want to go to all the trouble and be sent home if I was not really in labor. I just wanted to wait a little bit longer and see what happened. But we did start talking about getting a few things in order for the girls. I was suppose to do the afternoon carpool. Justin called Layla and asked if she could pick up the kids. It was about 1:30 and I was laying on the bed and all of a sudden I felt what seemed like a bubble pop inside of me. It was very defined and I felt like people around me should have been able to hear it. I jumped off the bed saying "Uh oh!" and then there was a gush. Justin was standing there and all of a sudden we no longer had to wonder if this was really it. Panic started to set in. We had to drive to Ogden and make arrangements for the girls. I was taking care of myself while he called his mom to come get the girls. Then he ran Emily over to Layla's. Gina and Chantell were there. They offered to go get the girls out of school and keep them until his mom got here. It seemed like a long trip to Ogden, but I really don't remember anything about the ride but being in pain. I called my midwife while we were on the way. They were gone to lunch and I kept getting the answering machine. I was being to think he might not make it in time to deliver the baby. My contractions were now 3 minutes apart and I had started to feel pressure and I began to wonder if we were going to make it to the hospital in time.
When we got there it all happened like what you see in the movies. Justin pulled up to the emergency room. I little, 80 year security guard came out with a wheelchair. They helped me get in and he asked me "So, where can I take you?" I was in total disbelief. At this point I was in a lot of pain. The contractions were so close together that there was not a whole lot time in between to compose myself and I was started to snap at people. Justin told me later that my response to the poor old guy was "Are you kidding me?" I didn't remember that. Justin went to park the van while they started to take me up to labor and delivery. As luck would have it I got the new person to wheel me up. It was her first time up to labor and delivery by herself. When got up on the 4th floor and she just kind of stood there not knowing which way to go. I am sitting there having contractions and people are starting at me. So embarrassing! Finally someone pointed her in the right direction.
When we got to the nurses' station I told the lady there my water was broken, contractions 3 minutes apart, 4th child, and I deliver fast. I have never seen people get to work so fast at the hospital. She got me right in a room and people were running everywhere. I had tested positive for Strep A and I had to have an IV antibiotic to help protect the baby. The nurses were in a panic trying to get an IV in my arm so they could start running that. They like you to have 2 doses which take about 4 hours. Of course there was no time for that. They were hoping to pump in one dose as fast as they could. I was wanting an epidural but they had to get the IV in first. I was dilated to a 6 and I was afraid it was going to be too late for me to get one. This was my lowest point. I had never planned on natural childbirth. It really was hurting and I didn't think I could do the whole thing if I had to feel everything. Obviously I do not have a high tolerance for pain. The nurses could not get an IV needle in. They poked both my hands multiple times. My hands were bruised and bleeding. It took them a good 45 minutes just to get the IV in. All this time I am waiting for an epidural. I was crying telling Justin this was not the way I had planned it out. I admit I did yell at him when he tried to soothe me by rubbing my head and smoothing my hair. I told him to stop touching me. Sorry, Sweetheart! Finally the anesthesiologist came in and did the IV. They started the antibiotic and got the epidural in. Things were so much better after that. I calmed down and could joke around with Dale, my midwife, and Justin. I was nicer to people around me. Even though the baby was all ready to come they held me off as long as they could waiting to get in as much antibiotic as they could. I guess I am fortunate that I am one of those people that only need to push a couple of times and the baby is here. Devin was born at 3:38pm.
I felt like the whole thing happened so fast and it was a whirlwind. In a couple of hours I went from running errands to having a new baby. It was amazing! There is nothing quite like seeing your brand new baby for the first time and welcoming them into your family. I just felt so blessed. We had waited so long for Devin and he has done everything according to his own time table.
He is such a cute little thing. He is now 11 days old and so far he has been such a good little boy. He is pretty content most of the time. He only cries when he has a reason to like a dirty diaper or being hungry. Once you take care of what is bothering him he calms right down.
The girls love him. They are constantly volunteering to hold and feed him. They have been very good helpers. We just feel so lucky to have him as part of our family.
