Last Monday, the 6th, was Chadd's birthday. This is a picture we took by the tree at his parent's house.
As we were getting ready to go to their house I told him I wanted to be sure and take the camera so we could take a picture for his birthday. I halfway jokingly said, "Maybe this will be our last pregnancy picture."Fast forward about 4 hours (12:25am)- we're in bed and I was dreaming something weird, but I can't remember what. Then, my water broke. We were so calm about it (on the outside), it was strange. From straight out of my sleep I said, "My water just broke." and it was like Chadd was wide awake. He just said, "Ok."- Hopped right up, threw me a towel and got dressed. I got up and went to the scale...and I didn't lose one.single.pound. I thought surely I had dropped 10 easy. I took a shower and Chadd started loading the car. Our house was a DISASTER. So much for that nesting myth. It was somewhat clean, but messy. Most people know I can be a little OCD, but I promise- complete disaster. I was walking around trying to clean up, just a little, as in making trails (literally) so my family could get around once they got into town and were staying here. We had boxes and boxes of Christmas decorations everywhere, plus fall ones that we had boxed up. So, after we got things pushed out of the way and everything we thought we needed in the Tahoe, we headed to the hospital.
We were settled into one of the small labor rooms and everything was hooked up by about 1:30 am and we expected to be holding a baby by lunch. Things didn't happen exactly that way. My family arrived from Andalusia about 3 am--his actually beat us to the hospital-- because we were cleaning. We visited with them for a little while then they all went to the waiting room and Chadd and I turned out the lights and tried to sleep (big emphasis on 'tried'). A couple of hours later, they came and moved us to the huge L&D room across the hall. Kriston, Whitney, and Coty all got subs for their classes and were in Mobile by mid morning. It meant a lot that they did all that to come be with us and see Bryant. At some point later in the morning the Dr. decided to start a pitocin drip to hopefully make me dilate faster. Bryant wasn't showing any signs of distress, but because my water had broken they wanted to speed up the labor to prevent infection. So an antibiotic and pitocin was started. The contractions did get a lot stronger and closer. I had LOTS of people in my room and I apologized to the nurse but told her I thought the distractions made it easier for me. She assured me that whatever made it easier was fine. She was super, super sweet. (Side note story:) I asked her what was it like for the baby when your water breaks. Meaning how does their environment change: Does the uterus kind of cave around them? Does the fluid immediately begin replacing itself? etc. She began explaining to me (very sweetly) that we can't be sure, because we don't know what babies are thinking, but that she thought they were ok and were still happy. Haha! She had to think I was a lunatic, but I was so exhausted I didn't even bother to explain to her what I meant. I just left it at that. After just talking to Chadd though, he apparently thought I meant the same thing she did and said he made the hand signal to her that I had been drinking. Oh well, what can you do? Maybe its a crazy question, but it seemed legitimate at the time.
So, there was my family-Mom, Dad, Jessica, Jamie, & Kriston; Chadd's parents; Coty, Whitney, Scarlett, & Sophie all rotating in and out of the room...all...day...long. Along with others that stopped by for a little while. Really, it was a good time. Of course, Chadd never really left my side (and never went to sleep). I know I had no control, but by about 3:00pm I started to feel really bad that I was keeping everyone waiting so long. Eventually, I decided I had had enough pain and asked for the epidural. Having that done was the first time I cried all day (up to that point anyway). I was scared and jumped when Dr. Daniels, the anethesist, pressed something on my back. He got VERY stern and said, "Do NOT jump!" Well, that was all it tookat that point to send me over the edge; tears started streaming down my face. All went well though and the epidural was AWESOME. I was so relaxed after it. Everyone stayed out of the room and we had some quiet time although I still don't think we went to sleep. I couldn't feel the contractions anymore but I knew when I was having one because I got nauseous every time. It was the strangest thing. It got to be later and later and Kriston and Whitney were going to have to leave to get back home so their babies could go to bed. Dr. McGrath came back around 6pm and examined me. I was STILL at 4cm. As soon as she looked at me, I knew what was coming next. She looked almost like she was going to cry too as she told me that I had to have a C-section. I was upset (really upset) and I cried, but I couldn't argue. I knew I had to do whatever was best for Bryant and I. I felt like I went into a fog as soon as she said the word. I NEVER really thought I'd have to do it that way, even though I had said I was trying to be prepared for anything. Everyone came back in and saw us before they took me back. Chadd and my Momma put on their gowns, hat, & masks and went to the OR with me. I'm not going to lie- the section was horrible. I have never felt pain like that. The epidural was working, they did the pinch tests and alcohol swab test and I couldn't feel anything. Ohhhh, but did that change as they started working. I'm not really sure what was going on but there was just SO much pain. It radiated from my toes up to my shoulders. I was crying and started throwing up. Alex Bruns, was my CRNA. Chadd grew up with him and his family. He kept asking could he give me some pain medicine but I didn't want him to for fear of not remembering the rest of the night. It got to be too much though and he had to give me some. Annnnd I don't remember much after that, or the next day for that matter. Bless Chadd's heart, I'm still piecing things together so I've asked him a million and a half questions about what happened over the next 24 hours. BUT what I do know and remember is hearing that sweet little baby cry and Chadd bringing him over to my face for me to see and kiss before walking him to the nursery...and that's what matters.
Perfect! All 7lb 3ozs, 21.5" of him
They finished sewing me up and took me back to my L&D room. All I remember from the rest of the night is Coty and Whitney coming to my bedside and me telling them how bad the section hurt. I also remember waking up (many hours later, I think) and hearing Bryant crying, seeing Chadd way down at the other end of the room changing his diaper and feeling like I should get up and help him, but knowing that I couldn't. Oh, and I remember someone telling me that he had lots and lots of hair and that it looked highlighted. That's it-that's all I remember. I don't remember holding him for the first time, which I've had a hard time with. I don't remember nursing him. I don't remember seeing our friends and family come in and hold him, but apparently when asked if I wanted to just have everyone stay out for the night and for us to hold him and get some rest I apparently said, "No, let everyone come back." So they did, all 500 people that were out in the waiting room at that point came into the room and passed him around and saw me looking like death warmed over. I don't remember it though, so its all good.
God has blessed us beyond belief. If there was anything good about the C-section, it was that we got to spend extra days in the hospital- just the 3 of us. Not having to worry about work, the weather outside (which was freezing, I think it snowed most everywhere else in AL), or anything but getting to know and bonding with our new little miracle. Those 4-5 days will always be so special to me. Every time Chadd picks up Bryant he looks at him and starts singing "Hello World", and I don't think he even realizes it. It makes my heart smile every time. I couldn't have done it without Chadd. That's truly when "in sickness and in health" hits home. He had to help me in and out of bed. He did 99% of Bryant's diaper changing. When the nursery nurses were bringing Bryant in every 45 minutes throughout the night to nurse he got up every single time and just sat by my bed. He took care of everything. He has been my rock and I'm so thankful for him.
Today is my 26th birthday. Mom and I took Bryant for a weight check this morning and he's back up to 7.2lb! That's only 1oz shy of his birth weight and it means he's gained 7 oz since leaving the hospital 2 days ago. We might have a little porker before too long. The 3 of us met Chadd for lunch after and came back home. We don't have any other plans for the night, but that's ok- Happy Birthday to me!! :)
