Labor of Love

Well, he's three and a half weeks early, but little Jimmy is here! And we are proud to announce he is a healthy and happy baby. Of course, we think he's the cutest, most perfect little being ever to be born.

I thought I would share with everyone the story of little Jimmy's birth, sans the ever-so-graphic details of the actual delivery.

Tuesday, March 2, I woke up with some cramping that didn't feel quite normal. My Braxton Hicks contractions were a little more intense than they had ever been, but I didn't say anything to Jimmy. I went about the work day as normal, until that evening when I could barely stand due to the intensity of the contractions. Jimmy kept telling me if they didn't get better, we would go to the hospital, but if I could bear it, my appointment with Dr. Rawson was first thing in the morning. I felt like my entire stomach was dropping slowly to the ground, but I kept my composure, climbed into bed and told myself to wait until the appointment.

When we were waiting at the doctor's office the next morning I was still having the cramping sensation. I had no weight gain, which I thought was strange, and I asked to have my cervix looked at. Jimmy joked that perhaps I was already dilated to 3 cm, but I told him not to get excited and the chances of any dilating were slim. Right before laying down to be examined, I had a huge contraction that brought tears to my eyes. Dr. Rawson waited it out and then checked. He looked up and smiled. Jimmy couldn't have hit the nail more on the head - I was 3 cm and well on my way through the stages of early labor. We were instructed to go home, pack the car and just rest. Rest?! As big as I am on preparation, there were still things at home I didn't have ready for the baby. And there were still things we didn't have that we would need. I looked up at Dr. Rawson and assured him I would take it easy, all the while knowing we were about to head home and do some major baby preparation.

We jumped in the car, headed to Wendy's for lunch (super healthy, I know), and went to Babies R Us. I'm sure I was quite the sight to see, walking up and down the aisles as fast as my waddle would take me, throwing things into the cart and yelling, "Do you think we'll need this?" "What about this?" "More diapers!" The employees looked at me as if I was crazy, but I didn't care. I had some big contractions while shopping but my focus was on getting what we needed. When we got home, I did some laundry, cleaned, and did the dishes while Jimmy vacuumed, built the baby swing and spent time with Brinkley. We took her on a walk to get her as tired as possible and to hopefully get my labor moving along. The first walk didn't do much, but the second walk a few hours later was what really set me off. We got half way down the street when I started yelling out the craziest things and Jimmy's reactions had me laughing hysterically between each contraction. He took one look at me during one of my bigger ones and announced it was officially time to go.

But it wasn't time - yet. During our child birth class we learned a few little "tricks" about being a patient at Memorial Hermann. The first is, you won't be admitted until you are at least 4 cm. The second, you aren't allowed to eat until after the delivery starting the moment you are admitted. Well, I couldn't do much to control the 4 cm part, but I could control the eating thing. I suggested a hearty meal at Freebirds, a suggestion Jimmy and I cringe and laugh about now. Being such a fantastic, obedient husband, Jimmy drove to Freebirds. While in line, the contractions really started coming. The girl building our burritos and the people in the restaurant were horrified when I walked through those doors. I was ordering my meal through contractions, trying to eat through contractions, and making noises only other pregnant women in labor can appreciate. The stares from those around us were priceless. Jimmy must have been incredibly embarrassed because I wasn't half way through my dinner when he said, "It's time to go."

When we got to the hospital, I suddenly became overwhelmed. All those movies and t.v. shows that show labor made it look so scary. Could I do this? How bad was this really going to hurt? Was I ready for a full night of contractions and then weeks after weeks of no sleep? Could I be a mom? What would happen to my relationship with Jimmy?

I broke down in tears in the car and Jimmy grabbed my hand and did the only thing in this world that could have calmed me down enough to get me inside - prayed. We prayed for awhile about all the things we were about to experience and just asked for strength, patience, and God's almighty love. God sent a huge wave of peace over me and I was officially ready. Bring it on, labor, bring it on.

Once inside I found out I was between 4 and 5 cm and officially would be admitted. My biggest concern was the gown and how ridiculously itchy it was, still able to talk through contractions. My nurse was incredible and once all the family arrived I felt much more at ease. And the epidural wasn't even that bad. It was over before I even had time to get nervous about it, and the pain relief was everything I had dreamed of and more. Jimmy and I slept a few hours as my body continued to progress through labor and things were going well. At about 1 a.m. I decided to move to my side to sleep, and forgot to let the nurse know I was doing this and to come turn me. Whoops. About an hour and a half later my right side was dead weight and my left was starting to regain feeling. Every contraction that came shot down my entire left side and had me gasping for breath. Jimmy came to the rescue and turned me to the left side to try and get the medicine running down that side of my body. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to fully get the epidural back in full swing on the left before it was time to push. I labored down so I wouldn't have to push as much, which was the best advice I had ever received from my nurse.

It was time. I had made it this far and was ready to have my son there. Dr. Rawson arrived and the room was filled with smiling, encouraging nurses as well as a proud dad-to-be. When a contraction hit, I pushed. And I couldn't feel a thing, so I had no clue what I was doing. I'm just thankful that Jimmy didn't laugh while I pushed, because I'm sure I looked ridiculous. In between pushes I somehow found the energy to joke about how if I could have a cheeseburger I would be a much better pusher. My nurses had me laughing between pushes and said they very rarely came across a patient who could enjoy those resting moments between pushes. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no Super Woman. I cried and looked up at Jimmy a few times telling him I wasn't sure I could go on. But there were definitely moments when I was joking and laughing between pushing. I figured if I couldn't enjoy the time that would change my life forever, then what's the point? The final pushes were the most intense as I started yelling out the orders. "Keep going! Keep going! AGAIN!", were my orders to the staff on the final round of pushing. I knew he was almost there and I just wanted him out!

After just 30 minutes of pushing and some serious hunger pains, Jimmy arrived. And he was perfect. His first act was to grab my finger and hold on tight. He was 6 pounds 7 ounces, 19. 5 inches long and doing great for a baby on the border of being premature.

He's perfect in every way. His cry is perfect, his feet are perfect, the way he looks up at us is perfect. And he's ours. We are learning new things about him every minute and learning new things about being parents, but we love him so much. Brinkley loves him because she thinks he is a toy and she will be awarded the opportunity to play with him if she barks loudly at him. Poor kid just looks at her. One day, those two will be best buds.

And that's our story. I recovered really fast and feel amazing. We are still riding the "new parent" high, but we are getting rest when we can and have the love and support of our family and friends to get us through the days. And it's so sad because the days are already flying. We are seeing Jimmy grow up so much every day and it just breaks my heart to know that these days will only go faster and faster, until one day he is no longer a little baby anymore.

God had a big plan for us and He watched over us through the entire process. We still feel His love over us and know that we can get through just about anything as long as we keep our eyes and hearts focused on Him. God is SO good -- all the time!