Happy Birthday Jeremiah!

On Thursday, April 25th we went in at 6:00am for an induction. The day before my doctor had checked me and I was dilated to 4 and 80% effaced. She said he was extremely low and my cervix was more than "ready."

We went in at 6:00am got all checked in and hooked up to an IV for fluids. 

At about 8:00am they started me on Pitocin and then we waited...with lots of family to keep us company and make the day so memorable.

I was having contractions but nothing any more major than what I had been having for weeks.

Around 11:30am my doctor came by and broke my water. 

Almost immediately my contractions got much much worse and I requested an epidural. 

I love the person who came up with the epidural. It was amazing!

The nurse checked me around 12:00 and I was 6cm and almost fully effaced. 

 By 1:30 I was feeling a lot of pressure and she checked me again and I was 10cm and ready to deliver!

 She was surprised how low his head was and hurried to get the room ready for delivery.

We did a few trial pushes before my doctor got there and that's when the drama began...

the baby's heart rate dropped and I was being flipped side to side over and over different positions trying to get it back to normal. It went all the way down to zero and I felt a slight panic in the room but finally we found a position that he liked. His heart rate came back up and I did not move from that position again until my doctor arrived. The guess was that he was laying on his cord or it was possibly wrapped around his neck. Great! 

Once my doctor arrived she took a quick look and commented that she did not even have time to change her clothes. The baby was coming too soon...she said "wow, he is going to be out in no time, he is right there, let's get pushing!"

Just before 2:00 I started pushing....

I pushed...and pushed...and pushed....

He definitely was not coming as quickly as they had predicted. 

I was exhausted...he was stuck...

I needed an episiotomy and he still was not coming.

I have never worked so hard in my life. It was absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done and I do not know what I would have done without the epidural. 

Finally at 3:35pm he came out and that's when more drama began...

They immediately put him on my chest but he didn't stay there long. 

Shaun cut the cord and they took him over to work on him because he was not crying and was barely breathing. They shook him all around, pulled on his limbs and finally he started to cry. It was so scary and hard to watch. I just remember crying and praying. That cry was the best sound I had ever heard. 

Praise the Lord he was going to be alright. 

So, the reason I pushed for so long turned out to be because his head was turned sideways. He had been banging into my pelvis with the side of his head for almost 2 hours as I pushed. He came out with a giant cone and bruise on the side of his head. Poor baby!

Bruised and cone-headed but otherwise looked perfect.
My Baby Boy
Jeremiah David
7 lbs. 6.9 ounces
20 1/4 inches long

We are in love!

Eviction Notice

Sunday Morning Hike

Shaun and I went on a hike this morning in the canyon behind our house hoping to get some contractions going or even better to break my water....both to no avail but we had fun anyway!

 I can't believe I have lived in this house for 4 years and have never really gotten to know the trails hidden just a few houses down. 

It was beautiful,  relaxing, and I am sure pretty comical for Shaun to watch me hike with this giant belly. We had to stop A LOT along the way so I could catch my breath but we made it!

Thanks honey for a great morning!

These were some views from the top...

And...here is the path my husband chose to take us down on our way back...what the?!?

Needless to say, I walked very slowly and carefully and we laughed a lot!

No Baby...

Still no baby...apparently I quite a cozy little home. I have had contractions off and on for days but he must be enjoying stringing us along. I know, I know, he will come when he is ready. I just wish my doctor would stop telling me he is ready because I am feeling like he is never going to come out!

Technically due in 2 days...doc has scheduled induction on Thursday (4 days from now). 

I am really hoping he comes on his own terms but I also love the fact that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if we decide to take her up on that offer. 

Jeremiah, I love you little guy, but come on! Everyone is anxious to meet you! 

Today would be good...just saying...

Walk, Walk, Walk

Shaun and I have walked the dogs on the same 1.5 mile walk everyday for the past 8 months or so. I told Shaun no matter what, I WILL walk this walk everyday until I give birth. There are a few hills along the way, but this is THE hill that kills me every time now that I am so far along. The past couple weeks I am trailing a few paces behind but I make it to the top! The picture doesn't do it any justice, but believe me it sucks! 

Today I went to the doctor and she told us I was dilated to 3 and that she believes the baby will be here within a day or two. She even said she would not be surprised to see us tonight. 

AAAHHH!!

My body is SO sore and I want him out SO bad but I am officially scared to death that I could be giving birth later today...tomorrow...in a few days. It is so surreal that soon we will be holding our baby boy in our arms. 

Here I am today after the doctor...I had 2 pretty strong contractions on my way up this hill...maybe this will be my last day walking it without a stroller in tow. 

We will see, only God knows the perfect time for this baby to arrive. In the meantime I will be trying to sleep (yeah right) and praying for a healthy baby and a quick and completely painless delivery. A girl can dream right?!?

Wow, huge.

I am 38/39 weeks this week and I feel (and look) absolutely ginormous. 

I have nothing left that fits me and I am living in warm up pants and sweatshirts. 

No more cute pregnant girl here (as if there ever was one). 

Giant girl coming through!

I am officially off work and baby watch has begun! Last week I was still dilated at 2 but was 70% effaced. We will see what they say this week although I have a feeling it may be the same. Jeremiah seems rather comfy in there and I feel like he is going to test our patience and my comfort level to the max.

Now that I am off work I have been in nesting mode to the extreme. Cleaning, stocking the freezer with meals, all while trying my best to relax and sit around the house too. Got my manicure and pedicure and today I get my hair done. 

Come on little man, we are SO ready to meet you...and to be completely honest...I would prefer for both of us to stop gaining weight so the sooner the better!! 

xoxo-Mommy

Full Term

37 weeks...38 weeks....we don't know what to go by 

(doc. is going by 38 but original due date says 37...)

All we know is Jeremiah is now full term no matter which due date you choose and he is going to come when he is ready. 

I am barely making it through my last week at work. Getting more and more uncomfortable, lots of feet swelling, achy legs, sore back, TIRED. 

Jeremiah, please let me get through the rest of this week, and then you may come at any time, preferably sooner rather than later, thank you, love you! 

Enjoying some relaxation and sun!