So...lots of people have asked and life with a newborn is very unpredictable so I am very delayed with this post. Here we are almost five weeks later and I am ready to share our story.
By my due date of May 19th, everything was in place for our little guy's arrival. We had moved, mostly unpacked, I had turned over my tasks at work - you get the idea. However Tanner had other plans which left us waiting and waiting and waiting. On May 25 (40 weeks 6 days), I had my last appointment. It began with a biophysical profile showing he was fully cooked and an aging placenta. When I saw the doctor, her first question...what day this week do you want a baby? We asked if "today" was a possibility. We were in luck, the doctor had just gotten off call at the hospital and knew labor and delivery (for the first time in a few days) was almost completely dead. She shipped us off straight to the hospital.
We were escorted right back to a room. The first nurse wasn't super friendly because in the 10 minutes it took us to go from the doctor to the hospital - a few walk-ins came and suddenly they were a little busy.
The doctor came and ordered the pitocin about 10:45. So it began. The nurse didn't think it would do much because I was only a one and not really effaced at all. By 2:30 contractions were getting a little painful and I was checked again. 3 cms - definitely making progress - and the nurse began to warm-up, impressed I had made progress. The doctor broke my water and immediately the pain was terrible. Because of the pitocin I couldn't walk around so I asked for my epidural. Until it came Lowell was a great support in holding my hand through contractions and talking me through them. The epidural was heavenly.
At this point I was dilated to a four, the grumpy nurse had warmed up but was being switched and the awesome nurse Claire took over (it is my belief everyone needs a Claire for delivery). She positioned me on my side and was so happy and optimistic. An hour later I was an 8. Claire had me flip sides and almost immediately I felt pressure. 45 minutes she came back and it was time to push. Pushing started at 6 and Tanner entered the world at 6:23 p.m.
Recovery has gone well. I am not quite back to myself, however we are getting there. I am grateful for both my mom and mother-in-law who came to visit and help. My sister is also living with us for the summer which has been a tremendous help as well.
Tanner has been an absolute joy. For the most part he sleeps well at night. We are working on fussiness during the day. He was just diagnosed with silent reflux and we have started medicine which seems to be helping. He will give you an occasional smile and even laughed a little yesterday after church. I am enjoying my time and feel blessed to be a stay-at-home mom.
As of June 24th Tanner was up to 12lbs. 6 oz. and continues to grow like a weed.
The Contenders (Genos on the left, Pats on the right).
The Happy Family
Sisters...and Tanner not keeping his pacifier in his mouth.
Lion King anyone?
