On Saturday Kevin gardened while I picked up the debris, threw it in the trash, went up and down our steep driveway and up/down our stairs to get him different tools/items. That night I was EXHAUSTED and swollen but feeling normal. We ordered the fight and sat down to watch.
Around 8pm I started feeling some contractions, which had been normal. About an hour later I told Kevin they were different because they were coming more regularly and were becoming stronger. So we timed them but truthfully doubted this was "it". They started about 10 minutes apart, then progressed to 8. Kevin decided to go to bed in case we were going to have the baby (he had a few beers and thought maybe he should sleep it off and I should get rest too--ha! wishful thinking).
I tried to lay down but could not get comfortable--the contractions were bothersome and hurt. I also could not stop going to the bathroom. While Kevin slept I continued timing. When I hit six minutes apart & they lasted 45-1 min I woke him up and told him I knew we were having the baby. He called the doctor's office and found out our doctor was not on call, so we'd have a new doc who told us to wait until the contractions were five min. apart.
About an hour later they had jumped to four minutes apart. Kevin called the doc to let him know we were headed to L&D and then called the hospital so they'd know we were on the way. We got to the hospital around 3am Sunday morning.
They admitted me, put me on a monitor and checked me. I was 6-7cm dilated and 100% effaced! They said I needed a room IMMEDIATELY! We were expecting to have Baby F very soon!
After getting set up in our room I begged for help with the contractions (I originally wanted a natural birth, but I just could not endure it any longer and quite frankly I was no longer breathing through the contractions--very scary). I wanted an epidural but decided on narcotics when they told me the epidural doc would need to be called at home and lived 30 min. away! So I opted for narcotics (major mistake in my opinion). The narcotics really did nothing for me-maybe minimized the pain a little! BIG DEAL.
They checked me again around 6am and said I was at 9.5... it was almost time! They canceled my requested epidural saying baby would be here soon. Well an hour/hour and half later my labor had stopped (I blame the narcotics). So they administered pitocin and broke my water. They also re-ordered my epidural. The epidural was WAY WORTH IT and did not hurt one bit (but I was also having a contraction as it was administered, so needless to say I was VERY distracted). If I could do it all over again, I'd skip the narcotics and just do the epi.
Around 10am I was asked to start pushing. My sister and Kevin were by my side and we were all ready to go! I was struggling a bit with the technique of pushing (there are so many wrong/right parts to focus/not focus on). At some point we decided a mirror would help me see what I was doing and it definitely did. It also motivated me (when I saw that little head). I got to touch his head which was so encouraging and convinced me I COULD and WOULD do this! I cannot even put into words how I felt when I saw his face sticking out. The mirror definitely worked out for me.
What an incredibly amazing, awesome, cannot even put into words experience! 16 hours of labor (almost half done at home) and beyond worth it! Apparently he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck when he was delivered, so I had a panic attack when I didn't hear him cry. Daddy said the doctor responded quickly, unwrapping the cord immediately and then, the most beautiful sound I have ever heard--our baby boy crying! Daddy cut the cord, baby laid on mommy's chest and I sat there staring at him, Kevin and taking it all in. I cannot explain what I was feeling. Truly speechless.
That night we agreed we'd discuss a name after we got some much needed rest. That morning in between baby tests and filling out paperwork we discussed names. We both agreed on two--Liam & Levi. I agreed with Kevin that he looks like a Liam, but I adore the name Levi. We decided on Liam because we waited 9 months to meet him so we could match the face/personality with the name and we agreed all signs pointed to Liam. Also grandpa Snowden's name is William which we were definitely going to pass on, along with Kevin's grandfather's name which is David... so Liam David it was! I still love the name Levi so Kevin promised me if/when we have another if I still love it we will name him/her Levi, so I am officially reserving that name for any future Baby F's.
Liam is tiny but strong, healthy and PERFECT! We were discharged Monday and have been enjoying our little guy ever since. He checked out great at the pediatrician's office and is such a good baby. We're still working on getting him to sleep at night... but he's a great sleeper in the day (I definitely need to become a day napper).
I am doing well--recovering quickly! Kevin and I are adjusting to being sleep deprived and are in awe. We absolutely cannot believe how empty our lives were before him (we never knew we were missing something). Liam is an absolute blessing--we cannot imagine life without him. I leave you with some photos of our beautiful son with more to follow soon (this momma has to go feed her hungry baby).
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Let us know when we get to babysit :)