Oh my son

I freaking love you so much! Who would have ever guessed how quickly you can fall in love with someone and how much you can love them. Even in the middle of the night, I love just to snuggle him back to sleep after he eats. Motherhood is definitely everything I have hoped for an so much more!

David's Birth Story!

The morning of March 19th was a very special day for our family. Jason and I woke up and were finishing some last minute chores when the phone rang at 10:30 – it was my call from the hospital telling me they were ready for me to come in and start my induction. We packed the last couple of things into the car and left for the hospital. We called Grandma Lisa (my mom) and met her at the hospital. After getting settled in, we started the Pitocin at 12:30pm and got things underway. Things started slowly and not much progress was made. After walking to see how things would go, the doctor decided to break my water at 5pm and things progressed quite quickly (at least the intensity of the contractions progressed quickly). We tried watching several movies like Jurassic Park 3 (mine and Linda’s obsession lately, lol) and Robin Hood – the animated Disney version. Dad and Alex came to spend time with us in the hospital (around 9pm) hoping to see David before leaving for Spring Training. They walked in during some VERY tough contractions and Alex quickly took his place by my side, holding and stroking my hand trying to comfort me. He was doing good until mom suggested he help me breathe… he was doing fine, except that he was breathing on me which was so very annoying, lol. The nurse came in shortly after saying they were going to put in an internal contraction monitor because my external one was not working properly. After they had finished, I was bawling! The contractions were approaching the 80’s in intensity and coming about every 2 minutes… I decided I needed the epidural. With Jason by my side, the anesthesiologist came in and gave me the epidural which was arguably the worst part of labor. The relief came quickly for which I was very grateful. The epidural was in full swing around 10pm and I decided to get some sleep. Since you have to switch sides every 30-45 minutes when you have an epidural, my sleep wasn’t very productive. The nurses checked my progress every 2 hours. They had to switch off the Pitocin twice because the contractions were coming too close together and were very strong. The second time it was turned off, David’s heart rate was dropping in response to the powerful contractions so I was also put on oxygen. Things evened out quickly, though, and I was taken off oxygen. At 4am, I woke up in a lot of pain. We called the nurse who came in and checked my progress, I was at 8cm and fully effaced. We found out the pain was being caused by David’s head pushing on my public bone – he was face up! They gave me a second dose of the epidural and I was able to sleep again. We had to say goodbye to dad and Alex around 4:30am - they had to catch their plane. I was so sad they weren’t going to get to see David before they left for Florida!!! At 6am, the nurse had to come back in to replace David’s internal monitor because he kept wiggling out of them… 5 of them to be exact. The nurse was preparing to replace his monitor when she said we were going to have to call the doctor. “Why?” I asked – I was exhausted and wanted to go back to sleep, not wait for the doctor. The nurse said that we needed the doctor because she could see David’s head! I was in shock! How could I be ready to push? Was I even fully dilated? I’m too tired!!!! Plus, the second dose of epidural was a pretty heavy dose so I could NOT move my legs at all! We did a couple practice pushes and the nurse promptly told me to cross my legs until the doctor arrived. We got the room ready for delivery and got the cameras ready! Dr. Sopuch walked in, got ready, and gave me the thumbs up. 4 short pushes later, David came into the world at 6:56am on March 20th. He was welcomed by mom, dad, Grandma Lisa, and Auntie Linda. I could hardly believe that my sweet little boy was finally here! We shortly found out that he was anything but little. David weighed in at 9 pounds 11 ounces and 22 ½ inches long! Dr. Sopuch put him on my stomach and it was love at first sight! He was so calm and just looked up at me while the nurses dried him off. He is such a calm little boy! Even when he’s hungry, he rarely does more than whimper. We were moved up to recovery at about 8am. Over the next few days, we were surrounded by family and friends coming to see out sweet boy. Jason and I love being able to spend all our time with our sweet little man. We can hardly believe how perfect our little family is. David, I’ve loved you longer than I know and always will.

A rough week or so

I have been having a rough week or so... besides battling illness (still!) I am dealing with an especially stubborn little boy and a rough weekend! All last Thursday I had been having contractions that were progressing pretty well. I saw the dr that afternoon and saw the dr who said I was 2ish cm and about 80% effaced (which I have been for about a month now). Once I was finished with my appointment, my contractions were still continuing so mom came home with me and helped me get things ready (bags packed, dishes done, dinner made). Once Jason came home from school and ate, we all were waiting and timing contractions. Once they reached about 3 minutes apart - we were off to the hospital. They checked me again and said I was dilated to 3cm so it was nice to know I wasn't going through contractions for nothing! So they monitored me for an hour and let me walk for an hour, but I didn't progress anymore so they sent me home. I did learn some interestinng information that night though. While they were admitting me, they asked if I had had or been exposed to MRSA (reisitant staph). Well, I've had it for most of my pregnancy, so I was immediately put into "isolation". Since my regular dr neglected to do follow up cultures, we weren't sure if I was still carrying the bacteria (I haven't had a repeat infection in 2 months so I'm assuming not). Anyway, what this means is that I probably will not be able to get an epidural. I was planning on having a natural birth anyway... but ill get into the problem this presents later...So Jason and I finally made it to bed around 2am and very much enjoyed catching up on our sleep.
The NEXT day, Jason and I were walking fools! lol, we walked and walked and walked and it paid off (well, somewhat). I started having some really hard contractions around 8 and about 10, they started to be very painful and regular but I wasn't ready to go to the hospital because I didn't want to get sent home 2 days in a row. So I stuck it out, fell asleep, and at about 3am, the contractions stopped all together. Since then, my contractions (if any) have been few and far between.
I saw the dr again this morning and we've set an induction date - March 19th - this thursday! I am excited to FINALLY hold my sweet little boy, but I'm terrified to death! So, basically when you are induced, they break your water and start you on Pitocin (the drug that makes your uterus contract). Pitocin is THE WORST drug you can be on... Pitocin contractions are longer and stronger and suck completely! So... if David doesn't make his apperance by Thursday, I have to be induced - I have to have Pitocin to make me be in worse pain... and I CAN'T have an epidural. Oh crap. I'm still hoping for the best, but I am absolutely terrified and bargaining with my little guy to not make his mommy go through all this!!!!!

Due Date Tomorrow!

It's finally here!!! The day I've been waiting for the last 9 months. Am I going to have David tomorrow? Probably not, but atleast I know he's made it all 4 weeks and is doing great! I've been dilating for atleast 3 weeks and it could be tomorrow but most likely not... any day now, though!! I've been doing really great and ould totally give myself a gold start lately, lol. I've been really sick the last couple of days which has sucked pretty bad, but I still keep going! I've been to work everyday and working when I get home cleaning or whatever. With Jason working and going to school every night, the responsibility has to fall to someone and the dog isn't very helpful around the house, lol.

Anyway, I am excited that the day is finally here... even if David isn't, lol

I'm not sure I've ever been so shocked

K, so why is it that the people who are supposed to love us no matter what, can be so hurtful? Oh my family... why can't we all just get along? Here are some things I think families should give unconditionally:

• Love - imagine that



• Understanding - not everyone can be their best 24/7



• Respect - we all have our free agency and we should respect each other's opinions and choices



• Space - people want to spend time with their own families first and foremost (I could spend every second with Jason and not think a thing about anyone else) and shouldn't be chastized for not wanting to entertain 24/7

I think sometimes people are just looking for ways to entertain themselves by putting others down and that is so sad in families. I have been wronged so many times by my family, but I love them and HATE being upset with them. I understand that no one's perfect but there's a difference between venting and trash talk.

I couldn't find a pic of Jason's family on my computer so I'll just settle for these!