The Young and the Restless

The birth story

The countdown is on until my quiet hospital stay is over so I thought I better take advantage of it by recording Ryder's birth story...

I was scheduled to get induced 5 days early on Wednesday June 8 at 9pm.  Even though I really wanted to experience going into labor on my own, I was excited to finally have the end in sight and no longer play the waiting game.  I went on Tuesday morning for my regular appointment and was surprised that I was already dialated to a 5.  He went ahead and stripped my membranes again and I was hoping that would put me into labor later that night AFTER Jason's 7:00 flight home from Vegas.  I was having contractions throughout the day, some stronger than others but nothing too regular.  I thought I better hold off on walking the neighborhood and jumping on the trampoline until after Jason came home, but I wasn't too worried that I would go into labor before then.  Around 5:00 my contractions were starting to get a little stronger and when Jason called to tell me that his plane was delayed, panic started setting in and I had a little meltdown on the phone.  I did get some good news when my mom called shortly after that.  She was originally planning on flying in Wednesday morning but when I called her after my dr. appt., she scrambled to try and catch an earlier flight.  My aunt works for United so it is a nice perk that my mom can fly standby, but it's not always reliable.  The last time she came to visit she spent 2 days and one night in the Dallas airport before she could catch a flight here and I was worried that the same thing might happen again.  There was a flight that looked pretty promising with 20 openings that would get her here at 10:30 Tuesday night so I was surprised and excited when she called and said she and my little sister Jayci were able to get on an earlier flight that was previously oversold and then at the last minute they ended up with exactly 2 openings and they would be landing at 7:50, right around the same time as Jason.  What a blessing, love those tender mercies.  I spent the next couple of hours getting the kids dinner, putting Maddox to bed, packing my hospital bags and trying to breathe through contractions.  I was trying to keep busy and stay distracted but I could tell they were getting alot stronger.  I was trying to be brave for the kids sake but it scared Kylie to see me that way.  I was crying, she was crying and she worried that I would have the baby at home, that is if I didn't die first.  Finally I started timing the contractions and realized they were only 3 minutes apart and then I really started getting worried.  At 8:00 I called Jason (who still didn't believe I was going into labor and was fully planning on going to work the next day) and they were just leaving the airport.  It's about a 45 min. drive home, plus another 15-20 min to the hospital and I didn't know what to do.  He had me talk to my mom and as soon as she heard me she knew I needed to get to the hospital right away and at that point I think both Jason and I began to panic.  So much that I didn't even care what my hair looked like.  I called my good friend, Julie who was so excited and rushed right over.  Another friend just happened to be at her house so she came over to watch the kids and we were off.  It was so chaotic and I felt bad leaving the kids like that, they weren't sure whether to be scared or excited.  I will never forget that ride, it was like something out of the movies.  She was hilarious, we would laugh and talk in between contractions and as soon as one would hit she would alternate between cranking the Beiber to try and distract me or sit in complete silence and gently talk me through it.  At one point we came to an intersection that was shut down because of an accident, she pulled right up to the cops and told them that we needed to go straight through because I was in labor (I've always wanted to use that excuse).  They looked at us like they couldn't decide if we were joking or if we were lovers (maybe she should held off on gently stroking my stomach when she was trying to convince them it was for reals).  They wouldn't let us go so instead she ran the red light turning left.  We finally made it there and I was so relieved to see Jason and my mom (who went home with Julie to be with the kids).  I love that my mom documented every moment, breathing through contractions and all, with pictures. I didn't realize how sweaty I was from all the pain until I went to hug Julie before she left and I could tell my back was drenched in sweat.  As emberassing as these pictures are, it is what it is and I'm glad I have these memories recorded. 

They checked me and I was already almost to a 7 so they got me hooked up to my IV and into the room as soon as possible with the anesthesiologist on his way. Even though I was nervous because the anesthesiologist looked like he was straight out of highschool and was actually an anesthsia nurse not a doctor, I really have never experienced so much excrutiating pain and that epidural was a beautiful thing.  Usually I hate it because being numb makes me have panic attacks.  I usually spend my labor with the oxygen mask hooked up, an extreme case of the shakes and throwing up from the nausea.  This time was so different.  I was so calm and relaxed, everytime a contraction would register on the monitor I would get so giddy because I couldn't feel a thing. The doctor came and broke my water shortly after that to speed things along.  My nurse was great, we all just sat and chatted away and let the time pass.

After about 2 hours from the time I checked in, I was dialated to a 10.  I wasn't really feeling any pressure to push, so she just took her time getting things set up and we all just joked around and had a grand old time.  When the time came the doctor waltzed in, I pushed through about 3 or 4 contractions and out he came at 11:44 pm (almost 3 hrs after we checked in), weighing 8lbs (well, 7lbs 15.9 oz if we're being technical), and measured 21.6 inches long. We were suprised that he was such a big baby, but it definately explains why I couldn't sleep for the past month. I had a mirror set up this time and it was amazing and crazy to see the miracle of his birth.  Usually I am such an emotional wreck after the delivery, I'm sobbing from excitement and relief to have it all over and this time I thought would be worse since it's (most likely) our last , but it was nothing like that.  Everything was so peaceful and calm, I just sat there soaking in every moment with only the site of my episiotomy getting stitched up to distract me (I really wish he would have moved the mirror for that).  It was such a beautiful moment and just like the birth of my other children, one that I will never forget.

The kids were so excited to come and see him the next morning and I loved watching them fall in love with him too, examining every part of his teeny little body, stroking his soft hair and kissing his little cheeks.

I was curious to see how Maddox would react and I was relieved to see that he couldn't get enough of him. He kept playing peek-a-boo and singing Rock-a-by Baby to "his" baby Ryder.

Jason never understands why I enjoy the hospital stay so much but after all the door slamming from playing hide and seek in the bathroom, the countless times the nurse's button got pushed, Maddox ramming the bassinet into walls, Jayden begging to watch Spongebob and eat my food (and checking under my blankets to see if I was naked), I think he finally realized why I cherish a silent, dark room with food only a phone call away and my only responsibilities are to hold and feed an adorable baby, sleep and take atleast one shower before I go home.  Needless to say, I am soaking up every minute I have here with sweet little Ryder, but I am also excited to go home and start our new adventures with four kids. I feel so blessed.
 

My friend is hilarious, she made me these "pee-pee tee-pees" for when I change his diaper.  The kids thought it was so nice of her to make little birthday hats to celebrate his birth.

Kylie and her aunt Jayci are inseperable, they even have to dress the same.  They are having the best time together and made up songs about me and Ryder to the tune of "Fireworks" and "Funk Soul Brother" that they performed for us.

My friends rock, what can I say.  It was fun to have them stop by (and Chelsea who was able to stop by earlier too :) and discuss such important topics as birthing, nursing and poop.


Heading home....

The girls were so cute, they spent the last couple of days running a spa and earning money for gifts for Ryder.  Apparently Jason quite enjoyed his poolside massage and facial, complete with cucumbers on the eyes, so much so that they earned $15 towards presents, thanks to generous donations from Grandma and Jayden too.  So cute.