The Arrival...

Going into this pregnancy I stressed the fact that I really wanted to be able to give a natural labor a fair chance.  I had to be induced with Will so I opted for an epidural the second I felt the first contraction.  Well, I definitely got my wishes granted.  I had no idea what "going into labor" really felt like so there were a few different days that I thought I was starting to get cramps/contractions. It wasn't until Saturday night (April 2nd) that those cramps would follow with real contractions.  On Sunday morning while leaving for church around 9am I got my first REAL contraction.  These contractions from this point on never let up.  They hovered around 7 minutes apart all day.  After church Joe and I decided to take Will golfing.  Since they weren't letting up we called Joe's parents to keep Will thinking that would be the day.  After Will was picked up Joe and I did a lot of walking the neighborhood and breathing through the contractions.  I grew frustrated because they never increased in intensity, nor did they get closer together.  We ended up picking up Will and going to sleep still contracting.  (Joe commented that I moaned through the contractions in my sleep!) I tried to get checked Monday at the OB but couldn't get in.  The nurse told me if the contractions got to be 5 min apart to just go to the hospital but otherwise I should try "drinking more water because dehydration can cause contractions," HA!  Well I knew they weren't from dehydration and was certain that I would be at the hospital sometime Monday.  My mom hung out with me all day and kept Will busy while I sat around contracting with what were at that point VERY painful 6 min apart contractions.  My mom kept trying to get me to go to the hospital and just say they were 5 min apart but I am stubborn.  I knew that if they weren't 5 min apart there would be a good chance of being sent home and I decided I would just hold out until my Tuesday regular check with my OB.  So, Tuesday finally came and when I was checked in the office I was dilated to 7cm!  My water was bulging and he was surprised it hadn't ruptured already.  Needless to say I was sent to the hospital directly.  When I checked in at 10:28am my contractions had slowed to 10 min apart (I don't think I ever had 5min apart contractions).  The nurse checked me every hour starting at Noon.  The first two checks my water was still in tact.  On the third check it ruptured and within 20 min I had three contractions.  These last three contractions were on a completely different pain level than any of my others.  The third contraction left me with an uncontrollable urge to push and that is just what happened.  Timothy was on his way out with no one but my Mom and Joe in the room.  Everything ended up perfectly fine but it was sure dramatic!

My little golfer.

Gotta love those gowns!

Saying Hi to baby brother.

Momma and Timothy

Eyes wide open.