After the nurse told us that I was at 9 cm, Doug called his dad, and we made sure that my dad was on his way to the hospital. We were really surprised that I was almost ready - and so excited! It didn't seem like any time at all had passed, and the nurse had told the Dr. that we were ready.
My mom and Doug were in the delivery room with me. Doug was holding one of my legs up, and after a little while of the nurse holding the other leg, my mom offered. So here we were - mom on one side, Doug on the other, and me holding both legs up, because my epidural worked, but I could still feel my legs to help!
Dr. Fogarty came in, and my nurse pretty much told her that she needed to get into her scrubs. Once I was ready to start pushing, they told me, and I pushed with all I could. I asked the nurse before we started to put the mirror up so that I could see - and I'm so glad that I did. I ended up pushing for less than 30 minutes before Cody arrived.
Being able to see it happen, and to have Doug and my mom both be able to experience it was just amazing! When I pushed him out, they put him on my stomach and I was able to hold this precious little guy that Doug
& I had made! That is something that I will never forget! Holding my son for the first time, right after I delivered him was one of the best days of my life!
Doug got to cut his cord, and then they took him to check him over. He was perfect in every way. We got to spend some time with him, and then our parents came in the delivery room. Seeing all of them with Cody was just amazing. We had a good hour with him before they took him to the nursery.
I was wheeled to my room (and got to hear the lullaby song while they pushed me there). Once we got to my room, they let me rest while Cody stayed in the nursery. Doug & I got to see him later in the afternoon.
I still can't believe that he is here! But I also can't imagine life without him. Funny how that works. I have had so many nights without sleep - but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love Cody Douglas Stefan with all my heart, and I don't know what I would do without him!
I'm so thankful that God let us help him create this wonderful blessing!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
just realized something
Since the day we came home from the hospital, we have tried to not make our house quiet. I didn't want to put Cody to sleep in a quiet room, ever, because let's face it...that's unrealistic! If he was used to going to sleep in quietness, then what happens when we're someplace where it's impossible to get him to sleep because of the noise?!
Well, we've had soft lullabies playing, and I turn on his slumber bear (womb sounds) every evening when he goes to bed. It worked well until recently. So much of the time, he's in the living room with us, and he'll fall asleep on the couch on his/my boppy pillow. Well, it's definitely not quiet in there with the TV going, me cooking and cleaning dishes, etc. But he always falls asleep just fine. Tonight I realized as he was crying in his crib, that the soft lullabies are not what he wants. So, I turned on K-LOVE. With people talking and singing, it's more like what he hears when the TV's on and when Doug & I are talking.
I'm so happy to say that as of right now, it's working wonderfully! He went right to sleep! I'm hoping that this will become normal, and not just an exception for tonight. As hard as we've been working on getting on a good schedule, the past few nights have not been pleasant for either of us! If K-LOVE gets him to sleep, I'm more than happy to let him listen to some great music! :)
Well, we've had soft lullabies playing, and I turn on his slumber bear (womb sounds) every evening when he goes to bed. It worked well until recently. So much of the time, he's in the living room with us, and he'll fall asleep on the couch on his/my boppy pillow. Well, it's definitely not quiet in there with the TV going, me cooking and cleaning dishes, etc. But he always falls asleep just fine. Tonight I realized as he was crying in his crib, that the soft lullabies are not what he wants. So, I turned on K-LOVE. With people talking and singing, it's more like what he hears when the TV's on and when Doug & I are talking.
I'm so happy to say that as of right now, it's working wonderfully! He went right to sleep! I'm hoping that this will become normal, and not just an exception for tonight. As hard as we've been working on getting on a good schedule, the past few nights have not been pleasant for either of us! If K-LOVE gets him to sleep, I'm more than happy to let him listen to some great music! :)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Cody's 1 Month Birthday!
Happy 1 month Birthday to one of the love's of my life - my little Code Man!
Before you were conceived I wanted you.
Before you were born I loved you.
Before you were here an hour I would die for you.
This is the miracle of a mother's love.
~Maureen Hawkins
Before you were conceived I wanted you.
Before you were born I loved you.
Before you were here an hour I would die for you.
This is the miracle of a mother's love.
~Maureen Hawkins
Our Birth Story - Part 2
Once I got into bed, the nurse checked me to see where I was and also checked to make sure that my water did break. I was dilated to a 1 at that check, and she confirmed that my water broke and told me to be prepared for a long night...and long day the next day. They also asked me if I planned on using pain relief, I told them that I was undecided. I didn't want to rule anything out.
Doug & I called our parents to let them know that we were staying. About an hour later, around 10 p.m. they all got to the hospital and sat with us in the birthing room. I was having contractions, but nothing intense, yet. At around 11 p.m., the nurse asked our parents to go to the waiting room so I could get some rest. I was too excited to sleep! But, I tried. Around midnight, my contractions really started to kick in and get intense.
My mom and Deb came back in the room around then to sit with us. My dad and Paul had gone home for the night, and planned to come back the next morning. I'm not sure how to explain the pain that a contraction causes, but to me it felt like really intense menstrual cramps. I know from my experience with my monthly 'friend' that that pain would cause me to get sick. And it did. I got sick, I think, a couple of times that night.
Sometime around 1 a.m. the nurse came back in to check me. I believe I was only at 2 cm at that check. Things weren't moving too fast at this point. From all the pain I was in, it seemed that I should have been farther along than that. I tried to get some rest, but that just wasn't going to happen. The nurse kept asking me if I wanted her to have our mom's leave the room, but I didn't. I was and am so thankful that they were both in there while I was laboring. Deb was great at talking to me to distract me, and I don't know what I would have done without my mom in there to help comfort me! Doug was great as well to let me squeeze his hand! I wasn't ever grumpy with anyone (at least, not that I remember). At one point I was annoyed because they would leave the blood pressure cuff on my arm and it was too loose, so it kept falling off. I would roll over to get on my hands and knees, and the stupid thing was getting in the way, so I kinda threw it off of me. But, that wasn't anger toward anyone in the room :)
I knew from our tour of the hospital that the birthing rooms had jacuzzi's in them, so I asked the nurse if I could take a bath. She said that since my water had broken, she would have to ask the Dr. A lot of times they won't let you because they are afraid of you getting an infection. Well, good news, the nurse came back in and said that Dr. Fogarty gave me the okay to get in the jacuzzi. The nurse got everything ready, and at around 3:45 a.m. I got in to try to relax.
I could stay in for an hour, and I'm pretty sure I did. It was so relaxing, and it really helped! My contractions weren't as intense, and I actually could talk, so it was nice to have some time with Doug. After I got out, the contractions got pretty bad again, and I had to stay in the bathroom through a couple of them because I couldn't walk. Once I got back into bed, it was around 5 a.m. They checked me and I was at 4 cm. At this point, I'm pretty sure Doug couldn't handle seeing me in so much pain, because he kept asking the nurse about an epidural. The nurse asked me about it, and I said that I wasn't quite sure I wanted it. She told me that they could give me something through my IV that would help me to sleep, but it wasn't pain med, and it wouldn't take any of the pain away. So, I agreed to that. It made me feel a little loopy, and I don't really remember anything that went on during the next hour...I know they had a shift change. I did get about an hour of good sleep, and everyone else in the room was able to rest then, also.
When that wore off, I dealt with the ever intense contractions again. Probably a half hour later, I asked the new nurse if I could have another dose of the IV medication. She told me I could, but that it wouldn't be as effective this time, and reminded me that I would most likely be in labor most of that day. Well, I went ahead and took the med. Doug asked again about the epidural, and while I was out of it, they sent in the Anesthesiologist to talk to me. I really have no idea what he said while he was telling me about the epidural. I remember agreeing to get it, and then he had me sign some papers. My mom signed also, and I remember her telling him that it didn't look like my signature.
Probably around 7 - 7:30 a.m. is when I got the epidural. Doug stayed in the room with me while they did it. I have to say, one of the hardest thing's I've ever done is to hold still while having contractions while they stick a huge needle in my back. It was also hard to make the decision to have the epidural. I tried to use the hypnobirthing relaxation breathing and images, but the truth is, it didn't work for me. It was a great method for me while I was pregnant to help me relax, but when I went into labor it just didn't do it. And the truth is, I'm not superwoman. I needed the epidural to help me get through the rest of labor.
They checked me again as soon as they were done giving me the epidural. I still can't believe that they didn't check me before they gave me the meds. Well, to my surprise, and my nurses as well, I was at 9 cm! Oh my goodness - 5 cm in about 2.5 - 3 hours! Good thing they didn't check me before, because I wouldn't have been able to have the epidrual!!
Well, it was time to get things started...she told the Dr. that I was at a 9, and told me to be ready because very soon, I would be meeting my little boy!
Doug & I called our parents to let them know that we were staying. About an hour later, around 10 p.m. they all got to the hospital and sat with us in the birthing room. I was having contractions, but nothing intense, yet. At around 11 p.m., the nurse asked our parents to go to the waiting room so I could get some rest. I was too excited to sleep! But, I tried. Around midnight, my contractions really started to kick in and get intense.
My mom and Deb came back in the room around then to sit with us. My dad and Paul had gone home for the night, and planned to come back the next morning. I'm not sure how to explain the pain that a contraction causes, but to me it felt like really intense menstrual cramps. I know from my experience with my monthly 'friend' that that pain would cause me to get sick. And it did. I got sick, I think, a couple of times that night.
Sometime around 1 a.m. the nurse came back in to check me. I believe I was only at 2 cm at that check. Things weren't moving too fast at this point. From all the pain I was in, it seemed that I should have been farther along than that. I tried to get some rest, but that just wasn't going to happen. The nurse kept asking me if I wanted her to have our mom's leave the room, but I didn't. I was and am so thankful that they were both in there while I was laboring. Deb was great at talking to me to distract me, and I don't know what I would have done without my mom in there to help comfort me! Doug was great as well to let me squeeze his hand! I wasn't ever grumpy with anyone (at least, not that I remember). At one point I was annoyed because they would leave the blood pressure cuff on my arm and it was too loose, so it kept falling off. I would roll over to get on my hands and knees, and the stupid thing was getting in the way, so I kinda threw it off of me. But, that wasn't anger toward anyone in the room :)
I knew from our tour of the hospital that the birthing rooms had jacuzzi's in them, so I asked the nurse if I could take a bath. She said that since my water had broken, she would have to ask the Dr. A lot of times they won't let you because they are afraid of you getting an infection. Well, good news, the nurse came back in and said that Dr. Fogarty gave me the okay to get in the jacuzzi. The nurse got everything ready, and at around 3:45 a.m. I got in to try to relax.
I could stay in for an hour, and I'm pretty sure I did. It was so relaxing, and it really helped! My contractions weren't as intense, and I actually could talk, so it was nice to have some time with Doug. After I got out, the contractions got pretty bad again, and I had to stay in the bathroom through a couple of them because I couldn't walk. Once I got back into bed, it was around 5 a.m. They checked me and I was at 4 cm. At this point, I'm pretty sure Doug couldn't handle seeing me in so much pain, because he kept asking the nurse about an epidural. The nurse asked me about it, and I said that I wasn't quite sure I wanted it. She told me that they could give me something through my IV that would help me to sleep, but it wasn't pain med, and it wouldn't take any of the pain away. So, I agreed to that. It made me feel a little loopy, and I don't really remember anything that went on during the next hour...I know they had a shift change. I did get about an hour of good sleep, and everyone else in the room was able to rest then, also.
When that wore off, I dealt with the ever intense contractions again. Probably a half hour later, I asked the new nurse if I could have another dose of the IV medication. She told me I could, but that it wouldn't be as effective this time, and reminded me that I would most likely be in labor most of that day. Well, I went ahead and took the med. Doug asked again about the epidural, and while I was out of it, they sent in the Anesthesiologist to talk to me. I really have no idea what he said while he was telling me about the epidural. I remember agreeing to get it, and then he had me sign some papers. My mom signed also, and I remember her telling him that it didn't look like my signature.
Probably around 7 - 7:30 a.m. is when I got the epidural. Doug stayed in the room with me while they did it. I have to say, one of the hardest thing's I've ever done is to hold still while having contractions while they stick a huge needle in my back. It was also hard to make the decision to have the epidural. I tried to use the hypnobirthing relaxation breathing and images, but the truth is, it didn't work for me. It was a great method for me while I was pregnant to help me relax, but when I went into labor it just didn't do it. And the truth is, I'm not superwoman. I needed the epidural to help me get through the rest of labor.
They checked me again as soon as they were done giving me the epidural. I still can't believe that they didn't check me before they gave me the meds. Well, to my surprise, and my nurses as well, I was at 9 cm! Oh my goodness - 5 cm in about 2.5 - 3 hours! Good thing they didn't check me before, because I wouldn't have been able to have the epidrual!!
Well, it was time to get things started...she told the Dr. that I was at a 9, and told me to be ready because very soon, I would be meeting my little boy!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thank you, mom!
I know I'm on a roll today with posts, but here's just one more...
I can never thank my mom enough for all the help she gave me the first week we were home with Cody. Nobody can EVER comfort you like your mom can...it's something I've told Cody, and it's something I know with my own mom. There is just something so wonderful about moms...God knew what he was doing when he gave each of us our mom.
So, THANK YOU, mom, for all your help and hugs that first week! I don't know what I would have done without you! I love you with all my heart, and I now know how much you love me! Because that's a love that no one can understand until you have children of your own!
I can never thank my mom enough for all the help she gave me the first week we were home with Cody. Nobody can EVER comfort you like your mom can...it's something I've told Cody, and it's something I know with my own mom. There is just something so wonderful about moms...God knew what he was doing when he gave each of us our mom.
So, THANK YOU, mom, for all your help and hugs that first week! I don't know what I would have done without you! I love you with all my heart, and I now know how much you love me! Because that's a love that no one can understand until you have children of your own!
funny story...
So, here's a funny story that I have to write about, because I want Cody to read and hear about it someday!! Sorry Doug, this will forever be remembered! :)
Friday morning - 5:30 a.m.: I had been back in bed for about 30 minutes when Cody started to cry. I looked at Doug & told him it was his turn, because he was a full little boy. So, off Doug went, being the good daddy that he is. I turned off the monitor, rolled over & tried to go to sleep. Well, I could hear Cody crying for a bit and I knew that Doug was changing him. The crying stopped after a little bit, and all was well...until around 5:45. I heard Cody wailing! He was a very unhappy little boy. So, I got up to go to the nursery to see what was wrong. Doug was getting ready for work and said that he didn't know what was wrong with him. He had just changed him and then he heard him poop again. (why he didn't change him again after he heard that, I'll never know!) Cody was laying in his crib, so I picked him up. As I picked him up I noticed that he had leaked out of his diaper, and it wasn't just pee. Well, I was talking to him, trying to calm him down. Telling him that daddy didn't get his diaper on tight enough. I laid him down on the changing table, got all of my stuff ready to go, unzipped his sleeper, and to my surprise...
THERE WAS NO DIAPER ON THE BOY!
Seriously...I can't make this up! So, I started talking to him, not finding it funny at the time, telling him that daddy forgot to put a diaper on him...who does that?? Doug walks in, and I told him that he forgot, and his excuse was "I was half asleep, I was tired"...not the right thing to say to a woman who has been up at least twice a night for the past three weeks! Don't tell me that!
Well, after I got Cody cleaned up, and the sheets changed and clothes washed, I took him to bed with me, because I just felt so sorry for him!
At the time the diaper incident happened, I didn't find it funny...just because I was the one who cleaned everything up. But now! Oh my gosh! It's the funniest thing! Forgetting to put a diaper on your baby...it's hilarious! :)
Thanks babe for being such a good sport about it! It really is a great story! :) I'm pretty sure Doug will never forget to put a diaper on any of his children ever again! :)
Friday morning - 5:30 a.m.: I had been back in bed for about 30 minutes when Cody started to cry. I looked at Doug & told him it was his turn, because he was a full little boy. So, off Doug went, being the good daddy that he is. I turned off the monitor, rolled over & tried to go to sleep. Well, I could hear Cody crying for a bit and I knew that Doug was changing him. The crying stopped after a little bit, and all was well...until around 5:45. I heard Cody wailing! He was a very unhappy little boy. So, I got up to go to the nursery to see what was wrong. Doug was getting ready for work and said that he didn't know what was wrong with him. He had just changed him and then he heard him poop again. (why he didn't change him again after he heard that, I'll never know!) Cody was laying in his crib, so I picked him up. As I picked him up I noticed that he had leaked out of his diaper, and it wasn't just pee. Well, I was talking to him, trying to calm him down. Telling him that daddy didn't get his diaper on tight enough. I laid him down on the changing table, got all of my stuff ready to go, unzipped his sleeper, and to my surprise...
THERE WAS NO DIAPER ON THE BOY!
Seriously...I can't make this up! So, I started talking to him, not finding it funny at the time, telling him that daddy forgot to put a diaper on him...who does that?? Doug walks in, and I told him that he forgot, and his excuse was "I was half asleep, I was tired"...not the right thing to say to a woman who has been up at least twice a night for the past three weeks! Don't tell me that!
Well, after I got Cody cleaned up, and the sheets changed and clothes washed, I took him to bed with me, because I just felt so sorry for him!
At the time the diaper incident happened, I didn't find it funny...just because I was the one who cleaned everything up. But now! Oh my gosh! It's the funniest thing! Forgetting to put a diaper on your baby...it's hilarious! :)
Thanks babe for being such a good sport about it! It really is a great story! :) I'm pretty sure Doug will never forget to put a diaper on any of his children ever again! :)
where the hell did these hips come from??
Seriously! It's not enough that we have to gain weight, go through child birth, and be the ones who get up in the middle of the night because we have "the goods"...but we also 'get' wide hips?! Where did these come from, and when will they go back to normal!?
Oh well, if I have to have wide hips for the rest of my life, it's SO worth it to have my Cody Boy!
Oh well, if I have to have wide hips for the rest of my life, it's SO worth it to have my Cody Boy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
