The Birthday Boy Diaries

This day last year was a Monday and I was so glad I didn't have to go to work. I would rather writhe in labor pain than go back to my job as a receptionist ever again. I wanted to be a mommy! My water broke last night at almost 11 exactly and I got up questioning if that what was really just happened. I called my best friend Shannon who is a labor and delivery nurse for a little moral support and reassurance. Did my water really just break? How would I know? Don't I need to have the baby within 24 hours if my water did break...and what if the contractions don't start even if my water did break? I didn't have to worry about any of that. They started hard and fast less than an hour later and I finally woke up Josh to tell him the news. He about flipped out of bed - literally. It was a moment I'll never forget! The "I think it's time" moment!! I was hurting pretty bad so we jumped into action.

Thank goodness it was Monday so the On Call Doctor for my OBGYN office would be off duty and I could have my beloved Dr. Ryder deliver me. Everything was so surreal and the stupid nurse I had kept asking me all these questions and feeling around on me. Talk about a good way to piss someone off. The last thing I wanted to do was answer question and it was taking everything I had to answer one every now and then. Since it was shift change I ended up getting a GREAT nurse named Allison. She was my age and so gentle and sweet.

We called Mom and Sister Shannon and luckily both were there within the hour to help me and Josh through. Nothing like some veterans to make you feel a little more at ease. The sun was rising and it was a beautiful day. I got my epidural while it was still dark out so I could start to relax a little. My contractions had been coming one on top of the other - just seconds apart - and I couldn't catch my breath and felt really bad. I remember Friend Shannon and Summer coming, and Edie and Josh's Uncle Rick who just happened to be in town, but I just couldn't talk much. Wasn't quite in the mood. ;)

I remember being scared. I was scared to push and I was really scared about the little baby that was about to come out. It was all about to change forever. Sister Shannon brushed and braided my hair. The baby's heart beat rang out on the speakers. Then they told me it was time to push.

I really started crying when they told me it was time. I was so emotional. I asked everyone to take their leave so it was just me and my Joshie. I pushed and pushed and pushed! Three hours later I was still pushing and had a small fever and the baby seemed to be slightly under stress. Dr. Ryder told me it was time to make a decision. She said she needed to get the baby out. We could have a c-section or try the vacuum. I cried. I didn't want surgery and I had been pushing for so long...I didn't want that to go to waste! We tried the vacuum but only had three shots. It popped off twice - but she said it was really close!! On the third try I pushed so hard. Literally like a life depended on it. Josh still teases Joseph to this day about getting stuck in his mom's 'hoo-haa'.

Joseph popped out as the whole room was screaming PUSH! All those nice nurses and Dr. Ryder were great. I wanted to know if it was a boy or girl so bad! Dr. Ryder held him up and said "What is it, Dad?!" Josh said "It's a boy!" And thank goodness, because we didn't have a girls name picked out yet.

Then they took him away from me and I didn't get to see him for another four hours - which to a new mom seemed like DAYS. He was very lethargic and had a fever. He wouldn't even cry. Josh stayed at the nursery window the whole time at my request (and I am sure of his own free will too) - received our visitors there and all - and then came up once his pediatrician gave him a clean bill of health.

EVERYONE was there! Probably 15 people. My whole family and all the kids, plus Josh's family and Uncle Rick, and my best friends....all in my little room. Once that baby came in I broke down and hugged him up and cried and cried. Everyone was quiet and staring and I remember lots of flashes from cameras. Finally my sister suggested everyone leave and give us some time alone. I nodded to say yes please. That little baby boy in my arms was pure magic. I will never forget that little itty bitty face. It was not a bad thing, but yes indeed, everything was going to be so different from there on out. Looking back it almost makes me laugh out loud at how different it would be.