Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Welcome, baby Graham!

I have some catching up to do! I talked in my last post about my 36 week check up. The next week when I went in, I was dilated one centimeter. Then when I went back the next week for my 38 week visit, I was dilated four centimeters! I still thought I had a little more time, so I went ahead and went to work the next day. After I got home that evening, I noticed my contractions were a lot closer together than they had been, and some of them were semi-painful. I wasn't ready to rush to the hospital just yet. I figured they would become really painful, or my water would break. But then I had a fear that by the time I was in real pain that it may be too late to get my beloved epidural, ha.

After texting my doctor, (LOVE the fact that we're on texting terms, ha) she told me if I had three contractions in 30 minutes, to come on over to the hospital. Luckily for me, she was on call that evening and was already going to be at the hospital delivering another baby. After that, I ended up having three contractions in the next 15 minutes. I still couldn't quite believe it was real, but we decided to head over to the hospital anyway. I was so afraid of being labeled "The Girl Who Cried Labor" and being sent home. But as it turned out, I was already at 5 centimeters when I got there so they got me checked in, we called our families, and I got my epidural. By this time it was around 10 p.m.

After laboring throughout the night, it was time to push at around 4:30 a.m., and at 4:53, sweet baby Graham arrived weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 and a half inches long. Thankfully, he wasn't as big as my earlier ultrasounds had indicated that he might be. However, I guess he might have been if he had waited a couple more weeks until my due date. My labor and delivery were much easier than with his big sister too.

We're doing great and enjoying our time at home now. I can't believe he will be two weeks old tomorrow! Big sister has been an absolute angel with him. She's been a little louder than normal, and a little more obnoxious at times seeking attention, but she's been SO sweet with her baby brother, and a great helper for me. Life is good!

And now a few pics:



Quick shot before heading to the hospital. I really didn't think it was for real!



Sister got out of bed at 3 a.m. to come meet her brother!


Jackson is a big cousin!

This makes my heart so happy!




All dressed up to go home
 


Loving getting his hair washed at home

I love nothing more in life than a clean baby in a hooded towel!


Hey y'all!
I meant to share nursery pics before he was born, but since he surprised us with an early arrival, I didn't get a chance. Hopefully I'll find some time to share those soon!