Ever since I passed 37 weeks, I expected my baby to come anytime. When he didn't by 38 weeks, I began to relax a little. When he didn't by almost 39, I began to believe that he'd go to 40 weeks or longer. He decided to come the night before I turned 39 weeks.
That morning, I had cramps and pressure from about 1 a.m. till 7 a.m. I got up and felt fine, so I went about my day making Eliza edible playdough, going to my ultrasound, and getting Cafe Rio for lunch.
Around 3 p.m., I began sorting through clothes and doing laundry and I would occasionally feel a cramp. Even as the cramps increased in pain, I still wasn't convinced I was actually in labor because they still felt minor. A few times I had to grip a chair until it passed. Finally around 4:30, I started timing them and they were about 6 minutes apart.
Kenny and I scurried to pack our bags and get Eliza ready to go to a friend's house while I called the doctor. We got to the hospital around 6 and they got me upstairs and into a bed. The pain wasn't horrible but I made it clear that I wanted an epidural. After getting checked and finding out I was 9 cm at 6:30, getting one didn't look promising.
The contractions got worse, and I would grip Kenny's hand and sip ice water in between contractions. I never felt completely out of control like I did with Eliza and I felt good being hydrated.
Finally, after praying for an hour, I got the epidural. Then I just relaxed, wrote in my journal, and waited.
Around 9, they checked me and his head and hair were "right there." The doctor and nurses got me ready and he was out in 3-4 good pushes.
They put him on me for only a moment and took him away. Finally, after only hearing him for a few minutes, I was able to gaze into my baby's beautiful face. He immediately breastfed well and was very alert.
He slept through most of the first night. He met his sister the next day. She was instantly in love and still tells me that he is her baby. She held him on my hospital bed and likes to hold him on the couch here at home. She willingly brings him his binky or his socks. She is already the doting big sister.
I wanted to be absolutely sure on his name and didn't sign the birth certificate until right before we left. He looked like a Joseph and a Parley and I am so happy to name him after great leaders.
He slept well and ate well in the hospital. He continues to be sweet and mellow. He loves to sleep and I have to wake him up to eat. I love watching him stare at me when I talk to him. He has that wonderful baby smell and the soft, kissable cheeks. Although he has his own look, it still feels like I am holding a boy version of Eliza.
I love this sweet boy and I am just soaking in these precious newborn moments. I love being his mother.
