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The Birth Story (way long, but that probably doesn't surprise you)
(I know it's not very exciting, but I'm writing it out for myself, before I forget, and for other moms who might be fah-reaking out at the thought of another c-section like I was.)
You know how they say you get a "burst of energy" before the baby comes? Yeah, not me. In the two days before j was born, I was ex.hau.sted. I felt so terrible because H was trying to get some really important things done to the house because we only had six days until my scheduled c-section. I kept apologizing, but I couldn't do anything besides lay in bed and sleep.
On Sunday, November 6, same thing - tired. And hungry. I ate a large breakfast, went through some of J's old clothes, that wore me out, so I went back to bed. H brought me a lunch and said he & J were going to the park with my mom. I scarfed the lunch and was still so hungry, but since I had zero energy, I was just going to stay in bed and nap. At almost 3 o'clock, I turned on the TV, got comfy, and peed myself. "Great," I thought, "It's come to this."
Got up, went to the bathroom, changed clothes, went downstairs, changed loads of laundry, peed myself a little two more times, made 2 Toaster Strudels and made my way back up the stairs where I felt two more, small gushes. That got me thinking, "Wait. Maybe I'm not peeing myself." Sat on toilet again and nothing. "OK, maybe I am peeing myself." Stood up and nope, definitely was not involuntarily peeing myself; it was my water.
I got my phone, called H, told him not to freak out, but that I was almost positive my water broke. J stayed with my mom and H came home. I hopped in the shower (hello, I hadn't shaved in like a month!), packed a quick bag, chugged some Gatorade and off we went.
I think we got to the hospital around 5:00 or so and I had to check in at the ER. The lady said, "Go ahead & have a seat. . ." I remember telling her, "Ummm, I don't think you want me to sit down." (I was leaking pretty steadily now.)
Got up to L&D, into my room and stuff got started right away. Placed my IV, took some blood, and asked a million questions. I was so freaking nervous.
Remember how I switched practices (again) at 36w? I had only met with one of the doctors twice (the one who was to perform my scheduled C) and had yet to meet his partner and was supposed to do that the very next day. His partner was the one on-call. She came in to introduce herself and was SO great.
Soon, it was time to go to the OR. In that moment, I knew I had to change my "freaking out" mindset and just BE HAPPY because, really, there was no other choice.
They asked if I wanted to walk or ride to the OR and I said, "Walk, because it's the last time I'll be doing that [normally] for a while." Doc was waiting for in the hallway to walk with me, she assured me everything was going to be OK and I told her back, "I know" and talked to her about, "I can't believe celebrities CHOOSE to give birth this way!"
The anesthesiologist was wonderful. (I asked him if he also went to Psych school because he was so good at putting my mind at ease.) I hopped up on the table, straddled it, leaned forward and spinal went in. It was not at all bad (truly like a bee sting) and immediately, I felt my feet getting warm. They laid me back and wasted no time getting things set up. I swore I was going to feel something because I had a bad experience feeling too much last time. Doc told me not to worry because surgeon was already poking me with sharp objects and obviously, I was feeling nothing.
They started the surgery and H was brought in. Lots of pressure insued, H peeking around the curtain, a huge feeling of relief and a baby crying. I was so glad he was crying right away (c-section babies have a tendency to not do that because they don't go through the birth canal, pushing out excess fluid). Surgeon asked, "Where were you hiding this thing?" and showed him over the curtain; he was HUUUUGE (9lb 10z at 38w1d).
He was handed off to two nurses, who took him to the little warmer right next to the operating table and one of the nurses (who is also a personal friend) said, "Good God, child, you need a haircut!" No one could believe the amount of hair!
Soon after, he was taken to the nursery and H went with. I began feeling a wee bit nauseous and told the anesthesiologist. He gave me some drugs and a bit later, I woke up and said, "Whoa, I think I just took a nap." He laughed and said, "You did!" Surgery was just about over and I was wheeled right back to the same room I started in. Recovery began and j came in maybe an hour or so later.
While I still think c-sections suck, it was only about 1h 16m from the time I arrived at the hospital until the time he was born AND this recovery has been much better than my first AND post-partum bleeding has already stopped, so I can't complain too much.
For fear on jinxing myself, I'm not going to tell you how great of a baby this kid is. The sad news is: the kiddo has cowlicks all over the joint; it appears big bro took all the good hair genes. 
Oh, and my whole 'how can I ever love another child as much as I do #1?' thing? Once he was held up over the curtain, it was never even a question; I just did.
(I know most have already seen this pic on FB, but it's about all I've gotten so far; hope to do more today and Heidi's coming on Wednesday, thank God!)
Re: The Birth Story (way long, but that probably doesn't surprise you)
this totally made me get a little misty eyed at work. Love that little (big) guy! Congrats again J!
Oh, and my whole 'how can I ever love another child as much as I do #1?' thing? Once he was held up over the curtain, it was never even a question; I just did.
This made me cry! So happy for you J and what a great birth story! He is absolutely adorable and so jealous of his hair- Ian's got barely any. ;-)
Picture courtesy of Heidi Keene Photography
I adore his hair - such a cutie! I'm glad that things went smoothly for you guys. How's J liking being a big brother?
Married the love of my life 6/3/06
Became a family of three 8/25/09
1) That baby is freaking cute
2) Great birth story!
3) This may or may not have caused some baby fever.
Great birth story! And he really is too cute~
love is for every her, love is for every him, love is for everyone
Piece of cake! I teared up a bit, too. Congrats and it's true, that second/subsequent kid is a total mystery until he/she pops out. Then it's all love
thanks to jennied