The Labor Story

I have a blog? Oh yeah.

I am now a mother of a beautiful 3 month old boy that I adore to every inch of this universe. He is my joy and words can't even express the love I feel for my baby.
Now, everyone in the blogging world feels the need to write "The Labor Story"
I love reading everyone's stories and hearing their own experiences.
Believe it or not, this is the "short version" I wrote it fast, please ignore spelling errors, run on sentences, what not. I loved the memories that came flooding back to me as I wrote this and my hope is that as you read, you will feel a little of what was felt that day.

Braeden Joshua Told was born January 31, 2012 at 2:31 am. Weighed 8 lbs, 2 oz and 19 inches long.

January 30th 2:00pm
I had several false alarms and was sent home for the 3rd time that week, Josh knew that every time we were sent home I had to get a treat. So instead of ice cream this time, we got cafe rio. Yummy? No. It was the WORST DECISION EVER... I threw up that burrito all over that labor and delivery room. I could taste it in my mouth all throughout the procedure and the smell magnified as I woke up the next day out of my comatose state of drugs and exhaustion. Cafe Rio is ruined for me, for life!

11:30pm
Anyways, I went into labor at home around 11:30pm, I thought I'd be fine so I took a shower, ate the rest of my burrito :) and then collapsed on the ground with pain. 15 minutes later, Josh told me it was time to go. We rushed to the hospital, and I could feel the need to push during the drive. It's been told that driving is supposed to help while in labor, because it forces you to sit up, but that was an incredibly uncomfortable ride over and whoever said that obviously knew that there is no comfortable position while in labor.;)

11:45pm
Labor and Delivery, we rang the little doorbell. "Can I help you?" First of all, who says that? You are working in Labor and Delivery for heavens sake. I wanted to say, "No, just wanted to drop by and say Hello, we will leave now."
But instead Josh politely said "I think my wife is in labor." (Genius.)
So we get to our room (001).. Get dressed. Get hooked up. Throw up. Get undressed. Repeat.
The Dr then comes in to see that I'm dilated to a 6.
We call my parents, Josh's parents and we begin the breathing process. In my research we liked the Bradley method, so I tried to practice the techniques, but my contractions were intense and one on top of another. I was constantly feeling the need to push. Luckily, the nurses knew what to do and was patient throughout my contractions. I remember crying from the pain and then re-focusing to get "on top" of each contraction.

12:30pm
Dilated to a 9 now, everyone gets there and the Dr says its time to break my water, and he gets all of his equipment ready. He begins to go "down there" and jumps right back up with "a look". First of all, who likes anyone going "down there?" But then to come back up and give you a look? I could feel my face go bright red. I thought I might've accidentally, ya know, let myself "go." or something. This is worse than throwing up cafe rio.

He then looked a little nervous and told the nurse to bring the ultrasound, he checked through everything and said my baby was breech and I had to get prepped for surgery right away. At that point, I was a little freaked out. I remember saying okay dr. and watching everyone run around getting into all sorts of suits, I threw up one more time and then Josh held my face in his hands and said "everything will be fine, I'm here for you and I love you." I have an amazing husband.

2:31am
Braeden was born! I couldn't see anything, but I could feel them pulling my sides apart, and then I felt a plop. His whole body was out of me! The nurses took him over to the table and started examining him, all I could see were his feet sticking straight up in the air! Those magnificent feet made my heart melt, and soon they were able to get him to cry, His little cry brought tears to my eyes.

The nurse then came over to me and told me his sats are low, he's having trouble breathing and he has to go to the Nicu. Peace came over me, and I told her okay, and asked if I could at least see him.
They wrapped him up in a blanket and brought him to me. I couldn't hold him, so I stroked his cheek, told him I loved him and that he was perfect.. My baby is here.
It amazes me how much your body goes through to bring a child into the world. 9 months is also a long time to house a child inside you, Heavenly Father's plan for bringing us into the world is incredible, and perfectly planned.
It was all so surreal and although we were scared for our little one, I knew he was going to be fine. Peace was overwhelming and I knew Braeden was going to be ok.

The next few days were a blur, I didn't sleep, and hardly ate. I wasn't allowed to see him yet and I was in so much pain that I could barely move. Josh was so awesome and would take tons of pictures and then bring them to my room.. After the day was over, Josh helped pick me up, and he would wheel me down to meet my baby. Each time I'd get there he "wasn't to be disturbed" So I would look at his little body through the glass container and say little prayers in my heart of gratitude. And prayers for him to be healthy and in my arms. It broke my heart each time I'd come by and not be able to hold him, but just to be in his presence was enough for me!
I couldn't stay in my room, so I'd started wheel myself down with my IV to the Nicu at 2,3,4am and wait. Wait for the nurse to say he was healthy enough to be held..

The first time we "officially" met on this earth was 2 days after delivery.
 I gently picked up his swollen little body, being careful of the wires that were wrapped around him,  I brought him up to my bare chest and as soon as I spoke, his eyes opened up wide and... stared at me. We stared and stared at each other. I felt an incredible love. I knew I'd met him before and the look in his eye was if I knew what he was trying to tell me. I was his mommy. He loves me and I love him.

I was so scared to be a mom and didn't know if I'd even know how to hold a newborn. But it all came so naturally, he fit perfectly in my arms and together we learned to breastfeed and we have an incredible bond. I love my little family.

Braeden was sent home O2 free by day 4. He is now 13 weeks old, safe, healthy and so much fun! We feel so blessed and are grateful for all the blessings that we have been blessed with!
Whew! You Never would've guessed that was the short version, heh?

13 WEEK OLD BABY BRAEDEN. We couldn't be more in love with him. Thanks for reading!