We came home, I made an ice cream birthday cake for Brady, took a bath, and headed to bed to try to get some sleep. I told Eric I thought I was in labor. But of course, I might not be.
I slept two hours and woke at 1:30 with contractions. I knew this was the real deal, so I got up, knowing there would be no more sleeping that evening. Since there was a house showing scheduled for the next evening, I cleaned the guest bathroom and our bathroom, something I can honestly say I've never done at that hour of the night. I finished packing the hospital bag, ate my last meal (cereal), put on makeup, and painted my toenails. Proof that vanity does not go out the window when you're in labor.
Eric woke up about 3:30 and I told him that today was the day! My goal was to make it to waking hours before needing to leave for the hospital, so we didn't have wake anyone from their slumber (to come watch Brady). Brady woke up at 5:30, and about that time my contractions were getting stronger and I was having a hard time talking through them. Since it was Sunday morning and Eric's dad was preaching, we knew they wouldn't be able to come until after church, so we called our backup, Angie, around 7 to come hang out with Brady.
We were thrilled to find our friend and nurse Carolyn was on duty - she was fantastic when she helped deliver Brady and I was glad she'd be there to deliver this one. I got into my hospital room around 8:15 and they checked my progress around 9:15. I was in a good amount of pain and when they told me how dilated I was, I was hoping for a big number. 2 centimeters dilated was not quite the big number I was looking for. Dreams of a fast delivery seemed to be fading. Eric and I took a lap around the hospital. I shuffled around in my hospital gown (two actually, one in front, one in back), and if it weren't for the bulging stomach, I felt like I may be mistaken for a psych patient. I didn't make it far or long, and spent the rest of labor in my bed.
My phone rang at 9:30 and Eric answered it. It was the showing agency...someone wanted to see our house at 11:30. Our house selling issues followed me even in to the delivery room. With two showings on the docket, I had visions of selling our house and having a baby in the same day. One of those things happened.
My water broke and things got real very quickly. Unfortunately, the baby was following in his brother's footsteps, even in the womb, and the baby had taken his first poop inside of me. I knew the drill...a crew would be assembled in my room and the baby would be taken to them and they'd make sure he didn't ingest any of the meconium.
My contractions got very strong and the baby wasn't reacting well to them...meaning his heart rate was dropping too much. They turned me on my side and tried to adjust the baby...and did some other stuff I can't remember because I was focusing on not dying of pain. I exaggerate...a little. My midwife put an internal monitor on the baby to get a better read of his heart rate. This is how I found out he had a head full of hair like his brother. The monitor which was placed on his head would not stay, so this uncomfortable process was extended thanks to his luscious locks.
The baby started doing better through the contractions...I got worse. I'm not sure what to compare the pain to...I think childbirth stands on its own. Let's just say if we ever have a 3rd child, I'll need to do some serious thinking about whether I want to be an idiot and decline drugs.
Here's what the Bible has to say about childbirth:
"A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world." - John 16:21
After Jackson was born, I didn't exactly forget the anguish, but he sure made it worth it. After only a few pushes, Jackson David Hoots made his presence known (very loudly) at 11:47. He joined us in the world before lunchtime, so I didn't even have to skip a meal.
We got to see Brady later that afternoon. He seemed to have morphed into a giant in a few short hours. Although his attention span was short, he seemed to take a liking to "Naxon," giving him kisses and trying to throw him his ball. The only thing cooler than baby Jackson was the controls to move my bed up and down.
Jackson got to meet some other family members.
He's lucky to already have so many people who love him.
And I'm one lucky mom.
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