Brotherly Love

Little Evie, you don't know how special you are. You not only have a very loving mommy and super proud daddy, but you also have a wonderful big brother.

Will has been your biggest fan from the very beginning, even before you were born. He loves you so much! At times, when my hands are full, you will start to fuss and Will comes to your rescue. He can usually calm you down by just talking to you. If that doesn't work, he'll push your swing or hold your pacifier in your mouth until you calm down. In some cases, you are inconsolable, he runs to find me and informs me that "Baby Sissy's hungry!" He is so proud when he can help you.

I especially like the times when you and him are side by side on the floor. He likes to lay beside you and talk to you. He laughs out loud when you just happen to hit him with your flailing arms. Sometimes he'll nonchalantly place his hand gently on your belly while watching his favorite movie. You gaze up and smile at him, most of the time he doesn't even know he's being watched.

You will always have a best friend and a protector in your brother. Just as did I with both of mine.

Evelyn Olivia....a birth story

I was 39 weeks and very eager to meet my daughter. At this point, I was a week and a half further into this pregnancy then my last. My son, Will, was born at 37.5 weeks and was huge. He weighed 9 pounds and 5 ounces, so naturally I was very paranoid that she would be much larger than him. I was down right miserable and so exhausted. Finally, it was the weekend and I was bound and determined to not have to go to work the next week. My contractions would increase when I was active, so we decided to find something to do. I remember going to the mall for no reason other than to walk around to try to induce labor. But, of course, the whole time I had only a few wimpy ones. Discouraged, we went home. Later that night, just before bed, I told Kyle "I'm having a decent amount of contractions." Jokingly I said, "Not that it really means anything." I then fell asleep.

I woke up, as I normally did each night, around 4am. This time it was because of a contraction. I thought to myself, "Huh, I wonder if these will continue?" So I grabbed my phone and started timing them. To my surprise they did! As I sat there, I figured it would be a long day....or so I thought. They were coming about every two minutes. EVERY TWO MINUTES?! Holy crap! I had slept through the beginning stage of labor. After about 15 minutes, I called the doctor and he urged that we head in to the hospital. By now it was 5:00, I called my mom to come over to watch Will and I had to drag Kyle out of bed. We quickly packed up some last minute items and headed to Mercy. Of course, we had to stop for gas. (Kyle's lucky I didn't kill him, I told him to get gas on our way home from the mall the day before!) We finally arrived at the hospital just before 6:00. Whew, we made it!

We were checked it, my IV was started and blood work was drawn shortly after 6:00. I was holding my breath hoping that I wasn't dilated too far. I was expecting an epidural because I was worried she would be over 10 pounds. Yikes! To my relief, I was 5cm. Almost an hour later, which felt more like forever, the blood work came back and the epidural was placed. Ahhh...I was able to relax and catch my breath. As contractions increased, my water broke around 8:00. It was stained with meconium which raised some concern. When I heard this, I started to worry and I just knew that she would be going to the Intensive Care Unit. Regardless, I still had a task at hand. When my water broke, I was dilated to about 7cm. Things were progressing much faster this time around. I was really shocked. With every contraction I felt more and more pressure in my already sore pelvis. I remember Kyle leaving to go and find something to drink. In the meantime, my doctor came in and checked me again and this time I was 10cm. At that moment, Kyle walked in as the doctor said, "I think that we will have you start pushing now." I still can see the stunned look on Kyle face. He laughed and said, "Good thing I wasn't gone too long!" The team was gathered and with about 5 pushes Evie was born at 8:56am without much difficulty. To my surprise she wasn't 10 pounds, she wasn't too far from it. She weighed 9 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Kyle and I cried with overwhelming joy. Within a few short hours we became a family of four.

She was then taken to the ICU as a precaution. They wanted to make sure she didn't have an active infection from the meconium in the fluid. She was given 48 hours worth of antibiotics and no infection was found. She was released and came home with us a few days later.

Will's Most Favorite Toy

Last year for Will's first birthday he received a toy from a very special person, Gran Debbie. She flew from her home in Colorado to come and visit us for the grand celebration. She bought him a ride on Tow Mater. It has an array of colorful buttons all over the dash. He has a multitude of sayings, plays music, has racing noises and does the ABC's and counts to ten. It also has a seat that opens to a hidden compartment underneath. At first, Will didn't have too much interest in the toy. He wasn't walking at the time. In the next couple of months to follow he learned to pull himself up and stand next to it. He then began to stand behind it to help him walk. He would push it in one direction until it would bump into something, walk to the other side and push it the other way. By Halloween he was behind Mater running and giggling. With all the help of Mater, Will finally took his first steps in January. He then realized that he could swing his leg over the seat and sit to ride on him. What a fantastic new discovery! He could now ride around on his little friend, although he could only go backwards for awhile. Mater gets played with on a nearly daily basis. Will likes to hide everything in the secret compartment. We have learned to check this compartment when we are looking for his shoes, snacks and other items that are missing. Sure enough, Mater has them hidden safe and sound.

Now that our little man is nearly two, he pushes the buttons to dance to the music. He has also started to recite the alphabet and counts along with Mater. Mater has been one of the most played with toys for the past year. Thank you Gran Debbie for Will's most favorite toy!

Filled...

My life and house used to be quite, clean and organized...almost empty, if you will. I liked spending free time with family and friends. I was able to sleep and not worry about being tired or having to get up in the middle of the night. Getting ready to go anywhere only took 15 minutes. I could use both arms and hands when loading up the car or carrying groceries. Will, ever since you came along, my world has changed.

You have filled one bedroom in our little house. Your nursery looks the same as it did the day you came home. Light green walls and dark brown furniture. When you play in your room, you fit right in with the jungle theme as a little monkey.

My living room, once empty, is now filled and strewn with noisy toys that you love to play with. Your love for music urges you press all the buttons over and over again. You like to smile and dance to any song. Sometimes you dance without music, I think that there is a happy jingle that plays in your head.

Our car is filled with your massive car seat, which keeps you safe and sound. It must be pretty comfortable because you sleep the best when we go for rides. You also have a musical toy there too. You are big enough now to be able to tap it with your toes get turn it on and off.

At bath time, our tub is full of bubbles and squirting sea creatures. You just love to play in the water. You squeal with delight as you splash and splash and splash. By the time your bath is done, I am soaked too.

I could go on and on about all the things that fill our house since you have arrived...but you fill my heart and mind the most.

Last year was the very first time I heard you cry and when I saw your face, my heart filled with love. The kind of love only a mother could feel. So much that words cannot even come close. I don't mind if I don't get any sleep because you couldn't sleep and just wanted me to hold you. I don't mind if my house isn't clean or organized. And as far as friends....I don't see them as much, but I have you. You fill my days and nights with so much love, happiness and laughter. What else could I possibly need?

You are getting so big. Now when I hold you, you fill my arms. As I carry you, you hold on tight as if you are giving me a big ongoing hug. I love being so close to you. You really like to snuggle and lay your head on my shoulder when you are tired or scared. I quietly sing, "You are my Sunshine" and it calms you down instantly. I don't want to think of the day that you will be too big to hold or carry. As for now, I'm loving every second.

My mind is filled with a year of precious memories. Your first cry, the day we brought you home, your first smile, the first you rolled over, sat up and now you are crawling. You have learned so much in such a short amount of time. Each day you seem to get a little more confident standing on two feet. You are still hesitant to let go of anything. Walking will be another memory that I will file as well.

Today you are one and you may not be my "baby" any longer, but to me you will be. My little baby forever in my heart and mind.

Happy Birthday William Alexander!

I love you,
Mommy

Eleven Months...Already?

My Silly Willy, you are now eleven months old. I honestly don't know where all the time has gone. I've been so occupied trying to take mental images of you to keep forever. With every blink of the eye you seem to grow, change and learn. I know that I won't remember every moment that we have spent together, but I'm sure are gonna try!

Over the past five months, you have learned so many skills. You were sitting up and able to get on all fours at six months. It's hard to imagine that you are learning so much in just such a short amount of time. Around seven months you were scooting across the floor in an army crawl. You got around only on your knees and elbows with your belly still on the floor. It took you two more months to transition to full blown crawling. You decided to start officially crawling on Mother's Day. What an amazing present to give your super proud mom! Since then, there's been no stopping you. You often drop back down to your elbows when you want to get somewhere super quick. As to give your knees a break from our hard wood floors you go up onto your feet and hands and bear crawl at times. Will, it makes me laugh just to watch you!

Starting around 10 months, you learned pull yourself up to stand. You were quite proud of yourself the first few times that you accomplished this task. But then you had a new challenge, getting back down. It took you a few weeks to figure that one out. Still to this day, if you think that you are standing at something too high to carefully descend to the floor, you protest until daddy or I come and help you down and then off you go!

I have noticed that you are very cautious and almost timid to your surroundings. You always take your time and make sure that things are safe and steady before you go for them. Sometimes you're even reluctant with your toys. You hold back from charging at a tower of blocks in fear that they will topple over onto you. Even when you aren't close you flinch when they fall down with a crash. You are easily startled too, any little unexpected noise or "boo!" makes you jump and brings out the biggest pouty lip. You seem to be like me when I was a little girl. Grandma Lori can attest to that! Because of you being so careful, I think that it take you a while to find the courage to stand (without holding on for dear life) or to even take your first steps. Right now you have NO such interest in letting go of anything with both hands. Which is just fine with me. I don't want you to go without my help just yet...I'll have to face that in time.

You just LOVE everyone. You go to anyone you wants to hold you without the slightest whimper. Daddy makes you laugh the most. Just the sight of him makes you giddy! With your two teethed grin, we love to make you smile and giggle for hours. Your laugh is like music to my ears and it makes my heart dance!

It's so hard to believe that in one month from now you will be a year old. Each passing month I shed a tear (okay...maybe a few) just thinking of the day that you where born and how big you are now. I'm so happy that you are doing great but I want you to be my sweet little boy for as long as you can...it's just going too fast.

Six Month Milestone

My sweet little Will, you are now six months old. Where has the time gone? It seems like it was only yesterday that I heard your cry for the very first time. That is one moment that I will never forget. Since then, you have brought so much joy and excitement into my life. It is hard to think back and picture my life without you. What a great six months this has been!

Over this past month I have realized that you don't look like a little baby any longer. You have gotten considerably longer and you don't quite fit well on my lap. Your chunky little legs dangle when I hold you or rock you to sleep each night. We haven't gone for your 6 month check-up yet, I am so curious to see how much you weigh. It's getting harder for me to carry you while in your car seat and put you into my tiny car. I wish to have a nicer vehicle so that I don't have to jostle you around so much to strap you in safe and sound.
You have been doing great with spoon feedings. I think that you even favor your veggies over the fruits. You get excited when you are put into your high chair and you can spot me carrying a bowl from across the room. Your eating habits are down to a nice routine and have been for about a month. You eat every four hours...8am, noon, 4pm and a night bottle at 8:00. Most of the time you gobble your solids down without a hitch. Recently, you have been blowing 'raspberries' back at mommy while making a small mess. You make me laugh. You've tried all the beginner fruits and veggies with only one complete objection: prunes. They must be too strong, tart or bitter because after every bite your whole tiny body would just shutter as you made a face. Almost as though I gave you lemons! Needless to say, I haven't bought you any more prunes!

You are such a good sleeper. My wake up call usually comes between 7-8 by the sound of you 'talking' to yourself. You still LOVE to sleep on your belly with your butt up in the air. It's too cute. I can lay you down in your crib (most of the time) and you will fall asleep without a whimper. You will take a few naps throughout the day, some days very short ones! After your last bottle at night, I sit and rock you. You like to stretch your soft tiny hand out and touch my face and play with my hair as I sing to you. This is my most favorite part of each day. You sheepishly smile at me and eventually close your eyes and drift of to sleep. Another day gone, how fast the time does fly.

You are always a pleasant and happy little guy. You wake up smiling and you are ready to play. You especially love playing with daddy. He can get you to giggle and laugh for hours! You have learned to enjoy peek-a-boo and you love exploring your toys. This past week you have learned to sit without much support. I'm still leery and surround you with pillows and stay close enough to catch you if you decide to topple over. Lately you have been getting up on your knees and elbows. You've managed to lunge yourself forward a few times to get to one of your toys that had escaped your grasp. Most of the time you end up scooting backwards. Daddy and I will need to purchase some gates in the near future once you have mastered the art of crawling.

Bath time has now become fun for you. You like to splash around and play with your toys. You try to grab at the water that is being poured out of a cup. The worst part about bath time is when you get cold and when I have to take you from the tub to your towel. The cold air used to make you pretty upset but I wrap you up nice and tight until you forget that you were once cold. Once you are all lathered with lotion and dressed with a warm sleeper I like to stroke your soft skin. As I hold you, the hair that seems to grow longer and fuller with each passing day, tickles my face as I breathe in your sweet baby scent that still lingers.

Will, your mama can hardly believe have it has been six months since you have been born. I broke down with tears just thinking of how big you are and how fast you are growing. Before I know it, you will have your first birthday, your first day of school, your first date, graduation, college, finding the love of your life and starting a family of your own. Then you will know what it is like to see your baby grow up in the blink of an eye.

Will, I love you with all of my heart and nothing in this world can ever change that!!

Love,
Mama

Five months

My little boy, you are now five months old. You make me so proud to be your momma. Words cannot express how I feel about you. I love you more and more each and every day. I'm so lucky to have you and your daddy in my life. I feel as though I am on top of the world.

The beginning of this month opened a new chapter for the Otto's. Your dad has gone back to work at a new job. He didn't want to go back to work. He loved staying home and taking care of you every day for the first 5 months of your life. He also has a rough time leaving you each day just like momma. It has been two and a half weeks now that you have been going to the sitters house and it seems as though you have adjusted pretty well. Grandma Marcie and Grandma Lori have really enjoyed baby sitting you and watching you grow right before their eyes. Your little baby hair has starting to grow at a faster rate now too(especially on the top of your head). It looks like a dark blonde/light brown color right now and is so super fine and super soft. I'm curious what it will look like when it gets longer because of your 'cowlick' that you have in the front right side of your hair line. It will probably stick straight up! Will your hair be curly like mine too? Who knows. You seem to grow overnight! You are so long. Your legs, though still little, hang off of our laps when we feed you a bottle. You still drink down 7 oz every 4 hours. You have been doing great with spoon feedings too. It really didn't take long at all before you figured it out once it had some flavor! So far you have tried: green beans, peas, squash, applesauce, sweet potatoes and carrots. You really like squash and carrots right now. I'm going to start giving you some fruits starting this weekend. I'm sure that you will just love them and chow down! I hear from everyone that you are "such a good baby." With you being my first I don't have anyone else to compare you to. I really do believe it without a doubt. You wake up happy every morning with giant smiles and coos for dad and I. You take a few naps during the day with one lasting a least an hour or two. At night you fall asleep between 8-9pm and finally sleep ALL night long! We hear your sweet little voice in the mornings around 7-8am. Your bedtime regime consist of food, bottle, swing, Sammy Seahorse and your THUMB!! Yes, my little man you have routinely become a thumb sucker. Some nights I hear you wake up and fuss until you put that tiny thumb into your month and you drift back off into a deep slumber. I must say that it is pretty darn cute. Lately you have been sleeping in a way that must be pretty comfortable for you. It wouldn't be to comfy for me! I haven't yet been able to snap a picture of it. You roll onto your belly and pull your knees up under you with your little butt into the air. Oh, and don't forget the thumb in the mouth! I really need to get a photo before you grow out of it!

(He actually fell asleep with that monkey on his shoulder! Put it there by himself!!)

We are currently working on trying to get you to sit up with some support. You are getting better at it. You lean too far forward and then get mad when you can't sit up straight again. You have also been pulling your knees up under you but don't have your arms in the right place to start crawling....I sure it won't be too far away from now!! And we thought that we have our hands full when all you are doing is rolling around....LOL!!

William Alexander, it is so hard for your dad and I to believe that you are almost half a year old. You are such a joy to have as part of our little perfect family. We love you so very much!!

Months Three, Four and a little bit more!

Will, wow what a busy few months we have had! Your momma feels bad for not getting around to post a 'three month' update. I had to return to work just before your three month milestone. Ever since then, it's been chaos in the Otto household. It's difficult for me to leave you every morning to go to work. The hardest was my first week back. I cried while driving to the hospital. As each week passes, it has gotten a little easier. Every morning I sneak into your room and peer into your crib and whisper, "I love you" and "I will be back as fast as my little car will carry me home to hold you in my arms." I give you a soft little kiss on the top of your head and it's out the door I go. There is no need worry about you while at work because I know that your daddy loves you to death and takes excellent care of you. Since you spend so much time with dad, you and him have become best buddies. You love being with dad. You smile at just the sight of him. What a great daddy he has become!You have been learning by leaps and bounds these past two months. You smile at anyone you crosses your path. You've really been exploring your voice lately by cooing and talking back to anyone who will give you attention. We love to you hear you laugh out loud. You are VERY ticklish. Grandpa Dan can really get you giggling. You are also doing very well at rolling over. You seen to prefer to be on your belly. You also like you nap times and seem to take a few cat-naps each day.You are getting so big too! At your 4 month check up you weighed in at 15 lbs and almost 26 in long. You are eating 7 oz at this point and we have started you on cereal. You seem to really like it and you gobble it right up without too much of a mess!

NOW FOR SOME CHRISTMAS UPDATES....

We had a good time visiting all of the family at Christmas. Of course, you were spoiled with multiple noise making toys and a slew of much needed clothes. The pile of presents you had from Mommy's family was way taller then you! Some of the most special presents this year were homemade gifts. Your daddy spend hours working away on a surprise little wooden red toy truck. You seem to like it and I'm sure that it will get more play time once you get older.
Your favorite Christmas gift was given to you by your Grandma Debbie. It's a "glow worm" that is a seahorse, so I guess that it's a "glow seahorse". He goes to bed with you every night and his soft music calms you and helps you drift off to sleep. We have named him Sammy Seahorse and he seems to go wherever you go.Another super special gift that you received was a sock monkey from your great grandma Gracie. She handmade 7 monkeys, one for each of her great grandchildren, with you being her youngest one.Little Will, your first Christmas was a great one and we can't wait until next year when we can watch you open your own presents!

Tickle Tickle

This is the cutest thing ever! I can't wait until I get to hear him giggle and laugh all the time!!

Halloween Fun

Two Months

Bubba, you are now two months old and you are getting so big. You no longer look like a little newborn. I have unwillingly packed away all of your newborn clothes with tears in my eyes. Your hair that had fallen out is now starting to grow back and your eyelashes have gotten considerably longer as well. It looks like it is still a dark color! Your eyes are still an intense deep blue and sometimes grey. I'm not sure how much you weigh but you are getting very long. When I am feeding you, your feet and legs hang off the edge of my lap. We have finally found the right formula for your little tummy....after trying 5 different types. You seem to like it and gulp it right down. Most of the time, that is. Other times you take FOREVER to finish a bottle. You are too interested in your surroundings to concentrate on eating. Either that or you get so sleepy and pass out and we have to try and keep you awake to finish.

You have learned so much during this past month. You like to stare off at an object and ponder what it could possibly be used for. You like to look at lights and gaze outside. Your sweet little sleepy smiles have turned into big toothless grins. You love it when you have someone talking to you. You are just starting to coo at the sound of my my voice when I talk to you. You are just too cute! You are getting so strong too. You have good control over your once wobbly little noggin. It's funny to watch you use your muscles while your little body flexes and shakes under the strain. You especially do this when standing on my lap. You have learned to roll from your belly to your back and have done it a few times in the past two weeks. When you get better at it, then maybe I could let you sleep on your belly, which you like so well.

You are starting to get into a routine and you are developing new habits. You sleep a stretch of 5 hours each night. When you wake you suck down a bottle and drift off again for another 3 hours or so. You like sleeping in your pack and play at the foot of our bed. It has calming music and vibrations that send you into dreamland. We are soon going to be putting you in your crib to sleep through the night. Hopefully you will like your room that was made special just for you.

You are becoming aware that you have hands. You favor your right hand more than your left. Recently, you have been able to find your thumb. You like to suck on it until you unwillingly flail your arms around and it disappears until you find it again. Will you become a thumb sucker? Who knows, but dad and I think it's pretty cute right now.

Little Will, you have come so far and learned so much in the past two months. Just when I don't think that I can love you any more than I do now, you give me a huge smile and I just melt all over. You grow bigger, stronger and learn more with each passing day. It has been fun watching your development. I'm so sad that I will have to return to work soon and leave you behind. But I'm sure coming home and seeing your happy face will be bliss. I love you.

One month

My prince William, it is so hard to believe that a month has gone by since I first set eyes on your beautiful face. Your journey through life started out a little rough. When you were born you took such a forceful first breath that it caused small air leaks in both of your lungs. You had some difficulty with breathing afterwards. Because of this, they whisked you away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) right after you were born. Just before they took you away, I was able to look at you for mere seconds and I kissed your forehead, then you were gone. I knew that this was the best thing for you. I was worried but I didn't let it consume me. You stayed in the NICU for 3 days and you weren't allowed to come into my hospital room with me. Every time I left the NICU I felt empty and sad leaving you behind. I remember hearing cries from all of the other babies that were born the same night, they were with their mommas. I had to keep my door closed to drown out the sound. By the end of the second day, we were re-united and I was able to hold you for the first time. At that moment, I could not have been more happy.

On the third day, I was overjoyed when they removed the IV and the NG tube. I felt to bad when they pulled off the tape that was wrapped around your arm and was on your precious little face. You were finally free, free to come home with us! I was overwhelmed as we carried you through the hospital and out the front doors. We loaded you in the car and I just broke down with joy.

Since then we have been watching you grow right before our eyes. We are still trying to figure out who you look like, mom or dad. You are a good mix of both! I love to sit and stroke your super soft hair. You have daddy's dark hair. I hope that it will stay such a dark color. Your eyes are still a shade of blue. We are still waiting to see what they will become. Somedays they look blue like daddy's unforgettable eyes and other times they look more brown like mom's. You have inherited my hands with super long fingers that you wrap tightly around mine. You have the "Tully's" big feet too. I think that you might me a pretty tall guy someday.

You are always such a calm, quite and content little boy. You love to look around at your surroundings. I wonder what it is that you could be thinking of as you analyze different objects, especially when you stare into our faces. Lately you have been exploring your voice. You tend to make more sweet noises along with little sighs as you sleep. Daddy and I love to sit and watch your facial expressions. You pucker up your lips as though you are trying whistle or make monkey sounds. Daddy has termed this face as "Monkey Whistles." I especially love your little smiles as you contently drift off to sleep. They just melt my heart every time. I wish that I could bottle your little baby scent. I love to hold you and breathe your sweetness into my soul. I feel like a mom the most when you cuddle up on my shoulder and fall sound asleep. I sit and rock you and listen to you softly breathing and feel your warmth against me. I will always remember these things about you. You are amazing.

"Monkey Whistles"

My sweet little boy, you have gotten so big. You now weigh 11lbs and 3 oz. and measure 22-1/2 inches long. I still can't believe that you were once curled up into a tight little ball in my belly. You leave me in awe everyday by the things that you do and the new things that you are constantly learning. I feel so lucky to be your momma. Will, I love you.

A day at the park...

The weather recently has just been gorgeous! It's been nice having Kyle home with me while on maternity leave. We are able to do things during the day that we normally couldn't have done. A few days ago we went to the local park for a picnic and a nice walk. Our little guy slept through most of the outing. Here's a few photos we snapped.

Peanut's first ball hat. Uncle Ryan would be proud!

I love my boys!

Today we took our annual trip the the Wayne County Fair! We munched on fried veggies and had to get an apple dumpling before we headed out! Yummy!! We always go and take pictures of my nieces in front of the giant tractor wheels. Why break tradition? Every year we will be able to see how much he grows! He looks so tiny now.

Peanut's Arrival

I was thirty seven weeks and three days pregnant and had a little over two weeks left to go before our little guy was due. I had been having contractions for weeks, nothing to time or keep track of yet. I had a routine check-up scheduled for today. My doctor decided to check my cervix to see if there was any progress. He had asked me what the baby's name was and I told him that it was William Alexander. He responded with, "Well you know where he lives and you know his name, all you have to do now is send him an eviction notice!" After my exam, to my surprise, he said that I was dilated to two cm and was seventy percent effaced. I left the office feeling good and uplifted. All of the women that I know all went over their due dates with no signs of labor. I returned home and told Kyle the news. I remember that he didn't seem as excited as I was at the time. I think that it was more anxiety rather than excitement. Reality finally hit us at that moment. We were going to be parents in just a few weeks...or so we thought!
I still needed to do countless tasks before our little one arrived. Packing my hospital bag and writing out my thank you cards from my baby shower from the week before were at the top of that list. I had plans to pack that night! We went to the store and bought the thank you cards. We didn't feel like making dinner so we went through Wendy's drive-thru. I'm so glad that we didn't go in to eat! On our way home Kyle was making to laugh hysterically about a game he plays. We arrived home and as ALL pregnant women do, I needed to empty my bladder, afterwards I noticed a little trickle of fluid. It was 6:45PM and I told Kyle that I thought that my water had just broke. His eyes enlarged to the size of half dollars! Not knowing for sure if it had broke, we searched the internet! After a little research, I assumed that it had, Kyle told me to go lay down as he frantically packed our bag for the hospital. I had been lying there for about ten minutes and decided to get up and grab a going home outfit for our little man. When I stood up, there was a gush of fluid and there was no doubt in my mind that my water had definitely broke! I called the doctor and we quickly finished packing things up and headed to the hospital. I remember on the way there Kyle asked me, "So, is there a chance that they would send us back home if you aren't in actual labor yet?" in which I replied, "Nope. This is it. Within 24 hours we are going to have our baby!"
We arrived at the hospital around 8PM. After they determined that my water had definitely broke, they admitted me and started an IV, three painful sticks later it was finally in place. They hooked me up to the monitor and watched my contractions. They were still weak but 3-4 minutes apart and getting stronger. They just decided to let me go and see how things progressed. Throughout the night I got little sleep through my increasing contractions. Around 2AM, I was 5 cm dilated and I received IV medication to help me rest. My nurse at the time said that the medication was fast acting and makes you feel as though you are drunk. It was nice and took the edge off the pain. I was checked again around 7AM and was now at 7cm. My doctor came in to see me and he decided to jump start my labor by administering Pitocin. While he was in, he felt the little guy within my belly and said that he feels like average size. I then told him that I had an ultrasound last week and his estimated weight was 7lbs and 3oz. Dr. Brandau said, "Oh, that's a good weight, very average." I went for a hour and a half with strong contractions before deciding on an epidural. It was 8:30AM when it was put in. With the epidural, I felt more comfortable as my contractions increased. Five hours later, about one in the afternoon, I was finally completely dilated! I thought, "Yes, I am so ready for this to be over with, I want to meet my son!" Little to my dismay, he was too high in the birth canal for me to even start pushing. I remember thinking that he never wanted to come out and meet us! They increased the pitocin and had to put more meds through my epidural because by this time is was wearing off...very fast!
Finally around 3:45PM he descended down far enough for me to start pushing. Amy, who was my nurse at the time and was coaching me, made the first comment about little peanut by saying, "He has dark hair!" I thought, "Ha, to all of the family that said he would have RED hair!" Dr. Brandau was called to come in at 4:10PM to deliver him. Along with my doctor came a busy force of a few nurses and a delivery cart. We even had a few extra nurses from the special care nursery present because I was delivering early. When everyone was ready, the pushing began. I was so excited to finally see my little boy that it only took about five times of me pushing with the contractions to deliver him. My doctor was pretty surprised to see how big he was. As soon as peanut was born he blurted out in shock,"How big did you say he was last week?!" I responded with "Ultrasound said 7lbs 3oz." Without seeing my little guy yet I wasn't too sure what he meant. He said, "Oh, no he is much larger than what the ultrasound states. He's a big boy!" The doctor let Kyle cut the umbilical cord. Kyle later commented on how much larger and tougher the cord was than what he had expected. I was glad that he cut the cord, I wasn't sure if he was willing to do so. For him not having anything to do with blood or needles, he did great through the whole thing. Soon after the cord was cut, Kyle and I looked at each other in pure awe and amazement that our little boy was born. At that very moment we heard his cry for the first time and as a family we all cried together.
My pregnancy and birthing journey was over. Twenty-two hours of labor and a half hour of pushing and there he was. Born at 4:26PM weighing 9lbs and 5oz and was 19inches long. I too was shocked when they told me his weight. I would have never guessed he would be that big at two and a half weeks early. William Alexander, you wandered into our hearts since the time you were the size of a peanut. Now your journey through life had just begun as our sweet little boy!