Wow, what a difference a few days make!
I feel very fortunate that I went into labor on my exact due date. That probably doesn't happen all that often, and I was honestly expecting to still be sitting here waiting for Westin to arrive. But instead, he was born just one day past my due date, on December 7th at 4:52pm.
I woke up on Saturday, the 6th around 7:45am and thought my water had broken. I spent a few hours debating on whether or not to call my doctor. I wasn't certain that it had broken, but if it had, I knew that the clock had started ticking, and that you're supposed to deliver within the next 24 hours. I had almost convinced myself that it wasn't my water breaking, but Jeremy strongly encouraged me to call my doctor. So I did, and the doc said he agreed that it had probably broken and to come on in to the hospital. That was at 10:30am. So, by 11am we were in the hospital, and long story short, my water had NOT broken, much to the surprise of my doctor. So, we went home.
And about an hour later, the contractions picked up and started to get painful. Over the next 7 or 8 hours we just hung around at home, except for a run over to Kohls so my dad could buy a gift for my mom for their anniversary. It was at Kohls that the contractions started coming sooner and sooner. I tried to hide it so that I would not double over in pain in public. I think I did a pretty good job. After we got home, I began timing the contractions in earnest, and finally, around 9:30pm we called the doctor, and he said to head to the hospital (again).
We got settled in around 11pm, and the next 18 hours or so were very, very long. Contractions are.... in a word or two.... damn painful. (Sorry for cussing but there really wasn't a better descriptive word to use.) I am so grateful that I decided to get an epidural. I can't begin to imagine trying to tough it out, considering I had already endured 13 hours of pain before I got the medicine.
Jeremy was very supportive and sweet throughout the whole process. He saw everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) start to finish, and was such a trooper. He was pretty fascinated by it all and handled me very well. I'm so thankful for him.
And now - we're home, and tired beyond all get-out. My mother has been here for about a week and a half, and she truly is our angel. She has done countless dishes and general cleaning, but more than that, she has loved on our son and relieved the burden from us a lot. She has done some night duty so I could catch a couple hours of sleep. I know we are absolutely wearing her out, but she does not complain. She loves holding Westin (and in fact is doing so as I type this) and I'm just so glad to have her around. I must say it makes me wish I lived closer to my family.
Westin is wonderful. His sweet smell, the way he loves to snuggle, the little chirps he makes... we just can't get enough. And the boy can EAT!!! Oh my goodness I had no idea. The pediatrician said because he's such a big boy (8lbs 9oz) it will seem like he is eating constantly, and that is exactly how I feel. Eating, sleeping, eating, peeing, eating, and pooping. That's our boy!
Westin is a week old today, and already so much more alert and expressive. We look forward to introducing him to our friends and family.
And now... perhaps a nap. But probably not. Who am I kidding?
I feel very fortunate that I went into labor on my exact due date. That probably doesn't happen all that often, and I was honestly expecting to still be sitting here waiting for Westin to arrive. But instead, he was born just one day past my due date, on December 7th at 4:52pm.
I woke up on Saturday, the 6th around 7:45am and thought my water had broken. I spent a few hours debating on whether or not to call my doctor. I wasn't certain that it had broken, but if it had, I knew that the clock had started ticking, and that you're supposed to deliver within the next 24 hours. I had almost convinced myself that it wasn't my water breaking, but Jeremy strongly encouraged me to call my doctor. So I did, and the doc said he agreed that it had probably broken and to come on in to the hospital. That was at 10:30am. So, by 11am we were in the hospital, and long story short, my water had NOT broken, much to the surprise of my doctor. So, we went home.
And about an hour later, the contractions picked up and started to get painful. Over the next 7 or 8 hours we just hung around at home, except for a run over to Kohls so my dad could buy a gift for my mom for their anniversary. It was at Kohls that the contractions started coming sooner and sooner. I tried to hide it so that I would not double over in pain in public. I think I did a pretty good job. After we got home, I began timing the contractions in earnest, and finally, around 9:30pm we called the doctor, and he said to head to the hospital (again).
We got settled in around 11pm, and the next 18 hours or so were very, very long. Contractions are.... in a word or two.... damn painful. (Sorry for cussing but there really wasn't a better descriptive word to use.) I am so grateful that I decided to get an epidural. I can't begin to imagine trying to tough it out, considering I had already endured 13 hours of pain before I got the medicine.
Jeremy was very supportive and sweet throughout the whole process. He saw everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) start to finish, and was such a trooper. He was pretty fascinated by it all and handled me very well. I'm so thankful for him.
And now - we're home, and tired beyond all get-out. My mother has been here for about a week and a half, and she truly is our angel. She has done countless dishes and general cleaning, but more than that, she has loved on our son and relieved the burden from us a lot. She has done some night duty so I could catch a couple hours of sleep. I know we are absolutely wearing her out, but she does not complain. She loves holding Westin (and in fact is doing so as I type this) and I'm just so glad to have her around. I must say it makes me wish I lived closer to my family.
Westin is wonderful. His sweet smell, the way he loves to snuggle, the little chirps he makes... we just can't get enough. And the boy can EAT!!! Oh my goodness I had no idea. The pediatrician said because he's such a big boy (8lbs 9oz) it will seem like he is eating constantly, and that is exactly how I feel. Eating, sleeping, eating, peeing, eating, and pooping. That's our boy!
Westin is a week old today, and already so much more alert and expressive. We look forward to introducing him to our friends and family.
And now... perhaps a nap. But probably not. Who am I kidding?
9 comments:
Hi!! He is so precious! We can't wait to meet him. So glad you survived the "Motherhood initiation ceremony" ha! Looks like you came through it with flying colors and rosy cheeks :) My labor with Caleb sounds just like that - about 36 hours long and boy did I love my epidural.
It is so nice to have a grandma around to give you some rest!
Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and let me know when you need the next size up of clothes - we have tons for you :)
Vicki Adkison writes: He's so beautiful.Julie called me right after she'd heard he had arrived. Congratulations. Julie will be bringing Westin's birth sampler when she comes in Jan. It's finished so she's saving me having to mail it. I worry so when they're in the mail. Hope you'll like it.
That is one good looking boy!!
WOW! He is so cute! We are so happy for you guys! We can't wait to see him.
Hey Joey! This is Lou Ann's sister, Crystal. Westin is beeeeautiful! Lou had sent me pictures of him, and I saw your blog on her's. I just wanted to tell you that I am so happy everything went well. Children are a true blessing from God. Enjoy every second, it does go by very fast. Xander turned 4 yesterday! Again, I am very happy for you guys, and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Crystal Gouge
Been checking the blog hoping y'all would post when it happened.
What a good looking kid!
Welcome to parenthood. Life just got a lot more complicated and immensely more rich and rewarding!!!!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night ('s sleep)!
Congratulations again you guys. He is just so darn cute! See you soon.
Oh, and try to sleep when you can...he'll be there when you wake up, I promise. :)
BTW-
Shouldn't the silhouette of the Babynamey.com box now be looking a lot less pregnant since according to them Baby Westin is 1 week old? How can she still be showing? Why do I get distracted by this kind of thing? I think I will label this comment anonymous
Today is Dec 22 and I just wanted you to know we are praying that your newest member of the family is settling into a good routine, that you are all healthy, and barring any of that being true, that God is sustaining you through this wonderful / difficult time :-)
Can't wait to meet Westin next year.
Merry Christmas from Brian, Joleen, Jared, Travis, and Amy Williams!!
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