Birth Story

It's been almost a month and I'm just sitting down to write your birth story. I wish that I had done it sooner because a lot of the details are fuzzy now but with your Dad's help, I'm piecing it all together.

First, a little about your birthday. Since I was having a c-section, we were able to choose your birthday. I am a little nuts but I wanted you to have an even birthday like your siblings, so we decided on 4.16.14. All even numbers :) This also fell on the last day of school for me before spring break. They scheduled your c-section for 2:30pm and I was able to work a half day before heading in. I'm not really that dedicated to my job but if I worked on Wednesday, we'd be able to enjoy a paid spring break (10 days!) and not start my official (unpaid) maternity leave until May.

The day was so much fun. Everyone at work was so excited and I was having crazy contractions all morning. I was afraid I was going to have to leave early to deliver! I headed home around 11:30 to meet your Daddy. We hugged and kissed the twins and took some last pictures as a family of four! Your Gigi and Pop Pops came to watch the twins until the babysitter could get there and then they joined us at the hospital.

We were so late leaving our house and arrived 30 minutes late to our c-section! This is the story of our lives. I was angry with your daddy for not having things ready at home when I got there and (can laugh about this now) but practically burst into tears when I realized he didn't pack your hospital bag! Thank goodness Gigi and Pop Pops were heading to the hospital right behind us and could grab it.

We arrived and waited in triage for a long time. So long that Gigi and Pop Po arrived and waited with us. Around 1:30 we went to a small (really small) room to get prepped for the c-section. I proved to be a hard stick again and the nurse couldn't get my IV in. Thankfully, the nurse anesthetist was in the room and numbed me up a bit before did gave it a shot. From now on I want to be numbed before I get an IV. Soo much better! We hung out for a bit and answered lots of questions while they monitored the baby and pumped me with fluids and premeds to help ward off the nausea from the spinal. My nurses were so nice and there was a really relaxed, light feel in the room.

jay ordered a large shirt...  i think they brought him a small. haha

last picture as parents of 2

The doctor checked in on us and made sure I didn't want my tubes tied (what?!) and then I was taken back to the OR. It wasn't as dramatic as last time because I knew what to expect. I went in the the OR eagerly anticipating meeting our son. I hopped up on the operating table and they started my spinal. Our anesthesiologist was so kind and we chatted for a while about our daughters with double names. I felt sick almost immediately and they started pumping the phenagren. It took me a little while to get stable enough not to throw up and then they brought Jay in. Our doctor came and and got to work. Jay and I held hands and exchanged huge smiles in anticipation of meeting our son. The c-section took a long time because I had tons of scar tissue. After lots and lots of waiting (and becoming more and more nervous) I finally felt some major tugging (I didn't feel ANY with the twins). Shep's shoulders were stuck and it took both doctor's to get him out. They held him up for me to see and immediately the tears hit. I was so in love with our baby boy. He was sent over to be weighed and cleaned. Jay followed him over snapping pictures. I started taking pictures of Jay and Shep as they were sewing me up and the doctors were laughing at me (in a good way). Finally Jay brought Shep over to meet me. I was overwhelmed with emotion and kept crying and kissing him. He was such a beautiful baby and so peaceful! I couldn't wait to get to recovery  and snuggle with him. 

It took them a little longer to sew me back up so we just hung out with baby Shep on the OR table. Eventually we were able to head back to recovery. I was able to nurse Shep right away and we had a great few minutes of bonding/snuggle time. Pretty soon the anti-nausea meds drowsiness took affect and I felt really sleepy. I handed shep over to Jay and proceeded to get sick over and over again. Our nurse was so sweet and took such great care of me. I took more meds and finally started to feel better :). 

We were moved to our room and all the family got to meet our sweet baby shep!