***This post was written during our last few hours in the hospital... at this exact time, Brady... you and Daddy are snuggled up on the couch watching ESPN's Around the Horn. I'm not sure which one of you is happier... : )
On the day you were born...
It started as any other normal Saturday. Lucas and Sophie woke up around 7, played in the living room a bit, fixed themselves a scrumptious breakfast of peanut butter & graham crackers, and Daddy and I rolled out of bed somewhere around 8ish. It was a stormy and rainy evening/morning which led to your brother's 9:30 AM baseball game being cancelled. I was secretly happy about this because it meant we had nothing going on...just hang-out time at home.
Throughout the morning we read several books, wrestled a bit in the living room, Daddy and I did some odd jobs around the house, and just hung around. I had 5-6 very mild contractions throughout the morning, but nothing that seemed concerning.
Daddy fixed mac and cheese and bologna sandwiches for us for lunch while I read books on the couch to Lucas and Sophie. Your brother and sister laid down for a nap around 1:00 and I decided to as well.
Around 2:00 I woke up to some more contractions but still none that really were bothersome. I decided since I had already had several though, it was time to start writing down and timing the contractions and their intensity. Falling asleep and taking a nap seemed out of the question by now so around 3:00 I got up, made a grocery list, and decided to head to Meijer to get some groceries. We had quite a few groceries to get, including diapers for you which we hadn't bought yet and we figured it might be time to get some.
**On the way to Meijer I called Grandma, told her about the contractions and warned her that I might be calling back to have her come down if the contractions seemed to get more intense. She was planning all along to stay with your brother and sister while Daddy and I were with you in the hospital. I also called Paul and Jacque and our neighbors Carol and Lisa as these were both our plan A and B to watch Lucas and Sophie until Grandma got to our house. I just warned them that they may be getting a call later that evening.
3:45: I get to Meijer. As I'm walking in I have my first contraction that makes me stop in my tracks a bit and catch my breath. I decide to continue timing and writing down the contractions.
3:50-4:50: I walk around Meijer getting groceries while having irregular contractions around 5-15 minutes apart- nothing too painful or long-lasting.
4:50: I'm in the checkout line and having a pretty hard contraction that made my legs feel numb for a bit. At this point I thought to myself... "I may just have to ditch my cart!" I didn't though-- paid, loaded up the groceries, and hopped in the car.
5:00: I immediately texted this message to Daddy: "On way home. Contractions making my legs numb when walking around Could be real thing." I called Grandma on the way home and went ahead and asked her to come on down- apologizing ahead of time if it was a false alarm and wasn't the real deal.
5:25: Home. Daddy unpacked groceries while I took a very quick shower. I was starting to have harder contractions so I wanted to hurry so I could lay down. Daddy continued writing down contractions while also packing a hospital bag.
5:50: Daddy convinced me it was time to call the on-call doctor which happened to be Dr. Mernitz, one of my favorite doctors (who delivered your sister!). When I told him I hadn't had a lot of progress at my last Dr. appt. (2 cm) he sounded a little disappointed and gave us the option to come in to the hospital or stay home a bit and wait it out. We decided to go ahead and head to the hospital.
6:05: Carol and Madi come over to watch Lucas and Sophie. Daddy put a $20 on the counter for them to order pizza and we quickly headed out the door.
6:11-6:35: Drive to Carmel St. Vincent Hospital- This is when Mommy had some VERY BIG contractions-- one right after another- without any relief. I didn't even get a chance to text anyone saying we were on the way to the hospital. I was in too much pain.
6:36: We arrive at the carport, Daddy got a wheelchair (I couldn't walk!), and we headed up the elevator to the 3rd floor. The nurse took us into the triage room and began the paperwork, but when she saw I was in so much pain she decided to check to see how I was progressing.
Nurse: Wow. You're at 10 cm and he's right there. You're going to have a baby!
Me: What?!?! I can't have an epidural?
Nurse: Nope, sorry honey. You can do this. I know you can!
They called Dr. Mernitz who wasn't there yet but on his way. Meanwhile, I wanted to start pushing but they wouldn't let me until Dr. Mernitz got there. 3 nurses were taking great care of me and were very encouraging and helpful.
6:42: Dr. Mernitz walks in (Boy, was I relieved!!), double checks that everything is ready, and tells me to push. And there you were!! Daddy and I were stunned that you arrived so quickly but more than that, we were so very happy and thankful. You were beautiful.... you were healthy...and you were ours! The nurses wrapped you up right away and I got to hold you within seconds.
The next events were a blur... we were still in so much shock of all the events that just took place. Nurses came in and out... Dr. Mernitz finished helping me... you were weighed... (at first I thought they said you were 8 lbs 4 ounces but that was a different number they were talking about)... you weighed exactly 6 lbs! The nurses said you were as healthy as can be. Daddy got to give you your first bath while I watched from the bed and took pictures from my phone. Whoops... in all of the craziness of the day, we forgot to pack our camera! No worries though... the nurses and Dr. Mernitz took several with our phones so we have some great shots from our time in the delivery room.
Things started to slow down just a bit and we were able to make a final decision on your name. Once we started talking about "Brady" we just loved the way it seemed to fit. Christopher is Dr. Mernitz's name but also we loved the way it sounded with Brady. We also used this quieter time to send messages and make phone calls to our friends and family. Everyone was amazed at how quickly you came... I guess you were just ready!! : )
Brady,
Daddy and I couldn't be happier. We loved you from the very second we knew you'd be joining our family and now that you're here we can't keep our eyes off of you. You're perfect in every way and can't wait to show you to all of our family and friends... all of the people who love you too. Lucas and Sophie couldn't wait to meet you and came right away with Grandma yesterday morning. They couldn't wait to hold and snuggle with you. What a happy time it was for all of us... our first time together as one complete family. God was really watching over us on the day you were born... we are so thankful you are here... safe and sound.
We love you, little buddy.
XOXO,
Mommy and Daddy
***More pics of hospital stay and visitors coming in next post...
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