August 7th, 2012...One Day Old

Our first night in the hospital was slightly sleepless.  Kaden stayed in the nursery all night, so we could attempt to get some sleep.  Due to standard procedures, vitals had to be taken throughout the night, so each time that woke us up.  And, we were both so excited and keyed up, that sleeping was just hard.  On Tuesday morning (August 7th), Kaden was brought to us around 9:00 AM, and he spent the entire day in our room.  During the day, we had several visitors.  Kailey and JR came by as well as my co-workers and friends Tara and LeTishia.  That afternoon, Amanda and Eric Huneycutt, Stephanie, and Brittnye came to visit.  Mimi came by and brought Kathryn, and Papa came by and brought lunch.  That evening, Momma Pam came and stayed for a bit.  I loved having visitors as it helped pass the time of sitting in bed.  

Daddy changing the first dirty diaper

With Kailey

One Day Old

Tishia and Tara

With Mimi

Daddy Time

With Stephanie

Meeting Big Sister Kathryn and the Family

Just a few minutes after birth, big sister Kathryn came in to meet Kaden.  Kathryn had spent the day with Mimi and had no clue why all the sudden they were at the hospital.  When she first came in the labor and delivery room, she was timid and quiet.  She came right over to my bed and clung to Kyle.  We explained to her that she had a baby brother.  She didn't really say much.  I think she was overwhelmed by all the family in the room and just everything going on in general.  After several minutes passed, she climbed in the bed with me to check out her baby brother.  She then smiled a huge smile at me and her baby brother.  I think she was pretty excited about the big news.  Kiki had a book for her "Big Sisters Are The Best," and Kyle spent time reading to her while everyone checked out baby Kaden.

Big Sister Kathryn...not real sure what to think

Checking him out

Kaden with Kiki

We love Kiki!

Still clinging to Daddy

A little shy to meet her baby brother

One Proud Daddy!

Proud Big Sister Too!

With Momma Pam

With Mimi

With Papa

Reading "Big Sisters Are The Best" with Daddy

 

Kaden's first few minutes through photos...

I am so thankful my mom and sister were in the labor and delivery room with us during this special time.  They are truly the best!  A big THANK YOU to them for taking such great pics.  Here are a few of Kaden's first moments in life.

8.9 lbs and 20 and a half inches long

Apgar Test #1: 8, Apgar Test #2: 9

Getting his bracelets

Footprint time

Looking good

Mommy post delivery

Holding Kaden for the first time

Snuggling with Mommy

On his way to the nursery

Labor and Delivery...The Whole Story

This past Monday, August 6th, 2012, I was officially induced for labor.  We had to be at Gateway Hospital at 5 AM for registration.  First, registration was quick and easy.  And, the nicest girl was there to greet us bright and early.  After registration, we went up to the third floor and were helped by several nice nurses.  They got us to our room immediately and went over a few procedures for the day.  After some quick blood work and once I was in my bed, I was officially induced (the pitocin drip was started) at 6:15 AM.  I was surprised and happy with how well the morning had began.  I truly had some of the nicest people helping me.  Labor and Delivery was packed that morning, but I still received great care.  Kyle and I spent time watching TV and just talking.  It was definitely a relaxing time.  Around 8 AM, Dr. Jennie Beth Johnston came in to break my water.  This was a whole new experience since with Kathryn I had no fluid.  It was not painful, but it was just awkward.  I felt like I was using the bathroom on myself and I couldn't make it stop.  I had quite a bit of fluid because it seemed like all day the water came out.  My mom and sister came in that morning as well.  We all spent the morning talking and watching the Summer Olympics.  Every 30 minutes to an hour, my pitocin drip was increased by 2.  Around noon, I began having pretty hard contractions, so I asked for my epidural.  This was a different experience as well.  With Kathryn, the epidural felt cool...like a cold trickle of water going down my back.  This time, it was more of a dull, hot pain.  Not anything super painful, but very different than my first epidural.  During this process, I had to sit on the edge of the bed which caused a flood of water to come out.  I was quite embarrassed.  It was running down my legs and feet into the floor.  All I could do was laugh which made the water come out even more.  Again, I could do nothing to make the water stop coming out.  It was just insane.  None the less, after my epidural, I felt much better.  I could tell when I was having contractions (felt a tightening on the right side of my stomach), but it did not hurt.  It had been a slow afternoon as far as progressions.  When I came to the hospital, I was already dilated at 2 cm and 50% effaced.  When I was checked at 4 PM, I was only at 5 cm and about 75% effaced.  Needless to say, I was frustrated.  We had been at the hospital for almost 12 hours, and I had only progressed about 3 cm and 25%.  I began to feel sick to my stomach.   Seriously, I thought I was going to vomit, so I had Kyle find me a bucket so I didn't get sick in the floor.  At this time, the nurse came in and gave me Zofran to help.  Then Jennie Beth came in and said she would be back shortly but maybe my sickness was caused by some "changes" occurring.  I was pretty sure I felt sick because I was frustrated that I was only at 5 cm.  Around 5 PM a nurse came in to check me.  She quickly announced I was complete and ready to begin pushing.  However, Jennie Beth had stepped out to take her daughter Cammie to her parents (which Jennie Beth's parents live two doors down from my in laws).  The nurse said she was told to not do anything with me until she (meaning Jennie Beth) returned.  At this point I was so excited and surprised at how fast things had progressed in an hour.  I think it helped that my pitocin drip was cranked up to 22.  I was told that most of the time they stopped it at 20 unless otherwise ordered by the doctor.  Jennie Beth came in around 5:10.  At 5:12, Kyle called his parents to let them know I was about to start pushing.  And, at 5:23 baby Kaden was born.  It was a quick 10 minutes!!!  I literally pushed for less than 10 minutes (and I had lots of encouraging from my sister and the nurses on my pushing).  I pushed through three contractions, and he was born.  I was shocked it was so fast since he was much bigger than Kathryn (with Kathryn I pushed for about 20 minutes).  I expected to labor for much longer.  However, I was so glad that it was a quick process.  Since he came through so quickly, I had some tearing, and Kaden had some bruising on his face and right hand.  Other than that, all was perfect!  Everyone was so excited about the news of a baby boy.  I think Kyle had a hard time processing all his emotions, as his reaction was truly the sweetest.  His eyes filled with tears and his voice of excitement  made me cry.  The moment was priceless.

Monday, August 6th

Ready to leave the house (4:45 AM)

Settled in the hospital bed and ready to begin the inducing process (6:15 AM)

38 Weeks

I am now 38 weeks pregnant.  I am totally shocked that I have made it this far.  Tomorrow, August 6th is the big day.  We are to be at the hospital at 5 AM, and I am being induced.  I really wanted Jennie Beth Johnston to deliver baby Luther, and her days at the hospital are tomorrow and Tuesday.  And, I really did not want baby Luther and Kathryn to share a birthday, so this is working out great all around.  I have so many mixed emotions right now.  I am SOOOOO excited to meet baby Luther.  I am mostly excited about this pregnancy being over...however, this is a bitter sweetness.  There are some things I will miss about being pregnant.  And, while it feels so great to know that we are done having children, at the same time it is a little sad to know that I will never be pregnant again.  Like I said...bittersweet.  And, I have been a little bit emotional all day long about this being our last day as a family of 3 (or family of 4 including Bailey).  I know Kathryn will be so excited about the baby, but again, I have just been a little torn about it being our final day with her as our only child.  Again...such mixed emotions...darn hormones!  Kathryn has gone to Mimi and Papa's to stay the night, so Kyle and I enjoyed a dinner out just the two of us at Outback (my choice, I really wanted a Bloomin' Onion).  Now we are home.  We plan to watch a movie and then hopefully get a good night's sleep.  However, I am betting that neither one of us sleeps at all.  We are both so excited and nervous about what tomorrow holds.  None the less, we are packed up and ready for the big day!  We can't wait to hold and love on you baby Luther!!!!!

38 Weeks

Big Belly!

Last night as a family of three

Or...Last night as a family of four

37 Week Appointment

37 Weeks...measuring over 39 Weeks

Yesterday I had my 37 week check up.  Once again, all is well.  This time, I saw Dr. Crawford.  He cracks me up!  After pressing on my belly and listening to the baby's heartbeat, he predicted we were having a big baby boy.  He said he thought baby Luther would weigh around 9 pounds.  Then he checked me...I am still at 2 cm and 50%.  He said he was hoping I would be at 3 or 4 cm and ready to deliver.  And, I think he was most impressed that I am still able to shave my legs...it has become difficult with the big belly... (which I do daily and year round...I do not like to be prickly!).  None the less, everything at the appointment went great.  If I don't deliver between now and next Thursday, I am going to talk to Dr. Johnston about inducing labor.  I am not sleeping well at night due to plain ole discomfort.  I am waking up very early...like 3:30 AM and unable to go back to sleep.  And, I am just not comfortable.  I am huge and just not use to carrying around all this weight (and my blood pressure was still a little on the high side...I think it is because I am so large).  We are all so excited about baby Luther's arrival.....any day now!