Natural Childbirth - Parker's birth story

If the term "natural/unmedicated childbirth" wigs you out...you can go ahead and stop reading NOW.  However, if you have ever, will ever, hope to ever or soon will be having a baby, this post might be of some interest to you.  It's a lot to put our birth story out there, but since I did it with Briggs, I guess it's time to do it for Parker.

We had an eventful pregnancy at the end just as we did with Briggs. If you want more details on that process, read here, here, here and here.  Short version... whole pregnancy of weekly shots, oral meds, 5 weeks bedrest, in and out of the hospital and other fun stuff. 

 I made it to 39 weeks which looks a little BIG something like this...

 We tried to pack our days with some sort of walking and activity to help Parker come.  So we headed to the zoo this day and walked, walked, walked.

Made it through the whole day.  I was hurting but not much different than any other day.  Went to bed that night and my back (back labor) was hurting/ cramping/ aching pretty good.  It kept waking me up.  I finally decided to get up and take a shower to see if that would help.  By the time I got finished drying my hair...I was having to stop and breath.  It got to the point where I knew it was time.  I got Justin up and went to sit in the living room to wait for him.  Things progressed quickly from here.  I started having to breath through contractions and then went and woke mom up to tell her we were leaving.  Everyone was buzzing around the house (it's about 11:30 pm now).  Contractions were 2-3 min apart.  I called the hospital to tell them we were on the way and I just started walking to the car.  I felt like that kid was coming right then with as fast and hard as my contractions ramped up.

It was really cold outside.  I don't think we said one word the whole way to the hospital b/c I was just breathing through contractions.  Well I did do one thing...texted our amazing friend and birth photographer, Allison so she could be on standby.  My hands were shaking the whole time b/c I was hurting, but two words...PRIORITIES PEOPLE.

We get there and Justin let me out at the L&D door so he could park the car.  This was probably one of the stupidest things EVER!  So they have the doors locked (security purposes).  There is a little 15 year old security guy sitting at a desk.  I'm OBVIOUSLY in labor trying to get the door to open.  He is yelling at me to push some button on the wall.  I can't hear him b/c I'M ABOUT TO HAVE A BABY and just need inside.  I'm about to ring this kids neck and he finally walks over to tell me through the glass what to do.  This makes me tired and annoyed just typing this...I ring the bell...it calls L&D... the nurse asks me who I am...(I'm thinking some not very nice words in my head)...get buzzed in...go up the elevators... get to the desk....check in...triage room...they decide I'm really in labor (could have told them that)...get me to a room... GEEZ! Quite the process!

Sidenote, this is the perfect day b/c all my people are there, or almost.  Allison is on her way.  Amy (our L&D nurse for Briggs comes on at 7am), Dr. Swindle is on call at 7am and will be at the hospital.  Mom is at our house and ready to head to the hospital when we call.  It was perfect!

So the day, or night should I say looked a little something like this....

Justin gets upstairs and we get situated for the long night ahead.  Allison arrives and was able to be there and capture all the pics you see below.  If you want her version of the day, read here.

Things actually started slowing down a tad when we got situated.  I just figured once things got started, we would be cruisin.  NOT!  I got there and was 4 cm, contractions steady at 2-3 minutes apart.  They started fluctuating and lightening up.

So we hit the halls to walk....A LOT!

I used this thing to try and help me out.  If you're scratching your head on this one, email me and I'll explain.  It did help a little, but only for a period and then they would slow down again and we would...walk.  BIG SIGH!

Everybody got there.  mom, Allison, Justin of course was there.  And we are all just hanging out and chatting.  I'm just gonna be honest. I felt so guilty right about now. It's the middle of the night.  My neighbor had come over to sit with Briggs since he was sleeping, all my people have come to the hospital and they are all just waiting for something to happen.  I know there is only so much I have control over, but I think I was almost having performance anxiety or something?  I felt so bad they were all waiting on...ME!

but we did have a good time visiting...

mom got busy wiping everything down while we were out walking 

(YES...I got it honest and this pic proves it)

Just to recap...we have gone from midnight to 7am and then the game changer walked in...AMY.  

She was our nurse for Briggs' birth and made all the difference in our experience.  

I had known her schedule for the past month and knew she would be here this morning, 

so we went ahead and requested her as soon as we got to the hospital.

She comes in...and says her famous words...

"we are gonna have us a baby by lunch".  

Just for the record... She was right.  

She checks me. water breaks.  I cry.  Just for the other record, it HURT, but

... IT WAS TIME...

  It is the only time I cried during the whole thing.

 Things quickly changed.  The room when from a laid back, joking, chatty time to this....

And this...

 And this...
Poor thing!  I said this with Briggs, but seeing this picture makes me feel it even more.  I feel so bad for him because he feels so bad for me that I'm hurting and there is nothing he can do about it.

I've got my game face on.  If that's not a look of determination...

Poor justin.  And my sweet little momma.  Probably texting my sis b/c she was chomping at the bits to be there.  We can all give a...BIG SIGH...that my mom is here for this one.  So special!

MY PEOPLE!  wouldn't have made it without them...for real!

The pictures narrate our morning well... I went between rocking on the ball to standing and leaning on the bed mostly.  It was a pretty intense labor and got there quickly after my water broke.

Things got super intense toward the end...This (above pic) was actually the last pic of me standing up.  I remember getting to the point where I was shaking it was hurting so bad and all I could do was breathe. That was my focus...deep breathing...in and out...I had told Amy a few times...I think I need to push.  She checked me and I was 8cm. It was about 2-3 more contractions and I was like, I've got to do something.  They helped me get in the bed and I couldn't help it...I just started pushing. 

This pic isn't pretty...but it's real life people..

She checked me and I was at 10cm.  She hit it into high gear.  Pushed the button on the wall, started yelling for them to get somebody in there, looked at me, saw his head and told me to stop pushing the baby was coming out (only because she didn't even have gloves on yet).  I couldn't stop...The end of the bed didn't come off...nobody else was in there, NOT EVEN DOCTOR SWINDLE...when it's time, it's time...Parker just came out right there!

This pic captures a good view of my mom.  I already said it was intense...poor thing.  I'm sure it's hard to watch your child hurt, but so special to be a part of all at the same time.

Three pushes and Amy was holding him up!

A happy look of relief that our baby made it here safe

And THEN...doctor Swindle walked in.  I still haven't let her live that one down.

A few little hugs, kisses, high fives...and just when you think it's all over...you get to take it down a few notches and deliver the placenta.  It's still cramp-y contraction-y type pains...I had to breathe through them and  focus a little...but not as intense as labor.

I wanted to see what it looked like.  Thank me for not including a pic....really!

That's it.  The rest is just some stitching up, chit chat, more picture taking...

see Parker's birth story part 2 (coming soon) for more pics of the little cutie. 

But that's the story on how our second son got here.

One last thing I have to share...

My theme verse for the birth that the nurses had given me (in all my visits up the hospital) was...

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

John 16:21 

AMEN

First Hair Cut

We are almost 18 months old and JUST got enough hair for our first haircut.  Here are a few pics of our sweet little man.  I couldn't pick just one so I'm just putting them all..b/c he is SO STINKIN CUTE!

He was such a big boy.  Didn't cry at all and the only problem we had was when he realized the chair would rock and he would rock back and forth...so Staci (the hair cut girl) had a little buckin bronco on her hands but she did great and he came out of there looking sharp.

Well technically we all three did...we just made it a family affair b/c we all needed a little trim and we kept Briggs busy with the iphone and snacks and Gmaw :)

Briggs' Fun Weekend

 I'm sure most of you are wondering what was Briggs-man up to while his two favorite people in the world, were gone to NYC ..well, glad you asked.

My parents (Ra-Ra and Poppa) came in from Florida to keep him.  We have been going through a little separation anxiety phase at our house so I was a little worried how he would do...but from the minute my dad got to him...they were buddies.  And as I told my mom...I wasn't worried at all about him being taken care of.  I'm pretty sure she takes better care of my kid than I do...seriously!

I wish I could say it was no big deal to leave him.  Well...not true.  I do think it's so important to carve out time for just you and your spouse.  Especially when you have children...hints why we did this weekend trip.  But to leave behind your child, who I'm with every single day...HARD!

BUT...Ra-Ra did a great job of pic and video updates.  Here are a few of our favorites from the weekend...

Briggs getting ready to do yard work (his favorite thing to do).

Apparently Ra-Ra and Poppa got this kid a Wendy's frosty every single day we were gone.  Those were my dad's instructions when he left...make sure he gets his frosty every day...OH, OK DAD...HA!

And then I would get a sweet pic like this...

mmm...makes me just want to pick him up and squeeze him!

My sweet baby, out for his walk

showing off his skills for Ra-Ra and Poppa

A little morning Bible time with Poppa

Justin has been rolling trucks and stuff on Briggs...it's their little game.  

Apparently Briggs though it was fun to run stuff over Poppa's head

Little cutie

We taught Briggs baby sign from when he was little.  

This is a picture of him telling them he wants "more" watermelon before bed.

Note: Some of you reading this may be wondering what baby sign is...I studied a lot about it's effects developmentally with children, it aids their communication when they don't have the ability to verbalize what they want/need.  It's definitely helped with Briggs telling us when he wants food or drink.

Being silly

He likes to wear his sunglasses when it's bright outside

Mom sent this pic with the caption 

"he is drinking and driving, but don't worry, we are supervising"

Justin and I both laughed out loud on this one.

I think he just got finished eating another frosty here

Eating with Ra-Ra

And...more frosty

So as you can see from these little snapshots.  I think it's safe to say, Briggs didn't even know we were gone.  He had a visit from his great grandparents (my dad's parents, who only live a couple hours from us), played outside A LOT, made a few trips to Wendy's for frosties, visited Walmart a couple of times, ate some yummy food and got lots of love while we were gone.

We didn't call or skype with him b/c we didn't want to make him upset.  And the morning we left, he was still sleeping so he never saw us leave..he just woke up and they kept him busy until his little head hit the pillow.

When we got home, he had just woke up (so my dad came to get us at the airport without him, which killed me, but I wanted him to get his nap and be happy).  My mom had him outside in the wagon when we drove up.  Justin and I get out of the car and walked up to him...he kept looking at us, and then just started crying.  It was kind of pitiful.  It was like he realized we had been gone and his feelings were hurt we left him.  It only for a second and of course I was kissing his little face off and he decided he would forgive us.  We went inside and just hung out.  Briggs was hanging out with the guys (my dad and Justin) and playing.  I was in the kitchen talking to my mom and he would randomly walk in and hold his arms up for me to pick him up and he would give me a hug....SO SWEET!

And can I just add...MY PARENTS ARE AWESOME!  My mom went above and beyond for this babysitting job.  She cleaned my ENTIRE house, cooked a few meals that we could have when we got back with some extra to freeze for a rainy day, did all the laundry in the house, potted some plants for me outside, took care of my child (as I said before, probably better than I do), went to the grocery store a few times to get things she thought I needed and all while my dad kept Briggs occupied outside.  Dad was the entertainment while mom kept everything running smoothly and made sure everybody was comfy and having a good time.  It was great to get away and I didn't worry about Briggs at all.  And it sounds like my parents had a blast too...but I do think this little guy wore them out while they were here :)

New York Babymoon

The first thing you might be asking yourself...what in the world is a babymoon?  Well our definition is a trip before our upcoming baby arrives.  We took one to San Francisco, CA before Briggs was born (that was pre-blog).  We just got back from our latest babymoon to New York City, New York.

Here is a little recap of our weekend...

Day One

Cab ride from the airport to the hotel.  Not lying...SCARY!

First stop was Crumbs.  As you can see here...

evidenced by a yummy cupcake and iced coffee.  

Don't worry, I shared a little bit with Justin.

Headed to Times Square.  This is kind of like trying to find Where's Waldo...but there was a camera set up in the middle of everything.  It puts your picture on the big screen.  Kinda cool.  Can you find us...

A snapshot of Times Square.  

Yes, it really is as busy as it looks.  Kind of stressful at times.

This is our room.  Justin got our hotel right on the edge of Times Square 

so we could walk to everything. 

Then off to the broadway show...The Lion King.  

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. is all I can say about that one.  Justin and I both say this is one of our favorite parts of the weekend.  

A little shout out to the hubs...he planned the whole trip (we had an agenda and all).  For the broadway show he even got me a seat on the aisle so I could get to the bathroom easier.  Now that's special treatment!

Day Two

We started the day off on the double decker tour bus.  

Sorry, no pic of us together...but this is a snapshot of our view.  

We used this as our mode of transportation for the weekend along with the occasional cab.  

We pretty much focused on hitting all the big touristy spots which is where all the bus stops were..so worked out pretty good.

First stop was the top of the Empire State Building.  

If this was any indication on how the day was going to go...when we got there, you take an elevator up most of the way and then they herd you through hallways like cattle.  We are standing in line...one of the workers starts yelling out there is another option to standing there.."come take the short way" he says.  So, what do we do...take the short way...only to find out, the short way equals CLIMBING 6 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS!  Not the best start to the day.  Once I stopped sweating and caught my breath...we were able to take in the view...which was pretty cool.

This is one shot Justin got.  Looks like it goes on forever.

And another.  I'm not one for all the buildings, 

but it is pretty impressive what all is crammed into one little space.

Sidenote: on the way down from the top...

we didn't fall for the "shorter way down".  

We waited in line for the elevator :)

Next stop...Ground Zero.

Some of the construction going on, 

and the Freedom Tower that is being built

(tall building in the background) 

There are two pools (one pictured below) that were created in the footprints of the World Trade Centers as a memorial for those whose lives were lost. 

It was a very somber scene to take in.

Another view of the Freedom Tower.

We were told we MUST eat at Junior's, so we did.

It was a yummy meal and is a place known mostly for their cheesecake. 

You can kind of see it (cheesecake) behind our drinks...was VERY YUMMY. 

That night we kind of took it easy...per my request.  

I didn't include pics of all we did this day, but we did A LOT of walking and we didn't have time to stop and eat much because we were on such a time crunch to see everything.

It was actually pretty warm this day and I wasn't drinking enough water b/c that makes me have to pee.  We also figured out, there aren't many public bathrooms around NYC...which makes for a problem when you have a pregnant wife.  So, needless to say, when night time got here...I was ready to turn in.  We just moved a few things around on our agenda (yes, my husband got that technical, so we weren't losing a single second while we were there)

Justin got me settled in the room (feet propped up with a big bottle of water)
and went to scope out the night life.

Here are a few pics from his camera...

Times Square at night

These cab drivers don't play...time is money apparently...

 so they are in it to win it and get you to your destination.

Day Three

We started the day off by taking a ferry around Staten Island 

to get a closer look of the Statue of Liberty.

One thing that was interesting, once you get to Staten Island, they make you get off the ferry, walk through a building, and then load back up again.  Was kind of strange, but they said it was mandatory?  Wasn't a big deal, was just kind of strange.

It was pretty chilly but a beautiful day and we got a really good look at it.

And there she is...

We got to make a stop at the Apple store in NYC.  It was kind of neat b/c it was underground.  We didn't buy anything, just popped in for a visit and so Justin could say he went there.

Next stop Central Park.  Justin was all about taking transportation this day to prevent me from being worn out like the day before.  So, we took a pedicab to eat lunch at the Boathouse.  I do have to say, I felt kind of bad for the guy...he was riding a bike while we are just sitting back there chillin'...but I guess that's his job?

We grabbed a bite to eat at the Boathouse (pictured in the background), 

and then took a stroll through Central Park. 

This part was so peaceful but kind of weird.  There are so many movies you see with shots of Central Park and the Boathouse, and we are walking around there.  It's just strange to be in a place you have only seen from such a different perspective (tv/movies).

Central Park...really is as beautiful as Justin captured in this picture

We thought this guy was interesting.  

He was making huge bubbles from two sticks and a string.  

He had a pretty big audience too.

Next stop..Serendipity3.  From the movie Serendipity. 

We were expecting a really long wait, but it actually wasn't bad. 

It was a very interesting place on the inside..as you can kind of see in this pic

The whole reason we went there was to get their famous frozen hot chocolate.  It was very yummy! We went ahead and got fries too...sweet and salty fix.

On our trip, we also covered other hot spots including: 

• SoHo.  we even walked in Dash, the Kardashians' store (no purchases...I couldn't even afford a shirt in that place) and Tiffany & Co.
• Little Italy.  We didn't spend a ton of time here b/c there was some kind of festival this weekend.  It was pretty crowded, but we did grab a pizza while there.  We were told they have the best italian food.  I don't know that either of us were overly impressed, but it was pretty good.
• China Town.  We did some souvenir shopping here b/c we were told it was the best prices.  I agree.  We got two shirts for the price of one in downtown NYC.  It was a little nerve-wracking with all the black market vendors asking you if you want a designer bag.  They would literally come right up to you and ask you multiple times under their breath "Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach"... Needless to say, since I'm not your name brand girl...they weren't a temptation for me, just kind of freakin me out.

         I did get some cute sunglasses in China Town for $5. I'm sure they are a knock off
        of some fancy designer...I just thought they were cute :)

Below are some cool pics Justin got while were there.  

Just captured some shots of the city and things we saw while we were there.

To end our last night in NYC, we took an open-top bus tour over to Brooklyn.  It took about 1.5 hours (round trip) and was a nice way to end our trip.  We got to see NYC from across the river and a few other things.  It was too dark to get any good shots, so no pics of that part.

Overall it was a great trip.  Very busy and we both came back pretty exhausted, but it was great to get away together and spend time just the two of us.

I know you are all wondering what we did with Briggs...Well you won't have to wait long to find out.  He is getting his own post b/c, well you will see...but he was a very busy boy while mommy and daddy were gone.