It all started on Monday night April 25th as I was home alone sitting on the couch with the tv on, but feeling like I was in another world in complete silence. There were tears that started... almost uncontrollable. I could just not stop thinking that the next day my life was about to completely change, all I prayed was, Lord please give me wisdom in this next wonderful season of our lives. I begged Jamie for years to have a baby, and then sitting 24 hrs from having our little bundle of joy there was elation, joy, and a bundle of nerves all balled into one crazy package!
The emotions continued on to the next day when I went to my doctors appt. the next morning at 8 am. My usual happy go lucky self could not hold back the tears. I was scared out of my mind. My absolutely wonderful doctor and nurses all consoled me, gave me hugs, and said that there is nothing like holding your sweet newborn baby. My doctor was on call Wednesday, and I really really wanted my doctor to deliver me after waiting this whole time. Since I had not made any progress for the past 4 weeks other than being at 1 centimeter and 60% effaced, my doctor had me set to go in to the hospital at 8pm that night to get ready. The only thing I didn't want was to be induced... Funny enough, the only thing I was stressing out about, was not the labor, but simply not being able to eat until I had my sweet baby boy. Low blood sugar and not being able to eat scared me to death. I can get very sick very quickly...I wanted to relish in the moment not be sick! In the end this was a God thing too...
Well, I am glad the Lord had different plans! Sometimes HE takes great pleasure in the joy of the little things. After I left my doctors appt. I headed to my office to finish up with last minute details of my closings and files coming up, and started having contractions about 30 mins apart at 9:30. Jamie called to go eat lunch at 12:30 ish and my contractions were at 20 mins apart. I got home at 1:30 and they were at 16 mins apart and quickly went to 14 mins, then 10 mins, and then at 2:45 they were at 6 mins apart. Jamie called to just check in to tell me he was going to get his hair cut before he came home and I told him I was having contractions every 6 minutes and he about flipped out!! He got from Montevallo to Calera quicker than I knew was possible...he was on a MISSION! I was plugging in my hair rollers in between hurling myself over the bed during my contractions. I wanted to look somewhat cute in my pictures! I dont think Jamie's mission included hair rollers! He was wanting to get out of the house asap. After I packed, repacked, and rolled my hair, I was ready :)
My calm, collected, and even killed husband was going 10 over the speed limit with his flashers on going to the hospital!!! This is incredibly funny for anyone that knows Jamie, because 5 miles under the speed limit is where he likes to be, but not today...remember, he was on a mission!! He didn't want the "baby on board" sign to be literal. I told him that HE was the calm and collected one, that is why I married him... two of us can't be stressed. He had to calm down! I was still concerned about not being able to eat and wanted to stop to get food. Jamie said ok, but had to be somewhere around the hospital...McDonalds it was...Huge mistake...I think it made me more sick than I was already feeling.
We got to the hospital around 4:45, and they admitted me around 5:00. When the nurse checked me I was 1.5 centimeters!! I told her to check again. You have GOT to be kidding me! It was going to be a long long night. Little did I know it would go quicker than I anticipated. An hour later I was at 3 centimeters, and was getting my epidural. OH, I want to just take a moment and just appreciate the epidural for a second. Yes, I remember it well...it was heavenly! About an hour after that I was at 5 centimeters, and my nurse was saying.. wow, this is going very fast for this to be your first baby. We may have him by 1 or 2 am. In another 45 mins, she checked me again and I was at 6 cent, and she said well.. maybe by 12:00 he will be here.. humm... then I went from 6-10 centimeters in about 35 mins. When she checked me again she was like, "wow, we are going to have this baby before I get off at 11:00pm" Lets do it! She went into a rush to get all the baby stuff ready, heaters, blankets, nurses going in and out of the room, etc. The nurse said if I feel any pressure to let her know. 10 mins later I asked her if anyone had ever had the baby and the nurses not been ready. She laughed and said almost, but not typically. I said I feel pressure and would feel better if they checked me again. My sweet nurse looked and said yup, lets push a couple of times. I pushed 3 times and she told Jamie to push the button to call the doctor in!! The doctor came in, and I pushed 2 more times and Levi was here at 10:27 pm! He was perfect! All 7.3 lb, 19.5 in of him :)
I had an absolutely wonderful pregnancy and labor. I am sooo blessed. I honestly cannot say enough about Jamie. Once we got to the hospital, Jamie went back to his usual calm and collected demeanor. He was wonderful every step of the way. Holding my hand, rubbing my back, whatever I needed. It was such a proud moment for him to get to experience the birth of his son. I knew he would be a great dad, but nothing prepares you for that moment when you are actually a parent and the love that you feel for your child. It is indescribable. Getting to experience that moment with Jamie was something I will never forget.
The next few days were almost a blur. Wednesday was the day of the horrific tornado that came through Alabama. We spent a good part of that day in the hallway for safety. Even now there are still a plethora of emotions from that day. I was bringing this sweet wonderful new addition into my family, all the while so many others lost their loved ones. There is so much I would say about this day, but I can really sum it up by saying.. I feel so blessed.
Happy "Birth"day Levi!
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