Labor/Delivery Story

Not sure where to begin for this post. Even considered looking at other people's stories to see how they shared, but I guess all those who have children have their own stories, their own experiences. And this is our story.

While I feel like "labor" started back at 35wks, the "labor day" began with much joy - my family was in town and we, especially Timothy, were overjoyed to see them. We enjoyed a gluten-free meal over at Rose's Bakery and naps before heading to a post-due date ultrasound and NST (non-stress test).
4:30p: The ultrasound technician took my mother and I back and after just a couple minutes of "surveying" the amount of fluid in my uterus, she informatively turned to me and said, "So, you're going to have your baby today." Excuse me, what?! She went on to explain in layman's terms for me that the typical amount of fluid ranges from 8-21cm. Usually, it's okay if you are above 5cm. I was at 1.8cm. (Without giving too many details, check out here if you'd like more information about low amniotic fluid: Low Amniotic Fluid Info.) The tech confirmed with my doctor (who was on call that day!!) that I did need to head over to the hospital to be induced. I didn't need the NST. At this point, I called my husband who says now that I apparently said, "You need head to the hospital now!" I just remember telling him to take the train right to the hospital; what a blessing the train stops next to the hospital.
5-6p: I went home and finished packing up our bags, grabbed some food and water, and I loved being able to say good-bye to Tim and let him know I was going to have baby brother (who at this point still didn't have a first name). My mother, who was so excited to be there for the birth, came with me to drop us off at the hospital. We picked up E from the train and checked into Labor and Delivery. All this time, maybe due to good-stress and anticipation, I was having lots of contractions.
6:30p: 4cm here. Admitted and was put on the monitors (to track baby's heartbeat and my contractions). Sure enough, contractions were 3min. apart and baby boy Hufford's (who was getting closer to having a first name at this point) heartbeat was responding well. 
7p: They tried to break my water at this point. Because of the lack of fluid remaining in my womb, nothing came out. E and I were able to go on a walk around the hospital as long as I came back within 45min to be monitored again. Well, our walk was a brutal one. The contractions got worse and worse and after 20min, I was yearning to get back to the room. Sitting brought no relief, actually the contractions got WORSE! I feel like I tried everything I could to manage through them. But my "I'm going to wait till I feel like I'm going to die to get an epidural" moment came much faster than with Timothy. I looked over at my support, my encouragement, "Babe, I don't think I can do this anymore. I don't know what to do to cope with the pain." *Even tried watching So You Think You Can Dance for distraction - laughing induced contractions for me...no good. :)
8p: 6cm here. Thankfully, the anesthesiologist came before he needed to help with two c-sections, and quite different from the epidural with Timothy (duration of 50min to get working on my body), this took a whapping 10min to get to feeling some relief. And I was able to still feel some of the discomfort but in a good 'I know what's going on' way.
9p-10p: 8cm here. I don't remember much for that last hour; maybe E took pictures/videos, maybe I rested, maybe this was during the time that my doctor and nurse hung out in the room and asked how E and I met and shared there stories and about their children. What a sweet moment at the hospital and helped to pass the time.
11p: 10cm here and time to push. As this time approached, my nurse got everything ready for our little boy's arrival. And Eric noted that at 11:10p I started pushing and by 11:15p I was holding my little boy.  My doctor put him right on my belly, and we snuggled there for what seemed like forever. Such a tender moment. And as I held him, my husband gently said he looked like our little "Cayden." And so, Cayden Jonathan Hufford joined our family with much love and welcoming. Somewhere during this time we tried nursing. Sometime after this he was weighed and measured and had some typical newborn evaluations done.
We arrived on the maternity wing just as four other families did. Cayden had many new little friends. :)

As I've said before, we are completely smitten. There has been so much love and support. And we are reminded that we are so blessed!

*Photo by Alauna Peterson Photography

Welcome to the Family Cayden

We are the proud parents of two little boys now! Our newest one arrived Thursday evening, and we are just smitten. For now, please know that we are so grateful for your love, prayers, and support leading up and now that he is here. I'm hoping to write more about our experience, but we've got some loving (and sleeping) we need to do right now. :)

Cayden Jonathan Hufford

Born on May 24th, 2012 at 11:15p. 

Weighed in at 7lbs 13oz

Length of 21"

She's A Crazy Mama

I've heard other mothers mention that one way to pass time with your toddler is to let them play with water and bubbles in your kitchen sink. I thought, "Are they crazy? That will be such a mess!"

And yet, this morning, I thought, "Hey, why not try?!" And honestly, it wasn't as wet as I expected! Timothy loved playing with the faucet, suds, and I have a shiny sink now! And I only had to say, "Don't eat the bubbles," a couple times. :)

*Note: For those who get a little nervous about things like this, I was right there with him the entire time. 

Pregnancy Journal to the Finish...

wk. 39: I think I've held off writing this post for many reasons. One being that this has just been a hard week emotionally, and I didn't want to continue to be so 'blah' on here. A second being that I hoped the next post would be that I had our little boy in my arms, but alas, he continues to stay comfy and cozy in my belly. Tomorrow (Tuesday) marks my one day shy of 40wks appt where my doctor will talk about upcoming "options." At this point, despite a bit of sadness that our little one may not be here when my family comes for their planned trip, I'm actually feeling pretty good. I've been sleeping a bit better and have a great support system. We've decided to hold off as long as healthily possible from induction and will try to see if my body will naturally go into labor (again, ironic right?).

I know friends and family have good intentions, but I'm looking forward to no longer hearing some of the following:
*You're still pregnant?!
*I didn't expect to see you without a baby.
*I dreamed you had your baby. (Apparently lots of people keep dreaming about us; I promise I will call/post when we have our baby.)
*Can you believe you made it this far?

I did like this funny comment:
"So is there an office pool going for when you're having that baby?"

And this was just what I needed to hear:
"Love you! I keep praying for you, I know it's so close... hope you're feeling well (and loved!)"

With that said, please pray that our little guy would make his arrival (soon) and for a healthy delivery! And thanks to those who cross their fingers (I know who you are!). 

journal weeks thirty seven and thirty eight

wk. 37: The start of the week has had less contractions, yay, but some emotional moments of just being done being pregnant or feeling unproductive. Good friends remind me that I'm doing plenty of working "growing a baby." But the nice thing is is that I can actual go walking cause it doesn't matter if that throws me into labor. :) However, the new found heat of this week made my little toes look like sausages after walking! Not sure if this is related to two days of walking, but I've got some killer pain on my left hip. As you can see, I'm a little on the complainy side...at 37wks that's okay, right? This week finished out fine even with the lack of sleep. I think I would be most happy laying in bed all day. :) Thanks to a free pedicure voucher, I am definitely ready to have this baby!

wk. 38: (day 3) Another emotional start to the week emotional week, I'm feeling a bit energized despite another night of 3-4hrs. of contractions. Actually thought he was going to come last night. So thankful again for how my husband has stepped in to help with...well pretty much everything.
(day 5) Besides the 35wk hospital visit, I have no reason to think this little guy will come much sooner than my due date. [Timothy's due date from the doctor was the 15th while we had originally thought it was the 8th. He came the 9th. This baby's due date is the 23rd while we had originally thought it was the 21st. So, if we're going with that, he'd come on the 22nd. But I'm absolutely fine if he comes before then.] Thankfully, we finally have a list of three first names for this little guy.
(day 7) Nothing new after this week's doctor visit; doctor hopes I go into labor before next week but wouldn't be surprised if I make it to my due date (May 23rd). And she says that she thinks he'll be around 8lbs by that point. As I've shared with some friends and family, I'd love if the baby came on Thursday cause that's when my personal doctor is on call. We'll see...
Dearest Baby, You like it in there, don't you? I'm thankful you've had extra time to keep developing and grow. We love you so much and can't wait to see and hold you. Your brother is crazy about you and likes to talk about you and touch you via my belly still. Lately, when asked what your name is says, "Baby Josiah, Baby Brother, or Bob." None of those are even on the list. :) Can't wait to see your little body in the crib and not just the sheet.

For Big Brother

A gift for Timothy, the big brother, at the hospital: 

 

After searching ideas on pinterest and other blogs, we came to a decision to have a small gift to give Timothy at the hospital and then something more fun at home. Reasoning for hospital gift choices: 

*SkipHop Bag: Timothy actually picked this out himself at Target. He loves carrying around little bags with his stuff, and this is practical for mama to transport food in the future. :) (I put this away right after we purchased it so it's a "surprise" again when seen at the hospital.) 

*Camera: Best recommendation by other moms. This gives "big brother" the opportunity to take his own pictures of the baby and whatever else necessary. Can't wait to see the results! 

*Baby Book of Timothy: Another great recommendation. This allows us to show him special pictures of him when he was little just like the baby. I'm not sure he's ever gotten to look through this special, small book.

*Fruit Snacks/Bunnies: Hey, we all get hungry! And these are special treats for him that he doesn't usually have. 

A gift for Timothy, the big brother, at home:

Trunki

 

We decided on this travel suitcase because he can ride on it and use it for carrying stuff around the house. We'll see if it keeps him as occupied as we imagine. We can also use it for travel in the future (has a pull rope which I feel like will be magic in the airport!). 

Look Back at April