Self portrait around 3:30 a.m. on Friday thinking well, if this is it, I should have one final belly shot.
And here's the contents of that belly at about 6 a.m. Yep, guess that was it.
Here's a cuter one with daddy. And note that I even managed to check "paint toenails" off the to do list. I can't actually recall but I must have been taking photos to distract myself from some extended stitching. Enough said on that topic!
And while I love reading a good birth story probably more than the average person, I'm sort of weirded out by sharing my own so I'll summarize here in haphazard-I-haven't-slept-much fashion.
Woke up about 12:30 from a not painful but a bit different contraction (this is after weeks of very frequent Braxton-Hicks). Wrote thank you notes, did laundry and dishes etc etc. 2:45ish decided that yes, they were coming along pretty regularly every 10 minutes (or 5 sometimes). 3ish woke up Mr. H, consulted and called the in laws around 3:30. 4:10ish, inlaws showed up and we gave the the instruction sheet which included "if it's not dead, release the baby bird in the box in the dining room."
Sidebar:
Thursday at dusk our neighbor rescued two fledgling mockingbirds from his dog and handed them over the fence to us. So, suddenly, we were responsible for the birds. After a quick internet consult we set the box on our side of the fence near where we spotted mom and the lively bird flew away (hopefully to safety) by the time it was dark. At dark I brought the weaker seeming bird inside with a heating pad and a plan to release him in the morning if he was alive. But, of course, baby interrupted. Father-in-law reports that baby bird was alive in the morning and promptly flew out of the box and into our fence. But he got up and flew off again so I guess that worked out.
So, back to the more interesting baby in this story:
On the way to the hospital I got a definite kick/hit right behind my belly button which made me realize baby was upside down (as in face up rather than face down--he definitely wasn't breach). We got to the hospital and I was still feeling pretty good although contractions were definitely 5 or less minutes apart. Only a few that were painful. We walked from the parking lot and by the time we were checking in (around 4:30ish maybe?) things were definitely picking up. We got to hang out in triage being monitored and making sure we'd be admitted (at this point I was quite certain this was it and we would be admitted so I started to get antsy to move out of triage.) Then the nurse said I was 6-7 cm dilated but the baby was very high. Then I was really ready to get out of triage. Sometime after 5, (maybe 5:20?) we started the walk to the delivery room (to their credit they offered a wheelchair which I declined wanting to keep things moving downward. I later regretted that decision). At the nurses station about 10 steps out the door my water broke. Because, of course, my water always breaks in random spots (see: dinner at Chili's with Biscuit).
Then things started to get hectic. As in I could barely make it down the hall. Somehow we got in the room and I heard our very nice nurse requesting a doctor, pronto. The same nice doctor who I'd met for the first time about 10 minutes prior in triage showed up along with many other people. My eyes were mostly closed but I recall opening them at some point and being amazed how many people were standing around with quite a view. So, there we were (pushing, ouch) and then at 5:50 there was baby "Oscar." No conehead for this speedy fellow.
Other notes and observations:
Thursday I joked with several folks that my to do list was done and our construction project inspection couldn't happen until Tuesday so this weekend would be a convenient time for baby. And if he came quick enough, we could still make it to Mr. H's birthday celebration on Sunday. I think all this joking about timing is why it took me so many hours to conclude it was the real thing. I wasn't sure how far the power of wishful thinking could go.
My memory sucks but I think I feel a lot better after this delivery than Biscuit's. Probably because it was so quick and maybe the lack of epidural helped? Anyway, despite stitches recovery seems pretty good so far.
Speaking of which, I was hoping to avoid an epidural which was convenient since I couldn't have gotten one anyway.
He is a really pretty newborn. Distinguishing features: a horizontal crease above his nose that makes him have a very furrowed brow/second nose when he's mad. Adorable, round ears--I thought ears were supposed to be oval. A little cowlick (is that how you spell it?) on his forehead along with his super soft brown hair. He has a lot of hair compared to other babies on my side of the family. And very chubby cheeks.
Big sister could not be more proud. We're waiting for the other shoe to drop but so far she's been nothing but amazing and helpful. Only problem is all of us fighting to hold the baby (although I seem to have dibs on the 3 a.m. shifts).
So, a few quick notes before I totally forget everything. We're heading out the door for Mr. H's birthday party in a few (we'll make it over after all) so I'll end with our first family photo and hit publish without editing.
Oh, this is such a happy story! I LOVE "fast birth" stories! (One of my favorites is my friend who was standing in line getting groceries when her water broke. She delivered the baby an hour later.) And you have such wonderful photos!
Posted by: Swistle | May 29, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Oh, we are so very happy for you! He is GORGEOUS, and having had two little boys of my own, I feel justified in being somewhat of an expert on the cute baby boy thing. Really, he's just so adorable, and the family photo radiates all of that love you must be feeling. Congratulations to you all!
Posted by: Christy | May 29, 2011 at 08:16 PM
Congrats, Melissa! I am so happy for you and your family.
Posted by: Amy Cluck | May 29, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Congratulations! He looks very handsome, especially for a newborn!
Posted by: UK lass in US | May 30, 2011 at 09:40 AM
Thanks for sharing your photos and story. So very happy for all of you! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Lisa | May 30, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Congratulations, Melissa. He is adorable--a very cute newborn indeed (Whew, so glad I didn't have to fib on that one. Usually they're strange alien looking things) Can't wait to meet him in person! Happy Birthday to Rob, too. :)
Posted by: Lauren | May 30, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Congratulations! He is quite the adorable little boy, and Biscuit is just beaming - love it!
Posted by: nanann | May 30, 2011 at 07:35 PM
What wonderful photos of the beautiful boy! You all look so very happy, and tired too! Happy Birthday to Mr. H, and wishing you all much joy (and some sleep too).
Posted by: Susan | May 30, 2011 at 08:45 PM
OMG!!! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Kris H. | May 31, 2011 at 06:47 AM
That was great!! my third was a speedy one also with my water breaking about the same place as yours. (hospital arrival 5:30 pm, birth 6:30 pm) I had not brought any extra clothing with me as I expected to wear the same outfit home....sent huband to get a clean outfit!!
Posted by: Jennifer in CA | May 31, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Yay!!
Posted by: jennifer | May 31, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Congratulations! I love the family portrait!
Posted by: karin | June 01, 2011 at 09:37 AM
I just wanted to de-lurk to wish Oscar a warm 'Welcome to the world!'. He's adorable. Biscuit looks like a really proud big sister. Congrats to you and your family.
Posted by: Deb | June 01, 2011 at 06:49 PM
Congratulations! He looks amazing and Biscuit looks like a great Big Sister.
Posted by: Alli | June 07, 2011 at 05:40 PM