Nolan James!

Sorry this is so late!

Nolan was born May 14, 2011 at 6:59 pm.

8 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long

Quick birth story: I was set to be induced on May 14th. We were
supposed to be at the hospital between 7:30 and 8 am. I couldn't
really sleep the night before, so when my alarm went off at 6:15, I
got right up. I went to the bathroom and surprise! My water broke. I
woke Ryan up to tell him that we needed to go sooner rather than later
now. The hospital had also called to see if we could come in later for
the induction because there were several people there in active labor.
We told them that my water had broke and they said to just come right
in.

We got there and got checked in and they took us up to labor and
delivery. We got settled into the room, I changed into a gown and got
into bed. After a bit, the nurse came in to start my IV. Stuff like
that normally doesn't bother me, but I got a little lightheaded and
almost threw up. I think I was just nervous. I got some water and some
cold cloths and that seemed to help.

The doctor came in shortly after to check me and see if I was
progressing yet. I was still at a 3, which is what I was at just a
couple days before at my doctor's appointment. Since my water had
already broken but I wasn't having any contractions, they went ahead
and started pitocin. It wasn't until a couple of hours later that the
contractions got REALLY intense. They hurt really bad and
unfortunately they weren't making me progress any. I got almost to a 4
and the contractions were coming one after another. I told the nurse
that if it was possible, I wanted my epidural. Within about 30
minutes, we were all set up and I was getting the epidural. It didn't
really hurt too bad-I felt some pressure when they were putting it
in, but then, I felt relief. Wonderful, amazing relief. The epidural
worked GREAT and it let me relax. It also helped me
progress to a 6 within about an hour and then a 10 a couple hours
after that.

Pushing wasn't too bad. I couldn't feel anything, so it was actually
pretty easy. I pushed for less than an hour and at 6:59, Nolan James
was born! He started crying before he was even all the way out! They
got him wiped off a little bit and then laid him on me. It was an
amazing feeling! Ryan was so great the entire time and everything went
well. The hospital stay wasn't too bad-just a little overwhelming with
all the nurses and doctors and everyone in and out checking on you all
the time. It was a relief to come home though. We've been home for a
week and we have had lots of visitors-the last of which left this
afternoon, so now it's just us.

I think we are doing okay adjusting to our new life. We have a pretty
good system worked out and we use a teamwork approach. I am recovering
pretty well too-still a little sore and tired, but I'm getting there.

We couldn't be happier with our little guy! We love him so much! Breastfeeding wasn't really working out too well, but I have been able to pump-so he is getting some breast milk, which is better than none at all.

Here are some pics of the little man!!

Well here we are

39 weeks 3 days.

Mr. Man must be pretty darn comfortable in there. I really wanted him to come out on his own. I wanted to avoid an induction-especially since it ups the chances of having to have a c-section. I really just wanted the whole having contractions, going to the hospital, and having a vaginal birth experience.

I have my last doctor's appointment Wednesday, but we've discussed induction and it just so happens that my doctor is on call this weekend and my due date is this weekend so I guess the plan is to induce on Saturday. I'm having mixed emotions about the whole thing. I'm sort of excited because it means I get to meet my little man this weekend!! I've waited so long to hold him in my arms and see his little face and I can finally do that in just a few days! I'm also scared of being induced-I'm scared it won't work and I will end up with a c-section. And I'm angry. I'm angry that I get deprived of the experience that I so badly wanted. I wanted my body to do it's job. I wanted to be at home and start having contractions closer and closer together (which has happened...then they just stopped....) and I wanted Ryan and I to decide when it was time to go to the hospital and for us to load up my bag and be excited and nervous on the way over. And most importantly, I wanted my son to come out and be placed on my chest so that we could meet for the first time. Granted, this could still happen with an induction. But I'm so scared that I'm just going to be another number....another induction that doesn't progress how it should and then I end up having a c-section anyway. Dammit. And I know that a perfectly normal birth could end up with a c-section too. It's just that induction makes the chances of it greater.

I realize that I still have a few days left to go on my own. But at this point, I have no choice but to face the facts. This kid hasn't wanted to come out for the past couple of weeks and nothing has changed in the past couple of weeks. I've done everything I can think of. Ryan and I have walked and walked and walked this past weekend until I was in a ton of pain. We tried to have very awkward sex in the shower (lol....it was actually kinda funny), I've eaten spicy food...the list goes on and on. My doctor stripped my membranes at my appointment last week too. Nothing. Saturday evening I had some contractions going for a couple hours-but nothing too regular or too painful. So we gave up and went to bed. He's not coming on his own. Maybe I'll feel a little better on Wednesday after I talk to my doctor and know more about the induction.

Also, my in-laws are coming on Thursday. This makes me a little nervous. I don't know if they are planning to stay with us or not, but I really don't want a freakin' entourage accompanying me to the hospital for my induction. I wanted it to be me and Ryan only until after Nolan arrives. And I also don't want to come home from the hospital and have house guests....while I'm trying to learn how take care of my baby and while I'm trying to learn how to breastfeed. Ugh. This stresses me out. Another reason it would be fantastic to have him in the next day or two.

At least I only have to be bored a few more days. Ryan works tonight and tomorrow night and then he's off on his paternity leave for 3 weeks-so at least he'll be home and hanging out with me. We should have a nice dinner at home like Wednesday or Thursday night-just the two of us! That would be nice. Hmm....I might have to look into doing that.

Well, that's about it for now. Hopefully by my next update I will have a birth story and a picture of a cute little man to post!! :)