Why we missed church on Sunday...

All that talk about "no baby yet" apparently worked to make the baby feel bad and want to come out! I finished the last post at about 9 pm and at 1 am my contractions started! I waited for a couple of hours before waking PJ up to make sure it was the REAL deal. They were becoming stronger and stronger and about 5-7 minutes apart. At 3 am we called Mom and told her it was time! We stayed at home until PJ's parents arrived and left for the hospital at about 6:30am. Of course, as we are getting close to the hospital, the contractions slowed down...I was really hoping not to have to go home without a baby! I was admitted and checked out - still only 1 cm dilated - I was disappointed. But the nurse told me to walk the hallways for an hour and see if we can speed things up. So, PJ and I went up and down that hallway, he kept telling me to put "some spring" into my step :) I did and, lo and behold, my water bag broke! I knew I wouldn't be going home then :)

Things were progressing well until 11 am, when for about 3 hours I was stuck at 6 cm, despite laying in the bath, walking the hallways, bouncing on the birthing ball. The contractions were wearing me out and around 2 pm I asked for the epidural. However, the doctor on call wanted to get pitocin started as well. The epidural brought the much needed relief, but the pitocin made the baby's heart rate slow way down. That was a scary moment when 3 other nurses and the doctor rushed into the room, they put on the oxygen mask on me, and the doctor said to prepare the OR room. The nurse stopped pitocin and I switched to the side-laying position. Slowly the heart rate normalized and I asked the doctor to give me more time. I am grateful that she did! Seemed like many hours later, with multiple position changes (I was on all fours even with the epidural), the nurse said that I was at a 9. With the next contraction, she asked that I give it a push, and she felt the baby's head move into the right birthing position. Immediately, the doctor came in and several nurses, and I was ready to push! YAY! I felt so greatful that a c-section was avoided and that I was about to start pushing. It didn't take long. Three contrations later, our little baby boy emerged! Here is my first look at the baby:


It was 7:08 PM. PJ and I were in tears of joy to know it was all over and that I was able to push the baby out! It was such a blessing!




Grandma came as soon as she heard the news!



First family photo:




Right before going home from the hospital:



We stayed at the hospital until Tuesday, the 21st. So, I got to go home on my birthday! At home I was greeted with a birthday balloon, Ophelia's "happy birthday, mama!", a delicious birthday dinner made by Grandma, and my favorite cheesecake! But of course the biggest present of all is my newborn son. Here is Ophelia's reaction to her baby brother:




Ophelia left for Grandma and Grandpa's house on Tuesday and has been having the time of her life! It is nice to have a quiet house. PJ and I are not used to that at all any more. I took some time to take some pictures of Emerson. The owl hat was shared with us by auntie Cami.













I love the sweet little faces he makes when he sleeps!





I forget how much time newborns take! It is exhausting to get up every 1-2 hours at night. I am anxious about Ophelia coming back home and me trying to take care of her and a newborn...but I know people do it and are still alive :) Not sure when I will have time to post next though...

We have been so blessed with such wonderful family that help us so much! Also, our friends from church have been taking care of us with so many delicious meals. Even our neighbor mowed our yard on his riding lawnmower! I feel humbled by all the service we have received and it makes me want to serve more.