On Tuesday night, September 11th, our small group met at the park for a fun night. I thought I had pictures from this night, but I seem to have lost them. We ate dinner and the guys threw a football. I remember Nathan being enamored by Jen & Kyle's new double stroller! He made Jen put him in Jamin's seat a few times :)
That night after small group, I remember talking to my mom on the phone and telling her I felt like something could be happening...but who knows? The last few nights every time I went to bed I felt like that night could be it. I would hope not as I didn't feel ready yet. I'd pop some muscle relaxers that the doctor gave me for my back (although, since the baby was on my sciatic nerve this didn't really help anyway...plus the baby had moved off of my nerve and now I was just having discomfort from how low the baby was!) and hope that would keep me from going into labor! (I know this isn't really logical.) So this particular night I felt like it would be okay and skipped the muscle relaxer. I was due on September 21st, so of course we were still on the early side of things.
I went to bed and within a few hours I was up, feeling what I thought were contractions. But they weren't regular and they were manageable so I tried to sleep. Sometime around 4 or 5, I knew I wasn't going to get to sleep. The contractions were keeping me up. So I got up, took a shower and basically got ready to go to the hospital if need be. I'm always afraid of going into the hospital without a fresh shower and leg shave because I know once you get there it's awhile until you can have one! I'm a much better person with a shower. Matt heard me start to blow dry my hair and asked what was going on. I told him I was having contractions but didn't know if it was false labor or not because there was no regularity. Around 8 in the morning when he should be going to work I was having them often enough that he decided he should call off because they were definitely bothersome enough for me to not be able to adequately take care of Nathan. Plus, I was really tired for not sleeping much the night before. I laid on the couch and from 8:30 to 9:30 had no contractions! Shoot. I shouldn't have had Matt take off of work. For the rest of the day I tried to get some sleep just in case. They did start again at 9:30. I was up in our bed a lot of the afternoon trying to catch some Zzzzs between contractions. But they were still SO irregular and often at least 30 minutes apart. Finally, when it was close to 4pm I thought I should call my doctor's office before they closed for the day just to check in. I talked to my doctor's MA (see I forget her name already!) and told her what had been going on. I told her the contractions were still 30 minutes or more apart. She told me that all women are not textbook as she was not with her daughter. She advised me to lay on my left side, drink water, etc and see if they went away. I told her I had been doing that all day long. She said she thought I should go to the hospital. We talked more and she said if it continued in a half hour after drinking water again to go to the hospital. I needed to be there early anyway because I was Group B Strep positive. I hung up with her and decided to get out of bed.
Whoops! As soon as I got out of bed they started coming much more quickly...2 minutes apart, then 5 minutes apart, then 1 minute, then 4...still not regular time frames though. But I knew I better get moving...at least a little faster than I had been. Nathan came quickly and seeing as I had at least had contractions all day long my body was working toward having this baby. Matt called Nicole to come watch Nathan. Ok, I guess I was still being unrealistic at this point because I told him to tell her to take her time, go home from work, get clothes etc. We had actually had several people on call this day to watch Nathan. It just worked out that we didn't need anyone until right after Nicole got off of work so we were able to use her! Anyway, as I be-bopped around getting ready to go I realized we needed to go sooner than later. Matt and Nicole talked again and she was on her way. The contractions were getting much more painful. Nicole showed up and I tried to give her directions and smile as though I was not about to have a baby. I even asked her to take a picture of the 3 of us before heading out the door!
Nathan was not sure what was going on and he was sad for us to leave without him. I admit that part was a little hard. But my second son quickly took my attention off of this for the moment.
I also tried to remain composed arriving at the hospital. This must be why no one takes me seriously. But in reality, it doesn't hurt as bad as I imagine it will. So we go to the hospital and I really feel like I need to get up there. The kind valet takes our car and we beeline it upstairs. The nurse at the desk asks why I'm there. Really? I thought it was obvious. I told her I was having a baby. She thought maybe I had a scheduled induction. I really was trying to look more panicked this time around so I didn't get why there was no urgency. She told me that it was good I came in so early since I was Group B Strep positive. We would need to get antibiotics in me for two hours before giving birth. We arrived at the hospital around 5 pm.
They took me into the triage room. There they had me change, pee in a cup and all that fun stuff and then she finally checked me. "Oh wow, you are at 6 cm!" "You handle labor really well!"
Finally! Now we can get this show on the road. I ask the question I have feared the answer to throught this pregnancy...do we have an anesthesiologist? Of course not. Just as with Nathan. He went into a c-section. No problem though, he should be here soon. I'm doubtful. I've been to this rodeo before. I am very GRATEFUL that this time they did NOT break my water as they did with Nathan because once that happens, it is very hard to slow things down! They gave me antibiotics for GBS although I was doubtful they would be in as long as they prefer...again. And they wheeled me down to the delivery room. Here I am waiting "patiently" for my epidural. ha.
In the delivery room the very sweet nurse...I really did like her, Rachelle, made me comfortable, made me at ease and celebrated with me when the anesthesiologist arrived! I was so happy also, that my doctor was on call, Dr. Shelton! Funny, he didn't show up until AFTER I had my epidural. He wasn't stupid! ha ha.
So about that epidural, it was Ahh-mazing!!! When I got one with Nathan I was so far along, my water had already been broken, I could barely tell if it worked it still hurt. This time, they checked me before giving me the epidural and I was at 8cm. So I was definitely ready for it! I welcomed the relief! As soon as it started working I was cracking jokes and having a good time. I was praising the anesthesiologist and asking why every woman would not do this? I couldn't believe the transition from total pain every few minutes to not even having a clue when I had contractions.
They gave me a few minutes to enjoy the painlessness before they breaking my water. Then Dr. Shelton came in and broke my water. He assumed I'd go awhile before he was needed again so he left and I called my mom. I was chatting away and she couldn't believe I was so close to giving birth and feeling no pain talking away to her (She never had the joy of an epidural! She's a tough woman.) Then all of the sudden, I said, "Mom, I gotta go, I can feel him coming. I feel lots of pressure!" I call the nurse, Rachelle, back in and she said she noticed on the monitor his heartbeat going crazy like we were close. She has Matt grab a leg and tells me to push. "What?" I'm thoroughly confused because Dr. Shelton is not around. She hasn't even called him yet. I say "Seriously?"
"Yes" she assures me. Well, I give kind of a half-hearted push because obviously she doesn't get that it won't be long after I start pushing! I think she decided after my wimpy push I will need some coaching so she gives me some tips. I give her a little more of a push and she quickly calls Dr. Shelton. She says he replied, "What? oh, uh, okay!" He apparently was not thinking I'd be ready to push so quickly and he says that as he enters my room looking surprised.
My doctor has arrived. My epidural is working great. I'm feeling much better about things now. I'm going to meet our baby boy soon! In less than ten minutes and 3 contractions (this time I give it all I got and Dr. Shelton actually tells me to lessen it to "half-pushes") our sweet little boy arrived at 7:20pm! They are right about it being easier with the second one! Plus...his head was smaller than Nathan's and they had me look down to watch him exit my body. I was so surprised I wasn't expecting him to come so quickly. It really was a surreal, sweet moment. I still remember that part well.
Meet Joshua Owen Wittleder!
6 lb 3oz, 19 inches long and a good cry!
I didn't expect him to be so small! My doctor guessed several weeks ago he was already 7 pounds! So he wasn't very good at determining his size but Dr. Shelton was EXCELLENT in the delivery room. I had a very small tear and his instruction is what kept me from tearing more. For some reason, I always thought you were suppose to push with everything you have while in labor. I guess that is not always the case at all. He stitched me up and congratulated us. He is such a calm man. He served in the military and worked on base at Fort Carson. He has seen it all so my concerns are usually minor to him. The nurses call him "Eeyore". Some don't like this, but I love it.
Our new baby boy!
Cuddling with baby Josh.
It took him awhile to calm down. He kind of had a traumatic last half hour!
Just a little guy. Way to little for a size 1 diaper! They must have run out of newborns...
Washing his hair.
Grabbing his little face.
This is the picture where he resembles Nathan's newborn pcitures the most, in my opinion.
Proud daddy.
Proud Mama. Looking tired. My shower was a long time ago now!
We didn't get a lot of sleep the first night at all. Too exciting. Needed to update family and friends with pictures and of course there were a lot of medical checks for Josh and me. I ate all night long that night! Actually, I felt like I ate constantly while we were in the hospital! I kept having Matt get me things and took advantage of the midnight meal. They made amazing ham, egg and cheese sandwiches! And I wonder why I only weighed 3 pounds less when I got home then when I got to the hospital. Seriously. 163 going in, 160 at home! A little depressing the first time I stepped on the scale! Here Matt is unfolding his bed.
Snoozing as well.
The next day. Matt went home to get Nathan early in the morning before Nicole went to work. I took a shower. It was so good to see Nathan! I teared up when he met Josh...it was so sweet. I loved hearing him say "Baby Josh". Josh gave him a new matchbox truck that he was very excited about. Our family of four!
Aunt Nicole got to meet Josh after work!
Kyle & Jen came in the afternoon as well.
See Nathan in Jamin's seat in the double stroller? ha ha. Jen took Nathan home with her and he stayed the night with them. She is so brave...as if she didn't have enough on her plate! Nathan LOVED it though. It was so helpful to have them and Nicole to watch Nathan. It's just not as easy as it was the first time in the hospital. The first time, Matt felt like it was a vacation!
The next morning, Matt went to get Nathan from Kyle & Jen's house.
Somewhere in the transitions for Nathan we lost one of his monkeys! We had a back-up. We checked with the hospital and they said they didn't have it. So now we are trying to keep a close eye on this one! He loves that thing.
Nathan really needed a nap and there was no way he could have made it all day at the hospital. Josh had to stay until the afternoon because of me being GBS positive. So...Matt took Nathan home for them both nap. I got to shower and have some much needed downtime to snuggle and snooze with my baby boy. I remember this being a really sweet time. They weren't checking on me as often anymore...just him.
When Matt & Nathan came back it was clear Nathan was still a bit sleepy and ornery! Here he is hiding behind the curtain.
Matt trying to keep him occupied with milk and juice!
Can you see Nathan's hand with a graham cracker in it on the right side of the picture? He though Baby Josh should eat it! :)
Love him.
Love both of them.
Love all 3 of them!
In his going home outfit.
Nathan copycatting.
Mommy anxious to go home with all of her boys.
Nathan making sure Mommy stays hydrated.
I love his soft, kissable cheeks!
Ready to go home! He is so little in his big car seat!
Nathan wanting a horsey ride. We are waiting for my nurse so we can leave!
Nathan's ready to go!
Throwing a bit of a fit before leaving. Oh dear. He was really tired, though. Need to get him home and in bed!
He's going home with us?
Checking out his new home!
Nathan seems okay with bringing him home :)
Catching up on some ZZZzzzzs!
Oh yeah...here's the rest of the nursery. Now that you know his name :)
And to remind you what the other side looks like.
Wow. That was quite a post. I can't believe how long it took me...several days! I am impressed if anyone read through the whole thing. Mostly, I just wanted it recorded for my poor memory. And you all can scan through the pictures and enjoy it too! Thanks for being patient. It feels good to have gotten this done. We love our newest addition very much! Now I better get to bed (it's one am here.) I have a feeling my little boy will be waking me very soon! He has definitely not mastered sleeping through the night yet. Not even close!
PS-I did do one other other post prior to this one that I posted at the same time. It's a short one of pictures I found of Nathan a few days before Josh was born. To keep things chronological, I posted it first. Don't want you to miss it!
