The one where Bryce is born!

On this day one week ago, I woke up after a night of sleep that was a bit restless.  I got ready for the day by getting dressed and putting on make up.    My mom was drinking her coffee with watchful eyes as her daughter waddled around the house nervous about being induced. 

It felt so strange to have an appointment to have a baby.  I really wanted to go into labor naturally, but I also wanted to follow the medical advice of my doctor and make sure this baby didn’t get too big because of the problems I had delivering Reed.  We didn’t think my body could handle going through that again.  So, I packed my weekend with activities to hopefully get labor going on my own.  On Saturday I’d met up with friends for breakfast at the bagel shop before heading over to the park with our kids.  After a couple hours there, I met up with the “Classy Ladies Cupcake Ride” group and rode a 12 mile loop to Green Goodies.  That afternoon we picked up my mom at the airport and hit the outlet mall to finish off a very complete day!  Sunday was the Giants game against the very impressive Packers (15-1).  None of my jumping and bouncing around throughout the game seemed to make Bryce want to come.  Even the celebratory dance I performed after the game did not entice him into the birth canal.

So, there we were, Monday morning facing induction day.  It didn’t seem natural and I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, but I also didn’t want to not do it, either.

Mike and I had our hospital bags packed and ready to roll out to the truck but we wanted to say goodbye to Reed before we left and he was still sleeping. It was past 7, which is unusual.  He finally started to stir, which is when we found that sometime in the night he’d been sick in his bed.  Knowing that my baby was sick to his stomach and vomiting made it even harder to leave him.

At the hospital we checked in and got settled into our room.  Mike and I were full of questions throughout the whole process, since it was so different than the last time we had a baby.  They started my IV of Pitocin and the contractions came about 15 minutes later.  For a few hours we just hung out while my contractions got stronger and the pain intensified as they increased the Pitocin. I was extremely happy with how well everything was going, the contractions were tolerable and there was zero pain in between each one, a huge relief.  Just before Susanne, our friend/birth photographer, was due to arrive the contractions had become more than uncomfortable and were downright painful.  I was getting close to needing the epidural but I wasn’t scheduled until 2, which was another 2 hours away.  The nurses gave me something in my IV to “take the edge off” and that’s when it became a party.  I don’t know what they gave me, but if they have a street version then I’ll bet it’s very popular!  The pain was gone and I felt drunk.  I tried to be involved in Mike and Susanne’s conversation and sound intelligible but I’m sure there wasn’t much sense to my words and I knew it.  The drug had completely worn off by the time the anesthesiologist came for the epidural and the contractions were hitting hard! As the anesthesiologist was applying a spray adhesive and tape to my back as prep for the procedure I commented that it was a good thing I didn’t have a hairy back.  The room fell to pieces when Mike said, “if you did, you wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with!”  Nice to know that my husband wouldn’t have taken me on a second date those 7 years ago, at the discovery of a hairy back.

A bag of vomit, a roll of lifesavers and two hours later, it was time to push.  When the nurse checked me she exclaimed in surprise, “He’s right there! I better call your doctor!”  To which I replied, “Then just ask him to grab your hand and pull him out!”  She laughed and I continued on – explaining how she should ask him, “Do you trust me?? Do YOU TRUST ME?! Take my hand, Bryce!”  She wasn’t willing to do that, but she was amused anyway.

The carts started rolling in and the faces around me were covered in blue hair nets with matching face masks.  After the first push everyone was very excited and telling me that I was an amazing pusher.  I had to wonder if they were being sarcastic, because in the past I’ve been such a sucky pusher.  Since you only push during a contraction, there’s nothing to do in the minutes between them but wait.  So I’m hanging out, legs in the air, surrounded by a half circle of people staring at me under a spotlight.  The air was filled with expectation and the pressure was all on me.  I asked them if they would like to break out in song, “I know a few tunes, but I don’t have enough feeling in my legs to add the kicks. I’ll need your guys’ help.”  The ladies were tickled and said they’d be happy to assist me. 

After the 3^rd contraction, my doctor said we only had one more push left and my jaw dropped!  Already??  So after the 4^th push, she said, “look Connie!” and when I lifted my head off the pillow, I could see his head over the hill of my belly.  She looked me in the eye and said, “You’re done, I’ll do the rest!”  And out he came, up and over the blue drape, right onto my belly and into my arms!  They were rubbing him with towels as I looked into his tiny purple face and said, “Take a breath, Bryce!”  His answer was a high pitched wail.  I smothered him with compliments about how tiny and perfect he his and topped it off with a kiss on the forehead.  That was a little strange since he’d only been wiped with towels and not bathed and I thought… “Should I be kissing him after he just came out of me??” I dismissed the thought and took a peak at his toes. All ten standing in a row- long and perfect. He appeared to have no physical deformities.

After a little cuddling and snuggling from both Mom and Dad, Bryce finally got to meet his big brother.  I asked Cassie to pick up my mom and Reed so my mom wouldn’t get lost on the way to the hospital and I think it was beneficial to both parties.  Cassie was elated to be there after Bryce’s birth and my mom was grateful that she didn’t have to drive around in Oklahoma City.

We have oohed and ahhed over tiny Bryce, a whole pound smaller that Reed.  He was 7lbs and 11oz, measuring 20” long.  His official time of birth is 4:24pm.  Susanne did an amazing job capturing the story – I encourage you to take 5 minutes to watch the birth slideshow and enjoy! Click HERE

The next day both Bryce’s pediatrician and my OB stopped in for visits.  Maybe my OB could see the boredom on my face, because she informed me that we could go home later that day and moved Bryce’s circumcision up a whole day! After she walked out the door, the nurse came in and rolled him out just like that.  By the time he was 24 hours old, we were packed up and signing our discharge papers.  We were home in time to have dinner with Reed! Spaghetti and meatballs for everyone!

The next two days I felt great! My mom and I enjoyed trips to Babies R US, Walmart and even Ross.  We took Reed to Hafer Park in Edmond because it was so nice out.  By Thursday evening I was getting weaker and by Friday I was broken.  It’s been difficult to even walk from the couch to the fridge so I’m feeling pretty handicapped. Thankfully Mike’s parents are here this week to help me with the boys and the house now that Mike has returned to work.

The story of Bryce’s birthday couldn’t have been more polar opposite than Reed’s.  This should teach us right out the gate that we cannot compare them!