The Mommy's Story

Aaron has done a pretty good job letting everyone know about the new addition to our family. I just wanted to put up some pictures we just got with Wesley's eyes open. He's pretty cute. I think I am slowly falling in love--again. Sometimes I think he looks just like Dillon and other times he seems totally unique. I am experiencing such a strange combination of emotions as I love this new little one more and more and yet Dillon is still my little buddy. This is definitely going to be a time of transition for all of us. I'll share some pictures and then give a few details from the birth for those of you that care.
Here's my new little man. I think he's pretty cute. Me, on the other hand--I look like a woman that just went through childbirth and hadn't had the energy to shower yet...sorry.
This isn't a great picture of any of us, but you get the idea...mom trying to handle two boys at the same time!! Ahh! Lots of adventure and fun ahead.
Pretty handsome!
This was the first time Dillon saw Wesley with his eyes open. He was really excited and just wanted to touch him. Dillon was very careful and soft. Hopefully he keeps that up.

So here's the quick version of the story of Wesley's birth for those interested: I had been having contractions on and off for a few days. Saturday morning I knew something was different because Wesley had dropped significantly lower in my tummy/pelvis. I was feeling a lot of "pressure." We went swimming and tried to keep ourselves busy so I didn't drive myself crazy timing contractions. That evening I was still having contractions at irregular increments but suddenly had a few that were much more intense. We put Dillon to bed, called our friend to have him come over and crash on our couch, and headed to the hospital.

We arrived at about 10:00PM and I was dilated to a 4 and 90% effaced. They wanted me to walk a little and make sure I was in "active labor" before they admitted me. After about 20 minutes of walking the contractions started coming much more regularly and were much more intense. I tried to tough it out for a bit, but it was a little rough. I was experiencing a lot of back labor. Aaron was awesome and kept rubbing my lower back to try and relieve some of the pain. As the contractions increased my emotions got the best of me. I was in a lot of pain, and along with that came some tears...it really hurt! We finally convinced the staff that I needed to be checked again. This time I was dilated to a 6 and 100% effaced. The "highlight" of the night, up until Wesley's actual birth of course, happened as they were moving me to another room: I had another terrible contraction and suddenly found myself on all fours in the middle of the hall. I think the nurses realized then how quickly my labor was progressing and that they should get the anesthesiologist.

I labored a while longer until the anesthesiologist finally arrived. I was REALLY happy to see him and happy to sign whatever needed to be signed so he could help me get some relief. After the epidural was administered I felt so much better. Aaron and I were able to relax a little. About the time Aaron finally relaxed enough to fall asleep (3:32AM) I suddenly heard the baby's heart monitor speed up and then slow way down. By 3:34AM a flood of nurses and doctors came running into the room instructing me to push and at 3:37AM our little Wesley was born! He had dropped into the birth canal quicker than expected, causing the irregular heartbeat so they wanted him out in a hurry to make sure he was okay. Fortunately all was well and we now we have a beautiful, healthy boy.