May 2011: The story

My mom decided to come to Portland a week before my due date. She did not want to miss the arrival of her first grandson. Also, she knew I wanted and needed her there. Owen was taking his sweet time entering the world, but I didn't mind. It was wonderful to spend so much time with my mom. We went for walks, went shopping, went out to lunch, went shopping, went to doctor appointments, went shopping.

I was due Monday, May 23rd. I had been dialated to 3 for at least a week and had some sporadic contractions. I went to my 40 week appointment on Wednesday, May 25th. My doctor was convinced this baby was coming any day now, but had me schedule an ultrasound for Friday, May 27th to check his size/health. I never made it to the ultrasound.

I woke up in active labor on Thursday, May 26th at 6:30 AM. We headed to the hospital around 9:00 AM. There was traffic. I was hot. It is a long walk from the parking structure to labor & delivery. I was determined to make it. Other people in the hospital were yelling at Rusty to get me a wheelchair. I didn't want one, but finally gave in because I felt bad for the way he was being treated. I worked through my contractions for a few hours and finally decided I needed an epidural when they started to piggyback. They had to give me a second epidural, since the first one did not work.

Rick showed up sometime around then. Rusty, my mom, Rick and I hung out for the next few hours. I felt great! It was fun. As excited as I was to meet this baby, I did not want to rush. I knew it would be better for him to come on his own. Around 7:00 PM they wanted me to start pushing. I pushed for a long time, but in the end every push was worth it. As soon as he was born I said, "I could do that again!"

It took me a long time to write this post, but I want to be able to read this and go back to that day. The day my life changed forever. The day I fell in love with a little baby I had just met.