We had a little surprise a few days ago, We had a baby! Can you believe it? It was so much fun to call our family from the hospital and hear the complete shock from everyone because they weren’t expecting it yet. We weren’t really, either. I had some minor sporadic contractions on Saturday and Sunday (Conference weekend), but they stopped for several days. Michael’s birthday was Wednesday, the 9th, and I invited some friends over for cake and ice cream. Everyone left around 9ish, then we talked to our families for his birthday call, then we went to bed a bit after 10:30. I couldn’t fall asleep (silly Veggie Tales songs stuck in my head) and all of a sudden felt a little dampness in my undies. I thought, hmmmm, that’s interesting. I went to the bathroom and found I needed to find a new pair of undies. Much to my chagrin, there weren’t any there. Since I had my first doctor’s appointment early the next morning, I decided I’d go throw some laundry in, and watch some late night T.V. The day before and that day I had just sorted through a bunch of baby clothes and did a few loads that day. So while my clothes were washing, I was folding baby blankets and such. Michael heard me (of course he had fallen asleep a while ago) and came out thinking I was a crazy woman for doing laundry at near midnight. He said, “are we having a baby tonight?” I said, “no, I think I just had a little trickle of water, this could last for weeks.” He went back to sleep and less than a half-hour later I started feeling some contractions. For an hour, they were very sporadic, nothing consistent, which led me to believe it was like the ones I had over the weekend and that they would stop. They even did stop for about 15 minutes, then started again. I’d heard that you should have consistent contractions that are 5 minutes apart for an entire hour. At this point, that seemed like a ways away. I started moaning through them and Michael heard me and came out with a puzzled looked on his face. I told him that they were hurting pretty good, but that I should probably try to be tough and labor at home for a few hours to make sure that this is really it. After all, we were going to have to call someone for Tyler to go to and I didn’t want to have to wake someone up unless I really thought this was it. Michael called the hospital and told them the situation and they said I should come in. I was hesitant, but Michael saw the pain I was in and was adamant about it. I’m glad he was. He started running around frantically to put a bag together, one for us and one for Tyler. We tried to call our friends Chris and Alison Hardisty, but got their answering machine. We then called a couple in our ward, the Hobson’s, and got their answering machine, but Linda called back a minute later and was ready to set up their pack n play for Tyler. I felt comfortable calling them, even though we met them only a week ago. Taking Tyler over there ended up being a blessing in disguise.
As Michael packed the bag and I was trying not to moan too loud in the living room, Tyler woke up and heard me and was concerned about me. It was cute. We were out the door in a matter of minutes. Tyler seemed excited about the adventure in the middle of the night. The Hobson’s live only 5 minutes away from us, and on the way to the hospital. Michael ran Tyler in, and I felt a strong contraction that had more pressure than before and I felt the need to push. I honked the horn and Michael came running out. Luckily the hospital was just over 5 minutes away. Michael sped through the neighborhoods and ran red lights and stop signs. I was so proud of him, this is so unlike my husband. People asked if he was nervous about his role to get me there quickly, but he was so excited, smiling and encouraging me all the way there. I was grabbing onto what Michael calls the “wo-bar” in the car, the handle above the window, and I thought I might pull it off. As we were in the car, I was thinking, “it’s going to be at least an hour before I can get an epidural to kick in…I’ve got to be tough.” Our hospital is actually a small town Medical Center. Luckily we had just gone the week before to tour the facility, so we knew what to do and where to go. They were excited to have us, as nothing else was going on in the Labor and Delivery area. I immediately asked if there was an Anesthesiologist on sight, she said they’d have to call him, but they had to check me first. I was a bit annoyed by that, as if she didn’t think I was actually in labor. The nurse casually handed me a robe and said I needed to change. She left the room and I ripped my clothes off and threw them on the floor while Michael must have been laughing to himself at such a scene. He helped me with the gown and she came back to check me. To our surprise, I was fully dilated, 10 centimeters and ready to have a baby. I pretty much figured that, since I’d felt the need to push through the last few contractions. I knew what this meant, but I asked the nurse just to make sure “does this mean its too late to have an epidural???” “Yep, pretty much,” the nurse dryly replied. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but luckily I had Michael by my side to convince me otherwise. He had the excitement for the both of us, since I was in such turmoil. Since it was 2am (2:08 am is what they have recorded as when I checked into the hospital) they had to call the doctor and told me I had to wait to push. Several nurses rushed in to get everything ready as Michael stood by my side encouraging me to breathe and not push. It seemed almost impossible to NOT push, because my body was doing it naturally. Luckily, the doctor was close by, and I was ready to go! By the way, I’d never met the doctor before. I had an appointment with another doctor scheduled for that day, but never quite made it. The staff was all very nice and encouraging, and despite the fact that I was in my own world (with my eyes clenched tight) I enjoyed that Michael and the staff were all jovial with each other. It made the atmosphere a bit lighter. However, at one point, Michael said something that rubbed me the wrong way and I whispered, “shut up…I’m sorry” all in the same breath. I meant to say not to say whatever he said, but that’s what came out and immediately I very really bad for talking to him like that when he was just trying to help. Matthew was really ready to come, because after just two big pushes helped along by my blood curdling screams, out came his head, face up, which is the posterior position and apparently more difficult to come out that way. Oh, that’s the best feeling when out slides the rest of the body! (I like the fact that I got to scream through the pushes—just like the movies…in fact, I was thinking how funny it was, while I was doing it. That extra umph really helped me along.) He was born at 2:30 am, just 22 minutes after we checked into the hospital. (Later we thought about what a blessing it was that the Hardisty’s didn’t hear our call, because they lived further away from us and it would have been a half an hour extra in the car. We might have had a delivery in the car on the way.)
Michael cut the cord and they laid him on my chest, slimy and all. The nurse held him up to my face for me to kiss him, which I probably wouldn’t have requested, but whatever (later Michael nearly denied a kiss to me because I had baby slime on my lips). The doctor commented that he was a big baby, and they were surprised that he was only 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Later I realized that’s actually pretty big for being about 3 weeks early. They think I had my last period date wrong, but I know I didn’t. He was a bigger baby than Tyler. They did all his post baby stuff just a foot or so away from us while the doctor finished his business with me. They put an I.V. in me, for the main purpose of giving me Petocin after the birth to help my uterus contract. When that kicked in, I felt pretty sick to my stomach, crampy and everything. I didn’t much feel like cuddling my baby at that point, so Michael did while I tried to make myself comfortable. After all the commotion, everyone left us alone in the room with our little baby. Wow! What a whirlwind. Michael and I were just laughing and in awe with each other about how crazy and fast everything went. We talked over the details of the past few weeks, days, and even hours. Everything funny from moving just the week before, to meeting nice people in our new ward, to just starting a job a few days before, to barely being covered under our new insurance, to being denied from one doctor’s office because they couldn’t confirm our insurance, to the party we had the night before—meeting with various friends, to the hours leading up to the birth of this baby boy. It was all so amazing and hilarious and crazy. As I said, what a whirlwind! I nursed him within the first hour of his birth and he did really well. If I didn’t urinate on my own, they were going to try for the catheter…so that was HUGE incentive to go on my own. I sat on the potty for a good twenty minutes, just waiting. Finally it happened and the nurse said that was reason enough not to have to do the catheter, I was SO happy!
They were concerned about his blood sugar level being too low because he was such a big baby for being a bit early. They gave him a bit of formula to get extra sugar into his system. They took him to the nursery to do a few tests and such while I was transferred (in a wheelchair—which I loved) to my recovery room around 5am. I was happy to have my own room and they even had a cot for Michael to sleep in. We both tried to sleep, but when Michael couldn’t, he went home at around 6am. I slept for an hour or so until they brought the baby back in to me. Michael had to go into work. I felt bad for him, he was so tired! He ended up getting the next day off (without pay), so I was happy with that. They were very understanding (especially since he’s only been working there for a week!). I called people all morning while cradling my baby in my arms. It was so fun to hear the shock factor in peoples’ voices, because he was 3 weeks early. At 8am I gave my mom a buzz and woke her from her slumber. An hour later she was headed to Austin to see us. It was nice to have her so close to help out. She met me at the hospital and had the camera ready when Michael arrived (on his lunch break) with Tyler, the big brother. Tyler was really sweet and surprisingly gentle. He sat on the bed next to me as I held the baby and tugged at his ear and said, “wocka wocka.” That’s what Michael taught him when you pull on someone’s ear. Mostly Tyler enjoyed bouncing on the hospital bed and hiding in the closet and riding in a wheelchair. It was fun to have the 4 of us together. Michael went back to work and my mom took Tyler out for a while. I left the next day around noon. I felt great and just wanted to be home with my family. People were so surprised that I didn’t want to stay in the hospital longer, but I just got bored. Matthew Austin Duke has been such a calm, easy going baby.
As I finish this up just before his 3-month mark, he has grown to be quite the BIG boy. At his 2-month visit he weighed in at 13 pounds 7 ounces. Now he is too long for the 3-6 month clothes and he isn’t even 3 months old yet! He is truly a joy. Still a very calm boy. He didn’t smile much until he was nearly 8 weeks old, but now he does it all the time and likes to “talk” to us. He is enjoying exploring his vocal chords. He still gets up fairly often at night, but I’m getting used to it. Tyler is still quite gentle, he just doesn’t understand his boundaries sometimes. Like throwing a car in the air and landing on Matthew’s cheek. That was a sad cry as well as a bruise. I love my two little boys and couldn’t be happier doing anything else. I’m amazed at my patience and energy level. I’ve truly been blessed.
As Michael packed the bag and I was trying not to moan too loud in the living room, Tyler woke up and heard me and was concerned about me. It was cute. We were out the door in a matter of minutes. Tyler seemed excited about the adventure in the middle of the night. The Hobson’s live only 5 minutes away from us, and on the way to the hospital. Michael ran Tyler in, and I felt a strong contraction that had more pressure than before and I felt the need to push. I honked the horn and Michael came running out. Luckily the hospital was just over 5 minutes away. Michael sped through the neighborhoods and ran red lights and stop signs. I was so proud of him, this is so unlike my husband. People asked if he was nervous about his role to get me there quickly, but he was so excited, smiling and encouraging me all the way there. I was grabbing onto what Michael calls the “wo-bar” in the car, the handle above the window, and I thought I might pull it off. As we were in the car, I was thinking, “it’s going to be at least an hour before I can get an epidural to kick in…I’ve got to be tough.” Our hospital is actually a small town Medical Center. Luckily we had just gone the week before to tour the facility, so we knew what to do and where to go. They were excited to have us, as nothing else was going on in the Labor and Delivery area. I immediately asked if there was an Anesthesiologist on sight, she said they’d have to call him, but they had to check me first. I was a bit annoyed by that, as if she didn’t think I was actually in labor. The nurse casually handed me a robe and said I needed to change. She left the room and I ripped my clothes off and threw them on the floor while Michael must have been laughing to himself at such a scene. He helped me with the gown and she came back to check me. To our surprise, I was fully dilated, 10 centimeters and ready to have a baby. I pretty much figured that, since I’d felt the need to push through the last few contractions. I knew what this meant, but I asked the nurse just to make sure “does this mean its too late to have an epidural???” “Yep, pretty much,” the nurse dryly replied. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but luckily I had Michael by my side to convince me otherwise. He had the excitement for the both of us, since I was in such turmoil. Since it was 2am (2:08 am is what they have recorded as when I checked into the hospital) they had to call the doctor and told me I had to wait to push. Several nurses rushed in to get everything ready as Michael stood by my side encouraging me to breathe and not push. It seemed almost impossible to NOT push, because my body was doing it naturally. Luckily, the doctor was close by, and I was ready to go! By the way, I’d never met the doctor before. I had an appointment with another doctor scheduled for that day, but never quite made it. The staff was all very nice and encouraging, and despite the fact that I was in my own world (with my eyes clenched tight) I enjoyed that Michael and the staff were all jovial with each other. It made the atmosphere a bit lighter. However, at one point, Michael said something that rubbed me the wrong way and I whispered, “shut up…I’m sorry” all in the same breath. I meant to say not to say whatever he said, but that’s what came out and immediately I very really bad for talking to him like that when he was just trying to help. Matthew was really ready to come, because after just two big pushes helped along by my blood curdling screams, out came his head, face up, which is the posterior position and apparently more difficult to come out that way. Oh, that’s the best feeling when out slides the rest of the body! (I like the fact that I got to scream through the pushes—just like the movies…in fact, I was thinking how funny it was, while I was doing it. That extra umph really helped me along.) He was born at 2:30 am, just 22 minutes after we checked into the hospital. (Later we thought about what a blessing it was that the Hardisty’s didn’t hear our call, because they lived further away from us and it would have been a half an hour extra in the car. We might have had a delivery in the car on the way.)
Michael cut the cord and they laid him on my chest, slimy and all. The nurse held him up to my face for me to kiss him, which I probably wouldn’t have requested, but whatever (later Michael nearly denied a kiss to me because I had baby slime on my lips). The doctor commented that he was a big baby, and they were surprised that he was only 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Later I realized that’s actually pretty big for being about 3 weeks early. They think I had my last period date wrong, but I know I didn’t. He was a bigger baby than Tyler. They did all his post baby stuff just a foot or so away from us while the doctor finished his business with me. They put an I.V. in me, for the main purpose of giving me Petocin after the birth to help my uterus contract. When that kicked in, I felt pretty sick to my stomach, crampy and everything. I didn’t much feel like cuddling my baby at that point, so Michael did while I tried to make myself comfortable. After all the commotion, everyone left us alone in the room with our little baby. Wow! What a whirlwind. Michael and I were just laughing and in awe with each other about how crazy and fast everything went. We talked over the details of the past few weeks, days, and even hours. Everything funny from moving just the week before, to meeting nice people in our new ward, to just starting a job a few days before, to barely being covered under our new insurance, to being denied from one doctor’s office because they couldn’t confirm our insurance, to the party we had the night before—meeting with various friends, to the hours leading up to the birth of this baby boy. It was all so amazing and hilarious and crazy. As I said, what a whirlwind! I nursed him within the first hour of his birth and he did really well. If I didn’t urinate on my own, they were going to try for the catheter…so that was HUGE incentive to go on my own. I sat on the potty for a good twenty minutes, just waiting. Finally it happened and the nurse said that was reason enough not to have to do the catheter, I was SO happy!
They were concerned about his blood sugar level being too low because he was such a big baby for being a bit early. They gave him a bit of formula to get extra sugar into his system. They took him to the nursery to do a few tests and such while I was transferred (in a wheelchair—which I loved) to my recovery room around 5am. I was happy to have my own room and they even had a cot for Michael to sleep in. We both tried to sleep, but when Michael couldn’t, he went home at around 6am. I slept for an hour or so until they brought the baby back in to me. Michael had to go into work. I felt bad for him, he was so tired! He ended up getting the next day off (without pay), so I was happy with that. They were very understanding (especially since he’s only been working there for a week!). I called people all morning while cradling my baby in my arms. It was so fun to hear the shock factor in peoples’ voices, because he was 3 weeks early. At 8am I gave my mom a buzz and woke her from her slumber. An hour later she was headed to Austin to see us. It was nice to have her so close to help out. She met me at the hospital and had the camera ready when Michael arrived (on his lunch break) with Tyler, the big brother. Tyler was really sweet and surprisingly gentle. He sat on the bed next to me as I held the baby and tugged at his ear and said, “wocka wocka.” That’s what Michael taught him when you pull on someone’s ear. Mostly Tyler enjoyed bouncing on the hospital bed and hiding in the closet and riding in a wheelchair. It was fun to have the 4 of us together. Michael went back to work and my mom took Tyler out for a while. I left the next day around noon. I felt great and just wanted to be home with my family. People were so surprised that I didn’t want to stay in the hospital longer, but I just got bored. Matthew Austin Duke has been such a calm, easy going baby.
As I finish this up just before his 3-month mark, he has grown to be quite the BIG boy. At his 2-month visit he weighed in at 13 pounds 7 ounces. Now he is too long for the 3-6 month clothes and he isn’t even 3 months old yet! He is truly a joy. Still a very calm boy. He didn’t smile much until he was nearly 8 weeks old, but now he does it all the time and likes to “talk” to us. He is enjoying exploring his vocal chords. He still gets up fairly often at night, but I’m getting used to it. Tyler is still quite gentle, he just doesn’t understand his boundaries sometimes. Like throwing a car in the air and landing on Matthew’s cheek. That was a sad cry as well as a bruise. I love my two little boys and couldn’t be happier doing anything else. I’m amazed at my patience and energy level. I’ve truly been blessed.
