On Friday, April 29th we headed to our weekly doctors appointment while Caroline played with Granna, Pop, and Aunt Pat. Appointments with a toddler in tow make my blood pressure rise so she spent the morning getting spoiled. It was a quick appointment I even ran into a friend from ECU! Dr. Grewal checked Parker's heartbeat, measured my belly, and then checked to see if those painful contractions had made any progress. Nope. None. Still 1.5cm dilated which I had been for two weeks at that point. Leaving a little frustrated and with a bladder infection but also with hope since she said my water bag was bulging we met everyone for lunch.
While at lunch mommy began having a couple more contractions. Not uncommon after a cervical check. Instead of shopping we said our goodbyes and headed home, mommy was ready for nap time and luckily so was sister. While laying down I had a few more contractions so I decided to move to the tub. I finally got some relief and decided that today was not the day a baby was coming. Once sister woke up we went for our afternoon walk and I had a hard time making it a few steps without having to stop, hold my belly, and squeal in pain. Convinced they were still no big deal I sent Derik to the store to get a few things for dinner and I started cooking our chicken fried rice. While Derik was away I noticed the contractions getting stronger. I called my wonderful mother in law and she said it could be spasms as a result of my bladder infection. She suggested timing them and then calling the hospital. When Derik got home they just kept getting stronger and stronger. I prayed that the Lord would give me a sign that it was go time. We had a false alarm already and I hated to get everyone excited again. About that time I had one more painful contraction and Derik strongly encouraged me to call the doctor. Done and done that was my sign. They of course told me to come on in and get checked out since my contractions were about 3 minutes apart and stronger. We barely clean up our uneaten/halfway cooked dinner, throw our bags in the car, finished feeding Caroline, and headed to meet my parents at the hospital. In so much pain we gave Caroline good night kisses and sent her with Pop Pop. Mom and I waddled into the waiting room to get checked in while Derik got Pop and Caroline situated. In so much pain mom had to speak for me. After waiting to be checked in to triage and trying to distract ourselves by watching Wheel of Fortune they finally called us back. All the routine stuff went down and they finally checked me. I had worked my way to a 4 almost 5 and one of our favorite doctors happened to be on call and he admitted us right away.
We got into our delivery room around 9:30pm and my husband immediately turned on the draft. We met our labor and delivery nurse who just happened to be named...Caroline. Yes, God's sovereign and I truly believe He sent us that precious woman specifically to us. She was amazing. I labored through a few more contractions and started my IV fluids for my epidural. I made it to a 6 before calling in the help. I'm all about owning it and I will own that my birth plan is healthy baby, healthy mommy, and epidural. I also had to get a round of antibiotics for Parker since I test positive for group b strep. Our anesthesiologist came about 10 minutes after I ordered the epidural and proceeded to watch the draft with Derik all the while administering a very large needle that was wonderful and allowed me to still feel for the most part. Just not the pain, check and check.
Our amazing nurse Caroline. Thank you thank you for your patience and support! In between contractions and post epidural.
Again, the epidural was good but I could definitely still feel the pressure and pain from the contractions that were definitely getting worse and closer together. I asked Caroline to check me and I was at an 8. Almost there, this was a little after 11 and Dr. Lowe came in and informed us there were two other laboring mommas and we were in a competition. Again. This happened with Caroline. Friendly competition of course. He checked me and I was at a 9.5 so he instructed Caroline to refresh me on pushing and get a couple practice rounds in. At 11:55 he declared it was time to push for real. We pushed for about 40 minutes and Parker Michael made us a family of four at 12:37 am on Saturday, April 30th, 2016.
After some skin on skin time with mommy you were weighed, measured, and all checked out and daddy got to hold you for the very first time. Nothing makes me fall in love with my husband more than watching him be the best daddy to our babies. Momma's y'all were right I love Caroline something fierce and couldn't imagine how in the world I could love another human being like I love her. They then placed Parker on my chest and I fell in love with him in a completely different way. I was completely euphoric despite the exhaustion. We finally got placed into our room for the rest of the weekend around 3am and tried to get some sleep despite Granna snoring, the nurses coming in, and the uncomfortable beds. While in the hospital we welcomed lots of family members, ate a TON of food seriously we had nutritional services hopping, watched so much HGTV, breastfed, and got used to changing boy diapers.
We really really really missed each other.
As for Caroline, we are slowly. SLOWLY. slowly. warming up to baby brother. She loves him strongly so we're working on how to love him gently. A post on life with two under two to come later. This momma is tired and ready for bed before my little alarm clock wants to eat. :)
