Boy oh Boy!

I was planning on doing a post LAST Sunday about what Brad and I had been up to on our Christmas break, but something more important happened- I went into labor! So here is a catch up and info on our new little baby. Warning- it is lengthy!

It was so nice to finally get a break and be able to spend time together before the baby came. The first week of vacation Brad mostly picked up shifts and I stayed home bored. The next week we were a bit more exciting. On Christmas Eve Brad decided it would be fun to build a snowman so we set out to find a good place to build our Mr. Snow. We went to Porter Park and discovered that the snow was way too dry to be able to create Mr. Snow or to even make snowballs. So what did we do? We threw snow chunks at each other! I was laughing so hard I thought I'd have the baby! As fun as it was, I wore out pretty quickly and we headed home for the rest of the day. Christmas was nice and low key. It snowed all day and it was so beautiful- until we tried to go look at Christmas lights and got stuck in our own parking lot due to the pile of snow behind our car. We got out and got stuck only a few more times around Rexburg. It was kind of disappointing- it seems that not as many people are putting up lights. Sad. But we did find some pretty houses, though we were cameraless and didn't take any pictures. I got to cook a delicious Christmas dinner and I made a mistake. I read the instructions on the ham totally wrong. I have an issue where I skim read and therefore miss vital information. All I read was: Cook ham for 10 minutes. Now if only I had read a few words more:... per pound. Yeah, didn't read that until I had 10 minutes to cook the ham. I felt horrible! But Brad came up with a way so we ghetto-cooked our ham. He cut a few slices off and we heated them in the microwave- it was a pre-cooked ham! Still tasted scrumptious! Next day we went to Idaho Falls to do some shopping. We didn't really get anything, but it was fun to get out of Rexburg. Especially since the next day it snowed all day long again so we were stuck inside.On Sunday, December 28th, I woke up with a bad back ache. I decided to skip church because I was seriously scared my water would break during church. I didn't think I was in labor, I was just being my normal paranoid self. Brad came home early to make sure I was doing okay and we just took it easy together for the rest of the day. Around 4pm (which I would of been in church, by the way) I went to the bathroom (TMI, I know, but it's vital to the story!). I stood up and I was leaking. I had just gone so I knew it had to be baby related. I went out to call my mom, but before I did that I went to the kitchen to Brad. I told him I think my water was breaking but I wasn't sure so sit tight. He got this huge smile on his face and I knew he was hoping it was. I called my mom, my sister-in-law, and the hospital. The nurse told me to lie down for an hour or so and then sit up. If it gushes out, then my water had broken (it was still just leaking). I layed down and my sister called a little later. She said something that made me laugh and there was a gush feeling for sure! I told her I had to go because my water was breaking. She said eew and bye. Brad then called a good friend of ours in the ward, Steve Marshall, to come over and give me a blessing. I was shaking- I was so scared to be in labor! Oh, I also was having contractions every three minutes. But I still wasn't accepting that I was in labor. Steve came over and they gave me a blessing. I have to say this: Brad blessed me with peace and comfort, among other things. Immediately I felt peace. I knew everything would be okay and I am so grateful for that blessing.
After that we headed over to the hospital, which is only like 2 miles away from our house thank heavens. I felt so stupid- I had planned on going the next day to the hospital to pre-register so I didn't have to stand there giving out my stupid information to the ER person. Once again, procrastination bit me in the butt and I ended up just standing there having to take deep breaths every few minutes with contractions while telling her my info. Then a nurse came down with a wheelchair to escort me to the maternity ward. I refused the wheelchair feeling stupid because I didn't even know if it was my water breaking (okay I did, but I still wasn't accepting it). We were almost to the labor rooms when I had a huge contraction and finally conceded and sat in the wheelchair. I am way too stubborn. The doctor did the strip test to see if it was my water breaking and then surprised me with his hand to see how far I was dialated- that was a "treat". I have to interject this: my last appointment had been on Christmas Eve with the other doctor (there are two OB's at the office and they switch with seeing you). I was a little over two weeks away from my due date and he wouldn't check to see how far I was dialated! Which would of come in handy because this doctor had his hand all nice and cozy up there and said, "I feel bum" I couldn't tell if he had said "bum" or "bone" and the nurse asked him again. He said, "I feel bum". They got the ultrasound thingy out and the doctor said he should be seeing a white circle for his head, but it was a dark spot. He moved it up and we could see his head- yup, my baby had turned breach! He then said we were going to have to do a c-section. I said that was fine, I have nothing against that. The nurses were really surprised at how calm I was. If it means my baby will be less stressed and is best for the both of us, of course I'd be okay with it! I was mostly scared about the epidural- I hate HATE HATE needles. The doctor went over the risks and possibilities so I'd be aware and told me it would be in an hour. Holy cow- one houre and I'd be having my baby! Then they started prepping me for surgery and the anethesiologist came in. He told me they were not going to do an epidural since I'd be done in such a short time and he'd be doing a spinal instead. I told him that's fine but just don't show me the needle or I'll freak out more about what he's doing to me. I was really impressed when the time came how great of a job he did at the spinal. And there was a really sweet nurse who held my hands when he did it because I can't get shots done without holding someone's hand- I really hate shots. Pretty soon the shot set in and I was feeling less and less of my lower body. They put the curtains up and let Brad in when they were ready to start slicing me open. I didn't realize I would stay awake for it, but I am so glad I did! I felt tugging and tingly-ness all of a sudden and was like, "I can feel that!" I thought I'd be completely numb down there. Then in a shocked voice a nurse says, "You can feel the knife?!?!" I said, "Oh I didn't know you had started!" It was so neat, but weird! The anethesiologist stayed by my head on the right, while Brad was on the left. I talked to them for the most part. The anethesiologist warned me that when they were ready to get the baby out I'd feel a lot of pressure because they were going to push him out. Then he let me know when it was happening- he was right, lots and lots of pressure. The doctor was so fast- within ten minutes of starting he was already getting the baby out! But then the best sound in the entire world happened- I heard my baby cry for the first time. I started crying (I'm tearing up even now!). To go to the hospital expecting to be in labor for like 12 hours, but instead you hear your baby an hour later was crazy. It was (basically) over- I had given birth. What?!?! They took him away to get him all clean and tested. The first thing Brad said when they pulled him out was, "Whoa! Lots of hair!" Then I asked Brad if it was still a boy and he laughed and said, "Oh yeah!" Brad went back to watch them clean him and he got to hold him first since I was getting put back together. He came back out and then a few minutes later they brought our baby out. Since I couldn't move or hold him, the nurse held him up by my face so I could get a good look. He was so precious. She then held him closer to my face so I could give him some kisses. About half an hour after the birth, they wheeled me into my room and followed a few minutes later with the baby and I was able to hold him. It was amazing.

I am so grateful he came out healthy, even if he was 13 days early. Brad and I just love having him home with us. My mom is here now helping me recover from the c-section. I am still sore and moving around gently, but love having her here helping me and bond with her first grandson. I just wish the rest of the family and Brad's family could meet him and experience his newness.

Right before leaving for the hospital- one last belly shot!Showing off my bracelets before surgeryFinally here! 6 lbs. 12 oz. - 19 inches - 6:40pmThe proud fatherMe holding James in the hospitalSam, Linzi, Rylee, and Sadie came to visit. Rylee was so good holding her little cousin!Christina and Lori holding James. Loved having the Brooksby's visit!James in his car seat for the first time, ready to go home. He looks like he's ready to drive.After his first bath- he surprised us during this photo session with going potty in his towel. Next time, we put a diaper on first!Sleeping in his cribHis favorite position on daddyHe's resting on the playmat his Aunt Julie got for him. He had his pacifier in, and it fell out. He ended up pushingit onto his arm- it was so cute watching him do it.