Wyatt's Grand Entrance Into the World!

Well all, it was an amazing day April 29, 2008. So many events lead up to this day that have to be told to understand the irony of Wyatt's timely birth!!

First, let me begin with the second week in April. One morning I woke up in a panic about work. I felt this overwhelming push to finish all of my duties at work and before my anticipated last day (April 30th, 2008). I was in a tizzy that whole week. Megan helped me finish important administrative tasks and helped test a couple of kids. I belted out reports and paperwork like I was a machine. Early that week I called Mona to ask her if I demonstrated such frantic behaviors in finishing my work when I was pregnant with Calem. I wasn't sure if this was my "hopeful" thinking that I would deliver early or "true nesting".

That very next Thursday I had a huge surprise when I went to the doctor. I was exactly 35 weeks and 6 days pregnant and had dilated to 3 cm. HOLY MOLY! The doctor listened to me blubber and cry for about 3 minutes and confirmed that I would likely deliver within the next week. I was completely shocked. Immediately, I called Rob and told him the news. He was just as shocked as I. We called my mother and father and planned on having my mom come into town as soon as possible. That day I returned to work and continued to try and finish as much as possible.

Friday, my mother began her 20 hour trek to Houston. In her little Ford Ranger with NO RADIO momma drove and drove and drove and drove. Thankfully she made it here safe and sound around 9pm Saturday night. Her make-up was flawless and her hair unscathed. Immediately, we sat down and discussed all the possible scenarios for when I would go into labor and how we would handle each situation.

Well, days passed and nights drug on as I remained 3 cm for another week. Mom and Calem accompanied me to the doctor. I was now 36 weeks and 6 days pregnant. I had made little progress as I was 3-4 cm dilate and 70-80% effaced. Dr. Wilson gave me another week before I was to go into spontaneous labor. The news made me so impatient. I think this was one of the hardest weeks for Rob, Calem and Mom. I was sulky, irritable, and demanding. Mom and I walked 2 times a day trying to bring on contractions. People told all kinds of wive's tales to try and induce labor. None of them worked.

So, Monday night I had a feeling in my heart that Tuesday might be the day. I took a shower that night. I washed and dryed my hair and made sure my bags were ready to go. Sure enough, I awoke Tue. morning to a nice contraction. I laid in bed for the next hour to make sure the contractions were not false labor. After an hour, the contractions went from 15 to 8 to 5 minutes apart. I had some booster contractions between my 8 and 5 minute contractions so I could tell that this was probably the real thing. I woke Rob and Mom at 5am and told them that I thought they should get up and get dressed. Within minutes my contractions became more and more unbearable. Luckily I had already finished my hair and make up!! I laid down in bed and bossed Rob and Mom around until the car, Calem, and myself were ready to go. Nanny was so gracious to answer her phone at 5am and agreed to take Calem early.

With very strong contractions coming 2 minutes apart, we left the neighborhood. Rob was very stressed at this point. All he could talk about was how we should have left Calem with one of the neighbors, which would have been the best plan. But, shoulda coulda woulda, right? Anyways, as we left the subdivision, we made a swift change in plans. For fear that we would not make it to the hospital on time, we decided to drop Calem at Nana Kathy's and let her do the dropping off at Nanny's. This was one of the smartest things we did. As we left Kathy's apartment complex, Rob realized that we were severly low on gas. Out of anxiety and true with true sincerity, Rob gently reminded me of a discussion we had about letting the gas tank go dry before filling it up again. By this point, I could have jabbed his eyes out if it weren't for my contracting uterus which took up all of my effort and energy.

The next 45 minutes were the longest and scariest 45 minutes of my life. All I could think about, as Rob zipped in and out of traffic, was how badly I did not want to deliver on 45 south!! Several times throughout our journey I would look up to make sure Rob was on the right path. Mom sat in the back seat and prayed while she rubbed my arm and hand. My contractions had now charged up to about a minute long and about a minute apart. Needless to say, I was one balled up momma on the verge of delivering. All I held onto was the fact that my water had not broken. I knew that as soon as my water broke, this baby was going to fly out.

At 6:17am we made it to the hospital doorstep. Thank goodness for Valet parking that early in the morning!! I slowly pulled my labor-ridden body out of the car and balled up in the wheelchair. Mom was so focused on getting me onto the elevator (one of two) that she completely missed the fact that the elevator right next to the one she was staring at had opened and was beginning to close. Luckily, she had me to snap her back to reality with a sharp, "hello, elevator!". We rushed up to L&D and here is where the fun begins.

As the nurses could tell by how uncomfortable I was feeling, things started to roll very quickly. I had about 6 nurses working me up for the arrival of this beautiful boy. When the nurse checked me, I was 9 cm. All I could think of at this point was the epidural. Despite my strong desires (for 9 months) to have this baby naturally, the pain was scary. I did not mind having contractions, I was scared of how long I was going to be at 9cm and how much it would burn when the baby crowned. So, at about 7am my doctor arrived, broke my water, and called for anesthesia. Before anesthesia administered my epidural, the nurses asked if I wanted to be checked to make sure I was not at 10 cm and ready to push. I had no desire whatsoever. I wanted some relief for pushing time! I was in luck. They listened to me and gave me the epidural. 20 minutes later I was pushing baby Wyatt into this world. I pushed 3 times and he emerged just as cute as can be. The whole time, Rob was my greatest support. He smiled from ear to ear as he encouraged me through pushing. Seeing his face was the best part of the whole delivery! The epidural was nice. It numbed me enough to take away any burning sensations down there. I could still feel the contractions so I knew when to push and could feel enough to guage how well I was pushing. When Wyatt emerged I felt the relief as I got back all of the room in my abdomen!! Sweek Wyatt joined us here on earth at 7:20am, April 29th, 2008. He weighed a whopping 7lb and 13 oz. His 19 inch body is perfect from head to toe. It was absolutely amazing! His quick entrance (3 hours total from start to finish) makes Rob and I want to have a planned delivery for the next baby!! If God shall so graciously bless us with another baby ;)

Overall, this delivery was exactly as I desired! It was memorable, eventful, peaceful, and very very enjoyable!!