crew james

Another sweet little  boy joined our family in November.

My pregnancy this time was very similar to the first..no complications and fairly comfortable.  I was sleeping well all the way up until the last couple days and only had some belly pain after my long walks.  I didn't have a (realistic) checklist of things I wanted to get done before the baby arrived.  We had already decided that the baby would stay in our room so that Levi could stay in the nursery until he (or we) was ready for a big bed.  So really my only pressing to-do item was a pedicure that I think can easily be justified prior to labor :).

Thankfully, I got together with some girlfriends on a random Wednesday evening, over a week before my due date, for an evening of Target, Panera, and pedicures.  I say it was a random evening, but it was the night before my birthday and although it wasn't a planned birthday celebration, its always fun to do something out of the ordinary around your birthday. 

Well, maybe it's true that those little leg massages they do at the salon can put you into labor.  As one of my friends put it, my toes couldn't have been any fresher..  I woke up the next morning around 6:30 with some all too familiar back pain.  I had mostly all back labor with Levi and apparently this baby was going to be the same.  I tried to wait a little bit to make sure this was the real deal (I mean, it was my birthday, and although the end result would be absolutely wonderful, who really wants to go through labor on their birthday?!).  However, I decided this was probably it when the back cramps weren't stopping.  I calmly told Clay that he should probably text or call his mom to give her a head's up to take her packed bag to work with her (our plan was for her to come up as soon as we knew it was baby time to stay with Levi).

Although the pain wasn't all too intense, it was consistent.  I really didn't want to call the doctor too early but I had been warned repeatedly not to wait too long.  I called the doctor shortly after 7..it was a very pleasant conversation where we talked about my contractions, our plan for Levi, how far from the hospital we were, and how my hospital bag wasn't fully packed.  I like my doctor a lot but he is a bit odd, and I felt the conversation was a bit chatty for someone in labor.  Anyway, we decided that I would eventually head to the hospital and I told him it would probably be about an hour or so.  During this time, Clay was making phone calls to 3, yes 3 different people, to take care of Levi.  None of them worked out that morning.  Ha.  So, we ended up taking Levi to our friends' house (one of the girls from the night before), even though she had her own toddler and baby to tend to (thanks Katie!).  

Sometime after 8, we all left to take Levi and then head on to the hospital.  Compared to my labor with Levi, this was a very calm ride..almost too calm to the point that I was wondering if we were heading in too early.  When we arrived at the hospital, Clay asked if he should drop me off or if I wanted to walk in from the parking lot.  Still feeling good, I told him I would walk in.  About the time we were circling the parking garage up to the very top, I decided that it was a good idea we were at the hospital after all.  As we parked, I got a phone call from my doctor asking where I was (I felt slightly guilty about him having to call me but also thought it was amusing).  He called at 8:39.

We went in (the correct entrance this time..), waited for the elevator that always seems to take so long at this hospital, got a room, and things moved quickly from there.  Thankfully, Mary came into my room shortly after we did.  Mary, who I had never met before, was the sweetest midwife on staff with the hospital.  She was soft spoken and gentle, and spoke in a heavy accent which was comforting for some reason.  I had no experience of working with a midwife and I sincerely believe that she had a huge impact on the way my labor and delivery went from here.  Mary let us know that I was 6 centimeters dilated, which made me wonder if we came too soon, but also told us the baby was right in position for birth.

Well, obviously we know how this story ends.. My doctor was there for much of my labor, but almost all of my interaction was with Mary; I had told her that she couldn't leave so the nurses had jokingly told my doctor that he had been replaced.  Mary was so helpful in giving me techniques to manage the pain.  We attempted to get through the rest of the check-in paperwork in between contractions but eventually that was put aside and would be finished later.  Clay was great at doing what he could; still not a lot of time for texts, tissues, or pictures, but I think he was more prepared for that this time.

At 9:37AM, Crew James made his appearance.  Unlike with Levi, I only remember pushing about 3 or 4 times and Crew was there.  I loved having his warm little body on my belly, and his sweet little head, covered with dark hair, smelled so good.  Those first few moments when the baby that was just inside of you minutes earlier, is now in your arms - unreal.  

I remember thinking how he seemed much smaller than when Levi was born and he would not. stop. screaming!  He had this high-pitched squeaky cry that was awful to listen to..immediately the mommy instincts kicked in, and I just wanted to make him happy and content.  

I hadn't put much thought into what these first moments would look like for our little family, but gosh the feelings of how-in-the-world-are-we-going-to-know-how-to-take-care-of-this-little-guy collided with feelings of overwhelming and abundant love.  Lord, give us wisdom and direction as we parent these two little boys..

Levi got to come in and meet Crew later that evening.  I loved that he got to come in the same day and meet Crew when he was brand new.  I know Levi won't remember it, but I will, and they were some sweet moments.  

  

All in all, it really was a great day and I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery.  I think it's safe to say that I won't ever have another birthday quite like this one.  I hope Crew is ok with sharing his birthday with his mom..  

     

We thank Jesus for the safe and healthy arrival of Crew..prayers are appreciated as we raise our boys!!