Birthing Story

As most of you know I was scheduled for a c-section on March the 15th.  I was to arrive at the hospital at 5:30 A.M. so they could get me started.  I was to be cut at 7:30 A.M.  I went to my doctor's appointment and there was confusion as to what time my surgery was scheduled.  I'm not sure how this confusion all started since I've had my c-section scheduled for quite some time.  There was talk of me going in at 1:00 instead.  I started to feel anxious because I didn't want to have to rearrange child care (not that it would be hard or anything but I am one that likes things planned in advance and have things go according to plan).  Then, I realized it would be okay as long as I did end up going in on that same day.  I didn't really care what time. 
I went to the doctor again the day before to make sure everything was ready and they still were confused about the time I was to go in.  I got a call that afternoon stating that it was for sure 1:00 not 7:30.  I liked that since I didn't have to be there at 5:30.  That's way early for me.  Being a new mom, I knew I would need all the sleep I could get. 
I arrived at the hospital at 11:00 to start the process.  My blood pressure was through the roof.  I was so nervous that something would go wrong or that I would feel a lot of pain.  My last experience was horrible and that's the only thing I have to compare it with.  I had the hardest time calming myself down.  The nurses stated that they thought I was going to cry or have a nervous breakdown.  I think consdering all of my emotions, I handled myself well.

I had to wait longer than anticipated because there was another lady in labor and she was having a hard time.  They decided to go ahead with an emergency c-section.  She was expecting twins.  Since I had to have an emergency c-section last time and remember all of my heart ache; I didn't mind waiting and was understanding to her needs.

I was taken to the freezing O.R. room and was given my spinal block.  This is when I was able to finally relax.  Once I felt numb and knew I wouldn't feel this c-section; I feel at ease.  The doctor laughed about my enthuasim to the effects of the medication.  That was the first time I truly felt numb.  It was the weirdest feeling ever.  My legs were so heavy and dead.

Paxton was born at 2:03 P.M.  They automatically commented on his size.  I was dying to see him.  I kept yelling, "I want to see!!!"  Finally, someone held him over the big sheet for me to see.  They took him into the nursery where I could hear him the whole time.  It was nice so that I could have something else to think about other than what they were doing to me. 

A few moments later they announced he weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. and was 21.5 inches long.  They shortly gave him to Mike to hold.  Mike asked I wanted to hold him.  He handed him to me while I was still on the operation table laying down.  It was kind of awkward and of course needed help.  I was able to kiss him and take a moment to be with him.

Afterward, I was taken to the Recovery Room where they watched my vitals.  I felt horrible.   I felt so sick to my stomach.  I was so dizzy and had the worse headache. I was miserably itchy all over.  It wasn't until I was taken to my room that I threw up. 

In the recovery room, I was given baby and was able to bond with him.  They told me to do skin-to-skin with him to help him with the desire to nurse.  He immediately latched and we didn't have to worry about it.  I knew right about that Paxton loves to be cuddled.  Quinn never did. 

That's one thing that I loved about EIRMC.  They did everything they needed to do with baby right where I was.  Paxton didn't even get his bath until about an hour later.  I had no clue that he hadn't been bathed yet.  He looked so clean.  I immediately got that bond with Paxton that I never got with Quinn.  With Quinn I felt so cheated.  It felt like it took forever until I got to see him. That's why I walked to the nursery immediately after they took me to my room.  That's when they knew they had to bring to me.

Mike admitted that he was more bonded to Quinn that to Paxton.  That makes sense.  Mike was so worried about Quinn that he went with him right when he was born.  I remember when I was first home crying to Mike that I was not bonded to my baby.

With Paxton I didn't feel like that at all.  I think the skin-to-skin contact helps tons.  I was there, a part of everything, with Paxton.  I'm not saying that I love Paxton more or anything.  Of course, I'm bonded to Quinn and love him dearly.  I'm just comparing my two experiences.

I will definitely go back to EIRMC next time.  I felt I was better take of.  They didn't let my pain medication lapse.  They coordinated with everyone that needed to come into my room in the night so they would all come in at the same time.  This made it so that I could sleep longer. The only one that would wake me was Paxton to eat.  Mike liked that the nurses waited on him too.

Paxton was spoiled in the nursery.  Most moms arrived the same time as me but went home the next day.  So, there was a lot of times when Paxton was the only baby in the nursery.   They always commented on how good he was.

Paxton really is a patient baby.  He doesn't really cry.  There's times when he wakes me to eat and then I'll look at the clock and an hour had passed.  I feel horrible.  It makes me sound like a bad mom.

The Coolest

Dad, Quinn, and Paxton

Paxton was dressed so cute.  I had to get a picture of him.  He's wearing shoes in this picture but can't see them. :(

Quinn's new toy....a shower head just his heigth.  He normally doesn't like to take showers but now he'll stay in the tub as long as you'll let him (or until the water runs cold).

Mike was excited to get this for Quinn.  He took Quinn out of the house so that I could get some sleep and they picked this out together.  This is what I woke up to.

Mom, Quinn, and Paxton

G-ma Penny helping Quinn out of the tub.

Quinn has been using stepping stools to his advantage.  He has learned that Mom cannot pick him up.  He has to make due with what he has.  So far it has worked out great for both us.  It makes us so that we can do more together without the help of someone else.  I'm sure you've noticed his hair too.  He thought it was pretty cool to have his hair in ponytails.

Quinn and Paxton

Paxton Dale Rockwood

March 15, 2012

2:03 P.M.

8 lbs. 11 oz.

21.5 in. long

Taken right before heading into the hospital to have Paxton.

Before picture...After picture to come...(with Paxton)

To come...more details on how labor and delivery went...

Things I've made...

If felt great in my second trimester. These are the things I'd work on when Quinn was napping and on days I didn't need a nap too.

Quinn would always take our blankets we were using.  I decided that he needed one of his own.  It's definitely helped not getting robbed of mine every other second.  He's not one to share.

I decided to make one for the new baby as well.  Why not?

Car Seat Tent Cover

The hardest part was placing the straps on the handle.  I measured and re-measured it.

Quinn's bed spread...This is the first attempt at making anything like a blanket/quilt.  It was my learning one.  I'm kind of embarrassed because I messed up a lot.  It doesn't look professional.  As I started making it, I wasn't satisfied with the color of green I originally chose.  So, I went back and cut out the green squares and sewed in this new color.  That was time consuming! 

At the same time, I'm somewhat proud of it because, yes, I did finish it and did learn a lot.  My next one will turn out much better.  Now, I"m not all that crazy about the trucks placed over the squares.  I had a brilliant idea but for some reason it didn't turn out as brilliant as planned.

I put paw prints over the windows, door and closet frames.

Crib Bumper

Crib Blanket...I really like how this turned out.

I made these pictures out of the leftover fabric from the blanket.  I liked them until I decided to make a border...another brilliant idea that didn't turn out.  Now, I think they look too busy.  I put them up because I don't have anything else to go on the walls.  The twinkle little star quote was there from when Quinn was little and I decided to not take it off.  I made one more picture but didn't take a snap shot of it. 

I painted the book shelf in the nursery blue and put bins on the shelves to hold toys.  I also painted the dresser.  I think the nursery looks a lot better than when Quinn was little.  It's a lot more organized and seems a little more balanced.  It's still not perfect (I don't think it ever will be) but I'm satisfied with it...for now!

Quinn & thoughts

 Quinn was fascinated by the ice hanging off of the roof.  I had to get him one to see what he would do with it.  He played it but didn't care for how cold it was.  He was enthralled.

 Quinn let me do his hair.  He saw that I had my hair done in a ponytail and came to bring me some elastics to do his.

 This is Quinn's first experience with painting.  Karen had given me a blank old newspaper roll. We just used that and it worked great.  Quinn even got to the point where he would tear off another sheet to place on top to continue painting when he ran out of room.  He was very good with the paints and didn't make a mess...surprisingly!

 He had just gotten a new sheet for himself.

 We took Quinn to PetCo to see the animals.  He loved it! He kept wanting to get picked up to get a better view.  When he wasn't being held, he would run around pointing and schreeking for us to look.  Quinn LOVES animals so this was a very fun outing for him.  I think his favorite were the birds.

38 weeks 3 days

Can you tell I wear pajamas a lot?  Do you blame me?  This was also a Sunday evening right before bed.   I do need to get a picture of me in "real" clothes, though.

The big day is almost here.  I go in on Thursday to have this baby.  I get asked all the time; am I excited? Well, yes!!! I want to see my baby and move onto the next stage.  At the same time, I'm also anxious.  I'm not excited about the c-section.  Who would be, right?

It's the recovery that scares me.  I think a lot of my anxieties come because my experience with Quinn was so horrible.  This time it will be different.  I know I'll get through it and I know I'll need lots of help.  I also know lots of other women have gone through this and they all made it.  It's mainly Quinn I worry about.  He's so young and I won't be able to pick him up.  I don't think he'll understand.  I know he'll adjust quickly.  Kids have a way of doing that.  We've kind of have been practicing.  I can hold him though.  I try to not carry him around.  If I cuddle him, he's just sitting on my lap. 

Mike has been wonderful during these last weeks of pregnancy.  He's been getting up with Quinn in the night.  He puts him to bed and takes care of his basic needs.  He spends time with him so I can nap or do other things.  He does all of this without asking and being expected to.  He loves being with Quinn so it comes naturally.

Side note: I've been kind of in my own little world being pregnant, dealing with the pregnancy pains, and Quinn being sick off and on.  I've had a real eye opener.  Not that anything has particularly happened to me.  I've heard lots of things or been aware of others trials these last couple of weeks.  I won't name anything in particular since they're not my experiences or stories to tell.  People are going through some rough things.  The thing is; no one knows.  They're doing an awesome job working through it and keeping such a positive attitude.  It makes my trails seem so much less than they really are.

Knowing this makes me love them so much more.  They are all examples to me.  It makes me want to help and be there for others; to be more service oriented and to get over myself.

Hopefully, I can keep this mind set during my time of recooperation and recovery with having this baby.

P.S. Quinn weighs 32.8 lbs. Can you believe how he's growing?  This weight is from two weeks ago.