He's Here

It's Sunday, August 28. I know I should sleep, because the next day will be a long one. I also know there will be several long days, as well as several long nights following. Just as I start to doze, cramps rip through my lower abdomen and back. Ok. I can handle this. It's not my first contraction. Deep breaths. It'll pass. It does.

Only to be followed, fifteen minutes later, by another. Then another. Then another. This continues hour after hour, with the bloody show making its appearance around 3 am. Around 4:30 I stop trying to sleep and get up to shower, then finish getting ready to head to the hospital as best I can through the contractions (which are now about 5 minutes apart).

My dear friends Carolyn and Phyllis show up at 7 to watch the girls and Sam and I head to the hospital. There, I'm put on the monitor and given my IV. (I have to give a shout out to the nurse who did my IV. I am NOT an easy stick. She got me in ONE shot. Never been done before. High fives to her.) My doctor shows up and is excited to hear that Baby Boy was gonna show up that day one way or another. Turns out I am 50% effaced and 3 centimeters dialated. The show has begun.

I'm wheeled into the OR just after 10. My CRNA is amazing, making me feel very comfortable. Unlike last time, my anesthesia is in within 5 minutes and we're ready to rock and roll.

At 10:56, a beautiful baby boy, 9 pounds, 15 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long is brought into the world of light and noise. He brings his own noise, shrieking like an angry cat. Tears fill my eyes. It's the most beautiful sound ever. He is here, and that is now all that matters.

Meet Miles Edwards Schwegler. My new pride and joy.