Happy Birth Day, Little Man!

Gavin's arrival was definitely different than Ella's.  While we knew we would eventually be induced, it was still a surprise when our doctor told us to go to labor and delivery.  I've been going to my OB to be monitored twice a week, and I've been seeing a perinatologist to track Gavin's growth.  This was similar to my experience with Ella during the last few weeks of my pregnancy.  But while Ella made it exactly 40 weeks, we knew we wouldn't go past 39 with Gavin.  That being said, on Friday the 25th, I went to my OB appointment as scheduled for a routine NST appointment.  That day also happened to be my sister-in-law's graduation from her dental hygiene program, and I was sad to miss it while Adam and Ella went.  My appointment went find, the NST results were good, and my OB predicted that I'd either go into labor naturally, or we'd consider inducing the following week.  I called Adam to fill him in, and even mentioned how nice it was to have "a plan" for labor this time around.  Since my perinatal appointment was later that day, I decided to go get a mani-pedi, followed by an impromptu lunch with my girlfriend, Kathy.  

Running late to my perinatologist (lunch with girlfriends can cause that), I was simply expecting the doctor to say that Gavin's abdomen was still slow growing and that we may have to induce a bit earlier.  Instead, he said Gavin's abdomen was still slow growing and (after conferring with my OB) that I should head to L&D to be induced.  Right now.  I was caught totally off guard.  I thought I'd get to go home.  Shower.  Finish packing.  Say goodbye to Ella.  Get a good night's sleep.  At this point it was three o'clock in the afternoon.  Adam had just gotten home from the graduation.  Ella was napping.  I hadn't even finished hanging things in Gavin's room!  I started to panic a little.  I was not expecting to go get induced.  Right now.  

So I hightailed it home, making phone calls to Adam and our parents along the way.  A quick shower, some last minute emails, and a hurried goodbye to Ella later, we left for the hospital.  (Poor Ashley, never got her graduation dinner.  Gavin stole her thunder!)

One last picture before heading out.  I'm 38 weeks here.

 I have to say, showing up to the hospital NOT in labor was much less stressful, especially when it came to filling out forms.  All I could remember from my experience with Ella was signing my name in between contractions and just wanting to be left alone so I could labor away.  This time, we took our time, joked with nurses, and checked in calmly.  I did get a bit nervous and anxious waiting for the nurses because I had way too much time to anticipate the pain that lay ahead of me.  I labored for 24 hours with Ella, and while I knew that it's "easier" and "quicker" the second time around, I was not looking forward to the pain.  They started me on pitocin at 6:15 pm, my OB broke my bag of waters at 6:45, and after a much too painful epidural (the anesthesiologist kept hitting a nerve) a couple hours later, we got to rest for about an hour.  Then the nurse said she was concerned about his heartbeat slowing down too much during each contraction, which in turn made me nervous and worried (would I need an emergency C-section?)  Turns out, baby boy was making his way down and my contractions started to get stronger and stronger.  So much so that the epidural wasn't helping too much and I knew it was time to push.  A couple practice pushes, a hurried call to the OB and a rushed setup resulted in our little man being born at 11:31 pm.  I couldn't believe how quickly it went!    

Our experience overall was so much better--probably because we knew what to expect (for the most part).  Even our hospital stay wasn't as exhausting.  We were just grateful that despite the complications I had during the pregnancy, he was born healthy and safely.

The car ride home.

Because Ella had a little cold, she wasn't able to visit us at the hospital.  I missed her so much; it was the longest I'd been away from her.  But she did great with Grandma and was busy practicing being a big sister.

So maternal and nurturing, she loves caring for her baby doll.

The transition from one child to two has been SO much easier than going from none to one.  Plus, Gavin is really laid back and easy-going, which I appreciate.  He latched right away, is a good eater, and just a really mellow baby.  He's even (accidentally) slept five hours one night (though we'll see how long that lasts).  I just can't believe he's here.

Hanging with Dad.

Basically what he does all day long.