Little...The next few days

So you arrived 2 weeks after your initial due date

And well I have to admit you were funny looking at first.

Getting stuck in my pelvic bones made your head so misshapen.

Fortunately, that has resolved really quickly.

Recovering from labor has been interesting for mom.

The nurses kept commenting on how big of a boy you were

for your "little momma"

And well that lead to multiple tears second and third degree.

So sometimes mommy is crabby because she is in pain.

And tired.

So Tired.

But you are worth it. 

The nurses told us in the hospital that they were hearing a "clunk"

in your right hip. 

So when we left the hospital we had to make an appointment

with our pediatrician for the next day.

he confirmed the "clunk" as hip dysplasia

and referred us to a specialist.

So on your third day on the outside

we had you fitted for your brace.

You'll be in it for a minimum of 10 weeks.

It holds your hips in the sockets to help them form.

Because you have shallow sockets, your hips can pop out of place.

Fortunately momma knows other mommies of kids with dysplasia.

Which is such a blessing.

Because I have support and I didn't have to be afraid for you.

So this is our life.

You and I and Papa.

You just eat, sleep, wet/poo, eat some more....and some more.

And papa and I just look at you in amazement.

You're a wonderful blessing.

Whenever I feel like I have the grounds to complain about life

I just remind myself that I am lucky to be blessed with you.

To Micaiah James,

With Love,

Mom

Little...the Labor

So we finally started active labor on Sep. 22 around 2pm.

I hit transition and began to push shortly after papa arrived.

But things weren't progressing.

So they broke my waters.

Twice!

Yes they had to break two water bags!

Then my waters broke again.
They think i had 3 water bags.

Apparently I am an anomaly.

No wonder you weren't doing much on your own.

And they checked me but I still wasn't completely dialated.

But my body wanted to push so I had to fight against that

To let the contractions do their work. 

And then you started to crown, and I was told I needed a few more big pushes

But you didn't come.

I pushed for 9 hours

And you weren't coming.

And I was getting dehydrated...
I had an IV put in.

And the pain was becoming  too much.

I stopped comprehending what people were saying.

I was giving up.

I wanted to sleep.

I wanted you to be here. 

I was so frustrated.

so we left around 11:30 for the hospital.

I couldn't get you out, and the pain was too much.

When I was checked at the hospital you were still a plus2

Why weren't you coming?

I got an epidural and slept for an hour.

Then they checked again and you were at a minus 1

We began to push again.

for about another hour... still nothing.

Doctor and Midwife checked again. 

Your head was stuck in my pelvis.

I had room for a vaginal delivery,

But you couldn't seem to get unstuck.

Then came the ultimatums.

We could look at using a suction to help assist,

Or we go to cesarean.

I asked about risks and the Doctor didn't think suction would

work anyways. 

He felt it was more likely to injure you.

So I began to give in to the idea that we may

have to do a cesarean.

Then I got one last option.

My contractions were no longer coming at regular intervals...

So I was going to need help to keep pushing.

The doctor suggested Pitocin to keep them coming

and make them stronger.

Then we would keep pushing and positioning

and pray that you moved enough to come out.
So that's what we did.
And Finally after additional hours of pushing you were here.
It was 28 hours since my contractions became regular
And 13 hours of pushing, but you made it!
You were laid on my chest and I was in love.
I may have been disappointed by the fact
that the labor wasn't exactly what I planned.
But you are here and it was ALL worth it.

Little...The intro

Hey there Micaiah,

Today is day 4 of life for you.

Wow it's crazy how in love papa and I are.

We have been through a lot as a family so far.

I thought I'd write about it so I can look back

and remember how blessed we are to have you.

So I'll start back a few days, 8 days actually.

On Friday the 19th, I was still concerned

Concerned I would never start my labor.

We passed all of your dues dates and were getting closer to having to be induced. 

So we had a Foley Bulb procedure done.

I was dilated at a 2 at this point .

A foley catheter was placed in my cervix,

And the balloon on the end was filled with saline

to help dilate me.

I can home and contractions started!

And they got pretty painful.

And I could time them.

And the pain was a little scary since I was alone.

So papa came home.
And we waited. And called the Midwives.
They told us to stay home at least until the foley came out.
Because then we would know I was dilated to 4 or more.
So I went to bed. And everything stopped.
On Saturday the 20th, I went to have the foley removed.
I was so discouraged.
But even though it hadn't come out on its own it in fact had worked!
Your giant head just kept it from falling out.
So we were a little closer to meeting you.
Sunday came and went.
We skipped church because the exhaustion of being up the last two days
when we thought you were coming
wore us out.
And mom couldn't deal with another week of
"you are still pregnant?"
That night I started to have contractions.
And I figured it was another fluke.
So I went to bed.
5am on Monday the 22nd I awoke to my contractions.
This was it. It had to be it.
But I sent papa to work anyway. They had to keep coming
and get closer and stronger.
So I stayed the morning with Aunt Chayil.
And the contractions spread back out.
Maybe this wasnt it.
but they didn't disappear.
FINALLY around 1pm they were coming 4,5, and 6
mins apart.
We called the midwives again.
Dropped off your cousin at a friends and headed to the center.
Today would be your birthday! Or so we thought....