Everything began on Thursday night at 11:00 p.m. when my water broke. Unfortunately, it felt a lot like the false alarm we had at week 37, so we didn't go in until 5:00 p.m. the next day when I felt contractions. After lots of doubt from the labor and delivery triage staff that my water had broken, an ultrasound confirmed it and we were admitted at 7:00 p.m. Kendra saw us through what was the longest night of both our lives. I was her only patient and she treated me with the most gentle care and compassion that I could have asked for. After six hours of back labor (extremely painful) with only a half centemeter of dilation, my plans for a natural birth flew out the window. Through it all, Vinnie was an amazing birth partner. I felt so supported by his presence and was so proud of him for all he was doing for me. We were both grateful to Kendra for explaining our pain management options in detail and for her full support of our decision. The epidural allowed us to get some sleep and finally let my body relax enough to dilate.
(With Kendra after the long night.)We called our parents at 6:00 a.m. and told them to get ready because from there on out, things were moving very quickly! They arrived around 8:30, when the real show began. Kristi took over for Kendra at that point to see us through and we were told to expect the baby in about half an hour...three and a half hours later we were in surgery. Kristi was amazing through the c-section and recovery process, respecting all of our wishes.
(Kristi holding Diego in the recovery room.)The nurse anesthetist, Dave, took the cake! He talked us both throug the surgery, even telling Vinnie when to get the camera ready for Diego's debut. He also took our first family portrait! I had some pain and nausea that Dave took care of immediately as the surgery progressed - I felt so very safe in his hands.
After all was said and done, I spent 36 hours in labor (more than anyone had guessed) but it was more than worth it for our beautiful baby boy. Vinnie's put it this way when things were especially rough, "Our little boy is just making us fight for him." His first cry was the sweetest sound I've ever heard. We were blessed that through it all he was never in distress and was born extremely healthy. We all laughed when the doctors weighed him - there was a moment of silence and then a "Whoa!" from all the staff in the OR when he weighed in at 10 lbs. 5 oz. He did me a favor by being stubborn and having his head turned the wrong way during my labor - that was the reason for the c-section and the doctor told us that babies seem to "know" when the natural route is not going to work for them. He was supposed to be around 8 lbs., but he knew better and saved us both from some serious complications. His name means "wise, cunning trickster" and it seems as though he is already living up to it.
He is one month old today, and we find that so hard to believe! He has been a joy, especially as we've been able to take him to a few events. He likes to scream at 10 p.m., but is the perfect party guest for the rest of the day! :) He is more and more awake and aware as the days go by. He loves to stare at the tucan on the baby gym from my friends Kellie and Hailey, and will nap in his swing from Grandma Glenda. Music is still is thing! Classic rock (seriously) calms him down as does hip hop (but we hope he outgrows the latter!) We were amazed one day as we drove home having pushed him a little too far on an outing - he was screaming until Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet" came on the radio. If you remember, that was his favorite song in utero. He always kicked and moved to it and I'd wondered if he would recognize or remember it somehow. Boy, did he! He immediately stopped screaming as our jaws dropped. So cool!
We are so grateful to Vinnie's mom and my parents for their help and support through Diego's first weeks. From help with picking up prescriptions, to watching him for an hour so we could slip away, they have been amazing! My aunt Lorie has been Diego's "staff photographer" and caught some special moments for us. Thanks also to everyone who visited us in the hospital and who brought us meals for the past few weeks. We feel very loved!!
