For those of you who know me well, I was totally bummed that Noah didn't make an appearance over Easter. Like, REALLY bummed. The Thursday before Easter, I had progressed to 4 cm and the doc stripped my membranes (just what they did with Elisa--and I went into labor the next day). I had contractions the next day, but nothing progressed. Easter passed without incident. I had another appt Wednesday after Easter (the 15th--TAX DAY!). I took my girls to school and everyone pointed out that I was still walking around (like I didn't know!)! Anyway, went to the doc, still 4 cm and he tried again to "agitate my cervix". Goody. Went home without incident. At 4:30 pm I start having contractions every 2 minutes. Not wanting to call a false alarm, I thought they might go away. They didn't. And they started to hurt. So, I call Nathan, my precious friend that just had her baby boy, then the doctor (in that order!). Without hearing back from the doc, Nathan and I take off to the hospital, thinking this might be fast. Come to find out, the doc was in the middle of a c-section. Thankfully, I was admitted, even though no one knew I was coming! By 7 pm, I was settled and they checked my cervix--8 CM!!!! I couldn't believe it! I had really progressed fast. Now, my water never broke with my girls and it hadn't broken at this point yet either. I asked if they would break it for me, and guess what? They said "No"! Apparently, since I was Group B Strep positive (I was with Elisa too but not with Ava) I had to have 2 doses of antibiotics 4 hours apart. Well, I got the first dose, but you can imagine with me at 8 cm and having intense every 2 minute contractions (lasting a minute each!) I was certain I couldn't do that for 4 MORE HOURS! And no one would really answer me about what the plan was. We would just "wait and see". I was really confused b/c I did not want to stay in transition for 4 hours! (Is that even possible?) Anywho, I started feeling the urge to push and they told me I was only 9 cm. And they told me not to push b/c I could tear my cervix. Great, like I really felt like I had any control. Everyone wondered out except Nathan and the nurser and I began to cave like a baby. I begged for drugs--I'll admit--I am not superwoman! I got my beloved NuBain, but it did not work as magically as I remembered. I was still in a helluva lot of pain. Unfortunately, there was nothing they could give me at this point. I began to feel the urge to push like crazy. The doc ran in to check me--she was putting her gloves on when I pushed out my bag of waters whole! Who knew that could happen?! So, there was the doctor with one glove on and my little Noah had already crowned! He came down right after that bag! It was the only thing holding him up! At this point, things down there hurt like crazy. I kept asking for pain killers--any kind! The docs kept encouraging me to push--one more and he would be out--but I kind of stalled for a while. Good thing too--the doc needed to put her other glove on. So, I finally decided to bite the bullet and push again and out he came! Literally--he popped right out after 2 pushes! 9:23 pm April 15th, after just 5 short hours of fast labor. Immediately, I felt fabulous that he was out and not in. I didn't care what they did to me after that. Funny though, because everyone was oohing and aahing over how big he was--was he a monster? They took him from me to weigh him--9 lbs 6 oz. Not too shabby. At least it explains why it hurt like the devil. He is 13 days old and perfect. Beautiful round head, enormous feet and hands, precious big eyes and cheeks. I feel like a million bucks as well--no more being preggars! Sisters love him and he is sleeping and eating well. We are tired, but thankfully no colic or acid reflux. So, that's the birth story. If only that was the end to our news...The other important piece of info Nathan and I are ready to share is that we are moving. Yep, July 1st we are relocating to Longview, TX (about 30 miles east of Tyler). Nathan got a promotion at work (go baby!) with a nice raise and other assorted benefits (he gets a company car!). But unfortunately, the job is in Longview. Can I buy organic there? Will we find a church as great as our current one? We will miss our friends and family terribly. I hate to leave my job and the school the girls are at. It was very tear-jerking to relay the news to our church family and friends (particularly my fabulous boss!). I still can't believe this is happening. The good news is the company is paying for everything! They even will come and put things in boxes for us! We just have to get our house sold--they provide the realtor and we don't have to go to a closing. And, Nathan's parents and my grandparents live in Tyler which is just a short drive away. My sister and her husband and my brother and his fiancee (soon to be wife) live in Dallas. We will be closer to them as well. I am really proud of Nathan for getting this. It is a really big deal and it is exactly what our family needs. Plus, it is greater job security which is so important right now. God has been very very good to us. We will keep you updated as things go and just know that we will miss everyone so very very much.
PS--Check out my friend Callie's blog for more Noah pics: http://www.callieannephotography.blogspot.com/. She is a fantastic photographer!
