Our boy's here!! Will Ryan made his appearance exactly one week after Tim arrived home for R&R. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly if we planned it ourselves. We were scheduled for an induction on Friday the 30th but around 2:30 AM on Wednesday something got to feeling not quite right and I could not get comfortable enough to sleep. Unsure of whether I was really in labor I showered and prepped but hesitated waking Tim.
I finally woke him when I couldn't breathe through the pain and he insisted we head for the hospital ASAP. Once in the parking lot I tried to persuade him to wait it out in the car with me a little longer to make sure we really were in labor. I felt embarassed at the thought of going in there only to be told I was imagining it all (Silly I know). "Sarah we are not going to wait in case this is real labor and we head in there too late for drugs!" Smart man I married. Point well taken I scurried to the ER doors obligingly.
And yes Virginia, we really were in labor. After some fetal monitoring and an hours walk around the outside of the hospital we were admitted to a room. Now without slighting my girls who decide to go it au natural or to make light of the pain and struggle they go through to do so, I will now celebrate the beauty of a medicated labor.
With each of my babies I have first requested IV pain medication once the contractions began seizing me as though my lower half were being severed completely. The relaxation and peace becomes tangible in the room and Tim and I are able to share yummy hot drinks and laugh and watch silly TV shows and reminisce and dream. My hospital stays cannot be described as labor. Instead they feel like a two day vacation just for us (I kid you not), this time notwithstanding.
We exchanged witty repartee and life stories with our nurses, made jokes with the anesthesiologist, I munched many a cupful of ice shavings, downed a couple popsicles and pleasantly and calmly and almost pain free (that horrible pressure cannot be drugged away) we waited for our little man to arrive. We even took a few catnaps, the nurses smiled when they'd come in to check as we were both covered up and resting comfortably.
Then about an hour after my epidural it was time to push. After 3 and a half pushes Will was out. Wide eyed and alert just like his sister and brother before him he cried only momentarily and quieted when Tim began to sing to him. After I was repaired and he was cleaned up he began to nurse almost immediately and so began life with Will.
He is calm and quiet, cries not more than 20 minutes total each day. Sleeps for at least 4 hours at a time (making my nights a breeze) and has no problem with diaper changes or clothing changes.
We both knew having a baby in the midst of a deployment would be a big gamble but it sure has paid off. What a gentle little soul he is. Sometimes I almost forget I have 3 little ones because he is so quiet. And Natalie and Adam's only frustration is that they can't hold him and kiss him all the time.
So there's the latest update from Dreamland. I have no doubt there will be some turbulence and rockier roads ahead (such is the nature of parenthood), but what a great transition we've had so far...
