Well, my sweet punkie is here!!!!
This is the first picture that we have of our baby boy outside of delivery and it also happens to be the first time his daddy was able to hold him. Insert heart melting here.
Ethan's birth story
I was admitted the night before Ethan was born and started on a drip to induce labor. I was a little early, but we had our reasons to induce and prayed a lot about it and felt that was what was best for Ethan and myself. And the Lord delivered.
Tuesday morning my drip was cranked on up and I began having contractions every 3 minutes. They were intense, but I thought, I can do this. Well, that thought lasted until my water broke. Then HOLY. COW. I did my best to breathe through them until I had dilated more. But in the midst of a contraction I grabbed the phone thingy to the nurses station and yelled I was ready for my epidural. I was worried that it would prolong my labor, but Ethan's head was so low I was having the urge to push with every contraction. Epidural came and let me say God Bless the inventor of it. I wasn't quite a fan of how it made me feel, but it did make the contractions bearable so thanks be to it. Just a few hours later, my nurse checked me and I was at 10 cm and ready to go!! Another HOLY. COW. moment. We really thought it would be a long time. We were wrong. I am so very grateful to my sister-in-law, Mallory, for being able to be in the delivery room and helping deliver Ethan. We were originally going to have just Nicholas and I but my gut told me if Nicholas got too nervous or sick I would need a backup and someone I could trust. She was so incredible and I can honestly say I'm not sure I could have gotten through pushing him out without her. Nicholas and I love her more for it.
I'm also grateful to my other family who stayed the whole day. My momma, Nicholas, and Jessie never left my side the entire day. My mom and Ethan's Aunt Jessie were there from sun up to almost midnight to get us whatever we needed. I don't know how my brother got so lucky by marrying such a wonderful girl, but I thank God he did and that she was there for us and Ethan. We love her so much.
I ended up pushing about 3 hours because punkie's head was stuck but he finally made his arrival at 5:36 pm on September 25th, 2012. He weighed 7 lbs 14 oz and was 18.5 inches long. Love at first sight doesn't even begin to explain the way I feel for our little miracle. God is SO amazing and I will praise his name until the end of my days for blessing me with such an amazing gift. I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be his mommy.
He had some respiratory issues when he first arrived and we weren't able to hold him for about 5 hours. The longest 5 hours of my life. I am SO thankful for the nurses that we had at Western Baptist. They are my angels and, in my opinion, the best nurses we could have ever ask for. Ever. My labor and delivery nurse, Jessica, was so wonderful the whole day I was in labor and kept me going when I was pushing. Literally, love her now. She was exactly what I needed in a nurse. She even came the next morning to check on Ethan. More than just a nurse. Kim, Ethan's first nursery nurse, will always have a special place in my heart, too. She worked with me for at least 2 hours on breastfeeding even in the wee hours of the night. It wouldn't have worked if it wasn't for her patience and sweet spirit. She took such good care of my punkie. My postpartum nurse, Gloria, well, when we told her goodbye I cried like I would never see her again and told her I seriously would consider naming my daughter after her.
Yep, hot hormonal casserole.
Enjoy the slide show of pictures.
Not my first time holding him, but our first picture together.
My momma, Jessie, and us. Please ignore how swollen I am. I was pumped full of about 8 liters of fluid in 24 hours. I was unrecognizable.
Aunt Mal Mal getting to hold him for the first time!
He loves his daddy.
Thanks for my outfit Auntie A!
Leaving the hospital! Once again ignore the swelling. Plus I had been crying for like 2 hours before this picture was taken. But he was worth every tear.
Punkie keeps his feet crossed allllll the time. Just like his daddy.
Wide awake!
Snoozing in the car.
Auntie A's first time snuggling me!
My first bath. Ha.
Well, prepare yourselves for lots and lots of pictures of my sweet baby! We love him more than words and can't wait to show the world just how proud we are!
XO,
Britt and baby E
