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[Barney tries to ask the bus driver to drive to the hospital where Lily is giving birth]
Sir, this man is having a baby tonight. Instead of going to St Marcus Hospital, we’re going to Buffalo – and I’ve seen women from there, the city’s aptly named. Look, I’m a screw-up; I’m having something special with this girl Quinn and I ruined it. But this guy [gestures to Marshall], he’s done everything right. He’s been loving and devoting since he was 18 years old. There are a few truly great people on this planet and he is one of them. He deserves to be at the birth of his son. So what do you say? -Barney, How I Met Your Mother

with Impulsive Addict and Seriously Shawn

triage

This is me at 7:30am on Monday the 13th, in triage at the hospital. I joked with Match that I was probably the happiest non-medicated woman in labor ever. I was so so excited that it was happening-the day to meet our son was finally here! I was checked in triage, and already dilated to 3cm when we got there, with contractions ( back labor, oww) 2 minutes apart. They had us walk the halls for an hour to get things moving. While we were walking the halls, we ran into the nurse who helped us grieve and deliver Roo. She remembered us, and she made sure that she was the nurse for my delivery this time. She was incredible, just like before. It felt good to have someone there that was familiar that I trusted.

After the hour of walking, I was dilated to 4.5 and officially admitted. We moved into the birthing room, and I was given an IV and fluids. At this point contractions started getting intense. They asked me what my birth plan was, and Match and I told them I didn’t want any IV drugs, and epidural only if absolutely necessary. The nurses were so supportive of the plan, and good about respecting it and not offering me any pain management. They were encouraging and encouraged me to move around to help with the pain. Rocking seemed to work the best, as well as quiet, low moaning.

Eventually the pain got so bad that I couldn’t stay standing, and I got back into bed. Laying on my side felt the best, and holding onto the bed rails. Match rubbed my lower back and offered encouragement. At one point the nurses threw an oxygen mask over my head because I was breathing too fast.

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The midwife and doctor came in to do another cervical check, and they realized why I was in so much pain. In just a few hours, I went from 3cm to almost fully dilated. Four hours from the time I was admitted I was already pushing! Everything seemed to be going well, and then all hell broke loose. I was pretty out of it from the pain, and trying to meditate through it, so I wasn’t very aware of what was going on. Match said he’d been watching the fetal heartrate monitor, and every time I’d have a strong contraction or I’d push, Piglet’s heart rate would drop really low. At one point, it got to 55, and that’s when our room exploded into chaos. The nurse and midwife had called for reinforcements, and suddenly our room was filled with people.

Then a doctor said to me that things were about to get really crazy, and to just close my eyes and stay calm. Then he told Match that they were going to perform an emergency C-section and that he’d have to stay behind, because they were putting me under. I started crying, and felt like a huge failure. The doctors and nurses reassured me that it wasn’t me, and that I’d done everything right, but Piglet’s cord was wrapped around his body and he was in distress. Match kissed me, and I told him I loved him and to call his mom. I didn’t want him to be alone. Match told me later that after I left, he just collapsed into a chair, bawling his eyes out. A nurse came in and handed him scrubs, and said just in case they let him in after all.

Meanwhile I was wheeled into a room full of people and commotion. My nurse held me up while they put in the spinal tap. At this point Piglet’s heart rate went back up, and another doctor came in. She said they were going to try one last attempt to get him out vaginally, and it was unorthodox, but it might work. She said they’d use forceps, and try once. Then sudddenly Match was there, because the baby was no longer in as much distress. I was so relieved that he was able to be there next to me, and they said I could stay awake.
The spinal tap kicked in, and then they asked me to try to push, even though I was numb from the chest down. I tried so hard, but Piglet was too far up the canal at that point, and it was so hard to push when I was so numb. That’s when the other doctor pushed him back inside, and they started in on the C-section. They put a screen over our heads, and Match and I just held hands and starred into each other’s eyes. It only took a few seconds, and he was out. Match said at this point the whole room seemed to calm down. For me, it was the longest moments of my life, waiting to hear Piglet cry. I kept saying, “Is he ok? Why isn’t he crying?” when suddenly we heard the most beautiful sound-our son’s first cry.

Match just broke down and started sobbing, and I did too. I looked at him and said, “We finally got our baby. He’s here!” I told him to talk to him, because he’d recognize our voices. Sure enough, when we said, “It’s ok Wyatt, we’re right here” he immediately stopped crying and looked around the room for us. Then Match was able to go over to him and cut the cord, while I was being stitched up. It was torture not being able to see him in those first minutes, and I just held out my hand to him.

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After what felt like years, they placed him on my chest for skin to skin for a few seconds (and there is not one picture of it, and I’m so sad about that!), before whisking him away to be cleaned up, weighed and monitored. Match was able to go with him, and I was wheeled off to recovery. I had to wait for the spinal tap to clear my system before they brought him back to me and I could hold him properly. That hour was one of the longest of my life, aside from waiting for his first cry.

The first person to come into the recovery room was my mother in law, looking for us. I’ve never been so happy to see her in my life! She gave me a huge hug and I bawled into her shoulder. Then my son and my husband were finally brought to my side. I was able to hold him for the first time, and the feeling of joy I felt was indescribable.

first time holding my son

 The first moments with my family.

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The rest of the day is sort of a blur. We were wheeled into our maternity room, and my inlaws were able to spend some time with their grandson.

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Later in the day, Geeky stopped by to meet her Godson. I was so glad she was able to meet him that first day.

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The rest of the night we just spent getting to know our son, and dealing with the frustrations of C-section postpartum. I couldn’t get up or help out at all, and that first night was so painful. But the next day got a lot better once they removed the IV and catheter and I was able to walk. I’ll share more about my hospital stay in another post. Sorry this was long, but I wanted to write it down so I’d remember every moment of my son’s birthday.

He was born at 12:12pm, May 13th, a mere 5 hours from when I was admitted to the hospital. He weighed 6 lbs, 3 oz, and his arrival into this world was incredibly scary. I remember just feeling a calmness, and knowing that even through the scary moments, everything would turn out alright. This baby we would get to take home. I still can’t believe he’s ours! I’ll leave you with some ridiculously cute baby photos. I am pretty sure there has never been a more beautiful little newborn. I know I’m bias, but you gotta admit, Match and I made one cute kid!

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Published on May 15, 2013, by in Married Life, Piglet.

Wyatt, aka Piglet, was born on Monday, May 13th, 2013.
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He was born at 12:12pm, and weighed 6 lbs, 3 ounces. Born at 37 weeks, 1 day, he was a few weeks early, but completely developed and healthy.

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I will share his birth story later, after we get released from the hospital. It has been the most exhausting, incredible, stressful and wonderful past 4 days of our lives. Mama and Daddy are head over heels in love. I can’t believe we get to keep him!

 
formats

 Uteri. You’re a woman, you should know what part of the butt a baby comes from! -Max, Happy Endings

with Impulsive Addict and Seriously Shawn

You know a photo session with us wouldn’t be complete without a gag reel. One of the reasons Couple Wife was able to get so many great photos of us was because we were cracking up most of the day. Here are some of my favorite spoof shots.

funny maternity pictures: www.dategirldiaries.comApparently both Match and I like to make goofy duck faces

funny maternity pictures: www.dategirldiaries.comThe picture on the left was Match pretending to shoot at geese overhead. And then he decided to practice nursing.

funny maternity pictures: www.dategirldiaries.comThese cracked me up. I guess Match was jealous of all the belly attention.

funny maternity pictures: www.dategirldiaries.comThis was at the end of the day. You can tell because Match gets crazier. First with the fondling, the creepster pose, and then whipping out the bare belly. I promised I’d never show bare belly pictures, but I just couldn’t leave this out of the gag reel. He’s always talking about how my belly button looks like a butt, so he decided to poke the “butt” for the camera. He is such a goofball!

 

 
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Richard: I’m fine. When is dessert? I have work to do.
Emily: It’s coming as quickly as the woman can spoon fruit over ice cream.
Richard: Well, clearly, she has carpal tunnel or some other modern disease which is slowing her down. -Gilmore Girls

9 months pregnant: www.dategirldiaries.com

A big thank you goes out to Steph at Watching Airplanes. On Monday I received a sweet little package from her in the mail. Her mom makes the most adorable baby tag blankets and burp clothes, and she had one made for Piglet that matches his forest nursery theme so well. Check out her Etsy site here. She has some adorable stuff! I love it, thank you Steph!!

tag blanket: http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonshugsnstitches

And a big thank you goes out to Misty at Handbags and Handguns. Yesterday she sent a gift package in the mail for Piglet. She bought him an Earl the Squirrel cuddle pack complete with a personalized blankey! I love how the packaging looks like a tree stump. I saved it and I’m using it to store toys. Thanks Misty!

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The squirrel and blankey were Match tested, Match approved. :-)

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Symptoms & Labor Signs: Last Thursday was officially 7 days since my last progesterone shot. I started contracting pretty steadily, and we were beginning to wonder if this was it, when they stopped. I’ve also been getting lots of braxton hicks, but nothing that’s progressing. Monday at our checkup I also had to get wrist braces, not just for one wrist, but both. My carpal tunnel has gotten pretty bad, and hopefully these bad boys help the numbness and soreness. They make typing very awkward and Match says I look like a pregnant ninja. Lol!

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Food Cravings: I really want a German chocolate cake with caramel pecan frosting, served cold with frozen yogurt. Or just some frozen yogurt with lots of goodies mixed in. We might need to go out for fro-yo soon, because having a cake in the house just sounds dangerous. Luckily I’m also craving fruits so I’m indulging that craving regularly. Oh, and Chinese food. I can’t get enough crab puffs. I shouldn’t be surprised if I pack on the pounds from here on out!

Baby Prep: The last item on our to buy list was actually a car. We had this old  2 door Ford Focus that I’d had for 10 years, and it wasn’t very baby friendly. So we went to Couple Hubby’s car dealership, where he hooked us up with a 2010 Ford Fusion. We got a great deal on it and I’m so glad we now have 2 vehicles we can cart Piglet around in. We bought an extra car seat base, so we’re good to go with whatever car is available. Now Match can take the Jeep hunting and I can still transport Piglet to doctor’s appointments and errands without worrying about his safety.

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Weight Gain: 25.3 pounds so far. I am feeling good, and feeling healthy. But as the weeks go by, I’m starting to get so incredibly tired, and I think it’s very possible that the pounds are going to just pack on from here til I deliver. I’m forcing myself to keep up with my walks, but naps are so wonderful.

What I’m Thinking About: How excited I am to meet our little man. I keep wondering what his little face looks like. Does he look more like daddy? Does he have a full head of hair? Will he be colicky or will he be a peaceful baby? Will I be a good mama? I am just so ready for that next step. I know we have a few more weeks ahead of us, and I really hope they fly by. I’ve been pregnant for a very long time, especially when you factor in my last pregnancy. We are so so ready to meet and cuddle our son!

 

 

 
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[Ross baby-talks to Rachel's belly.]
Phoebe: How can you let him talk to your crotch like that?
Rachel: He’s talking to the baby.
Phoebe: Oh! Okay! Okay, ’cause when — when he said “I can’t wait to hear your first words,” I thought, “There’s a trick!” -Friends

with Impulsive Addict and Seriously Shawn

We had our maternity photo session with Couple Wife last Monday. The pictures turned out absolutely perfect. It is so hard to choose which ones I like best. I love them all! I will probably be sprinkling them into posts from now until Piglet gets here. Get ready for picture overload!

maternity photos: www.dategirldiaries.com

The last time Match and I did a photo session was our wedding day. I was reminded of why I chose this man as my partner in life. I think Couple Wife did an amazing job of capturing the essence of us as a couple. This tattoo shot is a perfect example.

couples tattoo: www.dategirldiaries.com

Taking these maternity pictures just made me fall in love with him all over again. I couldn’t help thinking of where we were almost 3 years ago to today. All we’ve been through, all we’ve accomplished, all we’ve survived.
angel baby: www.dategirldiaries.com

I love that Couple Wife made sure we honored Roo, and included her in the photo session. This picture brings tears to my eyes whenever I look at it.

maternity photo shoot: www.dategirldiaries.com

maternity photos: www.dategirldiaries.com

maternity photo: www.dategirldiaries.com

maternity photo: www.dategirldiaries.com

There were so many moments during the session that I had to blink back tears of joy. After more than 2 long years, we are finally getting our family. Our baby boy will be here soon. I was overwhelmed with emotion.

watermark10 daddy and me boots: www.dategirldiaries.com

It didn’t help that CW kept taking such adorable pictures. Matching father/son cowboy boots? Stop it! The kid boots belong to her kids, and they are future hand me downs for Piglet when they outgrow them. I can already picture him strutting around the house in his boots, trying to be like daddy.

baby cowboy: www.dategirldiaries.com

I love how CW would just keep snapping photos and let us just be us. I love how she caught the pure happiness on our faces as we felt Piglet kick during this picture.  I cannot wait for him to see these photos someday. I can’t wait for him to see the love between his parents, and the love we have for him.

maternity photo: www.dategirldiaries.com