The Journey, Part 1

Well due to popular demand, we will be posting more pictures of the little one sans shades. But first you must suffer through the retelling of the birth story. Warning it may be a little graphic, so I will attempt to use euphemisms whenever possible in all CAPS and then will write the more (accurate) word in parenthesis afterwards. So whenever those of you weak of stomach and heart see a word in all CAPS, that's your signal to skip the following word.

On Sunday morning, I woke up and PASSED THE MUCUS PLUG (saw a bunch of blood in the toilet) and felt a little trickling. After debating with myself and being in deep denial, I finally decided to call the hospital and a nice nurse told me to come in and check it out. Josh and I nervously joked as we bustled around the house gathering some last minute stuff to add to our already packed bags and set out for the hospital. Weird, isn't it, how prepared we were? I think I'm definitely a Virgo about some things, like packing.

At the hospital, they start to take my vitals and set me up in the triage room and the nurse comments that she didn't see any fluid at all. I'm feeling a bit sheepish at this point and a bit hyperneurotic about being there so early. The doctor comes in and we all joke about how I was a bit overeager as she does the ultrasound and notices that there is plenty of fluid cushioning the baby all around. I'm getting all set to go home and frankly am super relieved. In my head, I'm also vowing to work double, no triple, time on my dissertation. (No, really, Prof. Valadez and Kris, I was!) Then the nice doctor says, "Well, since you're here, I might as well do a pelvic exam to see how far along you are dialating." So she EXAMINES ME (puts the speculum in) and as soon as she does, we hear a big ol' gush of water hit the ground. They laugh and tell me, "No, looks like you're staying." Sigh. I guess the dissertation is going to have to wait.

We decided to walk around after a couple of hours to get the contractions going a bit more before "enhancing" my labor with some drugs. The doctor tells us that we can walk around for an hour, but to come back every twenty minutes to get the contractions checked out again with the nurse. How long does my marathon session last? Ummm...five minutes. Yep, that definitely worked. I hobbled back into the room and waited the rest of the hour out.

I'm not exactly sure when, but will consult with Josh, (he kept really good records of the ordeal, but I can't understand his codes) but I did get an epidural around now. I was dilated 4 cm and was in a bit of pain, but wanted to stem it off rather than wait til it was too late to get the drugs. After about eight hours of early labor I don't feel much of anything. The contractions are mild and mellow and I'm thinking, "Ah man, is this it? Cake! I can handle this labor thing, no problem!" As we relaxed I could hear unearthly screams coming from another room. Then followed by the cries of a newborn. See, no problem. Josh wisely used this time to furiously write out a bunch of lists for work and catch some zzzs. I on the other hand squandered this time feeling invincible and watching a whole lot of the Winter Olympics. I never knew that ice dancing was so deliciously cheesy!

More later, it's about time for the princess to eat.

Oh and yes, as promised...here is another picture of the beautiful one.

ok, no picture...I'm having technical difficulties...sorry you had to slog through all of that!

Ok figured it out...but now i realized that it posts the pictres up front so forget all of my idle threats. Sigh...I hope SOMEONE reads it!