Baby of mine

So much has changed since I last blogged... Most importantly, Canaan Rhys is here.. and he is perfect!!
Here's the story.. (just as much for my memories as to tell anyone who might be interested)

So, I had preeclampsia. Early in the third trimester, my blood pressure started creeping up.. I had some high numbers early on but it was understandable.. every time we went in it was really stressful and I was always super nervous. But by this point, everything was going good so my numbers weren't because of nerves. Anyways, after non stress tests twice a week for two months and 2-24hr urine collections, my dr was finally able to diagnose my symptoms. The problem is, preeclampsia is only curable with delivery. We were so afraid we'd have to deliver really early but thankfully were able to hold off. Two trips to L&D for blood pressure and one overnight stay for observation, my dr made the call to deliver at 37 weeks. Ever since the beginning, I had a feeling he would come at 37 weeks.. not just because it's my favorite number.. but for some reason, I just knew that was our lucky week.

We went in Tuesday night to get cervidil. Without giving too much information, my body was in no way ready for delivery.. usually someone is dilated and effaced somewhat before going in and since I was early, my dr was afraid I wasn't ready at all. When we got there, we found that I was dilated to almost a 1 so they were hopeful. However, Wednesday morning they found the cervidil hadn't worked and I was still almost at a 1.. 8:30am my dr broke my water and started pitocin and an epidural.. Thank GOD for epidurals!! I don't know why people don't get them. I was able to focus on everything going on without being in excruciating pain. Anyways, at 11am the dr checked and I was at a 2-3cm.. they weren't very hopeful. They (nurses & dr) were all thinking it would take all day. I took a 2hr nap and the dr came back at 1 to find I was at a 9.5!!! Of course he and the nurses were all shocked.. but I was ready to go!! They got all of their stuff together and at 1:15pm I started to push. I thought it was just practice pushing.. I wasn't really doing anything, or so I thought. Seriously, LOVE that epidural! About 15 minutes into it, my nurse, Carmella (AMAZING, AMAZING woman!) told me to stop pushing because they had to get the dr.. My dr (Dr. Ward.. equally AMAZING) finally got there.. I pushed twice and there he was.. Our beautiful little boy!!

He was absolutely perfect! They placed him on my chest and Levi cut the cord.. then he peed all over the dr and started exercising his lungs :) The nurses did their thing with dad there every step of the way.

After he was here, my blood pressure was still high so I was on magnesium and morphine until Thanksgiving at noon.. but that's the unpleasant part so I won't focus on it. :)

On a better note, Levi is an amazing dad!!! I knew he would be.. but seriously.. words can't express just how amazing he is. For the first two nights in the hospital, he was the one who changed every diaper and was the one to feed Canaan. He did everything because I was unable to. It was so awesome to see them bond right off the bat! Thankfully he got to take two weeks off work and I can't imagine life when he goes back to work.. Most dad's help out but the mom is still the primary caregiver.. that is not the case with us. It's been such an easy and natural transition to parenthood because of how we've worked together. Sure sleep comes in a different form now.. instead of a solid 8 hrs, it's more like 2 1/2 hrs- feed- 2 1/2 hrs- feed and so on.. but it has in no way been difficult. We are SO blessed and thankful!

Canaan Rhys is an absolute doll. He's perfect in every way and everything we prayed for!

11.23.11
1:42 p.m.
6lbs 13oz
18 1/4 in