Nothing Sweeter in the World

I have fallen in love with another boy! Little Charlie came into our world May 29th at 6:02 in the morning and has completely captured my heart. Yes, I am lucky enough to have three amazing and handsome boys all to myself.

Birth Story

*Disclaimer- I got a little carried away writing this and could be a little long for some attention spans*

After my first son's arrival took 24 hours of labor, I was expecting the second to be a little lengthy as well. With my first, I called the hospital when my contractions were five minutes apart and they told me to wait until they were three minutes apart to come in. I expected this to be the same protocol with the next baby. The books also tell you to stay at home as long as possible while in labor where you can eat and be more comfortable. This damn advice and never having the "regular contractions" nearly made me have a back-seat delivery with little Charlie!

I began having painful labor contractions around 11:00 pm on the night of my due date, May 28th. I was awake all night trying different pain relieving techniques, cleaning and packing in between contractions, and eating popsicles. It's amazing how you can have the most painful contraction that will drop you to the ground and then once it wares off you can start right back where you were sweeping the floor. JR called my little sister over at around 4:30 am to be with Emerson. My instructions to her before we left went like this: "I laid his clothes out on the chair in his room and" . . .(pause while I drop on the stairs with a contraction, breath, breath, breath) . . ."you can give him some cereal or oatmeal when he wakes up. We'll give you a ca" . . . (drop again for a minute, breath, breath, breath) . . ."We'll give you a call with an update and check on him."

I began timing contractions on handy little iphone apps I installed as labor began (Yep- In labor? There's an app for that!). They never became "regular" as I waited for that to be my sign to head to the hospital. Five minutes, three minutes, six minutes, two minutes; they were all over the place. Finally I didn't care when they were coming, but I knew they were so painful I wanted to get to the hospital for an epidural FAST!!! My husband, obviously not realizing how much of a hurry we were in after our experience with the last delivery, ironed his pants (which I normally only see on Sunday), swished with mouthwash, and made sure everything was perfectly packed. To tell you the truth, I didn't even realize how much in a hurry we were, but I yelled, "WE HAVE TO GO!" nonetheless.

As soon as the next contraction ended we made a mad dash for the car to take the most painful ride of my life. JR, on the other hand, got a thrill out of the ride as he felt justified speeding the car down the empty streets at the wee hours of the morning. His left hand was on the wheel, all while using his right hand to rub counter-pressure into my back while I moaned and groaned, might I add. We pulled up to the hospital entrance and ditched the car by the front door only to find no one inside and no wheelchair.

(Photo taken later)

The task of walking down the hallway to the elevator seemed like a marathon at that moment. I stopped just about every five feet with contractions, as now I know I was in the transitional phase of labor.

We got out of the elevator and I dropped on a bench that I prayed would not turn into my delivery bed. The nurses told me later that it was quite a funny sight to see JR run into the quiet labor and delivery section with bags and cameras slung on his shoulders asking for a wheelchair for his wife. Real typical dramatic, television sit-com type stuff.

They wheeled me into the delivery room where my clothes were quickly replaced by a gown and I got onto the bed. My water immediately broke and I breathlessly asked for an epidural. They said yes, but really there wouldn't have even been time for an anesthesiologist to get there, let alone give an epidural. I was surprised they even considered the request. I decided it probably wasn't worth even attempting it and prepared to finish the job unassisted by drugs. I had also read a couple things saying that once the transitional contractions were over, pushing is a relief, and not as painful. Damn those words, I tell you. I told the nurses I read this and they ALL looked at me with faces and pushed up eyebrows that said, "Where in the world did you read that?" I immediately realized that I didn't agree either as the burning and painful pressure of needing to push began. I would say the last contractions and pushing both feel as if your body violently turns against you with every torturous strength and power it possesses. Without any control of the noises coming out of my mouth I told them I needed to push. They preferred the doctor, who was about thirty minutes away, to deliver (wouldn't you think a Dr. would always be nearby?, C'mon it's not like I was delivering at the Ingalls' farm while pa went for Doc Baker on horseback!), so they tried to have me just "breath" to wait.

With that affective advice I started to crown and the baby's heart rate dropped. They realized they needed to deliver the baby, doctor or no doctor. Scared and out of breath, I continued to give demands to my husband, "don't touch me" . . ."more ice chips" . . ."just keep my hand from slipping." The cord was around his neck and the bed began to shake as multiple hands tried grasping for the cord around the little blue face and tug for his extra large shoulders to follow, which were stuck and having a very difficult time being delivered. I was exhausted and in unimaginable pain, but when I saw the panicked look on the nurse's faces I found a little more strength to push harder. I was amazed by the overwhelming physical feeling of relief I felt when he was finally out. I remember asking if the doctor ever showed up and the answer was no.

They called him the "stop and drop baby." Fifteen minutes after arriving at the hospital our little Charles Jonathan Royce ("Charlie") arrived weighing in at 9 lbs 2 oz, 20.5" long, matching the exact weight and height of his older brother.

Holding that little newborn in your arms as the most pure and innocent spirit there can be, brings so much perspective and clarity of what life is all about. If you asked me about the experience before the delivery I would have started to cry and say, "Why didn't we get to the hospital sooner?," or "Why wasn't I induced?", but in retrospect the experience was amazing, exciting, and emotional in a way that really makes you feel like you're alive.

Meeting "Baby Budder" or "Chaw Lee" for the first time. He said, "Tute (cute) Baby Budder!"

Comparing toes

A few things I want to remember about these few short newborn days:

-His soft, beautiful skin

-Long fingers and toes

-The uncontrollable facial expressions

-The newborn reflexes- my favorites are the hand grip and walking imitation when you hold them up

-The way their body curls up against you and the little head fits under your chin

-When their head quickly moves back and forth searching for milk when they're about to nurse

Visit from big brother:

A few shots before leaving the hospital:

Home with big bro: