Friday, July 2, 2010

Seeley Alan

How did my little man get to be almost two weeks old? Where did the past 12 days go? Things have been a little hectic around the Johnson household so let me try and get you up to speed . . .
Thursday 24th- My last day of work, yay! I had planned on getting some last minute cleaning done and then just relaxing the rest of the night. And going to bed early since we had to be at the hospital the next morning at 5:30. Instead, my sis-in-law went into labor and we were at the hospital until 9pm! Seeley's cousin Parker was born around 6pm that evening and we were so thrilled to meet him. I mean, what are the odds right? So, we didn't get into bed until around 1am and then I was up again at 3:30 to finish packing and cleaning. (OCD tendencies remember?)

Friday 25th-
5:30am- Arrive at hospital and nurses recognize us from the night before. A full explanation is necessary.

7:00- Doc breaks my water. Supposedly.

9:00- Doc realizes labor is going so slow because water did not break all the way. Sigh. Only dilated to a 3 and I came in at a 2.

Noon- Go ahead and get epidural even though pain is not bad. The nurse didn't want me to wait any longer just in case contractions got really strong and couldn't get anesthesiologist down quick enough. Dilated to 4.

1:30- Page nurse because feeling lots of pain and pressure. This is not supposed to happen with an epidural folks. I didn't feel A THING with Emma. Dilated to a 6.

1:45- Anesthesiologist has already given me 3 booster shots (meant to be fast acting to help with actual delivery). I know the epidural is there because I'm shaking uncontrollably from the high level of medicine, but STILL feeling everything. Dilated to a 9 so there's not anything more that can be done, I'm going to feel every bit of this delivery.

2:05- Seeley arrives.

That's right folks. I felt everything. And since I felt everything, I can safely say that anyone who chooses to deliver natural is crazy. When I realized that I was going to feel this delivery I said a quick prayer that God would give me the strength to pull this off since I was completely unprepared and that Seeley would be healthy. Luckily, He answered both prayers. I only had to push through a total of 4 contractions and Seeley came out a healthy 8lbs, 6oz. Of course he would weigh more than Emma since I'm feeling all this lovely pain, right?

Everyone always tells you that no two babies and no two deliveries are alike. I now completely believe them, when in the past I've always been skeptical. With Emma, the epidural worked beautifully and it was like I didn't even do a thing. I had to work hard for every inch of Seeley! And, Emma was a very high maintenance baby. So far, Seeley is pretty easy going. It also helps though that I have not gotten any of those post baby blues that hit me so hard with Emma.

Looking back there were also a few moments of levity during labor. The first came when I heard that the epidural was just not keeping up with how quick I was progressing and that I would be feeling the delivery. I was in pain, trying to breathe through contractions, shaking from the medicine that wasn't working on the pain, and crying. Jeremy calmly gets up from the chair where he's been dozing all morning and goes to the bathroom. When he comes out he stands by the head of the bed and I look at him, hoping to get some words of encouragement as I tell him "I think I'm going to feel this one." No sooner do the words get out of my mouth than I see him try to take a bite out of a piece of candy without me noticing it. MY CANDY. That his dad had brought to me, along with flowers. I'm panicking and in crisis mode and he's eating my f-ing candy! I only say one word- "really". But apparently I say it exorcist style because the nurse starts looking scared. I reign in my temper and tell him to stay the hell out of my candy because I'm going to need it. Wonderful hubby and father- not so swift on the compassion and words of encouragement.

Then, after the baby was born I'm trying to get a peek at him and all I can make out are chubby cheeks and a penis. The nurse calls out "14 05" and I freak out because I thought that was his weight. (At the time it felt like I had just delivered a 14 pound baby). They quickly assure me that it's the time of birth before I completely lose it. Damn military time almost gave me a heart attack!

It's been a full twelve days since we've had him, and already I don't remember what life was like before him. He is such a sweetie and Emma adores him. She has been such a good big sister. I try very hard to give her some special time each day when he's asleep so she doesn't feel neglected. And Jeremy has really pitched in to help out; surprisingly Emma has adjusted well to the fact that mommy can't do everything for her anymore. She's been really good to let Jeremy do things for and with her whereas before Seeley she wouldn't. We've had a few minor blips since Jeremy went back to work yesterday (Emma has decided to assert her independence and exercise her selective hearing skills), but all in all life is good.

Here's some pics of my newest sweetie pea!
Correction-here's A picture of my sweetie pea. I've been trying to write this post since last Friday and my computer, along with the majority of my pics, is down. So, this is the best you get until my laptop gets fixed. Trust me though-he's gorgeous.




3 comments:

dave and jenn said...

Oh Steph! You are my hero. I can't believe you went through all of that without knowing that you'd have to. The part about Jeremy and the candy cracked me up. I think my coworkers probably think I'm crazy because I was laughing out loud. :)

Brittany Schwaigert said...

Oh dang girl! You rule. And, can I saw that I feel your pain on the candy thing. When I was in labor, Ryan was trying to be all sweet and helpful and rub my head and I screamed at him..."QUIT RUBBING MY HEAD, YOU'RE MAKING MY BANGS GREASY!" LOL.

Steph said...

That is too funny Brittany! Jeremy was doing the same thing and I somehow managed to restrain myself from yelling at him- I HATE it when he messes with my bangs! That's why they look crazy in the photos after!