The Arrival of Ryan Wesley Addison

Ryan Wesley
Born 5/20/2011
4:32 pm
7 lbs 12 ounces
20 inches

I figured for those of you out in blogger land that actually read this thing and want to know more about my baby's birth story, then I would share. (I will censor as much as possible!)

My day of labor started at about 3 am on Friday morning, the 20th. I woke up to use the restroom and I was cramping real bad (think period cramps on steroids). I went back to bed with the thought that it was pain due to being constipated, and all I really wanted to do was get some more sleep. When the clock struck six am, I was still awake, tossing and turning in pain and realizing that my tummy was contracting. I started to time them - I ended up having nine in the first hour. My OB had told me just the day before at my check up that ten in one hour meant go to the hospital.

I called the answering service for my OB office and my Doc called me back - I had lost some more mucous and was still contracting so she told me to head on to the hospital. I woke up Wesley - he called into work and we made our forty-five minute drive. We were there in no time... I say that because I wasn't focused on the road, I was focused on the pain in my belly and a baby that was kicking me due to not enjoying the contractions as well. It was about 8:30 am when we finally got to the hospital. My Mom met us there.

I walked onto the L&D floor - got signed in and placed in a room right away. I was still contracting about every five to eight minutes and it was getting worse and closer together. I was having a hard time focusing on anything other than breathing through the pain. More family showed up while we waited on my epidural to come and for me to progress more. I was already four centimeters dilated and 80% effaced when we got there. My midwife came in to check me - said that the baby was already low and that she could start to feel his head.

It didn't take long before I got my epidural and let me tell you, that's the most WONDERFUL thing invented EVER! I was very happy to not feel the pain of the contractions - I was already to the point of tears when they finally were able to get the catheter in.

My midwife came in soon after to check me and I ended up being fully effaced, she had to reach around the baby's head to check - but I was only seven centimeters dilated. This was when the nurse brought in some pitocin for my IV to help me along... this was around lunchtime. It took a few more hours, but by around three pm, I was feeling the need to start pushing.

The midwife and nurses were ready for me to start pushing around three-fifteen... I was already way past ready! My epidural had worn off enough for me to feel the pressure of the baby and he was so close to coming out already. I don't remember a lot about being in labor and pushing but I have heard plenty of stories from my Mom and Wesley to know that apparently I'm entertaining while in labor!

According to them, I was apologizing a lot about many things. All I remember saying was that I was hot and that it hurts. I was sweating like crazy and my poor husband had the duty of fanning me over and over again. My pulse kept racing and Ryan wasn't too keen on the idea of coming out at all for a long while. He kept pulling himself back in between contractions. I remember talking to him, encouraging him to come out and meet me.

Once I had pushed for about an hour already, I was feeling tired. My midwife was worried about my pulse and about my ability to complete the pushing process. She called in my OB, whom was planning on coming in to vacuum Ryan out, so that it would not put any more stress on either of us. (They were trying to keep me from having to have a c-section). They did all they could to get me to slow my breathing, I kept oxygen on between contractions to help me regulate my breaths.

Once my OB showed up, I was still trying to push him out by myself. The nurses wanted me to wait and let some contractions pass and to rest for a few minutes, but the contractions hurt and I felt like I needed to push, so they let me. My OB jumped right in, trying to help Ryan out while I was pushing. Her and I together delivered my baby. At this point I was screaming while pushing that it hurt... and at one point they had me re-adjust to pull my legs into my chest and I grabbed the side of the bed to pull myself up - apparently hitting one of the buttons. My OB was asking me why she was moving... I was moving the bed to lift her off the ground. Wesley and my Mom said that I apologized to her about a hundred times after that. Haha.

Once I delivered him, he was placed on my belly, I was crying so hard by then and didn't have my glasses on so I could barely see him but he was still so beautiful to me. I loved him so much just at that first glance. Wes cut the cord and followed him over to the warmer to see him get measured and cleaned up. We got to keep him in the room for a while... the family members that were there all got to come in and see him, especially Papa (Wes's Dad) - who now shares a birthday with his grandson.

It was a very special day. I'm still recovering from a third degree tear and from being so sore. I'm limited in what I can do, but spending all my time with this precious baby boy.

PS. I will share more photos later!

Week 39... Ready to push this little one out!!

I'm seriously losing patience with my son right now... I might just have to SPANK him once he gets here and tell him that I'm very disappointed he's kept me waiting so long! (:

Just kidding...

Kind of.

It's officially week thirty-nine as of today and I go back to the doctor tomorrow morning. I've had some contractions, but they aren't very consistent and I've had little progress otherwise. (I won't mention much because it honestly is kind of gross to talk about!) Needless to say, I'm hoping that I have enough progress in the morning that my Doctor will tell me to head straight to the hospital and let's get my water bag broken and see where it takes me.... But that's more just wishful thinking than anything else.

I will keep folks updated as best as possible during the next seven days. If he doesn't come before the 25th, I'll be induced that day... so it won't be much longer that I have to wait! (:

Also, thanks to those friends of mine that have kept up with me and have called to check on me. I love hearing from you guys and I appreciate the good thoughts and wishes for Ryan's safe arrival. (Mostly talking to Marlena, Mandy, Kelly and my own Mom and Mother in law). It feels so good to know that we have so much support out there and I can't wait to introduce you all to Ryan soon!

On a side note - we had some maternity photos taken last weekend thanks to the fabulous Heather B. and I can't wait to see how those turned out! As soon as I get them back, I will share them here and on facebook! (:

Wordless Wednesday - Friend's til the END! (:

Post Secret that Apply...

It all comes back to Family...

I've strayed from writing recently because I've been at a loss of words... and tonight, because of my cousin and best friend, I have been inspired to get some things off my mind. Things I've been wanting to say for some time now.

Family. Love. Sacrifice.

Ultimately in life, family is the only thing that remains constant for most. They are the people that support you when you need it most and are the people that will be brutally honest if they think you are making a huge mistake, even though their intentions are pure. Family is the people that are always there for you when you need them, whether it's for sharing good news and celebrating or if it's to help you pick up the pieces after mistakes have been made.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice things for love, for your family. You have to bear the weight of hard decisions for someone else's happiness and believe me, it can take it's toll. But I've found that in the end, it's usually all worth it and it finds a way to work itself out. You worry about things that matter and things that don't, just because you care.

I've had my share of good family members, the ones who are always around when I need a helping hand or just someone to chat with about life. But on the other side, I've had my share of family members who have turned their backs on me in times when I really needed them to just understand where my feelings were coming from or who have just cut off all forms of communication with me for some unknown reason. Unknown to me, at least.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Christian and I'm also a praying person, but that doesn't stop me from having doubts about trusting family. I've been hurt many times by people very close to me and I'm sure that it could happen again if I allowed them to get close enough. I have had my guard up for a long time now... and it will remain up because I won't allow myself to feel that way again.

Vulnerable, lost, alone.

In my life, it always comes back to family. It always has.

Family means the world to me... but only true family are the ones that are there for me when I need them most. True family know when I'm hurting before I can tell them that I need a hug. True family comes over with a bottle of wine after hearing I've had a crappy day. True family calls on birthdays and holidays just to remind me that they are thinking about me. True family don't have to ask me how things are going because they already know... because we talk often.



I apologize if this post has seemed a little scatter-brained, but it's getting late and I am literally days away from adding the newest member to our little family. Forgive me! (:

Ready to have this body back....

I'm super excited to meet my son and see what he looks like... I'm anxious about the hospital visit the most I think. I've never had to go to the hospital for ANY reason before... and I'm worried how I will do with the IV's and meters and all that jazz. I'm also scared that this baby will be too big and I will end up having a c-section. I pray that doesn't have to happen... but it's a fear of mine. I know that God will help me through it and I know that he will lead me in the way that will keep Ryan and I both safe. That's what matters the most to me, I think.

Went to the doctor's office today for another check up... no change from last week really. I'm still only one centimeter and 70% effaced.... my Doctor told me to start walking and doing what I can to help move things along. If Ryan doesn't come on his own by my due date, I will be scheduling myself to be induced that day, May 25th. I hope he will decide to come on his own... but we're prepared to help him along before he gets too big! (:

I definitely have to say that I'm ready to have this body back... Ryan has invaded me for TOO long and I look forward to being able to wear normal clothes and feel like myself again! (:

Wordless Wednesday - 38 Weeks!

Updates on Life and Baby...

Well... It's been a long boring week at home this time around, I haven't had a lot to do but house work and that's just NO FUN at all! We did go out on Wednesday evening for dinner with some of our closest friends - we went by Chow Baby, one of my favorite places to eat down town. I had to inform my hubby that this was the last time we are going that far from the house and the hospital. (: We are getting close to go time and I'm just scared that if we get too far away that something bad will happen... I know that's a little naive and far-fetched, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

I'm over 37 weeks now, so we are down to I think about only twenty days until my due date. I'm excited and very anxious for all of the new things coming into our life with this baby. I went to the doctor yesterday and for those of you who can decipher the terms - I'm dilated to one centimeter and I'm 70% effaced which according to my doctor is a good exam! I was glad to hear that, but I also got the news that my strep b test came back positive... so when I go into labor, they will have to put my on an antibiotic to keep me from getting Ryan sick. Apparently it's pretty common for women to carry this form of strep in her lady parts and it never to be an issue until the chance comes for it to transfer to a newborn through vaginal birth. My doctor informs me that it's pretty common and not something I should worry about all that much - I will be on medication that will keep Ryan safe... I just pray that this is true!

We don't have a lot planned the next few days - Sunday is Mother's day and I look forward to seeing my Mom. I spent lunchtime yesterday with my Mother in Law and had a BLAST hanging out with her - so that quota is filled! (Love you Gail!) It also gave me a huge chance to talk to her about Wesley as a baby and I'm hoping and praying that my baby loves his sleep as much as she said Wesley loved his! (: We shall see!!

Next week is looking pretty grim and boring for me as well - I do more sleeping than anything else these days, but let me tell you sleep feels good! Sitting in an upright position does not - so I lay down and rest a lot! My toes and fingers have been a bit swollen, but I'm still hovering at about only 30 lbs gained so far during this pregnancy in which I am VERY proud of! I was afraid I would blow up like a balloon since this was my first pregnancy. I do look forward to getting my body back though - I feel as if I've been invaded for too long!

I am excited about the next few weeks... and hope to report soon that Ryan is here and he's healthy! Keep your eyes open for photos and news on facebook in the coming weeks! I will try to keep everyone updated!

What a weekend...

The aftermath of the storms that hit GA and AL has been crazy in our area - our county and surrounding counties got hit pretty hard. Luckily, the tornadoes missed our street and homes of the ones that I love in both states.

The rest of the weekend went pretty smoothly except that being on my feet for most of it didn't help the swelling in my feet!

On Saturday we moved my sister into her new apartment... I'm so proud of her for taking this grown up step in her life! She's doing so well and loving her new job as well. I'm so glad that she's happy and that we know she's in a place that's safe as it can be. It's such a nice little one bedroom apartment and I think it suits her well. I look forward to seeing her grow up even more in the future. It makes me smile to see her be so happy and grown up!

Sunday was spent preparing for and helping host a baby shower for my friend Liz. Her baby is due about a month after Ryan.. but by the time I got home from the party I was exhausted! (: It was a fun day... and everyone seemed to enjoy the food that I made. The evening was spent watching television and eating pizza with my hubby before going to bed a little early.

It's now 24 days until my due date... I have this feeling that Ryan can come any day now, so I'm trying to focus on getting all of my items to take with us to the hospital together and prepared. I have made my lists, just trying to get the rest of it together before we actually have to go to the hospital.

Next weekend is my first Mother's Day... although I guess I'm technically not a mother yet. But that's not the way I see it... I believe that I became a Mom the day I found out that I was pregnant. I'm just super jealous that my husband will have Ryan here in his hands for Father's day in June. I've been trying to deal with those emotions, but it's really hard.