Birth Story

It's Thursday October 13th & my hospital bag is packed. Now the goal is to just be able to fall asleep. It's like Christmas Eve as a kid knowing that the next day you get to meet your new son! I did actually fall asleep until about 3:30-4:00AM. I was having contractions that were a little more than usual so I started watching the clock. But they were pretty inconsistent ranging from 5 minutes apart to 10 minutes apart. I didn't really worry since we were scheduled to go in at 7:30 anyways. In fact, I didn't want to go into labor then because I didn't want to wake anyone up.

Once we arrived to the hospital we realized that we needed to take one last picture of my belly. I was horrible at taking growing belly shots during this pregnancy. In fact, I only took one at 20 weeks. :(

So it was only appropriate to take the last one at 40 weeks exactly.
Dang Gina! That is one LARGE baby belly. :)

Once we got up to Labor & Delivery & all settled into our room the long process began of getting all the paperwork, blood work etc. going. One nurse came in to give me my IV so I could get started on my fluids & she was awful! She tried once & couldn't get it. Owie! Tried again in a different spot & still couldn't get. OUCH! Seriously, I don't think I've experienced that particular kind of pain. It was killer! So she went to get the nurse everyone calls for when they themselves can't get it. (So why don't they learn how to do it, or just have this other nurse always do it? Seriously people.) My arm throbbed all day long & to this day I have one nasty looking bruise. Anyhow, moving on. They started the pitocin around 10:00am but said it would take like an hour to even enter my system & start doing anything. Well not long after that my contractions started getting pretty regular on their own. Apparently I had a small leak in my bag & around noon the nurse came in & checked me. I was at a 4 & she went ahead & broke my water. I thought my contractions were getting pretty strong, but once my water broke, oh man! They sure got intense. Thankfully the anesthesiologist came in around 12:20 & started my epidermal. Those things are heavenly aren't they?! I tried to take a nap, but knowing that my baby was coming so soon I just couldn't sleep.

{right after my epidermal & feeling pretty good}

Around 2:30 I wanted to be checked due to feeling a lot of pressure. I was only at an 8. The nurse rolled me over saying that sometimes moving the baby that fall along can put him in the perfect spot to come down even more. Like ten minutes later I REALLY wanted to push. I felt stupid asking her to check me again so soon so I made Doug go find her & ask. Of course being more than willing she checked me again & sure enough I was ready to deliver this baby! So she called my doctor to come to the hospital & everyone else was getting things ready etc. Once he arrived & was robed he started to fill out paper work while I did a practice push. With one push we could see his head!!! So Dr. Mechtler hurried over to do his job. I pushed through only two contractions & for a total of 3 minutes before our little guy made his appearance. It really was the easiest delivery. I beat my time with Gavin by 17 minutes. What does that mean about my next one? Maybe being induced is a good thing for me. :)

Welcome to our family
LIAM ROBERT SHAW
8lbs 4oz 20 1/2inches

I just love how he is covering his eyes from the bright light.

Looking right into his mommy's eyes for the first time.

We couldn't be more thrilled to add another son to our family.

Daddy & Liam bonding just moments after birth.

Brothers meeting for the first time. Seriously the most precious thing to watch. Gavin just had the biggest smile on his face when he met Liam. I love that he was so happy about holding him & being around him.

Me & my boys

Precious kisses & love from BIG brother Gavin.

Discharge day from the hospital. I really enjoyed my stay at the hospital & was thrilled that the night nurses left me alone & I was able to get some sleep. But by the time Sunday arrived I was ready to get back home.

All dressed & buckled in his car seat. You really do forget how little they start out. It just makes me smile to see my little scrunched bundle of joy.

Leaving the hospital

Once we arrived home we still had the thought of "Now what?" but quickly jumped back into the way things are & couldn't be happier. It is weird to say that we are a family of 4 now. I love my boys & couldn't be a happier momma than I am right now.