The one with the birth

Okay the time to blog has come to my life. Having a child has made me want to write things down and actually keep track of life. The little accomplishments and the big successes seem more important now, and I want to remember them all. 

I found myself feeling the need to start using hashtags on Facebook because I had too much to say about one picture, and let's face it, that shouldn't be happening at all. So instead of giving in, Sara talked me into starting a blog. And I am oh so grateful for that. 

So in the interest of staying on top of things I am going to backtrack to Tuesday October 22. 

My babe came into this world at 2:48pm after, albeit, minimal effort on my part (thank you epidural) but a long wait just the same. 

Luca Andres was 6lbs 14oz and 19 1/2 inches long. 

He was instantly loved by many--especially mom and dad. 

Now I'm not trying to make anyone mad, but truly I think birthing children has to be my calling in life. My pregnancy was incredibly smooth, no morning sickness, swelling, or anything horrible--except for perhaps the 4 months of Braxton hicks I had, but who am I to complain about that. However. I think the 4 hospital visit bills that I accumulated because of those contractions are something to be complained of. 

Anyway. From that I went in to be induced 5 days early (because of my crazy face contractions) which was beautiful and appreciated even though I wasn't miserable yet. 

I did test positive for strep b so I had to be on antibiotics as soon as my water broke or before so Luca wouldn't get infected. So I went in at 6am and they started the meds after a while. At 9:15 they came in and started me on pitocin and at 9:21 my water broke. That was an interesting experience. 

I wanted to see how long my body could withstand the pain--that was stupid of me-and never again will I wait--but I was dilated to a 5 before I asked for it (between thrashing around on my bed) and the 10 minutes I had to wait for the anesthesiologist were the longest of my life thus far. 

After I got the epidural seriously the rest passed painlessly. Truly. 

The nurse came in and checked me a little after 2 and I was at a 10 and ready. So she called my doctor who said to let me rest for a bit and then have me start pushing and then to call her once he was crowning. I sat for about 20 min and then the nurse came in to have me start pushing, but he was already crowning! So she called my doctor again and she came to deliver our little man. 

I pushed 12 times and he was here! My doctor actually had to tell me to stop pushing because I couldn't feel anything! One of the things I didn't ever hear about was the waiting. You only push during a contraction of course so I was just sitting waiting for the next one, which I didn't expect. 

So the moral of this long story is. Epidurals rule my world. If I had just gotten it first I could say that I enjoyed my entire labor. So next time. That is what will happen. 

Not that I could say differently but the 5 1/2 hours of labor was completely worth it. :) 

Luca's first visitors:

Sara and Grant

Grandma and Grandpa Ramos

Ana

Brittany, Halie and Jace

Raegan 

We took our new babe home on Thursday the 24th and began our new life as a family of three!