So the Story Goes...

If you’re one of those people who had really horrible pregnancies and deliveries (i.e. nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, bed rest, preeclampsia, 24-hour labors, episiotomies, etc.) you should probably stop reading now. If you’re okay with hearing about “abnormal” pregnancy stories, you may continue.

So it all happened on Saturday morning (it's already been a week!). I woke up feeling my “normal” 5-minute contractions (I’ve been having 5-minute contractions since I was about 26 weeks-not painful but uncomfortable). These were a little different than my normal contractions because it was in the morning and I could also feel them slightly in my back. I didn’t pay any attention to them and eventually told my dad that I was having them and that I had spotted a little bit that morning. I hadn’t had a check up for two weeks because my dad left me and went to Japan to pick up my little brother off his mission. Good thing he was back! So, after a leisurely breakfast we decided we probably should go have my check-up before conference started. This was at 9:30. We got to his office and he checked me for dilation. Well, turns out that I was already dilated to a 5 or a 6. He tells me that we are going to the hospital and that I’m having my baby that day and in 1 or 2 hours. Talk about major freak out session! I just sat on the waiting table and didn’t move. I didn’t believe him. No way I was having a baby that day. I wasn’t in any pain yet! Anyway, he forced me out the door and into the hospital.

Once checked in and dressed, I was dilated to a 7 and had to choose whether or not I wanted the epidural. All during my pregnancy I had debated whether or not I wanted to do this thing naturally or not. I wanted to do it naturally but Danny REALLY did NOT want me to. My dad said that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad because I wasn’t really hurting at that point. So I decided I didn’t want one. My dad broke my water and we were off. The contractions did get continually worse and I really regret not having the time to take a class that would have prepared both Danny and I on how to deal with the pain. I think that was the hardest thing, knowing that the pain was coming and not knowing how to adequately deal with it (breathing!!!!). I would try to force myself to relax and didn’t want anyone to touch me. Danny can verify that. Then at 9 cm. my dad told me that if I still wanted an epidural he would give it to me but that this was my last chance because I was going to have to start pushing in 3 contractions. I caved. I leaned over the side of the bed and he inserted it in. Danny says that he was flying back there. He had to put it in in-between my 2-minute contractions. He is amazing and so is the epidural!! It started to take effect immediately and I was all smiles after that.

I pushed our little boy out in about 6 pushes but we did have a little scare. His delivery was complicated by a nuchal-cord (the umbilical cord was wrapped tightly around his neck). As soon as I pushed his head out, the cord tightened and couldn’t be loosened. His face got all purple and it was really scary. My dad had to quickly clamp both ends off and cut it while he was still in me and then I had to push him out without a contraction so they could get all of the gunk out of his mouth and throat so he could start breathing on his own. It all happened so quickly that I almost missed it completely. Thank heavens he was fine and he was breathing. So, I was checked into the hospital at 10:20 am and Charlie was born at 1:15 pm. And that is how little Charlie was born! I guess he didn't want to share his birthday with his mom and little Madallyn Bleazard. Oh well.

Danny was able to scrub up and assist my dad throughout the whole delivery, which was really neat for him. It was good preparation for rotations next year! This was the first delivery Danny has ever seen. After seeing little Charlie being born, Danny is really considering going back to the idea of rural family practice again. There is nothing like it. There is no way I would have been able to have an epidural at that point if my dad wasn’t the one giving it to me and I am very grateful for that. So yeah, sorry it’s kind of long but that’s how it all happened. Thanks for all of your love and support! I can’t wait for all of you to meet our little Charlie! He is so cute and is such a good baby. I couldn’t be happier and we are so grateful that he is here safe and healthy. Love you all!

Here are some pictures over the past week. Charlie's already a week old!!!

This is his usual sleeping position: hands about his face. He's so cute!

I laughed so hard when I caught this moment on camera. He looks like the Cheshire Cat.

His perfect little face.

Danny's everyday story: Trying to study while holding the little man.

I've decided Charlie looks most like his dad. The other day, I looked at Danny and was super weirded out because I could see Charlie's little face in Danny. I think Charlie looks more and more like Danny everyday. And we thought the Asian genes would be more dominant!