Stafford's Birthday Story
Lots of people have asked me about Stafford's birthday and how everything went. Here is a recap of that day and our hospital stay!
I woke up early on Saturday, August 7th and kind of thought my water might have broken over night. I wasn't sure and I didn't want to be the person that went to the hospital and was sent home. At the same time I didn't want to not go and find out later that I should have gone. I called my good friend Amanda and asked her what she thought. As we were talking I stood up and then I was sure! I called Peter and told him that we needed to head to the hospital. We both showered, had breakfast and then got on the road, thankful that it was a weekend and we weren't faced with traffic on 526. I really didn't want to have my baby on the side of the road!!
We got to the hospital around 11 and I was admitted. The nurse confirmed that what I experienced at home was indeed my water breaking and she set me up with an IV and we waited to see if my contractions would start. At around 12:30 Dr. Williamson (love her!!) came in and let us know that we'd need to get me started on Petocin because my contractions weren't starting naturally. I declined the epidural at that point because I didn't want to be tied to my bed.
That Petocin is quick stuff!! Around 2:30 I started telling Peter I wanted the epidural. By the time we let the nurse know and the epidural was finished I had experienced about 45 minutes of intense contractions. I was very happy to have the medicine!! At that point I was still only 4cm and the nurse said we could expect an average wait of an hour per cm so we thought I might start pushing around 11pm that night.
At 6:30 Peter was getting ready to leave the hospital and get dinner. Before he left the nurse came in to check my progress. As he and I are talking about him getting dinner she finishes checking me and then says, "I don't think you should be going anywhere. You guys are getting ready to have a baby!" We were shocked! The nurses started getting all the baby stuff ready and at 7:45 the doctor came. I started pushing around 7:45 and baby Stafford made his grand entrance at 8:30, exactly 12 hours from when my water broke that morning!
Stafford weighed 7lb10oz, was 20 inches long and had his beautiful blue eyes open as soon as they laid him on my chest. Peter got the camera out and began snapping pictures of his bath, measurements and of course that full head of hair!!
We were fortunate to deliver in a wonderful hospital! They took such good care of me and baby Stafford. The food was good, the nurses were friendly and helpful and the rooms were beautiful and private! We got a decent night's sleep on Saturday night and were up in time to welcome visitors after church on Sunday. It was so nice to be supported by our "Charleston family" since we opted to give birth with none of our family in town.
On Monday we were discharged and brought our sweet boy home! The last two weeks have been amazing and we are having so much fun taking care of him and watching him grow! We know we have a lot to learn but are enjoying the process. I am so thankful for an easy birth and recovery!
We had our two week pediatrician appointment yesterday and Stafford weighed 8lb1oz and measured 21.5 inches long. He is along skinny guy-hopefully he got Peter's build and athletic ability!! Stafford is eating and sleeping well so far. Last night he was fussy before bed but then slept from 12-5:30. So far he seems to understand the difference between daytime and nightime sleep and we are praying this doesn't change! I love to watch him fall asleep because he does those goofy "gas" smiles and they are so cute!
I've already posted a number of pictures from his actual "birthday" but here are a few more and some from the last couple of weeks! Hope you enjoy little Stafford as much as we do!!
I woke up early on Saturday, August 7th and kind of thought my water might have broken over night. I wasn't sure and I didn't want to be the person that went to the hospital and was sent home. At the same time I didn't want to not go and find out later that I should have gone. I called my good friend Amanda and asked her what she thought. As we were talking I stood up and then I was sure! I called Peter and told him that we needed to head to the hospital. We both showered, had breakfast and then got on the road, thankful that it was a weekend and we weren't faced with traffic on 526. I really didn't want to have my baby on the side of the road!!
We got to the hospital around 11 and I was admitted. The nurse confirmed that what I experienced at home was indeed my water breaking and she set me up with an IV and we waited to see if my contractions would start. At around 12:30 Dr. Williamson (love her!!) came in and let us know that we'd need to get me started on Petocin because my contractions weren't starting naturally. I declined the epidural at that point because I didn't want to be tied to my bed.
That Petocin is quick stuff!! Around 2:30 I started telling Peter I wanted the epidural. By the time we let the nurse know and the epidural was finished I had experienced about 45 minutes of intense contractions. I was very happy to have the medicine!! At that point I was still only 4cm and the nurse said we could expect an average wait of an hour per cm so we thought I might start pushing around 11pm that night.
At 6:30 Peter was getting ready to leave the hospital and get dinner. Before he left the nurse came in to check my progress. As he and I are talking about him getting dinner she finishes checking me and then says, "I don't think you should be going anywhere. You guys are getting ready to have a baby!" We were shocked! The nurses started getting all the baby stuff ready and at 7:45 the doctor came. I started pushing around 7:45 and baby Stafford made his grand entrance at 8:30, exactly 12 hours from when my water broke that morning!
Stafford weighed 7lb10oz, was 20 inches long and had his beautiful blue eyes open as soon as they laid him on my chest. Peter got the camera out and began snapping pictures of his bath, measurements and of course that full head of hair!!
We were fortunate to deliver in a wonderful hospital! They took such good care of me and baby Stafford. The food was good, the nurses were friendly and helpful and the rooms were beautiful and private! We got a decent night's sleep on Saturday night and were up in time to welcome visitors after church on Sunday. It was so nice to be supported by our "Charleston family" since we opted to give birth with none of our family in town.
On Monday we were discharged and brought our sweet boy home! The last two weeks have been amazing and we are having so much fun taking care of him and watching him grow! We know we have a lot to learn but are enjoying the process. I am so thankful for an easy birth and recovery!
We had our two week pediatrician appointment yesterday and Stafford weighed 8lb1oz and measured 21.5 inches long. He is along skinny guy-hopefully he got Peter's build and athletic ability!! Stafford is eating and sleeping well so far. Last night he was fussy before bed but then slept from 12-5:30. So far he seems to understand the difference between daytime and nightime sleep and we are praying this doesn't change! I love to watch him fall asleep because he does those goofy "gas" smiles and they are so cute!
I've already posted a number of pictures from his actual "birthday" but here are a few more and some from the last couple of weeks! Hope you enjoy little Stafford as much as we do!!
Minutes before we left for the hospital!! My last "belly shot"
Happy happy parents!!
Clean baby!
Memaw wanted this shot!
Stafford is just so beautiful. What a doll...I love the wide eyes....what baby has them open that soon? His hair!!! Love him! Glad your mom & dad got there and I know they fell completely in LOVE with him! You will make an incredible mom...how blessed he is!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story :). I really cry pretty much every time I read or hear birth stories - it's ridiculous and makes me want another baby right away :). Ryan laughs at me because i was already talking about having another baby while we were still IN THE HOSPITAL with leilani :). Anyway, I can't wait to meet baby Stafford! Can I come by (solo - i.e. not with 4 kids in tow) sometime soon to meet him and see you?!
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