One year ago today...
I remember how it all started. It was Saturday night, September 3, 2011. Ed and I were discussing what we would get for dinner. As we were chatting I grabbed my exercise ball to sit on and started bouncing. I thought maybe the exercise ball would help me go into labor. I was right. Within moments of bouncing on the ball my water broke.
I remember the ride to the hospital. It was around 7pm on Saturday night, so there wasn't much traffic. We listened to "Chicken Fried" by Zac Brown Band and I ate a banana. In hindsight I wish I had eaten a lot more than just a banana.
I remember we watched Saturday Night Live in the labor room, but I don't remember who the host was or who the musical guest was. I also remember that we watched whatever came on after SNL and what ever came on after that. I don't remember what it was, I just remember thinking early Sunday morning TV is terrible. Eventually we put the TV on the weather channel because there was nothing else worth watching.
I remember what contractions feel like. Next time I won't wait so long to get the epidural. I also remember what the epidural felt like. It was wonderful!
I remember when Alyse, my nurse, told me it was time to start pushing. It was around 4am. I thought it was strange that she wanted me to start pushing before my doctor was even in the room. She said that was standard protocol because pushing generally takes a while and the doctor would be there in plenty of time. She also told me she had "caught" a baby once when the doc didn't make it in time and I guess that was supposed to make me feel better?!
I remember my doctor calmly telling me when to push and when to stop. The best word I can think of to describe the delivery was calm. It was really a peaceful and calm experience. Everything went smoothly, just the way I hoped it would.
I remember I did not really know Jack was coming out. I guess my epidural was doing a great job. I just kept pushing like Dr. Dimino told me to and all of a sudden she handed me my baby. As soon as she placed him on my chest I burst into tears. I don't know where all of the tears came from, but I was sobbing. I was shocked that my body just did this, overjoyed at how beautiful he was, and overwhelmed with all of the emotion I was feeling.
I remember that a few seconds after Jack was born, he was laying on my chest and he lifted his head and opened his eyes wide and looked right at me. I was amazed, he absolutely looked at me like he knew exactly who I was. I cried some more.
I remember I did not sleep a wink in the hospital. I was wired. I just had a baby. Yes I had been up for more than 24 hours, and as much as my body may have needed it, my mind would not let me go to sleep!
I remember how good it felt to finally hold my son, and how happy I felt to see my husband hold our son as well. He has brought us so much joy over the last year, and I get so excited thinking about the adventures still to come. Mommy and Daddy love you more than we can ever put into words Jack, Happy Birthday!!!
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