Paytons arrival!

We were enjoying a wonderful Christmas Eve at my parents house when it happened. . .I started having some contractions. What? False Labor I was sure. I specifically talked to Payton several times and told him he could come any day, but please not Christmas Eve or Christmas. I wasn't due until January 10th, so I thought we were in the clear. Well I think he got really excited for presents. I spoiled him a little and I guess he just couldn't wait any longer. So after about 2 hrs of contractions, I was getting a bit uncomfortable. I told Todd we better head home and felt terrible because Dylan was having so much fun with his cousins. It was about 9:30 when we got home and we had planned to get up early and head back to my parents to let Dylan open presents with his cousins who were sleeping over. So we started getting in our new pajamas and getting ready for bed. I went to take my nightly pee knowing I would be up within an hour to pee again when the surprise came. . . . I was in shock. When I stood up my water broke and I didn't know what to do or what the heck just happened! I had a C-section with Dylan and was planning to do a VBAC with Payton, so this was all new to me! I yelled for Todd of course and told him I think my water just broke. His face was unforgettable! He wasn't quite sure what to do, and kept asking me, "are you pretty sure it was your water?" He started running around like a crazy head getting our clothes together, calling my mom, getting Dylans stuff together etc. It was really cute and we were both just trying to take it all in.

So we dropped Dylan back off at my parents house and arrived to Riverton Hospital around 10:45 pm. It was a loooong night if I do say so myself! By the time they checked us in, did my IV, moved us to a delivery room and so on, it was time for my epidural. So the anesthesiologist came in and placed it around 1 am.

Well they told me it would be a lower dose epidural so I could feel if by chance my uterus ruptured since I was doing a VBAC (lovely thought), but this epidural just wasn't happenin. I could completely feel my entire right side! So after hours of pain and trying to re-dose etc. (How do women go natural?) The anesthesiologist was back around 6 am to redo the epidural. I wasn't so excited but by this time a big needle in the back was far better than what I was feeling!
Finally relief. I forgot to mention I sent Todd home at 4 am to run presents to my parents for Dylan to open. The thought of him waking up to watch everyone else open their presents and none for him was just too much. I had such mixed feelings. . . I was so excited to meet little Payton but so sad to be missing Dylan on Christmas morning.

So the labor continued, with more pokes, prods and vaginal checks in my oh so vulnerable state! Finally around 8:30 am Christmas morning, I was completely dilated and effaced and ready to start pushing. I got really nervous, but excited to snuggle my baby.

The delivery team arrived (and Todd of course)

But the delivery didn't quite go how I imagined. Our baby's heart rate was all over the place whenever I would contract, so the Dr was getting concerned. They put oxygen on me and I just kept a pushin like I've never pushed before (once again- you could not be in a more vulnerable state!) My mom and Todd held my legs for over an hour and by this time the Dr was really concerned. He was stuck! Not the words I wanted to hear! She said it was time to pull out the forceps, or suction, or we would need to do an emergency c- section. By this time I was a wreck balling my eyes out! I was so nervous for our little guy and knew he wasn't getting the oxygen he needed. Horrible thoughts were running through my mind and I just had to beg God to bring him here safely and trust the Dr. So out with the suction. . . If you have ever seen a baby get suctioned out. . . you fear their little heads might pop off! They hook it to the top of their heads and pull like crazy. The Dr was shaking she was pulling so hard. So I kept pushing as hard as I could and after about 7 more contractions.....

He was finally here!!!

These pictures make me tear up. I was so happy to have him here and healthy! The reason he was stuck was that his arm was caught up around his neck and the umbilical cord was all wrapped around it. The Dr. maneuvered him just perfectly and I've never been so grateful for a Dr that knew her stuff.

Our little Christmas babe is just perfect.

Check out that poor battle wound he had for the first couple weeks. That big bruise is from the suction, I felt terrible for the little guy!

And we finally got to snuggle him!!!

We were so excited for Dylan to meet his little brother! He wasn't quite sure what to think?

But now he just LOVES him! Don't get me wrong, he has his moments of jealousy, but all in all he has done pretty good stepping down from his only child all the attention on me status.

I sure LOVE my boys! Life has been very busy especially where Dylan is still so young. Life is full of surprises right! I'm so excited for these two to grow up together and be buds! We are so glad to have Payton here!