Homeward Bound!!!

Visitors

Dad and Mom had a lot of maneuvering to do, to get all of the kids in one place to meet their little brother. We are so grateful that they were willing to do the nearly six hour drive to get them all there for the priceless moment of being a family. We are so blessed to have had all our chicks in one place and it was so amazing to see the joy and love on their faces as they saw their brother.  Danissa was especially overcome with emotion to meet the little guy, and it's a moment none of us will forget.

The Birth Story- Cassius Regan

The day began like any other. My alarm went off.  The kids got up and got ready for school. I gave hugs, fixed hair, approve outfits, and off they went. The only difference was that on this morning, I was uncomfortable.  Not too uncomfortable, but then... I never get THAT uncomfortable so labor is a guessing game.  I got up, took a shower, and told Regan that we should probably go to the hospital and see what they say.  I had a regularly scheduled appointment at 1:15pm, but thought that the discomfort might warrant a trip to the hospital just to be sure.  I called the doctors office and they said I could go ahead and get checked out.  Regan got up and got ready.  Meanwhile I took a selfie...

We were at exactly 38 weeks, according to my ultrasounds (the doctor kept the due date at 3/14/16, while I counted it as 3/9/16).  Once Regan was ready, we loaded up the things we needed for the hospital. I figured it was time to get this show on the road while the kids were in school.  If I could do the better part of my laboring while they were at school, there would be less time where Regan was unavailable after school, if the kids had a problem.  I say all of this as if I have any real control in any of it. Ha! 

Once we were loaded up, off we went to Good Samaritan. We got there at 11:15am.  They gave us a triage room and hooked me up to monitor the contractions.  Once again, it was selfie time...

After an hour of monitoring, the doctor determined that I was not in active labor, despite being 4 cm dilated.  The doctor said that he wanted to see me "try to make it another week and a half or so" and sent me home.  I was given instructions to keep my regularly scheduled doctors appointment.  I figured since the doctor didn't seem to think I was even close to having the baby, I would take Regan home to do homework while I kept my appointment.  I swung by the house, dropped him off, and headed off to see Dr. Henderson.  My appointment was at 1:15pm.  I got there at 1pm. The ladies that work there were all still out to lunch so the doors were locked.  I waited outside pacing, while the pain got worse and worse.  I texted Regan, telling him that I was in pain... but clearly it's not really labor, right?!... I mean... the doctor just sent me home not 30 minutes before that.  So I continue to pace and wait. 

Eventually the ladies arrived, unlocked the door, and situated me in a room.  I then waited again. My doctor was stuck in a meeting and arrived at about 1:35.  By the time she came into the room, I was unable to sit on the bed and had begun pacing again.  I looked at her and smiled and simply said "I just can't sit anymore". She had me get back on the bed, checked me and said "Oh Shit.  You're a 7 and bulging.  Please do NOT tell me you drove yourself here."  Why yes.  Yes I did.  She then tells me to grab my things and get to the hospital as quickly as possible.  Do NOT get my husband.  Do NOT stop for any reason.  Drive.  I felt myself grow numb in a panic as I gathered my things.  I got into the car and called Regan, my voice shaking, while I tell him what the doctor just said.  And of course, I HAVE to get my husband.  I AM NOT doing this alone.  So off toward home, I drive.  As I'm stuck in traffic at a red light, my contractions get to the point where I am hanging onto the car handle, lifting myself off of the seat, trying to remember to keep breathing, calling Regan, and I begin to cry that I will not make it.  This baby is coming on Meridian St.  He reassures me that I'll make it.  Just keep driving.

 My sister, Cathy, had texted me right when the doctor had come in, so I text her back.  It's now 2:05pm. Eventually traffic begins to move again and I am driving like a mad-woman, once again.  Regan took to foot and met me at a cross road, where I switched to being the passenger.  This became Regan's favorite part.
He got to drive 65 in a 35. At one point, a driver next to us was acting like we were trying to race them.  They kept up with the "game" for a bit and then realized I was holding onto the handle of the car and breathing like a woman in labor... because that's what I am. 
They backed out of the game...

  I had texted my mom earlier to update her on what the doctor had said and that we were headed to the hospital.  She texted me a couple times and all I could text back at this point was "Can't talk". 

We made it to the hospital at 2:24pm.  Regan ran in.  He comes back with a wheelchair, which I am more happy to sit in than I was a few hours prior.  He checks me in at the counter while a terrified young man wheels me toward labor and delivery.  A crowd of ER visitors look on with a mixture of happy congratulatory looks and extreme sympathy. We wheel into a room and I'm told to get into a gown that was lying neatly on a chair.  My modesty went out the window and I stripped down faster than I knew possible.  Anything... just make the pain better.  

Where is my epidural?

 The nurses are busy milling around... busy doing something important, I'm sure, but all that matters is that my epidural is not here.  Where is my epidural? A doctor walks in.  I know him.  I saw him less than 3 hours ago. He sent me home.  He looks apologetic, as I am clearly in active labor now.  

Where is my epidural?  

Danissa is home from school and calls Regan's phone.  He answers and gives her some simple instructions for watching the kids as they get home from school.  He tells her that we are at the hospital but not to tell the kids yet.  I bite my lip to keep from her hearing me say "Ow" over and over.  Regan hangs up.

Where is my epidural?

A nurse tells me that there is a shot that will help that I can have in a few minutes. I hear a nurse say "Doctor, she's complete." Then he comes over and begins to instruct me to push.  But.... where is my epidural?  I can't do this.  This isn't the plan.  I'm not prepared.  I don't want to go through what I now realize you're telling me I have to do.  Where is my epidural?  Push. I'm too afraid to even do what I'm supposed to.  I'm already tired.  Push.  The nurse said I can have a shot that'll make it better.  Push.  Where is that shot at? Push.  This isn't how it's supposed to be.  Push.  Where is my epidural?  Push.

 These nurses hate me. Push.
Ouch!  Push.  

These nurses are liars. 

Push.

Regan puts his arms around my head, leaned over my face, making a cocoon and said "Leave everything out there.  Look at me. You're safe right here. The pain is out there. You can do this." Push. And little Cassius Regan was born. 2:55pm.  Relief.  I couldn't believe that this just happened.  This baby is here in my arms.  I'm supposed to still be pregnant.   I did not wake up this morning thinking I would actually be holding a baby in a few hours.  

He's perfect.

He lays on my chest.  He sucks on his fist and looks around, quietly taking it all in.  His first breath was a small peep and he didn't cry again.  He just simply observed.  We just sit there enjoying this miracle...  Shocked at what just happened.  The chaos.  The whirlwind.  The perfection.