If you haven't seen us out walking in this awesome weather, and if you haven't talked to anyone who already knows, it's probable that you, like many others out there, don't know that we had another baby. So on the off-chance you read this blog and never ever communicate with us elsewhere, here is the birth story and some pictures to prove that Lincoln does in fact exist.
12/21/11
Was blessed with a relaxed Boston all day long so I was able to get everything done. Got to hear my dad sing with his music group, had a little dinner. Dropped off Boston and the dog at my parents'. That's usually not a problem but this time I was close to tears as we left. I missed Boston like crazy. Got home and had a breakdown from being scared and anxious about tomorrow. Cleaned the house with Danny and watched The Man Who Knew Too Little. We laughed hysterically and went to bed around 1:30am.
12/22/11
6:40am
Ate a big bowl of Count Chocula cereal my dad ordered online and gave to us. Feeling a little nervous but nothing like last night.
7:45
Checked into the hospital feeling refreshed and not scared at all. Changed into a gown, got hooked up to an IV. Doesn't feel real yet.
8:30
Contractions have started but are minor. Doc arrives and does what I thought to just be the most painful "checking" of my progress. After a gush of water and a moment of panic that I may have just peed during the check, I realize he was actually breaking my water.
Glad I didn't know ahead of time (no sarcasm). Embarrassment passes and I wait for the real contractions by downloading an app called 'Words With Friends" and play a rousing game of scrabble with Danny over the Internet...even though he's sitting on a couch next to me.
The doctor predicts the baby will come around 2:00 and says he'll come check on me later.
(unknown time passes)
Contractions are taking over my life. It's feeling real now! The word game is put on hold as I desperately try to count as fast as I possibly can to distract from the pain. I keep getting stuck between 80 and 90 and find it more frustrating trying to keep count than distracting myself from the pain. I find myself getting breathless and mumbling like a fool as the pain subsides. I nod for epidural; Pitosin and/or Oxytocin are effective but cruel.
11:00 or so...I think
The "shakes" are kicking in. It feels like I'm running a race and getting out of control. An older but kindly anesthesiologist named Walt, who apparently is famous in the department for his preference for total numbness, prepares my epidural. The prick and pressure are an unexpected relief as I suffer through 3 intense contractions in a row and try to keep still.
The epidural kicks in and I spend the next few minutes regaining my common sense. Danny heads to the cafeteria to eat some lunch.
11:30
I've gone from a 6 to a 9.5 in fifteen minutes. If I wasn't grateful enough for the medication before I'm even more grateful now! The baby's head is a "plus one", the nurse says; while I don't know the exact particulars of what that means, the nurse tells me not to push an that she'll call the doctor immediately. I call Danny at the cafeteria and alert him to hurry back. He cancelled a business trip over my 38th week of pregnancy just in case the baby came, how awful would it have been to miss it while in the hospital cafeteria!
11:51
It's surreal to have someone move my leg without me feeling it. It's like they're moving someone else's leg. Danny barely gets the birth on camera as the baby is out in two painless pushes. I start to cry and he cries out for the first time.
While nursing the baby for the first time, alone in the room with our new son and my dear husband, I wanted nothing more than to relax and listen to the soundtrack of True Grit by Carter Burwell.
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Lincoln Hurst
6 lbs 5 oz
19 inches long
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