I did this for Lauren's first birthday, so I figured it would be fun to keep up the tradition. I wrote this a few days after Gavin was born and it's fun to go back a read it a year later.
He's here! Gavin Ivan Christensen, 6lbs 10oz, 18.5 inches, 1:46pm, July 8th. Already he is a sweet baby, mellow and content-he just squeaks a little when he's hungry-which isn't very often.
Labor went well... I know I was being watched over, because Heavenly Father knew I couldn't take much more. I was tentatively scheduled to be induced on Monday but was warned that it was filling up fast so I might have to wait until Tuesday. Just the thought of waiting another day made me cry. We were supposed to call at 5 am to see if we could come in.
I made it to sacrament meeting on Sunday but was just feeling very "off." I can't really describe it. Lauren went down to my parents house so we were ready to go in the morning to be induced.
Chase gave me a blessing that night and we set our alarms to wake up us at 5 to call the hospital. About 3 I woke up with contractions, confused as to why I felt cramps. (Duh! I'd never felt a true contraction before so in my sleepy state it wasn't a big deal.) I kept falling back asleep but they kept coming. It took me awhile to actually realize they were contractions; I just figured I wouldn't ever go into labor on my own! I finally got up after I realized they were coming about 10 minutes apart thew in a load of laundry then decided it was time to wake Chase up (he had been sleeping downstairs for a few months since we both slept better. He joked that I should just send a text if I went into labor, but I was able to walk downstairs to get him. :) We left at 4:30 and got to the hospital a few minutes before 5. Providential timing that we got in before everyone else scheduled that day called at 5. The nurse told us we had perfect timing to get in, even though it was a few hours earlier than originally planned.
I got changed, hooked up and settled and then we just waited. I was so tired of waiting, I was still nauseous and I was bugged that the whole process was just getting started; I just wanted him here! I was nervous that labor would be long and hard since Lauren was 28 hours. But in my prayers I asked that it would please not take longer than 12 hours...and it wasn't...11 hours and 45 minutes!
We discussed names some more but didn't decide on one yet. The Dr. broke my water at 8:30. About 11 I was at a 3 and decided to get the epidural. It really hurt this time, I don't remember it being that bad with Lauren. The pain went away for a few minutes and then gradually kept coming back with each contraction even though I pushed my button three times for more medicine! I started to get more nervous with each contraction. I was sick of the pain and I still had to push which terrified me that it was going to get worse.
The contractions slowed down so they started me on pitocin and things really started to fly! About 12:30 I was a 5 and within the half hour I was at a 10 and ready to push. I started hyperventilating a bit, my eyes were twichy and I was shaking since the epidural wasn't working at all and man! it hurt! I had Chase call the nurse in since Gavin was ready to come! She was shocked I had dilated so fast. I asked for the anesthesiologist to come give me something but she said there wasn't any time as she called the Dr. and ran around to get everything ready! My doctor rushed in and he was here in 2 minutes!
I don't think I've ever felt so much relief that I was done, I did it, I made it through nine hard months and he was here, perfect and healthy. (I had been anxious that there might be something wrong since I hadn't been able to eat well to give him the nutrients he needed, even though he always measured right on.) They put him right up on my tummy and he calmed down and looked at me with those dark wise eyes. I was still a little out of it but gradually I relaxed. They took him over to the warmer and he started to cry again, but as soon as he got hold of Daddy's finger he was just fine. The Dr. was a little surprised that he was so little, but I just think it makes him cuter and more snuggly. :) The doctor was impressed with his nicely rounded head and said he dropped so fast he didn't have time to get squished. She figured that was also why the epidural didn't work, since I had dilated so fast it couldn't keep up! We held him and I already knew he was Gavin.
He ate really well that first time, and then seemed to lose interest in it. It was a different experience being able to take him with us to the recovery room. They gave him his bath and we just got to look at him and hold him until our families got there. He slept so well the first night, all the way from midnight to 6 without a peep! We're a little worried about his eating but his blood sugar was always fine and no signs of jaundice. I was relishing in the fact I could eat again!
(At my 6 week appointment the Dr. was shocked to note that I'd lost 20 pounds over the pregnancy. I don't think she realized just how sick I'd been. She joked that she'd never seen pregnancy work this well as a weight loss program.)
He is such a content baby, we've only heard him cry once after they brought him back after his circumcision. He just lets out little squeaks when he's hungry or uncomfortable. He likes to have his hands curled up by his face while he sleeps, exactly like he was in our ultrasound. He's perfect and we couldn't be more happy that he's here, healthy and happy!
Today you are our little buddy, full of smiles, giggles and that teasing glint in your eye. I just can't get enough of you with your sweet face, blue eyes and red hair. Your warm personality, hugs and kisses make everyone's day. I don't know what we'd do without your happy, loving presence. You are worth every minute spent on the bathroom floor. Oh how we love you Gavin!
