Happy Birthday, Baby Boy!

One year ago today, I employed some different labor-inducing techniques to try to avoid an induction (which was to take place the following morning). The "trick" worked and my contractions became regular, so my OBGYN admitted me. I did what I could to get my labor to progress, but grew tired and decided to sleep instead (while I still had the chance!).

The next morning, I had barely progressed and finally, the decision was made to induce. I tried my hardest to do without any pain meds, but after half an hour on the pitocin, I opted for an epidural. The anethesiologist was in a c-section and unable to attend to me, so they gave me some other pain meds. All those did was make me dizzy! I grew very, um, impatient for the epidural, but after two hours on pitocin, I finally got my epidural. All I remember was trying to be as still as possible as he inserted the freakishly long needle into my spine. Then, I fell asleep. I vaguely remember being aware of Gilmore Girls being on TV, but I slept pretty hard.

When I woke up, the nurse asked me if I was ready to have a baby. I wasn't even fully awake yet! Panic set in, but excitement took over. Of course I was ready to meet my handsome boy!

So, at 12:42PM, my 7 lb. 13 oz. bundle of joy entered the world. I know everyone says it's love at first sight, but honestly, all I remember thinking was, "Aww, what a cute baby. But, that's not my baby. You guys did some kind of magic trick. No way was that beautiful baby inside my uterus just a few minutes ago!"

The whole experience was absolutely surreal. But, how I loved that little boy.

The hours that followed were a mixture of sadness {my husband was unable to come home from Army training} and joy as we got to know this little soul.

Truthfully, it was a rough time, emotionally, in my life. I was estranged from a couple of friends, my husband missed out on the birth and the first week of our son's life, and to top it off, postpartum depression hit me hard.

Yet, "for this child, I have prayed." {1 Samuel 1:27} After two {very early} miscarriages, I had carried this baby to full term. After being diagnosed with incompetent cervix and having an emergency cerclage at 19 weeks, I had carried this baby to full term. After 20 weekly shots of progesterone to help me hold the pregnancy, I had carried this baby to full term. With my husband away at Army Basic and training, I had carried this baby to full term. Thanks to my God and my family and friends, I had carried this baby to full term. At the end of the day, all that mattered was that our son had arrived safely. He was strong, healthy, intelligent, and handsome; EVERYTHING I had prayed for.

And yes, it was worth it all.