He’s so tiny and yet he has completely filled our hearts.
My heart is so full that I swear it is going to burst at any moment. God is so good. Just look at that perfect little face.
A lot of other bloggers I follow share their birth stories (in detail). I always found it to be too much information to share with the world and never really read them at the time, but once Owen’s due date was upon us, I found myself seeking out such birth stories. I know that this whole having a baby thing has been happening for a few years now, but everyone has a different birth experience and I found it fascinating to read about them. No two women have the same experience. How would mine go? What is labor like? How can I possibly bring a small human into this world?!
Now that I have your attention again…
Oh, hold on. Here’s one more picture.
Gah. I can’t get enough of him. Okay, now back to the story.
Christmas decorations are so much prettier with a baby. |
This whole time Elle was glued to my side. This should have been a very clear sign of labor for me, but I wasn’t really buying it at the time. She was very worried about me. She definitely knew something was happening. I took this “selfie” just so I could remember how she snuggled right up by my face when the contractions first started. Pardon my appearance.
I was worried about going to the hospital too early and laboring in an uncomfortable hospital bed longer than necessary but these strong contractions had to be the start of active labor and it was definitely time. I made my way upstairs to put on real clothes because I was certainly not going to the hospital in my grubby sweat pants and t-shirt. Alex was very calmly running around taking care of every last little detail around the house. I have no idea what he was doing to be honest but I know he took out the trash/recycling, started the dishwasher, and switched the laundry, among other things and he did it all in like 10 minutes. We took a minute to take pictures leaving the house the last time as a family of two.
My favorite midwife met us at labor and delivery but she was off duty. She asked us to hang out in the waiting area for a minute when another contraction hit. She watched me with a concerned eye and helped me breathe through it (her tips were fantastic) and told us to come with her. She quickly hooked me up to a heartbeat monitor and ran off to find the midwife on duty. Alex was sent off to get me registered (apparently pre-registration was never an option for us). Because of my rapid contractions, the midwife said she needed to do an exam to determine how far along I really was. They were shocked to find out I was already 8 cm (of 10) dilated. I was shocked too! How did that happen so quickly? There was no time to discuss pain meds – it was time to move to the delivery room. I demanded my husband back because I was suddenly worried he’d miss the birth. Contractions were very intense and the midwife showed me how to work through them leaning on the bed by taking a short breath in through my nose and breathing out long out through my mouth with a moan. She moaned with me as she prepared the birthing room. It sounded ridiculous, but it worked so well. I hurt badly, but at the height of each one I reminded myself that this contraction would end in a few seconds, and all of this would be over in a few hours and I would have a baby in my arms! Was it a boy or a girl?! Between contractions I was able to relax but sometimes they’d hit back to back. A short 30 minutes later, we (rather Owen and my body) were ready to get the show on the road. I declared to the midwife that this whole having a baby thing really wasn’t so bad. Then I told Alex that I really wanted a cheeseburger. It wasn’t that tough and it definitely hadn’t been anything like what I’ve read/heard about. It was almost…dare I say easy? We were still in shock at how fast this had all happened (the nurses said I was in active labor probably for only 4 or 5 hours) and we were thrilled to meet our sweet baby so soon! It seemed almost surreal that we were becoming a family of three in just a matter of hours!
At 2:20 pm on December 3rd, Owen Daniel entered the world. Owen came out with his hands over his face so with the assistance of four doctors, several midwives and nurses (one standing on a catwalk above me pushing on my belly), a failed attempt using the vacuum, followed by the unfortunate use of forceps (I didn’t even know they still used those stupid salad tongs), our beautiful 6 pounds 7 ounce son changed our lives forever. He was healthy all around and perfect in every single way. I know nothing is perfect, but Owen really is the closest thing to perfection I’ve ever seen.
As soon as we saw that he was a he, I grinned up at Alex and told him he had a son! We immediately named him Owen and snuggled him toasty warm (in all the goo) on my chest for almost two hours. The doctors were in no hurry to clean him up or get his measurements. They told us he was healthy and he needed this magical time with mom and dad. We got to see him blink open his eyes for the first time in the real world, learn how to use his lungs, heard his first cry, and watched him respond to the sound of our voices. It was powerful stuff, you guys. I can’t find the words to describe those precious moments but I will cherish them forever.
The delivery was the most pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life and the recovery is definitely going to take a lot of time, but as long as I have Owen in my arms (or at least in the same room as me), I don’t feel any pain. Only the happiest of happiness. I used to sing a song by Michael Bublé to him when I was pregnant, “I promise you kid, I’ll give so much more than I get. I just haven’t met you yet.” Those words have never been more true, except that now I’ve met him. Women always say the pain is worth it and I never fully understood that concept until I experienced it myself. I would do it all over again tomorrow only for Owen.
We were in the hospital for four days before Owen and I were cleared to go home. It was so much fun spending time in the hospital just the three of us getting to know Owen. He already has his daddy wrapped around his little finger. Seeing Alex transform into a dad has been incredible, he’s such a natural. I’ve never seen him with a baby before so I had no idea what to expect but he never ceases to amaze me. I’ve fallen in love with Alex all over again. Seeing him with Owen turns my heart to a puddle. It’s amazing. I’ve never felt so much joy and love in my life. So now I’m going to bombard you with pictures of the two of them because I can’t pick just one.
I have so much more to tell you about our new adventure with Owen that is only just beginning but it has taken me almost an entire week to write this one post so it might take me a while. I will say brag that we are blessed with the world’s most content baby. He was sleeping through the night (as good as a newborn can, he sleeps anywhere from 4-7 hours at a time) by the third night and I can honestly say I am more rested now than I have been in months – Owen sleeps like a champ. He was already past his birth weight at his one week appointment, he passed all his exams with flying colors, and we’ve taken him on outings almost everyday for the past few days and he’s only cried just a little bit one time. When he’s awake, he’s very content and alert. The only time I’ve heard his extremely mad cry was when they pricked his little heel (and I think Owen handled that better than me).
I can’t believe how blessed we are.
Welcome to the world, little Owen. We’re so happy you’re here!
lorriem says
Such beautiful picture of your adorable little boy and family. Congratulations!!!!
Chelsea says
Congrats!!! He is adorable! I enjoy reading your blog posts!
Kristin Lynn says
One of my favorite posts yet!!!
Deb Kockler says
Owen is absolutely perfect! Love your blog Em, and the pictures of your two boys are so very special
Nancy says
Congratulations to both of you. He is beautiful and very blessed to have such adoring parents.
Alison Donlon says
I'm in an absolute puddle reading this…LOVE LOVE LOVE! I can't wait until the day I get to meet lil man! You two look so happy….dare I say the only time I've seen smiles like that is your wedding day and this totally trumps that. Beautiful…I'm so proud of you!
Carol says
Beautiful!
Janelle Vannice says
This was beautiful. Congratulations! 🙂