"That's Cool. That's Gross. That's Cute."

Well folks, needlessly to say... our 2 mile walk and grocery store run WORKED! At around 10:30pm on Monday October 1, I began to have contractions. We had a late dinner that night so at first I wasn't really sure what was happening (aka, if it was gas or not) so I just stayed quiet and didn't tell Alex. He was downstairs doing homework so I wasn't about to bother him if it really was just gas. However, then I noticed the pain was happening every FIVE minutes and lasting well... for a minute! And if thats not the huge hint your having contractions then I don't know what is. But still, I was hesitant to say anything to Alex. I guess I was just scared that I was just making it up, or that if we went to the hospital they would turn me away and think I was crazy. 

Alex came up stairs about an hour later and I said, "Hunny... you may want to get your stopwatch ready." He's reaction was priceless, he was so excited and scared at the same time and so entertaining because he reacted just like me which truly surpised me. He did time me for a while and we decided that yes, I was having contractions! And then, to my surprise, he ran around the house cleaning up. Hahaha, this makes me laugh because that is the exact thing I was doing only upstairs. I even ran in to clean the baby's room one last time.

Naked Belly picture... right after I doubled and triple checked the babys room and only minutes before we left for the hospital!

So two hours passed... the contractions were still bareable, but the intensity was definitely intensifying. At around 12:15 in the morning of October 2nd, I decided that we should go to the hospital... but only after I showered, did my hair and put make-up on. Why? I have no idea, I was giving birth not going to a fashion show... but hey, what can I say :)

We got to the hospital at 1:15am - I spent 2 hours in triage before getting admitted, one in which I did not enjoy and got very angry. I felt like they didn't believe me and forgot about me. Lets just say it took them a half hour to just tell me to change into a gown! I could go on... but I'll just leave it there for your sake. While in triage my water broke, so although I wasn't officially 'admitted' the moved me into a labor and delivery room. By this time, the contractions were hurting... a lot. They were still bareable obviously, but it was taking everything out of me (and of course the nurses then ask you your whole life history right as everyone contraction start!) At around 4am they gave me some kind of drug to take the edge off of the contractions.... that, was interesting. I was definitely out of it. I remember getting the epidural and not feeling well sitting up during the process, I remember everything truly but it's more like a dream state - it's hard to explain. Once I had the epidural I was 6.5cm dilated. My doctors came in and said this is the time to sleep and rest as much as we can because when I start pushing, I'm going to need every ounce of energy.

The epidural certainly did its job. I couldn't feel a thing and I couldn't move. Literally, if Alex wasn't there this baby would have shot out crooked because I couldn't even lift my legs to push! I got checked again at 7:15am and was 9 cm, a half hour later... I began to push. 

Pushing... thats something that I don't think anyone can ever portray to others unless you experience it yourself. It didn't hurt of course because I was numb, however I was SO frustrated because I just couldn't feel what in the world I was doing. They will tell you to "bare down" and "take it out of your face and push down below" - Well, if ya can't feel your down "below" how the heck are you to know if your doing it right?! 

Alex was truly amazing, he was so supportive and encouraging during the whole entire process. Not to mention strong because he literally had lift all of my dead weight at each push. Although, when he asked me if I was okay or if I was alright during a contraction and after a push... yes, I did in fact contemplate murder several times. My nurse tested me, she pushed me hard. I'm pretty sure I cursed her multiple times throughout the pregnancy - she had me push about 6 times each contraction which took the absolute wind out of me. 

The title of this post... "That's Cool. That's Gross. That's Cute." Is how Alex described the labor and birthing experience and it just made me laugh so much, I'll never forget when he said it. It was priceless. 

After almost 2 solid hours of pushing... Our precious little Squirt had at last arrived...

Contraction.

No contraction!

Excited Daddy to be.

Yes... this was shortly after I had the drug that made me all loopy before the epidural.

Glad someone got to rest a little.

The Baby's on the way!