Isaac's birthday

Our handsome little boy is here.

Isaac Jenkins Dawson

born March 2nd 2014

7 lbs. 20 in.

I've never shared a birth story on my blog before, but it's because they've all been wonderfully uneventful.  Isaac was a little different, so I thought I would write about it.

We decided to get started on Sunday, March 2nd.  I wasn't due until Thursday, but the rest of the week was hectic, we always worried that Ben might get stuck in traffic and not make it home in time if I were to go into labor, and my Dr. really likes to do it on Sundays (for some reason that I don't know).

The night before I started having regular contractions, far apart, but they were there.  Same thing when I woke up on Sunday.  They were getting closer together.  Ben went to a meeting Sunday morning and I was getting ready for church.  We weren't supposed to be to the hospital until 6:00 p.m.  The hospital called me at 8:00 a.m. and asked if we could be there at 9 a.m. instead.  I told the lady I would try my hardest, I text Ben to come home from his meeting and got the kids ready.

We dropped the kids off at my parents house and Ben and my Dad gave me a blessing.

We got up to the hospital and got hooked up to everything.  They checked me and said the baby's head was down and in perfect position.  A while later I got my epidural, and then they checked me again.  The nurse said that it didn't feel like his head anymore.  She said that either his head had gone squishy or it was a bum.  They did an ultrasound and saw that he'd flipped and he was now breech.  The nurse casually mentioned that I might have to have a C section.  Ben and I were both shocked when she said that, it never even entered my head that this birth would go any other way then easy.  All four previous births had been perfect.

My nurse had me do some moves, which proved slightly difficult with my numb lower half, to try and get the baby to turn.  A while later, my Dr. came in and pushed on my belly really hard and tried to get him to turn   (I was SUPER glad I was numb for that part)

He wouldn't budge, and his heart rate was going down. He didn't like being pushed on, and I didn't blame him.  

They told us that we could go home, hoping he would turn on his own, or we could do a c section.  They had taken me off pitocin to see how close I was contracting on my own.  They were getting close and strong, so the nurse recommended that we stay.  My Dr. had gone to church to teach his class while we discussing and hoping the baby would turn.  I kept praying that we would know what to do.  I didn't want a c section if we didn't have to have one. But I also didn't want to go home, knowing we'd be back to the hospital shortly.  Right then my water broke, all by itself. I was so happy, knowing the decision had been made for us.  The Dr. got back a few minutes later and they wheeled me to the operating room.

last day as a pregnant lady... Ever

Our sweet little Isaac. 

 I was slightly traumatized not being able to hold him the second he was born.  

I tried to be brave, but I wasn't.

Getting all cleaned up

I swear that they were dawdling, because it seemed like forever until they brought him back to me.

Finally, I get to love and hold him.

Ben is such a great Dad!  He did so much for Isaac and I when I wasn't up to moving much.

proud parents

Now our family is complete.

The kids have been so happy to have Isaac here, and they're so gentle and loving with him.  Everyone says that he looks just like his brother and he's got the longest fingers ever.  

Ben and I are constantly amazed at blessings in our life... mainly, our kids.  We're so blessed.

My recovery went really well and I have a new found sympathy for mothers that have c sections.  Definitely not as fun as a regular birth :)  

I'm also amazed with all of the love we have felt from family, friends, and neighbors.  I didn't have to worry about laundry, cleaning,  dinners,  my little girls, or carpooling for a couple of weeks.