Silas Grayson- 3 Months

I've been meaning to do monthly posts with Silas but wow, he's already three months old!

Let's see if I can remember some of the more important milestones.

5 weeks- Smiling
6 weeks- Smiling and cooing
7 weeks- First little cold/cough (not a milestone, but something to remember!)
10 weeks- Sleeping through the night 6-10 hours
12 weeks- Laughing and sitting up assisted or sitting in the Bumbo seat.
And somewhere in there he started rolling belly to back. Can't remember!

At his two month check up he was in the 88%, right under 15lbs, and 24''

-Silas LOVES to talk. He talks more than he cries.
-Speaking of cries... Silas is a dream baby! Occasionally, he'll cry out a little cry if he's hungry, needs a diaper change, or needs to burp, but other than that he's an extremely happy and content baby. I can probably count on hand how many times he's really gotten that upset this month. I think maybe in the car once or twice, and in the evening if I take too long in the shower and hes ready for bed or maybe when cooking dinner. I mean, he fusses some, mostly when we're not at home, but I usually catch whatever it is before he gets too upset. Yes, I've heard crying is "good" for the lungs, but I'm not going to intentionally let him cry. ;) Plus, I'm sure all the talking and yelling he does helps too. ;)
-No feeding schedule, but he's pretty consistent with wanting/needing to eat every three hours during the day.
-He goes to bed every night between 7:00-8:00pm and sleeps anywhere from 7-11 hours before waking to eat. He also has to be swaddled or he'll jerk startling and waking himself every hour.
-Wakes up ready to eat during the night by smacking his lips, still half asleep.
-Haven't quite figured out his napping yet... Pretty tricky with a toddler in the house! He usually takes three long naps or a morning nap, a few cat naps, and an evening nap.
-Loves bath time.
-Rarely spits up.
-Poops once every other day.
-Wears 6-12 month clothing, depending on the brand and style.
-Size three disposable diapers.
-I'm guessing he's about 18lbs.
-Loves his sister!
-Loves his swing and activity mat.
-Loves to be worn in the sling and carrier.
-LOVES mirrors. Talks and smiles at himself in the mirror every diaper change.
-Finally started enjoying tummy time. For the first few minutes, that is!
-Likes to be tickled.
-Starting to majorly drool.
I keep forgetting that he's only three months because he seems so big. Sophia wasn't this big until she was about 10 months old!!

There is one thing we're working on.
When he was about five weeks old I noticed his head always seemed to tilt in one direction. We started re-positioning him any time we noticed it, but a few weeks later we realized he started to get a flat spot on the back of his head. Then I noticed every single picture he was in, unless I purposefully moved his head, it was tilted the same way. Even when he was in the background of pictures it was always the same.

Lots of reading into it and a trip to the pediatrician, and he confirmed what we were thinking. Toticollis, which is the tight neck muscle on one side, that is causing Plagiocephaly, flat spot on the back/side of his head. We were referred to a Physical Therapist who showed us stretches and activities to do at home this month. The PT said Torticollis usually happens in utero and that he was probably in a comfy position for several weeks without moving much. After baby is born it's can cause a flat spot since their heads are so soft and they're not strong enough to move their head around yet. Between 2-4 months is the prime time to correct it. Since it's mild and caught early we can probably fix it at home with the stretches, re-positioning, and activities. We'll go back next month to see where we're at. I feel pretty good about it though. I was really just wanting to know from a PT what exactly to do at home since it involved his neck and head. Didn't want to try stuff on my own! ;) He never seems bothered by it isn't restricted to turning one direction, he just favors one side over the other. He is getting stronger and when sitting up it is starting to straighten out.

He really is a dream baby though. Sometimes, when I'm busy keeping up with the house or meals, I have to remind myself to pick him up, sit down and play with him, or move him. He's just always so content. It is really amazing. Just like Aaron. Cool, calm, and collected. ;)
Sophia on the other had, just like me. Extreme!

One night, like most nights, Sophia was protesting bedtime screaming and wailing in her room(mind you, this only lasts a few minutes. But a LONG few minutes they are!) and Silas was content laying on the floor about to be fed and put down for bed. Aaron and I looked at each other and he said "man, God really knows how to balance out a family." Ha ha! Isn't that the truth.

We love him.
So much.
Little bubba Si.

Bedtime

So glad July is over. July was the hardest month I've had in long time.

I just started to write out everything that went wrong in July. Mostly all related to me getting severe Mastitis twice and still don't feel back to myself.
On top of the mastitis, Sophia AND Aaron caught the common childhood illness, Hand Foot & Mouth disease. We were all sick with bad sore throats and the kids had coughs. Scary when your newborn has a cough... Sophia was doing several breathing treatments a day. Aaron also got in a wreck that gave him terrible whip lash with neck and back spasms.

But!! July did end on a few good notes!

A few months before Silas was born we started working on bedtime with Sophia. We've always taken the go-with-the-flow or "attachment parenting" approach when it comes to naps and bedtimes with her, but we knew with a new baby in the house we'd need more structure. Honestly, nap time and bed time were going OK but we still missed several naps a week, and when she did nap, her bed time got later and later, which lead to a later morning, then later nap, then later bedtime... And sometimes, she'd still be awake when we would go to bed! Oye! So during the month of July we dropped the nap and cracked down on bed time.

I've always read and heard that children thrive on routine.
But being the young, new parents that we were, we weren't very concerned with that and Sophia was always on our schedule. She's always been a great sleeper though. When she was about 18 months she dropped her second nap. Since then she's always gotten at least a two hour nap and slept 12-13 hours through the night.
Yeah, sure sometimes it was frustrating.
We'd all go to bed at the same time. ...In the same bed. Then I'd linger in bed with her in the mornings until she woke.
Sometimes it felt like Aaron and I never got a minute alone together. But we accepted it because we never tried or knew anything different. I always thought we just weren't one of "those" people who schedule their children.

But let me tell you.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN!?!?!?

As of two weeks ago, we're now in a place where Sophia and Silas are down for the night (in their own beds!!!!!), by 8:00 PM, never later than 8:30 PM, and they both wake up the next morning around 8:00 AM. Of course, Silas still has a feed or two a night, and if he misses one, I'm up to pump. But we have a little routine going and every night I want to high five Aaron because we've done it again. We have four hours alone. (I usually try to stay up at least 3-4 hours after Silas' last feed to pump before bed.)

I feel like this new time at night given us a whole new marriage.
I feel like we're dating again.
Except this time, it's better... because we're married.
We've started to play games and cards together.
We're learning to dance. Which led to real dance lessons once a week.
We watch movies or shows that I'm actually staying awake for.
Our "spots" on the couch and love seat have turned into one spot on the couch so we can sit with each other.
I realized I'm no longer showering in the evenings because it's the only time I can, but showering because Aaron's coming home! And I don't want him to see me quite so sloppy. :)
Everyday I anticipate Aaron coming home from work with excitement.
I mean, the cheesiness could go on and on... and on. ;)

We've really been enjoying each other the past few weeks.

I'll take this little bedtime epiphany as a "God wink" saying to remember that our marriage comes before our children.
;)

Cloud nine.

Someone pinch me.

Is this my life?

Is this really who I get to spend the rest of my life with?

We're definitely walking through a sweet season of marriage right now.

I sure do love you, Aaron.

Whoa! Dating days.

And now I'm realizing how badly we need to have pictures taken together!

Parenting a toddler.

Yesterday, I reached my max.

You always hear people talk about the "terrible twos" but I never thought they were that terrible until recently. I'm sure it has a little to do with a new baby in the family, but three is looking like it's going to be much more difficult (and also so fun!!) than two ever was.

Sophia will be three next month.

Last Saturday I took her to gymnastics and left Silas to sleep at home with Aaron since he wasn't feeling well. It's a mommy and me class so I'm out there with her guiding and helping her at each station. And I kid you not, my child seems to be the only one running away from me and towards everything we're not supposed to be doing yet. ...or maybe all the other parents are way faster than me, catching their littles before they get too far. ... No, Sophia is a runner. And fast! Too fast for my floppy self. I couldn't help notice how quiet and calm all the other children were. Maybe we're just in a class full of timid toddlers. Hm..

Aaron took these at our first gymnastics class. Wish we had a better picture, but Aaron dropped his phone in water and now his pictures turn out a little off. Doesn't Sophia's face say it all though? Maybe she's just REALLY excited about gymnastics....

I just spent a while writing out everything that went wrong that morning at gymnastics and realized how whiny I must sound. Ah. Maybe she gets her whining from me... :/

After many tears from Sophia not getting her way and a humongous tantrum in the car over the color of her sticker, I've come to the conclusion that I think we may have spoiled Sophia.
Or are all toddlers like this?
Is this a first born thing?
Is this what we have to look forward to?
Three years.
Huge tantrums.
Constant whining.
Battles over every little thing.
The saying "no" to mom and dad.
Asking "why?" over every. single. thing.

What are we doing wrong? How do we get this under control?

Every day is a little more challenging than the day before.
Please tell me this pattern doesn't continue on into the teenage years.
Speaking of teenage. I was reading some stuff online over disciplining toddlers and came across the term "threenage." Sounds appropriate. Our little diva. Ha!

Oh, yeah.
I said Sophia was a "runner." She runs off and away from me constantly. It's out of disobedience maybe less than half the time, but that doesn't mean that it isn't frustrating.

For Sophia's first birthday we bought her an adorable tiny turtle back pack with a turtle hood you can choose to pull out and wear. It happened to be one of those "leash backpacks" but we've never used it as that. ...until now.

The other day at the mall, I was trying on a few things in Marshall's. Aaron was sitting right outside the dressing room holding Silas and Sophia was sitting in the chair next to him. When I came out, Aaron looked flustered and said Sophia ran all the way out of Marshall's and into JCPenny! I can see it now... Aaron has Silas in one arm, pushing the stroller with the other hand, frantically chasing after a squealing Sophia.

After that ordeal, I started using the turtle back pack leash while she learns to hold onto the stroller handle or someone's hand. Judge me if you must, but it's actually working out really well. When I take the leash off, she's pretty good about holding the handle now.
Add that to the list of "never thought I'd do           while parenting."

Yes, wearing Silas is much easier than hauling around a stroller, feeling like a circus. But I don't like wearing him when I need to have the diaper bag with us. Thinking of switching to a diaper bag back pack anyway.. Plus, we were going to the play place in the mall and had some snacks and water bottles in the stroller.

Last night I had worked hard on making a yummy chicken sweet potato hash, served over rice, with salad for dinner. Aaron was working late, so I set the table for myself and Sophia. As soon as I put her in the booster she started flailing around, crying and screaming about not wanting that food and tried to push her plate away.
My blood was boiling.
This happens way too often now.
I know it's our fault for being so lenient about what she eats and allowing so much junk in the house over the past year, but we're getting back on track with eating better and I'm ready for Sophia get jump on board!
Anyway, I didn't say anything, just took her down and put her on her bed and closed the door while she threw her fit.

And then I checked out.
I ate alone, fed Silas, and checked out. I didn't help Aaron with the bedtime routine. I didn't read Sophia a book or sing songs before bed. I didn't rub her back. I just kissed her goodnight, prayed with her real quick, and shut the door.

How do stay-at-home-moms do it?
If I were to work, I'd be working to pay for childcare since I don't have a degree. I really do believe in being at home with my children. I want to be the one teaching, influencing, and raising them. Plus, I just love it. :)
But learning how to parent and discipline is so challenging sometimes.
Especially when Aaron is at work.
Last night, I wanted to pull my hair out. ...or lock myself in the bathroom and eat a tube of cookie dough while crying.

Back to last night.
I checked out. I wasn't mad or mean... Just felt worn out from the day's meltdowns.
Worn from the encouraging, teaching, redirecting, and correcting my toddler.

Glad I didn't write this post last night. It would have been totally different.

Today I woke up thinking about choosing joy. An awesome woman of God spoke on this two years ago at a motherhood retreat I went to.
Choose joy.
Holy spirit often whispers that to me when I need to hear it the most.

Today is a new day and I'm choosing joy.
Joy in melt downs, that I can listen to Sophia's heart and help her work out her feelings.
Joy in the encouraging, that I'm the one that gets to encourage her that she can do it. Or should do it! ha!
Joy in the teaching, that I'm teaching her life skills throughout the day.
Joy in the redirecting. Because redirecting is a huge thing at this age! Redirecting her curiosity to more appropriate things with fewer boundaries.
Joy in the correcting. That I can practice godly discipline and discipleship with her.

I know three is going to bring many more challenges, but I'm also looking forward to it.
As hard as this age is, it is my favorite age.
I think I say that with every age. ;)

Sophia...
This sweet girl of ours is hilarious! She constantly has us laughing. Even when shes driving us crazy, she's making us laugh.
She is smart! I love watching her learn and remember things.
She is very verbal. Although she never stop talking, I'm glad she's able to communicate so well. The other morning Sophia woke me up, talking away! I said "Sophiaaaa.... I'm not ready to start talking yet..." In a kind of creepy, silly voice she said "... But I am." Ha Ha!
She knows no stranger. I'm smiling now thinking about how easy it is for her to make conversation with anyone everyone.
She is curious. Sophia may not like to listen and do what everyone else is doing (like gymnastics), but she loves exploring and learning on her own. Can you say "natural consequences" ?? Haha.
She has a tender heart, and is learning to be considerate and genuine. She just may need some reminders...
And she is PRECIOUS!

Silas' Birth Story- Part 3

After we found out I had transitioned, we waited for another contraction to hit and as soon as it finished we headed into the room I'd be delivering Silas in. We got in there a little after 7:00pm and baby boy was born at 9:05pm - jsut three hours short of his estimated due date.

Since I wanted this to be as natural as possible, and both Silas and I were doing great, I was allowed to only have a port in my hand (in case of emergency). Try sitting completely still having humongous contractions while a nurse makes several artempts to get a needle in. Wow. After blowing the veins on both of my hands (and not because I wasn't still!) she gave up. Not sure if she was planning on trying again later or what? 

I was going to sit in the shower since I'd read warm water helps with the pain, but right before I got undressed I realized I probably wouldn't be in there very long and I didn't want to get all wet just to get right back out. So I sat on the bed while Aaron put pressure on my hips and back.

I switched positions sitting with my legs in the butterfly stretch and used my arms to push my body off the bed during each contraction. My arms were starting to get pretty tired and I know Aaron's were, too. The nurse also took a minute to monitor me and baby boy.

Aaron had been trying to press on my hips while I was sitting in the bed, but it was an awkward position, so the nurses lowered the back of the bed and Aaron sat behind me to continue the counter pressure. We weren't planning on laboring this way, but I am SO thankful we had the nurses we did and that they suggested it. (Actually, we had ALL the nurses on Labor & Delivery. We were the only ones in that night.)

Being able to literally lean on Aaron between contractions, hear his encouragement right in my ear, and have him laboring with me using all his might to press on my hips made me realize this is how it's supposed to be done. THIS is how God designed it.

I wish I could have gotten a picture from my view. 

By this point, they had turned down the lights.
My mom, all the nurses, and my midwife were making a half circle around the bed, well, away from the bed of course. Sitting and standing. 

Everyone was calm and quietly cheering us on.

I remember thinking between contractions "is this really happening? Is this really me?" I felt like I was watching it all. Then another contraction came and I was quickly reminded, yep! It's me. It's happening.

 

Apparently this is the face I make while pushing a baby out. 

I remember looking over at my midwife. She was sitting near the window. She smiled and nodded as if she were saying You're doing it. You're doing great. Keep going. She told me I could try bearing down and I would feel some relief.

And yes. Bearing down brought relief. It also brought a baby. Ha ha!

She broke my water a few minutes before baby boy was born. Once they saw his head it took four or five pushes. (Can't quite remember.) The head took a few and the body came out on the last.

Now, there was a point when I looked at my midwife with the "crazy eyes" and said I couldn't do it. That was while I was pushing his head out. 

And I'm telling you... 

I morphed into another creature.

I felt like I was going to rip through those hospital walls to get myself out of there!

Even Aaron said he was shocked at how strong my legs were. He was trying to hold them back, and for a minute there, I was trying to put them down. In my mind, I knew I needed to pull my knees back, but my body was seriously objecting! 

Ha ha.

But really, that was all maybe a whole minute? I'm guessing that's what they call  "the ring of fire." 

Yeah, ow.

I never screamed or yelled really. Mostly moaning. Then loud moaning and grunting I guess? 

My midwife and mom kept saying I wasn't very loud and that I did a really great job. That was nice to hear. Still felt like I was turning wild though! ;)

And then we caught our baby. We.
Silas Grayson Byrd 8lbs 1oz, 20"

As soon as Silas was out, we scooped him up and laid on my chest. And I sobbed. Immediately, I began sobbing. Looking back at the videos, they weren't loud cries, actually... they weren't cries I have ever recognized myself do before. I felt an overwhelming amount of emotion, and that was the hormone of love, oxytocin. I hadn't felt that with Sophia and I'm certain it's because of the situation we were in and the fact that I had an epidural. Aaron was also filled with emotion. Through tears he kept saying "my baby boy. My boy. You did it. You're here!"

One of the nurses had been in Labor & Delivery for over thirty-five years. I'll never forget what she said to me. She said, "Thank you for letting us be a part of this. We don't get to see this anymore." (Remember, all the nurses were in our room watching.) I thought that was really cool. Then again, it's sad... It's sad because today's birth looks nothing like this. I just want to shout natural birth from the roof tops!!!!!! We were made to do this. It wouldn't be called labor if it wasn't hard work. But we women were so perfectly created to birth and nurture our babies. Natural birth IS possible. It is emotional and spiritual. It is empowering. Rewarding. Intimate. And it should be normal. I so wish women had more encouragement about it.

Later that night I realized again that this is how marriage, birth, and families are supposed to be. If Sophia were a bit older, she would be welcome to be in the delivery room, too. And just like the nurse thanked me, I thanked my heavenly father. Thank you, Lord! Thank you for letting me be a part of this.

I could get all mushy and gushy but I won't. ;)

If you would have asked me if I thought God would use a birth to strengthen my marriage I would have said no, but He DID! Aaron and I were on cloud nine for weeks after Silas was born and there is still something there that won't ever go away. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is... An understanding of each other? A respect? A deep bond between us? All the above. He always lets me know how proud he is of me and thankful for the way we brought Silas into this world. And then again, when I nurse Silas, even though we've had some challenges. 

I am blown away at how beautifully God designed it all. I wish I were better with words... I wish I could better express the way I felt about it all...

After we spent the first hour with Silas the nurses checked him out, then we brought Sophia in to meet her baby brother. She sat on the bed to hold him and used her most gentle voice to sweetly sing Twinkle Twinkle. It was PRECIOUS.

It was pretty late when she came in. I'm thinking around 10:45pm. She hadn't napped and she was ready to see mama. So I held and loved on her some and let her play with my bed stuff, then we let everyone else come in to see us.

While everyone was in they decided to move us up to the third flood. They pulled the big curtain in the room so I could get up and into the wheelchair. Everyone was on one side visiting and holding Silas, and me, the nurses and I think mom and Aaron, were on the other side. When I stood up I fainted. Aaron told everyone to get out and when I woke up I was back in my bed and my hands were clenched, curled up facing inward laying on my stomach. I asked what happened and how long I had been out. It was only about 15 seconds, but long enough to really scare Aaron. Poor guy.

They said it was because I had heavy bleeding and was a little dehydrated. They ended up giving me an IV with a bag of Pitocin and three bags of fluids. I also slowly started to eat and drink so I could try again in an hour to get back in the wheelchair.

An hour later everyone had already gone home so it was just me and Aaron. With the help of the nurses and Aaron, I made it to the edge of the bed, stood up and sat down in the wheelchair. Then I fainted again. I woke up vomiting into a bag. Talk about a scary way to wake up. It was really scary... We ended up spending the night on Labor & Delivery and moved upstairs the next morning. 

Aaron and I talked for a little while, which was mostly me crying, thanking him for helping me stick to the plan of waiting for Silas to come when he's ready and birthing naturally.

Aaron finally dozed off around 3:00am. He slept on and off for a few hours and somehow I managed to stay awake until 5:00am. One of the sweet L&D nurses offered to hold Silas up at the desk so I could get some sleep. Somehow I managed to stay awake for almost 36 hours straight without feeling that tired. And you know what, the extreme exhaustion I had with Sophia and was waiting to hit never came. OK, maybe it did, but that wasn't for another few weeks. I still believe 100% that having a natural birth and having my body and all my hormones do exactly what they were created to do had every bit to do with it. And I'm not one to skip on sleep. EVER. Mommy adrenaline at its finest. Thank you, papa God.

This has by far been the sweetest moment of my life and I'm not sure there will ever be one sweeter.

Silas' birth taught me much more than I had anticipated.

God taught me more.

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshiped the Lord there.

- 1 Samuel 1:27-28

Silas' Birth Story- Part 2

Saturday comes and I'm still not feeling labor happening. Well, other than my whole abdomen feeling sore.

Aaron had some private swimming lessons to teach that morning so it was just me and Sophia doing our normal thing.

After lunch I put Sophia down for a nap and decided to see if I could take one myself. Everyone says if you can't sleep or talk through your contractions then it's labor. So I gave it a shot. 

While up and around my contractions were 3-11 minutes apart. From 3:00-4:00 I slept on and off,  barely waking up during each contraction. They were 9-10 minutes apart while laying down. Still not consistent, but at least I woke up half way during them. I wish I would have saved the piece of paper I was writing them down on. You can barely make out what I wrote down. It took everything in me to wake up enough and grab the pen to write the time. When I got up at 4:00 I was thinking there was no way that was real labor because it just wasn't that bad.

Aaron's sister Jennifer and her family came over to pick up Sophia while we headed to labor and delivery. As I was talking to Jennifer I had to take a few breaths and pauses during each contraction. Still not painful, but uncomfortable. I remember her saying "from the looks of it, you're in labor, and this baby is coming soon!"

It was about 6:00 by the time we were settled in our room to be monitored at L&D. The nurse checks me and I've made no change since the day before. Totally bummed out.

Mom and Micah-Ray came by with a treat for Aaron, Iggy's Italian Ice, and to hang out for a while to see what's going on.

We were only going to be monitored for an hour before heading home and waiting it out. I was offered, again, meds to speed up the labor, but denied them. Still having irregular, uncomfortable contractions, and was convinced Silas would not be coming that night.

We're all laughing, joking, taking pictures....

At 6:45, about 15 minutes before the nurse was to come in and check me then let us go, I had one HUGE, GIANT, LONG, HARD contraction.

Wow.

I mean.... there are no words.

I thought I was going to shoot through the roof!

I remember mom, Micah-ray, and Aaron all talking, and mid contraction them realizing it was getting serious. I couldn't talk. I couldn't breathe! And I immediately pushed my bottom up off the bed with my hands to take the pressure off.

About two minutes later I had another one. Just as intense. Mom and Micah-Ray stepped into the hall to call dad, and I remember telling Aaron "this better be labor!!! This better be the real thing!!!" Ha ha.

I had a few more and the intensity was picking up with each contraction.

Aaron pulled out his journal, flipped it open, and had two pages full of notes on counter pressure and good positions for easing pain.

Cue the tears...

And it was amazing.
Counter pressure is what got me through labor.
Aaron got me through labor.
I'm not even exaggerating when I say this either, but it easily cut the pain in half when Aaron was pressing on my hips and lower back.
And it was hard work for him. Neither of us realized he'd be laboring, too!

The nurse came in at 7:00, checked me, and sure enough I had transitioned.

FINALLY!

Baby boy was coming soon!

Silas' Birth Story- Part 1

My life and my marriage are forever changed from the birth of my sweet Silas Grayson.

I've been itching to write down Silas's birth story.

Natural birth.

I went into this with the mindset of knowing its better for mom and baby. Healthier and leads to a better, easier birth. OK great. So I'll do it.

My biggest reason for choosing natural birth is because this is what God created women to do. He designed my body to do this. But what I got out the whole experience was much more than I ever could have dreamed to ask for. The Lord reveled himself to me over and over again. I've had many women tell me natural birth is empowering, and yes, it is. But more than that, it grew and stretched me mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and forever changed my marriage and the way I view marriage. More on that later... :)

I'm feeling much more sore today than I had been and was told to take it easy (as if I haven't been taking it easy?! Maybe I did do a little too much this weekend... It's hard to sit around for days!)

Sophia is with a friend, Silas is sleeping peacefully beside me, and oddly enough, I'm not tired enough for a nap.. yet. ;) So write, I will!

Thursday the 15th I had a regular prenatal appointment at 11:00 AM. I was 39 weeks and 4 days along. I woke up feeling a little more achy than usual but didn't think too much about it. My doctor felt me having a ""long, hard" contraction and offered to do a cervical check to see how dilated I was. I really wanted Silas's birth to be as natural as possible, but I went ahead and said yes to the cervical check. I was 6cm dilated. Whoa! She asked me if I thought I was in labor since I had been having so many contractions, but I couldn't tell. When I went into labor with Sophia I knew right away that my contractions were different that they had been since they were hurting in my back. (With her they started on a Sunday evening, I woke up all throughout the night, and they were 3-8 minutes apart by Monday morning. When I went in to Labor & Delivery I was 4.5cm dilated.) Although uncomfortable, the contractions I was having with Silas weren't regular, and weren't keeping me awake. My doctor said to come back that afternoon at 4:30 to see if I had dilated any more and if I had, we knew it was labor.

So 4:30 rolls around. Went back and I hadn't made any change. Boo.

I woke up Friday morning feeling like I had done a million sit ups. Still not having painful contractions, just feeling really sore over my whole abdomen. I called my doctor and she said I could come in to get checked again to see if I had progressed any. I was a little worried and bummed than I had dilated so far without knowing it. In my mind, I had it all worked out that Aaron and I would labor at home for as long as possible, then go it when we thought I was close to having him. Goodbye to laboring at home! I started to get worried I'd wake up to a crowning baby (ha! I'm kidding. OK, half kidding.)!

I went in around 2:00 and I was 7cm dilated. Yay! But contractions still weren't regular and I still wasn't pain and able to chase around Sophia. Ah. So frustrating.

My doctor was on call that weekend and had two other patients already in labor. She offered to break my water that afternoon if I wanted her to. I asked how long she thought it'd take once she broke it and she said "maybe a few hours." If you've ever been pregnant, you know that last week before your baby is born is probably the hardest week of the whole pregnancy. Even harder than the sickness in the first trimester! As much as I believe in natural birth, and letting baby come when they're ready, I was mostly on board with her breaking my water. I was SO tempted to do it knowing I could be holding my baby boy that evening.

I drove over to the YMCA, and talked to Aaron about it. He just smiled and said "he'll come when he's ready. We prayed for 40 weeks and it's not 40 weeks yet." Then with a smirk said, "he'll come Saturday at midnight." He had been saying that for weeks. I wanted to shout "you don't know how uncomfortable I am!!!" and at the same time hug him saying "thank you, thank you" because this is what I really want. To wait.

Aaron was my rock throughout this whole pregnancy.

.....

Yeah.

Aaron was my rock.

.....

Ahem. Trying to type through tears.

He knew I'd be disappointed if I had my water broken and he knew I (and he) believed in letting things happen naturally. We had prayed from the beginning that this baby would be 40 weeks+ and Aaron was always there helping me believe it. Praise God for a husband that has faith!

My doctor told me she would call over to Labor & Delivery and let them know I might be coming in to be monitored or have my water broken but if I decided not to that was perfectly OK.

Had to snap a picture while walking the bridge at Shannon. We chose to walk around through my contractions between being monitored instead of me sitting in the Labor & Delivery bed.

We ended up going in around 6:30 that evening and it was too late to have my water broken. So glad I didn't have to make that decision again if they asked. We were monitored for an hour and I had another cervical check to see if I had progressed any more. I hadn't. Again, boo.

I don't think they could have sent me home since I was already 7cm, and they had offered to give me something to help get labor going, but they said if I wanted to leave we were free to go. So off we went.

Sophia had been with Aaron's sister Nikki that evening, and we decided to let her stay the night so we could have a night to ourselves.

Before we headed home, I asked Aaron if we could go to Baskin Robbins because I just needed to eat my feelings! World Class Chocolate always cheers me up. ;)

We went to bed pretty early that night and I woke up Saturday morning saying "wow! Now I really feel like I've done a million sit ups!"

Saturday was turning out to be another normal day except that my contractions seemed a little bit stronger. Who knew we'd be having a baby that night.... ;)