Introducing...

He is finally here! Mason Patrick Loy was born November 25 at 12:22pm. He weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces and was 20.5" long. As you can see, he has a FULL head of hair! He looks a lot like Todd (I think) and even though I know they'll change, his eyes are the darkest, prettiest blue I've ever seen. The cesarean went really well, and while I'm a little sore still, it's nothing that ibuprofen hasn't been able to handle. We just got home this afternoon. We could have come home yesterday, but I decided I wanted just one more day. So now we're home and trying to figure out our new lives as parents....and open to suggestions :)

Basically, he's perfect. Never in my life did I think I could/would love someone this way. I know all parents say this, but it's really true. It was the most amazing thing on Tuesday when it was already apparent that he knew my voice. It's all still a little surreal, and I often look at him and just stare thinking, was that really inside me? Did this all really happen?

So here are some pics. Sorry it took a few days, but I've been a little busy getting to know my new little man.

My first look at him.

Being checked out.

Dad got to bring him to me for a few minutes before they went to the nursery while I was sewn up.

Our first family photo.

Hanging out at the hospital.

Getting ready to go home.

Things I didn't know

Since I only have 10 days left of being pregnant, it makes me think about the last (almost) 38 weeks and all the things I've learned. Here's a few...

1. Morning sickness really is a joke. It's not just the morning. It's ALL DAY LONG! Who knew morning sickness could strike in the middle of the night while you are sound asleep. Which leads to...
2. Zofran is a wonder drug! I would have never survived without it. Which also leads to...
3. All the people who said it would get better after the 1st trimester lied. I'm 10 days away from the end and I still throw up!
4. Virgin Pina Coladas are actually as good as the real thing. Although, it may have had something to do with the fact that they were served poolside in Mexico.
5. If the waiter in Mexico does by chance mix up the order, and serves you a real Pina Colada, you will IMMEDIATELY know. Don't worry.
6. I never thought that watching my husbands face light up during an ultrasound would actually be better than watching the actual ultrasound.
7. When it comes time to buy new (maternity) clothes, just do it. Having clothes that actually fit around you makes all the difference.
8. All the worrying I did about not feeling the baby move yet, was quickly replaced by total worry over whether I was feeling him move enough, which has now been replaced by wishing he would hold still once in a while because it hurts when he moves in certain ways.
9. People that say "get your sleep now while you can" have either never been pregnant or have forgotten how impossible it is to sleep at the end. You cannot get into a comfortable position that still allows for breathing...and if you do, you'll just have to pee in the next 2 seconds.
10. Worrying (endlessly) about having the baby come early has now been replaced with wanting him to come NOW!

And finally, having a husband who, for the most part, rolls with things and is able to calm my fears has helped get me through this whole thing. From the shots to the sickness to the bedrest/light duty to the moodiness...everything! (thanks, Todd)

Well THAT wasn't supposed to happen

Last weekend we had baby shower #1, which was the AFD "baby party" (they call it this because it's a couples event, and men don't/won't go to a shower). It went well, even though I was nervous about it. Most of my nerves were just because Todd hasn't been with this crew very long and I don't know most of the wives yet. It also doesn't help that Todd has been traveling as a captain so much he hasn't been with his actual crew lately. Anyhow...it was great to meet wives I hadn't before and just have a nice party with no games. The crew was also very generous and we may be getting that Chariot at REI after all with the help of their gift card.

Yesterday was baby shower #2. This one was thrown by my aunt and mom. It was the usual type of women-only baby shower that I usually don't like going to. I made them swear there would be no games at this shower either, although my mom did sneak one game in. Not too bad, just the basket full of stuff that you look at and then try to remember everything that was in it. Simple and I get to keep the basket and everything in it. I ended up being so incredibly spoiled by everyone, and I now have a long list of thank you cards to write.

During shower #2 I started having some cramping, which I figured was just because I had been doing more than I usually do, or should be doing. After I got home the cramping just kept getting worse, so I called Todd at work to ask the hypothetical "if I need you to come home" question. Turned out to be not so hypothetical after all and he came off shift and took me to OB Triage. Long story short.........pre-term labor. Because of my abruption a few months ago they were concerned that trying to stop the contractions would make the abruption/bleeding worse. So for a while there was talk of taking him via c-section last night (minor freak out/crying moment when this conversation happened). I was sent to ultrasound, which showed my placenta was OK, so the decision was then made to try to stop the contractions. Quick shot of terbutaline and more monitoring..............and at 2ish in the morning we were finally sent home.

The contractions didn't completely stop, but they have definitely slowed down and are less intense. I'm taking is easy today, and I have to call my doctor in the morning. The doc on call last night was a little more lenient than I'm afraid mine will be....keep your fingers crossed she doesn't put me on bedrest again! So for now baby is good and is staying put until 11/25. I'll update more when I know more.

The Final Countdown

I scheduled the c-section today. November 25th is the big day. I'll be in the hospital for Thanksgiving, but I'll have so much to be thankful for this year I don't think I'll mind. Besides, I'm sure I can convince my family to have Thanksgiving a couple days late this year.

For those who aren't caught up on everything, after Todd and I went to childbirth classes like a good little pregnant couple, my doctor had a long talk with us at my last OB appt. We talked about my higher risk of bleeding and about multiple sclerosis issues and all kinds of things. In the end it was really up to me, but once the 'hemorrhage' word was spoken, it was pretty much decided for me. I just can't take that risk, and I certainly don't need the extra worry. Not that a c-section is 100% safe, but it's less risky for me personally. And of course, I've already called L&D to check the anesthesiologist schedule, just to be sure!

So, that's that. Just 34 days away! Kind of crazy, really. I already re-set my countdown so it will be accurate. I have to admit, not only is having an "end date" in sight helpful, having a scheduled day is SO helpful to me and my type-A self. It's almost relaxing in a way...well, as relaxing as the idea of surgery can be.

When is it my turn?

One of the other pregnant girls at work is probably having her baby as I type this. Her water broke today at work. Well, not broke in the gushing water sense that people see in movies, but none the less, she was, well, leaking. She had been having pains/contractions since yesterday, but today after the leaking she was told by everyone at work to go to the hospital. (Side note: DUH!!! was my response. While not the most sensitive, it seemed crazy that she wouldn't know to do that)

Another one of the the pregnant girls at work is also probably delivering right now. Last I heard she was heading to L&D to be started on Pitocin. (Another note: Yes, work is full of pregnant people right now. I'm one of 3 in the lab and one of 5 or 6 in x-ray)

Basically, I'm just a little jealous. It reminds me of before we finally got pregnant, when I was constantly complaining to Todd that everyone else was having babies except for us! I know my time will be here soon enough, and honestly, if my water broke today I'd be more than a little freaked out, but I'm ready. I'm ready for the heartburn to go away, to sleep comfortably again, to work my normal job/hours again, to eat blue cheese and drink a glass of wine, and most of all I'm just ready to meet this little one I've been hosting for the last 8 months. I want to see what he looks like, and find out if it's really true that heartburn=hair. I feel like I already know him and his little personality. Now I just need to meet him face to face.

I'm not doing THAT!

Todd and I had our first childbirth class last night, and the title of this blog basically is how I feel about the entire labor process. Now, I'm not one of those women who just realized this during childbirth class, I've been in health care long enough and seen enough laboring moms in my life that I've known this since I was 17 years old and saw my first live birth. I know he has to come out, and I'm excited for that to happen, I'm just not so excited for HOW they are proposing he come out.

I am a big fan of having a c-section. Todd and I do not see eye to eye on this one. I am not a hippie, natural childbirth kind of girl. I have nothing to prove about my woman-li-ness, and, well, I can't get past the fact that I will be pooping in front of people! (quick note here: for all you women who have given birth and think that you did not in fact poop in front of people, you're wrong. the docs and nurses who work in L&D are just used to it and usually push it aside before you ever notice, just ask anyone who works there) Up until a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't going to have much choice in the matter. My placenta was really low for the first 7 months of my pregnancy, but, alas, that is the one thing that has gone right and it has since moved up and out of the way.

So, I'm going to birthing classes and being a good sport. I'm trying to have an open mind about everything, even though what I'm really thinking is that I'M NOT DOING THAT!!!