Introducing ZACHARY JOHN EDWARDS

ZACHARY JOHN EDWARDS

BORN OCTOBER 15, 2012

6 pounds 13.7 ounces

20.5 inches

Birth Story

written by One Extremely Sleep Deprived Mother

 (basically.... my excuse for a lot of grammatical errors)

I went into labor on my own for the first time around 6pm Sunday evening.  My dad flew in late that evening, which was perfect timing.  That evening I couldn't sleep because of the contractions and constant trips to the bathroom.  John couldn't sleep because he was so excited.  I think John slept even less than I did.

The following morning, Monday October 15th, John got up to get ready for work and headed to the gym.  As soon as he left I knew I was actually in labor with contractions 2 1/2 to 5 minutes apart.  I tried calling him and paging him but he never answered, which of course would be the case when I am actually in labor.  I called the gym and they found him.  He felt so bad that he never heard my calls.  He rushed home and I finished packing.  

We got to the hospital around 7am and we decided to walk around the hospital until clinic opened at 8am because I did not want to go to Labor and Delivery to be sent home.  I was only 2 to 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced, but my contractions were still really close together.  Just a few days before I was 1 cm and 25% effaced, so this was alot of progress for me and on top of that my previous labors were over after I hit 4 cm.  Thankfully my OB said I was in labor and sent me right to Labor and Delivery.  

Of course, as soon as I check into Labor and Delivery, my contractions slowed down to 5 to 6 minutes apart, so they decided to put me on the lowest dose of Pitocin sometime after 9 am (its all a blur now). My labor nurse, Karen, gave me 3 rules that all her patients had to keep.  They were #1: No Throwing Up, #2: No Pushing Longer Than 30 minutes, and #3: Only Beautiful Babies.  I told her sorry, I always throw up a lot in both my previous labors and I've pushed for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours with the other two boys, but that I might be able to pull off a cute baby.  

Soon, the doctor came and broke my water around 12:30 or 1pm (I got my epidural before this since in the past I went really fast after my water broke).  Afterwards, I was still at a 3 and only 75 % effaced after all this, so we waited.....  Finally, I hit a 4 and we thought here we go I'll be at a 10 in about 40 minutes like the first two boys.  45 minutes past and then I was only at a 5, but then my body progressed super fast like it always has and 15 minutes later I was at a 10 and pushing.  I pushed for 15 minutes and our beautiful baby boy was born.  He looked perfect and he got perfect APGAR scores as well. I was shocked at how tiny he was since I had never been pregnant this long and he was my third.  I was seriously expecting an 8 pounder.   

I'd like to report that I kept all 3 of her rules and was so happy I did.  Of course, I am biased about rule #3, but what nurse is going to tell you that you have an ugly baby....?  This was by FAR my best and easiest labor.   

This concludes my labor story and the first one out of the 3 that I finished recording.  The first 2 were sooooooooo long and horrible that I never really finished a complete record.  So, I guess "the third time is the charm." 

Josh's First Day of Kindergarten and Nate's First Day of Preschool

Josh's First Day of Kindergarten

August 2nd, 2012

Josh is in a splint because sunday night, which just happened to be our Wedding Anniversary, Josh fell off his bunkbed late in the evening and broke his right arm.  Bad timing in so many ways.  But there have been many blessings from this too.  Details and pictures from our trip to the ER coming soon.  

Josh was so excited to go to school.  Unfortunately, the only day he was allowed to get his cast on was Thursday.  So I had to pull him out of school for 2 1/2 hours.  He was excited to get a blue cast, but devastated when a took him back to school and he had missed recess (they only get one recess, which is ridiculous if you ask me).

Nate's First Day of Preschool

August 2nd, 2012

He loved it and had no problems going.  He was so comfortable there.  I felt a little sad at how grown up and independent he is becoming.

 Josh loved his first day of school and was so excited for homework.  I was pleasantly surprised by this.  He even made up his own homework on top of what he needed to do and worked for 45 minutes hardly noticing his favorite drink, a mango smoothy. 

Here he is in his new blue cast.

Josh had been writing with his left hand while wearing his splint.  I was amazed at how well he did. Kids are amazingly adaptable.  Now that he has his cast he's been going in-between writing with his left and right hand.  I think he is happy to be able to write with his right hand now, although it doesn't look easy.   

Josh's 2nd day of kindergarten with his new cast.  He is so excited that he actually gets to go all day.  I've missed this little guy being gone so much.  It has been really good for him so far. 

Nate had to get his picture taken too.

Miami

April 2012

John had a conference in Miami, so of course I had join him!  It was my first time ever to Florida.  I loved it!!!  Miami was breathtakingly gorgeous and I hope that I can go again some day.  I miss the ocean and the white sandy beaches.  I miss the fresh sushi, ceviche, and fruit tarts.  We went to the same sushi restaurant for dinner three times and lunch two times.  It was that good!  Most of all I miss spending so much time with my hubby even though he was gone to meetings most of each day.  

It was so relaxing and restful.  Every morning I had alone time (it was a little strange at first, but I loved it).  Each morning I would wake up to an amazing view of the ocean from our room and read, have breakfast, go for a walk on the beach, go work out, meet up with John to have lunch and sometimes a quick walk on the beach together, then back to the room to read some more and usually have a nap (such a luxury this pregnancy), then John and I would have a date night every night!

Views from our hotel balcony.

When we checked in they said there were no more room with views of the ocean, just city views.  When we walked into the room and the first thing I saw was the amazing view of the ocean, I began to jump for joy!  It was breathtaking and to top it off we had a wrap around balcony which gave us a city view as well.

The City View

First morning view from balcony.

First pregnancy belly shot for all pregnancies.  Well, minus the ones when I am about to pop at the end (you know the ones you take because you cannot believe how huge you get at the end)

This is somewhere around 13 or 14 weeks prego.

At this restaurant we had quite the drama and entertainment.  It just happened that a teenage boy was stung by jellyfish all over his chest and the closest place to get help was apparently this restaurant.  He was screaming bloody murder and his little sister was bawling so hard.  At first we were going to go help (hence, doctor and nurse), but when we found out jellyfish sting, we had no idea what you do).  An ambulance soon came to the restaurant and took the boy to the hospital.  Anyone know what you do about jellyfish stings to the chest?  It was never covered in medical or nursing school.  Maybe I should google it ;)