Monday, November 23, 2009

Meet Your New Brother!


Carmen brought Wyatt to the hospital once we had gone to our overnight room. I was dying to see Wyatt. I missed this little man so much and it had only been 5 hours! He was a little unsure at first but he kept saying, "Nice baby!" and "Big Brother!" Then he pointed and named all of his body parts starting with the face. After a few minutes he said, "All done" and wanted to get down and play.



























Birth Pictures

Proud Papa
Hayley and me

Riley, Gavin and me


Kenzie, Hayley, Julie and Gavin





Julie, Alyson and me

Me, Kurt and Dale


First bath


Hayley and Dale

Me, my mama and Gavin


Love this little man!


All clean!

Perfect little boy!

The big weigh in.
Yeah, Gavin is here!

Welcome Gavin Kurt Chase












I know, I know! I should have posted a long time ago! But you see, I have this new bundle of joy in my life and I have loved spending all my time with my boys! I will try to give you the best description of Gavin's arrival but I really don't think that words can begin to express the amount of love I have for both my boys. They are both beautiful, healthy and strong. God has truly blessed us.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 (Gavin's Due Date)-

Wyatt came into our room at 6 am and I pulled him into bed with us. We laid there and cuddled and I started feeling some contractions. I looked at the clock but didn't think to start counting them. I turned on Elmo for Wyatt and went to the bathroom. There was a lot of "show " (Sorry! Gross!). I got back into bed with Wyatt and Dale until about 7 am. My contractions were still going.

We got up and I told Dale that I don't think he should go into work. He has a 50 minute drive and usually leaves at 7:30 am. He called a sub for the day. We all just hung around the house. I called the Dr and she said that I should come in. It was kind of exciting but we weren't in a hurry - we just took our time getting ready. I called my mom and Carmen. They came over to hang out with Wyatt. I called my assistant to update all my clients and give her a list of things to check on for the day. I called the hospital to tell them we were on our way. They told us that no one under the age of 18 could come to the hospital and everyone was screened for flu symptoms. I started bawling instantly. I have been really apprehensive about this whole pregnancy because of how it will affect Wyatt. I don't spend much time away from him so the thought of having to spend the night in the hospital makes me so sad. Now she was saying he can't even come during the day! This also meant that Riley, Kenzie and Hayley couldn't come either.

Dale and I went to the hospital around 9:30 am. My contractions were pretty strong all morning and they were every 3-5 minutes. The nurse gave us great news! The strict visitor rule was lifted and EVERYONE could come visit. I was so excited to hear that Wyatt could come meet his new brother. Thank God! This really put my mind at ease. I went to the exam room and got hooked up to the monitors. My contractions started to get lighter and then they stopped! What!? The nurse said I was only 1 cm dialated so that means I have had no change in my cervix since my last Dr's appointment. We were there for a few hours. The nurse said that I was probably in the early stages labor. We could either go home and wait or stay at the hospital and wait. Ughhhh! Really?! We of course wanted to go home and come back in a few hours OR if my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart for an hour.

We got home tried to take a nap. My contractions were so strong - it took my 2 hours to fall asleep. And then when I did I woke up right away because of contractions. I was really confused as to what was going on. So we waited and waited and the contractions kept going. I called the Dr - they said come in.

Round two! We got to the hospital about 9 pm. The nurse checked me - 1 cm dialated! I wanted to die!! Seriously die!!! My contractions were so hard at this point I didn't understand what was going on. I never had this intense contractions this early in labor with Wyatt. The nurse could tell I was really tired and in pain. She gave me a heavy sleeping pill and told me to go home and sleep. She said if I am not in labor and this is a false labor, then the pill will make my contractions go away and I will sleep well. If I am in labor, then I will not be able to fall asleep and the pill will make the contractions harder. At this point I really wanted them to just pull him out. I didn't care!
To sum it up: We went in to the hospital twice in one day and were sent home both times! I am that crazy pregnant person who cries, "Labor!"

I took the pill around midnight, tried to go to sleep. Didn't work! Instead, at this point I really was going to die the contractions were so hard. We went back in to the hospital around 4:30 am. In the car, I told Dale if they tell us we can go home again I was to say no. I just want to stay until Gavin comes.
We got there, hooked up, then the nurse checked me. I was praying in my head, "Please be 2 cm!" I didn't want to go home AGAIN! She looked up at me and said, "Good job girl! You're 7 cm! We have got to get you to a birthing room ASAP!"

Yeah!!! I was planning on getting an epidural with Gavin. My epidural with Wyatt really made labor SO enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable. But since I was already 7 cm, I started to prepare myself mentally for a natural birth just in case it was too late.

They rushed, and I mean rushed, the epidural. I think they felt so bad for me and the entire day of events. And in no time it was working! Gosh, those things are amazing. This epidural felt a little stronger than Wyatt's did. With Wyatt's I could feel more and even move around and stand up. With Gavin's, I was really numb! I fell asleep right away.

I woke up and the Dr came in to check me at 7 am. 8 cm. Things were moving so quickly now. She said she had to go do a c-section but that she'll be back in after to break my water.

She came back in an hour or so broke my water. From there things started moving REALLY fast. All of our family was there in the hospital go back and forth from the waiting room. I had asked my mom and Dale's mom to come in for the birth. Dale's mom, Julie, ran to Fred Meyer to pick up a toy for Wyatt. She got into a car accident in the parking lot! It was horrible. We tried to wait as long as we could so she could make it back.

Gavin was moving and I could tell we were so close! I started pushing around 9:35 am. I felt very relaxed and calm. I pushed for 10 minutes. Then Gavin made his entrance. It is amazing how at that very moment the world stands still. I couldn't hear anything but Gavin crying. It was an instant rush of emotions. Dale and I (and my mom) were instantly crying. They put Gavin on my chest and I got to love on him for a little bit before the nurses did their thing. He has reddish, blondish hair, and really just looks like himself. I don't think he resembles anyone. He is very long and lean - especially his fingers and toes.
Julie got to the hospital right after Gavin was born. She got to be with us as we met our little man - which was really special.

It was a crazy, crazy day but the moment that I saw Gavin, it was all worth it. I would do it over again in a second!
Gavin Kurt Chase
9:46 am
20 inches, 7 lbs 6 oz
November 18, 2009
After the birth, we took almost two hours to spend time with Gavin. Then the family came in to meet him. We also got to announce Gavin's middle name (which was a surprise). He is named after his uncle Kurt who is such an important person in our lives. Kurt was very honored and I think I even saw some tears.
Lots of more updates to come!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Gavin is here!

Just wanted to update everyone quickly. I will post more details and pictures (I have a ton) tonight.

Gavin Kurt Chase arrived at 9:46 am, Wednesday, November 18, 2009. He was 7 lbs 6 oz, 20 inches long, and absolutely perfect! Labor was amazing - once things finally got moving - and I only pushed for 10 minutes.

We got to take him home yesterday and have been loving every second of our two little boys. Wyatt is so cute with Gavin and loves him so much. I am really sore and very tired. But honestly things could not be more perfect.

I love my life! More to come...

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Update

We are back home! Can you believe it!? I sure can't. It has been a REALLY long day. I am contracting every 5 minutes (=/-) but have had NO change in my cervix all day. So disappointing. Not to mention exhausting! I kind of want to die.

I haven't had any pain meds or pitocin today. The Dr doesn't want to rush it. I am ready for the pitocin though - ready to get Gavin out. My contractions are very painful. I have to literally breath through each one. I can't talk or anything. I am really tired. When I was in labor with Wyatt (I did have pitocin) but I don't remember having this strong of contractions until I was really far along. This is so different from my labor with Wyatt. Wyatt's labor was SO easy compared to this. Especially because these contractions aren't really getting me "closer" to seeing Gavin. Crazy!

They gave me a sleeping aid so that I could try to get some rest tonight (yeah right). And then I go in to see the Dr at 10 am tomorrow. I am pretty sure I will want them to just pull Gavin out at that point. I will keep you posted...

Headed to Hospital...

Lots of contractions this morning and Dr said to come in...we'll keep you posted!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Waiting for Gavin...


This is the night before Gavin came. As you can see...everyone can sleep in house but me. I was really uncomfortable!

We have been doing girls nights every Monday night. It has been so great. The dads take all the kids to some one's house, they have dinner and watch Monday Night Football. All of the moms get to take the night off. We have been having so much fun together! We do dinners, pedicures, shopping...and pretty much just enjoying so uninterrupted girl time.

We went to Pelligrinos for dinner (which I love) and then we headed home. It was great "last supper." We were all pretty tired and I was really on my last leg so we went home after dinner.

I was up pretty much all night with the usual uncomfortable and cramps. Little did I know I would wake up in labor the next day!