Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Happy Birthday Griffin Nicholas!!



Griffin Nicholas arrived Monday September 27th at 7:11 pm.  He weighed 8lbs 4oz, and was 20 inches long.  He has quite a bit of brown hair and those dark blue newborn baby eyes.  He has big feet, long toes, long fingers and really long fingernails!!  Chubby cheeks, and little ears, HE IS PERFECT!!


We arrived at the hospital for a scheduled induction at 7am Monday morning.  Paperwork took forever.  We finally made it upstairs and started a medication that might help get labor going.  It was a simple pill to swallow!  That got contractions going pretty strong and coming every 2 minutes.  But by 2pm and lots of walking to help progress things, much to my surprise I hadn't progressed at all.  I was still only dilated at a 2.  I was bummed to say the least!  I thought for sure it would once again be the wee hours of the morning.  So the Dr. suggested getting and epidural and she would break my water.  So that's what we did.  We also started pitocin to help get things moving.  By 5pm contractions were coming pretty strong...yes, I could still feel all of them.  The epidural did a great job of numbing my legs, but NOT my belly.  It was unsuccessful!! :(  I asked the Anesthesiologist to "replace" it, and he told me just to keep using the pump.  Well the pump only made my legs numb-er.  And I was STILL only a 2.  Around 6:15 or so, the pain was getting really intense and the nurse thought it would be a good time to check me, as I was clinging to the bed rail and clenching every muscle in my body, she thought things might be moving along nicely.  But I was still only a 3.  I was seriously devastated.  I wanted to cry out in pain.  I wanted to loose it.  But I held my composure and continued "breathing".
About 15 minutes later the pain had tripled.  The nurse was for sure I was progressing, and I sure had.  I was a 7 and baby's head was right there.  So they got the room set up for a birthday party!!  Nick was so excited at this point as we both had just thought it was going to be much later before meeting our baby.  Just a few minutes later, I was complete and he was making his appearance!!  I didn't know how I was going to find the strength to actually "push" through the pain.  I mean I did want an epidural for a reason!!  But I knew the sooner and harder I pushed, the sooner it would be OVER with.  So 1 push and the head was out, and he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck TWICE!!  One more push and I was holding my baby.  I couldn't believe it.  He was finally here.  And he was GORGEOUS.  And the pain.....was GONE.  I got to cut the cord!  Nick wanted no part of that, and knowing this is our last baby, I thought it would be so cool to have done that.  It was weird.  Like rubbery, and like cutting through about 20 slippery rubber bands!!  Very cool though.
The nurse took him to the warmer to get his weight and she shouted 8, 9!  I was like holy cow!  I had a HUGE baby, and then she laughed and said no honey those were his apgars!  But then to find out he was 8lbs 4oz...I just knew he was 8 something.  I could feel his "bigness" during the last few weeks of pregnancy!


Just in the last 2 days, I have learned so much about Griffin.  He really, REALLY like to EAT.  Especially at night time!  He loves to be held, and really enjoys being swaddled (my first baby who likes to be swaddled!)  He knows when Mama's got him, he likes to cuddle on my chest, he hates diaper changes, and smacks his lips a lot. :)  And he's SUPER cute!! :)

The boys met Griffin Tuesday morning.  Sam was very curious, and didn't like to see me in this environment.  Ethan was totally excited.  He admired how tiny his fingers and toes are, and wanted to touch him, and even said he would hold him while I showered because "I am a strong boy Mommy".  What sweethearts!!  Daddy is already wondering how he is going to manage when I go back to work!!  Luckily that's not until December!  It will be so nice to have 2 whole months off and be home with my boys!


I am so thankful Griffin arrived safely and we are headed HOME today!!! :) 

4 comments:

  1. happy birthday little griffin!
    he's beautiful!
    I'm so happy for you guys :D
    xo

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  2. I LOVE that picture of all your men. Griffin is perfect as he lays there. So cute how Sammie is touching his baby brother, trying to figure him out. And Ethan looks like a proud big brother, all ready to comfort him and show him the ropes. Nick looks like the most proud father in the world. Congratulations Jennie !!! What a beautiful family for an amazing woman. You are truely blessed :)

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  3. oh! I didn't know you got to cut the cord!!! How cool :)

    ReplyDelete

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