Nolen's Birth Story

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

12:00 pm

Mommy had a doctor’s appointment that day, so big brother Bennett went to Grammy and Grampy’s to play with cousins Savannah and Nathan.  Dr. Hubbard wanted to check to make sure you were growing and healthy, so Mommy had an ultrasound first.  You were perfect and the ultrasound tech thought that you would be over 7 pounds.  Mommy started having some contractions while waiting to see Dr. Hubbard.  The doctor said she thought you would be born in the next couple of days.  She was right!

2:00 pm

            Mommy went back to Grammy’s house to play with Bennett and the cousins.  Her contractions kept getting closer together all day long: 6, 5, and 4 minutes apart.  Nonnie stopped by for a visit and to check on Mommy.  Soon, it was dinner time, so Nonnie went to get an Arby’s roast beef sandwich and curly fries for Mommy.  Bennett and Mommy hung out at Grammy and Grampy’s house waiting for Daddy to finish teaching his transportation class at OU Tulsa.  Mommy tried to call Daddy to let him know that you would be born soon, but his phone was turned off!  Mommy decided that Bennett should spend the night there in case she needed to go to the hospital during the night. 

9:30 pm

Finally, when Daddy got home from class and Mommy drove home.  She finished packing her bag for the hospital and got all of the things that you would need there too. 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

12:00 am

Mommy and Daddy decided to go to bed.  Mommy kept timing her contractions.  All of the sudden, they were 3 minutes apart!  Daddy called Dr. Hubbard and we headed to the hospital. 

3:30 am

            We arrived at St. John’s Medical Center and went to the Labor and Delivery floor.  They checked Mommy to see if you were ready to come and you were!   Mommy was dilated to a 7 and 80% effaced.

4:30 am

            We were admitted and given a room.  Nonnie and Aunt Katie came to the hospital to help and take pictures.  The nurses took blood work to make sure it was okay for Mommy to have an epidural.  It took a long time, for the hospital to process the blood work, and your birth was getting closer!  Mommy was an 8 and 90%!  When the blood work finally came back from the lab, the anesthesiologist had been called into an emergency surgery, so he was not available to give Mommy her epidural.  The nurse called the on call anesthesiologist, but he was 20 minutes away.  Mommy was a little nervous he wouldn’t make it in time!

5:00 am

            The doctor arrived and gave Mommy the medicine.  Right after the epidural, Mommy’s water broke.  You were almost ready to arrive! 

5:15 am

            Mommy’s blood pressure was very low and your heart rate was low as well, so they gave Mommy some oxygen and some extra blood pressure medicine.  Mommy had to keep moving from side to side to find a position that you liked!  After about an hour, everything was back to normal and it was time to push.  You were ready!!!!

6:20 am

            After two pushes, you were born.  We all were so excited to meet you and so surprised to see that you had so much blond hair!  You weighed 6 pounds and 6 ounces and were 19 ¼ inches long.

A Party for Baby No Name

My sister and a few of my dear friends hosted a shower for baby number two.  We were still undecided on a name, but they graciously worked around that little detail.  It was a wonderful party, complete with scrumptious food and darling touches.  Since we were having another boy around the same season, we didn't need much, but there's just something about celebrating new life and acknowledging the uniqueness and blessing of each little one. 

 

Better Late Than Never

Well, I'm over a year and one half behind on this blog, but I figure better late than never!  Let's pick back up in 2012 where we left off.  We had a fun last Christmas as a family of three.  I bought an advent calendar when Bennett was a baby with plans to do Christ-centered advent activities when Bennett got a little older.  It was really fun and we enjoyed the special family time over the advent season.

Decorating the Tree

James and I had fun telling Bennett about all the ornaments, especially the ones we have purchased on our travels.

 Christmas Morning

 Favorite Gifts

The drum broke that night.  Don't worry, we took it back and got a more sturdy one!

 One of Bennett's most loved gifts was a frog that probably cost a dollar. (Note to self for next year!)

 Decorating edible Christmas trees with cousin Savannah.