Well I made it through pregnancy! The last couple weeks before my due date were really hard, as I found it hard to even walk, and my belly just felt so so heavy. Two weeks before my due date my doctor measured me at 5cm dilated and told me it would probably happen that week. I was waiting and waiting to feel contractions every day and had a plan set up that I would call Cindy to come watch the kids. Jeff always had his phone on him, just to be safe, and my hospital bag was packed and ready to go. But nothing happened!! My due date came along and still no baby. I finally set up an appointment to be induced for Mar.31 at 5pm. Not that it really mattered, but I was hoping that would give me enough time to have a Mar.31 baby instead of an April Fools baby! And I was told that was Lee's birthday. Since it was not an emergency and more just to make sure I made it to the hospital, my doctor told me there was a chance that I could get a phone call and have to be moved to a later time if there was another emergency patient who needed my spot.
Well, Mar.31 came and there was no phone call! My parents said they would take the kids for a sleepover while we went to the hospital to have the baby. Jeff came home and we headed off! We checked in and the lady told us to wait in the waiting room for a room to be ready. I was SO nervous, but I also felt good that I was safe at the hospital and knew I wouldn't be having a baby in the car or something! I couldn't believe I was finally about to meet this baby, who started to feel unreal to us the more we waited for his arrival. Anyways, an hour went by and then my doctor came out to tell me they were full. They had some emergencies and C-sections and didn't have any room for us. I tried to hold back the tears, unsuccessfully, but I was just so bummed! Anyways, at that point it was getting late so my parents decided to just keep the kids for a sleepover, and Jeff and I got a little date night. We ordered some food and picked it up at the Cattle Baron. I remember sitting in the car just feeling so uncomfortable, so we took it home and ate it there. Then we just hung out and went to bed.
At 4:30am I woke up because I felt a little pain in my stomach. It kind of went away, and then I went to the bathroom and went back to bed. In my head though, I had the thought that maybe that was a contraction and I kept waiting to maybe feel another one. Sure enough, another one did come. It didn't hurt that much, but I was very aware of it and started to get my last minute things packed again and even put on a touch of makeup (not much though). I knew I had to be fast if I wanted an epidural, or even to make it to the hospital, so after feeling about 3 contractions I woke Jeff up at probably 4:50am. He was so tired and I could tell he didn't want to wake up. I told him my usual, "I think I'm having contractions but I'm not totally sure" line, and he told me to time them. Once I felt one more I told him lets just go, because I knew it would happen fast! He drove us quickly to the hospital and we parked our car at about 5:15am. The contractions were getting more painful and closer together at this point. We checked in and I told them I would please like an epidural asap, and please check me right away. They asked me some questions and insisted I keep my mask on even through a contraction, then finally checked me and I was 8cm. They rushed me to my room where I could take off my mask and after I went to the bathroom, they started getting stuff ready for my IV. I was pretty set on this epidural, but at the same time I kind of knew it wasn't going to happen! By how close together and long the contractions were, I knew there wasn't much time. I also started feeling a slight urge to push. Before they even stuck me with a needle I told them to forget about it and that I would just have this baby naturally instead because I already felt like I needed to push. They told me that was a great decision, checked me, and sure enough I was 10cm and ready to push. The contractions were insanely painful this whole time and I started crying telling Jeff I couldn't do this with no pain meds and how terrified I was!! I didn't want to do it, but obviously had no choice, so I had to get in the zone. I listened to the doctor telling me when to push and how hard, and also felt when it was time to push. It was the craziest feeling, very painful, but yet not as bad as I maybe thought it would be?? Very hard to explain. I definitely screamed in pain though! In between contractions I used my breathing and was surprised that there was little pain at those times. It only took 3 contractions to push the baby out and on that last one I kept asking is he out? Is he out?? It felt amazing when he came out and I was very impressed with his nice coloring right from the start! Not gonna lie, I'm usually a little grossed out when they come out blue and are placed on me, but not this time! He was gorgeous and I had done it all naturally, and it was the best feeling in the world!!
Jeff and I of course always love this moment, when that fresh soul comes from heaven into this world! It's very powerful. He was a big baby and I guessed it was 10 lbs...which wasn't too far off! He was 9lbs 5oz, 21 inches long. The doctor had to deliver the placenta next, which didn't hurt, and then pushed on my belly a lot to get any blood clots out, which hurt a little. It all went so smoothly and I was happy to hear I also didn't tear at all. Yay! For a big baby, I guess the head was pretty normal sized! The after contractions were really bad this time and I had to make sure I kept up on pain killers so I wasn't in too much pain.
We went over the possible baby names on our list and decided Boston Jeffrey was the right name for him. Other options were Tyson, Kampbell, Cash, and Lincoln. I had fallen in love with Boston and couldn't get it out of my head! Jeff agreed that could be his name and we eventually sent out a message to our families. We waited a little while for them to wake up first! We had told them that we got sent home last night from the induction appointment and then that morning said April Fools! We did have the baby!! But then of course told them the truth. Baby Boss didn't like being turned away, so he decided to come on his own anyway and April Fools us all! I actually think it's fun to have an April Fools baby now, and that he started his life playing tricks, even though it meant showing up 3 days late!!
The wait felt like forever, but now that he arrived he is just the best baby I've ever had I think! He eats and sleeps really well already, and is mostly always content. He'll wake up every 3 hours in the night to eat, but will then go back to sleep! It's pretty amazing. I'm recovering well and feeling a million times better than when I was pregnant. It will be an adjustment of course, figuring out how to do life with 4 kids! So far my parents are helping me out so much, it's been amazing. Cindy has also been helping and we've gotten lots of drop-offs from friends and family. It was slightly different having a baby in this covid world, but I was very happy with how normal things felt in my room at the hospital and once I was in my room, I was never told to wear a mask. We stayed in the hospital until about 6pm that day, and then decided to leave so we wouldn't have to stay the night. We missed a couple of tests for Boston, but were told we could get them done later. We told my parents and they drove the kids over to our house that evening. The kids made a big "Welcome home Boston and Mom" sign and were so excited to see him! Bentley and Deacon were the cutest with him. They fought over who got to hold him first, but it was so fun to see how much they adored him. Bentley has become really good at holding him and helping already. Deacon is the absolute sweetest to Boston and gives him little massages and kisses when he holds him, sings to him, and my Dad caught him saying, "he's my brother, he's more important than candy," when the other kids were running over to get some while he was holding him. Leo likes to give the baby kisses and is pretty good at saying "Boston," or "Boss," but other than that he really doesn't care too much about him! We tried to have Leo hold him, but he really wasn't interested. He'll acknowledge that he's there, but then just gets in his own little world again!
The first week was filled with appointments and photos for Boston, but he seems to be doing really well. He was eating great, but wasn't gaining quite enough weight, so they clipped a tongue tie in hopes he'll eat more efficiently now. He also got circumcised and seems to be healing okay from that.
I am so in love with Boston, I can't even believe it!! He sure has my heart. I think because I know he's my last one, I want to cherish each phase even more. It's a tough balance trying to share my time with all my kids, but hopefully I can figure it out eventually!!
