Russell's Birth Story

Here's how Russell Micah came into the world:

Just like his Daddy, Russell wanted to be fashionably late. We wouldn't let him be too late, though: we induced labor on Thursday, June 25. Our induction was scheduled to start at 6 am, so we left home at 5:30. Here we are on our drive:

We got to the hospital, got settled in our room, and pitocin was started around 7:30 to strengthen my contractions. We were happy Leigh Anne was working so she could be our nurse for an hour (until her shift was over)!

They increased my pitocin levels every so often. At around 12:30, the contractions started getting really intense. Unfortunately for Jason, this was when he got hungry. I told him he couldn't leave to eat until I decided to get the epidural! He was a wonderful labor coach.

I decided around 3:15 that I had had enough, so the nurse checked and told me that yes, I was far enough along to have the epidural. They started the IV bag, and the epidural was actually given at 4 pm. What a relief! I could still move my legs and feel some pressure in my back with the contractions, which I didn't mind. The epidural allowed me to rest and get ready for the hard work to come...

At 7:15 pm, I told the nurse I was feeling more pressure. She checked me and said it was time to push! I couldn't believe it - they had told us earlier it probably wouldn't be time until 8 at the earliest.

We started pushing at 7:30, and Russell was born at 8:13 pm! He weighed 7 lbs, 7 oz, and was 20 1/2 inches long. Healthy in every way!

The labor and delivery were really not bad! We are happy to be home now and getting settled in - whatever that means with a newborn's schedule! We love him so much :)

Russell is here!

After a 13-hour induction process, Russell was born at 8:13 pm on Thursday, 6/25. He weighed 7 lbs, 7 oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. We came home yesterday around noon, and have been sleep-deprived but everyone is doing well! We love him so much already!

We are pretty busy with our little guy, but here's a picture to tide you over:

Non-Stress Test

I had a test this morning - my doctor scheduled it just to check on the baby, since I'm overdue. I sat in this leather recliner (very comfy!) with two monitors: one to hear the baby's heartbeat, and another to monitor my contractions. I had this little clicker thing that I pressed every time the baby moved. They wanted to make sure his heart rate increased with each movement.

Apparently the tests normally last at least 15 minutes, but she turned it off after 10 or so because he was doing so well! She said he did the best of any baby she'd tested in a few weeks. (Yes, I am a proud mama already!)

Also, at the end she said, "Oh, you're having a contraction! Do you feel that?" I told her that I'd been having them for a couple weeks now and he's still in there! Oh well!

Less than 48 hours and we will be at the hospital for the induction - unless he wants to come earlier! We are SO excited!

Hello, sparkly new fridge!

We are stepping into the new millenium! Jason and I bought a new (to us) fridge from CraigsList. It's only 10 months old and best of all, it has an icemaker! You don't know how annoying it is to use ice trays until you have to do it for 4 years.

Our old fridge wasn't broken, but we knew it was old and wouldn't last much longer. We didn't know just how old it was until we pulled it out from the wall last night and I found a little sticker that said 1979 on it!

Here's my handyman, pointing out the sticker - he and this fridge are the same age!

Old fridge vs new fridge - can you tell which is which? :)

Old fridge, you held food and memories for many families...

...but new fridge looks sparkly, bright, clean and lovely in its new home :)

Baby Eviction Notice

13 days max.

That's right! This baby will be out within the next 13 days. At my doctor's appointment yersterday, we went ahead and set a possible induction date of Thursday, June 25. This is 4 days after my due date, because my doctor is on call that day, and she's not comfortable with pregnancies lasting any longer than 41 weeks (due to increased risk of complications).

We don't want to have to force you out, Russell - but you have a deadline!

Goodbye, Drew and Kelley!

On Sunday night, Jason and I went to a going-away party for our friends Drew and Kelley, who are moving to Raleigh as staff for Campus Crusade.

Interesting facts about Drew and Kelley:
1) They are doing P90X - you know Jason loves that!
2) Drew's family is taking over Westover Church! By that I mean, his extended family seem to be marrying everyone at Westover. Soon, they'll have to change the name of the church to their last name :)

Here's a candid of Kathy and me at the party - hey, pregnant ladies gotta eat!


Cara, Kelley, Emilie, and Jessica


Everyone - including the dogs - will miss you! We know God will use you in wonderful ways.

Ultrasound, and Crazy PG "Side Effects"

We had our ultrasound a few hours ago. Everything is A-OK with Mr. Russell! There is a normal amount of amniotic fluid. Also, according to the ultrasound, he is a small baby: he weighs 6 lbs 5 oz, which is 35th percentile for weight at this time. But she and the on-call doctor both said that's not too small.

PG side effects: Somehow, I'm not getting some of the things that normal pregnant women get, like stretch marks, or swollen ankles. But before you think I'm bragging, let me tell you about the two strange side effects I have gotten. First, carpel tunnel. Did you even know that could be brought on by pregnancy? I didn't. I feel sorry for anyone who has it all the time - my hands fall asleep really easily, or tingle, or ache.

Second, just today the doctor confirmed I have mild pregnancy-induced Bell's Palsy - another thing I didn't know could be pregnancy related. This means that the muscles on one side of my face are weaker than those on the other side. It's like a very mild version of stroke victims who have a droopy side of their face. Attractive, right?

Both of these things will go away shortly after Russell is born. Come on out, baby! More than anything, we want to meet you - but it would be nice to have my body back to normal, too!

In No Hurry

I had my weekly doctor's appointment today, and it looks like Russell is not in a rush to come out. There hasn't been much progress. The doctor said I could still have a few more weeks. So if you live around here and need some company during the day, let me know! I purposefully didn't make plans for the next few weeks (wishful thinking that he would be here early), and I don't want to sit around the house all day :)

Also, I've gone back to being 3 cm. too small, so the doctor scheduled another ultrasound. She said that the small measurement could be because he's dropped some, but she wants to rule out the possibility of low fluid. I guess this is the next-best thing to seeing this little boy face-to-face!