Grayson’s birth

***Warning!!!  It’s the real birth story!  Those who don’t want to know….just skip to the pics!***

It’s been 3 weeks since Grayson was born.  I can’t believe it has been that long.  The days have slipped by with alarming quickness.  I love being a Mommy.  I love having two little guys to fill our house with love.  Grayson’s birth was nothing like Liam’s.  Liam was induced for post dates.  With Liam I went in at midnight, had Pitocin and then a magic epidural and by the next afternoon Little Liam came into the world without much pain at all.  With Grayson, we went in for induction at 5pm.  Had a slow, slow start but was finally contracting regularly without having to start the Pitocin.  After hours of contractions I finally asked for an epidural, expecting that it would be like last time.  Epidurals are not a particularly fun procedure.  First they make you contort into strange, curled positions then they poke around in your back for a while, but the relief is amazing.  The anesthesiologist that ATTEMPTED mine was a gruff older guy who chatted the whole time.  Things did not go well.  In fact, things could not have gone much worse.  After 3 painful attempts, an artery that was stuck by a epidural needle, and a doctor that used several surprised expletives, the epidural option was off the table.  I was told that due to the complications I had, I would have to have this baby without the aid of an epidural.  Unthinkable!!!  I was in tears.  So labor continued, I hurt, time passed and my cervix remained unchanged.  So frustrating.  By that afternoon I could no longer stand the pain. IV pain meds (which I only tried once) did nothing for the pain and made me so sick.  So the day shift anesthesiologist was called in.  I was officially a mess at this point.  I have never had that kind of pain before, and I honestly was not handling it well.  After much discussion of risks/benefits the new doctor agreed to give it one more shot.  If he was unable to get it with one stick, then I would be out of luck.  I prayed, pleaded “Please, please, please, please…” over and over again in my head.  I needed this. Thank goodness, he got the epidural in and I got some relief.  The rest of the labor was much more bearable.  This epidural was not as good as the one I had with Liam, so I still felt more than I would have liked but I could tolerate the pain.  By 11pm, on April 19th, we were making good progress.  The delivery happed so quickly it was laughable.  As happened with Liam I became really hot, really, really hot.  I told my wonderful nurse that when that happened before it was because I was fully dilated.  After a quick check we found out that we were ready.  My nurse was great, so sweet and spunky.  She had me do one “practice push” which brought the baby right down, then quickly called my Doctor.  It was funny.  She told him we were ready and he said “see ya in 10” to which she replied “Nope.  See ya in 5!”  She was right!  While the nurse and delivery tech got the delivery table  ready, I continued to contract.  While having one really big contraction I could feel A LOT of pressure, then I felt that little head turn as he prepared to enter the world!  I told my nurse, ‘I’m feeling a lot of pressure and I just felt the baby move.  I’m NOT pushing!”  She quickly peeked and realized that Grayson’s little head was out about to his ears.  WHAT?!?!  REALLY????  She laughed and quickly put her gloves on.  With the next contraction his head was fully out and I had yet to push!  Finally my nurse said to give a push and about half a push later Grayson entered the world without waiting for the doctor.  He did great.  Cried right away and Frank got to cut the cord.  It was a wonderful delivery after all the hard hours that had come before.   I feel truly blessed that we are all healthy and doing well.

 

still smiling

 

 

 

Right before delivery

He’s finally here!  1st picture!

He’s BIG!

Our wonderful nurse, Alex, who delivered (or caught!) Grayson.

Meeting Daddy

 

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Thorne

 

Auntie Marcy

Showing how he will hold the baby

Love my boys!

What an awesome big brother!

 

Meeting Grandpa Ray and Grandma Ruth

Introducing Grayson James

Our sweet little bundle of joy, Grayson James, was born on April 19th, 2012 at 11:56pm.  He weighed in at 8lbs 6oz and is 20 1/4 inches long.  He is perfect in every way!  It was a long, long, loooong induction but a very quick and easy delivery.  I will post his birth story and more pictures when I can think again!  Here’s a sneak peek of our little guy.

Easter

We had a really fun Easter this year.   Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Ray came out for dinner and a little egg hunting.  And we had the opportunity to share Easter dinner with our sweet Missionaries!  Liam loved giving the Missionaries their special Easter baskets with treats!  We were so lucky that the Easter Bunny visited our house 3 times!  Once in the morning to drop off Liam’s basket, then he stopped by before we got home from church to drop off the basket that Spencer had made for Liam, and then a third time to hide eggs in the yard!  Wow, he’s a busy bunny!

Coming in from the backyard to find that our furry friend had visited!

So much good stuff!

Got to put the ears on, even if only for a second

The hunt

Grandpa and Grandma

 

That’s one crazy boy!  Think he’s had some candy?!?

Excellent Eggs

Liam always loves dyeing eggs.  This year he was much better at using the egg scooper and avoided having blue fingers!  What a big boy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

38 Weeks

I realized that I have not taken many pictures of myself with this pregnancy.  I just haven’t felt like seeing myself…there’s a whole lotta me!  But since I took pictures of myself while pregnant with Liam I figured I better take a few with this baby as well.  I feel so blessed that the baby has been healthy and strong throughout this pregnancy.  I have not felt well for most of it, and had some really scary times.  Well, here I am. In all my pregnant glory!  Thanks Frank for taking pictures and letting me boss you around.

 

 

 

My view of the belly

 

Liam is so excited to be a big brother!

 

 

 

My sweet boy

Boys in a tub

Just a few cute pictures of our cuties hamming it up in the tub.  I know that one day soon Liam is going to start protesting any picture taking that happens in the tub so I’m getting it done now!

Spring Showers

Since this baby is my second, and also a boy, I was sort of hoping to get out of having any sort of baby shower.  I am not the kind of person who likes being the center of attention.  Ha ha ha!  I had 3!  That’s right, THREE!  It is amazing to have such wonderful family and friends who are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to celebrate our upcoming bundle of joy.  My first baby shower was thrown by my work friends.  Kira, my good friend, organized everything.  It was fun to see everyone, since I have been on disability for so long.  I am lucky to work with a group of great ladies!

The amazing diaper cake!

 

The girls

Everyone was so nice and generous!  We scored a TON of diapers, cute clothes and baby supplies.  And many of the girls who couldn’t make it to the party gave money.  We were able to buy a double stroller!  What great friends!

Shower number 2 took place at my sweet Mother-in-law’s house.  It was fun to catch up with friends and extended family.  Since my family was coming to visit we had the shower the same weekend. Again, I felt very spoiled and blessed!

Love this little onesie!

My Mom made an adorable blanket for the baby!  It is certain to be a cherished lovey!

It sure brought tears to my eyes!  Hormones, sheesh!

Yummy Cake!

Shower number 3 was thrown by my friend Kim, from church.  She and her sweet daughter Drei went to so much trouble!  The food table was amazing!  Cupcakes, rice crispy bars, cookies, all sorts of crackers, chips and pretzels, fruit trays….wow!  The church girls all came and shared a nice relaxed evening chatting.  I was brain dead and completely forgot to get my camera out of my purse.  I feel so much love and support from all my family and friends!  Can’t wait to have this little guy and show him off!