Durham's Birth Story

the day before: November 30, 2011

the hubs and I went to the holspital to have all our paperwork and blood work out of the way. we had our last OB appointment and got all our questions asked and answered about the c-section that was scheduled for the next day. As we were waiting on some tests, we realized that in less than 18 hours we would be holding our baby boy. I posted this picture on facebook...

that night we could hardly sleep... we had to be up at 4:30am to be at the hospital by 5:45am, but it didn't matter. we were so excited about meeting our son that we just snuggled down and cherished that last sleepless night that it would only be the two of us.

Birth-day: December 1, 2011

we got to the hospital at 5:45am and were taken back to a private room on the labor and delivery floor. I was given a very figure-flattering gown to wear and the hubs had some stylish blue scrubs. the nurse hooked my baby belly up to a monitor so we could hear Durham's heartbeat. it was all I could hear for the next two hours... such a beautiful beat. we waited together in that room until they came to get me...

they took me into the operating room alone. I remember being more nervous about getting the catheter than I was the spinal block. All the dr's in the room were so nice, they kept making sure I was comfortable and reassuring me that everything was going to be ok. I was so relieved when they finally brought Chris in to sit beside me, he could hold my hand even though it was strapped down and was so comforting even though I know he was just as scared as I was.

Durham was born at 8:33am. Came out screaming... it was the most amazing moment of our lives. My heart nearly doubled in size. This is the video of the first time they brought him around the curtain for me to see... I can't watch it without crying and I am so thankful to have it because I have almost no memory from this point on the rest of the day.

Our family and friends were out in the waiting room... 
thinking positive thoughts for us and sending up lots and lots of prayers. 

After Durham was an ouitside baby, Chris escorted him and the nurse upstairs to the NICU, they just wanted to monitor him and get his temperature regulated. I think he was in there for about an hour... it kills me to see him in this little box, but I am so thankful that he is healthy.

 
Lucky for our fan club out in the waiting room... once they finished in the NICU they could all watch thru the nursery windows as Chris gave his baby boy a bath. These pictures of my two boys are the most precious things I have ever seen... I was still in the OR getting all stitched up, so I missed out on this, and I am so thankful that aunt ra was able to capture everything so I could live it with them. It is so beautiful to watch Chris take care of our baby boy... I can't even explain the ache in my heart when I look at these pictures.

While all of the above is going on, I am taken down to a recovery room where I have to stay for at least an hour. (or until I was able to wiggle my legs). They had untied my arms from the bed and I laid there throwing up and scratching my itching face and arms for an hour straight. It was the longest hour of my life. From the recovery room, they wheeled my bed into our regular room and people started pouring in! I remember being so relieved that it was 'over' and that everyone who had been supporting us so amazingly from the beginning was now filing into our room to tell me how beautiful our baby was and how proud they were of us.

and then I threw up.

and again, and again. I had a terrible reaction to the spinal and was absolutely sick the rest of the day. boo. absolutley not how I anticipated our first day with Durham to be. They gave me medicine for the nausea, but it made me so sleepy I would just sleep through people coming to see us. Chris changed every diaper that first day, and totally took care of Durham. I really don't even remember holding him, but I know I did, because I have these pictures.

I can't wish for our first day to be different. I can't wish that I didn't have to have a c-section, or wish that I didn't get sick, or wish for anything different than what it was. It is OUR STORY. It gave us our perfect baby and I would do it all again, exactly the same, a million times just to have him.
It was perfect for us at this time.

 our very first family photo

our baby Durham

December 1, 2011 at 8:33am we welcomed our beautiful baby boy into the world.

durhamchristopherreagan

I can not tell you what an amazing experience it has been becoming a mommy (and watching my husband turn into a dad right before my eyes). I never knew I could love someone so much that my heart might burst. Durham is the most amazing gift... and Chris & I are beyond amazed by him every day.

I am working on his birth story, memories that I want to keep forever, and I am excited to share the details with you but it will take some time. Here are a few pictures of our little man to hold you over.

 {the very first time mommy got to hold Durham.

The hour that I was in recovery from the c-section was one of the longest in my life.

Daddy was upstairs with Durham getting him all cleaned up}

{daddy snuggling Durham at the hospital, and when we FINALLY got released on Saturday}

 {at the hospital}

{gifts from sweet friends}

 {sweet sleeping boy}

{my heart could burst at any moment. I love these boys so much}

Thank you for all the love and prayers. And, to our friends and family, you guys have no idea how special it is to us to have you love on our baby boy. Thank you for being at the hospital, thank you for the prayers, hugs, wet washcloths, food, laughs, visits, snuggles, and pictures. You guys are amazing and we will forever be thankful that you were able to share in the most special day of our lives.

Thanksgiving!

We wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving! Full of food, fun, friends and family. This is one of our favorite holidays... we just love everything about it.

There is so much to be thankful for always, but with the arrival of Durham just one week from today we are especially thankful for all that God has blessed us with this year. May your heart be open and ready to receive all the JOY this season will bring.

week 38

to catch you up: the baby is still inside.

I know you guys were starting to wonder... haha. 

Thanks for the emails, but baby Durham is still snug as a bug in my belly.

As we get closer, it feels like every time I call someone they think I'm calling to tell them I'm in labor. nope. not yet. 

I do have quite an update for you...

I went today for our weekly (38 weeks to be exact) appointment and my first internal exam. My usual dr. was out on a delivery so I saw another dr. in the practice that I had not met before. Our initial visit went something like this...

dr: wow, how much weight have you gained?

me: about 25 lbs

dr: really? Your belly looks way to big to be 38 weeks.

me: really? It does feel big, but I've only been measuring a week ahead every other week or so...

dr: (feels around on the outside of my belly trying to check for Durhams position and then does the internal check of my uterus... ouch) well, you are closed and very very high. I can hardly reach your uterus it's so high.

me: oh gawd, don't say that! I was really hoping to be progressing!!

dr: I am gonna send you for an ultrasound to measure the baby and check for position.

me: ok. (proceed to throw up in my mouth a little)

So, I head over to the ultrasound wing, and wait, and wait, and wait. The tech was super nice showing me everything. his arms, his legs, his heart, his kidneys. Everything looked great. We couldn't see his face because he was backwards facing my spine, but I'm sure he is just an adorable mini-version of the hubs. He is measuring big, at 9lbs 1oz (however, ultrasound measurements can sometimes be a lb off) and he is in fact BREECH.

When I heard this, I was shocked. We have not had an ultrasound since our 23 week scan, but I have been told all along that he was head down. They feel my belly at every appointment to confirm, and I have had no indication otherwise. At this point, I was sent back down to see the dr. again to discuss our "options".

I'll keep it short, I'm not trying to educate anyone here, just share my experience...

basically he said that we could try the external cephalic version (which has about a 50% success rate in weeks 35-37 and with a normal size baby) but that because Durham is already 38 weeks and much bigger, he thinks the success rate of that would be about 10%... there are also some other more natural ways to get him to turn... music at the pelvis, flashlight, cold at the top of the belly and warm at the bottom, the pelvic tilt (just google and you can find videos of everything) and believe me, we will be trying them all... but for now, 

we are scheduled to have our BIG baby boy 

on December 1st via c-section.

I spent the day today mourning the medicated vaginal birth I had been imaging for the past 9  months. C-section had never even entered my mind. I am still overwhelmed by how different everything seems now... no "surprise honey, my water broke" phone calls to the hubs, no mothers/bffs in the delivery room, no photos... the recovery will be much different too. Something I am not sure I have even wrapped my mind around yet.

Don't get me wrong... we are THRILLED that he is a healthy baby, and I know that there was a reason that my normal dr. was in delivery today... I was meant to be seen by someone new. I am glad to have this information early and not have everything thrust at me while in active labor.

I posted this verse on my facebook page today... and I am trying to remind myself that MY plans are not always the plans that God has for me. His plans are better. His plans are right. His plans will eventually rock my face off (even if it does not feel like it right now).

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I am sharing this experience because this is why I blog... to remember. To create a path of memories that will take me back to a specific time, that when I read these words again I will feel them. The excitement and joy of the pending arrival of our first baby, the anticipation, the pain, the heartache. But also, today I am sharing because I need support. I need prayers. I would love to hear from other momma's that have been through a similar experience. Advice? Love? I'll take it.

pamela.eaton@gmail.com

Nursery Details

Thanks for all the love on Durham's Nursery Reveal yesterday!

We are so thrilled with how everything came out... the hubs and I are often joking that baby D has the nicest room in our house. haha

Here are the details/sources/links to some of the things in his room... 

if you don't see something listed and want to know JUST ASK, we are happy to share.

1. THE BOOK LEDGES: I was inspired by some from IKEA... we have one in our Kitchen and one in our Office already... but, even though they are very affordable at $10 each ($60 for 6) I was not sure I wanted to spend that much. So, my dad made them... and mom sanded and painted them. They are one of my very favorite things in the room. To make your own... this is a great tutorial to follow.

2. THE BOOKS: Durham is one lucky little guy to have such a library! At one of my Baby Showers the invitation included wording like this "we have one request we hope isn't too hard, please sign your name to a book instead of a card. Then mom and dad will be ready when baby arrives, to read to little Durham for the rest of his life!" How stinkin' cute is that! We got so many great books at all of our showers and we can't wait for him to get here so we can start reading!

3. THE CURTAINS: These are Eclipse Black Out (and energy efficient) window panels from WALMART. I love how dark they make the room when they are closed... we got the "dark blue" which is almost black. $22. Also, the hardware came from Walmart (link to the rod here) but I couldn't find the clips. Same section and brand though.

4. BOAT: One of my friends, Hannah, found this at a garage sale for $4. GO HANNAH!

5. GRACO SWING: This was a gift from one of the hubs brothers. (we totally lucked out being the last to have kids on his side... so many awesome hand.me.downs. everyone has been so generous). I believe this is the model on Amazon.

6. CRIB SKIRT: I actually made this myself! White fabric, and two strips of blue ribbon and one strip of yellow (that I didn't even sew on! I just used no sew tape! haha)

7. BLANKETS: Amazing hand knitted/crocheted blankets made with love by some very special people. I joke that I will never let him use them except for pictures. haha

8. BOAT MOBILE: I think this is my very favorite thing in the entire room. I saw it on this blog and I searched and searched and searched to find it. FINALLY, I found it (this was months ago, it's obviously easier to find now... just saw 12 sites online that carry it! haha) and bought it from The Ancient Mariner.

9. THE CRIB: Long story short... the crib also came from WALMART. It is the Graco Lauren 4-1 Convertible Crib in Espresso. We had some issues with the original order (not from walmart) and with the color/finish... but, everything worked out and we I got exactly what we I wanted.

10.THE CHAIR/PILLOWS: Like I mentioned yesterday, we have not settled on a chair/glider/rocker/recliner yet. These are BIG decisions people, so for right now, this is a chair from our living room. Bestie made the pillows for me (like the day after we picked his name). She's sweet like that... I keep encouraging her to open an etsy shop.

1. THE DRESSER: is from IKEA. $300 and really beautiful in person. We love it so much we are thinking about purchasing one for our master bedroom. Dad, doesn't that sound like fun? Putting that together again! HAHA

2. CHANGING PAD: gifted, but the pad and the cover are from Babies R Us.

3. HAMPER: How cute and nautical is this! It was in the basket section of Hobby Lobby. Regualar $30 (but 1/2 off... so I got it for $15) whoot!

4. BLUE GLASS JARS: Thrifted

5. DURHAM SIGN: I bought the wooden letters from Walmart (I liked the more "boyish" font than the ones I had seen at Michaels or HobLob) and mom painted them white and mounted them to the other piece of wood (Home Depot) with wood glue. I love how it turned out.

6.WALL COLOR: BEHR Velvet Sky (it is a cross between blue and gray)

1. GROWTH RULER: I was inspired by Pinterest to do this Pottery Barn knock-off growth chart... (see the bloggers tutorial here) the stain came out a little darker than I had wanted, but it's not as dark in person as it is in this photo. I can't wait to start marking his growth and milestones. :)

2. & 3. OAR & BOUY: Both came from HomeGoods. Bestie and I LOVE that store.

*****

OK, I think that about sums it up. Completing his room has been such a labor of love.... there are some days where I just walk in there and stare at stuff... thinking about when he'll be playing with this or sleeping in that... right now all we can do is day dream. 
I can't wait for an outside baby!