Happy Birthday, Caden!

Dear Caden,

I can't believe it's been one year since you made your arrival official. I remember my pregnancy with you like it was yesterday. There were some moments that were a little scary. First, at 9 1/2 weeks, I had bleeding and cramping. At 11 weeks, I was diagnosed with a perigestational bleed, said to heal itself. At 20 weeks I was labeled "high risk" because there was a threat of pre-term labor, and bed rest was prescribed by the good doctor. After a couple emergency visits to the hospital and four ultrasounds later, everything ended up being fine, and you made it to 38 weeks.

The week prior to you being born, you were busy getting yourself into a position that would make it nearly impossible for the doctors to get you out, but we couldn't have known that until your time to arrive was upon us.

I thought it would be fun to share the day you were born through the eyes of your Auntie Kari. She journaled the entire day for me, and her insight is priceless. (Thank you, Auntie Kari and Nanna for being there to suppport me and being my memory!) Here are some excerpts:

Happi started having regular contractions around 1 a.m. which was preceded by a weird "screwdriver" sensation in her pelvis. Nanna was called at 3:30. She called Kari and they started out at 4 a.m.

6:44: The doctor is called and he says "come on in!"

8:17: The doctor has just broken the water. Happi is between 2-3 cm and 50% effaced.

8:59: Happi has been walking the halls to help labor progress. At one point she hears a woman screaming next door and innocently asks, "What's wrong with that woman?"

11:35: We're having fun with nurse Becky discussing nursing and the options of storing breastmilk for future use...including cooking for the family. Jerry has come up with some new dishes to try: Lactatoes, Lac & Cheese, and opening up a LacDonald's!

11:50: Happi s 4 cm, 80% effaced.

1:15 p.m.: Becky hooks Happi back up to the monitor and the contractions are coming quickly and with more intensity. Blood sugar is low and she is awaiting a popsicle from Becky. After trying it, she decides to just eat sugar packets and drink water instead.

2:11: Becky checks Happi and she is still 4 cm., Happi is getting very discouraged with the lack of progress.

3:36: Dr. has been in. He says she is 4 cm, 80% effaced...no change. Options are discussed, and Hap agrees to start a low dose of pitocin. An IV is started (it took several people to get one in). Hap is so discouraged, and getting more and more emotional. "Happi, this will fade in your memories...thankfully! Soon you will have that little baby in your arms and I know the day will come soon when you watch your two boys together. You'll watch Cody sing to his little brother, share a special toy, or read a book to him. Your pain and discouragement will be long forgotten as you look at both your sons, praise your heavenly Father for them and think to yourself, 'what did I ever do before my little boys came into my life?' You call me when you have that moment, Sissy! I will know EXACTLY what you mean!"

5:56: The pit is working. Contractions are closer together and gaining more intensity. Doc comes back in to check. Happi puts her finger in his face and says, 'Do NOT even tell me I am 4-5 cm or I will hurt you something fierce!!!' The check shows 5 cm and 90% effacement. Her feet and legs are tingling, she is in pain, and Happi is NOT happy.

6:09: An epidural is ordered (much to Hap's dismay). Dr. feels that the intensity of the contractions may be preventing her from relaxing her pelvis. He also advises that by agreeing to an epidural, she will be able to save her strength for pushing. Happi reluctantly agrees.

6:36: Happi is now begging for the anesthesiologist to arrive and administer the epidural.

7:12: The epidural has done its job. She is at 7 cm. YAY! Becky begins to prep the room and feels you will have a baby by 8 p.m.

7:33: Dr. Dan comes into check. He puts a monitor on the baby. You are still at 7 cm but feeling tons of pressure. Baby's heart rate has some dips, so Dr. Dan wants to monitor him closely.

7:55: The nurse for the night shift has just come in and she keeps changing your position based on the baby's heart rate. You are feeling so much pressure and really want to push.

8:08: Dr. Dan comes in- you are now 8-9 cm! He asks for a little push. A new nurse enters the room, gowned up and ready to go. You're so close Hap! Baby's heart rate is dipping again. You are given oxygen. Dr. Dan is watching things closely. You are 100% effaced.

8:13: Dr. Dan tells us the baby is sunny side up. He's hoping that he will turn as you begin to push.

8:20: You REALLY want to push. Dr. Dan is trying to manually rotate the baby and it is 8:25 now.

8:34: Dr. Dan announces it's time to get the bed ready. Neonatology is called as well as the anesthesiologist.

8:36: He's HERE! 7 lbs., 5 oz. and he looks just like Cody! (a little side note: When Caden arrived, he was blue, but he began breathing pretty quickly after he emerged...but this is why neo and the anesthesiologist were called. It was very scary because of his heart rate dropping and the fact that he was in a position that made it almost impossible for me to push him out.)

8:53: Nanna asks Dr. Dan how close we were to a c-section and he reveals we were about a half inch away from the OR. (I am so incredibly thankful that I was able to avoid a section. Any other doctor would have wheeled me into the operating room given all the problems. But after 19 hours of gruelling labor, I think the good doctor knew I would go into hysteria if presented with a c-section. He was watching things very closely, and I trusted that he knew what he was doing. My mom and sister might disagree, however!!!)

Caden, my labor with you was not at all what I expected, nor was it in my "birth plan." But praise be to God, you arrived safe and sound, despite all the bumps and bruises you endured along the way. I'm so thankful for the gift of your life. Thank you for teaching me so much this past year. I can't wait to continue to watch you grow into the man God has called you to be.

For a sweet message from your brother...click here.