The joys of motherhood

I knew that we would be excited to meet Ethan, but no words can express the love and joy that Matt and I have for him. Even though he keeps me up at all hours of the night and will whimper and cry and I have no clue what he wants, I would not have it any other way. Here are some of the things that I absolutely love about Ethan and being his mommy:

1. the noises he makes as I feed him

2. watching him make faces as he sleeps; the smile is my favorite!

3. the way he kicks and punches

4. the way he will whimper and then when I hold him he is suddenly at ease

5. watching him fall asleep in my arms

6. taking naps with him; we cuddle together

7. his monkey toes; he got them from me!

8. watching Matt console, feed, burp, and entertain his baby boy

9. the way he will gaze into my eyes as if he is telling me he loves me

10. the way he sleeps...either on his side or on his back with both hands up over his head

11. his awesome hair that I hope he does not lose!!

12. the way he clamps on to my fingers with his hand

13. his cries...it lets me know I am needed

I know this list will continue to grow as he does!

Ethan's journey into this world

It all started Saturday June 7 around 1o pm. I was having contractions, but nothing too close together. They were making me wince in pain, and I knew that the time was near. We went to bed around midnight, and around 1:00 am I was woken up with some steady contractions (about 7-8 minutes apart). I did not wake Matt up yet; I just wrote down and kept track of the contractions. Around 2:30 Matt stirred, and I called the midwife. Needless to say, she told me to wait until they were 5 minutes apart and unbearable. I was frustrated because I could not sleep and just wanted my baby. We went back to bed, but I did not sleep at all. Contractions continued all morning long on Sunday, but still nothing was consistent enough. I told Matt that I could not take this much longer! This baby better come soon! By 3:00 pm, the contractions were more intense, but anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes apart. I called the midwife again and she told me to either wait it out or come to the hospital for them to check me. No brainer there...we were headed to the hospital!!

On the way to the hospital, I was having contractions consistently at 7 minutes apart. By the time I was checked, I was 3 cm and 100% effaced. My last doc appointment was on Friday, so I had made a lot of progress over the weekend. I was admitted, and now we were ready for baby!

It was about 6:00 pm that we got to our labor and delivery room. The nurses did all their stuff, and then Matt and I went on a walk to get things going even more. My family showed up during this time, and I was so glad to see their love and support!

I got the epidural (lifesaver!!!) and was now just laying there waiting for actual labor to begin. I was progressing...I went to 4 1/2 centimeters in about 1 hour. My contractions were still not coming as hard and steady as they needed to be. The midwife started me on pitocin to make things go even faster. During all this, the midwife discovered that the baby was turned a little, so they had me changing positions every 30 minutes to get him to move. Also, when I was having contractions, the baby's heart rate was doing weird things that they did not like, so they gave me an oxygen mask. I am not gonna lie...that really scared me. Within another 1 1/2 hours, I was at 8 cm. The pushing began about 1:30 am. Matt, my mom, and my sis were there for the whole thing. It was quite a miracle! Little Ethan came into the world at 2:50 am June 8.

2 cm and waiting...

I will be the first to admit that I truly thought I would have a baby boy in my arms by now. The pregnancy has been wonderful, so surely he would grace us with his presence before my actual due date. Apparently my baby boy already loves being with his mommy and is not wanting to let go!

I can really feel the end of this pregnancy. I am cramping, having intense pains at random moments, feeling the need to always sit down, and getting immune to the lower back pain. Everyone keeps telling me to relax and take it easy, but when I do that too much, I find myself thinking about nothing else but this baby coming. I do not want to become too anxious, so I am doing things to take my mind off of just sitting and waiting. I am constantly cleaning (not a bad thing at all!), running errands, going to the mall with Matt or family, reading a book, etc to stay active.

I think we are both a little skeptical of the whole labor ordeal. We both want to see him so bad and bring him to our home that we often forget about the process of him getting here. Matt laughs at me because I am such a planner and want to know how everything will happen...like the exact route to the hospital, where we will park, what our house will look like when we leave it, leaving Mags and Kay (the dogs) for who knows how long...the list could go on and on!!

I have been thinking about some things that I will truly miss about being pregnant:

1. Having an excuse to sleep and eat when I want without a reason

2. Feeling my baby move inside of me

3. Experiencing first-hand one of God's miracles at work

4. Nesting...I have really gotten some things accomplished...maybe it will keep up!

5. Late night runs for ice cream and other sweet treats! Thanks Matty! :)

6. the natural glow I feel like I have at times...being pregnant does make you excited and happy!

7. reading and learning all about my growing and changing baby inside of me...now I will read about the actual baby!!

8. Seeing an even softer side of Matt--he has really been a trooper and sweetheart through the pregnancy...I can't wait to see him as a father.

Here are the things that I am ready to give up or go back to with my pre-pregnancy life:

1. Running and working out!!

2. drinking Coke

3. not having to pee 2+ times during the night

4. not having random people comment on my belly...well, now it will be the baby

5. being able to wear normal clothes

6. being able to walk without my back aching

7. explaining to everyone how I am doing and what is going on with the pregnancy...I do not lke all attention on me...again, this will now be on the baby

8. being able to see my feet

9. eating feta cheese...I LOVE Greek salads!

10. SHOPPING!! I have not bought myself any clothes (besides to necessities for the growing belly) in what feels like forever! I go to the mall and just look...