Dylan James, you just couldn’t wait to join this world. After two false alarms that sent us to the hospital, every doctor’s visit was an exciting event. So when I had a doctor’s appointment on 8/18 the same day as a full moon and eclipse, your Daddy said to me….”if anything happens at the doctor today could you wait to text me until after I teach at 3:15?” I said “sure thing!” Your Nonna picked me up and we headed to see Dr. Kastner, my OB/GYN for almost 20 years! Dr. Kastner was so excited during the exam, she kept saying how perfect you were. And then I sat up and said “I think my water just broke!” Your Nonna immediately pulled open the curtain and started crying and Dr. Kastner got so excited she gave me a huge hug. And as I walked out of the office so did all the super kind nurses, Monique, Deborah and Tricia. And right there our journey began….we were off to begin the next part of our adventure.
I looked at the time and thought “your dad’s gonna kill me!” But I called him anyway. “Hey, how’s it going? You busy right now?….cause my water just broke!” I’ve never seen your dad move so fast. He ran out of work but this time it was no false alarm. Meanwhile your Nonna and I took our sweet time. I made her take me to carvel and then to an Italian deli to get some pre-labor snacks. We met your dad at Nonna’s house and got our gear together and went for a nice long walk.
Eventually we made our way over to the hospital. At this point we felt like pros breezing through admissions and triage. During triage we played trivia games and chatted and had some good laughs. Then the three of us set up camp in Labor Room 2. The early hours were so relaxing. Daddy set the lighting and put on some music. We did some calm breathing for a few hours and tried to sleep in between surges which started to come every 2 minutes. Mommy had her red lipstick on and her hair perfect almost the entire night.
Things were off to a slow start but around 4:00 am after being at the hospital for 8 hours the pace began to kick into gear…7 cm dilated. And after a shift change at the hospital at 6:00 am, we were in active labor! A nurse on duty name Effie let us utilize all that we learned in Hypnobirthing class. Our teacher Maeva would be so proud. We used our sage and clary and peppermint oil….and did surge breathing to breath the baby down from +2 all the way to -1.
After a long day and night of labor, knowing you were almost here gave me the motivation to keep going. That and the strength from daddy and Nonna. Just knowing that they were there for me made all the difference. I looked at nurse Effie and said “tell me the truth are we really almost there?” She confirmed and said “you’ll know when it’s time.” And she was right. I was able to labor in several different positions and when I turned around all of the sudden the room was filled and the staff was getting ready to bring you into this world. Apparently an all natural childbirth draws quite the crowd at the hospital.
At that point I knew I was ready. After about 4 big birthing breathes / pushes someone said “I can see his head!!” Nonna joined the medical staff and daddy peaked around to see you enter this world. And then we all waited patiently for what seemed like an eternity….although it was probably only a minute or two. I gave one last big breath down and out you came. All 7 pounds and 11 ounces of you.
They placed you right on my chest as Nonna cut your cord. Daddy and I held you tight while we looked at you in awe and shed tears of joy. You were finally here. It was the most amazing feeling in my life and I will never forget how much love I felt for you in that very moment.
You were so strong and smart right from the very start. I cried as you grabbed my finger with your tiny hand and crawled down and started feeding right away. Such a quick learner. We FaceTimed with your aunt LD as you were minutes old. She was there with you right from the very first sonogram. You are so loved by so many people.
Our first days with you have been so special and every day I wake up and still can’t believe you’re really here.
