Baby Jack's Birthday

HI Everyone! Well, I am home now and awake with Jack so I figured it would be a good time to update everyone on his arrival! I went to my appointment on Tuesday the 7th last week and my OB decided it was time to set up an induction. I was hoping for Thursday but she was going on vacation for the weekend so my only choice was bright and early Wed morning! Ryan and I decided to tell very few people that I was actually going in just in case things didn't work and I would get sent home. Anyways, Wed morning we arrived at the hospital bright and early :) Both of us were excited and anxious! I got my IV in and by 8:00 I was getting the pitocin. When we arrived I was the same as I had been the last few weeks-1cm dilated and 80% effaced. By 12:00 I was feeling contractions and they were coming every 2-3mins. I wasnt uncomfortable at that point so Ryan and I were playing cards and just talking. By 3:00 my doctor came in and said I was 4cm dilated, 100% effaced and the baby was engaged! YAY we had made some progress! My OB decided to break my water at this point and from then on the contractions just got worse! I was proud of myself for not getting the epidural at this point, nore did I have any pain medications. I proceeded to contract every 2mins the rest of that night. When my doctor came back that night at 7 I was STILL 4cm!!! It felt like I should have been 10cm the way the contractions were coming! I was getting a little discouraged at this point by Ryan was very good at keeping me grounded and reminding me that I was doing a good job :) The next morning after a night of walking, using the birthing ball and making it through some pretty crazy contractions, I was still only 5cm dilated. My doctor offered to come in at 630 and do a c-section if I wanted her to. Ryan and I talked it over and decided against it...I had made it this far, might as well try some more! Ryan and I spent the morning walking in the hall--well, taking a step and then stopping for a contraction and rocking in a chair to try to get things going. At 10:00 the OB that was coming on for the weekend came in to check me...I was still only a 5 and 19 hours out from having my water broken (they will only let you have your water broke for 24hrs). At this point Ryan and I made the decision to go with the c-section. I felt a little disappointed in my body but I was ready to be done. I had given it a pretty good shot I thought! They said the OR was super busy so my c-sections wouldnt be until that afternoon.....HA, 5 mins late they are in my room getting everything ready! I walked into the OR, which was right next my room at 11:00. I got my spinal block, which wasnt as bad as I thought it would be and Ryan was next to me by 11:15! It was a weird feeling knowing that our baby would be here any minute! The OB was AMAZING, he talked me through everything and updated me on what they were doing. He kept saying "this baby is bigger then all of us thought!" Ryan was able to stand up and watch when Jack came out! All of a suddened I heard a little cry and then the OB said here he is Laura! Jack came into this world July 9th, 2009 at 11:26AM-screaming! I immediatly started to crying and dont tell Ryan I told you, but he was crying too...we all were crying :) Jack weighed 9lbs 14ounces and is 22 inches long. He has dark brown hair and Navy blue eyes....he looks just like Ryan! Ryan was able to go over the warmer and be with Jack in the nursery while they finished with me. I was so happy that they were able to bring Jack into the recovery room right away so I could hold him. Even though the whole labor didnt go as hoped, I was very happy with my choice to finally have the c-section. I think Ryan was relieved too because he no longer had to see me in pain, well, pain from the contractions! Here a few pictures from Jack's Birthday!

Please ignore how swollen I am :)

Jack meeting Duke and Rosco for the first time