Lincoln was born Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 1:05 p.m. after a long 9 months. My contractions started on Thursday but were slow and far apart. I kept feeling my stomach get hard and thought it was weird, not knowing that that was a contraction ha ha. Thursday night we drove up to my parents home to stay the night in case he decided to come. It was snowing and we were relieved to be closer to the hospital.
By Friday morning the contractions were the same and driving me insane. My mom is a strong believer in castor oil to help the contractions become more intense, so I drank the bottle of castor oil and hung out with my mom, Brett and Josh waiting for the contractions to get stronger. By ten that night I was tired and fed up so I went to bed. After playing games with Josh, Brett came in at midnight to go to sleep. When he woke me I instantly noticed I was in pain and started timing my contractions. For an hour I timed the contractions and they were 1 to 3 minutes apart for the hour. I kept telling Brett that they were hurting and getting closer together and getting excited to go. After an hour I got out of bed and went into the bathroom to get ready. Brett followed a few minutes later asking me if I was serious and in awe that it was really happening!!
We were off to the hospital by 1:15 am and we were so excited! I was so nervous that we would get all the way there and then my contractions would stop. We got there and went into the emergency room entrance and I was admitted. They hooked me up to the monitors and followed my contractions for an hour. They said they were close enough and strong enough that I would be having the baby that day! The contractions became more and more painful and they hooked me up to an IV for water and pitocin. At 3 am I was dilated to a 3 and they gave me the blessed epidural!!!! Life became more colorful and pain-free in a matter of minutes.
Since Dr. Bitner was in the next room delivering another baby, he came in at 5 and broke my water. Brett and I continued to sleep off and on until morning. I called my mom at 7:30 and when she answered the phone she was surprised it was me! We had snuck out in the night and she was so excited that I was getting so close. The doctors said that he would be out by about noon so I told my mom to come over by then.
At noon the nurses came in and said they had called Dr. Bitner and he was on his way. I was dilated to a 10 but he still had to drop just a little bit more. The nurses prepared the room and Dr. Bitner arrived at 12:45. With Brett holding my hand and facing the wall, I started pushing. After 5 sets of 10 second pushes (and an epesiotomy), Lincoln was born at 7 pounds and 11 ounces and 20 inches long. Perfect!!
Right when he came out the nurses commented on how cute his dimples are. He has one on each side when he smiles, it is so cute! He cried for a brief moment and then was cleaned and warmed and was happy again. Brett got to hold him as I was being finished off and I couldn't help but just stare at my little boy. The spirit filled the entire room so strong I couldn't help but just cry. He was so sweet and straight from heaven. I can't describe how I felt, but it was the most incredible experience I have ever had. Looking at him gave me the most incredible happiness and awe. He was perfect in every way and he was ours!!
We were in the delivery room for a while longer while we held and admired Lincoln. We hadn't officially decided on the name yet, so we talked about it and decided that should be his name. When we found out we were pregnant, Lincoln was the first name that Brett mentioned that he liked and I liked it a lot as well, but we wanted to wait until we met him. Once we saw him we knew that should be his name. It fits him so well! I can't imagine him with any other name.
My mom and dad came moments after and held our little boy. It was so sweet to see them hold him and admire him. We were moved to another room after and we enjoyed many visitors. Both of our families came and visited little Lincoln (unfortunately Bob and Claire were in Israel, but will be home soon to meet him!).
Lincoln loves his daddy :)
Brett was so supportive and wonderful through the entire thing. I couldn't ask for a more wonderful husband and supporter. Lincoln couldn't be more loved by his daddy.
I can't believe how incredible the entire experience was. Although the pregnancy was awful (I complained way too much, thanks Brett for putting up with me :)) and the delivery was hard, all of it is worth it when I get to hold my little boy. He is the most wonderful addition to our little family and I adore him.
New family photo :)
It was so fun to hang out all together on Sunday morning and night and enjoy our new son. We enjoyed many visitors and a nice dinner from my mom. On Monday morning we left the hospital and went home.
Some of the visitors: Aunt Laura
Uncle Josh
My family
Overall, Brett and I agreed that next to our wedding, this was the best weekend ever!
1. Successful delivery
2. My wonderful husband Brett
3. Lincoln
