My fifth pregnancy has been my hardest so far. I felt more tired and sluggish than I have with other pregnancies, especially the last few weeks. I'm not sure if it was my age, or the pregnancies so close together, or the fact that we moved during it, or all of them combined. One thing's for sure, my excitement to meet the new little guy, was higher than ever. My official due date was June 27th, but I was scheduled to be induced on the 20th.
The Sunday before we had a nice dinner up at the Fillmore's house. Rachel, who is pregnant with twins, and I took lots of belly pictures. You'd think that I was the one having twins from the looks of this picture.
I really love how this picture turned out. It the last picture that I have of me pregnant.
On Tuesday night, I had a bee in my bonnet about getting my bag packed and charging the batteries for all the cameras. On Wednesday morning, the 18th, I was determined to get my car registered which was the last thing on my list before the baby came. It turned out to be a lot more work and running around than I'd imagined. I finally came home at about 4pm. I was tired and in a rush trying to get some dinner ready when the boys told me that there was a bird in the front room. We have been battling the birds all summer, and this was the final straw for me. I opened the front door and told the boys to push it towards the door, but instead the bird came flying towards me. I guess I imagined that it would just fly out the front door, but I was wrong. I got scared and ran into the kitchen, tripped and fell, landing right on my belly. I laid there for a few minutes crying, worried about the baby. I called Sterling at work, then my doctor, and then headed out the door to the hospital. I could feel the baby moving but contractions started almost immediately.
My SIL Brandi met me at the hospital and took the boys to her house. I got to the hospital and they hooked me up to the monitors and baby was doing ok. My SIL Rachel walked in minutes later to come sit with me until Sterling could get there. The baby's heart rate was going down a bit with each contraction, which made them and me nervous. I was having steady contractions about every 3-4 minutes. They called my doctor and decided to keep me. I new that the baby was coming and that I'd get to meet him that night, and that he'd be ok.
Sterling got to the hospital soon after they told me I was staying and I have never been happier to see him. My sister Becky got there about 45 minutes later. I was on oxygen for most of the delivery since his heart rate kept going down so much. I got my epideral at about 8pm. I really loved epidurals btw. It doesn't completely put me out, but it sure takes the edge off.
Then the waiting game began for the next couple of hours so Sterling went and got some food. This is sort of our baby tradition. I labor, while he eats!
I had invited Becky, Mom Fillmore, and Rachel to be there, and it was really great having so much support there. At this exact moment, I was in a LOT of pain. The epidural doesn't help too much with back pain. I had a similar experience with Gouverneur, so I knew this baby would be posterior.
About 30 minutes later, I knew it was time to push. Dr. Jones came in and after about 3 big pushes, out popped the most beautiful little boy with a head full of hair, just like our other boys. Born at 11:??pm, on June 18, 2014.
He looked smaller to me than our other boys, and sure enough. He weighed in at 7lbs 15.6 oz., officially making him 8 lbs. and 19 inches long. We weren't sure on the name at first, but later decided on Winston Spencer Fillmore.
This is the most amazing part of having a baby. All the pain, lack of sleep, nausea, extra pounds, and bad moods are all worth it for this one moment.
Sterling is such a darling daddy to our boys. I love to see him hold our babies. I hope each one turns out just like their daddy.
