Joshua David Schottey

SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

On Sunday morning I could tell that the contractions were getting intense and that it wouldn't be long before our baby would be born. I called the hospital at 3:30AM they told me that I should try to hold out at home, where it was more comfortable, until the contractions were 5 minutes apart consistently.
Monday a Law and Order marathon which helped me get through the day. At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon the contractions were intense and getting to be consistently 5 minutes apart. At 4 o'clock Michael told me that I should get in the shower so that he could shower too and that it was time and we should get to the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital, roughly 5 o'clock, they put the monitor on to check the contractions and the baby's heartbeat. The doctor was there he said I was at 4 cm and that I would not be going home pregnant. A wave of emotions washed over me.
We were moved into a labor and delivery room where I answered a million questions and received IV fluids. I got an epidural shortly before the doctor broke my water. I was at 6 cm when the doctor realized that the lighting needed for delivery didn't work. Michael packed up everything that we had brought and the doctor and nurse wheeled me to a new labor and delivery room.
It was two hours later when the doctor check me again. He said I was at 10 cm but not quite ready to push yet. Half an hour later it was time to the pushing to start. It was 10:45 and we began to debate if the baby would be born on Monday or Tuesday. It took a little while to get into the rhythm of pushing. The gulps of air and the pressure behind my eyes from pushing made me sick. After throwing up, we were back in business. Michael and I were joking between contractions when he wasn't running to refill his coffee. The epidural made everything bearable.
At 12:19 Joshua David Schottey was born. He entered the world with a yelp. The umbilical cord was around his neck, but not tight enough for it to be dangerous. The doctor handed Michael the scissors to cut the umbilical cord. His response was, "I want no part of that." The doctor responded, "My hands are full. You have to cut it." Michael cut the cord and the doctor told him, "You know, I could have done it." It made us smile.
Joshua was placed on my chest where he and I spent his first moments of life bonding. What an amazing blessing! The nurse came to get him cleaned up and take his measurements. Michael watched and took pictures as the nurse examined him. Perfect: 7.09 pounds, 19 inches long, full head of hair.
At 3:30AM the epidural had worn off enough that it was time for me to shower. It was interesting for me to be on the other side of giving a bath. (At the nursing home I'm used to helping people to the bathroom and take a bath, but I was the one being helped.) I was given the ok to walk around and use the bathroom independantly.
In the morning (5ish) I was awake and anxious to have my baby back from the nursery. I was ready for our first full day together.