Jan. 2 - the birth

Soren Richard Wheeler

I've never been so happy to see someone as when the epidural guy walked through the door. All my breathing and focusing on each contraction as it came helped me get by, but I really just wanted a little relief.

The nurse got me into position, hugging the pillow and holding Scott's hand. I just kept thinking - make this work before I have another contraction. Sadly, the first time the epidural didn't take. So he had to do it again. He lost the "my favorite person" status at this point.

Before I started labor, I was scared of the epidural needle hurting. But what they say is true - you just don't care when it comes down to it. Once the second attempted epidural was in a good place, I was shocked to learn it doesn't work immediately. That I had to WAIT 10 minutes.

At this point, I felt something in between my legs and called for the nurse to check me. It didn't feel like a head, but there was definitely something there. She looked and one of my water sacks hadn't broke and was being pushed out like a giant water balloon. I have a picture, but don't worry - i won't be sharing. It looked pretty cool, though. She grabbed another nurse to see, since it isn't very common to have it come out whole.

My epidural was kind of working, but not enough. So the guy gave me a stronger dose. By the time it all kicked in, I was fully dilated with the head ready to be pushed out.

The doctor was called and she told the nurses to work on pushing with me, since it was my first baby and she didn't think he would come that fast. She was right.

With the epidural, my legs were dead weight. I could not feel them or my contractions - not even a little pressure. The nurse watched my monitor and told me when to push. Even though I couldn't feel, I was a pretty darn good pusher. We got the head in place and then waited for the doctor.

Once she came, it still took a little while. The atmosphere was oddly relaxed and calm. We chit chatted with the different nurses in between pushes. It was nice, I enjoyed the whole experience. They held up a mirror for me, so I could see his progress. Scott supplied me with ice chips and lots of positive support. We joked about how he had two crowns. We talked about the nursery nurse's recovery from a recent sprained ankle. We talked about our upcoming move to Idaho. Etc.

Soren and me a few minutes after his birth.

After 90 minutes of pushing, he popped out. It all happened so fast! I was shocked to actually see my baby. I have a freeze-frame image in my head of him being held in the air right after he came out. Amazing that he has been with me for nine months and now he has a face for me to recognize.

They placed him on my chest, where they rubbed him pink, suctioned his mouth, and did all the vitals. I got to cuddle him, but had to stop for them to finish rubbing him pink (which was okay with me) and then I got to cuddle him some more. His eyes were wide open, staring around, and he was screaming. As soon as I started talking to him, he stopped crying and turned his head in my direction. It was amazing!

And I was surprised at how cute he was. I mean, I am the mom so I should think he is cute - but he already had such distinct, adorable features. A little pointy chin, a cute button nose, long lashes, big eyes, long fingers.

Scott cutting the umbilical cord.

Scott was awesome and took the best photographs. And he was able to have a nurse take a picture of him cutting the cord. He was such a huge support the whole day. I can't imagine having the experience without him. It was just so special and I have no doubts about him being a wonderful dad.

Baby boy Wheeler was born at 3:02 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2009. He weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz and was 21 inches. We were too tired to name him, so he went the first day as Baby.

More to come later....(oh yes, there is more!)