The Story of Leopold Michael

I am sitting in the hospital next to the most beautiful baby boy I've ever seen. I may be partial to him because he's my first born son but nevertheless he really is beautiful in every way. I can't explain the feelings that are rushing over me and my newfound mommyhood but I have loved every second of it.

Yesterday I was 35 weeks 4 weeks pregnant and feeling great! Friday had been a really lazy day for me and I had felt tired and cranky but Saturday was my day and I woke up feeling great. Tim and I were going to work at the store and then enjoy one of our last weekends as just a couple before we welcomed our baby that was still 4 weeks or so away from being here. How quickly our plans would change!

We hadn't even opened up the box with the car seat in it. We still needed a few little things. No bag was packed and now list was even made up but our baby decided none of that mattered! He was ready to finally be with us.

At 4:45 I was still at the store anxious for the last few customers to leave and to go out on a date with my husband. As I was standing at the front counter all of a sudden I felt a big gush. At first I half thought/hoped that I just peed my pants! I looked at Tim and said, "Um I think my water just broke" and ran to the bathroom. That sealed the deal because it wouldn't stop and I started to have my bloody show. Yep I was going to have a baby! Tim knocked on the door and was so confused and nervous!

We called the midwife who had us meet her at the hospital and I was admitted right away and was already 3 centimeters along! I was expecting a long labor since this was my first. I was delightfully surprised that the first half was really not that painful...and when I was checked at around 9 I was five centimeters already. Oh boy did it progress from there! The pain was really intense and my monitors didn't agree with me because they would only work with me on my back so the midwife let me have the internal monitors so I could move more comfortably and use the exercise ball to help control the pain. If you are planning on having a drug-free delivery use the exercise ball! it is heaven! At about 11 they checked me around and I was 9 centimeters! And at 11:30 I was fully dialated and could start pushing!

Did I mention May 1st is Tim's oldest brother's birthday? We joked that we'd try not to have him steal the day but I didn't really think it would happen...but if it did we decided the middle name would be changed from Neal to Michael in honor to him. Pushing was very emotional and at times frustrating because I knew that this was it...he was going to be here but I really didn't know what I was doing! I was afraid of the pain and afraid a little bit to really be a mommy for real...but I did it and the pain was there but far better/different than I ever thought it would be. After about 21 minutes of pushing little Leo was born at 11:51 and I was all tears and smiles! I had great help getting through it from Tim and my mom as well as midwife and the midwife in residency.

They had a full room when he came out because he was so early but everything was perfect. He was 6 lbs 1 oz, oxygen levels were at 100%, and all his vitals were good. They didn't let me breast feed just because of blood sugars and that was a little disappointing to me but hopefully it will still be something I can do...it hasn't worked out well so far though.

So now I'm a momma and the little bean inside me is a Leopold and Tim and I and him are now a family. It's been so amazing and it's only been one day! I can't wait to for the rest to come!