The happiest, scariest, and most tiring day of my life!

Gavin Scott Pittman

He's finally here! Actually he has been here for 10 weeks already but I'm just now getting back to the blog...and hopefully my unfinished scrapbooks...and cooking. Our sweet boy arrived on his due date January 29th at 4:53pm. These past 2.5 months have been surreal. It still doesn't seem real some days when I come home to my baby. MY.BABY. Both of us have fallen in love with our little boy and being his mom has been better than I ever imagined it could be. (I hope to get into a better blogging routine and have a feeling Gavin or GSP will dominate most entries so I will fill you in on birth - 10 weeks later but for this post I'll just cover his birthday!) Awhile ago I typed up the complete "story" of his birth and it was seven pages long so I think it's best we just hit the "highlights" here.

• Tuesday January 28th, after a walk with my favorite pooch and my Aunt Mara my water breaks around 6:30pm. I don't believe it has actually happened so we order Chinese. Realize after a bit it did. Ate Chinese and then headed to the hospital.
• Admitted to the hospital around 8:30pm, called mom to head down. Turns out they had to "steal" their van from the repair shop first.
• Went to bed planning to have a baby by morning or late morning at the latest.
• Spent the night listening to Keith watching Top Gear, the UK version, and attempt to sleep. Was not very successful. Contractions were sporadic and not very strong so Pitocin was started. Not much of a change.
• Morning of January 29th, mom brought donuts for Keith's breakfast. I ate jello and apple juice...
• Spent the morning answering text messages with "no baby yet, progress slow". Watched TV, played games, attempted to nap.
• Lunch time Keith brings back Jimmy Johns to the room. I ate jello and apple juice...
• Things are getting more uncomfortable now.
• Around 2:00ish still at 4-5 cm and very uncomfortable. Ask for the epidural. It's been around 18 hours so far.
• Around 3:00ish. Epidural finally arrives. Ahhh....much better.
• Around 3:15ish baby's heart rate drops. I'm told to switch positions a few times before being told to flip over onto all fours.
• Still around 3:15 room gets full of people and an oxygen mask is put on me. Still on all fours. Trying not to cry at this point. Telling myself crying will not help the baby.
• Praying, Praying, Praying.
• Heart rate goes back up. Whew...I'm allowed to flip back over. Keith brings me the IPAD and puts FRIENDS on. I watch for a few minutes before the nurse returns. Heart rate has dropped again.
• Nurse decides C-Section is needed and calls the doctor to confirm. Given various medications/liquids that taste bad.
• Head down to OR. Keith is taken to put on scrubs and hats (on his feet because they're too big for their booties). Room is COLD. Lay there waiting and praying. Also feeling exhausted.
• Finally they start. Feel lots of pulling and tugging but no pain. Seems like it takes FOREVER to get to baby. Doctors attempt to use vacuum to get him out. Doesn't work the first time as he has too much hair. Works the second time.
• We hear our sweet boys first cries at 4:53pm. Most amazing sound in the world.
• I see him from a distance before he's cleaned up. Soon Keith comes over with our son bundled up and places him in one of my arms. I can't believe I'm holding him finally.
• Too quickly he's taken away to be cleaned up and checked out. Keith goes with. I'm left waiting in OR alone. Remember feeling very, very tired. Told he is 8lbs and 7oz, 21 inches. Thought "that can't be, they said he was small".
• Finally finished and taken to recovery room. Remember thinking "finally warm" and "when can I see my baby!" Had to wait until I could feel my legs. Headed up to room after what felt like hours (but wasn't).
• Mom, Dad, and Keith's parents have arrived. Finally get to actually hold my baby. He's the most adorable baby I've ever seen. He's perfect. Keith asks if Gavin Scott Pittman sounds good. I say yes.
• Spend the rest of the evening admiring our miracle who is completely healthy and unaffected by having the cord wrapped around his neck twice.
• Had an awful overnight. Was in lots of pain, tired, uncomfortable from machines, and HOT.
• Finally morning of the 30th comes bring doctors and additional pain medication...much better.
• Sometime around noon I'm allowed to eat real food. Gone in under five minutes.
• Allowed to get up and walk a couple laps in the hall. Wow it hurts...but up means I can shower. Early evening, finally allowed to shower. Feels amazing.
• Have a much better evening.
• Friday morning the 31st feeling much better. Spend the day holding Gavin, eating, and walking around the halls. Dad and Mara visit.
• Saturday February 1st, going home today! Spend the morning getting ready to go. Packing, filling out paperwork etc. Give Gavin a bath and go home!

 Hard to believe that is the abbreviated version! It was quite the long process and a little more excitement than we planned on! Gavin has brought us so much joy we already can't imagine life before him. I feel so blessed to be his mom and I am so excited to watch him grow.